^ ^' * » /• o o o * * Authcr Title 1 ■■7TB Imprint. 18—47372-2 QPO r ■■ ifTMM* „.^^^-0F THE>> Volunteer Cavalry. IpT beini,^ suggested that a History of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry *^ be written, the honor was conferred upon me. Not being a historian or even a letter writer, I feel myself entirely incompetent to do justice to the Regiment that has done so much good service. In writing a historical ac- count of the orginizntion of this Regiment, I shall have to rely almost exclu- sively on memory, owing to the fact that all the Regiment's notes and papers have been captured, as will be seen before concluding this narrative. The Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry was recruited on an order emanat- ing from the War Department, that Gov. Todd, of Ohio, would raise one Regiment of Cavalry, for " Border Service," the Ohio River then being the boundary. The organization of this Regiment was commenced and the duty of the organization was conferred on Major Malcolm McDowell, Paymaster U. S. A., and I may add here, that there is no visitor more welcome at the camp of the Seventh O. V. C, thaa the gallant old grandfather of the Reg't, as he is styled here. The counties ordered to raise Companies were as follows: Hamilton, three, Clermont, one; Brown, one; Adams, one; Scioto, one; Lavrence, ^ one; Gallia, one; Meigs, one; Washington, one; Monroe, one. «^ Lawrence and Monroe failing to raise the companies, their places were supplied by raising two in Gallia and one in Athens. x\s soon as recruiting was fairly under way, Major McDowsU was retired and resumed his orignal duties as Paymaster. Recruiting was very lively, and the Companies were all filled by the first week in September, and the Rejiiment was then organized as follows: -^' #s Colonel, Israel Garrard; Lieut. Colonel George G Minor; Majors, Wm L Raney, Norton, and James Mclntire; Adjutant, T. F. Allen , Q M^' W M R. Jackson; C. S., John McColgin; Surgeon, Isaac Tram ; Aqqt Surgeons TuUis and ■ Barrett. ^ ^^ r. r^ a/t ' NonCom , F.eld and S.aff.-S. M., B. P. Stacy ; Q. M. S G=o- M- RossVc S , B. F. Powers; H. S., James Saffron ; Saddler, Serg>t AlbertG. ^'"'Cap,ains-Wm. A. Simpson, A. S.Brownfield, Warren, Campbell, SolomoL L. Green, Lindsey, Ashburn, Fl.gley, Wm. Lewis, R. C. Rankin, ■^^'vlrslS.e^nir-A.Hall. San.emire, Sayers, Moore W. D. Ke.rer- John V. Srofe, O. H. Eyler, Trago, Smith, Chase, Wambleclort and ^'""The Companies rendezvoused in the counties in which *ey wf^^^^^^^^^ and received millitary instruction trom their respective Commanders tor se^ "'' Tnte meantime, Co. E, Capt. R.. C. Rankin's C^^-^V^-y;^;^f^f f„^ T^inle^v Ohio rendered valuable service to the city of MaysMlle K> in Sding he^ ag^nst John Morgan's command, and on the night of Septenv acienaing uci S J » . ^ marched to Brookville, Ky., a dl\ant'of .wen remles?'rd participated in the attack and the driving frmn the nhce ihe rebels under Basil Duke, who was engaged in paroaig [rcit*:nlt;ried away by him from Augisja w.,ich f^ace he ha captmed :?rre^c^i:^SrKi,^^^^^^ '"I T -n^ «aS iTikl'-dirnoflt'r rpon^he' order'o^f '^ going, btft l^st .went " Cs miy be recorded as the first blood the Seventh saw ,„ ''""Ripley being connected with a large portion of Kentucky by tumpite roads was^elecred as the place .or the Regiment to «"de-ous and -ce - "'"'?;;'e=first%S:;"reached Ripley about the rst °f October and on the ,5th of October, this Battallion and twenty^five men of Co^ L, t-nde' ^o mand of Capt. R. C. Rankin, all being "^e. Lt C<^ M nor^^cros Ohio River and made a scout to Fahntml. , ^i^'^^^^^^"^ '",,6 third dav, S-fi:n?i;S^;iedt^^atS;r>^ti^^ advance. , , . , ,,♦. tu,^ ret of November, and took fen;essrbV?.e::?^:^=^^^^ „f r-,r,,r', Stition and the bridtre across the Watauga River at ZoUicofTer, Tenn retut'lng to Kentucky, wi^h the loss of one man killed and a few lost as nrisoners after an absence of three weeks. "' Four companies broke camp and crossed tl;%--^^^^^!^^j^f ',eih- on the 2ist of December, and took up their march for Danville, Ky., leach ;n(r thpi-e on the 2Ath, Lt. Colonel commanding. ^ In ol^d ence to orders of Gen. Baird, commanding at Danville Com- pany E Cap Rankin jn command, was ordered to H-rodsburgh for the nnroose of sending scouting parties on the different roads leading liom that n ace and renS much valuable service to Gen. Baird by keeping him ^c'edTs to the movements of John Morgan, who had invaded the State and "" Xytlri^:^^r^::^ny prisoners, with their equipments^ The nun. ber JpuLd during their stay, 'would more than equal the entire command '^^'^:l£:t:^m. so ardorous, that Gen. Baird sent Company L, Capt. '^'''"The'^border now being on the Kentucky and Salt River hills, the re- n^aindero the Regiment, under Col. Garrard, were brought up to join he others at Danville,^ Ky.,' reaching there about ^^^ 4th of anuary 1^63 The whole Regiment, (Co. E excepted, which was st 1 on duty at Har rodsburg,) after a few weeks getting together at Danville, moved to Har- rodsbr" where it remained until about the latter part of February About uS time, the rebel Col. Cluke invaded Eastern Kentucky, and the Seventh was ordered out to assist in driving him from the ^tat^; On reaching Crab Orchard, the Regiment was ^^^J^^?,; P^'^^,;'"^^"'^^^ Col Minor moved by the way of Richmond and Ervm to Hazel Green, and S aikirL'h with Ihe enemy at that place, capturing twenty-five prisoners. The remainder of the Regiment, under Col. Garrard, went ^° ^t Sterhi g by the way of Richmond and Winchester, charging the town ^^^^^ diivmg l^.e rebels from it, but not in time, however, to save a portion of 1 fr^ f^^^^^^- The place had been surrendered a short time previous, by Col. Rat cleffeof the I oth Kentucky Cavalry. , - The enemy being hotly pursued on the Owensvdle road, made a stana on State Creek, fouf -miles out, but after a sharp engagement were driven from their position, with a loss of eight killed. ,.,.,;nr hq mnn- About three weeks were occupied ,n traversing this "^^^ X mads in trv The rain and saow falling almost contmuously, made the roads in places impassable. The Regiment all got together at Le.vington, about the ''"' '^l^iatelv on the arrival of the regiment at Lexington, an o^er u^s issued bv Gen (iilmore, for Capt. Rankin to report with Company E to the P ovos' Ma;sh-al of the District.