Your Editor inherited his interest in family history from both his father and his grandfather, Louis Brosee Ong (1911-1986), for whom genealogy was an important hobby (the others being music, specifically drumming, and carpentry). One manifestation of his work was that in the late 1960's he had arranged along the main staircase wall of the family home in Uhrichsville, Ohio a series of photographs of the Ong family members of our line, starting from Jacob Ong (1760-1849) all the way through eight generations to a grade school photo of the Editor at around age 10. Aside from the direct ancestors, and some photos of old Ong houses and furniture, there were two other photographs of honor, both brothers to the Editor's great-great-grandfather Harlan Ong (1850-1919) likewise sons of Moses Harlan Ong (1810-1890) and Mary Cain Ong (1814-1875): The first was my great-great-great uncle, Dr Albert R. Ong, (1846-1906), the author of "The Ong Family of America" (published posthumously in 1906), and the other was a Civil War-era portrait of their older brother, Finley, in military uniform (above).
The entry for Finley Ong in Dr. Ong's book is as follows:
FINLEY ONG was born on the 2nd day of January, 1839. He was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Company H, 126th Regiment, O.V.I. He was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness on the 26th day of May, 1864, and died on the following day. He was also a faithful soldier of the Cross, and died with these blessed words on his lips as he sang:
"Jesus, lover of my soul.
Let me to Thy bosom fly;
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still in high.
"Hide me, Oh my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is passed;
Safe into the Haven guide,
Oh, receive my soul at last."
He was twenty-five years of age at the time of his death and was unmarried.
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This romanticized account of his passing is undocumented of course, but the date of death here - May 26, 1864 - is problematic as the Battle of the Wilderness was fought on May 5th through 7th, 1864, But the date for his death on the side of his family's group tombstone (in Northern Cemetery, Smithfield, Ohio) is given as May 6th, which fits the narrative precisely.
"Jesus, lover of my soul.
Let me to Thy bosom fly;
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still in high.
"Hide me, Oh my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is passed;
Safe into the Haven guide,
Oh, receive my soul at last."
He was twenty-five years of age at the time of his death and was unmarried.
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This romanticized account of his passing is undocumented of course, but the date of death here - May 26, 1864 - is problematic as the Battle of the Wilderness was fought on May 5th through 7th, 1864, But the date for his death on the side of his family's group tombstone (in Northern Cemetery, Smithfield, Ohio) is given as May 6th, which fits the narrative precisely.
,
This also matches the relevant entry for "Findley Ong" in John Gibson's "History of the 126th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry" (1883): "Wounded and captured in battle Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Died in hands of enemy from wounds received in battle Wilderness, May 6, 1864."
The Editor's branch of the family has preserved a group of letters relating to Finley Ong which makes fascinating reading over 150 years later. One letter relating the news of Finley's loss to his father gives yet another date for his death. (All the letters are presented here without any corrections.)
The Editor's branch of the family has preserved a group of letters relating to Finley Ong which makes fascinating reading over 150 years later. One letter relating the news of Finley's loss to his father gives yet another date for his death. (All the letters are presented here without any corrections.)
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(Letter from Pvt. J.B. Moore to Moses Harlan Ong)
(Letter from Pvt. J.B. Moore to Moses Harlan Ong)
Spottsylvania Heights
May 17, 1864
Mr. Ong,
Sir with grief I seat myself to give you the sad news of your true son Finly he is missing from our ranks He was wounded May 16th We charge and we were drove he was left on the field consequintly he fell into the hands of the rebles He was wounded in the hip or the leg we could not tell but he seamed to sufer very much but we are in hopes he aint dead as fore me to give you any corect account I could not at this time but will at the earliest peariod posible. I received several letters fore him to day and as I could not send them to you I opened them and found but one of them frome home fore with I enclose with this ---- I also found one with one dolars worth of postage stamps and as the boys wer out I gave them to them and-----worth in money I will be glad to doe anything in the way of information I can for any of you I was a bunk maitt of Finlyes and I feal it my dieuty to doe what I can in this way I will close is hast as we have to move believe me to by your friend
J.B. M(? -illegible)
Company H (126th)
Brig G
Via Washington
G,W Paxson is mising John Hooper is wounded William Ford is wounded I will give you a longer detail
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Based on the regimental Muster Roll, the author is undoubtedly J.B. Moore, and the events described in the postscript occurred between May 9th and May 12th. As for May 16th vs May 6th, the two possibilities are that the letter has the date wrong, or Finley was wounded and died in the subsequent engagement at Spotsylvania Court House in which the 126th OVI was also deployed, suffering heavy casualties, and the regimental records confused the facts. That is understandable given that in these two weeks of battle in early May over half of the regiment was killed, wounded or went missing.
