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FAMOUS DEEDS

AMERICAN HEROES.

A RECORD OF EVENTS FROM SUMPTER TO
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.

INCLI'DIXG BATTLES OF CEI).- .1 JIOUNTAIN, WINOHES-
TEE, ANTIETAM, CHANCEl.LOESYILLE, (JETI'YS-
BUEfill, LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, MIS
SION RTDOE, ETC., ETC.

MAJOR GEO. L. WOOD.

NEW YORK:
.IAMBS MILLER, PUBLISHER,
647 BKOADWAT.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

The following pages were written for the purpose
of making a permanent record of the facts within
the author's knowledge relatiag to the Seventh Ohio
Eegiment The work was undertaken with the be
lief that the doings and sufferings of the regiment
were of sufficient magnitude and importance to en
title it to a separate record. It has been extremely
difficult to obtain facts, on account of so large a por
tion of the members still being in the service. The
book is, therefore, written principally from memory.
If it serves to perpetuate iu the minds of the public
the hardships, as well as long and faithful service, of
this gallant regiment, then the object of the author
is accomplished.
Waeeen, May, 1865.

PREFACE,

This preface to the history of the Serenth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry is written at the request of the
accomplished author of the book ; but without hav
ing read it, seen it, or heard its contents. I have,
however, such confidence in the ability, honesty,
candor, good judgment, and good taste of my old
friend and " companion in arms," that, for myself,
I take his work on trust, and in cheerful faith com- .
mend it to others.
But was there a demand for another book on the
war? Or were the doings and sufferings of one
regiment, among the thousands engaged in the war,
of such interest as to demand a separate history?
These are questions the author doubtless weighed
carefully before he began to write ; and his answer
to them is his book. I agree with him. This na
tion has a deep, and will have a lasting, interest in
the war. We have been making history of un
rivalled, perhaps of tmequalled, importance to the
world during the past four years. We ourselves

6 PEEFACE.
cannot comprehend the magnitude of the work we
have been doing, or, rather, that God lias been
doing through us. The successful revolts of the
Netherlanders against the tyranny of Philip II.—
of the Puritans against the tyranny of Charles I. —
of the republicans against the tyranny of George
III., dwindle to insignificance (important as they
were) in comparison with the successful revolt of
the loyal, Union-loving, freedom-loving citizens of
tliis Republic against the tyranny of treason and
slavery. It was a great fight for a great cause, and
God has given us a great victory. There was not a
nation on earth that was not interested in the con
flict. Ay, it concerned our common humanity.
All this will be seen more clearly and felt more
deeply twenty, fifty, a hundred years hence than
now. But to transmit and perpetuate the fruits of
this victory we must have records of the war — many
records, made from many different points of view,
and of many kinds, great and small. The history
of this war is not yet written, perhaps cannot be
successfully written for many years yet. And that
it may one day be written as it should be, every regi
ment that has a story to tell should teU it. These
regimental histories will be invaluable to the Ban
croft who, fifty years hence, shall write the history
of this war. The world is only beginning to under
stand the true character and vocation of history  to

PBEFAOE. 7
make the past live i-n the present ; not in great
pageants, not in processions of kings, princes, and
mighty conquerors, but i-n the common ever-y-da'y
speech and deeds of the people. When Merle d' An
bigne would write the History of the Eeformation,
he wrote to Guizot for counsel. Guizot encouraged
him, and counselled him to proceed, but added, " Give
us facts, incidents, details^ This counsel chimed
with the purpose and genius of d'Anbigne, and the
result was a history that, though it discusses doc
trines and themes commonly held to be dry and un
interesting, has for old and young, and men of all
classes, all the charm of romance. In this, his
"facts, incidents, details," equally with his fascinat
ing style, lies the charm of the histories of Macaulay.
But that historians may write such histories — that
the historian of this war may write such a history,
the "facts, incidents, details" must be on record.
There is a demand, therefore, for another book, for
many other books, on the war.
In addition to this, every regiment of the grand
Army of the Union in this war has its own history,
of pecidiar interest to its own especial friends. And
I have faith in what Dr. O. W. Holmes once said ;
"I would not give a fig for a man every one of
whose geese were not better than any other man's
Bwans." To us of the old Seventh " all our geese
were swans." Whether others believed in us or not.

8 PREFACE.
we had faith in ourselves and in one another ; we
were a mutual admiration society of a thousand and
odd men. And the fact is, that, for some reason,
but what I cannot say, the Seventh Eegiment, from
the day it was mustered into service to the day it
was mustered out, was always the pride and pet_ of
Ohio, of Northern Ohio especially. In this respect
it never had a rival. True, it was a well-disciplined,
gallant, fighting regiment ; but so were many others.
True, it had brave and accomplished officers ; but so
had many others. True, it had in the ranks men of
refinement, education, and high social position ; but
so had many others. I am at a loss to account for it,
but the fact nevertheless was as I have stated it;
and as its deeds corresponded with its renown, its
doings, of all others, demand a permanent record.
And, if I am not mistaken, the reader of the follow
ing pages who shall follow the Seventh from the day
it was mustered into service, in Cleveland, in 1861,
to the day the pitiful remnant of it, after tramping
and fighting over almost half the Union, were mus
tered out.of service, in Cleveland, in 1864, wUl find
in them ample compensation for his time. P. T. B.
Chicago, III., May, 1865.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER L
The fall of Sumter. — CrvTL ¦war begun. — Prepara
tions BY THE South. — ^Nobility  13
CHAPTER II.
The President's call for troops. — Organization of
THE Seventh. — Its departure fob Camp Dennison.
— Its reorganization and departure for the field . 19
CHAPTER III.
The pursuit of General Wise. — Tyler ordered to
menace Gauley Bridge and threaten Wise's com
munications  80
CHAPTER IY.
The skirmish at Cross Lanes. — Gallant conduct ajtd
final escape of the Seventh Regiment  43
CHAPTER V.
Reflections on the skirmish at Cross Lanes. — ^Battle
OF Cabnifex Ferry  56
CHAPTER VI.
Charleston and the Kanawha Valley. — A double
MURDER. — Colonel Tyler Assumes command of the
post  63
CHAPTER VII.
Floyd establishes batteries on Cotton Hill. — Driv
en OFF BY the forces OF GENERAL CoX. — ^BENHAM'S

10 CONTENTS.
failure to intercept his retreat. — His pursuit.
Skirmish at McCoy's Mills.— His final escape  TO
CHAPTER VIII.
Reflections on the Institution op Slavery  77
CHAPTER IX.
The Seventh ordered to the East. — Expedition to
Blue's Gap. — Skirmish on the Blooming pike  83
CHAPTER X.
Gallantry of Lieutenant O'Brien. — Death of Gen
eral Lander. — The Seventh escort his remains. —
The occupation of Winchester  89
CHAPTER XI.
The Reconnoissancb to Strasburg. — Battle of Win
chester. — Utter defeat and rout op Jackson's
Army  94
CHAPTER XII.
General Shields' anxiety for laurels. — Summing up
OF THE battle. — LOSSES IN THE SBVpNTH  104
CHAPTER XIIL
Pursuit of Jackson up the Valley. — March to Fred
ericksburg, AND RETURN TO FRONT RoYAL  109
CHAPTER XIV.
The march on Waynesboro'. — Two brigades encoun
ter Jackson at Port Republic, and after five
hours' fighting are compelled to fall back. . . . 114
CHAPTER XV.
Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Gallantry of the re-
gimbnt, and terriblb loss  123

CONTENTS. 11

CHAPTER XVL
The REGIMENT GOES INTO CAMP AT ALES.4.NDRIA, BUT IS
SOON ORDERED TO THE FRONT. — BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 134
CHAPTER XVIL
The march to Dumfries. — Skirmish with Hampton's
cavalry, in which THEY ARE BADLY DEFEATED BY A
MUCH INFERIOR FORCE  143
CHAPTER XVIII.
The REGIMENT ordered to THE FRONT. — BATTLE OF
Chancellorsville  150
CHAPTER XIX.
Accompanies the grand army into Pennsylvania. —
Battle of Gettysburg  156
CHAPTER XX.
After reaching the Rapidan it goes to Governor's
Island. — After its return it accompanies Hooker's
corps to the Western department  160
CHAPTER XXI.
The Seventh joins Grant's army.- The battles of
Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and Ringgold . . . 164
CHAPTER XXIL
The advance towards Atlanta. — Skirmishing. — Home
ward MARCH. — Its reception. — ^Muster out  170

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Bbigadiee-Genbkal E. B. Tyler  185
Brevet Brigadier-General J. S. Casement  189
Brigadier-General John W. Sprague  193
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel McClelland  193
Major Frederick A. Seymour  196

12 CONTENTS.
Surgeon Francis Salter  197
C. J. Bellows  198
G. E. Denig  198
Frederick T. Brown, D.D  199
Chaplain D. C. Wright  305
Lieutenant-Colonel Giles W. Shurtliff  306
Colonel Arthur T. Wilcox  307
Lieutenant-Colonel James T. Sterling  308
Colonel Joel P. Aspek  310
Major W. R. Sterling  314
Major E. J. Krkgbr.  315
Captain J. B. Molyneaux  216
Captain Charles A. Weed  219
Captain Judson N. Gross  230
Captain John F. Chutte  231
Lieutenant Louis G. De Forest  233
Lieutenant Halbbrt B. Case  234
Lieutenant Henry Z. Eaton  236
Lieutenant A. H. Day  227
Lieutenant William D. Shepherd  237
Lieutenant E. Hudson Baker  239
Lieutenant Ralph Lockwood  230
Lieutenant T. T. Sweeney  230
Lieutenant Edward W. Fitch  231
Lieutenant A. J. Williams  231

OIIR DEAD.
Colonel William R. Creighton and Libutbnant-Col-
ONBL Orrin J. Crane  235
Lieutenant-Colonel Mervin Clark  291
Lieutenant Henry Robinson  295
Lieutenant E. S. Quay  296
Lieutenant James P. Brisbine  296
Lieutenant Charles A. Brooks  299
Lieutenant Joseph H. Ross  303
JjIbutenant Frank Johnson  8O4

THE

SEYEIS-TH REGIMEI^T.

CHAPTEE I.
Thb fall of Sumter. — Crrn, war begun. — Preparations bt
the South. — Nobility.
On a gloomy day in AprH, 1861, the telegraph
flashed the news over the country that Fort Suniter,
a fortress belonging to the United States, had been
fired upon by a body of rebels, and thus inaugurat
ing all the horrors of civil war.
By the great mass of people, civU war in our hith
erto peaceful country was entirely nnlooked for. It
burst so suddenly, that the entire country was con
vulsed. The people had become so accustomed to
clamor iu Congress and elsewhere, that they looked
upon these threats to dissolve the Union as mere
bravado.

14 THE SEVENTH REGIMENT:
After the first clash of arms at Fort Sumter, both
North and South drew back in alarm, as if in fear
of the coming storm. The Southern people, how
ever, better prepared by education for scenes of strife
and bloodshed, received the news ofthe inauguration
of civil war with less alarm than did those of the
North. The latter received it with a fearful dignity,
conscious of the power to crush the rebellion. The
South, with that arrogance that becomes her so well,
expected to make an easy conquest. Long-continued
exercise of power in national matters, had taught her
to look upon the people of the Free States as her in
feriors, needing but a master-stroke for their subju
gation, — willing to lay down their arms, and seek
safety in dishonor. They had taken us for a race of
cowards, because we had given way to their selfish
demands in our public councils, for the sake of peace.
To be sure, we had some daring spirits in Congress
who met these bullying traitors, making them feel
the full force of Northern valor. But these were
isolated cases, and won the respect of the Southern
people to the persons of the actors rather than to the
Nortli as a people. They looked upon these spirited
examples as rather proving the fact of our want of
chivalry than otherwise, and therefore were not cor
rected in their false estimate of a people whom they
were about to meet on bloody fields.
One reason the South had for cherishing so mean

A EECOED. 15
an opinion of the North as a military power, was on
account of her having entirely neglected the culti
vation of the art of war. She had so few represen
tatives in the army and navy, that they were both
almost entirelv within the control of the South.
This control the latter had exercised for years, un
til her people came to look upon themselves as the
only persons in the country fit to bear arms. They
flattered themselves that they were the army, and
we but a rabble, to be dispersed beyond the hope of
reorganization at the first clash of arms. But in this
strife, like all others where aristocratic 'privilege
comes in contact with the freedom of democracy,
these arrogant lords were to meet with a bitter dis
appointment ; they were to be made to respect the
strong muscle and brave hearts of the so-styled ple
beian North.
This avowed hostility of the South to the North
had caused the former to take a military direction,
and forced her into a course of policy which, how
ever outrageous it might appear, was yet a matter of
necessity in her attempt at independence. The first
step was to put herself upon a war-footing. This
she had been perfecting for several years. The next
was to get the Government so in her control as to
make it powerless in the incipient stages of the re
bellion, that it might gain sufficient strength to
withstand the first shock, and thus gain precedence.

16 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
During a period of thirty years the South was
gradually assuming a war-footing. The militia was
organized ; independent companies were formed with
no warlike object, as was generally supposed, but
really to resist any encroachment of the Federal
Government upon what the. leaders deemed the
rights of the Southern people. The election of
Abraham Lincoln to the presidency was not the
cause of civil war, but only its apology. There had
existed in the minds of the Southern people a desire
for an independent govemment, which would give
the aristocracy a firmer footing. In other words, the
Federal Government was too democratic. But it
was necessary that these conspirators have some ap
parently good reason for civil war ; else the people
who were at heart right, would desert them at a
time when they were most needed. The time for
the inauguration of civil war was therefore most
fitly chosen. The people were made to believe that
the inauguration of President Lincoln was a suffi
cient reason ; and thus the dream of thirty years of
these disunionists was at last realized. The apology
for the war had been substituted for its cause, and
the mass of the Southern people made eager to meet
those on bloody fields whom they were led to sup
pose were about to deprive them of their rights and
precipitate them into ruin.
There is always a class styled the nobUity in every

A EECOED. 17
nation. But the true nobility in America is that
class who have won that distinction by noble deeds ;
who are great, not in titles and garters of nobility,
but in great achievements : not that class who base
their right to that title upon the number and charac
ter of human beings they may own. The American
people hold that distinction must be given to those
by whom it is merited ; and that it cannot be the
subject of monopoly. Each person, however mean
his birth, has the same right to enter the list for the
prize as he who was born of a higher rank. It is
this freedom, which is given to all, that has caused
the Northem States to make such rapid progress to
wards civilization and greatness ; and it is the crip
pling of this great principle that has cast a shadow
pver the enslaved South. One great object of the
leaders of the South had been to arrest the rapid
growth of the North, which, they were conscious,
would one day throw them into a helpless minority,
for they could not themselves keep pace with this
rapid progress. Their ambition was to have capital
control labor, whUe the laboring classes were to be
subservient to the capitalists, and a sort of serfdom
forced upon them. The wealthy class were to live
in luxury and indolence upon the unrequited toil of
their slaves. These facts, the leaders of the wicked
rebellion, which they were to inaugurate, were care
ful to conceal from their followers. This was so well

18 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
done, that the people ofthe South thought that these
imaginary wrongs of the Government, which had
been pictured to them by their masters, was the true
reason of their attempt at separation from the Union.
It is hoped that the masses wUl soon see the differ
ence between serving a privUeged class of aristocrats,
and being members of a free Eepublic.

A EECOED. 19

CHAPTEE II.
The President's call foe troops. — Organization of the
Seventh. — Its departure foe Camp Dennison. — Its ee-
obganization and departure for the field.
On Monday, April 15, the President issued a call
for 75,000 volunteers for three months' service. The
States responded immediately to this call in double
the number requij ed. Never in the history of the
world was such a response witnessed to the call of
any country. Men left their implements of hus
bandry in the fields and rushed to the recruiting
stations. The executives of the States were pressed
with applications to raise companies and batteries
under the call of the President.
Under this call thirteen regiments of infantry
were assigned to Ohio. In fifteen days 71,000
troops were offered to Govemor Dennison to fill the
quota of the State. Camps were now established at
different points in the State, and troops ordered to
rendezvous. Camp Taylor, at Cleveland, Ohio, was
organized on the 22d day of April, and by the 27th
contained several thousand troops. Of these, the
city of Cleveland had three companies of infantry ;

20 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
TrambuU County, one; Mahoning Cotmty, one com
pany of infantry and a section of artillerj- ; Portage
County, two ; Lake County, one ; Lorain County, one ;
Huron County, one ; while the city of Toledo was rep
resented by an entire regiment. The latter part of
April these detached companies were formed into a
regiment, constituting the Seventh Ohio. It con
tained the right material for a fighting regiment.
The majority of its members were of a floating class,
fond of adventure, while many were of the best class.
The regiment, as a whole, combined rare military
talent. Many of its officers and privates were
skilled in tactics ; and those who -^vere not, immedi
ately set themselves about acquiring the necessary
information, rather by practice than study; for,
with some exceptions, it was not a scholarly regi
ment. The members took too much the character
of adventurers, to indulge in close study or profound
thinking. But for practical purposes, I doubt
whether the regiment had a superior in the State.
It readily acquired discipline whUe on duty; but
while off duty, its members were not over-nice in
their conduct, seldom indulging in sports that were
absolutely wrong, but, at the same time, gratifying
that propensity for fun which characterized thera
through their entire career. It contained no drones ;
there was no companionship in it for such.
On a beautiful Sabbath in early May, as the

A EECOED. 21
morning, with its freshness, was dispelling the damps
and shadows of the night from city and country, a
regiment was seen passing do^vn the streets of the
city of Cleveland. The sweet strains of music and
the heavy tramp of the soldiers alone broke the
silence. There was nothing but this martial bearing,
wliich marked the carriage of the members of the
regiment, to distinguish them from the multitude
which was hastening in the same direction; for
there were no arms and no uniforms. Each mem
ber was dressed in liis citizen's garb, and there was
no, attempt at mUitary evolutions. It was a simple
march of determined men to the defence of their
country. Solemnity and a becoming absence of un
necessary enthusiasm marked the occasion with sub
limity and grandeur. The faces of those brave men
were saddened with the thought of the perUs which
lay before them, and the endearments that were be
hind. They were marching to perform a sacred
trust, confided to them by their countrymen. " This
was the first march of the gaUant Seventh." Ar
riving at the depot of the Cleveland, Columbus, and
Cincinnati EaUroad, it took a train of cars for Camp
Dennison, where it arrived in the afternoon of the
next day. Here they were totally unprepared to re
ceive it, no barracks having been erected, although
one hundred men had been sent there for that pur
pose several days previous. The ground was per-

22 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
fectly saturated with water from a three days' rain,
and the camp in what had been a cornfield. But
notwithstanding these difficulties, by sunset the regi
ment had constructed barracks, and were compara
tively comfortable. In a few days the companies
began to drill in earnest, and their advancement was
correspondingly rapid.
On the 11th day of May the regiment was ordered
to elect, by ballot, three field-officers. The candidates
for colonel were, E. B. Tyler, of Eavenna, a former
brigadier of militia, and James A. Garfield. The
former was elected. Garfield afterwards became
colonel of the Forty-second regiment, and, in com
mand of a brigade, defeated Humphrey Marshall in
Kentucky, for which he was given a star. Captain
"W. E. Creighton was elected lieutenant-colonel, and
J. S. Casement, of PainesviUe, major.
On the 13th day of May, the President having
issued a call for 42,032 volunteers for three years, a
meeting was held in the Seventh Eegiment, when all
but one of the officers were in favor of organizing
under this call. The subject being brought before
the regiment on the following day, about three-
fourths of the command enlisted for the three years'
service. Eecruiting officers were sent home, and by
the middle of June the regiment was full. It was
mustered into the three years' service on the 19 th
and 20th of June.

A EECOED. 23
The companies were officered as follows : Company
A, O. J. Crane, captain ; A. C. Burgess, first-lieu
tenant; D. A. Kimball, second-lieutenant. Com
pany B, James T. Sterling, captain; Joseph B.
Molyneaux, first-lieutenant; H. Z. Eaton, second-
lieutenant. Company C, Giles W. Shurtliff, cap
tain ; Judson N. Cross, first-lieutenant ; E. Hudson
Baker, second-lieutenant. Company D, John N.
Dyer, captain ; Charles A. Weed, first-lieutenant ;
A. J. Williams, second-lieutenant. Company E,
Jolm W. Sprague, captain ; Arthur T. "Wilcox, first-
lieutenant; Ealph Lockwood, second-lieutenant.
Company F, D. B. Clayton, captain; John B.
Eouse, first-lieutenant; A. C. Day, second-lieuten
ant. Company G, F. A. Seymour, captain; "W. H.
Eobinson, firs t-Ueuten ant; E. S. Quay, second-lieu
tenant. Company H, Joel F. Asper, captain ; Geo.
L. "Wood, first-lieutenant ; Halbert B. Case, second-
lieutenant. Company I, "W. E. Sterling, captain ;
Samuel McCleUand, first-lieutenant ; E. F. Fitch,
second-lieutenant. Company K, John F. Schutte,
captain; Oscar "W. Sterl, first-lieutenant; C. A.
Nitchelm, second-iieutenant. H. K. Cushing was
appointed surgeon, and F. Salter assistant surgeon.
John Morris was appointed quartermaster, Louis
G. De Forest, adjutant, and Eev. F. T. Brown,
chaplain. Camp Dennison was weU calculated for a camp of

24 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
instraction. It is separated into two parts by the
track of the Little Miami EaUroad, whUe the river of
the same name flows along its border. It is situated
between sloping hills of some magnitude, in a
slightly undulating vaUey. In summer it is beauti
ful; in winter, gloomy.
Soon after being mustered into service, the regi
ment was reviewed by George B. McCleUan, then
major-general of Ohio militia, commanding the De
partment of the Ohio. Immediately after, we were
ordered to join his forces in the field.
Accordingly, on the afternoon of the 26th of June,
the regiment took the cars for Columbus, Ohio, un
der command of Lieutenant-Colonel Creighton, Col
onel Tyler having gone in advance. Arriving in
Columbus late at night, it was transferred to the
Central Ohio Eailroad, arriving at Bellair in the
afternoon of the succeeding day. It was immedi
ately ordered across the river to Benwood, a smaU
station on the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad, a few
miles below Wheeling. Here the regiment was, for
the first time, supplied with ammunition. It en
camped on the common, after the pieces were loaded.
Much fatigued by their long ride, the men threw
themselves upon the hard ground, and were soon
enjoying a sound sleep.
In the mean time Major Casement was super
intending the transportation of the baggage and

A EECOED. 25
supplies across the river to a train of cars in
waiting. Here and there the dusky forms of men were
seen grouped over the fires, which were dimly burn
ing, discussing the stories which were floating about
camp, with no apparent starting place, of am
buscades, masked batteries, and other concealed
horrors. Early on the moming of the 28th of June, three
trains of cars were slowly conveying the regiment
into the wilds of Western Virginia, where war, in
its madness, was to confront it.
It arrived at Grafton early in the afternoon, and
taking the Parkersburg branch of the railroad, it ar
rived at Clarksburg before the close of the day, and
encamped in the outskirts of the vUlage. The entire
regiment occupied tents, which were looked upon
with much more favor than densely crowded bar
racks. "While encamped at this place, a stand of colors
was presented to the regiment, the gift of the Turn
ers, a society of Gennans in Cleveland.
Near thirty miles from the vUlage of Clarksburg
is the small hamlet of "Weston, then a notorious
haunt for rebels. In the place was a bank, in which
the deposits, to the amount of about thirty thousand
dollars, stiU remained. The authorities were de
sirous of procuring this treasure. The undertaking
2

26 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
was intrasted to the Seventh. It was proposed to
surprise the town early in the moming, before any
one was astir to give the alarm.
In the afternoon of the last day of June, the regi
ment wound its way through the village, across the
river, on to what is called the Clarksburg pike,
leading to Weston. The day was intensely hot,
and the men entirely unused to marching. At sun
set but little distance had been made, and all were
much fatigued, but still the gallant band pressed
onward. Weary and footsore, it moved on till day
light, when some considerable distance intervened
between it and the village. Men were beginning
to fall out by the wayside,- unable to proceed fur
ther. At this unfortunate moment the river ap
peared in view, which makes a bend to the road,
about a mile from "Weston. On the opposite side
of the road was a gradual slope of cultivated land,
with here and there a clump of trees. From be
hind one of these a man was seen to emerge, and
being taken for one of the enemy's scouts, the com
mand was given to " fire," when several pieces
were discharged, without injury, however, to the
object of their aim. A double-quick was now or
dered, when the men, unable to proceed with their
knapsacks,.scattered them along the road.
-Arriving at the town the right wing made a detour
to the left, whUe the left wing made a simUar one to

A EECOED. 27
right, deploying as they went. In this manner the
vUlage was entirely smTounded. The first intima
tion the citizens had of the presence of the military
was the playing of the '' Star Spangled Banner " by
the band stationed in the park. A guard was placed
over the bank, and a member of the regiment de
taUed to look to the business.
The Union citizens were overjoyed at the presence
of the Federal forces. They prepared a breakfast
for the entire regiment, and other charitable acts,
which attested their devotion to the Union cause.
The regiment encamped on the bank of the river,
near the cemetery.
During the first days of our stay at Weston many
arrests were made of disloyal citizens, a few of whom
were sent to Columbus, Ohio, to await the action of
the Federal Govemment.
At this time a small force, under command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Pond, of the Seventeenth Ohio
Volunteers, was besieged at GienviUe, a small village
on the banks of the Little Kanawha, by a superior
force of rebels, under command of Major Patton, as
sisted by Captain 0. Jennings "Wise. Companies H
aud B were sent to his relief After a fatiguing
march of two days and one night they opened com
munication with Colonel Pond, the rebels withdraw
ing at their approach.
Six more companies of the regiment arrived at

28 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
GienviUe on the foUowing day. Colonel Tyler being
fearful that the first detachment might meet with a
reverse. Several other regiments arrived about the
same time, but left soon after.
During the stay of the regiment at this place,
many scouting expeditions were sent out ; on which
occasions many dangers and hardships were encoun
tered. Just before our arrival at GienviUe, a Union lady
rode in the saddle through the rebel camp, with the
stars and stripes in one hand and a pistol in the
other, while she defied the rebel host. Being pur
sued, she sought refuge in our camp, and finally ac
companied the advance of our forces to her home,
with the proud satisfaction of seeing the old banner
once more planted on her native soU. During the
progress of the war she had suffered many perils.
At one time she went to visit her brother, who was
concealed in the woods, for the purpose of giving
him food, when she was challenged by a rebel picket.
She wheeled her horse, and, by hard riding, escaped,
the rebel bullets passing harmlessly over her head.
Private Adams, of Company C, was wounded
while on picket, being the first casualty in the regi
ment produced by the enemy. About the same time
Captain Shurtliff had a horse shot from under him,
while riding in the vicinity of the camp, and within
the Federal lines.