^ Upon d^ng so, the .d"^y;-§S^^f^^-^,,r- to make a scout through jessamine, Mercer, V^ood ord ^^^ Anderson cou_ ties, and if possible, to arrest and bnng to Lexnigton a ebel C^^^^ Alexan der, who hid up to this time bafiled all efforts made for his capture The scouting party returned, being successful in the capture ot Col Alexander, together with a rebel recruiting officer, met on ^he h^gj-ay ;;>^- on being s;arched was found to have on his person a recruiting offic ei s pa pers authorizing him to proceed from Beech Grove, Tenn., to the countus above mentioned, to recruit for John Morgan's command, stationed at Beech Grove; also, taking from the cHffs, bordering on the Kentucky nver, near Shakertown,,^a member of John Morgan's command concealed there. The day after their return, this Company was sent to Cynthiana anddid duty for some weeks with the n8th Ohio, in breaking up recruiting station. Col. Mott commanding. After having completed this service, Co. E, Capt. Rankin commanding, was ordered first to Paris, thence to Carlisle, which place was reached about midnight. Being aided by a small party of citizens, he continued his march aboutlix miles to a mill on the north-fork of Licking river where he captureci a picket-post of sixteen rebel soldiers, and then returned to Pans on the fol- lowing day. ■ u c \ ■ u In the meantime, the regiment bore a conspicuous part in the hght with Pegram's force at Button Hill, and just as our line was beginning to waver, a daring charge was made by the Seventh which turned the tide of battle m our favor. In this fight we captured four hundred prisoners and tour pieces ot ar- tillery. The enemy fell back in great disorder. Among the trophies captured, the Seventh claims three battle flags; one being captured by Lieut. Cope- land, who greatly distinguished himself on that occasion for coolness and bravery. ' , • u u Major Norton also deserves mention for the gallant style in which he led his battalion in the charge. Major Mclntire deserves especial mention. On one occasion he penetrated the confused mass of rebels, and tound him- self fired on from the rear. Turning upon his horse he found he was attack- ed by three. The Major drew his revolver and shot one and the other two surrendered. . Col Garrard could be found at any point along the hne where his pres- ence was most needed. This was the first fight the regiment was in as a On returning to Lexington, the regiment was paid off and their faces were again turned' southward. Reaching Stanford, the> went into camp for a few days and then continued their march to Somerset, near the Cumber- land river which had now become the border. On the evening of the 29th of April, three companies, under Captam Green joined two companies of the 2nd Ohio Cav., and one company ot the ist Kentucky, all under command of Capt. Carter, ot the ist Ky., crossed the Cumberland river at Smith's Ford, and after crossing a mountain, they crossed the south fork of the Cumberland, two miles from its junction wiih the main stream, now known as Burnside's Point, coming around in the rear of the rebel pickets at Stigall's Fefry, thereby capturing the post, one hundred and thirty in number. • , 1 » After delivering the prisoners to our forces on the opposite bank at Stigall's we took the main road to Monticello, and after marching about foul miles were attacked by a portion of the enemy's cavalry whom we soon drove back, and then continued the march until we reached the farm known as Capt West's. Beyond this farm is a gap in the mountain, called Scott's (lap. Here the enemy made a st.md and quite a sharp little fight ensued which lasted near one hour. It now being dusk and the enemy being driven from their position, the command went into camp for the night, Company E of the yth, under Capt. Rank'n, being left to hoKl the Gap. The next morning, skirmishing between t!ie [jickets commenced. The column was soon in motion moving on toward .Monticello, with occasional skirmishing on the advance, the enemy gradually falling back toward the town; but a charge was made upon them which quickly hurled them through the town and over the creek to the top of a hill beyond, where they again made a stand. In this charge, the first credit of entering the place, all chances being equal, is due the Seventh, Company E, under Cape. Rankin, leaping the fences, gaining the streets and crossing the creek, and mingled in a hand to hand fight with the flying rebels half way up the hill on the other side. The Adjutant of the tst Kentucky, gained the head of the column and ordered them back to the Monticello side, where the command was formed in line of battle. This gave the enemy time to reform, also. In this charge, the Seventh lost one man killed and three wounded, besides several horses. That part of the command which stopped to throw down fences, now coming to our assistance, the enemy were soon driven to a point four miles beyond, where they got large reinforcements, as well as ourselves and a fight was made in which the enemy used considerable artillery. In an hour our artillery came up and was put in position and a flank movement being made on the enemy's right, they were soon to be found on the retreat again. In this eng-igcment the rebels lost nine men killed, several wounded and twelve prisoners. Night coming on, the command retreated to Monticello where it re- mained for two days, and then followed the retreating rebels across the Tennessee line. \ part of .the regiment under Col. Garrard, went to Frazersville, and a detachment under Major Mclntyre, went to Albany, capturing some prison- ers and returned to Somerset where they remained sometime. Nothing of interest occurred except scouting occasionally to Mett's Spring' and across the river now and then, takin : in the rebel pickets on the opposite !)ank. On the 7th day of June, the regiment again crossed the Cumberland river and marched to Monticello wdiere it had some fighting. On the 9th, when returning, the Seventh, O.- V. C, being the rear guard, was followed by the enemy and attacked at West's farm, at which place a severe fight en- sued in which the Seventh lost several men in killed and wounded. On the morning of the loth, a detachment from the Seventh of 150 P'cked men and oflicers as follows: Capt. R. C. Rankin, commanding the detachment, Capt. Warren. Lts. Carr, Ketterman, Rich, Shuler, and Srofe, left Somerset and joined Col. Sanders at Mt. Vernon. A day or two was spent in making preparations for a raid. Everything being ready, on the morning of the i8th we took up our line of march, crossing the Cumberland river at Williamsburg, thence over Jelico mountains to Wartsburg where we captured 105 prisoners, they being utterly surprised, having no knowledge of our movements until we were upon them. We also captured a supply train and destroyed a large amount of ordi- nance, Q. M. and C. S. stores. This bemg the point from which Gen. Pegram drew his supplies, he be- ing stationed at this time on the Cumberland river in front of Gen. Garter's forces. The prisoners being all paroled, their arms destroyed, we moved on to- ward Kingston. Considerable skirmishing occurred with the advance, when we made a sudden move to the left, crossed the Clinch river and moved out toward Lenoir's Station. When within one mile of this place, we suddenly came upon a rebel camo at daylight capturing their guns, a battery complete. The number of prisoners captured there and at the Station were 132. We burned the depot which was well filled with munitions of war of every kind and description. Here I will relate an incident that took place: As the column moved by the Station, owing to the bursting uf shells and the explosion ot powder in the burning building, the command was compelled to take the fields to avoid danger." Passing a man plowing corn with a fine mule, he said, "that IS one of your Yankee tricks, is it ?" Yes, said a soldier with a worn out horse, "and I will show you another." _ So dismounting, he put his saddle 1 on the mule and left him his jaded horse. Being now on the Virginia and East Tennessee Railroad, we commenced the destruction of it by tearing up the rails, burning all the culverts and bridges. .1 • j r Reaching Knoxville after night, we