Here is the account of May 6th in Gibson's history:
Here is the account of May 6th in Gibson's history:
Here are the other letters in the collection:
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(Letter from Elthiza M Cuppy to Finley Ong)
Home
September 6th 1863
Mr. Ong
I was very agreeably surprised afew weeks ago on receiving a letter from you Now I will try to answer but I will not promise you much for I cannot write an interesting letter but perhaps it will serve to amuse you in some of your lonesome moments We have been having avery hard rain here this eavening it was needed very much for it has been the dryest this summer I ever saw it I just came home from yearly meeting in time to escape the rain it was crowded hot and dusty there so you know it would not be very pleasant at least it was not to me Brother John came home afew weeks ago he is not well and I am afraid never will be There was a picnic at the mouth of Piney Fork yesterday I thought it was not going to pay and would not go I am sorry now that I did not for I guess they had a tolerbly good time But as this is my first letter I will close I will be pleased to hear from you if you think this worth answering Excuse all mistakes and poor writing.
Your friend
Elthiza M Cuppy
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Notes:
Elthiza M. Cuppy (1846-1939) wrote this from Mt Pleasant, Ohio, just before her 17th birthday. Like many in the Quaker community she was also kin: Elthiza was the niece by marriage of Finley's great uncle, John McGrew Ong (1799-1877), who married Mary Jane Cuppy (1797-1877). Elthiza married Marion Strong McGrew (another cousin to the Ongs) in 1875.
"Brother John" was John Worrall Cuppy (1827-1891), who served as a Hospital Steward in the 104th Illinois Infanty
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(Letter from George W. Paxson to Finley Ong)
Sept. 26th 1863
Camp near Culpeper Va.
Mr. Finley Ong
Sir by good luck a detachment of the 110 Ohio camped in and near Camp Tyler started to join their regiment in the army of the Potomac on the 23rd and we were sent with them. we arived in Washington at midnight we remained in Washington untill 1 P.M. when we went to Alexandria, where we stayed untill dark when we were put aboard a hay train, and arived in Culpeper about 12 A.M. slept in a car loaded with oats, untill morning eat a piece of dry bread and balogna for breakfast, slung my knapsack and marched out about two miles to the camp of the 126th where I arrived about 10 A.M. the regt is very small at present there is 38 men of co H at this place and 35 are reported for duty a number (including Lieut McKinney) were left at New York, Stonebrook died at that place, a number are also at Alexandria. Col Smith is in command of our brigade. The 11 and 12 corps have gone to Tennesse We keep 8 days rations by us all the time, independent of what we draw for present use Waddle has been promoted to orderly and Conway to Segeant again. direct Co. H 126th Ohio 3 Brigade 3 Division 3 Corps army of the Potomac. Jos. Deyarmon and Wm Ford are well Yours. Geo W. Paxson
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Notes:The author, George W. Paxson (1840-1864), was a Private in Co. H, 126th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was listed as missing in battle at Spotsylvania Court House May 9, 1864. The circumstances of this letter are interesting as Finley Ong must not have been in active duty in the regiment in Sept 1863. The regiment was recruited from Harrison County in the summer of 1862 as a volunteer unit with a three year commitment, so Finley either was a late joiner or was on furlough, the latter being more likely since the writer makes it sound as if Finley knows the various people mentioned.
The detachment to New York refers to the effort by the Union Army to enforce the draft in New York City. 2nd Lt. Thomas W. McKinnie was subsequently wounded at the Wilderness on May 6, 1864. He re-entered active duty and was eventually promoted to Lt. Colonel of the regiment in Jan. 1865. Private John Stonebrook died of disease in New York City on Sept 9, 1863.
The regiment's commander, Col. Benjamin F. Smith, was an acting Brigadier General (as referenced in the letter) and had been a Captain in the regular Army.
Benjamin N. Waddle, was promoted to Sergeant on Sept. 1, 1863, captured at the Wilderness on May 6, 1864, and was exchanged and died in January 1865.
Sergeant Moses Conway was killed the Battle of Flint Hill, Sept. 21, 1864.
Private Joseph Deyormond died of disease on Jan. 6, 1864 at Brandy Station, Virginia, the regiment's winter encampment.
Private William Ford was wounded on May 12, 1864 and again on Sept. 19, 1864. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps in March 1865.
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(Letter likely from Anna Eliza Ong to Finley Ong)
Direct to Hopedale
Harrison Co
in care of Mr. Hill
Dumphery Hall
Hopedale O.