A EECOED. 29
Some difficulty was experienced at this place in
procuring supplies. The regiment was fed for some
time on corn meal and fresh beef. A mill, however,
was soon set in operation, and supplies of flour and
meal were furnished in abundance.

30 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT :

CHAPTEE in.
The PURSUIT of General Wise. — Tyler ordered to menace
Gauley Bridge and threaten Wise's communications.
On the 11th day of July General Eosecrans, by
order of General McClellan, marched his brigade
eight mUes through a mountain-path to the rear of
the rebel force, occupying the crest of Eich Moun
tain, commanded by Colonel Pegram. This move
ment resulted in the fighting of the battle of that
name. The rebels were completely defeated, and
made a precipitate retreat towards Carrick's Ford,
where, on the 13th, they were again routed, with the
loss of their general.
In the mean time the rebel General Wise had oc
cupied the Kanawha Valley, with a few regular
troops and a considerable force of militia.
The advance of this force extended as far down
the river as Buffalo, while numerous incm'sions were
made by the rebel cavalry in the vicinity of Point
Pleasant, a vUlage situated at the junction of the
Kanawha with the Ohio Eiver.
To oppose this force General Cos was sent with a

A EECOED. 31
brigade of Ohio troops. His main force passed np
the river in boats, whUe a sufficient force was kept
on each flank to prevent surprise.
General "Wise gradually retired at the advance of
this force untU, arriving on the banks of Scarey
Creek, he threw up some breastworks, and awaited
the approach of the Union troops,
"WhUe these movements were being executed in
the vaUey, Colonel Tyler was ordered to advance
with a brigade by the way of Sutton, to menace
Gauley Bridge, and threaten Wise's communications.
On the 22d of July the Seventh Eegiment moved
out of GlenvUle, on what is called the Braxton road,
towards BuUtown, where it was to be joined by Colo
nel Tyler with the Seventeenth Ohio, two companies
of the First Virginia, with Captain Mack's battery,
United States ArtiUery, and Captain Snyder's sec
tion of twelve-pounders, making a force of fifteen
hundred. We arrived at BuUtown in the evening of the
next day, meeting with no resistance from the
rebels, who were scattered in small parties through
this entire region of country. We had expected to
meet with opposition at the ford, on the Little Kan
awha, some twenty miles from GlenvUle, but with
the exception of a small band of guerillas, who
were very careful to keep the river between our
selves and them, we saw no rebels.

32 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
It was not untU the evening of the 25th that we
broke camp, and then to cross a range of hills only,
into the valley of the Elk, where we remained until
the 27th of July.
At this camp we learned of a rebel force at Flat
Woods, distant six miles, in the direction of Sutton.
On the 27th we moved out, in a heavy rain, to
attack their camp, but at our approach they fled in
dismay. We remained at Flat Woods till the following
Sunday, when we moved on to Sutton, a distance of
ten miles.
Sutton, the county-seat of Braxton County, is
situated at the base of a high range of hills, on the
right bank of the Elk Eiver. The river is crossed
by a suspension bridge. Back of the village, and
about two hundred feet above it, is a fine table
land, with a range of hills for a back gi-ound. This
table land was to be approached only by a narrow
defile fronting the river, which was easily defended ;
for a battery properly planted would command
every approach for a mile around ; besides, the
enemy would have to cross the Elk Eiver under
fire. Nature had made the position a strong
one. The command, now swelled to about two thou
sand, encamped on this table land, Avith the two
companies of the First Virginia, and Mack's Bat-

A EECOED. 33
tery thrown forward across tho river, to keep open
the road in front.
The command at once proceeded to erect fortifi
cations. Captain Asper being sent to the front of
Captain Mack's position on the SummervUle pike,
with instructions to select a proper position, after
which to erect a fortification commanding the road.
Finding a point where the road makes a sharp angle,
the captain constructed the work, which, although
of no account during the stay of the regiment at
Sutton, afterwards proved a good point of defence,
when the weak garrison stationed there was at
tacked. The second day of August, the regiment left
Sutton, and crossing the river again advanced
towards Gauley Bridge. The day was one of the
hottest, which, added to the hilly nature of the
country, made the advance difficult. Both officers
and men fell out of the line, unable to proceed,
being so oppressed by the heat, and wearied by the
difficult state of the roads. At night we had
crossed but one range of hills, and found ourselves
in the valley of the Little Birch Eiver, at the foot
of Birch Mountain.
The following morning we again took up the line
of march, reaching the Great Birch Eiver at early
twilight, having made but a few miles during the
day. 3»

34 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
In the afternoon we were joined by our chaplain,
who, when we were at GienviUe, volunteered to
make his way across the country with a message to ¦
General Cox. And now, after an absence of more
than two weeks, on a perilous message, he was again
with us, as fresh and light-hearted as when he left
for his daring enterprise. He joined us by the way
of Gauley Bridge, having been the first to make
the trip. Alone, through a country infested by
murderous bands of guerrillas and outlaAvs, he trav
eled more than a hundred and fifty miles. Before
such deeds of individual heroism, all but the grand
eur and magnitude of large battles fade into ob
scurity. In such single exploits there is a «tern,
silent daring, that obscures the maddened bravery
of a battle-field.
From our chaplain we learned that General Wise
had left tha. valley, burning the bridge over the
Gauley Eiver, after crossing his command. He
had become frightened and fied. And thus the
rebel general, who at Charleston had said : " By
G — , the stars and stripes shall never wave over this
town again ;" on the Wednesday following ex
claimed : "The enemy are on us, why the h — 11
don't you pack my wagon," and, taking counsel of
his fears, fled in dismay.
But let us return to the Seventh Eegiment, which
we left at its camp near the Big Birch Eiver.

A EECOED. 35
On the morning of August 6, we broke camp,
and taking a mountain road arrived at Summerville
on the following "Wednesday, and encamped on
Addison HUL
The country about Summerville is beautiful iu
the extreme. It is slightly undulating, having
more the appearance of an open country, or in
some respects a prairie, than of a valley between
two very high ridges. It is sufficiently rolling to
hide the mountains which separate the Gauley from
the Elk Eiver.
At our former. camp we were surrounded by very
high, precipitous mountains, with large rocks pro
jecting from their summits. After passing over
Powell Mountain, we came into the valley of the
Gauley, and after marching a short distance, en
tirely lost sight of these mountains, over whose
rocky crests we had, but a short time before, pur
sued our slow and weary way.
The contrast between this camp and the one at
Big Birch was striking. Here we were reminded
of Ohio, our native State, the one which had more
attractions for us than any other ; while at the latter
camp we Avere constantly reminded of some lonely
country, described" only by the novelist, and in
habited alone by robbers and outlaws. And yet,
upon this mountain region, nature was lavish with
her charms. The scenery is grand beyond descrip-

36 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
tion. Peak after peak rises, one above another,
untU the tired eye grows dim in its endeavor to
trace the outlines of the distant mountain, and seeks
the beautiful valley, wherein to restore its lost
vision. From the top of PoAvell's Mountafn, the beauty
of the scenery is lost sight of in its magnificence.
Tliis mountain is the highest in Western Virginia,
and commands the finest view. The first time I
ascended it was on horseback. When near the top
we struck into a bridle path, and, urging our horses
into a gallop, were soon at the base of the project
ing rocks. BeloAV, a lovely panorama was open to
our view. The side of the mountain, as well as the
distant valley, seemed coA'cred with a carpet of
green, for both were densely wooded, and in the
distance the foliage seemed to blend with the earth.
We could see far aAvay into the smaller valleys, and
from them trace the ravines, in Avhich the small
rivulets make their merry descent from the side of
the mountain.
At last, tired of gazing at this beautiful spot in
nature's varied scenery, we again urged our horses
forward, and, after partially winding around the
mountain, were at the very summit of this mass
of earth, rocks, and herbage. We now obtained a
view of the opposite side of the mountain from
which we had ascended, where beauty expands into

A EECOED. 37
sublimity. We conld plainly trace the course of
the KanaAvha Eiver, as on its banks the mountains
rise higher, and are more abrupt, while beyond
they lessen into hills, and the hills waste into a
valley. On the side of the distant hills we could
see an occasional farm, with its fields of golden
grain ready for the harvest. On the very top of
this mountain was living a family.
Notwithstanding their great height, these moun
tains seemed fertile ; and the farms are apparently
as good as those in the valley. Springs frequently
make their way out of the rocks by the roadside.
Water is abundant in any part of these mountains,
and springs more common than in the valley.
Near the top of Powell's Mountain, in a kind of
basin, is a very fine farm. It is well Avatered, and
well timbered, and quite fertUe. The owner lives
and fiourishes in this quiet home, and, I should say,
is quite as happy as if in a city. He has become
accustomed to the loneliness of his mountain retreat.
The wild scenery has become familiar — its very
wildness has a charm. He is content with tAvo
visits each year to the distant settlement. It is
literally true that " home is where the heart is."
Although this country was well supplied with
provisions of every kind, we were not aUowed to
appropriate any of it. The property of rebels Avas
considered sacred. The authorities were confident

38 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
of putting down the rebeUion through clemency,
and, therefore, Avere both ready and willing to put
our soldiers upon half rations, rather than incur the
ill-Avill of traitors. When prisoners were captured,
they had what was called an oath of allegiance
administered to them, when they were liberated, to
again rob and plunder. Occasionally we captured
a horse, but it was invariably given up, on the
owner taking this oath of allegiance. In view of
this moderate method of dealing with them, they
risked nothing in proAvling about our lines, for they
knew that they had only to take this oath to procure
an honorable discharge ; while the soldiers of the
Federal army, if they stole but an onion to make a
piece of hard bread palatable, were subjected to
the severest punishments. Experience has finally
taught us, that hard blows alone will conquer a re
bellion, and that to reduce a foe, starvation is quite
as good as the bayonet.
I do not know that any one was criminal in this
early practice of clemency towards rebels ; it seemed
rather to be a sort of national weakness, growing
out of the universal opinion that the rebellion was,
at the greatest, but a weak effort of a deluded
people ; and that kindness, connected with a show
of strength, rather than its exercise, would induce
them to return to their former aUegiance. It seems
to be, at this day, of little consequence why this

A EECOED. 39
practice prevailed, or who was responsible for it,
as it has almost entirely ceased.
On the 11th day of August, Captain John W.
Sprague was given a leave of absence, to go to his
home, and was intrusted with dispatches to General
Eosecrans. He was to proceed by the way of
Sutton and Clarksburg. When near the Big
Birch Eiver he was suddenly confronted by a band
of rebel cavalry, belonging to Colonel Croghan's
Second Georgia Eegiment, who was not far from
the spot, with his entire command. The mail
carrier and two dragoons, who accompanied Captain
Sprague, attempted to make their escape ; only one,
however, was successful ; the mail carrier receiving
a mortal wound in the attempt.
Securing their prisoners, the rebel cavalry crossed
the Gauley Eiver, and were .soon out of reach of
the Federal forces. An unsuccessful attempt was
made to rescue the captives; but infantry, of course,
could make but a fruitless attempt at recapturing
prisoners in the hands of well-mounted cavalry.
This occurrence spread a gloom over the entire
camp. One of the best officers of the regiment-
had been captured almost within our lines, and
borne away to a Southern prison, to endure the
privations of prison life, with the fond anticipation
of seeing home and friends blighted and withered.
To be lost to one's country, Avithin the prison walls

40 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
of her enemies, when the arm of every true patriot
is needed in her defence, is a sad fate.
I am not inclined to blame any one for this un
fortunate occurrence, though it may occur to the
mind of the reader that good generalship would re
quire that the commandant of a body of troops, in
the heart of an enemy's country, should know
whether or not the cavalry of that enemy was
hanging on his fiank and rear. A.nd then, again, it
may be urged Avith truth that the command was
almost entirely without cavalry, though it was fur
nished with one company, as Avell as one of Snake
Hunters, as they were called. The legitimate busi
ness in the army of the latter was scouting. They
had no other duty to perform.
But hoAvever these facts may be, yet true it is
that a regiment of the enemy's regular cavalry was
not only hanging on the flank of our column, but
occupied our rear — thus severing our communica
tions, and cutting off our supplies.
On the 15th day of August we again moved for
ward, after first sending a company down to Hugh's
Ferry. We proceeded through a densely Avooded
country, abounding in laurel and pau-pau, arriving
at Cross Lanes, tAvo and a half miles from Carnifex
Ferry, on the Gauley Eiver, in time to prepare our
camp before night.
Soon after our arrival Captain Schutte, of Com-

A EECOED. 41
pany K, was on picket duty at Carnifex Ferry.
During the day the captain, for some unknown
reason, conceived the idea of a scout across the
river. Selecting fourteen of his men, he crossed
over to the opposite bank, and, taking the main
road, immediately pushed into the country. The
march was made, apparently, without any appre
hension of the presence of an enemy ; at least, no
steps appear to have been taken to prevent a sur
prise. All went well, however, until the party had
made a distance of several miles, when, the first in
timation they had of danger, they were fired upon
by a party of cavalry, concealed in an adjacent
thicket, and all but four of the party killed or
wounded — Captain Schutte being wounded mor
tally. The survivors conveyed him to an old buUd
ing, and, at his own request, left him. He expired
soon after, and Avas buried on the spot by the rebels.
The four men fled towards the river, and, being pur
sued, took to the woods. One, being separated
from his companions, was pursued to the bank of
the river, and was only saved by throwing himself
into the stream from the projecting rocks. He con
cealed his body under water, keeping sufficient of
his face above to sustain life. He could plainly
distinguish the conversation of the rebels, and
knew by it that they were in search of him. Here
he remained during the day, and at night dragged

42 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
himself upon the rocks. The next morning, tired
and hungry, he floated himself doAvn stream by
clinging to the almost perpendicular rocks, untU,
arriving opposite a house, he was hailed by a
woman, to Avhom he made known his condition.
She immediately unfastened a canoe, and, paddling
directly across the river to Avhere he was lying, half
famished in the water, helped him over its sides,
and conveyed him to the other shore. Before they
landed, however, the rebels discovered them, and
gave the order to " halt." It not being obeyed,
they fired, the bullets sinking harmlessly into the
water. In a moment the two were lost to view in
the pau-pau, Avliich lined the river bank. The
woman guided the soldier to her home, where she
cared for him during a short illness, which suc
ceeded his escape. When he was sufficiently re
covered to join his command, he found the regi
ment had abandoned Cross Lanes, which had been
occupied by the rebel forces. He returned to his
former retreat, where he was concealed until the
day of the disaster to the Seventh, when, taking
advantage of the confusion into Avhich the rebel
forces were throAvn during the affair, he escaped
towards Gauley Bridge, which place he reached in
safety the following day.

A EECOED. 43

CHAPTEE IV.
Tee SKEBMrsH at Cross Lanes. — Gallant conduct and final
ESCAPE of the Seventh Eegiment.
The occupation of Cross Lanes was considered
by the authorities of the gravest importance. It
was contiguous to three fords on the Gauley Eiver,
which, when possessed by the Federal forces, was a
perfect protection to the left of the army occupying
Gauley Bridge. Carnifex Ferry was immediately
south two and one-half miles. There was a road
leading from the vicinity of Gauley Bridge, on the
south bank of the Gauley Eiver, which unites with
the Sunday road, crossing the river at this ferry.
This road afforded the enemy a means of gaining
the left of onr forces, at Gauley Bridge. The occu
pation of Cross Lanes, therefore, by the enemy,
would sever the communication between our forces
at the above point, and the main army under
Eosecrans, occupying the country from the Balti
more and Ohio Eailroad, along Cheat Mountain.
Carnifex Ferry, was a point easily defended
against a much superior force. Indeed, it had so

44 THE' SEVENTH EEGIMENT.
many natural defences, that it elicited exclamations
of surprise from men accustomed to the selection of
places for defence. The current of the river was
rapid, while the abrupt rocks on its banks afforded
secure hiding places for a considerable body of
troops. It was quite impossible to bring artillery
to bear in such a manner on the position as to
interfere materially with troops concealed there.
It seems to be the opinion of most persons familiar
with the place, that it would be quite impossible to
dislodge a body of troops properly posted on the
north bank of the river at this ferry, provided a
stubborn resistance was made.
It Avas for the purpose of preventing the crossing
of the enemy at this point that the force of Colonel
Tyler was ordered to Cross Lanes. By keeping
pickets well on the line of the river, to Avatch any
adA'ance of the enemy, the regiment was entirely
safe at its camp, from which it was comparatively
easy to re-enforce any portion of the line. But for
some reason, the commanding officer failed to visit
the ferry in person, until the afternoon of the day
on which a peremptory order was received to report
with his command at Gauley Bridge. Hitherto he
had been entirely unable to give correct informa
tion, as to the probability of his being able to hold
the ferry. He was ordered to abandon the position,
because his -dispatches were sueh, that they created

A EECOED. 45
an uneasiness in the minds of Generals Eosecrans '
and Cox, as to the propriety of trusting him to hold
so important a position. Here was the fatal mis
take. A lesser error had already been made, in
withdrawing all the forces from Tyler, other than
the Seventh. Had these forces remained, the posi
tion would probably not have been abandoned, as
all would have felt secure. When the order to
withdraw was received, the commanding officer
regretted it as much as any one. But the mischief
was already done ; the order was imperative. On
that evening, Monday, the regiment left Cross
Lanes at 11 o'clock p. m., and the next day, by noon,
was at Twenty Mile Creek, some eight miles from
Gauley Bridge.
On the Wednesday morning following, Colonel
Tyler reported in person to General Cox. In the
mean time, the general having become satisfied
that Colonel Tyler could be trusted to hold Cross
Lanes, and being confident that the contemplated
attack of the enemy on Gauley Bridge had been
abandoned, ordered him to return as soon as the
troops were rested, expecting him to start back, at
least the next morning. But Tyler did not move.
On Friday afternoon, General Cox, on learning
that he had not moved, was much excited, and said
to an officer present —
" He must move ; he must move at once ; it is

46 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
all important that Cross Lanes be held, and Floyd
be kept on the other side of the river; ride
back to camp and tell him from me, to move early'
in the morning, and -with speed, to secure the
position.'''' The order was delivered in nearly the same
language as given, but notwithstanding its direct
ness, he did not move till noon on Saturday, and
then made a distance of only fourteen miles, over
good roads, encamping at the foot of Panther
Mountain, after having fallen back from Peter's
Creek, on learning of the presence of the enemy.
On arriving in camp, a dispatch was sent to
General Cox, representing to him that the enemy
were in force in front, and asking instructions. On
Sunday morning at about 3 o'clock, a courier
arrived with an order from General Cox, substan
tially as folIoAA'S : The force in your front cannot
be as large as you estimate it. Advance cautiously,
feeling your way ; if the enemy is too strong, fall
back, if not, occupy Cross Lanes at once, as it is of
the utmost importance.
About nine o'clock Sunday morning, August 25th,
the regiment moved toAvards Cross Lanes, casting
lots as to Avhich company should be left in charo-e
of the baggage. It fell upon Company F, which
was temporarily commanded by Lieutenant Kim
ball. The entire day was occupied in reaching

A EECOED. 47
Cross Lanes. It was not until dark of that day
that the regiment Avent into camp.
In the days' advance some slight skirmishing oc
curred with the enemy's cavalry videttes, but be
yond these feAv horsemen no enemy was encoun
tered, the regiment encamping in apparent security
near the church, after having driven away a cavalry
picket of the enemy.
Companies were sent out on picket, as follows:
Company A, on the road leading to Summerville ;
Company K, on the road leading to Carnifex Ferry ;
Company C, on the road leading in the opposite di
rection, Avhile Company E was sent on a diagonal
road leading to a ferry some distance below Carni
fex. The balance of the command remained near
headquarters, which were established in the church.
Each confpany on picket was divided into three
reliefs, Avith instructions to be vigilant.
The silence of the enemy, together Avith his neg
lect to attack, created the impression that he had
withdrawn his forces to the other side of the river,
fearing that this small force was but tlie advance of
a well-equipped army. But these theories were des
tined to fade into sadder realities, as the shadows of
night melted into morning.
Nothing occurred during the night to disturb the
general repose. A short time before day fires were
kindled, and those who were up had pieces of meat

48 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
on sticks, Avhich they were roasting. Some had ob
tained green corn during the night, which they
were also roasting. Before day had fairly dawned,
the command Avas almost entirely astir. As it be
came sufficiently light to distinguish objects at a
considerable distance, several musket shots Avere
heard in the direction of the river, followed in quick
succession by others. It soon became evident that
a determined attack was being made on Company
K. About this time a column of rebels was seen
advancing from the river road, across tbe flelds, to
wards Company A's position on the Summerville
road. Arriving in the vicinity of this road, the col
limn halted, formed in line of battle, at the same
time swinging round its right to the Summerville
road, driving Company A back to the point where
the roads cross. In the mean time Com^sanies B, D,
G, H, and I were ordered to the support of Com
pany K; but on arriving at the cross roads, Compa
ny K was seen falling back in some confusion, be
fore a superior force, therefore they remained at
that point. MeanAvhile a heavy fire was opened
from a dense wood opposite the church, to resist
Avhich Company K, having been joined by Compa
nies A and C, which had advanced to its support
on the ferry road, took position on a hill midway
betAveen this belt of timber and the crossins' of the
roads. From this point these companies delivered

A EECOED. 49
several effective volleys, which soon drove the reb
els from their position. Taking advantage of thia
partial check of the enemy. Captain Crane ordered
a charge, Svhich resulted in piercing the lines, and
the capture of a stand of rebel colors. The three
companies now escaped, with a loss, however, of
Captain Shurtliff, Lieutenant Wilcox, and Lieuten
ant Cross, taken prisoners, the latter being severely
wounded in the arm.
During this time the rebel column from the di
rection of Summerville had advanced so as to lap
over the road opposite the Ferry road, exposing the
companies occupying the road in front of the
church to an enfilading fire, at the same time being
exposed to a severe fire from the front, from a col
umn of infantry and cavalry coming up the Ferry
road. These companies were now ordered to rally
on a hill near the church. In executing this move
ment Companies D and H passed through a corn
field, exposed to a deadly fire from almost every di
rection. Soon after reaching this field Captain
Dyer, Company D, fell dead, pierced in the
heart by a rifle bullet. Lieutenant Weed suc
ceeded him in command. On reaching the hill
these companies attempted to rally, but being in an
open field, combated by a much superior and par
tially hidden foe, were compelled to fall back to a
piece of woods skirting the road. The balance of

50 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
the command, other than those who had followed
the fortunes of Captain Crane, now joined them,
and soon organized for a systematic retreat.
Captain Crane and his followers, after putting
some distance between themselves and the enemy,
crossed the Gauley road, and hastened to the
mountains, where they would be entirely free from
the attacks of cavalry, and where they would have
a chance, at least, of partially defending themselves
agaiust attack from the rebel infantry.
Arriving in the mountains, they took a direction
as nearly as possible towards Gauley Bridge, where
they arrived in safety, meeting with little of adven
ture on the way. Thus a small body of Federals
had fought their way out from the very grasp of
the enemy, and, eluding pursuit, traversed a moun
tain range, with no guide, over rocks and deep
gorges, arriving safely within the Union lines.
Their arrival, hoAvever, did little to cheer the hearts
of those in camp, for they were a small body com
pared with those still unheard from.
The news of the sad disaster to the Seventh had
already been sent to the friends at home ; universal
gloom had settled over the camp, and the prospect
looked dark for saving the organization, even, of a
regiment which was the pride of the Western Ee-
serve. A flag of truce was sent to Cross Lanes to as-

A EECOED. 61
certain, if possible, the fate of those left behind.
Chaplain Brown and Surgeon Cushing were se
lected to undertake this enterprise. They, however,
returned without having accomplished their ob
ject. One dark, rainy night, as if nature was in sym
pathy with the feelings of those in camp, the band
commenced playing a patriotic air in front of the
colonel's quarters, accompanied with cheers. I
knew that this indicated good news. Hastening
to the spot I learned that a dispatch had just ar
rived from Charleston with the comforting news
that four hundred of the regiment had arrived in
safety on the Elk Eiver, twelve miles from the
above place. But let us accompany these four
hundred heroes in their march from the battle
field. Organizing the troops. Major Casement, being
first in rank, Colonels Tyler and Creighton having
already escaped, assumed command. Losing no
time the detachment immediately took up the lino
of march. Avoiding all highways, and keeping
well in the timber, they moved on for some time,
when, considering themselves out of immediate
danger, they ventured out to the road, to find them
selves only three miles from the place of starting.
It was now concluded that it was not advisable
to attempt reaching Gauley Bridge, as the enemy

52 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
would be likely to interpose a considerable body
of troops between them and that point. It was
considered to be more practicable to make in the
direction of Elk Eiver, and by this means reach
Charleston. This course being adopted, the com
mand crossed the road and took to the mountains.
Very soon after a party of rebel cavalry came dash
ing doAvn as if in pursuit, barely missing the object
of their search.
The command, aided by a compass, took their
course over the mountains in a direction which
they supposed would ultimately lead them to the
banks of the Elk Eiver.
During the afternoon Captain W. E. Sterling
procured a guide, who conducted them by narrow
pathways, in which they were compelled to march
siugle file, towards a house which was situated at
some distance on the mountain. Night setting in,
before reaching the spot, without even a star visi
ble to light them on the way, the column halted,
and passed the word back for a candle. The line
extended for nearly half a mile, and it was not
until the last company, H, had been reached, that
one was procured. On its arriving at the front, it
was discovered that the head of the column had
arrived on the brink of a deep chasm, into which
it would be sure death to plunge. One step more,
and the unlucky leader ofthe line would have been

A EECOED. 63
precipitated into the dreadful crater. But these
daring adventurers were spared the misfortune of
such an accident.
Two hours of valuable time having been lost, the
line now pressed forward, each man holding on to
the man preceding him. About midnight the
house was reached, and the weary band laid
themselves down ; not, however, to sleep, for the
only provisions they had had during the day
was roasted corn, for in the morning they were
attacked while preparing breakfast, which they
were compelled to abandon. The woman of the
house was kept cooking the good old-fashioned
corn-dodger, and by morning the command was
tolerably well fed, and ready for the toilsome as
well as hazardous march of the succeeding day.
As the day again dawned, the line moved on.
Procuring another guide during the day, they ar
rived, in early evening, on the banks of the Elk
Eiver, without any adventure worth relating. Be
fore halting they forded the river, which Avas, at the
time, waist deep. Company B was sent out on
picket, under command of Lieutenant Molyneaux.
The instructions were to establish a chain of pick
ets, at short intervals, along the road leading up .the
river. In case of an attack, the outer picket to
fire and fall back on the next, when another volley
was to be delivered, and so continue until the camp

64 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
should be finaUy reached. The position selected
for the camp was at the base of a range of abrupt
hills, which were not accessible to cavalry, Avhile
many difficulties Avould present themselves in the
way of a force of infantry advancing to an attack
from that direction. The river ran at the very foot
of these hills, too deep to cross in the face of an
enemy, and sufficiently wide to present a decided
obstacle in the way of an attacking party on the
opposite shore. The command felt, therefore, com
paratively safe in this retreat. As it afterwards
proved, they were not mistaken ; for it was ascer
tained that, at the time the pickets were being sta
tioned, seven hundred rebel cavalry were a short
distance up the river ; indeed, they were so near
that a party of rebel officers heard the lieutenant
give the instructions to the outer picket. One of
these officers, when afterwards taken prisoner, being
questioned by Molyneaux as to their reason for not
attacking, remarked that it would have been quite
¦ impossible for them to reach the camp in case his
instructions to the picket should be carried out;
and he and his brother-officers agreed in the opin
ion, that the orders would be carried out ; for no
body of troops, after having made so stubborn a
resistance as at Cross Lanes, would afterwards
lose all by a want of vigilance or a disobedience
of orders. True it is that they did not attack, but

A EECOED. 55
suffered the camp to remain quiet, and the com
mand to move off at leisure in the morning.
A dispatch being sent to Charleston, on the fol
lowing day a provision-train met them twelve miles
from the latter place. In due time the command
arrived at Charleston, weary and foot-sore from
their long and toUsome march.