moved around to the north side ol the city and attacked the place in the morning. In this engagement, Capt. Rankin received orders from Col. Sanders to send 50 of his men out on our right to skirmish, and to support the artillery with the remainder of his command, which was one section of Battery D, First Ohio. , 1 -., j We fought until 9 o'clock, A. M., capturing 40 prisoners and kuled 9 rebels, among them a Capt. McGlung. Our loss was two killed and a few wounded. Then falling back, we struck the radroad east of the place where wet again commenced tearing up the track. , „• , , We were saluted with the enemy's artillery until noon, shelling the woods we had left. , , , • Moving on to Strawberry Plains, we destroyed everything as we went and reachin^g that place late in the evening, where considerable fighting took place, which resulted in our occupying the town, capturing six pieces of ar- tillerv and over 100 prisoners, with slight loss to us. Here we burned the bridge that spans the Holston river, 1600 feet in length, including trestle work, besides the depot and store houses well filled with Q. M. and C. S. stores. , , ^ v a^ After resting a few hours, we moved out on the road toward New Mar- ket and on to Mossy Creek, wheie we destroyed a confederate machine shop :^dTTar :; -moun ofg^ain, and burn, the bridge over Mossy Creek; ,„ all, ::^^::^:r:..r f^^:^^^^^^^:tr^ro.,. ... head of o„rc''ltrv;VtrnX"hrrd'!c:osJing the Clinch rn-er and n,ovn,g .0- ward Cumberland Gap. detachments of the Second Qi-irmish na now commenced in o.ir re.ir. mc ucl and Seventh being the i-^^^J" guard. mountain h.to PowiU's made m the afternoon of the next day infantry, the command Fn.d,ng this Gap well gu-ded -th ^ . fj^ ^^^f ^f"*^,^^ l,, ,, fallows: halted for a short t.me or consultation ^^^ jesui^ ^^ ^^ A stronglineof skirmishers were ° ^^^^^^Vvvleels cut down. The de- be put in position ^^^^f;;''^'')^^^:^}^^^^^^ to remain in posi- tachment of the Seventh being the rear gard^a^^^^^^^ ,vas made to the tion one hour after the column moved, ^^^ j'^^^. ^ suiking the valley again, '«t:irstr ar,rc\sroar h^ & iijxtrsx^^eisrd"^ pedition. . • fmnt beincr clear the com- tain on the other side. ^ mountain, the When the rear guard had got one-third the \^a.) up enemy could be seen moving m two column^^^^^^^ .^^ ^^^.^ The infantry and artillery finding that they ^^"^^^^^ j^,l^ ^l^eir efforts to capture our command, were coming down the valle>, cavalry were feeling their way up the valley. ^^^^ ^^ ^^. Our rear guard were placed in a position to recen tempt should be made to attack us in the rear. ^^^ 'as the approaching columns neared each ^^her "_ no^^ be ^ ^ each supposing the other to_be the raiding ' ^ anks, at once eng , other. ,. , ^^1 „^f hpin '■ interested in this Capt. Rankin, commanding the rear guard not be n int res e fight, nor earring which gained the day, ^^^ered h. ^^' ^^^^"f ^^_ u^ardand foUovred the main column, it having continued it. march ana ing now out of sight. , , , ^a r.r.r pven a oath to follow nor The night being very dark and no road, not even a pam any mounted guide left to guide them, they worked their way over rocks and timber in the direction they supposed the cohimii had moved, and became scattered. And after chmbing around over the rocks, amid the darkness of the night, I found myself on the highest peak of the mountain, accompanied by one man. I wandered about for some time to see if I could find any trace of the column, and found no trace and heard no human voice save the tumult at the foot of the mountain. Inasmuch, as the author did not join his command until reaching Ijon- don, Ky., and nothing of interest occurring except the leaving of three hun- dred horses in the mountains by the command, he asks the privilege of nar- rating his own adventures after he became separated from the command: I struck out in what I supposed a northerly direction and after passing over several high ridges and coming to a cliff that had to be descended, and not thinking it safe to make the trial at night, we spread our blanket down, tied our horses and went to sleep, being very much exhausted; and upon waking in the morning found the sun high up and no noise to be heard save the singing of the birds and the gnawing of my faithful horse on the trees. I at once arose and set out to find some place to make my exit, but finding no way to get my horse down this cliff other than southward, I was compell- ed to abandon him,, a thing that gave me considerable uneasmess of mind ; I hated to part with so valuable a servant that had carried me safely through the campaign of '6i, under Gen. Fremont, through Kentucky and Tennessee to Corinth, Miss., back to Ohio and through kll the wanderings of the yth O. V. C, including this masterly "raid," being yet good in flesh and unbroken in spirit; to part with such a friend was no light affair. But with all the hor- rors of Libby Prison on one hand and life and liberty on the other, 1 vvas not long in making up my mind which course to pursue. I stripped my horse of everything and bid him adieu. Taking a strap from the saddle, I buckled my olankets together, ran my saber through, threw it over my shoulder and began the descent, and upon reaciiing the foot found myself m a deep dell, surrounded by high peaks of craggy rocks. The timber being undergrown with laurel through which ran a brook of clear water. After refreshing myself, I followed the course to the stream for about two miles which brought me to a stream known as Clear Fork, which I fol- lowed for a few miles, coming to a miserable old hut in which lived two old people, who had passed their four score years, and in coming up to this hov- el I heard considerable talking. I sent my companion close to the hut to eaves drop, and finding who were its occupants, when he returned he reported "all righf" On entering the house I found ten or tweWe of our own soldiers, among them a grand son of the occupants of the house. The old man was grinding corn on a hand mill, while the old lady was baking bread and cakes for the hungry soldiers. I ate a few morsels, and during the time I explained to them my situation and where my horse had been left. The old gentleman gave me some encouragement by. saying he thought he could get the horse. I told him he should have fifty dollars upon deliver- ing the horse to me, and he at once started in search of him, while I went up on the side of the mountain; spread my blanket and went to sleep. The old man returned in the evening without the horse. I procured a guide and set by a foot-path over the mountains, traveling all night, reaching London, Ky. , twenty-four hours in advance of the command. The column coming up, we continued our march until reaching Lancaster, on the istday of July, being twenty days out. The men suffered greatly for want of sleep and from the swelling of their limbs, caused by constant riding. Li two instances where men fell asleep in the center of the column, everything in the rear of them was halted, and they also fell asleep and re- mained so an hour or two. The regiment during this time was actively engaged in picketing and scouting the country along the Cumberland river, and on one or two occa- sions went mto Tennessee to divert General Pegram's attention from the "raiders." About this time, John Morgan invaded the State of Kentucky, on his grand raid through Indiana and Ohio. The regiment, under its Colonel, joined in the pursuit, following hun to the Ohio river at Brandenburg, crossing over into Indiana, and following him in his circuitous route through the States of Indiana and Ohio, and par- ticipating in the fight at Bufifington's Island, July 20th, 1S63. In the meantime the detachment of the 7th that was on the Sander's raid, were at Camp Nelson refitting. Information being received that two companies of Morgan's command which had been recruited in the vicinity of Harrodsburg, Ky. , (numbering one hundred and ten men) had been cut off froir. the main command ancl were scattered about over the country, staying with their friends, and owing to Capt. Rankin's knowledge of that part of the State, he was ordered to take wliat men he could arm and equip and proceed there at once. Taking twenty-six of his own company, they in a period of ten days, captured eighty-four of that number, including tvvo officers. Great credit is due to the colored people for the information they gave. Another detachment of the 7th joined Col. Sweeny's command of de- tachments and took part in the fight with Scott's Cavalry at Richmond, Ky., July 28th, 1S63, and made a brilliant saber charge -against the same com- mand at Crab Orchard, (Capt. Leaper commanding detachment,) skirmish- ing with them at Stanford, and following them on their retreat to the Cum- berland river, compelling them to drop one section of artillery, said to be the same we abandoned in the mountains on the Sander's raid. After the capture of John Morgan, the regiment was disbanded for fif- teen days and allowed to visit their homes. At the expiration of that time, the regiment was got together at Cincin- nati and marched to Stanford, Ky., preparatory to their march to* Knoxville, Tenn., under Gen. Burnside. The regiment broke camp about the 20th day of August, moving by the way of Crab Orchard and London, crossing the Cumberland river at Wil- liamsburg, about the 25th. Here, one batallion of the 7th, under Major Mclntyre, was thrown out in front as the advance of Gen. Burnside's command, and held that post of honor during the whole march, until they reached the railroad at Lenoir Sta- tion. A considerable force of the enemy being at London, and some fighting going on, the regiment was ordered to that point, and on reaching there found the rebels gone and the bridge that spanned the Tennessee river, in flames. The regiment then counter-marched, reaching Knoxville the next day. Resting two days, we took up our line of march for Cumberland Gap, skirm- ishmg with the enemy at Taswell and Powell's river, reaching the Gap and beseiging that place three days. ,At the end of that time, September 9th, that stronghold surrendered its garrison, consisting of two thousand, six hundred men, under General Frazier. On the day previous to its surrender, a detail of officers penetrated the rebel pickets lines, much to the chagrin of Gen. Frazier, they were taken in headquarters, without being hoodwmked; of course they used their eyes and saw just what they went to see, the condition of the enemy. Gen. Frazier immediately ordered them out of his lines which order was complied with. That night they returned, not by the picket post however, and burned the mill inside the rebel lines, thus cutting off their rations, which may iiave had something to do with his sudden surrender. They came back to camp unmolested and without the honor of a rebel escort. On the next morning after the surrender, the 7th started back to Knox- ville, and on the third day reached that city and went into camp. Remain- ing there only a few days they started eastward on the railroad, but meeting with no resistance until reaching Johnson's Station, a distance of one hun- dred miles The command moved on to ZoUecoffer, and not being able to capture the garrison there guarding the bridge across the Watauga river, they returned to Jonesboro, remaining there one week, one batallion under Capt. Cope- land, doing the provost duty of town scouting and pressing horses. The enemy attacked the command on the 28th of September and com- pelled it to retreat down the railroad as far as Bull's Gap, where we stayed several days. On the loth of October, we started eastward again and had a fight at Blue Springs, losing several men killed and wounded, among them. Captain Higly, a most valuable officer, who was commanding a battallion and was killed in the thickest of the fight while encouraging and leading on his men. The rebels held their ground until a detachment of the 9th army corps came up, charging them and driving them from the field at dusk. They retreated during the night, and our command pursued them in the morning, following«closely all the next day, and had a sjjirited skirmish at Raytown in which several were lost on both sides. Night coming on, we went int. trenches, the Seventh occupying the extreme left of our army, which position^' they held while the terrible engagement of that day took place. This being the same ground that was so desperately fought over during the 22nd,— the day the gallant McPherson fell. The next day, we were moved to the right, the Seventh being on the extreme right during the fierce fight of the 28th,— the rebels making seven different bayonet charges, and were repulsed each time, by Gen. ]-foward's command. When the grand flank movement commenced on the right, which ulti- mately gave us possession of Atlanta, Col. Garrard's brigade bore a con- spicuous part, for there was scarcely a position gained that was not first gam- ed by Col. Garrard's cavalry, and in many instances we fought the enemy in front, until the infantry came up and intrenched themselves in our rear. This being done, they would send a brigade to relieve us, and we would be placed further out on the flank. On the first of September, near Rough and Ready Station, which is south of Atlanta, on the road leading to Macon, Capt. Rankin commandmg a battalion ot the Seventh, was the first to find the works evacuated at this point. On reporting the same to Gen. Thomas, he was ordered to return and go through the works and gain a high ridge road, about a mile and a half beyond the intrenchments, and on gaining the road, to take the end leading toward Atlanta and go as far as he deemed practicable. On returning to the works, he found it occupied by Gen. Cooper's di- vision of infantry, with a line of skirmishers in front skirmishing with the enemy. Upon reaching this line, the Captain dismounted his battalion, leaving number four to hold horses, deployed as skirmishers and moved them di- rectly through the infantry lines, through woods to fields and fields to woods until they gained the road above mentioned. This being done, the horses were ordered to be brought forward. The infantry also came forward and moved along the road leading to the Station, which was less than one mile off. Upon the arrival of the horses, the battalion mounted and moved to- ward Atlanta. After proceeding a mile and a half they received a volley from the ene- my, secreted in the woods, whereupon a fight took place which lasted till dark, resulting in our driving the enemy about a mile and a half further, af- ^9 ' T^TT^ r^n.