Two days after the fall of Fort Sumter, and immediately after the receipt of the proclamation of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers, a meeting of the citizens of London was held in the town hall, which was organized by calling H. W. Smith to the chair and appointing A. Downing Secretary. On taking the chair, Mr. Smith addressed the meeting in a few appropriate remarks. He was followed by Dr. A. Toland, Col. P. W. Taylor, William Jones, George Lincoln, W. H. Squires, John McGaffey and several other citizens, in patriotic speeches. Richard Cowling, Dr. Toland and William Jones were appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. Col. Taylor read his orders from the Adjutant General to proceed in enrolling a company of volunteers, and also the general orders from the same officer. A call was made for volunteers, but none answered at the time. A. Downing was authorized to enroll all volunteers who should subsequently make application. The committee reported the following resolutions:
Whereas, The flag of our country having been dishonored by traitors, we deem it our duty to defend that flag at the risk of our lives; therefore,
Resolved. That the citizens of Madison County, as much as they deplore the strife and disunion in our land, they will still cling to the union of these States, and by ever honorable means in their power endeavor to maintain their integrity.
Resolved. That they will try to sustain the General Government in maintaining its authority in enforcing the laws and upholding the flag of the Union.
The resolutions after reading were unanimously adopted, and the meeting adjourned after three hearty cheers for the flag of the country.
The stars and stripes were raised above the court house on Monday, April 16. On Wednesday, a beautiful flag, made by the Ladies of London, was raised above the academy building, on the occasion of which patriotic speeches were made by J. S. Burnham, J. D. Stine, Emery Smith and others. Another flag floated from the Toland warehouse, one from Peter Weber's, one from Van Wagner & Athey's grocery, one from the Cowling House and many smaller ones from several other business houses. Up to the 18th, about twenty young men had taken the required oath, and several other names had been received. A requisition was made by the Governor for seventy-five men from Col. Taylor's volunteers, to be in readiness to march on Wednesday, the 28th inst.
During the first week or ten days after the fall of Fort Sumter, the county was in a continual state of excitement. Almost every branch of business was suspended, and the people generally did nothing but stand about the street corners of the towns and villages and rush to each train that arrived for news and to cheer the passing volunteers. The stars, and stripes floated from the churches, the court house, two beautiful poles that were erected in the streets of London, and from almost every business house and many private dwellings. Squads of men were drilling on the streets and the hotels were thronged with recruits. Party ties were completely obliterated, and every man, no matter what may have been his political tendency affirmed that it was now his duty to support the Government, and lend a helping hand in its defense. The first company enrolled in accordance with Gov. Dennison's call was christened by Col. Taylor, "The Eagle Guards." They were commanded by Capt. Thomas Acton, and left for Lancaster, Ohio, April 27, 1861.
Before leaving for camp, the Eagle Guards were presented with a beautiful flag by the ladies of London, who had also made for them from goods purchased by the Council, one hundred flannel shirts.
The care of those whom the defenders of their country's honor left behind was gladly assumed by the citizens. A letter on this point from Richard Cowling to the County Treasurer, dated London, April 23, 1861, reads as follows:
"I have this day left with W. H. Chandler, County Treasurer, $1,000, to be applied to the comfort of the two volunteer companies that go from this place—one-half ($500) to be equally divided between the two companies, subject to the order of their Captains in trust for their respective companies. The other half ($500) to be applied to the care of the soldiers' families, under the direction of the following committee: W. H. Chandler, H. W. Smith, B. F. Clark. A. A. Hume, O. P. Crabb and W. H. Squires. The Government shall be sustained as long as I have a dollar."
A purse of $300 was immediately raised among the citizens of London, for the use of the volunteers; while all over the county money was pledged to aid the good cause. Peter Buffenburgh subscribed $1,000 toward the volunteer fund, and many other citizens did equally as much according to their means. In May, 1863, CoL Peter W.Taylor deeded 1,600 acres of Missouri land to H. W. Smith. B. F. Clark. Jacob Peetrey, M. Lemen and James Kinney, to be held in trust for the benefit of disabled soldiers from Madison County.
The ladies of the were indefatigable in their ministrations to the soldiers. They organized the "Ladies" Hospital Relief Society of Madison County," which was unceasing in its efforts. They were constantly sending to the hospitals of Ohio regiments boxes of fruit and other delicacies, with large supplies of woolen blankets, socks, underwear, sheets, pillowcases, books, papers, magazines, and, in fact, everything to contribute to the comfort and happiness of the soldiers, while also supplying their loved ones at home with the necessaries of life.
On the 19th of July, 1862, Gov. Dennison appointed the following military committee for Madison County: Dr. Milton Lemen, Robert Armstrong, William Curtain, Gabriel Prugh and Judge B. F. Clark, all of whom had taken an active interest in raising money and volunteers to defend the flag of their country. Prior to this time, there had been raised in this county $11,668, for the purpose of paying bounties to its soldiers. We have examined this subscription list and find some very wealthy men with an insignificant amount opposite their respective names, while many poor men gave liberally of their means. It is a fair indication of the patriotism possessed by each. On the 24th of June, 1863, the military committee was re-organized, and the following gentlemen appointed by Gov. Tod. Robert Armstrong, Judge B. F. Clark, Gabriel Prugh, Thomas P. Jones and O. P. Crabb, who served until the war ended and the starry banner floated in peace from the lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.