| Notes |
- HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO (189
Colonel E. Bassett Langdon was born February 24, 1827, in what is now
Linwood, a village on the Little Miami railroad, adjoining the corporation of
Cincinnati. His father, Rev. Oliver Langdon, died in September, 1828. Bassett
Langdon spent his boyhood on the farm where he was born, but he displayed such
a fondness for intellectual pursuits that his mother often said of him,
"Bassett was never intended for a farmer." He attended the public school in
the neighborhood for a short time, and was then sent to Woodward College in
Cincinnati, where he spent three years. After this he entered Miami
University, where he remained two years, but did not graduate. He then
returned to the farm, and notwithstanding his mother's prediction, remained in
charge of it until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was placed on the
Democratic ticket for a member of the Legislature, and was elected. He was
twice re-elected to the same office, and afterward served one term as Senator
from Hamilton county. During the leisure hours of his legislative career, he
pursued the study of law, and at its close was prepared by Hon. William S.
Groesbeck for admission to the Bar, entered upon the practice of his
profession, and was engaged therein at the breaking out of the Rebellion.
Upon the organization of the First Ohio Infantry for three year
service, he was commissioned its major, and served in this capacity in all the
movements of the regiment until after the evacuation of Corinth, in 186
when, at the urgent request of Gen. A.M. McCook, he accepted the position of
inspector-general upon McCook's staff. After the battles of Perryville and
Stone River, upon the promotion of Col. Parrott to the command of the brigade,
Lieut. Col. Langdon (he was promoted to Lieutenant-colonel June 2, 1862
returned to the command of his regiment, which he retained through the battles
of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain. He was mustered out with
his regiment, and was afterward brevetted brigadier-general "for gallant and
meritorious services at the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Chickamauga,
Chattanooga and Mission Ridge," to date from march 13, 1865. After the war he
received the appointment of assessor of Internal Revenue in the First District
of Ohio. His nomination was opposed, and it was not until the third effort
that it was confirmed by the Senate. This opposition embittered the last days
of his life. He held the office at the time of his death, May 30, 186
This is a brief record of his life of forty years. Of his character no
word of reproach was ever spoken. It is related of him that no act of
unkindness or of disobedience ever pained the heart of his widowed mother.
That he possessed a tender and thoughtful regard for the members of his
household, and that he was actuated by the highest motives in entering the
services of his country, may be seen by this extract from a private letter
written to his sisters, but sent to his brother, with directions to give it to
them only in case he was killed in the war. It is dated at Camp Wood, near
Munfordville, Ky., December 18, 1861. "But the realities of war are around me,
and I am not insensitive to its danger, and have thought over the whole subject
again and again. If I felt sure that death would be the only portion I should
reap from this war, I should not the less be satisfied and even glad that I
had taken up arms in defense of my country in the hour of her extreme need. I
could not feel that I had performed my duty to that country, which, in
peaceful times, has honored and trusted me, nor the parents who gave me birth
- to you who live now - nor to those who are to come after all of us shall
have passed the dread trial that comes but once, but must come to all, if I
had done otherwise than I have in this matter."
As a soldier Col. Langdon was conspicuous for his bravery. At
Pittsburg Landing his commanding form made him a mark for the enemy's
sharpshooters. One of their balls tore his hat from his head, and knocked him
from his horse. At Perryville and at Stone River, while acting as a sta
officer for Gen. McCook, his horse was shot under him, and he was specially
mentioned for gallant conduct at Mission Ridge, where, notwithstanding, he
received an almost mortal wound, he still kept with his men, and was among the
first within the enemy's works. From this wound he never fully recovered, the
shock to his system having induced an affection of the heart. His death,
though not unexpected, was sudden. On the morning of May 30, 1867, he rose
early; his breakfast was brought to him by his devoted sisters, but it was not
touched. Near dinner-time one of them brought him some mulled wine as a
reviving drink. On rising to receive it his head fell forward, and when it was
lifted by his sister's hand life had passed away. To the number of brave men
who yielded their lives at Mission Ridge was added one more, in the person of
E. Bassett Langdon, who as truly died for his country as if he had fallen in
that historic charge. - Whitelaw Reid
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Bassett Family Association Database
- Deceased
d. Deceased