>f^in rPtnrned to his picket post which he had occupied the irgiu'ptlol'arrr™:^ "'the' M^.L, Jonesbo..o, Shea, c.eeW a„d ^'""ulalua was 'evacuated the following day, and a general engagement took place at J mtsboro, twenty miles sottth of Atlanta, resnittng ut a heavy lo.. to """'lt''tte night, the enemy fell back, the cavalr, followed to Lovejoj^-s Station sTk mUe further soitth, betng on the left of our arttty occupying he McDonald and Fayetteville road, nine miles south-east of Jonesboro. We rema.r"ed at this p'.." on ptcke't one week, where we saw hghtmg more or ""'Sm^Uris point, we moved b.ack and went into camp near Decatur, ^'':-'*'"= ., / ' f ^iijnta on the railroad leading to Augusta. "'"Du\mg tr o^n^^il; InGeorgta, »e subs.sted chiefly upon the countos which was^athered in °by foraging parties, detached lor that purpose, and """ifa^rratdiinL'sonfelfthe parties would be skirmishing with the pnemv while the remainder would be gathering forage. Sk'mi^nng, while in Georgia, was more of an every day business than '''^'' When General Hood set his flank machine in operation and was follmv- ed bv a Ponio^i of General Sherman's command, the Seventh remained at Atlanta with t°.e .3rd corps, and wasengagedin those mammoth foraging ex- neditions of which you have read the newspaper accounts. a,,,,,.. ^ We continued nth.s business until Gen. Sherman returned to Atlanta and commenced his "masterly retreat" on R-h--^',;- Savanna Ga Charleston and Columbia, S. C, when we turned over our horses and arms S ct^te the mounting and arming ot Gen. Kilpatnc s cavalry, and r.- -'i^^^^^r^^'i:: ^ ^^:'c^i^andt:^o ?S^ments, the '-'t^ZiS^^^I^^^'^^^^y col. Garrard, tV. Seventh exj^- ed It having^been assigned to Gen. Kirkpatnck's command prior to our lea^- ina \tHnta and accompanied him on the Sherman expedition. ■ " ° l; Col Minoi wai put m command of a dismounted cavalry camp near Nashvllie and Capt. Rankin in command of the regiment, by order ot Gen. ''''^i:^:^:^':^^^.^^^^^ under the superinten- ^-^0::^:Sni^^!:^ m;[T:l^St^^r^e lea-hand road to Haid^^o^'s iol-d, on Duck' river, to support Col Capron, and on reach- ing there, found him engaging the enemy at the t^rd. The Seventh was formed in columns ot squadrons in the rear ot two ^"^'Company A, Captain Kettennan, was sent to watch a crossing a Httle down wavs the river from where we were. ^f three miles on the Companies B and C were ordered to make a scout of three miles on road leading to Columbia, under Lieuts. Burton and Shuler. Company E was ordered to make a scout up the river five miles under Liieut. broie. Soon after this, the brigade train was ordered to move out on the road leadnig to Frankhn, with a guard of one company. The train had not more than straightened on the road, when Compa- nies B and C found a strong force of the enemy in their front Company E was cut off, the enemy having got between it and the com- mand, and about the same time the head of the wagon train was attacked which created a stampede in the train. Capt. Rankin wheeled two companies into position and moved out to meet the enemy, ordering Adj't. Mitchell to bring out the remainder as soon as the wagon train could be got into our rear. _ A volley was poured into the enemy by the two companies already in posi- tion and a saber charge was immediately made, the remainder of the re^i- "'^i'V''?'?'",^" '"*° position in time, thereby driving the enemy from the road and held them in check until the train and the brigade that was fightino- at the river could be got out. ~ This fighting continued until 9 o'clock, P. M., when Col. Garrard, who had joined us, ordered the command to fall back. In this affair the timely action of the Seventh saved the entire bri^'-rade and train from capture, but with the loss of near one hundred men kitled wounded and captured, including Capt. Ketterman, and the whole of Co A ' also our regimental colors, for which the enemy had no credit, as it was cap- tured m the following manner: It being quite dark and everything having passed the road, the Colonel wished to fall back and asked some one to 4 and notify Capt. Rankin, who was a short distance off, of his movement rhe Color Serg't tendered his services and immediately started on his mission. The fighting men at this point were not more than thirty yards apart and the Serg't rode directly into the rebel lines and was captured. The Captain brought off his command and fell back, about six miles across Flat creek, leaving our dead and wounded on the field. ^ In this fight, much honor and credit are due to the officers and men of tne Seventh for the bold manner in which they struck the enemy. It was this that gave us success, for we were far. inferior in point of numbers. Private John Turner of Co. E, deserves especial mention in this, that he was bearing the guidon of his company, and while running the guantlet of the enemy was thrown from his horse, but held fast to his colors and joined his command, after remaining six days days in the enemy's lines, bringing his colors with him. » & t> On the following day, the most desperate engagement perhaps of the war, all things considering, of Franklin took place. The Seventh O. V. C. occupied the left flank of the 23rd A. C, as they faced the enemy. We continued our operations on the flank of Gen. Thomas' army until it reached the fortifications around Nashville. About the ist of December, the regiment crossed the Cumberland river and was engaged in guarding ferries below Nashville, patroling the country as far as Harpeth Shoals, and pressing in horses until the 13th, when we moved to Edgofield opposite Nashville. Here the cavalry command was reorganized. The Seventh was assigned to the First Brigade, Sixth Division, Brig- Gen. Johnson, commanding. Col. Garrard having been returned to his command of the Seventh, and Col. Harrison, of Indiana, commanding the brigade. On the 14th, all the cavalry was brought from the north to the south side of the Cumberland river, and on the following morning, the 15th, at an early hour, everything was in motion. Our division occupied the extreme right of our army. As soon as the fug was sufficiently cleared away we marched through our breastworks, the Seventh being placed in the reserve Soon fighting commenced in the front along the rive below the city. (I should have mentioned that the Sixth Div. had but one brigade in it moun- ted and that was the First.) The rebels were soon driven from their first line of works and contested every inch of ground with artillery and musketry, but they were steadily driven back by the two regiments in front of the Seventh. Up to this time the Seventh had not been engaged. At two o'clock, P. M. , the Seventh was ordered forward and formed on the right of the road in a cornfield, near the^river, and moved forward in line of battle. In this field the ground was very, wet and soft and there were many ditches several feet deep, which made it impossible to preserve a correct line, but we did the best we could under the circumstances, and Dy the time we reached the woodland the enemy were in full retreat down the pike. On seeing this. Col. Garrard ordered a charge by squadrons or compa- nies in columns of fours, and ordered Captain Rankin's battalion tu charge down the pike and out