56 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT!

CHAPTEE V.
Eefleotions on the Sklrmish at Oboss Lanes. — Battle op
Carnifex Ferry.
The occasion for the affair at Cross Lanes was
brought about by a series of blunders. The first
blunder was committed by the officer who ordered
all the forces, Avith the exception of the Seventh
Ohio, from a position which enabled them to guard
the ferries of the Gauley. If it was deemed im
portant to hold these ferries at all, it was certainly
advisable to retain a sufficient force to guard against
surprise and capture. But then,' what Avould be
considered a sufficient force ? To settle the question,
it is necessary to take into account the size of the
army occupying the country, as well as the size of
that of the enemy. Neither army Avas large, and
both were much scattered, scarcely more than a
brigade occupying one position. A regiment, there
fore, may perhaps be considered a sufficient force
for an outpost.
The army in Western Virginia was at no time
sufficiently large to accomplish any thing, under the
best generalship, beyond simply holding the country.

A EECOED. 57
and preventing invasion ; and it was only for the
want of a moderately sized army that the rebel
general failed to drive back our forces. But the
rebel authorities had no men to spare for the pur
pose of winning barren victories ; so the armies of
Western Virginia were left to watch each other,
with an occasional skirmish.
At the time the affair at Cross Lanes took place,
our army occupied a front of many miles, as did
also the rebel army. It was quite impossible to
collect, in case of emergency, more than about six
thousand men. But, however it may be as to the
first point, it is clear, secondly, that the commanding
officer at Cross Lanes committed an error in not
making a personal inspection of the grounds, adja
cent to the camp, immediately on his arrival. It is
always considered highly important that those in
command should know precisely the ground their
commands are expected to defend, and not to trust
to chance or a battle to develop favorable points of
defence or attack. By reason of this want of know
ledge, rumors as to the presence of the enemy in
force created uneasine.-s and alarm, Avhieh was en
tirely natural, although Avithout cause. While in
this state of feeling, the commanding officer sent
dispatches to Generals Eosecrans and Co.x, Avhich
created the impression that their author was not to
be trusted to hold these ferries. Those generals
3*

58 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
attributed this alarm to a want of personal courage,
they being well informed as to the strength of the
position at Cross Lanes. It was not, however, a
want of courage, but simply a failure on his part to
understand the real strength of the position, by rea
son of not having visited it in person.
When the order to withdraAV came. Colonel Tyler
regretted it as much as any one ; for he had that
day examined the position, and knew that he could
hold it against any force the enemy could bring to
the attack. But this knoAvledge was obtained too
late : lying on his table was a positive order to
withdraw. Eeason said hold the position ; military
law, Avhich was higher in authority, said abandon
it ; so the place was evacuated. The third and
irremediable error was committed in not returning
to Cross Lanes when ordered. If that had been
done, the consequences resulting from the with
drawal Avould have been entirely checked. The
order to return was given on Wednesdays, with the
expectation that it would be acted upon as soon as
Thursday morning; but it was not until the Sat
urday noon following that the command started.
There was no reason for this delay. The regiment
had marched but eighteen miles in as many days,
and could, Avithout any injustice being done it,
have returned the day the order Avas given. Even
had the command moved as late as Friday, with

A EECOED. 59
dispatch, it would not have been too late, as it seems
to be Avell settled that Floyd did not cross over any
considerable body of troops until Saturday.
In the Avay of criticism on this affair, it has been
said that, had a spirited dash been made on the
eneinys on Saturday evening, the rebels could have
been driven across the river. I think this .claim
subject to many doubts. In my opinion a recon
noissanee should have been made that night, instead
of falling back to Panther Mountain. This would
have resulted in the discovery of their position and
force, and thus given the command an opportunity
to take advantage of the night to Avithdraw. Had
this been done, the ferry might possibly have been
reached. The result of these blunders was the fighting of
two engagements, with a heavy Federal loss, while
the enemy suffered less. One of these, Carnifex
Ferry, has been dignified with the name of battle,
while the other is considered but an affair.
After the repulse of the Seventh, Floyd intrenched
hiinself on . the bank of the river, near the ferry.
About two weeks later, " Eosecrans came down
with his legions," comprising about four thousand
men. Approaching the vicinity of the ferry, he
threw forward General Benham's brigade, Avith no
design of bringing on an engagement, hoAvever ;
but the line unwittingly advanced to within a short

60 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
distance of the enemy's Avorks, when a sheet of
flame shot along their entire line. The unequal
contest lasted five hours, Avhen the Union forces
withdrew, hungry and supperless, Avith a loss of
fourteen kUled, and one hundred and four wounded.
The loss of the enemy Avas about tAventy wounded.
The troops awoke in the morning to find the
rebel Avorks abandoned. Thus ended the battle
of Carnifex Ferrya, no less a blunder than Cross
Lanes. General Benham was censured for having at
tacked their main works, when he Avas ordered to
make a reconnoissanee only. But when it is un
derstood that the commanding general sent up
reinforcements, the blame, if there Avas any^, at
tached itself to him.
The loss to the Seventh, at Cross Lanes, was one
killed, twenty wounded, and ninety-six taken pris
oners. Several of these Avere recaptured at Carnifex
Ferry, when Eosecrans attacked Floyd. Among
the number was Lieutenant Cross, Company C.
The loss to the enemy has never been 'known.
There is no doubt, however, that it was consider
able. They attacked in large numbers, confident
of an easy victory, therefore very little caution
attended their movements. But instead of a fla?
of truce, accompanied by an offer to surrender,
they were met by a shower of bullets, which must

A EECOED. 61
have told fearfully on their heaA'y columns. The
fact that they were thrown into such confusion as
to permit our men to escape, shoAvs that they Avere
too severely punished to follow up their victory.
The force of Floyd has been variously estimated:
some having placed it as high as six thousand ;
while, in his official report of the engagement at
Carnifex Ferry, Floyd himself places it at only two
thousand. His force Avas probably four thousand,
of all arms, with ten pieces of artillery. This en
tire force must have been in the vicinity at the time
of the affair at Cross Lanes.
The following is an unofficial list of the loss in
the regiment :
Killed. — Captain John N. Dyer.
Wounded. — Corporal Frank Dutton, N. J. Holly,
Thomas Shepley, Thomas J. ScoA-ille, Sergeant H.
G. Orton, Joseph W. Collins, B. Yeakins, Lewis J.
Jones, Thomas S. Curran, William Meriman, B. F.
GiU, William S. Eeed, David M. Daily, Eobert J.
Furguson, James E. Greer, E. J. Kreiger, Sergeant
James Grebe, John W. Doll, WUliam W. Eitiche,
Fred. W. Steinbauer.
The following is a list of those taken prisoners :
Sergeant AV. W. Parmeter, Sergeant E. E. Stiles,
Sergeant G. C. C. Ketchum, Sergeant F. F. Wil
coxson, Sergeant Edward Bohn, Sergeant A. Kol-
man, Sergeant E. W. Morey, Corporal C. F. Mack,

62 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Corporal J. G. Turner, Corporal T. A. Mohler,.
Corporal S. M. Cole, Corporal E. C. Palmer, Cor
poral Charles Bersett, Privates Albert Osborn,
Charles Weber, Alex. Parker, E. Bears, L. Warren,
A, M. Halbert, H. Keiser, S. B. Kingsbury, E.
Kennedy, A. Hubbell, C. C. Quinn, C. Burrows,
E. Evans, W. II. Scott, C. H. Howard, Charies
Carrol, T. B. Myers, George SAveet, John Massa,
J. F. Curtis, W. E. Bartlett, W. Cherry, John
Bark, John Hann, L. M. Blakesly, Z. Fox, J.
Butler, F. S. StUlweU, G. W. Downing, G. C. New
ton, William Biggs, Mathew Merkle, J. Sheloy,
H. Huntoon, G. W. Williams, George C. Eobinson,
H. Wessenbock, J. C. Eafferty, J. Snyder, W. W.
Wheeler, C. Haskell, J. W. Finch, James Johnson,
H. Johnson, L. C. Logue, A. Scoville, E. Wildson,
F. Boole, John Miller, P. Jenkins, John Smith, J.
Wolf, Theodore Burt, A. Schwartz, G. A. Akerman,
Charies Sahl, G. W. Thompson, F. Williams, M.
H. Whaley, Z. Larkins, T. Hebbig, Z. A. Fuig, F.
A. Noble, J. Hettlick, J. McCabe, L. Beles, E. K.
Smith, F. A. Eubicon, John Smith, E. Smith, H.
Smith, D. N. K. Hubbard, IL Wood, Charies Ot-
tinger, E. S. Beel, N. D. Claghorn, H. Thompson,
N. Freidenburg, M. LevuUen, S. Gill, fifer.

A EECOED. 63

CHAPTEE VI.
Charleston and the Kanaavha Valley. — A double mubdee.
— Colonel Tyler assumes command of the post.
Aftek the engagement at Cross Lanes, five com
panies of the regiment remained at Gauley Bridge,
while the balance were at Charleston. The latter
part was commanded by Colonel Guthrie, of the
First Kentucky Eegiment. At this time it was the
seat of justice for Kanawha County, and contained
upwards of three thousand inhabitants. It is a
neat village, situated on the north bank of the
KanaAvha Eiver, at a point where the Elk empties
into it. There is a fine suspension bridge over the
latter stream, which the rebels undertook to destroy
in their flight. Charleston is three hundred and
eight miles west of Eichmond, and forty-six miles
east of the Ohio Eiver. It was named after
Charles Clendenin, an early settler, and an owner
of the soil on which it is built.
The Valley of the Kanawha is famous for its
beautiful scenery. The mountains on either side of
the river sometimes rise to the height of five hun
dred feet and more, and are liberally supplied with

64 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
rich beds of minerals and coal. At their base is
located the famous KanaAvha salt works. They
commence near Charleston, and extend for about
fifteen miles above it. Before the rebeUion they
gave employment to nearly six thousand persons.
The following extract Avill be of interest :
" It is a curious fact, and Avorthy of philosophical
inquiry, that Avhile the salt water is obtained by
boring to a depth of from three hundred to five
hundred feet below the bed of the Kanawha, it in
variably rises to a level with the river. When the
latter is swollen by rains, or the redundant waters
of its tributaries, the saline fluid, inclosed in suit
able " gums" on the shore, ascends like the mercury
in its tube, and only falls when the river returns to
its wonted channel. How this mysterious corre
spondence is produced is a problem which remains
to be solved. Theories and speculations I have
heard on the subject, but none seem to me to be
precisely consonant Avith the principles of science."
Before the presence of the army interrupted the
manufacture of salt, these works yielded about two
million bushels annually, and are capable of yield
ing much more Avith an increase of capital.
While Colonel Guthrie commanded the post at
Charleston a most disgraceful tragedy Avas enacted.
An order had been issued that no liquors of any
description should be sold or given to the soldiers

A EECOED. 65
or employees of the Government. During the time
this order was in force, a party of drunken rowdies
from the First Kentucky Eegiment stopped at the
grocery of an old man, and asked for some beer ;
when refused, they demanded it. Being again re
fused they threatened violence, and proceeded to
put their threats into force, when a son of the old
man, occupying a room above, was brought to the
window by the old gentleman's cries for help, and,
seeing his father thus set upon by a mob, from the
repeated assaults of which his life was endangered,
fired a revolver, the contents of which took effect
on one of the assaulting party, producing instant
death. He was at once arrested and lodged in jail,
around which a strong guard was placed to prevent
his being taken out and hung.
That night Colonel Guthrie, in a speech made to
the excited throng, Avhieh had collected around the
jail, said, in substance, that the life of the criminal
should be taken if he had to do it with his own
hand. Similar remarks were made by others,
among whom was a captain who afterwards sat as
judge-advocate on the trial.
On the morning after the affair the members con
stituting the court-martial assembled " in all the
pomp and pride of glorious Avar," decorated with
all the paraphernalia belonging to an officer's
equipment, but to declare a prejudged opinion.

66 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
During the trial the prisoner Avas as immovable
as a statue, evincing in his appearance a Avant of
hope, as well as a preparation for the Avorst. He
made no defence. The announcement of the sen
tence of death produced no change ; he preserved
a stoical appearance to the last.
When the hour of execution arrived the prisoner
was brought to the galloAvs in a heavy wagon,
guarded by a double file of soldiers, Avho were
laughing as gayly as if on their way to some place
of amusement. During the afternoon the sun had
shone through a cloudless sky ; but just before
this terrible scene was enacted, the heavens were
draped with heavy clouds, and the rain fell in tor
rents, casting a gloom on all around. The wretched
victim ascended the galloAVS wi-th a firm tread, and
addressed a fcAv Avords, in a fearless tone, to those
assembled around. As the rope was being ad
justed around his neck, the crowd involuntarily
gave way, showing that, although they had been
clamerous for the enactment of the scene, yet
when the time came, they had not the nerve to
witness the death-struggle of their victim; There
was but little movement of the body after the fatal
drop fell. This last scene was sickening in the ex
treme, and all of us, moved by a common im
pulse, turned and walked away in silence, our
hearts being too full for utterance.

A EECOED. 67
This is one more testimony against the safety and
justice of the death penalty.
On the 19th day of October, Colonel Tyler took
command of the post at Charleston. He issued the
following proclamation :
"In assuming the command of this post, one of
my principal objects will be to maintain order, and
to see that the rights of persons and property have '
the protection guaranteed by general orders from
department headquarters. To the faithful execu
tion of this my entire energies, together with the
force at my command, will be given. To this end I
have established Camp Warren, where officers and
soldiers are required to be at all times, except when
on duty which calls them away, or on leave of ab
sence, which will only be granted at headquarters.
Commissioned and non-commissioned officers will
be held personally responsible for any violation of
this order by members of their companies. Drunk
enness, marauding, boisterous and unsoldierlike
conduct are strictly forbidden. To prevent this,
the sale of intoxicating liquors, directly or in
directly, to those in the service of the United
States, is positively and emphatically prohibited ;
and I call upon the citizens to aid me in detecting
those who violate this order. The quiet of your
town, the protection of your property — in fact your

68 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
lives and the lives of your families — depend much
upon the sobriety of our officers and men ; there
fore, it becomes your duty as avcU as your interest
to lend me your aid in the execution of this order.
"E. B. Ttlee,
" Colonel Commanding Post."
Under the rule of Colonel Tyler the post at
Charleston assumed order and quiet. Under the
former commandant drunkenness was common,
while marauding parties were free to patrol tbe
streets on their errands of mischief. The property
of the citizens was at the mercy of these gangs,
while their lives were not unfrequently placed
in jeopardy. The people, therefore, were much
gratified Avith the change of rule. Camps were
noAv established at some distance from the vUlage,
while no soldiers were permitted to visit it unless
they first obtained a pass from headquarters, which,
being established in town, was difficult to procure.
A provost-marshal was appointed, with a proper
guard subject to his orders. This guard was in
structed to arrest all soldiers found in the streets of
the village without a proper pass, as well as those
committing any depredations on the property or
persons of the citizens, Avith or Avithout a pass.
About the middle of October the companies at
Gauley Bridge came down to Charleston. Durino-

A EECOED. 69
their stay on the Gauley they performed much duty
at the outposts ; several times being under the
enemy's fire, though none were injured. The de
tachment suffered severe loss, however, from sick
ness. Lieutenant Eobinson was among the num
ber ; he died of fever ; his loss was greatly felt by
the regiment. When the ucavs of his death reached
his company, they wept as for a brother.

70 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE VIL
Floyd establishes batteries on Cotton Hill. — Driven off
BY THE FORCES OF GENERAL CoS. — BeNHAM's FAILUBE TO
INTBEOEPT HIS RETREAT. — HiS PURSUIT. — SkIEMISH AT Mo-
Coy's Mills. — His final escape.
Near the last of October General Floyd very
suddenly appeared on Cotton Hill, an abrupt emin
ence lying betAvcen- the Kanawha and New rivers,
at the junction of the Gauley with the latter stream,
which form the KanaAvha. The enemy immediately
commenced shelling Gauley Bridge. General Cox,
who was some distance up New Eiver, near the
headquarters of General Eosecrans, was ordered to
proceed to Gauley Bridge and to assume direction
of affairs. He Avas also ordered to direct General
Benham, who was expected to arrive very soon
with a brigade, to cross his forces, at night, over
the KanaAvha Eiver, and to carry the summit of
Cotton Hill by storm. A picket post had already
been established across the river by direction of
General Cox. Benham protested against the move
ment, and refused to execute the order received
through General Cox, but proceeded to confer, by

A EECOED. 71
telegraph, Avith General Eosecrans, receiving in
reply the same orders. Benham still protesting
against attempting to execute Avhat he termed so
hazardous a movement, at his OAvn request Avas per
mitted to pass doAvu the river to the mouth of Loop
Creek, from whence he was to undertake a flank
movement. Colonel Smith joined General Benham
in his protest, declaring the attempt to storm these
batteries as sheer madness. It is significant that
General Cox afterwards stormed and carried Cotton
Hill, Avith barely a regiment of troops.
Floyd had constructed a line of fortifications at
Dickerson's, on the road to Fayetteville, which was
his only avenue of retreat in case of disaster.
Soon after General Benham arrived opposite
Loop Creek, he was joined by five hundred selected
men from the Seventh from Charleston. This de
tachment of the regiment, having arrived on boats,
was ordered to disembark, and take up their posi
tion at the mouth of Loop Creek. The follow
ing morning it moved up the creek some eight or
ten miles, where it took up its position at an old log
barn. Lieutenant-Colonel Creighton being in com
mand, Colonel Tyler having remained at Charles
ton, was instructed to picket the roads v.'cU in his
front, as well as the mountains lying between ; and
also to scout the country in the vicinity, for the
purpose of finding out the position of the camp of

72 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
the enemy, as well as his numbers. The latter part
of the order was. well executed, and there can be no
doubt that Benham was possessed of accurate infor
mation of the enemy.
After the third day of our occupation of this
position we were joined by a detachment of the
Forty-fourth Ohio, under command of Major Mitch
ell, and the Thirty-seventh Ohio, under command of
Colonel Seibert. Soon after, all of this force, with
the exception of eight companies of the Thirty-
seventh Eegiment, was ordered forward under
command of Lieutenant- Colonel Creighton.
Proceeding for some distance on a road leading
to the front, we struck into a bridle path, and after
passing through a wood, began ascending a moun
tain. Single file, the command clambered up its
steep and rocky sides. Arriving on its summit we
could see the heads of a line of men extending for a
mile beneath us. Descending the opposite side
with some difficulty, we marched some distance
from the foot of the mountain, and found ourselves
at Cassady's MiUs, a point from which the command
was to debouch on to the Fayetteville pike, should
Floyd attempt a retreat. But the movement, on
the part of Benham, was so tardily executed, that
the balance of the command never arrived at this
point ; but instead, the forces, other than the Seventh
Ohio, were ordered away that night ; leaving a

A EECOED. 73
detachment of five hundred men, with no support,
within three miles of a well-equipped army of the
enemy. We were so near that we could plainly
hear the bugle calls in Floyd's camp. Had Ben-
ham's entire command been at that point, the retreat
of the rebel army could have been intercepted.
Previous to this, Floy^d had been driven back to
his intrenchments at Dickerson's, and all that was
necessary to his cajjture, Avas an attack on his rear
on the part of Benham. But he either feared to
make the attack, or was too slow in doing it. The
former is probably true. That night the rebel
general passed Avithin three miles of our position,
and escaped with his entire army, together with the
artillery and baggage.
On the 12th of November, Benham arrived at
Cotton HUl, but to find the forces of General Cox
in possession. On the afternoon of the 13th, he
pushed on after Floyd's retreating army, arriving
within four miles of Fayetteville, at about eleven
o'clock p. M. Hei'e, evidences of the hurried retreat
of Floyd began to multiply. The fences were lined
with hides, but recently stripped from the carcasses
of cattle, Avhile in many places the beef itself was
left suspended from the fence.
On the morning of the 4th, we pushed through
Fayetteville before day, in the pursuit. Floyd had
but a few hours the start. Six miles ahead we took
4

74 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
breakfast, consisting of two army crackers to each
man. After Avliich avc pushed rapidly on. About
noon, our skirmishers, the Thirteenth Ohio, over
took the rear-guard of the enemy^ Avhen sharp firing
occurred, which continued during an advance of
several miles, resulting in the raortal Avounding of
St. George Croghan, colonel of the Second Georgia
cavalry, and formerly of the United States Army.
The colonel was taken to a house close by and left,
where he Avas found in a dying condition by our
men. Having been a class-mate of his at West
Point, Benham stopped and passed a fcAV words
with him. When recognizing the general, Croghan
appeared to be much affected ; and is reported to
¦have said that he knew he was fighting in a bad
cause, and that he had been driven into the army
much against his Avishes, for he was still attached to
the old fiag. He soon after expired.
WhUe this conversation was being carried on
between officers so differently circumstanced, the
Union forces had pressed the rebels so closely, that
the latter, to save their baggage train, were com
pelled to make a stand. The Seventh Ohio was
ordered to act as reserve, but when the action grew
hot, was ordered foiAvard, with instructions to send
out two companies as skirmishers, which was
immediately done ; Companies A and K being sent
forward.

A EECOED. 75
About this time two pieces of rifled cannon Avere
brought to bear on the rebels, when they turned
and fled, leaving six killed on the field. We were
so near, that we plainly heard the retreat sounded
by their bugles. From this time their retreat be
came a rout. In their flight, they cast away every
thing that would encumber their retreat. We were
now on the banks of a stream, over whose rocky
cliffs numerous wagons, with their contents, had
been hurled. It was supposed, that several pieces
of cannon shared the same fate.
The pursuit was continued with much vigor, until
a late hour in the evening, when General Schenck,
having but just arrived at the front, ordered it
discontinued. This Avas the second error of the
campaign. Schenck, with his fresh troops, instead
of ordering the pursuit to cease, should have pressed
with vigor. The enemy encamped but a short dis
tance in our front, on Three-mile Mountain. This
position could have been carried with ease, with the
combined forces of Schenck and Benham, with
comparatively little loss. But the pursuit being the
result of a blunder, resulted in a blunder.
A little after midnight the command fell back,
arriving at Fayetteville in the afternoon of the
same day, after a fatiguing march over the worst
road that could be imagined, and with no provis
ions other than beef with a very little salt. The

76 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Seventh marched to its old camp, four miles out on
the road to Cotton Hill. The officers and men lay
on the hill-side that night, exposed to a A'iolent snow
storm, Avith no other covering than their blankets,
except the snowy sheet that nature spread over
them during the long hours of night.
During the night a demonstration was made ona
drove of pigs which were lurking close by ; and it
would not be strange if the soldiers could relate
tales of their descent on poultry yards and bee- hives.
True it is, that some first-class honey found its way
into camp.
The next day, marching over Cotton Hill, we
arrived at our camp near the mouth of Loop Creek.
Embarking on the following day, we arrived at
Charleston on the 18th, after an absence of fourteen
days.

