When the battalion arrived in the South the white citizens were not at all favorably disposed toward colored soldiers, and it must be said that the reception was not cordial.  But by their orderly conduct and soldierly behavior the men soon won the respect of all, and the battalion was well treated before it left.  November 28-29 Major Philip Reade, Inspector General First Division, Second Army Corps, inspected the Ninth Battalion, beginning his duties in that brigade with this inspection.  He complimented the battalion for its work both from a practical and theoretical standpoint.  Coming to the Fourteenth Pennsylvania he required them to go through certain movements in the extended order drill which not being done entirely to his satisfaction, he sent his orderly to the commanding officer of the Ninth Battalion, requesting him to have his command on the drill ground at once.  The battalion fell in and marched to the ground and when presented to the Inspector orders were given for it to go through with certain movements in the extended order drill in the presence of the Pennsylvania regiment.  This done, the Inspector dismissed the battalion, highly complimenting Major Young on the efficiency of his command.  Just after the visit of the Inspector General, General S.B.M.  Young, commanding the Second Army Corps, visited Camp Marion.  Orders were sent to Major Young one morning to have his battalion fall in at once, as the General desired to have them drill.  By his command the battalion went through the setting-up exercises and battalion drill in close and extended order.  The General was so well pleased with the drill that the battalion was exempted from all work during the remainder of the day.

The battalion was ordered to be mustered out January 29, 1899.  Lieutenant Geo. W. Van Deusen, First Artillery, who was detailed to muster out the command, hardly spent fifteen minutes in the camp.  Major Young had been detailed Assistant Commissary of Musters and signed all discharges for the Ninth Battalion, except for the field and staff, which were signed by Lieutenant Van Deusen.  The companies left for their respective cities the same night they were paid.  Major Bullis was the paymaster.

FOOTNOTES: 

[25] See “Outline History of the Ninth (Separate) Battalion Ohio Volunteer Infantry,” by the Battalion Adjutant, Lieutenant Nelson Ballard, following the close of this chapter.

CHAPTER XII.

COLORED OFFICERS.

     By Captain Frank R. Steward, A.B., LL.B., Harvard,
     Forty-ninth U.S.  Volunteer Infantry—­Appendix.