Nov 25, 1863
Friend Finley,
I intended to have answered your long and interesting letter ere this by I have had so much to busy myself about before coming that I thought I had better wait for a good opportunity than to scrach off something in a hurry.
So I come again to greet you with a kind good evening. It has been a very gloomy and unpleasant without But with the curtains drawn in room No. 20 and a cheerful fire and surroundings to muse by we forget the unpleasantness of without in the quiet within Nature is indeed seldom a sympathizer with our inner life. It has light heed of human suffering. But I must give you a few preliminaries of our school. I have been her 2 weeks and so far I like the school and its several teachers enceeding well it and they are all and even more than expected all that I anticipated has been fully realized. Mr. Regal the principal is one the nicest men I have ever met in other words he is a gentleman. There's about 50 studence in attendance and more expected there are 8 gents boards in the hall including Mr. Brinkerhoff (one of the proff.) all of the cottages ar taken up with club boarders the room we are in is capable of accomodating 4 has at present only 2 in persons of humble servant and Corrie Madill we are expecting 2 other ladies next. There is two good societies call the ?diadark? lions and the percleaians. both societies are flourishing I have not united with either. I shall join the formor the anniversary comes off on the 18. The members are preparing for a grand time the members of said societies must perform something every Friday evening the can know what it is by refering to the program which is made out and hung up in the assembly room. I only have six studies arretrrhmetic Grammar Geography Nat. philosophy elecution orthography an penmanship. That is as meny as Mr. Regal allows us to have in addition to belonning to a society which is considered equivalent to a study for it is no small task to belong and be a good member. I have only recited 2 since I cam here for I was ill the first of this week last they did nothing but organize classes.
I had almost given up hop of hearing from you Ah! like the faint flowers of Sommer which the vanity finger hath plucked friends has gone in natures domain. Gone foreve like the gorgeous summer we may never welcome again.
Friends has gone from us to strike a blow for the good old starry banner and to die and before it is all over how many will be silent beneath the green grass sleeping the loving sweet sleep of the glorious saints and heroes; these martyrs of holy truth some in the honorable ?scors? some great and glorious all sutfering(?) either from the silent land beyond through the echoing hall of memory or from every place of honor in our land how great a thing it is to die for freedom "Oh! God of battles" steel the souldiers heart I fear I have been talking too serious for you have been joking with your fellow souldiers so much you will like shewghing this around
But I will have to close do excuse this miserable scribling I write. is great how the boy will soon start to this office this is Thanksgiving and there is no school
write soon
ever your Annie
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(Letter likely from Lemuel W. Ong to Finley Ong)
Richmond Ohio
Dec 1 1863
F. Ong
Cozy Friend
Time with untiring wings in hurrying on to its destined goal. Eternity's mighty ocean swerving in his path the wrecks of empires the tombs of nations and no chain not even nights deep darkness can bind his rushing pinions. How time flies. Nearly one year has rolled away to join the boundless chain in the eternity of the past since last I looked into your eye grasped the hand of friendship and bid you adieu. Last night autumn died today chilling winter is seated on his icy throne and rules the world. All nature bears the visage of the cold spring bare and desolate. the murmuring brook lies hushed in its icy fetter the feathered songsters have gone to carol their melodies in more genial climes. The gentle breeze shrunk before the northern blast which now is howling dismally around while your friend cozy and comfortable is seated beneath the homestead rook scribing a few thoughts for your edification perhaps and in response to your long-looked-for and very kind epistle which now lays before me. Fin, why this long silence? If my memory serves me justly it occurs to me that you promised to open a correspondence with me soon after you returned to the field.
I have been reproved more than once from not writing to you by venerable advisers saying that you are a soldier and hence opportunity don't come on golden wings every day for writing friendships to everyone. I could not see the philosophy in such an argument acknowledging however that soldiers do battle with many privations but letters from your own hand have been received time and again by others whom perchance you considered more worthy. But let us drop that and enter upon something more important "Let the past dead bury its dead and think only of promptness in the future.
I am hearty as usual still able for full rations and hope when this reaches its destination it may find you basking in the sunshine of good health. Allow me to say that Angel in calico over at the white cottage is in fine spirits and blooming waiting perhaps till this "Cruel War is over" when some one of America's brave sons may take her blushing from the Hymen's altar Fin, today the storm which drives our ship of state out upon the shoals and quicksands of discussion is not so terrible as in times gone by. Dare we to hope that the tempest is almost over? Dare we to say that the Goddess of Liberty bearing in one hand the emblem of peace in the other noble and beautiful "Stars and Bars" is about to emanate from the dark clouds and dispense the gloom? Hope it may be! Anna has gone to Salem to school this winter. Excuse this writing and all errors for I am in a hurry. Write soon without fail and I will try and be more interesting in my next.