A EECOED. 77

CHAPTEE VIII.
Ekflections on the Institution of Slavteey.
While at Charleston, we were deeply impressed
with the profound interest the slaves were taking
in passing events. That down-trodden race, who
had for years suffered every injustice at the hands
of their Avhite oppressors, were now the first to
assist the Federal commanders. Through darkness
and storm, they carried information, and acted as
scouts and guides on occasions when it would try
the heart and nerve of their white companions.
From my own observation, I am confident that
the slaves of the South, were just as well informed
with regard to their relation to their masters, as we
were. They were, from the very first, impressed
with the idea that this rebellion was to work some
great change in their condition. They were watch
ing, with great interest, every movement of troops,
and were continually asking questions, as to the
disposition to be made of them ; thus evincing an
interest in military affairs, of which their masters
little dreamed. It is well enough to talk of the

78 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
deep devotion of slaves to their masters ; but the
latter have found ere this, I trust, that this devotion
on which they have relied, has not prevented them
from cutting their throats, when it was in the line
of their duty, and by means of which they could
gain their freedom. An instance of this great
devotion on the part of a slave for his master, was
related to me Avhile at Charleston.
A Mr. E — ¦ — owned a colored servant by the
name of John ; he enjoyed the unlimited confidence
of his master, who was in the habit of trusting him
as he would one of his children. This confidence
was reciprocated by a like devotion on the part of
the slave for his master. One day a neighbor told
Mr. E  that his John was about to run away,
as he had repeated conversations with his servants
on the subject. Mr. E  flew into a passion,
feeling very much grieved that his neighbor should
think, for a moment, that his John, whom he had
raised from infancy, should* prove so ungrateful as
to leave him. The only attention he paid to this
timely warning was, to put stUl greater trust in his
servant. One day, shortly after this, John was
missing ; not only this, he had been, so ungrateful as
to take his wife and three children. The last heard
from faithful John was, that he was safe in Ohio.
Now Mr. E  is a very good man and a Chris
tian, and treat his servants very kindly ; but that

A EECOED. 79
God-given principle, a desire for personal liberty,
actuated him in connection with other men of fairer
complexion. John, undoubtedly, left Jiis old home
and master with regret, but home and friendship,
Avhen compared with freedom, were nothing.
I Avas once told by a colored man, iu Avhom the
utmost confidence could be placed, that there has
been for years an association among the negroes,
Avhich extends throughout the South, the purpose
of which was one day to liberate themselves from
slaveiy. He said that hundreds of slaves who, ap
parently, were as innocent as ignorant, were tolera
bly well educated, and Avere secretly bending every
energy to bring about an insurrection, which should
end in their being released from bondage. When
asked if the field-hands were members of this asso
ciation, he said they were ; and although possessing
less information than those li ving in the cities and
villages, yet they were aware of what was going on ;
and after their work was done at night, they often
met in their cabins, and talked over the prospect be
fore them. He also said, that in the larger cities of
the South this association had regular meetings and
officers ; that they awaited only the proper time,
when a tragedy Avould be enacted all over the
South, that would astonish the world.
When we reflect that revolts have been com
mon in the South, and that they have been attend-

80 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
ed by partial success, it does not require a great
stretch of the imagination to believe that this asso- '
ciation did reaUy exist. The fact of the intense feel
ing of hatred cherished by the people of the South
against Northern fanatics, as they were termed,
who came amongst them, is strong evidence in fa
vor of the existence of some organized course of
policy among the negroes. The outward appear
ance of the slave is usually gentle in the extreme,
although his inward feelings may be agitated to
such a degree, that in a white man they would burst
forth in the wildest passion. Therefore, this hatred
of the South to the opponents of slavery must be
traced to a fear of some secret organization, the ob
ject of which lay deeply buried in the reticent
minds of the slaves. Tlie Southern mind Avas more
deeply agitated, from the fact of the want of this
outward emotion on the part of their slaves; for
had this strong desire for liberty^, which was awak
ened in them, burst out in wild enthusiasm, it
would have been readily checked by the seveje
punishraent of individuals; but it was this secret
working of this deep-laid desire for freedom that
troubled them. The most guilty were, to all out
ward appearance, the most innocent.
While the Federal army occupied the country,
the slaves Avere much less guarded in Avhat they
said. One of these slaves, an old man, was passing

AEECOED. 81
a tent one day, when a soldier said to him that he
belonged to Jeff. Davis. With a knovs'ing look, he
replied : "I did ; but noAV, massa, 1 belong to Uncle
Sam." A colored Avoman, who had been a slave
for years (as she is very old), came into our room
one day, and taking up a paper, asked if Ave Avanted
it. Some one said to her, as she Avas about leaving
the room, that she had betternot be seen with that
paper, as it was not the sort her mistress admired.
Said she, "I know what missus likes; I can take
care of it;" and slipping it under her apron she
left the room. That slave could read and write,
and yet her master knew nothing of it. So it is
with many others. It may be asked how they ac
quire this knowledge. They gain it in a great
many ways. Many of them learn of their masters'
chUdren, Avith whom house-servants, spend a great
deal of time. Having acquired a slight knowledge,
it stimulates them to greater exertion. They ob
tain scraps of newspapers and parts of books, and
thus gain a great deal of information entirely unob
served. The slave knoAvs how to keep secrets ; con
sequently, any scheme that is on foot is seldom dis
covered. Few persons, at the commencement of
the rebellion, had the least conception of the vast
resources and power of the slave pojpulation of the
South. And it Avas not until they had fed and
clothed the Southern armies for two years, and by
4*

82 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
this means kept them in the field, that it was ac-
knoAvledged. Had it not been for its slaves, the
South, long ere this, would have been compelled to
yield obedience to the Government. The rebels
appreciated and used this element of strength frora
the beginning. The Federal Government, through
the influence of weak-minded politicians, rejected
it; thus throwing an element of its own strength
into the hands of its enemies.
Notwithstanding this harsh treatment, the slaves
proved true to the Government; and finally, through
the medium of this faithfulness, their vast services
were acknowledged, and they have not only been
taken into the private service of the country, but
they have been admitted into the army, to SAvell its
numbers, until the strength of their mighty arms,
and the nerve 9f their fearless hearts, are felt by the
enemies of the country on every battle-field. What
a glorious thought! thousands of the oppressed
fighting for the redemption from slavery of a race
which has ever worn the chain. When it is re
membered that by this strife questions are to be
settled Avhich have ever disturbed the harmony of
this country, and not that only, but questions which,
Avhen settled, will release millions of our fellow-men
and women from the power of the oppressor, ought
we not to be thankful that we are permitted to
make great sacrifices in so good a cause ?

A EECOED. 83

CHAPTEE IX.
The Seventh oedeeed to the East. — Expedition to Blue's
Gap. — Skirmish on the Blooming pike.
Aftee Floyd was driven from Cotton Hill, very
few rebels remained in that portion of Virginia.
Many troops were sent to Kentucky and elscAvhere.
Among the number was the Seventh Eegiment.
It was ordered to join the forces under command of
General Kelley, which Avere operating on the upper
waters of the Potomac, with headquarters at Cum
berland, Maryland.
Accordingly, on the twelfth day of December,
the regiment embarked on steamers, and after pay
ing its respects to General Cox, by way of present
ing arms and cheers, it moved down the river ; thus
leaving forever the scene of its past dangers and
privations. Little had, apparently, been accom
plished, during its summer campaign ; but perils
had been braved, privations had been suffered, and
obstacles had been overcome. Many graves had
been dug and filled with the pride of the regiment.
These were left as a record of its patient suffering

84 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
in that wild waste of hills. There Avas a sort of
sadness attending the leaving of all this for a new
field of operations. But the soldier's life is one con
tinued change; and, therefore, he readily adapts him
self to circumstances.
At Parkersburg the regiment left the boats, and
took a train of cars, which conveyed it to Green
Spring Eun, a station on the Baltimore and Ohio
EaUroad, sixteen miles from Eomney, Virginia.
Here it remained Avithout tents for several days,
when it Avas ordered to Eomney, to which place it
proceeded immediately. It Avas now given a good
ground for its camp, and furnished with Sibley
tents, which were both warm and roomy. The
weather being very fine for the time of year, the
health and spirits of the soldiers rapidly improved.
During the occupation of Eomney, quite a force
of " bushwhackers" had collected at Blue's Gap,
which A\'ere under command of Colonel Blue. This
force of bandits had annoyed the Union citizens for
sometime. ItAvasfinallyresolvedtobreakit up. The
force chosen to do this Avork consisted of the Fourth,
Fifth, Seventh, and Eighth Oliio, Fourteenth Indi
ana, and First Virginia, with Danver's two com
panies of cavalry, and a section of Howard's Bat
tery, in all about two thousand five hundred men,
under command of Colonel Dunning of the Fifth
Ohio. A little past midnight of January 6th, the

A EECOED. 85
force moved out from their camp. The night Avas
bitter cold, but the march was rapid ; and just after
daybreak, the A-icinity of the gap was reached, to
find that the rebels Avere tearing up the flooring of
the bridge leading over the stream coming through
the gap. The skirmishers drove this force aAvay,
and then advanced overthe bridge, followed by the
Fifth Ohio, which took possession of Blue's house.
Procuring a negro woman for a guide, the force ad
vanced to assault the rebel stronghold on the moun
tain. On reaching the place, the intrenchments
were handsomely carried, the rebels standing for
five rounds only, when they broke, and fled down
the side of the mountain. Their flight was so
rapid that many of the fugitives ran on to the
Fourth Ohio, which was at hand, and were cap
tured. But they Avere hardly worth taking, for an
uglier set of ragamuffins the mountains of Vir
ginia, or the whole world even, could hardly^ pro
duce. Blue's property was utterly 4estroyed. The
loss ofthe enemy in this affair was forty killed, and
as many taken prisoners, together Avith all their
stores, wagons, and ammunition. A number of
cattle were also taken and driven back to Eomney.
On their return, the Federals fired several houses,
which was a lasting disgrace to all those taking part
in it. General Kelley was justly indignant at this
conduct.

86 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Nothing further occurred to break the ennui of
camp and picket duty until the 10th, Avhen an
order came to break camp and prepare for a march.
Immediately following this order, all Avas bustle and
confusion, in anticipation of an advance. There
being a lack of transportation, some tents and com
missary stores Avere burned. In early evening,
the regiment marched into the toAvn, where it
was compelled to wait, through a fearful storm of
sleet, until midnight, Avhen, instead of an advance,
the entire force rapidly fell back through Spring
field to Patterson's Creek, on the Baltimore and
Ohio Eailroad. This camp was soon converted into
a mud-hole. If all of Virginia had been canvassed
a worse place for a camp could not havebeen found.
After a few weeks contest with this everlasting
snoAv and mud, an order came, on the 6th of Feb
ruary, to march, which was hailed with universal
joy- The force passed down the railroad late in the
afternoon, for a short distance ; when, leaving the
tents and baggage, it took a road to the right, and
before night halted in a grove by the roadside.
After a few hours spent in preparing and eating
supper, it raoA^ed off in the direction of Eomney,
the Seventh in the advance.
All night Ave marched, over mountains and
streams, through snow and sleet. In the morning

A EECOED. 87
we came to a halt at an old tannery, and after re
maining through the day, fell back four miles and
bivouacked on the banks of the Little Cacapon
Eiver. Tired and wet, the soldiers lay down to rest
on their bed of rails and straw, to gather strength
for the morrow. At last, day dawned, rainy and
gloomy, and the command moved five miles to the
rear, to a place called the Levels, — a very high
table-land, exposed to severe wind and storm, which
never fails to visit that region. The regiment was
ordered to bivouac, and soon the pine forest was
converted into a village of green houses, with hot
fires roaring and crackling before them.
We remained here some fifteen days, within
three miles of the tents ; but for some reason, better
known to those in command, we were left on a hill
top, exposed to the cold winds and snows of Febru
ary, in brush shanties. During some of the time it
was so cold that a crust formed on the snow suffi
ciently hard to hold up a person. During this time
the commanding officer of our brigade occupied a
house close by, which was very convenient as well
as comfortable.
The regiment, while here, did very little duty ;
in fact none, with the exception of one brigade drill
in the snow, which only vexed the command, with
out accomplishing any good.
Colonel Sprague, formerly captain of Company

88 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
E, noAv paid the regiment a visit, the first time he
had met his old comrades since his capture. Fol
lowing that had intervened his long imprisonment.
The meeting was a pleasant one.
On the 13th of March the regiment left camp,
and, taking the Bradford pike, crossed a range of
hills, at the foot of which is the Baltimore and Ohio
Eailroad. Taking this road, Pau-Pau Station was
reached before night. Here we found quite a num
ber of troojDs.
General Lander advanced Avitli one brigade on the
Blooming pike. Soon the advance-guard, consist
ing of a part of a regiment of cavalry, came on to
an intrenched camp of militia. The general, taking
command in person, ordered a charge ; but barely a
dozen of these horsemen could be made to follow
their brave leader. But, notliing daunted. Lander,
foUoAved by his staff and a few of the cavalry,
dashed over the intrenchments, when some fifty
rebels surrendered ; Colonel Baldwin, their com
mander, giving himself up to Lander, after the
latter had seized him by the shoulder, despite the
revolver Avhich the rebel colonel held in his hand.
On the return of this expedition, the Seventh AA^as
ordered out on to the pike. After advancing for
nearly tAvo miles, it halted by the roadside, Avhere
it remained in the mud and snoAV till the following
afternoon, Avhen it Avent into camp close by.

A EECOED. 89

CHAPTEE X.
Galiantey of Lieutenant O'Beibn. — Death of General
Lander. — The Seventh escort his remains. — The ocou-
pation of Winohestee.
During the occupation of the country about Pau-
Pau Station, the troops were kept active. Skir
mishes were of frequent occurrence. One of them
is deserving of mention. A reconnoissanee was
being made by Lieutenant O'Brien, of Lander's
staff, accompanied by twenty or more cavalry,
when they were met by a band of rebels, who im
mediately fired a volley ; following which, they
demanded the small party of Federals to surrender.
O'Brien, riding to the front, declined, at the same
time emptying the saddle of the foremost rebel
with a revolver, which he had in his hand ready
for use. The lieutenant soon after received a fatal
wound in the shoulder, from the effects of which he
died some weeks after. Seeing their leader dis
abled, the Union cavalry hurried him to the rear,
at the same time presenting a determined front.
When he had arrived at a safe distance they fell

90 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
back, fighting as they went. They thus brought
the gaUant O'Brien safe to headquarters.
O'Brien was a Avriter of some note. Before the
Avar he Avas a contributor to several periodicals,
among Avhich was the Atlantic Monthl}'. For these
magazines he wrote many elegant things, Avhich
their readers will probably remember.
On the first day of March, tlie monotony of life
in camp Avas broken by an order to marL-li. We
moved out of camp, followed by the entire division,
on the road leading to Winchester. ToAvards even
ing Ave crossed the Big Cacapon Eiver, and after
ascending a spur of the Shenandoah Mountain,
filed into a grove of pines, and remained till the
following afternoon, when an order was given to
fall back. On returning to our camp, we found
that the retrograde movement was occasioned by
the sudden death of General Lander. The brave
soldier and able commander expired Avhile his
troops Avere moving on an important position of the
enemy, — a campaign which his fertile brain had
conceived, and which his daring and dash were to
put into successful execution. No Avonder, then,
when the spirit of its leader took its flight, that the
division was recaUed. None were found competent
to succeed him in the command of an expedition
which had occupied his every thought while he
had been connected with the department.

A EECOED. 91
On Monday, March 3d, the Seventh regiment
escorted his remains to the cars, in the presence of
fifteen thousand troops, drawn up in line to pay
their respects, for the last time, to all that was left
of a commander AA'hom they loved, and a soldier
whom they admired. This slow, sad march of the
Seventh, to the strains of a solemn dirge, was im
pressive. We returned to camp Avith the reflection
that a master spirit had taken its departure.
After the death of General Lander, Brigadier-
General Shields was given the command of hia
division. He arrived soon after.
The forces under General Banks, occupying the
country in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, Avere or
dered to make an immediate advance on Winches
ter. General Shields was directed to co-operate in
this movement. He was ordered to move on Mar-
tinsburg, when General Banks crossed the Potomac.
Early in March the division moved down to the
railroad, when on the same day it took the cars for
Martinsburg. On arriving at Back Creek, ten
miles east of Hancock, the bridge was found to be
destroyed. The command now bivouacked, while
a party was set at Avork repairing the bridge. The
work progressed so slowly, that on the 10th the
command moved on in advance of the train, pass
ing through Martinsburg, and encamping some two
miles out on the Winchester pike.

92 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
On the foUowing morning the column pushed
vigorously forAvard to assist General Banks in his
attack on Winchester. The rebels, however, in
stead of giving battle, fled as the command ap
proached the city. Shields, therefore, was ordered
to encamp his troops before reaching Winchester.
The camp of the Seventh was about three miles
north of the town, on the Martinsburg road. The
balance of the division encamped in the immediate
vicinity. Winchester had for a long time been occupied
by the rebels. The extreme left of Beauregard's
army, under command of General Johnston, had
taken possession of the place, when the rebel
troops first occupied Virginia. From this point,
troops Avere immediately sent forAvard to occupy
and destroy the Baltimore and Ohio EaUroad, as
well as to menace our lines in the direction of
Harper's Ferry and Cumberland. The possession,
therefore, of the place by the Union forces was of
great importance. It not only resulted in the pro
tection of this very important railroad, but so
menaced the left of the rebel army as to require its
commander to detach a large force to the Shenan
doah Valley, and thus materially weakening his
main army. Under a leader less able than Jack
son, it would have greatly taxed his energies to hold
the valley. But under this indomitable general

A EECOED. 93
the army was enabled to make a good shoAv of re
sistance to the advance of the Federal forces.
Winchester, the county-seat of Frederick County,
is seventy -four miles west of Washington. The
town is laid out in regular order, the streets cross-'
ing at right angles. The place possesses some little
of historical interest. During the French and
Indian War, Washington made it his headquarters ;
and he also mentions it as one of the points which
he touched while on his mission to the French au
thorities on the Ohio Eiver. After the engagement
at Great Meadows, July 4, 1774, Washington re-
tm-ned to the place to recruit his regiment. It was
also the base of operations for the forces engaged in
the reduction of Fort Duquesne. During these
wars a fort was built under the direction of Wash
ington, and named Fort Loudon. A part of it is
to be seen at this day. While this fort was being
constructed, Washington bought a lot in Win
chester, had a blacksmith shop built on it, and
brought his own smith from Mount Vernon to
do the necessary iron-work for the fort. A well
was sunk in this fort to the depth of one hundred
and three feet, the water from which noAV runs over
the top. The labor of erecting this fort was per
formed by Washington's own regiment. The fa
mous General Morgan, the leader of the American
forces at the battle of the Cowpens, is buried here.

94 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT!

CHAPTEE XI.
A Eeoonnoissance to Strasburg. — Battle of Winchestee.
— Utter defeat and rout of Jackson's army.
Immediately after the occupation of Winchester,
the enemy's cavalry advance becoming trouble
some, a plan was laid for its capture. Colonel Ma
son, of the Fourth Ohio, was sent out on the road
to Front Eoyal, Avith a brigade, composed of infan
try, cavalry, and artillery, with instructions to pro
ceed until he arrived at the last road leading to the
right before reaching Front Eoyal ; Avhich road he
was to take, and by it strike the rear of the enemy
at MiddletoAvn, a small hamlet equally distant from
both Winchester and Strasburg. He was soon after
followed by General Shields, with six thousand
men, who moved on the direct road to MiddletoAvn.
Colonel Mason's command, arriving at this place in
advance of Shields' column, encountered the ene
my's pickets, and drove them to Cedar Creek
Bridge, Avhich, having covered Avith combustibles,
they fired. When the troops of Colonel Mason ar
rived in the vicinity, they were opened upon by a

A EECOED. 95
battery, to which they replied ; with no effect, Iioav-
ever, as the distance Avas too great. Shields coming
up with his division soon after, the entire force biv
ouacked for the night.
Early the following morning the command crossed
the river Avithout opposition ; but on arriving at
Strasburg, the enemy opened fire from a battery
planted on a hill beyond the town. Shields, sus
pecting that the entire force of Jackson was in the
vicinity, made his dispositions for immediate battle.
The Seventh being ordered out on the road beyond
the town, were fired upon by a masked battery, but
none injured. After having been exposed to this
fire for half an hour, it was withdrawn. Soon after,
our artillery was got into position, and after thirty
pieces of cannon had belched forth their fire, the
rebels fied in haste. During this fire. Mason's cav
alry advanced so far out on the road, that they were
mistaken for the enemy by Captain Clark, of a bat
tery of regulars ; he therefore sent a shell among
them, with such accuracy as to kill a few horses, and
slightly wound one man.
An advance being ordered, the pursuit was con
tinued for five miles, when the command returned
to Strasburg, and encamped for the night. On the
following morning it fell back to its old camp, the
Seventh marching twenty- two miles in seven hours,
with but one halt.

96 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
This reconnoissanee to Strasburg leaving no doubt
on the minds of both Banks and Shields that the
enemy Avas not in the front in force, the first divi
sion of Banks's corps, on the 20th, commenced its
movement to Manassas, in accordance with a letter
of instruction from General McClellan, of the 16tb.
General Banks did not follow this division immedi
ately, but remained at Winchester untU twelve
o'clock on Sunday, the 23d, when he started for
Harper's Ferry.
All this time Shields thought he was being trifled
with by the rebel General Ashbye
On Saturday, the 22d, there had been a good deal
of firing in the early part of the day, but what oc
casioned it did not seem to be well understood, ex
cept to those engaged. But during the afternoon it
was thought prudent to make all needful prepara
tion for battle, so as not to be surprised in case it
should prove that a greater force than Ashby's was
in front. Therefore the Avhole division Avas ordered
up ; the third brigade, however, did not pass
through the town. Shields Avent to the front, fol-
loAved by the first and second brigades. As these
forces emerged from the city, the rebel cavalry made
a dash at the pickets, who fled in some confusion
through the little hamlet of KernstoAvn, but ralHed
soon after, and by a Avell-directed volley of mus
ketry emptied several rebel saddles. This success

A EECOED. 97
enabled them to retire in safety. The rebel cavalry
soon after advanced, when a sharp skirmish ensued.
Our pickets having been re-enforced by several de
tached companies, were enabled to maintain their
ground. In the mean time the rebels opened on
our lines from a battery planted on an eminence ;
immediately after which a Union battery wheeled
into position, when a spirited artillery duel took
place. While directing the fire of this battery.
Shields was struck on the arm by a fragment of a
shell, fracturing the arm, and producing a painful
wound. He, however, continued in the field for
some time after the accident occurred, but was
finally taken to a house close by, and his arm
dressed, after which he was taken to town in an
ambulance. The firing having ceased, the first brigade went
into camp on the spot, while the second brigade en
camped in the rear. The third brigade filed into
an open field near where they were stationed during
the operations in front.
During Saturday night a strong picket was kept
well out to the front, while the remaining troops
slept on their arms. Nothing occurred during the
night to disturb the several camps.
Morning dawned bright and pleasant. The still
ness Avhich rested over the field of the previous
day's operations, gave token of the intention of the

98 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
belligerents to respect the Sabbath-day. In view
of the general quiet, the seeond and third brigades
were ordered back to their camp on the Martins
burg pike.
It was nearly noon when the Seventh arrived, and
before the men had barely time to eat a hurriedly
prepared dinner, it Avas again ordered forAvard.
This time the march was rapid. The distant boom
ing of cannon, induced many a disturbed reflection
as to what lay before us. As we passed through
Winchester to the south, we emerged into an open
plain. This was crowded Avith people, as were also
the h»use-tops. They had assembled, apparently,
for the purjjose of seeing the Union army defeated
and crushed, and to welcome the victors into the
city. Arriving on the field, we found our forces occu
pying a commanding positio-n in rear of a range of
hills overlooking Kernstown ; while the batteries,
posted at intervals on the crest of these hills, were
maintaining a heavy fire on the right of the enemy's
position, which alone seemed to give evidence of
any purpose to advance. The left of our line was
held by the Seeond brigade. Colonel Sullivan ; while
the centre and right were held by the First brigade.
Colonel Kimball, commanding the division, Avas
stationed on a commanding eminence, from which
several batteries were pouring their shot and sheU

A EECOED. 99
into the enemy whenever he showed himself within
range. Up to this time, the main fighting had occurred
in front of our left ; but soon after a battery opened
in front of the right, frorn a piece of timber, Avhich
our batteries Avere unable to silence. It became
evident, from this, that the heavy skirmishing which
the enemy had kept up from their right was simply
a feint, for the purpose of drawing the greater part
of our force to that part of the field, when a spirit
ed onslaught would be made on the other flank,
which was expected to turn our right Aving, and
thus give them the victory. It was a conception
worthy the genius of a Jackson, but it was entirely
unsuccessful, as no troops were sent to that part of
the field beyond what ordinary prudence required ;
but on the contrary, becoming satisfied of the in
tention of the enemy. Colonel Kimball resolved
to charge this battery. The work was assigned to
the Third brigade. Colonel Tyler, calling in the
Seventh, Avhich had been supporting a battery from
the time it arrived on the field, formed his brigade
in column, by divisions, and immediately moved
forward ; at the same time changing direction to the
right, and passing up a ravine, shielded by a piece
of timber Avhich skirted it on the side tOAvards the
enemy. After arriving at some distance to the right, the

100 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
column changed direction to the left ; and after a
march of neariy a mile, it arrived on the flank, and
partly in the rear of the enemy. It had now
reached an eminence in a dense wood. In front,
the battery which was the object of our movement
was playing vigorously upon the First brigade, to
which a spirited fire was returned by Eobinson's
Battery, which had wheeled into position on the
extreme right. This acted as a cover to the move
ments of our brigade. Breathless, and with anxious
hearts, we awaited the return of our scouts, which
would be the signal for a plunge into the unknoAvn.
We were not kept long in suspense, for in a few
minutes the order was given to change direction to
the left, and the column moved forward, preceded
by a line of skirmishers. After marching in silence
for some distance, the sharpshooters opened a de
structive fire on us from behind trees. We were
immediately ordered to charge ; and, with a pro
longed yell, the command, led by the Seventh Ohio,
swept like a torrent down the hill. A ravine now
lay in front, and, at a short distance, a slight emi
nence, and still beyond, a solid stone wall, behind
which, in three lines, nine regiments of the enemy
lay concealed. It was a fearful moment. The
rebel artillery, in the rear of this stone wall, had
been turned upon the advancing column. The
grape and canister was tearing the bark from the

A EECOED. 101
trees over our heads, while the solid shot and shell
made great gaps in their trunks. Under our feet
the turf was being torn up, and around and about
us the air was thick with flying missiles. Not a gun
was flred on our side. The head of the column
soon reached the ravine, Avhen a deafening discharge
of musketry greeted us. A sheet of flame shot
along the stone wall, followed by an explosion that
shook the earth, and the missiles tore through the
solid ranks of the command with a fearful certainty.
The brigade staggered — halted. With breathless
anxiety we anticipated a counter-charge by the
rebels ; but it came not. Victory to our arms fol
lowed that omission on., the part of the enemy. The
order beiug given to fire, the column recovered
from the confusion into which it had been tempo
rarily thrown. The Seventh now advanced to the
eminence beyond the ravine ; and, from a partial
cover, maintained the unequal contest till the other
regiments could form and come to its support. The
One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Eegiment was
thrown into such confusion, that it was of little ser
vice during the remainder of the day.
An order was given to the Seventh to prolong its
line to the left. An attempt was made to execute
the order, when the left wing, passing over a fence
into an open field, received such a well-directed fire
as to compel it to fall back to its old position.

102 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
During this part of the contest, the rebels endeav
ored to extend their left, so as to fiank us on the
right. To meet this movement, Tyler ordered the
First Virginia to move to the right. Passing into
an open field, it Avas exposed to a cross-fire, which
soon drove it back to the timber.
The roar of musketry Avas now deafening. The
dying and the dead Avere lying thick upon the hill
side, but neither army seemed to Avaver. The con
fusion attending the getting of troops into action
had ceased. The great " dance of death" seemed
to be going forward without a motion. The only
evidence of life on that gory field, was the vomiting
forth of flame and smoke from thousands of well-
aimed muskets. From that blue columu, which
rolled and tumbled in its ascent from the battle-field,
the unerring bullet sped on its errand of death.
But other regiments are seen coming to the rescue.
The right wing of the gallant Eighth Ohio takes
position on the left, followed by the no less gallant
Thirteenth and Fourteenth Indiana, Fifth and Sixty-
seventh Ohio, and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania.
These regiments opened a heavy fire, which was
replied to by the enemy in gallant style.
The battle now raged fiercely until near night,
when the enemy began to show signs of giving
way. At this the Union forces advanced a little,
at the same time delivering their fire with accuracy.