to the enemy's left. A universal shout went up from the regiment and at them they went, the woods being open and favorable for a charge. This chase was for one and a half miles, and to within one hundred and fifty yards of a battery which opened on us and compelled us to fall back near one-fourth of a mile. The regiment was soon formed and commenced skirmishing with the Johnnies. Col. Garrard not being satisfied with anything short of the battery which had caused us such trouble, (it being the battery that had blockaded the Cumberland river and captured our transports, among them the Prima Donna, commanded by Capt. Joe. Scott, formerly of Ripley, and had with- stoou the combined efforts of our gun-boats and iron-clads to dislodge them,) the order to have the regiment formed in readiness to make the charge. The order was first given to Captain Rankin to form his battalion on the slope of a hill in front of the battery, at a distance of about six hundred yards. Co. E, Lt. Srofe, on the right, near the pike; then Co. F, Lt. Boggs, Co. B, Lt. Burton, Co. C, Lt. Archer, and Co. A, Lt. Derstine. These companies were formed in fair musket range, and their battery was cutting the timber all around us, yet the men stood firm and unflmching. The order of charge was by squadrons in columns of fours. This battalhon was to charge the center and to move first, Capt. Eylar was to charge down the pike with two companies, I and M, Capt. Hall was to cross the creek at its mouth and charge on the right with three companies, H, K and L. Everything being in readiness, the word "forward!" was given. The center battalion moved first at a walk then at a trot. By this time the storm of leaden hail from musketry and iron missiles from the battery began to come thick and fast about us, A. shout went up and off the boys went at full speed through the fences, down steep banks and across the creek, over a narrow ridge and another creek and up to within fifty yards of the battery, when suddently a large force of the rebel infantry raised from behind a barricade of rails and poured a deadly fire into our columns. Captain Eylar was repulsed on the bridge, and Capt. Hall failed to cross the creek at its mouth, therefore Captain Rankin was compelled to fall back to his former position. We dismounted and went at them again on foot. Their musketry was too high, their grape and cannister too low, creating however, considerable mortality among the horses. Capt. Rankin was sent to signal the gunboats to come down, which they did. Our own battery, the 4th U. S., opened on them with twelve pounders and compelled them to leave their jjosition, the gunboats sending a few shots up the ravine after them, added speed to their flight. They left four pieces of artillery in the woods, which we have the credit of capturing. On the morning of the i6th, at 4 o'clock, everything was in readiness for a forward move. We continued our pursuit on the Charlotte pike for a few miles to where the enemy had camped. At this point the enemy had left the pike and took a dirt road. We followed this road about seven miles, and found several wagons and one piece of artillery stuck in the mud. Here a halt was made, and Captain Rankin was ordered with his battal- ion to move across the country, through the fields or otherwise and endeav- or to reach the Harding pike. This being accomplished, the Captain sent the following dispatch to Col. Garrard: "Colonel — I hold the Harding pike at the brick church and where the Franklin road crosses the said pike. Gen. Chalmer's division passed this point, taking the Franklin road, this A. M. They left some wagons here. As soon as the command could be brought up, our pursuit was continued, the Fifth Iowa Cavalry being in the advance. Skirmishing soon commenced but nothing of importance occurred on this day's march, except taking a few prisoners, twelve being the largest number at any one time." 23 °". The ,H,rs.m was vigorously prosecuted, so much so ^a^ °f;J'- , 7, ,"; ri:::^'.::X r™shi.irs'aSia,°;r™^rer ^^<> it >= a., uu.. S , ossTbiCto hold ,heColouen,ack when a fight ,s m progress. --^^^iii;i^r^"d^l^/t;h::^!::^r»o. to .he r,ht -^ S^reL'f wf d"s:o::;ed!taw„ up m three Hues of battle but manifesting no dTsposition to nght save by art.llery wh.ch threw a few shells at us. The enemy seeing our advance taking position in so close pro^mity to ''""cot G\r™?oTser™hirmo;rnt°of 1. enenry ordered a charge Capt Ratrk,,?" baltalion was on the extreme right and Company E on •''"^«rfo*Lc~- The order was given to forward, and as soon as "^ "S°r coZ^s^PsTd ;;r;;:4;"thrpTinci;i"i?«f while Chers passed "°" At'tour hundred yards distant from their works, the enemy had planted :.^---.°^^^^^ """Tirwnrk'were also thrown up by our men on the retreat from Colum- bia but were not so formidable as the first near the town. ' In Uiis position we fought the enemy more than one hour w.thou. rc- ''"'Z S4' w:rrtL^mov"rrentroTthe ..h and so far were they in .advance of oufown br gade that our battery moved to the point first held by ^rapta'" ^^^sSm:^^r;Sr;;;^^t?=o^=^'^efs^ out to watch and guard agai'nst any moventents of the enemy to flank o„, ''"'"■rhe firino was kept up until Captain Rankin's battalion had to be re- moved and hid s'arce'ly been pUa.ei in position «" the le t of *e p.ke when a battery belonging to Gen. Hatch's division opened on us from a lort "'^ ITrhirr'^'Garrard'^rdered the regiment to form i-lo- colunm of squadrons in a low piece of ground to get out of their range bu the first be in--, on very high ground, our position was a very hazardous one- ° Wc were quickly deployed into line, took up our formei position be- hind our works and again engaged the enemy. 24 A fire was kept up by our battery until a courier could be sent to stop it. Thus did the 7th stand for more than an hour, firm and unshaken, with the enemy's battery playing on their front at four hundred yards distant, and two of our own playing on their rear. By this time, Gen. Hatch's Division moved up and flanked the Johnnies on our left and they lit out again, losing their artillery and many prisoners. Here Col. Harrison commanding our brigade, congratulated Colonel Garrard on the success of the 7th, and remarked, "you have done enough for one day, I will throw the 5th Iowa in advance and you can fall in the reserve." We moved out two miles and went into camp on a road to the right of the Columbia road. The 5th Iowa was sent on further with orders to go across the country to intercept the enemy and if possible to capture their battery, while Hatch's Di- vision pressed their rear. A stand was made by the enemy between 6 and 7 o'clock p. m., in which they lost one thousand prisoners besides their killed and wounded and four pieces of artillery. Thus ended the third day's operation. On the 17th of December nothing of interest occurred except the usual amount of skirmishing and gathering in of stragglers from a retreating army until the 25th of December, (Christmas day), our brigade had the advance and the 5th Iowa the advance of the brigade. Skirmishing commenced but we drove the rebels back, and through Pulaski. Just beyond the place is a large stream called Richland creek, spanned by a large covered bridge. A charge was made by a portion of the 5th Iowa, but they were