Beginning on Saturday, October 31, 1885, the Lebanon Gazette, a bi-weekly newspaper published in Lebanon, Ohio, published this 12 part series

WARREN COUNTY IN THE WAR.
                               I
THE FIRST WAR MEETING IN LEBANON.

Tales of the civil war of 1861 are always possessed of a vivid interest to every American citizen. To the younger generation they are a series of revelations almost impossible to appreciate, while to the older class, those who took part in the war itself, or kept at home by sickness or disability, watched the gigantic struggle with a terrible anxiety and suspense, they bring back the time when the telegraph office was the principal center of life, and a newspaper seemed worth a fortune, as they read of the deed of friends battling for preservation of the Nation, and to the soldiers themselves they revive recollections of the long, weary marches, the camp life and the hot skirmishes and battles of the days when they fought for the Union.

A general recollection of the occurrences of war days is fresh in the minds of all Warren County people, but many of the particulars have been forgotten. among these, which we desire now to recall, will be the first meeting ever called in Lebanon for the purpose of taking action on the matter of the war, and while, to use a legal phrase, it will "refresh the memory" of the older persons, it will teach the younger generation the manner in which their fathers met the attempt to break up the Union.

On the thirteenth of April, 1861, the news was flashed all over the country that on the preceding day, the rebellious South Carolinians had opened fire on Fort Sumpter, and that, after standing the fire for hour after hour, Major Anderson and his little company had marches out, leaving  it in the hands of the rebels. in the daily papers of the fifteenth came the President's proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand volunteers to sustain the laws of the United States. The most profound agitation existed all over the country, and this vicinity did not escape. All day long the matter was eagerly discussed on the street corners, and business was almost suspended. The feeling was strong and bitter against the men who had lifted up their hands against their own country, and the air was full of speculations as to what would be the outcome. No one, however, even thought of the years of war and bloodshed that were to follow.

But the popular feeling could not long restrain itself, and on the day after the reception of the President's proclamation a mass meeting was called at Washington Hall, in the evening. The following facts given are from the recollection of many of our citizens on the subject:

At the appointed time the room was crowded with the best people of Lebanon and vicinity. Mr. A. H. Dunlevy was chosen chairman by a unanimous vote and in taking this seat made a winning speech that set the audience wild with enthusiasm. A wonderful feeling prevailed. The chairman was followed by other speakers, among them Judge Beamy Storer, Durbin Ward and J. D. Wallace. A committee consisting of Durbin Ward, William Crosson, George R. Sage, James M. Smith, J. D. Wallace, John C. Dunlevy and Simon Suydam, was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiment of the meeting. They reported as follows:

Resolved, that we, the citizens of Warren County, most cordially endorse the action of the Government in its energetic measures to execute the laws and to preserve the institutions of our country.

Resolved, that we will stand by and support the administration in the most vigorous efforts to put down rebellion and punish treason at whatever expense of men or money.

Resolved, that we recognize no party in the present crisis but the part of the Union.

The audience already worded up to a high pitch of enthusiastic patriotism, fairly boiled over on the reading of these vigorous resolutions. They were passed without a dissenting voice amid the wildest applause, and then, in a sudden inspiration, some one in the audience moved that a dispatch be sent to Governor Dennison pledging Warren County's full quota of men, and it may be of interest to know that old Warren not only raised her company, but had twenty-six men over who were held together for a day or two and then dismissed.

The minds of our citizens, which have not been especially refreshed, are rather hazy on the subject of this first meeting, that is, they merely remember the occasion itself without the details. Several men, such as Captain Gilchrist, Captain Wright, Josiah Morrow, Dr. VanDyke and others were not here at the time of the meeting. Others who have been interrogated remember a few circumstances. Mr. Walter Hinkle was there, and remembers that several men volunteered that night and he thinks that the first one to sign his name was Durbin Ward. and he thinks, but is not certain, that Major Budd also was among this number.

Mr. George W. Frost was there and recollects what an enthusiastic, determined body of people the meeting was.

He remembers that there were several speakers, who aroused the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm, and he thinks that he remembers Durbin Ward being among these.

Several other persons have recollection of this affair. Among these is the fact that the band was there and played several patriotic airs, such as Hail Columbia and Star Spangled Banner. The unanimous feeling is that the meeting was one of the most determined, harmonious and patriotic ever held in Lebanon for any purpose, and that it was a fitting opening chapter to Warren County's share in the history of the great civil war.

Source: "Warren County in the War, Part I" The Lebanon (Ohio) Gazette, Saturday, October 31, 1885
[copy obtained from microfilm available at the Warren County Genealogical Society]