A EECOED. 103
As the shades of evening deepened into night, the
enemy began to fall back. At this crisis. Colonel
Kimball ordered a charge along the whole line,
when the retreat became a rout. In their fiight,
the enemy left in front of the Tliird brigade. tAvo
pieces of artillery- and four caissons.
That night the Seventh bivouacked on the spot
now made historic by its gallantry. The wounded
were being brought in all night long, Avhile the
dead were Ij'ing in heaps around us, their increas
ing distortions and ghastliness adding new horrors
to the battle-field.
At early dawn the next day, we were ready
to renew the Avork of blood and carnage ; but
there was no occasion ; the victory of the day
before was complete, the rebels had no desire of
renewing the contest. They gaA'e the advancing
column a few parting salutes from a battery, and then
beat a hasty retreat. We followed them that day
to Cedar Eun, where just at night a slight skirmish
occurred, with some loss to the rebels. The foUoAV-
ing day the Union forces occupied Strasburg, when
the pursuit ceased.

104 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT!

CHAPTEE XII.
General Shields' anxiety foe laurels. — Summing up of
THE battle. — Losses in the Seventh.
Afteb the battle of Winchester, General Shields
showed a disposition to appropriate the laurels won
by others to himself. In a letter to a friend at
Washington, he claimed that, after the reconnois
sanee to Strasburg, on the 18th, he fell back hur
riedly, for the purpose of deceiving the enemy into
the belief that his force was small ; and that after
arriving at Winchester, he moved his division
beyond the town, so as to create the belief in the
minds of the citizens that most of his force had
been sent away. Now the fact is, this reconnois
sanee was greatly the result of accident. The orig
inal design of it was to capture the enemy's
advance ; this faUing, the force proceeded to Stras
burg for the purpose of discovering whether or not
the enemy was in force in the vicinity. It was
clearly shown by this advance, what was afterwards
well known, that nothing but a small cavalry force
occupied Strasburg, and that Jackson was some
distance up the valley. The hurried march of the

A EECOED. 105
division back to Winchester, Avas also the result of
accident. The coramand marched left in front,
which brought a regiment in the advance Avhose
colonel cared little for the conifort of his men ;
hence the rapid march. Shields reached Win
chester in advance of the command, having gone
on before. After our return there was no change
of position, as our tents had not been disturbed,
and we reoccupied them as they were before
leaving. If Jackson was deceived, the credit of
it is not due to Shields, for he was confident to the
very last that there was no other force in his front
than Ashby. Even as late as Sunday noon, when
in reality the battle had begun, he ridiculed the
idea of Colonel Kimball calling for so many troops,
remarking, that " Kimball wanted more troops
than was necessaiy for the force in front of him."
He also boastfully said, that "Jackson knew him,
and was afraid of him."
His friends tried to make it appear that it was
by his direction that the troops were mancEuvred
on the field of battle. Now the fact is, he AA'as four
miles away, and in such a condition from a Avound
that he compelled one of the best surgeons of the
division to remain with him till long after the bat
tle, against the request of the medical director, Avho
represented to him, in the most earnest manner,
that the wounded were suffering for the want of

106 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
medical attention. In thus retaining a surgeon for
his own purpose, while the Avounded were suffering
for medical aid, he was criminal in the extreme.
He committed an offence which ought to have de
prived him of his commission.
Colonel Kimball was mainly instrumental in
achieving the A'ictory, assisted, of course, by those
under his command. The skilful manner, hoAV-
ever, in which the troops were managed was en
tirely due to hiin; and the authorities' regarded it
in that light, for he Avas immediately made a brig
adier-general, as were both Tyler and Sullivan.
The number of rebel forces engaged in the bat
tle of Winchester has been variously estimated.
They probably numbered sixteen regiments of
infantry, four full batteries of artillery, together
with one of four guns ; in the aggregate, twenty-
eight pieces and three battalions of cavalry, under
Ashby and Stewart ; — in all, eleven thousand men
The Union forces consisted of thirteen regiments
of infantry, four full batteries of artillery and a
section ; in the aggregate, twenty-six pieces, and a
battalion of cavalry; — in all, nine thousand men.
The rebel army was the attacking force, yet the
engagement between the infantry was on ground
of their own choosing, by reason of the Third
brigade charging one of their batteries. It was
in the vicinity of this battery, which was at least

A EECOED. 107
a mile in advance of our selected line of battle,
that the fighting occurred which turned the tide
of battle. At this point the enemy had every
advantage of position. He Avas securely posted
behind a stone Avail, and in a belt of timber ex
tending along a ridge ; Avliile our forces Avere com
pelled to advance across a plain exposed to a gall
ing fire from infantry and artillery ; and it was not
until they arrived within eighty yards of his line
that any thing like a fair ground could be obtained.
Jackson, the famous commander of the no-less
famous "stone-Avall brigade," a sobriquet it had
obtained at Bull Eun, Avas fairly beaten ; and that,
too, by a force without a general, and of inferior
numbers. The victory was so complete, that the
enemy left two hundred and twenty-five dead on
the field. Their killed and Avounded amounted
to nearly nine hundred, while their loss in prison
ers was upwards of two hundred and fifty : adding
stragglers and deserters to these figures, and it Avill
swell the number to about two thousand. The
Fifth Virginia rebel regiment was nearly annihi
lated : there Avas hardly sufficient of it left to pre
serve its organization.
The loss to the Seventh was fourteen killed and
fifty-one wounded : -but fcAV Avere taken prisoners,
and those by accident. The foUoAving is the list :
Killed. — Orderly -Sergeant A. C. Danforth ; Cor-

108 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
poral A. C. Griswold ; privates, Charles Stern,
James Carroll, James CreigloA\', Allen C. Lamb,
Stephen W. Eice, E. G. Sackett, Eeuben Burnham,
Louis Carven, Elias HaU, John Fram, Fred. Groth,
James Bish.
ItVounded. — Captain J. F. Asper; Lieutenant
Samuel McClelland ; Sergeant-Major J. P. Webb,
and Sergeant A. J. Kelly, mortally ; sergeants, A.
H. Fitch, E. M. Lazonny ; corporals, Ed. Kelley,
William Saddler, Geo. Blandin, William E. Smith,
Benjamin Gridley ; privates, Fred. Hoffman, Daniel
Clancey, Leander Campbell, Joseph Miller, Hamp
ton Gardner, Arthur Lappin, Thomas Fresher,
Duncan Eeid, Joseph Smith, Albert E. Withers,
Charles Fagan, 0. H. Worcester, W. Coleman,
Stephen Kellogg, John Gardner, F. M. Palmer,
F. A. Warner, Daniel Kingsbury, Eichard Winsor,
John MilHman, John Atwater, Geo. Anness, Fred.
Bethel, Charles W. Minnick, Moses Owens, Arba
Pritchell, Edward Thompson, Edward E. Tracy, A.
A. Cavanaha, S. Bishop, Owen Gregory, James
Hunt, W. McClurg, H. M. McQuiston, D. O'Con
nor, P. Tenny, Eichard Phillips, T. B. Danon, Wm.
Birch, Henry Clemens.

A EECOED. 109

CHAPTEE XIIL
Pursuit of Jackson up the Valley. — March to Freder
icksburg, AND return to FeONT EoYAL.
About the 1st of April the command left Stras
burg, under command of General Banks, driving the
rear-guard of the enemy through the little village of
Woodstock, and taking a position on the banks of
Stoney Creek, four miles beyond the latter place. It
remained here until the I7th, during which tirae the
enemy kept up an artiUery fire across the creek,
which resulted in the killing of several men in the
division of General Williams.
On the morning of the I7th the command crossed
the creek, and stormed the enemy's battery on the
opposite shore. The early dawn was brightening up
the eastern horizon with tints of red ; and, as the
command emerged from the bridge, and ascended
the steep hill beyond, their bayonets glistened and
sparkled. After firing one volley, the rebels fled in
haste, leaving the Federal forces to advance without
opposition. After falling back beyond the north
branch of the Shenandoah Eiver, they made a stand.

110 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
and endeavored to burn the bridge, but Avere pre
vented by the Union cavalry. A flank movement
being ordered, and partly executed, the rebels again
abandoned tlieir position. The Federals now pressed
on to Avithiu a short distance of New Market, where
tliey encamped.
Here the command remained ten days, Avhen it
moved two miles south of the toAvn, and on the 3d
of May advanced to Avithin a few miles of Harrison
burg, but on the following day fell back about five
miles to a good defensive position.
The tents were now ordered to be turned over to
the quartermaster ; and on the foUoAving Monday we
Avouud our Avay^ through Brook's Gap, in the Massa-
nutten Mountains, towards the smoky tops of the
Blue Eidge, and thus leaving forever the beautiful
valley of the north branch of the Shenandoah. To
wards evening we crossed the south branch of the
same river at Columbia Bridge, and moved on in
the direction of Luray, encamping near that place
The next morning. the command moved on down
the river until night, when it encamped. In the
evening a hard rain-storm came up, which continued
for several days. In early evening of the foUoAving
day the command reached Front Eoyal, a small
vUlage situated at the base of the Blue Eidge, near
the junction of the two branches of the Shenandoah
Eiver. Thc following morning we crossed the Blue

A EECOED. Ill
Eidge, and immediately encountered the enemy's
cavalry, which annoyed us for several days. On
the I7th Ave arrived at Warrenton, a delightful vil
lage in Fauquier County. We remained in this
carap until Monday morning, Avhen Ave again took
the line of march for Fredericksburg. We reached
Falmouth, on the north bank of the Eappahannock
Eiver, on the 23d of May. The corps of McDowell
was in the immediate vicinity, numbering thirty
thousand men, and one hundred pieces of artillery.
When we arrived on the Eappahannock, we
learned that this force of McDowell's, noAv number
ing forty-one thousand men, was ordered down to
Eichmond, to form a junction with the right wing
of the grand army under McClellan. There were
then only about twelve thousand of the enemy in
front of Fredericksburg. It was about flfty miles
to the extreme right of the army in front of Eich
mond. On Saturday the President and secretary of war
came down for the purpose of arranging the details.
Shields' division was greatly in need of shoes and
clothing, while the ammunition for the artillery had
been condemned, and another supply, Avhich had
been ordered, had been very much delayed. It Avas
therefore arranged that the force should start early
on Monday morning, both the President and Mc
Dowell being averse to starting on Sunday.

112 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
That evening the President and secretary of war
left for Washington. Very soon after, General
McDowell received a telegram, to the effect that
Jackson was making a raid down the Shenandoah
Valley, with a prospect of crushing the forces under
General Banks. Soon after this dispatch, another
arrived from the secretary of war, by order of the
President, containing instructions to send a division
after Jackson. Here was the fatal blow to the
campaign against Eichmond. McDowell promptly
ordered General Shields' division to move, and at
the same time telegraphed the President that it was
a fatal blow to them all.
Little things control momentous events. Jack
son's army of twenty thousand veterans checkmated
an army of one hundred and fifty thousand men.
In defending Washington, we lost Eichmond ; but
Jackson risked his own communication to break
ours. Eesults more than realized his expectations.
Without risk there is little gain. Jackson adopted
this adage into his tactics, and endangered his army
to save it. Events proved his sagacity.
In time of war the capital of a country, unless far
removed from the seat of A^•ar, is in the way. The
City of Washington was a fatality. It stood between
the army and victory. Jackson kncAV this, and
profited by it. When this general menaced Wash
ington, our army let go its hold on the Confederacy,

A EECOED. 113
to make it doubly safe. The campaign against
Eichmond was abandoned, but Washington was
endangered still. The valleys and SAvamps of the
Chickahominy were paved with the bodies of heroes
— the little rivulets were swollen with the best blood
of the land — an army of cripples were given to
charity ; — and for what ? That the City of Wash
ington might be safe. We have since then fought
the ground over again from Washington to Eich
mond ; another graveyard has been planted ; and
this time for a purpose. Washington has been set
aside by the new commander, and Eichmond made
the objective point.

114 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE XIV.
The march on Waynesboro'. — Tato brigades enoountee
Jackson at Poet Eepublic, and aftee five HotiEs'
fighting are compelled to fall back.
Neaela' the entire corps of General McDowell
followed the division of General Shields. The latter
took the direction of Manassas Junction, and from
there passed doAvn the railroad, through Manassas
Gap, arriving at Front Eoyal on Friday noon, after
a sharp engagement Avith a small force of rebels.
Soon after. Shields stationed one brigade on the
Luray road, another to watch the fords of the Shen
andoah, another was sent out on the Strasburg road,
while the remaining one occupied the town. On
McDowell's arrival. Shields, with his entire division,
was ordered out on the road to Strasburg, forthe
purpose of intercepting the retreat of the enemy.
Bnt, instead of taking the road which he Avas
ordered to take, he crossed over the north branch
of the Shenandoah Eiver on the road to Winchester.-
It then being too late to repair the mischief, and
get ahead of Jackson, Shields was permitted to go
in the direction of Luray, and foUoAV up Jackson as

A EECOED. 115
far as he thought advisable, with the single instruc
tion, that, in no event, should his division be sepa
rated ; so that each brigade would be in supporting
distance of all the others.
On the second day we arrived in the vicinity of
Columbia Bridge, and pitched our tents for the
purpose, as we supposed, of enjojdng a night's rest ;
but towards evening an order was received to fall
back six miles. Arriving at this new camp, we
again pitched our tents; but just at dark we re
ceived an order to move forward to the camp we
had but just left. We arrived about midnight, and
slept on the ground ; thus wasting the strength of
the command in a needless march of twelve miles.
On the following morning, June 7th, the Third
brigade, by an order to move on Waynesboro',
took up the line of march, arriving in early evening
on the banks of Naked Creek, where it went into
camp. Colonel Carroll's Second brigade had passed
over the road some time before.
The command had nothing but fiour and beef for
supper, and nothing for breakfast on the foUoAving
morning ; but being assured that some hard bread
was in waiting, sorae six miles ahead, it cheerfully
pressed forward at four o'clock a. m., and at about
two o'clock the same day, reached the vicinity of
Port Eepublic, Avhere Colonel Carroll's brigade had
¦ met with a repulse the day before.

116 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Port Eepublic is situated at the junction of two
forks of the south branch of the Shenandoah Eiver.
Jackson's whole army was in the vicinity of the
place, the most of it occupying the west bank of
the river. In rear of Jackson's position, at Cross
Keys, were General Fremont's forces. At the latter
place, on the previous day, Fremont had defeated
Jackson, with heavy loss to the latter.
Jackson having thus failed to beat back Fremont,
was corapelled to cross the river at Port Eepublic,
and, defeating Shields' command, pass through a
gap in the mountain to Gordonsville.
When General Tyler's command arrived on the
field, Lieutenant-Colonel Daum, chief of artiUery,
advised an iraraediate attack ; but the general
Avisely concluded to await the order of General
Shields. Selecting a good position for defence, the
command bivouacked for the night.
Early in the morning of June 9th, the enemy
was seen to debouch into the plain in our front,
when our artillery, under Captains Clark, Eobinson,
and Huntington, opened a heavy fire upon him.
This force moved into the woods on our left, and
passing up a spur of the Blue Eidge, threw them
selves rapidly forward, with a view of turning that
wing of the army. Two companies of skirmishers
and two regiments of infantry were sent into the
woods to counteract this movement. The skirmish-

A EECOED. 117
ers having become warmly engaged, two more
regiments were sent forward to their support. The
enemy now abandoned his intention, and coming
out of the woods, SAvept across the field to our right,
uniting with a column which was advancing to the
attack. During this time, the Seventh was supporting a
section of Huntington's Battery. This new move
ment was directed against the position occupied by
it. When arriving within range of the guns, the
enemy charged. The regiment reserved its fire
until the rebel column approached within easy
range, when, by order of Colonel Creighton, the
regiment, which had hitherto been concealed by
the tall spires of wheat, rose to its feet, and de
livered its fire. This shower of lead made a fearful
gap in the lines of the advancing column. It stag
gered, and finally halted. The Seventh now
plunged into the midst of the foe, when an awful
scene of carnage followed. After a short struggle,
the enemy was pressed back, followed by the
exultant victors. The Fifth and Twenty-ninth Ohio
regiments did gallant service in this charge. When
the enemy had been pressed back for half a raile,
the column halted, reformed, and then fell back to
its old position.
The enemy now made a furious attack on the
extreme right of the division, to meet which the

118 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Seventh changed front on the Fourth company.
The enemy Avas soon driven back in great confusion,
and with heavy loss. Immediately recovering from
this temporary check, he made an onslaught on the
centre, A\'hicli resulted in his repulse, with greater
loss than in any previous attack ; the Fifth Ohio
alone capturing a piece of artillery and many
prisoners. During these operations, the enemy sent a heavy
column against our left ; and debouching from the
timber, came down with such rapidity as to over-
' whelm the sraall force of infantry supporting four
guns of Clark's Battery. This force, endeavoring
to make a defence, came near being ca2:)tured. The
guns, of course, fell into the hands of the enemy.
The Seventh and Fifth Ohio regiraents Avere now
directed to regain the position. Moving by the
left flank to the rear of the position under a heavy
fire, these two regiments dashed up the hill and
over the guns, into the midst of the terrified rebels.
Five color-bearers had now been shot doAvn, while
advancing as many rods. Lieutenant King seized
the colors and pressed forward, followed by the
regiment, which sent volley after volley after the
fugitives, the firing ceasing only Avhen the rebels
were covered by a friendly hill. We were soon
ordered to drive them from this position, which
was done iu gallant style, the command charg-

A EECOED. 119
ing up the steep sides of the hill, in the face of
the foe.
A large column of the enemy was now seen ad
vancing from the bridge to the scene of action. It
was tlierefore thought advisable by General Tyler
to Avithdraw from the field during this check of the
enemy^, and before these re-enforcements could be
brought into the contest.
This movement was executed under the direction
of Colonel Carroll ; and, with few exceptions, the
retreat was as orderly as the advance.
After falling back some miles, we met the balance
of the comraand under General Shields, who assura
ed the direction of the forces. Eighteen miles from
the battle-field, the command halted for the night ;
and, on the third day, reached the vicinity of Luray,
where it Avent into camp.
The importance of this engagement has been un
derrated. Great and beneficial results to the Union
army would have followed a victory ; as it was, a
great disaster succeeded. The impetuous Jackson
having thus prevented McDoAvell's forces from
uniting with the grand army, dashed down in front
of Eichmond, and hurling his army against the
right wing of McClellan, gave the Federal army its
first check, which finally resulted in its overthrow.
McClellan expecting McDowell, received Jackson.
Had the former formed a junction with him, the

120 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
grand army would have entered Eichmond; but
receiving Jackson, it entered Washington. This
failure to intercept Jackson was due to General
Shields' disobedience of orders. His entire division
should have been on the ground on Sunday, or none
of it ; and on its arrival, he should have burned the
bridge : then the capture of Jackson would have
been rendered probable, but, as events occurred, it
was impossible. A part of the division not being
in supporting distance, rendered the burning of the
bridge a necessity ; but Shields regarded it differ
ently. His order to save the bridge was the ex
treme of folly. To make himself a name, he came
near sacrificing his command. On Sunday, Colonel
Carroll's forces were in a position to have burned
the bridge. Soon after, the enemy commanded it,
with eighteen pieces of cannon. Early in the day
it Avas safe to approach it — afterwards, madness.
This bridge in his possession, gave the enemy an
opportunity to debouch on to the open plain. When
there, the advance of Shields' division was liable to
be crushed. The preservation of the bridge ren
dered it certain that he Avould be there, because this
plain lay betAveen him and safety. To avoid enter
ing it, was to surrender. The shrewd Jackson
chose to enter it. When there, he turned upon
Tyler, and overwhelmed him ; then moved off at
his leisure. The defeat of Tyler was certain ; his

i EECOED. 121
escape, marvellous. Jackson anticipated an easy
victory, but met with a stubborn resistance. This
mistake of Jackson saved Tyler.
When McDoAvell saw that the pursuit of Jackson
was a failure, he endeavored to collect his forces at
Fredericksburg, for the purpose of carrying out his
original intention of joining McClellan ; but Jack
son was there before hira, and the grand army had
been beaten back.
Had the forces of Generals Banks and Fremont
been left to take care of Jackson, and thus left
McDowell with his 41,000 men free to go down to
Eichmond, the labor of historians would have been
lessened. Soon after the battle of Port Eepublic, General
Shields was relieved of his command. This order
received the approbation of both officers and men.
The following is a list of killed and Avounded :
Killed, — Sergeant William Voges ; corporals,
Geo. E. Magary, Julius Euoff, L. E. Gates, John
H. Woodward ; privates, Adolf Snyder, Eomaine
J. Kingsbury, John Mulligan, John Eeber.
Wounded. — Captain Geo. L. Wood ; First-lieu
tenant A. H. Day; sergeants, Virgil E. Smalley,
Samuel Whaler, James E. Loucks (mortally), Chas.
L. King, Wm. Lanterwasser (mortally) ; corporals,
Townley Gillett (mortally), Holland B. Fry, Mark
V. Burt, A. C. Lovett, Cyrus H. DeLong A. C.

122 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Trimmer, Charles Knox ; privates, J. H. Burton,
S. E. Buchanan, Isaac Maxfield, Charles Keller, F.
Keller, Edwin B. AtAvater, M. N. Hamilton (mor
tally), Daniel S. Judson (mortallj'), Wm. II. Pelton,
Benjamin F. Hawkins, Lawson Hibbard, James L
Vancise, John AtAvater, Jay Haskins, Leroy Chap
man, Sylvester B. MatthcAvs, Alfred W. Morley,
Lawrence Eemmel, George K. Carl, Franklin El
dridge, George Geyelin, John T. Geary, Ira Herrick,
Marion Hoover, W. W. Eogers (mortally), Edwin
Woods, Morris Osborn, G. W. Parker, M. Ecken-
rode, D. L. Hunt, William Frasher, Anthony "Wil
liams, John Sraith, James Decker, Michael Camp
bell, Philip Anthony, John Colburn, John Hum
mel, John Luetke, John Schoembs, Conrad Som
mer, John Voelker, Herman Fetzer.

A EECOED. 123

CHAPTEE XV.
Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Gallantry of the regiment,
AND terrible LOSS.
Aftek a few days' rest at Luray, the regiment
marched to Front Eoyal, and soon after left for
Alexandria, Avhere it arrived on the 27th of June.
It Avent into camp on a beautiful hill, just outside
the fortifications.
Eemaining in this camp for a month, the regi
ment was ordered to join the forces under McDow
ell, at Warrenton. It arrived there on the morning
of June 26th, and soon after reported to General
Banks, at Little Washington.
General Tyler had noAV been relieved from duty
with the Third brigade, and General Geary placed
iu command.
As early as the 16th of July, the advance of Jack
son's forces Avas at Gordonsville ; and by the 1st of
August reached the vicinity of the Eapidan Eiver.
To meet this movement. General Pope, commanding
the Army of Virginia, ordered forAvard the corps of
General Banks ; and on the Sth of August ordered

124 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
General Sigel's corps to Culpepper to co-operate
with Banks' forces ; but Sigel, instead of moving
promptly forAvard, sent a courier to know what
road he should take, when in fact there was but
one. This delayed the movement of his corps
for several hours, so that it was impossible to get
it in position in time to render any assistance to
the forces under Banks.
On the 7tli day of August, CraAvford's brigade,
of Banks' corps, had been pushed forward in the
direction of Slaughter Mountain, to support General
Bayard, whose brigade of cavalry Avas being driven
back in that direction by the enemy ; and on the
9tli, to support this movement of Crawford, Banks
was directed to take up a strong position a short
distance in his rear. Eickeft's division, of McDow
ell's corps, was posted three miles in rear of Banks'
position, and within easy supporting distance.
Desultory artillery firing was kept up all day on
the 9th ; yet General Banks, apparently, did not
think the enemy were in force, for, during the
afternoon, he left the strong position which he
had taken, by order of General Pope, and ad
vanced to assault the eneray, believing that he
could crush his advance before the main body
came up.
The enemy was strongly posted, and sheltered
by woods and ridges ; whUe Banks had to

A EECOED. 125
over an open field, which was swept by the fire
of the enemy thus concealed.
The intention of Jackson, in this advance, was
to crush a detachment of Pope's army before the
balance could come to its support. Banks, in thus
advancing to the assault, aided him in his design,
which otherwise Avould have been an entire failure.
Cedar Mountain, the position occupied by Jack
son, is thus described : " The mountain is one
of remarkable beauty. At a distance of four or
five miles from its base it seems to rise like a
perfect cone from the plain below, and from its
base to its summit scarcely a deflection is to be
observed in its outline form — a perfectly straight
line, as if nature had formed it in the same manner
that school-boys form sand-hills. The sides of the
mountain are covered Avith a heavy growth of tim
ber : its summit is reached by a poor road. The
height of the summit is, perhaps, eight hundred
feet above Cedar Creek."
Early in the day of the 9th, General Geary's
brigade was sent to hold Telegraph Hill, from
which our signal-officers had been driven. To
approach this hill Avas sure slaughter; but the
veteran brigade moved on, through a storm of
shot and sheU, and occupied the position.
Thirty pieces of cannon on our side, and as many
on the side of the enemy, were belching forth their

126 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
fire. There was no part of the Federal lines but
that Avas swept by this fire.
A little after three o'clock the Seventh Eegiment
Avas ordered over the crest of the hill, into a corn
field beyond. AVhile advancing to this position, a
most terrific cannonade Av-as directed against it. It
seemed as if every cannon Avas being directed against
this band of heroes ; but it nover faltered in this
march of death, moving coolly on, regardless of
the missiles that Avere tearing through its bleeding
ranks. Comrades Avere falling, and brothers dying;
the mangled, bleeding victims of the fury and vio
lence of war were left thick, raaking the ground
sacred on which they fell ; but the line Avavered
not. Beaching a Ioav place, the regiment halted,
and the boys thrcAV themselves upon the ground ;
and thus for a long hour they lay, in an open field,
exposed to a hot sun, Avith a hailstorm of grape,
canister, and shell falling thick and fast around
them. Men gave up their lives so gently, that it
Avas almost impossible to tell the living from the
dead. The fatal missile struck its victim, leavinff
I O
the lifeless clay in the same attitude which thc liv
ing body but just before occupied. During that
fatal period death assumed a real character, while
life seemed but a dream.
The engagement had now become general. The
brigade of General Prince had advanced on the left

A EECOED. 127
of Geary, occupying the prolongation of the line.
ArtUlery replied to artillery, musketry to musketry,
bayonet to bayonet, in this deadly strife. Daring
warmed into rashness, and bravery into reckless
ness. About four o'clock the regiment was ordered into
a meadow, Avhich position it promptly occupied,
although the fire had not slackened, and carnage
marked its advance. After dressing the lines, the
regiment opened fire ; and there it stood Avithout a
support, facing, in a death-struggle, three times its
number. The fiery Creighton received a Avound
which compelled him to leave the field. The noble
Crane was disabled ; and the brave Molyneaux, for
the moment, took comraand. Seeing the regiment
nearly surrounded, and exposed to an enfilading
fire, Avhicli was fast thinning the ranks, he ordered
it to retreat ; but heroic 3'oung Clarkey, mistaking
it for an order to charge, dashed gallantly forAvard,
at the head of his command. After understanding
the order, he had barely time to fall back before the
Avings of the rebel host closed in.
SloAvly and sadly the remaining few of the regi
ment fell back, keeping their faces to the foe. Only
one hundred and sixteen, out of three hundred and
seven, returned to the rear unhurt ; and raany of
these Avere disabled from service by severe ex
posure to the intense heat of the sun, and lack of

128 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
water. The regiment retired to a hUl, and was not
again brought into action during the afternoon.
At night, hoAvever, it was ordered out on picket.
After advancing to Cedar Creek it Avas challenged,
and no one ansAvering, it received a terrible volley
from the front and both flanks. It fell back to the
cover of a piece of Avoods, and finally to the rear,
about a mile, where it bivouacked.
As night settled upon this field of carnage.
Banks' entire corps Avithdrew to the position it oc
cupied early in the day ; but the artillery kept up
an intermittent fire until near midnight. General
Jackson, from his mountain-top, could see every
movement of troops, and was enabled to calculate
just how long it would take to re-enforce General
Banks. Had he not been so imprudent as to come
doAvn frora his mountain fastness, and attack the
Federal forces after night, his loss would have been
comparatively little. But as Banks retired, he
moved twelve thousand men on to the battle-field,
and kept them there during the night ; at the same
time advancing one battery through the woods into
the open field beyond the battle-ground. From
this position it opened on the division of Union
troops occupying the advance. As soon as the
first flash of his guns Avas seen. Major Davis, chief
of artillery in McDowell's corps, ordered two bat
teries into position, and opened on the enemy.

