This threw upon the governors and legislatures of the loyal States responsibilities of a kind wholly unprecedented.

A long period of profound peace had made every military organization seem almost farcical.

A few independent military companies formed the merest shadow of an army; the state militia proper was only a nominal thing.

It happened, however, that I held a commission as Brigadier in this state militia, and my intimacy with Governor Dennison led him to call upon me for such assistance as I could render in the first enrolment and organization of the Ohio quota.
Arranging to be called to the Senate chamber when my vote might be needed upon important legislation, I gave my time chiefly to such military matters as the governor appointed.

Although, as I have said, my military commission had been a nominal thing, and in fact I had never worn a uniform, I had not wholly neglected theoretic preparation for such work.