repulsed. The enemy ran six pieces of artillery into the creek without even spiking them. They also run three pieces into Duck river. They fired the bridge in several places. Capt. Rankin was ordered to move forward with his battalion and if possible put the fire out. The battallion set out at a brisk trot until near the bridge when they dis- mounted and made a rush for it, gathering from the houses along the road tubs, buckets, pans and everything else available, for carrying and throwing water on the flames, which had already penetrated to the roof in several ])lacts By the timely arrival of this battalion the bridge was saved with but little damage except to the roof. In passing through the town we found several places where amunition had been piled and burnt. On the railroad near the bridge were several cars laden with amunition, and loaded muskets, all surrounded by fire, and the discharge of these mus- kets was a matter of considerable annoyance to our men while working at the bridge. Our advance soon crossed to the opposite side of the stream, even before the flames were extinguished. ' Captain Rankin was lett to complete the work. 25 'I'he enemy had made a halt a shori distance beyond and in plain view of .the bridge seeing that they had been foiled in their attempt to burn the bridge, now commenced firing their amunition in heaps all along their line and their main column began to move leaving a few skirmishers in the rear, but not however, without receiving a few shots from t'e 4th regular battery whi( h was attached to our brigade. The fire being put out on the bridge and every thing being in readiness, we moved on, the 5th Iowa being deployed as skirmishers. They soon struck the enemy's rear driving them before them. A mile further we came to two abandoned wagons loaded with amuni- tion. We passed to the right. of them and when opposite the explosion took place and thousands of blue blazes could be seen shooting heavenward. It was a magnificent'sight. A few hundred yards further on were two wagons of the same kind and the saifie scene occurred. Now the country became mountainous and the valleys were reduced to narrow passes between hills, and the enemy became more stubborn and resentful taking possession of every available position to plant their batteries, and impede our progress, and in short when they reached the bro- ken country the did not drive worth a cent. But by moving through the woods, thickets and underbrush and over the hills apd rocks, and tearing our clothes almost at every step we succeed- ed in driving them about six miles beyond Pulaski. At this point they made a bold stand upon a high hill, and behind barri- cades of logs and rails. Some time was spent in skirmishing and getting the brigade into posi- tion. The 7th was on the right and not finding anything formidable in our front we mounted and moved by file down a very steep hill. On the opposite side ot the valley, two-thirds of the way up met a few skirmishers. The regiment was then thrown into columns of squadrons, preparatory to fighting on foot. Capt. Rankin's battalion being in advance moved out by the right and at once engaged the enemy's skimishers which were not more than thirty yards in advance of his line, and finding that the enemy's line extended far beyond his right, reported the same to Col. Garrard. Here the Col. ordered him to take company F in order to extend his line further out. This company had hardly been put in position when our line gave way on the left and center and a grand rush was made by the enemy on our right causing us to drop back. Now the driving was all on the other side. We had found out for the first time that our line was not more than thirty yards from their main line, and our led horses two hundred and fifty yards from their battery which had all been concealed up to this time. This bat- tery opened fire cutting the timber over our horses and at the same time a charge was made upon us. The enemy proved to be eight brigades of infantry as we learned from a prisoner who was a little more daring than his comrades and followed a lit- 26 tie too close on our retreating line. Upon noticing him, one of the boys 'bout faced and took the chap in. He also said that Forrest's cavalry had refused to fight any more and these brigades of infantry were ordered to hold us until they could get their trains out of our reach. We fell back about four hundred yards and reformed. In this affair, I am most happy to state we did not lose a single man. Our losses in horses was twenty-eight. The rebels captured the 4th U. S. battery which belonged to our brigade. This battery was situated on our left about a mile and supported by the 4th U. S. cavalry. After the capture of our artillery the enemy at once commenced their retreat, as was ascertained by throwing forward Hatch's Division, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. This finished Christmas day's work, a Christmas long to be remembered by the 7 th O. V. C. This was the last sight our brigade got of the rebels, except a few wounded ones lying along the road, and a few stragglers picked up, but a severe fight occurred at Sugar creek on the 26th between our advance and their rear. We followed the enemy to near Florence where they crossed the Ten- nessee river. After remaining two days in camp we marched to Mooresville with the Huntsville and Stevenson railroad sixteen miles distant, where we rested from our labors ten days, and then marched to Gravelly Springs, Ala., reaching there January 14th, 1865. Here the 7th was ordered to build winter quarters and stabling lor their horses. This was something new for the 7th being the first time in her histo- ry that she went into winter quarters. Here we remained for some time. By order of Gen. Wilson we changed our drill from the single to the double rank formation, and while this was go- ing on a refitting and reorganization was perfected. In this organization the 7th was placed in the 2nd Brgade 4th Div. C. C. M. D. M. Gen. Upton commanding Division; Gen. Alexander the Brigade, Here we remained until about the zoth of March. Capt. Rankin was placed in command of the dismounted men of his regiment, then of his bri- gade, and subsequently of the division, numbering over five hundred men, and led out thirty six hours ia advance, with the wagon train. On the morning of March 22nd, the whole column was in motion, crossed the Tennessee river and moved southward through the Tuscumbia Valley and then into the mountain regions of Alabama. We met with no opposition until about the 26th, when we were met by Rhoddy's Cavalry, which did not stay long enough to give us a second shot, but lit out at the sound of the fiist gun, leaving one dead. We met and defeated the enemy at Monticelo, capturing one hundred prisoners. The next day, we routed the combined forces of Forest, Buford and Rhoddy, in their chosen position at Ebenezer church, capturing two guns, 27 three hundred prisoners, and many killed and wounded. Our loss was 4.1. killed and 150 wounded. \Ve followed on, reaching Selma late in the afternoon. Around Selma was an intrenchment reaching from the Alabama river above the city, to the river below, with ])alisades of ])ine timber set in the ground and sharp at the upper end. The approach to Selma