A EECOED. 129
These batteries, being very close, and getting good
range, did fearful havoc among the rebels. It is
said that General Hartsuff sighted one of the guns
that did the most execution. After the battery had
retired. Major Davis' guns shelled the battle-field.
The enemy being massed in small space, this fire
told fearfully on their ranks. After firing about
one hundred shells, and the enemy not responding.
Major Davis ordered his guns silenced, little dream
ing that he had left more dead rebels on the field
than all the random artillery firing of the afternoon.
Many deeds of daring were performed at this
battle. Captain Ash, of General Pope's staff,
riding up to a battery with an order from the gen
eral to stop firing, saAv that it was a rebel battery ;
he, hoAvever, had sufficient presence of mind to give
the order, and ride off. It was obeyed ; the battery
ceased to fire, and soon after moved off. Captain
Ball, of McDowell's staff, did the same thing, and
Avith a like result.
The following incident is from the pen of a cor
respondent of an Eastern paper :
" Just after the firing of musketry became in
teresting, I noticed a private soldier coming off the
field, and thinking perhaps he was running away
to avoid danger, I rode up to him, Avhen I found he
had two fingers of his left hand shot away, and a
third dreadfully lacerated. I saw at once that he
6*

130 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
had at least a hand in the fight. I assisted him to
dress his Avound as Avell as my limited knowledge
of surgery would permit, he, in the mean tirae,
propping up my pluck by his quaint remarks.
Said he : 'I don't care a darn for that third finger,
for it Avarn't of no account, no how ; but the
' pinter,' and t'other one, were right good 'uns, and
I hate to lose 'em. I shouldn't have come to the
rear, if I had been able to load my gun ; but I
wasn't' After I had dressed his hand, he looked
over in the direction of the firing, and stood a mo
ment. Turning to me, he said : ' Stranger, I wish
you would just load up my shooting-iron for me ; I
want to have a little satisfaction out of them cusses
for spiling my fore paAv.' I loaded his gun for
him, and he started back for the top of the hill at
a double-quick, in quest of satisfaction. His name
is Lapham, of the Ohio Seventh."
During the action, General Banks was leaning
against a tree, Avhen a cannon-ball struck it about
eighteen inches above his head, passing entirely
through. It has been his singular fortune to meet
with raany narrow escapes. While riding through
Winchester, on his retreat before Jackson, a rebel,
from a window above, took deliberate aim at him,
but Avas shot by a private of a Massachusetts regi
ment before he could fire.
The loss to the regiment in this engagement was

A EECOED. 131
very liea\-y, and shoAvs Avitli what determination it
maintained the contest. It went into the engaape-
ment with three hundred and seven, rank and file,
and came out Avith a loss in killed and Avounded of
one hundred and ninety-one, — a loss of more than
sixty-two per cent.
The following is the list :
Killed, — Lieutenants, James P. Brisbine, Joseph
Eoss, Frank Johnson ; sergeants, C. P. BoAvler,
Moses Martin ; corporals, J. J. Evans, D. W.
Wright ; privates, Joseph T. BlackweU, William
Adams, Edward Burnet, E. S. Shepherd, Charles
G. Hettinger, Charles Masters, Benjamin F. Gill,
H. F. Dinger, H. Hight, John J. Hensher, Henry
C. Case, M. Eckenroad, N. H. McClurg. C. C.
Miller, G. B. SAvisher, E. Fox, Janies Stephenson,
Alvin H. Benton, John Manning, Michael Waldof,
Jaraes Eay, Frank Miller, John Weeland.
lToiOTC?e(i.— Colonel WUliam E. Creighton, Lieut.-
Colonel O. J. Crane, Adjutant J. B. Molyneaux,
Captain WiUiam E. Sterling; lieutenants, Henry
Z. Eaton, W. D. Braden, S. S. Eeed, Marcus Hop
kins ; sergeants, Z. P. Davie, J. S. Cooper, J. C.
Jones, A. S. Allen, Arviu Billings, George W.
Barnette, E. M. Lazarus, James E. Carter, E. G.
Taylor, G. W. Moore, Charies A. Brooks ; corporals,
M. D. Holmes, Henry J. Brown, L. WUson,
Joseph Trotier, William E. Smith, Thomas C.

182 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Brown, Frank J. Ware, Clark WUson, C. H. Bux
ton, Norman L. Norris, F. A. Davis, Albert A.
Smith, James Alexander, Benjarain Gridley, W.
T. CaUors, Eobert M. Brisk, A. C. Trimmer, Chris
topher Nesper, Jaraes Grobe ; privates, A. M.
Clinton, Thomas Sherwood, Edward St. LaAvrence, .
Arthur Laffin, Leonard Walker, Jacob C. Gaycly,
F. N. Brund, Abraham Ginter, John G. Parsons,
Henry Hatfield, Andrew J. Crippin, Charles E.
Preble, John H. Galvin, F. Creque, Philip Kelley,
T. Hammond, E. Lown, William Caramel, John
Boyle, James Dixon, Samuel E. Garden, Jacob E.
Hine, Benjamin Hasfield, Frank Henrickle, P. E.
Hill, William L. Latch, Jacob Marks, Thomas C.
Eiddle, John Stone, Ernest Zincker, Franklin Gas-
kill, N. Badger, George Carrathurs, T. P. Dixon,
Henry Fairchild, J. M. Eofflige, M. Eichmond,
Theodore Wilder, Oliver Wise, A. Colwell, William
Gardner, John Frank, S. E. Hendrickson, N. E.
Holcomb, E. Hobday, W. Lapham, F. Manley,
John McAdams, H. H. Ehodes, J. Harnner, Joseph
L. Clark, James Kelley, Williara W. Meeker,
Charles Himpson, John Wickham, J. Eoberts, J. K.
Green, Edward E. Day, LoAvis Owens, S. A. Fuller,
D. G. Burthroff, J. M. Holcomb, Frank Strong, E.
G. Meekins, H. WaUace, M. S. Gibbons, J. Donthit,
S. Eeed, Arthur Adams, Ezra Brown, Ira M. Bar
low, George M. Caldwell, George W. Carter, John

A EECOED. 133
Downer, Thomas Ely, Sherman Collinger, Stephen
H. Hopkins, Daniel Jones, Perrin D. Loomis,
David C. Nunemaker, J. L. Oviatt, G. Eussell, N.
TAvitchell, Ealph Winzenried, John C. Fox, A.
Inskeep, Jaraes Kincaid, John Lentz, E. D. Munaj^,
John Pollock, E. S. Mathews, A. Shaffer, C. Glen-
denning, Alfred Jackson, Hiram Deeds, Ira S. Eay,
Eichard Freeman, Samuel Knap, John Fishcun,
James A. Tell, WUliam Kelley, T. D. WiUiams,
Charles Smith, George A. Earl, Maskell Bispham,
Frederick Michael, Henry Schmid', John Hammond,
William Pfahl, John Pike, George Sahl, George
Zipp ; George Eogers, musician.

184 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE XVI.
The regiment goes into camp at Alexandria, but is soon
oedeeed to the front. — Battle of Antietam.
Aftee the battle of Cedar Mountain, the regi
ment took part in the memorable retreat of General
Pope to the Potomac. During the time, it was not
engaged in immediate action ; but Avas exposed, on
several occasions, to the shell from the enemy's
batteries. After a fatiguing march of sixteen days,
it arrived, on the 2d day of September, under the
guns of the fortifications around Alexandria. On
the following day it Avas marched to Arlington
Heights, to the support of Fort Albany, near Avhieh
it encamped in a beautiful meadow.
At midnight of the same day an order was re
ceived to have the comraand ready to march at
half-past eight on the foUoAving morning; but it
did not leave, however, until near noon, Avhen,
crossing the Potomac to Georgetown, it moved off
iu the direction of Poolesville, bivouacking at night
five miles from Georgetown. On the following
morning the command started before day had fairiy

A EECOED. 135
daAvned, and passing through Eockville, bivouacked
at night uear the place. On the 5th it moved
foi'Avard, and leaving the small village of DarnstoAvn
on the left, forraed in line of battle, fronting Pooles
ville, and awaited the advance of the enemy ; but
he failing to appear in that direction, but threaten
ing Pennsylvania, by the Avay of Frederick, the
command, on the 9th, broke camp and advanced in
five columns towards the latter city. After a brief
skirmish, the advance entered the place on the 12th.
On the 13th, the regiment crossed the mountains
into Pleasant Valley to MiddletoAvn. While de
scending the side of the mountain, the progress of
the battle of South Mountain Avas plainly seen.
^ihis engagement was fought by the division of
General Cox, of Eeuo's corps. These troops won
great praise for their gallantry and good fighting
qualities ; and the general, an additional star.
On the loth, the advance of the Federal army
drove the enemy in the direction of Boonesboro',
and through the town towards Sharpsburg. Gen
erals Eichardson's and Pleasanton's column of cav
alry and light artUlery proved very annoying to the
enemy in this day's retreat.
On the foUowing day, the 16th of September, the
rebel army took up its position across Antietam
Creek, and there aAvaited the approach of the Fed
erals.

186 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
* " This position consisted of a series of sharp
points, rising from the bank of the creek, and ex
tending to the rear of Sharpsburg in a succession of
ridges ; but, when vicAved from a point a little in
front, has the appearance of table-land, the ravines
being undistinguishable. These points or ridges are
for the most part surmounted by a heavy copse of
timber, Avhicli furnished admirable shelter for foot-
soldiers ; while, with batteries fianking each hill,
the position Avas all that a general could wish for
defence. " Seeing the strength of the position, McClellan
sent Hooker's and Sumner's corps around to the left
of the enemy's advance position, across Antietam
Creek, and, ere the close of day, they had succeeded
in driving hira fully a mile.
" We had lain down in line of battle, expecting
to remain till the morrow. The tattoo had sounded,
and an impressive silence had settled upon the
bivouac, broken only by the tread of the alarm-
guard, as he slowly paced his beat, and the occa
sional passing of an orderly, conveying some order
to be executed on the coming day. Not long were
we to rest. Our ears were soon assailed with—
' A ilention. First hrigade P and we were soon in
line, and moving around to the right, to the support
* Charles Tenney.

A EECOED. 137
of Hooker and Sumner, AA'here we arrived about one
A. At., and bivouacked upon the ground held by the
rebels scarce six hours previous. An occasional
shot or volley, in an adjoining piece of Avoods, re
minded us of the close proximity of the enemy.
Nevertheless, the rest of the night was passed quietly
enough by us.
" The morning came, fresh and beautiful ; but
our reveille Avas not the rattle of the drum, nor the
clear notes of the bugle. The day Avas opened by a
fierce volley of musketry, succeeded by another, and
yet another, which were soon so continuous as to be
blended in one unremittent roll. The struggle had
commenced, and the sun that rose shone upon a
field already red with blood. Soon the heavy boom
ing of cannon was mingled with the sharp, crackling
roll of small-arms, and the din was terrific. Hooker
was engaged, and hotly too. We were imraediately
ordered under arras, and advanced in the direction
of the fight. Halting in easy supporting distance,
we were given thirty rainutes in which to make
coffee. At the end of this time the volume of sound
perceptibly increased, and was becoming nearer.
The rebels Avere re-enforced, and were slowly driving
our men before them. ' Forward,' shouted General
Mansfield ; and forward Ave went, in column of
division, as cool andregular as on driU. Changing
direction to the left, we advanced through a corn-

138 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
field taken by Hooker the evening previous, and
which Avas noAv held by the rebels, having driven
our boys back. An open field lay before us, com
manded by the direct aud flank fire of the rebel
artillery, and the left flank of their infantry. Not-
Avithstanding the heavy fire avc thus suddenly re
ceived, the advance Avas made steadily, and in slow
time. Arriving at the front, we deployed into line
of battle. The line now being complete, Ave ad-
A-anced ; and the worlc was hegim.. No halt Avas
made until the AVOods Avere ours ; but the enemy Avas
to be dislodged from behind a rail fence. Then we
occupied the crest of the hill in the Avoods, and frora
this point Ave directed our fire to the fence, Avhere we
could plainly see them level their pieces at us, and fire.
" For an hour and a half Ave thus remained, aud
fought: one side Avitli the energy of despair; the
other, Avith an energy imparted Avith the conscious
ness of right and justice. Thc contest Avas fair and
equal, and the right triumphed. At last the line be
gan to Avaver, and General Green shouted, ' Chaige !'
With a yell of triuraph we started, Avith levelled
bayonets ; and, terror-stricken, the rebels fled. Like
hounds after the frightened deer, we pursued them
fully three-fourths of a mile, kiUing, wounding, and
taking prisoners almost every rod. Their colors
fell : a private soldier leaped forward, and tore
them from the staff.

A EECOED. 189
" Across the fields we pursued the foe, who again
took shelter in a heavy piece of timber, flanked by
their artillery. A battery of twelve-pounder hoAv-
itzers came to our support, and most efficient ser
vice it rendered. We formed in two lines in rear of
the battery, and lay behind a Ioav ridge, sufficiently
high to protect from a direct shot, but Avhich offered
no shelter from the fragments of shells bursting near
to and over us; these were continually striking
amongst us, often grazing a cap or an arm, but do
ing no particular harm. The hoAvitzers Avere doing
splendidly, AA'hen suddenly Ave heard, 'But eight
rounds left 1' Twenty more rounds Avould silence
the rebel battery, but Ave had them not. Soon
the rebel fire was more rapid, and a yell in the dis
tance denoted an advance of their infantry. Shall
we fetreat? No ! Ave will hold our ground, or die !
On they come, yelling defiantly : 'tis A. P. Hill's
division, second to none but Jackson's. We look
anxiously for another battery. It comes ! It
comes ! We are safe ! The gallant Eighth Ehode
Island Battery coraes up in splendid style ; our
ranks open right and left for them, the exhausted
battery of hoAvitzers Avheeling out of line. The
Parrotts Avere unlimbered, and shell, five-second
fuse, called for, and they opened in glorious style.
"But Avhat means that shout so closely on our
right ? They have flanked us, and are charging our

140 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
battery ! A half right Avheel was made, and we
were partially under cover of a narrow ridge. A
portion of our front rank, Avith the colors, advanced,
and opened a fire upon their column, but, as it Avas
intended, it only drew them on ; shouting fiercely,
they dashed forward, expecting to have an easy
capture. We waited until they were within six
rods, Avlien, with a yell such as freemen know how
to give, Ave rose and poured the contents of our
rifies into the mass of graybacks emerging from the
woods. They reeled and staggered for a moment,
then rallied, and returned our fire for half an hour,
then Avavered. Perceiving this, Lieutenant-Colonel
Tindell, commanding brigade, ordered a charge.
As we started, they broke and fled in confusion.
Our brigade advanced to the woods, but was soon
replaced by a New Jersey regiment, which quickly
broke and fled. On came the rebels, yelling and
exultingly Avaving their colors, across a field, and
entered a cornfield to the south, to flank our men
who were engaging a division. Their triumph Avas
short, for they suddenly found themselves nearly
surrounded by General Franklin's troops, who came
in from the north and east, over the identical
ground we fought over, and precipitated themselves
upon the flank of the enemy, six hundred of Avhom
threw down their guns and surrendered, those re
maining fleeing in dismay from the field.

A EECOED. 141
"This coup de grace closed the heavy fighting
upon the right, and we retired from the front, lacer
ated but cheerful, feeling that our duty was faith
fully performed, and knowing that the rebels were
defeated." The next two days Avere occupied in burying the
dead and collecting the wounded.
On the 19th, the regiment left for Harper's Fer
ry, arriving at Maryland Heights on the 20tli. A
few days after it forded the Potomac Eiver, and
went into permanent carap on Loudon Heights.
The regiment sustained a loss at the battle of An
tietam of five killed and thirty-eight Avounded. The
list is as follows : Killed. — Sergeant Jaines B. Cart
er ; Corporal Martin Lazrus ; privates, John Bacon,
Elbridge F. Meachum, George O.Sherick. Wounded.
— Lieutenant Ernest J. Krieger ; sergeants, George
A. McKay, Jerry G. Clafflin, Isaac Jones, James
Hansell ; corporals, Edward Goodsell, Henry H.
BaUey, Hiram J. Bell, John F. Ely, Austin Bull,
James Bryant, J. Kurly; privates, George A. Wood,
Joseph Kubler, Saurine Lamphier, Pliney E. Hill,
George Steinberger, E. C. MiUer, Daniel Weather-
loAV, David Everett, Alfred W. Mosley, Averett C.
Eeed, Alson Coe, Alfred E. May, Thomas Woolf,
Henry WUcox, George Houck, William CromweU,
Caleb Bryant, George Wandal, Nick Bauer, Charles
Briedenbach, Charles Graiter.

142 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE XVII.
The march to Dumfries. — Skirmish with Hampton's cav
alry, IN ATHIOH THEY ARE BADLY DEFEATED BY A MUCH
nsTPBRIOR FORCE.
While at Loudon Heights, the monotony of life
in camp Avas relieved by drill, guard, and picket
duty, with an occasional reconnoissanee. On the
latter occasions some, little skirmishing Avould usu
ally occur. An occasional dash Avas made by the
rebels upon the Union picket-line.
Soon after the occupation of this post the grand
army crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah into tho
Loudon Valley, on its Avay to Fredericksburg. We
copy a description of the march of a regiment in
Porter's corps.*
" I have been thinking of the difference betAveen
soldiering that Ave read about — fancy soldiering,
glory and honor soldiering — and real soldiering of
the rough and tumble kind. How well it sounds
to read : 'A regiment of brave men marched proudly
* Lieutenant W. D. Shepherd.

A EECOED. 143
through the streets of Harper's Ferry, to strains of
SAveet music. Gallantly the veterans of a dozen
battles streamed along, their banners gayly^ floating
in the breeze; they go to join the Army of the Po
tomac' What is it Avlien divested of its trimmings ?
'About three hundred and fifty of Avhat once Avas
a regiment one thousand strong, Avent through
Harper's Ferry to-day. In vain the tura, tura, tura
of the drura, at the head of the column, urged the
men to keep time. Wearied, worn out by contin
ued tramping, loaded doAvn Avith their knapsacks,
three days' rations in their haversacks, and the pros
pect of a long march before thera, slowly they
dragged themselves along; their torn and tattered
flag, as well as soiled clothes, giving evidence of
hard service.' Again let us quote : ' At evening
they halted, and bivouacked for the night; re
freshed and ready at early daAvn to continue the line
of march.' Sift that a little — that bivouac. Almost
worn out with incessant and continued tramp)ing
through mud, and muck, and mire, great cluraps of
which would stick and cleave on to the shoe at
every step, the night fast closing in, the column
halted ; sloAvly the lingering mass closed up, stacked
arms, and broke ranks. Some, too tired to make a
fire and cook food, thrcAv themselves on the cold,
damp ground, and, with their blankets wrapped
around them, shivered to sleep; others, having

144 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
eaten scarcely any^ thing all day, threw off their
curabrous loads, and started, in the now dark night,
in search of Avood and Avater. An old fire-scorched
tin cup answers for a coffee-pot as well as tea-kettle.
Into it the Avater, muddy Avith the feet of perhaps a
thousand A^-ater-hunting tired ones, is put; and
while the coffee is boiling, a piece of fat pork is
drawn from the haversack, and a slice cut off; a
long stick, pointed, on which the slice is secured,
and frizzling, sizzling, half burned, half cooked,
ready when the coffee is. The pork, coffee, and
hard bread form, for the hundredth time, the meal
of the hungry soldier. Perhaps on the roadside,
right in the mud, glad in truth to lie anyAvhere, one
after another drops his wearied form. The heavy
rain comes down in torrents, wetting him through
and through, but tired nature heeds it not — must
have rest.
" Early dawn comes. Again the pork, coffee, and
hard bread ; and the stiffened, sore, leg-weary pa
triot buckles on his saturated knapsack, and, like
a foundered horse, limps achingly along till he gets
heated up, with the same prospect before him of
twenty miles tramp — clamp — tramp."
On the 10th day of December the regiment left
Bolivar Heights, crossed the Shenandoah on a pon
toon, and Avinding round the bluff of Loudon, passed
up the Loudon Valley.

A EECOED. . 145
While passing through Hillsboro', the coramand
was given, by Lieutenant Shepherd to his raen, to
" Close up ! — get into your places !" General
Geary, on foot and unobserved, had raarched
along just in rear of the corapany. Hearing the
command, he remarked: "Well, here is a vacant
place, I guess I'll fill it up ;" and stepped into
the place. He raarched, in this manner, some
distance, talking freely Avith those nearest him,
at the same time obeying orders promptly.
The regiment encamped about a mile beyond
Hillsboro'. Bright and early on the foUoAving morning the
command moved on. Leaving the battle-field Avhere
the brave Kearney fell, and Fairfax ou the left,
on the loth it arrived in sight of the LoAver Poto
mac, and encamped after crossing Naabsco Creek.
Having passed Dumfries on the I7th, an order
came that the Fifth, Seventh, and Sixty-sixth regi
ments, under comraand of Colonel Candy^, should
inarch b.ack and hold that post. On the following
day, crossing Powell's Creek, two hours' march
brought the brigade in the outskirts of Dumfries,
Avhere it went into camp.
Nothing transpired worthy of mention until the
27th of Deceraber, Avhen the heavy booming of
cannon Avas heard in the vicinity of the picket-line.
It was evident that the enemy were making a

146 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
descent on the pickets. For several days this
attack had been expected, therefore in a few min
utes the command Avas ready and in line of bat
tle. The pickets gradually gave way, under the
comniand of the indomitable Creighton, fighting
their way back to the line of battle, in which they
took position. The rebels came gallantly forward,
in anticipation of an easy victory. When within
short-range of our guns, they were met by such
a terrible fire of musketry from our partially
concealed line, as to check their advance. They,
however, rallied, and returned the fire ; but in a
moment staggered, and finally Avithdrew in confu
sion frora the field. Again forming their broken
columns, they hurled themselves against our line.
They Avere again met by a determined front, and,
with a like result, were sent, broken and mangled,
back upon their reserves. A third time reforming
their wasted ranks, they came doAvn Avith great
impetuosity, and hurled their solid columns against
the weak lines of the Federals. They Avere again
met with a sheet of fiame, which sent up its
column of blue smoke along the entire front.
For a moment it was impossible to tell the
effect produced on the rebels; but the smoke
clearing -away before a light breeze, it was dis
covered that their advance had been arrested.
One more united effort, and the rebel Une was

A EECOED. 147
again sent back crushed and bleeding. They again
organized for a last desperate charge, and raost
gaUantiy did they sweep down upon our line.
Up the hill and over the brush and logs, which
lay in their way, with wild impetuosity, which
threatened to crush every thing before them.
Aware of the avalanche that was sweeping down
upon them, the Union boys hugged the ground,
awaiting, with breathless anxiety, the command
to fire. At last the stentorian voice of the sturdy
Crane was heard to shout the order, when a band
of patriots, their eyes kindled to a blaze with tho
ardor of their daring, with strong muscles and
steady nerves, rose, and Avith a shout that made
the gray hills of old Dumfries echo, poured a vol
ley of death into the rebel host. Disdaining to
again take refuge under cover, the line stood
manfully up, and met the continued onsets of the
foe. The brave Creighton stood on a hill exposed
to the fire — how could men falter while the noble
form of their leader was thus bared to the buUets
of the enemy? They did not falter; but the line
stood like a wall. The rebels were soon seen to
waver, and as the night "cast its mantle over
the combatants," they tardUy and solemnly with
drew, bearings with them thcf lacerated, bleeding
victims to their endurance.
At night the line was drawn in, and after making

148 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
every effort for the security of the comraand, the
boys lay down upon their arras, harassed by an
oppressive uncertainty Avhich alwaj's haunts the
soldier in the bivouac upon the battle-field.
During that long night the lonely picket-guard
peered out into the darkness, intent upon catching
the first footfall of the cautious foe. Slowly and
with careful tread he paced his weary beat, fear
ful that he might be pounced upon by thc Avily
eneray ere he could give the alarm to his slumber
ing companions. Through rain, and sleet, and
darkness — oppressed with the soleran stillness that
at night hangs over the earth — with a sense of lone
liness weighing upon his feelings — he stood like a
spectre in the gloom, the guardian of the thousands
slumbering in the camp. While others dream of
home, and friends, and firesides, afar off on the
hills of l:ie-w England, or the starlit prairies of
the West, the wakeful picket keeps his vigil. Mav
God protect him in his watch !
As day again dispelled the shadows that dark
ened the hills and the valleys, the columns of the
brave Sigel were seen winding their way through
the village. A shout of A\'elcome greeted these
heroes. The dreadful suspense that had Aveighed
upon the hearts of the combatanta of the day
before, during that long night of watching, now
gave place to cheerfulness ; and confidence was

A EECOED. 149
again restored. But the cautious Hampton had
fled ; and nothing met the eye save the frowning
hills. The following is the list of kUled and wounded
in this affair :
Killed. — Corporal Austin Ball.
Wounded.— GoY-^OY9\ E. M. Corrdett; privates,
Sylvester Carter, Philip Grigsby, Thomas Eoff,
Wm. P. Eoot, Wm. H. Kibbee, W. M. Perry,
Stephen Willock.
Prisoners. — John Gordon, Andrew Atleff, Eich
ard M. Vreeland, Douglass F. Pomeroy, Henry T.
Benton, Lewis T. Butts, Henry Alderman, Charies
Bradly, James Snider, John BeUer, W. M. Perry.