PS Fin get a furlough and come home during the holiday
Yours
Lemm
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Note:
The authors of these two letters - "Lemm" and "Annie" - are not properly identified, but there are enough clues to indicate that these are likely Finley Ong's first cousins, Lemuel W. Ong (1844-1877) and his sister Anna (Annie) E. Ong Simpson (1849-1929), both children of Lewis Ong (1816-1898) and Elmira Purviance Ong (1820-1901). Lemuel Ong, age 19 at this time, was a student at Richmond College in his hometown of Richmond, Ohio. He later received a Masters degree from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, and returned to Richmond to take charge of the College and became its President in 1868, an office he held until his death in 1877, His sister Annie, 14 at the time of this writing, was educated at the Friends School in Salem, Ohio and then Richmond College, and in 1871 she married Prof. Samuel S. Simpson, who was subsequently President of Richmond College from 1878 to 1886. Their brother, Lindley H. Ong (1841-1862), had already died from illness while serving as a hospital nurse in the 40th Ohio Voluntry Infantry, then posted in Kentucky.
The love interest obliquely referred to in the third paragraph remains a mystery.
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(And finally, a letter from Finley himself to one of his several aunts.)
Camp in the Mud
Army of the Potomac
April 5th 1864
Dear Aunt,
For the first time and with plascure do I imbrace the over whelming oppertunity of pening afiew simple thoughts for your perusal and perhaps edification Not being gifted with nack of letter writeing like some others I have alwais failed to interest my my relatives or from there actions I could not come to eney other conclusion. but I feel that I am now writeing to one who will not look for prafection but will hail with plasure afiew lines pened by unworthey me.
Aunt I left home on the morn of the 17th October Landed at my rgt on the eavning of the 23rd distance about 550 miles found the regt encampt nie Brandy station on the Orange and elanandria RR found the boys in good health with one or two excseption. they wer very snugley fixed in there little log huts which had been built by the rebs. Ar boys drove them out of there winter quarters. Steped in took posation whare they have been fairing sumtiousley all winter I nevor saw ar regt. injoying as good health and looking so well as they ar at presant But when I come to look round over my Co. meney faces which was familliar and aquaintance dear was missing the pail messenger death had been thair and had sumoned them home. I could not help but feel bad. but the words came huring across my mind. The Lord giveth the Lord taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord. Sweet consolation is it not to those who love his coming. But I have allmost lost the run of my subject. I am now one that constitute apart of the galent yet unsucsesfol Army of Potomac. in a day or two after I arrived ar Brigade was ordered out on Picket I with the rest of them packed and slung knapsack three days rashions in haversack and away we go it was 8 miles from camp to ar pickt line. we stayed out three days one of them being easter Sunday on Tuesday 29th we was releaved then had 8 miles to tramp to camp the mud being very deep and rain falling in perfect torants made it rather adisagreeble trip got to camp found orders awaiting us. ar new commander and hero of the western Army front is here reorganiseing this Army to suit him self so we was trasfered from the 3rd Corps to the 6th the largest corps in the U S Army the 5 origonal corps has been consolidated in to three. Namely 2nd 5th and 6th Commandid by the three galent heroes namely Hancock Com. 2nd Warren Com 5th Sedgwick 6th Gen. Grant Commander in Chief we had to move ar camp. Marched about 3 miles took the quarters of the 17th Main got as good quarters as we left was it no but better Aunt we ar exspecting a grand and earley move of this Army and I hope to acheive that which will make eny loyal hart rejoice. But it has been raining and snowing hear ever since I joined my regt consiquently the roads ar geting very bad and amove at preasant would be out of the question.
Aunt this mutch nicer country than I excspected to find But bares evry mark of the desolation of war the once snug little cotage that was once inhabited by perhaps ahappy couple surounded as it may of been by some of earths fair daughters is now deserted the boken flore split doors and the wind whistling through the broken windows speaks plainley that it has been changed from that what it was built for to the dwelling of some of Uncle Sams Boys to sum al up in afiew werds the whole country is layed at wast and nothing to be scene or herd but clash of arms and tramp of the war horse.
Finley
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According to the Regiment's records, Finley Ong died of his wounds in Confederate hands 31 days later.
The Editor especially thanks John Doyle Ong for these transcriptions.
More information on Ong family members who served in the Civil War may be found at: http://ongfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/01/ongs-in-american-civil-war.html