was through open ground with no pro- tection whatever to our men. The plan of attack was as follows: The First Brigade, Fourth Division, composed of the 2nd, 3rd and 4t!i Iowa, was put in position on the left of the road, and wliat is known as the Wilder Brigade, was placed on the right of the road. The Second Bri- gade, Fourth Division, composed of the ist an;l 7th O. V. C. and the 5th Iowa V. C. were retained, mounted in columns, on the road, and when the two fir.it mentioned brigades got fairly engaged in a hand to hand encounter within the enemy's parapets, the Second Brigade charged down the road mounted and into their works, killing and wounding over four hundred and capturing eleven hundred ])risoners, five battle flags and thirteen pieces of artillery. The 7th followed the flying enemy several miles bejond the city and in the darkness of the night, captured a battery, complete, including caseons, horses and harness. Selma was taken within one hour from the time our lines were formed. In this short s|)ace of time, one of the most important places in Confederacy fell, it bemg situated in the midst of their iron regions, was of itself a solid machine shop, where a large portion of their ordnance was made, together with their niter works. Some of the most formidalile iron works on the contment were in this region, which also fell into our hands and were de- stroyed. We remained at Selma eight days, during which time v.-e erected scaffold- ing out into the Alabama ri\er and ran their unfinished ordnance from their works and dumped them into the river until they lay in heaps above the water. During our stay here, we sent a flag of truce to Forrest, to know if he would honor or parole, and received word that he would if we could hold them. Havmg faith in our ability to do so, and at the expiration of eight days, we applied the torch to all Confederate property, and crossed the river on pontoons, taking the prisoners with us, we marched on to Mont- gomery, the capital of the State. On reaching there, they surrendered with- out a fight, after they had burnt a large amount of cotton. Here the stars and bars that waved over the first rebel Congress that ever assembled on this Continent, meekly bowed its head at the first sight of a Federal soldier with arms in his possession, without even waiting for a salute, and up went the ''old flag of the Union," which in its stead, waved triumph- antly over the dome of the house where Jeff Davis called together his first Congress, amid the shouts and songs of the brave men who so i)roudly bore it there. After remaining here three drys, we took up our line of march for aS Columbus, Ga. The 7th going by the way of Andersonville for the purpose of releasing our prisoners held there. When within four miles of the place, they were met by a flag of truce, evidently to gain time. This was not recognized by the 7th, who charged the place, but only in time to see the train moving out with the mass of skeletons caused by starvation. Some eighty-four of our men which beggered all description, not being able to be removed, were left in the prison pen. The 7th joined the comiiiand in time to participate |in the fight at Co- lumbus, which was reached about the middle of the afternoon, when ist O. V. C. chaiged a bridge which had previously been strewed with cotton saturated with turpentine, and on reaching the bridge the enemy applied the torch and the whole thing was in a blaze, which caused their return, when, skirmishing and an artillery duel continued until after dark. On the west side of Columbus runs the Chatahucha river, it was spanned by the bridges; one was destroyed, as above stated, and the others were de- fended by forts, garrisoned by infantry and artillery. A portion of the First Brigade, composed of the three Iowa regiments, were dismounted for the purpose of storming these forts. The Second Brigade was retained, mounted. At 9 o'clock, P. M., a move was made. The Iowa men cleared the enemy's works on their third assault, when the Second Brigade charged, mounted, over the bridge into the city. In this, the enemy lost over three hundred killed and wounded, one thousand and five hundred prisoners, twenty-four guns, eight battle flags and a vast amount of munitions of war. We remained here over the next day, and the next morning set fire to all the buildings containing army stores, and taking up our march for Macon, Ga., amid the bursting of shell and the ex- plosion of amunition, causing the roofs and timbers to ascend heavenward,, and the mass of bricks and mortar to fall inward. Caused by the vacuam from the explosion from withm. The atmospheric pressure pushed them inward. Columbus, Ga., may be set down as the last battle of the war for the preservation of the Union. We continued our march towards Macon and when within twelve miles of that place, we were met by Gen. Howel Cobb, bearing a flag of truce, re- questing us to go into camp where we were; that Lee had surrendered, Richmond was captured, and that Sherman and Johnson had agreed upon an armistice of ninety days. But Gen. Wilson refused to recognize it, and told Gen Cobb that he would march on to Macon, and that he, Cobb, could fight or surrender. We reached Macon, April 21st, 1865, when Cobb surrendered the city and his forces without a struggle. Here we received a telegram fron% Gen. Grant, to cease hostility. That Lee had surrendered, Richmond had fallen, Johnson was- surrounded, with Sherman in his rear and Sheridan in front, and would have to surrender or be captured. We remained at Macon a few days, when we received orders to send out scouts in every direction to apprehend Jeff. Davis who was trying to make his way into Texas, whereupon our brigade, under Gen. Alexander, 29 moved north to Atlanta, Gn. From this ])oint we sent out a scouting part}' under Lt. Yoman, of the ist O. V. C, and all disguised in the rebel uniform. This party got in company with Davis' escort, at Greenville, South Carolina, and while riding together on the road, the rebels suspecting all was not right, drew their revolvers and opened fire on our scouts. None of the 7th were injured except John Gates, of Co. E, he being shot through the head, below the eye, from which he recovered. In the meantime, Jeff. Davis was captured by the detachment of the First Wisconsin and the Second Michigan and brought to Atlanta, Ga. The 7th O. V, C. took charge of him and guarded him to Augusta, Ga. From here we marched to Chattanooga, Tenn.. from thence to Nashville, and went into camp at Edgefield, where our horses and equipments were duly turned over, and the last company of the regiment was mustered out July the 4th, and paid to the 7th, 1865, when we returned home by tlie way of Louisville, Ky., to Cincinnati. In writing this history, I have endeavored to do exact justice to all, so far as I knew, and if there is any errors in this narrative, it is that of omission, having had to write exclusively from memory, and in all probability there are omissions. While we would not deprive any regiment of her laurals, we believe the 7th O. V. C, for the services rendered and the number of times she was un- der fire, stands second to no regiment from Main to California. THE END. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 012 607 986 2