150 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE XVHI.
The regiment ordered to the front. — Battle of Ohan-
oeixoesvillb.
Neak the middle of April, 1863, the regiment
marched down to Aquia Landing, where it re
mained in camp for two weeks.
General Hooker was now in command of the
grand Army of the Potomac, having relieved
Burnside after that general's unsuccessful attack on
Fredericksburg. Hooker resolved to make an at
tempt to drive the rebel army from the vicinity of
the Eappahannock. Burnside's failure had demon
strated the impracticability of crossing the river at
Fredericksburg ; for no army was safe for a mo
ment with a strong array behind three lines of
well-constructed earthworks in its front, and a wide
and deep river in its rear. He therefore chose a
flank movement by the way of Banks and United
States fords, thus striking the left flank of the en
emy near Chancellorsville Court-house, and avoid
ing their strong fortifications in the rear of Fred
ericksburg. The Seventh Eegiment arrived in the vicinity of

A EECOED. 151
Chancellorsville on the afternoon of the SOth of
April, and encamped for the rfSght a little southeast
of the latter place, and near the Fredericksburg
plankroad. Early on Friday morning it was .ordered forward,
and took position in the second line of battle, in an
open wood-lot, facing south. Late in the afternoon
it was ordered back ; and it finally took position
directly south of the famous brick house, called the
Chancellorsville Place, where headquarters were es
tablished and maintained during most of the action.
Just before dark the rebels came up in great
numbers, in an attack on Knapp's Battery, Avhich
was stationed on the left. The Seventh was or
dered to its support, but the attack was repelled
before the regiment becarae warmly engaged. It re
mained in support of this battery during the night
and in the forenoon of the following day. About
noon of the 2d of May, the regiment was ordered
forward to support a line of skirmishers ; but this
line, refusing to advance, was passed by the regi
ment, when it took the advance, and most hand
somely drove the enemy back for some distance,
holding the ground for several hours, when it was
ordered to retire. It did so without confusion,
taking a new position in rear of a piece of woods,
where it remained until ordered into the intrench
ments.

152 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
During this advance, the right wing was hotly
engaged, and lost hiavily ; thc left Aving suffering
slightly. It remained during the night in its old
position near the brick house, in thc second line of
battle. On the 3d, the regiment advanced to what is
known as the " the old rifle-pit," Avhich it occupied
while the other troops Avcre falling back across a
cleared field south of the Fredericksburg plankroad.
Here it was exposed to a galling fire from the
advancing rebel column ; but it stood firm. When
the balance of the troops of the brigade Avere in
proper position, it formed under the protection of a
battery, and sloAvly moved off the field, exposed to
a terrible fire of both musketry and artillery, taking
up its position in rear of the brigade. The brigade,
however, was soon driven back, and passed to the
rear of the regiment, exposing it to a severe fire.
Soon the order carae for a general advance, Avhen
the brigade, Avith a loud shout, dashed at the foe,
led by the Seventh. The rebels were pushed back
for a considerable distance ; but no support coming
up, the brigade was compelled to fall back to the
south of the brick house, where it halted, and laid
down in the road ; but about eleven o'clock at
night the shelling became so continuous and heavy
that it Avas forced still further back, and finally
resulting in its withdraAval to the vicinity of United

A EECOED. 153
States Ford. That night the regiment occupied
a rifle-pit about half a mile from the river. At
four o'clock in the afternoon of the 5th, it Avas
relieved by the Fifth Ohio ; and taking a circuitous
route, arrived in a ravine on the left of the column,
and near the river, and was soon after employed in
the intrenchments.
Early in the morning of the Gth, the regiment
crossed the river on a pontoon at United States
Ford, and in the afternoon of the 7th arrived at its
old camp at Aquia Landing.
In this battle the regiment was actively en
gaged but a small portion of the time. The loss
was not severe, when taking into account the mag
nitude of the engagement, and its duration.
Why the army recrossed the river has not been
fully explained. The immediate battle was not a
defeat; at least it has not been considered as such.
However, the two columns of Sedgwick and Hooker
failed to unite, which fact raay have had an in
fluence in determining the retreat. The attacks
of the enemy had been repulsed at all points,
Avhile Sedgwick had carried a portion of their for
tifications in rear of Fredericksburg. The retreat
alone turned a prospective Anctory into a humili
ating defeat. The grand army failed to accomplish
the purpose of its advance, and Avas compelled to
hasten its march across the river in retreat, over
7*

154 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
which it had, but a week before, advanced in tri
umph. It can be said by way of apology only,
that while at Chancellorsville the array maintained
its reputation for bravery and endurance, the en
emy manifestly looked upon it as a fruitless victory
to hira.
The following is a list of the killed and wounded :
Killed. — Orderly-Sergeant Henry Whiting; Col
or-Sergeant John D. Creigh ; Corporal A. C. Trim
mer ; privates, Charles H. Cheeney, E. N. Larom,
Henry A. Pratt, John Eandle, Almon Lower, John
Lee, Stafford Penney, Thoraas Carle, A. C. Stead
man, V^ictor Perrley, Henry Ackman.
Wounded, — Orderly-Sergeant Elmon Hingston ;
sergeants, H. H. Bailey, John S. Davis, James Lap
ham, H. L. Allen ; corporals, A. A. Austin, John
Gardiner, S. M. Cole, J. S. Kellogg ; privates, W.
Furniss, H. Owen, F. Eldridge, W. Van Wye, E. C.
Palmer, D. L. Hunt, E. V. Nash, Henry Ii. Pierce,
O. Jackman, C. A. Wood, H. S. SmaUey, Charles
P. Smith, S. P. Sheriey, F. Eockefellow, Frank
Eandal, Joseph Kubler, Michael St. Auge, David
Boil, James Dixon, Oliver Wise, James Farron,
G. Breakman, F. Mauley, John Shelby, Andrew
Copeland, S. G. Cone, W. W. Hunt, E. Kennedy,
IL G. Benton, A. S. Eaymond, C. A. Parks, Isaac
Stratton, H. Tliwing, Jaraes Baxter, J. W. Benson,
S. Hughes, P. Smith, S. A. Fuller, F. Hank, John

A EECOED. 155
Clonde,E. 0. Whiting, G. W. Bonn, S. H. Barnum,
J. C. Brooks, W. H. Fox, L H. Gregg, W. Hunter,
H. Jones, S. Moneysmith, S. S. Pelton, B. Wilson,
D. W. Waters, W. H. Bannister, H. Lewis, W. J.
Evans, C. L. Cowden, H. Hoffman, S. Eenz, M.
Saiser, E. A. Spurn, L. Knoble.

156 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE XIX.
Accompanies the grand army into PENifSYLVAisiiA. — ^Battle
of Gettysburg.
After the battle of Chancellorsville, the regi
ment remained for some time in its camp at Aquia
Landing. The Array of the Potomac, as well as
that of Lee, was quietly reorganizing, preparatory
to another struggle. Soon Lee began to threaten
the outer line of Hooker, by making demon
strations on the various fords of the Eappahan
nock. At one time threatening to move boldly
across, and at another menacing the flank, as if to
attack one wing of the army. These various move
ments gave rise to sharp skirmishes, nothing more.
At last it was evident that Lee meant an invasion
ef tho North. The Army of the Potomac was
therefore set in motion.
The Seventh left its camp early in June, and pro
ceeded to Martinsburg by the Avay of Fairfax.
Leo continuing his flank movement, the grand
army Avas compelled to fall back across the Poto
mac ; the Seventh crossing at Edward's Ferry.
The rebel army now crossed the river by tho way

A EECOED. 157
of Williamsport, and moved forward towards Penn
sylvania. The Army of the Potomac moved in the
same direction, passing through Frederick City,
Maryland, and taking up its position in roar of
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The line of battle was
formed a little distance from and facing the town.
On the first day of July the rebel army advanced
and occupied the town, but the day was exhausted
in manoeuvring, attended with slight skirmishing
between the advance of the two armies.
Hooker had been relieved, and General Meade
ordered to assume command.
After the Seventh arrived on the field it took its
position on the left side of the Gettysburg and Lit-
tletown pike.
Early on the morning of the 2d it took a position
on a hill on the right of this road, at the same time
sending Company H to the front, under command
of Captain McClelland. This comjjany reraained
at the front during the entire day. For the first
time in its history, the regiment occupied a posi
tion under cover, a stone wall being in its front.
Up to this tirae it had not been exposed to the fire
of infantry ; but during the afternoon it suffered
slight loss from a brisk artUlery fire. At eleven
o'clock at night it advanced down the pike, and
took a position in a hollow, running at right angles
with the road. It was noAV exposed to a musketry

158 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
fire, resulting in the wounding of one man. It
soon fell back to a stone wall, parallel Avith a road
leading to the pike ; and shortly after it advanced
to this road, frora which twenty men were sent
forAvard as skirmishers, under command of Ser
geant Stratton. This gallant soldier was mor
tally wounded while bravely leading his com
mand against the foe.
On the morning of the 3d the regiment moved
forward, after having called in the skirmishers,
to the relief of the Sixtieth New York Volunteers,
occupying a line of intrenchments. In the evening
it was relieved, and Avithdrew to the breastworks in
the rear ; but was soon after ordered forward to
the relief of another regiment, Avhere it remained
until late in the evening. During the entire day
it Avas exposed to a heavy fire of musketry, from
which it suffered considerable loss, considering the
position it occupied. When relieved, it withdrew
to the position held by it in the morning.
At one o'clock on the morning of the 4th of July,
it again moved forward to the intrenchments, where
it reraained till the brigade moved off in the direc
tion of LittletoAvn.
The following incidents occurred July the 3d :
While occupying the intrenchraents, a white flag
was seen flying from the front of the enemy's hnes.
The firing being, suspended, seventy-eight rebels

A EECOED. 159
came forward and surrendered, including six offi
cers. Lieutenant Leigh, of Ewell's staff, came for
ward and endeavored to stop the surrender ; but
was fired upon by the regiment, and instantly
killed. Corporal John Pollock leaped over the breast
works and captured the flag of the Fourteenth
Virginia rebel regiment.
Private James J. Melton was wounded, and af
terwards taken to a hospital, where he remained
for some time; since which his friends have heard
nothing from him. The wound being in the head,
he is supposed to have become deranged and wan
dered away, unable to give any account of himself.
No means have been left untried to obtain infor
mation of his whereabouts, but without avail.
The regiment having fought under partial cover,
the loss was slight : one killed and seventeen
wounded.

160 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE XX.
After beaching the Eapidan it goes to Goaternoe's Island.
— After its eetuen it accompanies Hookee's corps to
THE WbSTBEN department.
Aftee the battle of Gettysburg, the regiment was
with the grand army in pursuit of the broken
columns of General Lee. Passing through Fred
erick City, it arrived at Harper's Ferry and went
into camp. Here it remained for two days, when
it moved across the Potomac, and again passing
up the beautiful Loudon Valley, crossed the Blue
Eidge to Fairfax and Manassas Junction, over the
old battle-field of Bull Eun. Again taking up the
line of march, it crossed the Eappahannock below
Culpepper Court-house, and encamped on the banks
of the Eapidan.
About this time a riot broke out in New Tork
city, which required the presence of the military,
as an assistance to the civil authorities. The
Government Avas therefore called upon to furnish
troops. Several regiments were at once dispatched
to the scene of strife. Araong these was the
Seventh. It left the vicinity of the Eapidan about

A EECOED. 161
one week after its arrival there. It raarched to
Alexandria, and there taking the United States ship
Baltic, passed down the Potomac through Chesa
peake Bay to the ocean, arriving on Governor's
Island in the latter part of August. It remained
until the first of September, when again embarking,
it sailed to Alexandria, from whence it marched to
the Eapidan, near its old camp.
General Eosecrans had now been removed from
the command of the Army of the Cumberland, and
General Grant assumed control. The army oc
cupied the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee ;
while the rebel army under General Bragg oc
cupied Mission Eidge, immediately in front of and
overlooking the city. The task of driving Bragg
from this position was assigned to General Grant.
Before entering upon this campaign, however,
it was necessary to re-enforce the Army of the
Cumberland ; for it had not entirely recovered from
the disastrous battle of Chickaraauga. For this
purpose it was necessary to draw on the Army of
the Potomac, now lying idle on the banks of the
Eapidan. At this time this army had, positivel-y
speaking, accomplished nothing. It had barely
saved Washington frora the enemy. To be sure, it
had seen many hard-fought battles, and on all oc
casions sustained its reputation for courage and
endurance. But the results following these battles

162 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT :
were entirely negative ; and after more than two
years of marches, counter-marches, sieges, and
battles, Avhen graves had been dug from the Poto
mac to the James, and filled Avith the best blood of
the land, and the country left in mourning for her
fallen braves, but little territory had been gained,
and the possession of this little being constantly
disputed by a well-organized and gallant army.
A sort of fatality had thus settled down upon the
Army of the Potomac. Some of the best generals
had been summoned to its comraand, but to no
purposd The hand of fate rested upon it heavily.
When about to seize upon victory, some stream
would rise in its rear, or some unseen accident
happen to its communications or line of supplies,
compelling it to let go its hold on victory, and in
its stead to accept defeat. No wonder, then, that
the authorities saw fit to send a part of this not
very promising array to a department where victory
sometimes rested upon the Federal arms. Hooker's
corps was therefore ordered to report to Grant.
The Seventh being a part of this command, left
its camp on the Eapidan in the latter part of Sep
tember, and moving up to Washington, passed over
to the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad, when it left
for NashvUle, Tennessee, by the way of Columbus,
Indianapolis, and LouisvUle. It soon after left for
Wartrays, by the way of Murfreesboro'. It was

A EECOED. 163
now ordered to construct winter-quarters, but
having them nearly completed, it was ordered to
Bridgeport, Alabama, where it arrived in due time.
This entire trip from the East was accomplished
without any delay, and nothing occurring to lessen
the good opinion the people entertained for this
veteran corps.

164 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE XXL
The Seatenth joins Grant's army. — The battles of LooEotrr
Mountain, Mission Eidge, and Einggold.
Aftee remaining for some time at Bridgeport,
the regiment was ordered to the Adcinity of Lookout
Mountain. It raarched to the little village of
Wahatcha, at the base of this raountain, and went
into camp. It reraained, however, but a short time,
and then returned to Bridgeport, where it A\'ent into
permanent camp.
Late in the fall. General Grant had perfected his
arrangements to attack the rebel stronghold on
Lookout Mountain ; and, as a preparatory measure,
his vast army was concentrated in the vicinity of
Chattanooga. An iraraense quantity of stores had
been gathered, while garrisons Avere placed at points
to be held for the purpose of keeping up communi
cation with the army after its advance. Early in
November, the Seventh left its quarters in Alabama,
and joined the grand army.
On the 24th of Noveraber, the army was set in
motion. The Seventh passed up thc northern slope
of the mountain, and crossing Lookout Creek,

A EECOED. 165
formed in line of battle. It now steadUy advanced,
arriving at the rebel camp to find it in the hands of
our men. But desultory firing was kept up by the
rebel sharpshooters concealed in the timber and
behind rocks on the summit of the mountain. The
regiment Avas now ordered on picket. Passing
around to the cast side of the mountain, it was fired
upon by the enemy ; but owing to their being
entirely hidden from view by the dense fog that
had settled over the combatants, it did not return
the fire, but secured a safe harbor behind rocks and
trees. This fire was kept up for nearly two hours,
with a loss to the regiment of only four men
wounded. Before night the regiment was relieved
from duty and marched to the rear, bivouacking in
a peach orchard.
About ten a. m. of the 25th, it moved down the
opposite side of the mountain, and passing through
a small valley, soon reached Mission Eidge. With
out halting, the command moved steadily up this
mountain, and on arriving on its summit, found
that the rebels had fled. Passing into another
valley, it bivouacked for the night. On the 26th,
the comniand moved to the vicinity of Pigeon
Mountain, where it remained till the following day.
Early on the morning of the 27th, it moved on to
Einggold, Georgia, where it found the enemy securely
posted on Taylor's Eidge. On arriving in this town.

166 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
the brigade Avas ordered to scale the mountain. It
was formed on the railroad, in Iavo lines of battle;
the second line being ordered to preserve a distance
of one hundred yards. Two Pennsylvania regi
ments forraed the first line, and the Sixty-sixth and
Seventh Ohio the second line ; the Seventh being
on the left. The enemy soon discovered the inten
tion of our troops, and made his dispositions to
raeet the attack by extending his right. As soon
as the advance began, the enemy opened fire. Ar
riving at the foot of the hill, the first line halted to
return the fire, and the second line passed through.
The Seventh now moved into a ravine, Avhere it was
exposed to a teriible fire from the front and both
flanks, but it pressed on without firing a shot. Ar
riving almost on the crest of the hill, the fire
became too effective for even these valiant veterans
to withstand, and the line gave way, fighting as it
went. In this manner, the surviving few reached
the foot of the hill.
This engagement was short, but terrible in its
results to the regiment. It may be said that with
this struggle its star of glory began to fade — its
pride and spirit were broken. But one officer
escaped uninjured, Avhile raany Avere killed. The
number of men in the action Avas two hundred and
six, of whom fourteen w^ere killed and forty-nine
wounded.

A EECOED. 167
For what purpose this handful of men Avere
ordered to storm the enemy's position on the hill
has never been explained. There Avas no artillerj^
nsed to cover the assault, without which it Avas
impossible to carry the position A^-ith such a force,
and hazardous to attempt it with any. Within a short
distance there was a large araount of artilleiy,
which could have been placed in position, after
which Taylor's Eidge would have been untenable
by the eneray. On seeing such dispositions being
made, he Avould probably have anticipated the
movement, and fied without firing a gun. But
thus far Hooker and his alraost invincible corps
had carried every thing before thera. This success
seemed to bring with it a conterapt for the rebel
soldiers, which finally resulted in the great disaster
at Taylor's Eidge. A good general will resist the
influences growing out of success, and not be led
by these to undertake impossibilities, and by such
rashness endanger that which he has already gained.
It requires greater self-control to resist the tempta
tions folloAving victory, than to overcome the de
moralizing infiuences of defeat. Victory must
never elate a general, while defeat must never de
press him.
After this battle, an unsuccessful attempt was
made to get the regiment ordered home. But the
response of Halleck, to a simUar application, made

168 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
after the battle of Cedar Mountain, was reiterated.
" No !" said the old warrior ; " not so long as there
is a lame drumraer-boy left ; not if you will send
us a whole new regiment in place of this handful.
We know these men — they are just such as we
want." This corapliment, from an officer who was
in comraand of all of the armies of the United
States, was worth raany a hard march, as well as
battle. The following is a list of the killed and wounded
in the three battles of Lookout Mountain, Mission
Eidge, and Taylor's Eidge :
Killed. — Colonel W. E. Creighton ; Lieutenant-
Colonel 0. J. Crane ; Adjutant Moris Baxter ;
second -Ueu ten ants, Isaac C. Jones and Joseph
Cryne ; sergeants, J. C. Corlet, William Van Wye ;
corporals, Alfred Austin, W. H. Bennett; privates,
C. F. King, C. E. Wall, D. P. Wood, J. L. Fish,
Thomas Sweet, Oliver Grinds, Lawrence Eemmel,
H. Hanson, J. H. Merrill, William Pfuel.
F"(5MM^e(^.— Captains, W. D. Braden, Samuel
McClelland ; first-lieutenants, George A. McKay,
George D. Lockwood ; second-lieutenants, D. H.
Brown, E. H. Bohm, H. N. Spencer, Christian
Nesper; sergeants, M. M. Cutler, John Gardner,
L. Wilson, Isaac Stratton, Elmore Hemkstou ; cor
porals, James W. Eaymond, E. V. Nash, John
Baptee, C. Glendenning, Hiram Deeds, Thomas

A EECOED. 169
Dowse, George Spencer, William Senfert, J. E.
Hine, W. H. Petton, J. H. Cleverton, H. C. Hunt,
M. H. Sheldon, John Phillips, W. 0. Barnes, M.
Fitzgerald, J. Tuttie, George Eikler, W. J. Lowrie,
H. 0. Pi-xley, W. H. Johnson, John Bergin, W.
Wise, H. B. PowneU, J. N. Hall, V. Eeynolds,
E. White, H. Wright, E. D. Gates, Otis Martin,
Joseph Kincaid, W. 0. Johnson, J. Decker, J.
HaU, C. Cowden, D. F. Dow, George Mandall, H.
Fezer, George Eaynette, L. Habbig, John Schwinck,
Joseph Eowe, C. Deitz.
The following were wounded at Lookout Moun
tain :
John H. Galvin, M. C. Stone, M. W. Bartlett,
James A. Garrison, Louis Owen, A. Gordon.

170 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

CHAPTEE XXIL
'I'HB ADVANCE TOWARDS AtT, A NTA.-^SkTBMISHING. — HoMEAfAED
MARCH. — Its eeception. — Muster out.
The series of successes in the vicinity of Chatta
nooga made Grant a lieutenant-general, and gave
Sherman the command of the armies in Tennessee.
Preparations Avere now made to press back tho
forces marshalled in rebellion at all points. Early
in the spring the ball was opened in the East hy
Lieutenant-General Grant in person, Avhile in the
West the indomitable Sherman set his invincible
army in motion towards the very heart of the so-
called Confederacy. The advance Avas sounded,
and the Union hosts pressed ouAvard.
By sunset on the 17th of May the Seventh Eegi
ment reached Calhoun, and on the 19th the vicinity
of CassviUe, where it hastUy threAv up some breast
works ; but after tAvo hours was ordered forward in
Une of battle. On the 23d it passed through the
latter village, across the railroad, and at four p. m.,
arrived on the banks of the Etawa Eiver ; and after
fording the stream, bivouacked for the night. On

A EECOED. 171
the 25th it took the advance of the entire column,
and deployed seven compalnies as skirraishers. The
march of these companies was very toilsome, and
their progress correspondingly slow. Near Pump
kin Vine Creek the advance Avas fired upon by the
enemy's pickets, and a sharp skirmish ensued.
During this time the enemy attempted to destroy
the bridge over the creek, but were driven back
by the regiment ; when it immediately crossed, and
took possession of a comraanding hill.
Generals Hooker and Geary, with staff and body
guard, had moved forward with the skirmish-line,
and sometimes in advance even of this. On one of
the latter occasions the body-guard was fired upon,
and the three reserve corapanies of the Seventh
were ordered to their relief.
The advance of the enemy was now held in check
until the other regiments of the brigade came up,
when he was dispersed.
In this skirmish, one man was killed and eight
wounded. At this point the command threw up
some breastworks, Avhere it remained until six p.m.,
when it advanced in line of battle. In this move
ment the regiment became hotly engaged, losing
three killed and fifteen wounded. One of the ene
my's shell exploding in the ranks, occasioned the
loss of eight men. On the 28th and the previous
night, considerable skirmishing was kept up in

172 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
front of the line of intrenchraents, as well as some
sharp artillery firing ; Avhich, however, did very lit
tle damage. These pieces were soon silenced by a
New York battery. All day and night of the
SOth the regiment was engaged in sharp skirmish
ing ; but one raan, hoAvever, was injured, and he
severely. On the 2d of June it moved forward to
AUatoona, Georgia, where it built breastworks, and
went into camp.
Here it remained for some time, when its term of
service having expired, it hastened its steps home
ward ; thus severing the connecting link betAveen it
and the army. The members of this veteran regi
ment now felt that they were no longer soldiers:
that, although they retained the organization and
uniform of a regiment, they were private citizens
hastening to enjoy home and friends, from which
they had been so long separated. They inarched
with joyous hearts, and yet there was sadness pres
ent with this happiness. Many a comrade was
left behind, never to return. Fresh graves marked
its line of march from Chattanooga to Georgia.
Friends and kindred were sleeping beneath these
green mounds, and they could not pass them by, in
this homeward march, without a tear of regret.
FoUoAving the line of the raUroad, the regiment
finally halted and awaited transportation. When
this was furnished, it went to Nashville by railroad,

A EECOED. 173
at which place it embarked on steamers and started
down the Cumberiand Eiver. Arriving in the
vicinity of Harpeth Shoals, it was fired on by
guerrillas, and two men Avounded. Both officers
and men were desirous of landing and punishing
this band of outlaws for their insolence, but could
not prevail on the captain of the boat to perrait it.
Arriving in the Ohio Eiver, Sergeant Trerably
fell from the boat and was drowned. This was a
sad occurrence. He had served faithfully during
the service of the regiment ; and now, on the eve of
being mustered out, he lost his life by accident.
The boat was stopped, and efforts made to rescue
him, but without success.
When the regiment reached Cincinnati, the Fifth
Ohio had already arrived. The city being about
to give an ovation to .this gallant regiraent, the
Seventh Avas invited to take part in it, by partaking
of the hospitality of the city. This deraonstration,
in honor of the two regiments, was erainently fitting,
for they were united by the ties of long fellowship.
From the very first they had been brigaded to
gether. The history of the one was the history of
the other. They had raarched, bivouacked, and
fought side by side. Each prized the honor and
renown of the other not less than its own. The city
of Cincinnati, in thus extending its hospitality to
the Seventh Eegiment, did much credit to itself.

174 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
The friends of the regiment will remember this mag
nanimous conduct, Avhile the merabers of the regi
ment will keep green the memory of the gallant
Fifth. The foUoAving is from the Cleveland Herald, of
the 11th of June :
" On Saturday afternoon, soon after the evening
papers had been issued, a dispatch was received,
announcing that the Seventh Ohio had but just
left Cincinnati, and would not arrive in Cleveland
until about seven o'clock Sunday morning. Bulle
tins to this effect Avere at once printed, and dis
tributed through the city ; but a large crowd of
persons, not aware of this fact, came down to Avatch
the arrival of the evening train, on which the Sev
enth was supposed to be coming.
" Ou Sunday morning the population of the city
were early astir, and by seven o'clock a large and
continually increasing crowd had assembled in and
around the depot. The police, in full uniform,
marched doAvn to the depot, and were followed by
the old members of the Seventh, bearing the second
regimental fiag, the first having been deposited in
the State-house at Columbus.
" At seven o'clock the ringing of the fire-bells
announced the approach of the time for the arrival
of the train ; and about half-past* seven o'clock a
salute from the guns, manned by the Brooklyn

A EECOED, 175
Artillery, and run down to the bluff at the foot of
Water-street, announced the arrival of the train.
"As it moved into the depot it was received with
cheers by the assembled crowd ; and the war-worn
veterans were soon out of the cars, and surrounded
by anxious and joyful friends. Shouts of welcome,
hearty hand-shaking, embraces and kisses, were
shoAvered upon the sun-browned soldiers. Many of
the scenes were very affecting. In one place a
young wife, Avliose husband had left for the field
just after their marriage, hung Avith clinging em
brace on her returned brave, and her moist ej'es
sought his Avith unutterable affection, her hands
trembling with excess of joj. In another, an old
man, with both hands grasped in those of his son,
mingled smiles of joy over his returned boy, with
tears of sorrow for the one who had laid down his
life for his country. Mothers clung to sons, sisters
to brothers, wives to husbands, and some Uttle
children climbed up for a father's embrace.
" The number all told, men and officers, of those
who returned, was Iaa'o hundred and forty-five.
These were the remnants of nearly eleven hundred
men, who left Camp Dennison three years ago, on
the reorganization of the regiment. The whole
number of the regiment is five hundred and one,
of whom the remainder were recrui^ted at various
times, and their term of service not expired. Sixty

176 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
of these were left in Sherman's army ; the rest are
scattered in every direction, from the Jaraes Eiver
to Atlanta. The greater part of those whose term
of service has not expired are to be consolidated
with the sarae class in the Fifth Ohio, which fought
by its side in many a bloody fray, and which is to
retain its number. The slightly Avounded Avere
brought up with the regiment, the more seriously
wounded being left in different hospitals.
" The foUowing is the present organization of the
Seventh :
" Lieutenant-colonel, Sam. McClelland ; surgeon.
Dr. Bellows ; assistant surgeon. Dr. Ferguson ;
Captain WUcox, Company E ; Captain Kreiger,
Company K ; Captain Clark, Company B ; Captaia
Howe, Company A ; Captain Braden, Company G ;
Captain Davis, Company C, taken prisoner in last
fight ; Captain Nesper, Corapany H ; Captain
McKay, Company F ; Captain Lockwood, Com
pany D ; Lieutenant Bohm, commanding Company
I ; quartermaster, S. D. Loomis.
" The regiment left Chattanooga with the Fifth
Ohio ; but parted company on the way, the Fifth
having left their arms behind them, and were
therefore compelled to come by railroad, no un
armed troops being allowed to come by the river.
The Seventh came up the Cumberiand and Ohio
rivers by steamboats, and Avere fired on by guerrillas

A EECOED. 177
on the way. One man Avas lost, Sergeant Trembly,
of Company C, about thirty miles below Cincinnati.
He Avas ou the guards of the steamer cleaning his
gun, when he fell overboard. The boat was stopped,
and efforts made to save him ; but he was carried
away by the current and drowned.
" On reaching Cincinnati, they were ordered to
Columbus to be mustered out ; but when the train
got to Columbus, they Avere ordered to go on to this
city to be paid, and mustered out.
" After leaving the cars, and the greetings of
friends were ended, the men were marched to
one part of the depot, and given a chance to wash
themselves. They were theu conducted to tables
set along the north wing of the depot, where a hot
breakfast had been provided by Wheeler and Eus
sel, on the order of the military committee. Eev.
Mr. Goodrich invoked the blessing.
" A number of ladies were on hand, Avho supplied
the soldiers bountifully with straAvberries, after the
more substantial part of the feast was concluded.
" As soon as the men had been properly fed and
refreshed, they fell into line, and proceeded through
Water and Superior streets to the front of the gov
ernment buildings, where the formal reception Avas
to take place. The procession Avas headed by the
police, followed by a brass band, and by the mil
itary committee, members of the council, and city

178 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
officers. The old raembers of the Seventh, Avith tho
second flag of the regiment, tattered and torn, im
mediately preceded the bronzed veterans, vvho,
fully armed, and bearing their last flag, rent Avith
a hailstorm of hostile bullets, marched Avitli proud
steps through the streets they had left three years
and three months since. Carriages followed Avith
the sick and Avounded avIio were unable to march.
The procession was accompanied Avith a throng of
people, and crowds lined the streets, whilst flags
fluttered in all directions.
" On reaching the front of the government build
ing, the regiment was draAvn up in double line, and
Prosecuting- Attorney Grannis, in the absence of
Mayor Senter, addressed thc regiment, in behalf of
the corporation and citizens, as foUoAvs :
" SOLDIEKS OF THE SEVENTH OhIO  TIlC pCOplc of
the city of Cleveland Avelcome y^ou home. More
than three years ago, you went forth Avith full ranks
— more than a thousand strong. To-day a little
remnant returns to receive the greetings of friends,
and to mingle again with society, as was your wont
in times gone by. But this is not all. You, and
those Avho Avent with you, Avhcther present here to
day or absent, Avhether among the living or the dead,
shall be held forever in grateful remembrance.
"We Avitnessed your departure with pride, not
unmingled with sorrow. We did not regret that

A EECOED. 179
the men of the glorious Seventh had gone out to
fight against a brutal and insolent foe, or fear that
any member of it Avould ever fail to do his Avhole
duty in the perilous ridges of the battle ; but Ave did
know that your departure Avas attended with raany
sacrifices ; — that you would bo exposed to cold,
fatigue, and hunger ; would suffer from disease,
from honorable Avounds, aud in loathsome prisons ;
and that mauy a noble form Avould bite the dust.
We knew that these things must needs be, that the
nation might live. The half Avas not told us. It
did not enter into our hearts to believe Avhat you
would suffer and what you Avould accomplish.
Upon almost every battle-field, from Cross Lanes to
Dalton, the glorious banner of the Seventh has been
in the van of the battle. We have watched your
course Avith painful interest. After every battle,
came the intelligence that your regiment had fought
bravely, and had come out with thinned ranks.
" You have the grand consolation of knoAving that
the victories of Gettysburg, of Lookout Mountain,
of Einggold, and of Eesaca, were not won without
your aid. To have been in anj' one of those desperate
conflicts, is glory enough for any man. The record
you have made will seem almost like a tale of
fiction. We have often had tidings of you, but
such as would not cause our cheeks to tingle with
shame. It was never said of the Seventh Ohio that

180 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
it faltered in battle, that it failed to do its Avhole
duty. You have been faithful, uncomplaining, aud
heroic. These things have not been accomplished
without painful sacrifices. How painful, let the
honorable scars many will cany, to their graves
answer. How painful, let this begrimed and
tattered flag answer. How painful, these thinned
ranks Avill answer. Your gallant colonel and lieu
tenant-colonel came home before you. Not as we
could have wished them to come, but wearing the
habiliments which all must wear; and noAV they lie
yonder, and their graves are still Avet with the tears
of their mourning countrymen.
" Not so fortunate many of your countrymen, for
they lie in unknoAvn seclusion, but not in unhonored
graves. We avUI not mourn these dead as those
who die Avithout hope, for their names shall be
honored, so long as liberty is prized among men.
" ' Death makes no conquest of these conquerors.
For now they live in fame, though not in Ufe.'
" It is an honor to be engaged in this conflict,
which those who share it should fully prize ; and those
Avho have been engaged in it have shown a self-
sacrificing devotion to duty, seldom excelled. It is
a conflict in favor of liberty against treason and
traitors ; against a desperate and implacable foe,
fighting with desperate energy, that fraud, oppres
sion, and crime may stalk abroad in daylight.

A EECOED. 181
" Let us hope that the final overthrow of rebellion
is at hand ; that soon our soldiers may all return
home, Avith — " ' Brows hound with victorious Avreaths,
Their bruised arms hung up for monuments.
Their stem alarums changed to merry meetings,
Their dreadful marches to delightful measures.*
" On concluding, Mr. Grannis introduced GoA'cr-
nor Brough, who also addressed the regiment. He
said in substance as follows :
" Men of the Seventh Ohio — I know you are
anxious to turn from this public to private greetings,
to clasp friends and acquaintances in your hands
and hearts. Under these circumstances I have not
the courage to detain you. I will not read the
glorious record of your achievements, for it Avould
keep you so long. It is not necessary. We know
your record in all its glory, but not, like you, in all
its pain. A little over three years ago, on a Sabbath
morning, you left Cleveland. Now, on a Sabbath
morning, you retum to us. That Sabbath Avas hal-
loAved, by the purpose with Avhich you went forth.
This Sabbath is rendered sacred, by the joy Avith
which you are welcomed back to us.
" On behalf of the State, I am here to give you a
cordial greeting on your return. For the people
of Cleveland, no formal greeting is necessary. In
the crowd that gather around you, you can read

182 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
the cordial welcome, that needs no Avords to ex
press it.
''The Spartan mother, Avho sent her son to batUe,
bade him to return Avith his shield in honor, or on
his shield in death. You have returned with your
shields, and with honor reflected from them on you.
But let us not forget that many have come home
on their shields. We cannot forget those that, on
another Sabbath moming, came home, and Avero
received by^ the city in the Aveeds of mourning.
" We welcome you back, not only because you are
back, but because you have reflected honor on your
State. Standing, as I do, in the position of father
of all of the regiments of the State, it avUI not do
for rae to discriminate ; but I Avill say, that no regi
ment has returned to the bosom of the State, and
none remains to corae after it, that will bring back a
more glorious, record than the gallant old Seventh.
" There is no need to tell you what the lesson of
this war is. You have learned it in many a Aveary
march, and on many a field of carnage. None know
better than you, that there arc but tAvo ways pos
sible for the termination of this Avar. One is an
inglorious peace and disgraceful submission, and
the other is to completely crush the military power
of the rebellion. There is no other way ; and he
who goes about on street-corners, and talks about
a peace short of one or the other of these alter-

A EECOED. 183
natives, is either grossly ignorant or intentionally
attempting to deceive. More than that, no one
knows better than yourselves, that to secure a
lasting peace, when the mUitary power of the re
bellion is crushed, the cause of this infernal re
bellion itself must be thoroughly Aviped out. You
have been taught that in many a fiery lesson, and
know it to be a truth.
"There are gallant men and brave generals in the
army laboring to reach this end ; and we have con
fidence that their efforts Avill be croAvned Avith suc
cess. God grant that it may be so. I had almost
said that God and Grant will make it so.
"But I will detain you no longer. There is an
other greeting awaiting you in your homes — a
greeting that no other eyes should witness. To
that sacred and precious greeting I remit j'ou."
The regiment now marched off to Camp Cleve
land, escorted by the old members of the Seventh.
The raen were giA'-en a brief furlough, after which
preparations were made to be mustered out.
On the 4th of July, a grand ovation Avas given to
the regiment, in connection Avith the Eighth Ohio ;
in fact, Avhile the regiment remained in Cleveland,
it Avas one continued ovation. The citizens vied
with each other, in caring for and honoring the
old Seventh. It seemed as if they could not do
enough. These brave men will not soon forget

184 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
the anxious care bestowed upon them by the citi
zens of Cleveland, during this closing period of
their career in the service of their country.
After remaining for a brief period in camp, the
regiment was mustered out ; and after kindly fare
wells had been exchanged, each raeraber departed
for his home, frora Avhich he had been so long
absent in protecting a Government that he loved
frora the ruthless touch of treason and slavery.
When the regiment entered the field, it num
bered more than a thousand men. As these began
to dwindle away by the shock of battle and the
ravages of disease, new members came in, until
we find nearly fourteen hundred men on the rolls,
exclusive of three months' raen : the latter would
swell the number to about eighteen hundred men.
Of the former, over six hundred Avere killed and
wounded — the killed alone amounting to about
one hundred and thirty. One hundred and up
wards died from disease ; while more than six
hundred Avere discharged on account of disability
arising frora various causes. Many of those Avho
were on the rolls at the time the regiraent was
mustered out Avere disabled for life, and Avere only
retained for the want of an ojiportunity to be dis
charged. The Avliole number of able-bodied officers
and men returning Avith the regiment Avas only two
hundrt'd and forty-five, leaving upAvards of eleven
hundred dead and disabled.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL E. B. TYLER.*
E. B. Tyler entered the service as colonel of the
Seventh. He brought with him some little military
experience, having been a brigadier-general of mili
tia before the rebellion broke out.
When General McClellan was about to make his
advance into Western Virginia, he selected Tyler
to lead the way, on account of his thorough acquaint
ance with that wild region, he having been engaged
in purchasing furs from the people for many years.
During the entire suramer he was kept Avell out. to
the front. He was finally given a brigade, with
which to assist General Cox in driving General
Wise from the valley. He raoved as far as Soraer-
ville, in the very heart of the enemy's country, and
was soon after in the skirmish of Cross Lanes.
From this time, during the reraainder of his stay in
the department, he was in command at Charleston,
in the Kanawha Valley. In the winter following,
he was ordered to Kelley's department, where he
was again given a brigade, with which he did good
* General Tyler has failed to furnish us any data from which
to Araite an extended sketch, though often requested to do so.

188 THE SEVENTH BEGIMENT:
service on the outposts. We next find hira at the
battle of Winchester, where he commanded a bri
gade. It was his comraand that charged the bat
tery, for which it acquired so much renown. His
conduct at this battle won him a star. He now
served Avith his command in the Valley, accom
panying it to the Eapipahannock and back. After
Avhicli he commanded the forces in the battle of
Port Eepublic. His conduct in this engagement is
above criticism. No general could have made
better dispositions than he, and no one Avould have
met with better success. Defeat was certain ; and
all that the best generalship could do, was to save
barely a remnant of the command. It is a wonder
that any artiUery was saved. He gained much
reputation in his command for the manner in which
he acquitted himself in this battle. He soon after
left his old brigade, and finally took command
of a Pennsylvania brigade, which he led in the
battle of Fredericksburg, in December, 1862. He
had acquired a fine reputation with Governor Cur-
tin, and his conduct in this battle confirmed it.
The spring following he was assigned to a command
in Baltimore, under General Schenck. At the time
of the raid on Washington, in the summer of 1864,
he was at the front. During an engagement he be
came separated from his command, and only es
caped by dint of hard riding. After remaining

A EECOED. 189
concealed for some days, he escaped, and retumed
in safety to our lines. After this campaign he
returned to Baltiraore, where he is at tho present
time stationed.
BREVET BRIG.-GEN. J. S. CASEMENT.
J. S. Casement came into the regiment as raajor,
and was j ust the raan for the place. The regiment
needed a practical, common-sense sort of a man,
and it found him in the person of Jack Casement.
Many of his previous years had been spent in the
construction of raUroads. In this he had not a
superior in the United States. He is of small
stature, but of iron frame ; and for endurance has
few equals. He avUI shoulder and Avalk off under
a load that would make the most athletic tremble.
He has probably superintended the laying of as
much track as auy man of his age.
On joining the regiment, the raajor at once raade
himself useful in looking after matters for the
comfort of the command, that really belonged to
no one to look to, and yet, when attended to, went
far to improve the condition of the men. He rap
idly acquired a knoAvledge of military tactics, Avhich
was afterwards to fit him for a leader. This was
not difficult for him to do, for he raade it a practi
cal study. He was always on duty when the oc
casion required it. This habit of promptness he

190 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
acquired while working large parties of men, and it
never left him during his service. During the long
marches in Western Virginia, he Avas ever Avatchful
as to hoAV matters Avere going on in thc rear ; and
while other mounted officers Avere riding leisurely
along, he Avas ever watchful of the train, as Avell as
all other matters connected Avith the easy move
ment of the command. Arriving in camp, he made
it his business to see that all Avas snug. At the
affair at Cross Lanes he conducted himself Avith
such gallantly as to endear him to the entire regi
ment. He rode over that fatal field as calm and
collected as on drill. When his superior officers
had escaped, he organized the balance of the com
mand, and then commenced that memorable march
over the hills and mountains, through the valleys
and over the streams, of that wild waste. It Avas
finally croAvned with success, and the regiment felt
proud of its major; and the Western Eeserve felt
proud, too, that they had sent so brave a man to
serve with so brave a regiment. He now did hia
duty, until A\'e find the regiraent in the East, and
in its expedition to Blue's Gap, Major Casement at
its head. Just before reaching the fortifications,
he made a speech. Said he : " Boys, you've not
got much of a daddy, but with such as you have, I
want you to go for those rebels."' And th-ey did
go for them in earnest. It seeras the boys did not

A EECOED. 191
object to the character of the " daddy." He now
went with the regiment to Winchester, where he
was engaged in that battle. He sat on his horse
where the bullets Avere flying thickest, and seemed
to be a stranger to fear. When the battle was
nearly over, folloAved by a few raen, he took pos
session of a piece of artillery, and held it until the
close of the action. In the evening succeeding the
battle, he found that ten rifle-bullets had passed
through the cape of his coat on the left side, near to
his arm.
Major Casement accompanied the regiment on
its march up the Valley, making himself useful in
the way of constructing bridges and roads. On
arriving at Falmouth, on the Eappahannock, he
tendered his resignation, Avhich being accepted, he
returned to his home. All raissed the merry laugh,
as well as the merry jokes, of the ever happy
major. He was not long permitted to enjoy home, hoAv-
ever, as in the following sumraer he Avas raade
colonel of the One Hundred and Third Ohio Eegi
ment, and immediately after left for the field. Flis
regiment was ordered to Kentucky, in which de
partment he served until Sherman's triuraphant
march on Atlanta, when he joined hira, and soon
after commanded a brigade. In this campaign he
distinguished himself. After Sherman left for Sa-

192 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
vannah. Casement commanded a brigade in Thomas'
array. At the battle of Franklin, which followed,
he conducted himself in such a brilliant manner as
to win a star by brevet. Pie now took part in tho
pursuit of the disorganized forces of Hood, and
when it ceased, Aveut to Wilmington, North Caro
lina, with the corps of General Schofield, where he
has since reraained.
The career of this dashing officer has been one of
usefulness, and his nuraerous friends, as well as the
entire country, appreciate his services.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN W. SPRAGUE.*
General Sprague entered the service as captain
of Corapany E. He immediately gained a high
character as an officer, both for his fine military
bearing and gentlemanly depjortraent. His com
pany Avas first in discipline, and during the time
he Avas in command hot one of his men Avas under
arrest. His infiuence was such, that they seldom
disobeyed an order. They regarded their captain
as a fit person to lead them — one whose example
was worthy of imitation.
During the trying marches in Western Virginia,
* The writer has been unable to learn sufEcient of General
Spragne's ser-rices, after leaving the Seventh, to enable him to
vrrite an extended sketch, which he very much regrets, for his
gallant services entitle him to a more lengthy notice.

A EECOED. 193
Captain Sprague was ever at his post to encourage
and cheer his men. A few days previous to the
Cross Lanes affair, he was given a leave of absence ;
and soon after leaving for his home, he was taken
prisoner by the enemy's cavalry. He remained in
prison about a year, suffering all the hardships that
the imagination can picture. When he vvas released,
his hair had become gray, and his every appearance
was indicative of great suffering. Ou his return,
he was immediately commissioned colonel of the
Sixty-third Ohio Eegiment, and very soon after
entered the field. From this time on he did gallant
service in the armies of the West. His great mili
tary talent was at last acknowledged, and his vast
services rewarded by conferring on him a star. He
is now serving in the West.
LIEUT.-COL. SAMUEL McCLELLAND.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Ireland.
He was born in 1829. While in his youth, his
parents emigrated to this country, landing at Phila
delphia, from Avhence they went to Pittsburgh. Ee
maining here for a short time, they removed to
Youngstown, Ohio, where they have since resided.
He entered the service as first-lieutenant of Com
pany I, and was at once active in the discharge of
his duty. He accompanied the regiment to West
ern Virginia, where he took part in all the hard

194 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
marches that foUow^ed. At the affair of Cross
Lanes, he demonstrated, by his gallantry, the fact
of the possession of great military talent; for he
was brave, prudent, and skilful. Up to the battle
of Winchester, he was Avith the regiment in every
march and skirmish. At this battle he commanded
a company, and had the honor of opening the battle,
and sustaining it for a few minutes, till other com
panies formed on his flanks.
He Avas engaged in the following battles and
skirmishes, which embrace every one in which tho
regiment was engaged : Cross Lanes, Winchester,
Port Eepublic, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Dum
fries, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Moun
tain, Mission Eidge, and Taylor's Eidge. The
various skirmishes and battles during the march
of Sherman to Marietta, are to be added to this list.
At the battle of Winchester he Avas slightly Avounded
in the head, but remained on the field, against the
urgent solicitations of his friends, until the close
of the engagement. At the battle of Taylor's Eidge
he was severely wounded in the leg. He now
returned to his home, but remained but a short
time, rejoining his comraand before he was entirely
recovered. While in the East he was raade captain of Com
pany H, and after the battle of Taylor's Eidge,
lieutenant-colonel. He now took comraand of the

A EECOED. 195
regiment ; leading it through the arduous campaign
of Sherman, as far as Marietta, iu which service he
won a fine reputation for abiUty as an officer. He
was known and recognized throughout the army as
the fighting colonel. At the above place, the old
Seventh turned its steps homeward, comraanded by
Colonel McClelland, Avho had the proud satisfaction
of leading the regiment into Cleveland, to do which
the lamented Creighton was ever ambitious.
When encamped in the city, he set hiraself
industriously at work preparing the regiment to
be mustered out ; which was done in due time.
McClelland was one of the fcAv officers who were
ever at their post. He was brave, active, and zealous,
a good officer in every particular. His kindness
and good feeling towards his fellow-soldiers won
him many friends. His family have suffered se
vere loss, two brave brothers having died in battle.
During all this affliction he has remained true to
his country, his patriotism never growing cold for
a moment.

196 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

MAJOR FREDERICK A. SEYMOUR.
The subject of this sketch came into the regimen
as captain of Company G, having oi-ganized the
company immediately after the first call for troops.
He had seen a good deal of service in the militia of
his native State, which Avas of great assistance to
hira in this new position. When the regiment was
organized for the threfi-years' service, he was elected
to his old position, Avhich Avas an indication of the
esteem his corapany had for him.
During the terrible campaign among the moun
tains of Western Virginia, his health became very
much impaired ; till just previous to the affair at
Cross Lanes, he Avas compelled to leave his com
mand and seek to restore it in his horae. Therefore
he Avas not in that skirmish. He soon after re
turned, but after reaching the Shenandoah Valley
his health again failed him, and he once more sought
to restore it by returning to his home. While he
was absent the battle of Winchester was fought, and
he therefore did not take part in the engagement.
He now accompanied the regiraent in its march
up the Shenandoah Eiver, across the Blue Eidge,
and back again to Front Eoyal ; and from thence to
Port Eepublic. In the battle fought at the latter
place he Avas conspicuous for bravery. During that

A EECOED. 197
well-contested action he contributed all that lay in
his power towards winning a victory. But valor
alone cannot win a battle ; nurabers corabined Avith
it can only accoraplish that. This was his first exper
ience uuder fire ; but he stood up to the A\'ork like
a veteran ; being second to none in deeds of daring.
Soon after this action he Avas engaged in the bat
tle of Cedar Mountain, where he more than sus
tained the reputation acquired at Port Eepublic.
This was a terrible battle, and every officer and pri
vate who fought there became a hero.
From this time forward the writer has no know
ledge of his services, beyond tke fact that he was
promoted to major; which position he filled till
some time in the fall of 1863, when he resigned, and
returned to his horae. It can be truly said that,
Avherever Major Seymour was placed, he endeavored
to do his duty. Among his fellow-goldiers he had
many friends, and he Avill always be reraerabered as
a kind-hearted gentleman.
SURGEON FRANCIS SALTER.
Francis Salter entered the service as assistant
surgeon of the Seventh Eegiment; and on the
resignation of Surgeon Cushing, Avas appointed
surgeon. He held this position untU the latter
part of 1862, when he was made a medical di-

198 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
rector, and assigned to the staff of General Crooks.
As a surgeon, he hardly had a superior in the
service. Iiis services were of great value in the
hospitals, as he had had a long experience in those
of England, his native country. He has remained
in the service from the beginning of the war ; and
during that long period has alleviated the suffer
ing of many a soldier.
C. J. BELLOWS.
The subject of this sketch Avas appointed surgeon
of the regiment, from the position of assistant in
the Fifth Ohio. Before entering the service he
was enjoying a good practice in Northern Ohio,
in Avhich he had acquired a good reputation.
While with the regiment he was much esteemed,
by reason of his ability as a surgeon, as Avell as for
his kind and cpurteous behavior.
G. E. DENIG.
On the appointment of Francis Salter to the
post of surgeon, the subject of this sketch was
made assistant. While with the regiraent he Avas
attentive to his duties, and always kind and oblig
ing to those seeking medical aid. lie many times
acted as surgeon of the regiment ; and on such
occasions was always prompt in the discharge of
his duty.

A EECOED. 199

FREDERICK T. BROWN, D.D.
The subject of this sketch was born in Coshocton
County, Ohio, of respectable and pious parents.
His father Avas a Avealthy merchant, and therefore
gave his son a liberal education. After arriving
at a proper age, he Avas sent to Princeton College,
New Jersej^, where he graduated. He early devel
oped those Christian qualities which he has pos
sessed in such an eminent degree during the Avhole
course of his life. He was born to be a minister.
At an early age his mind took a lasting hold upon
religious truths ; and it has never relaxed its ener
gies in that direction for a single moment. He
has gone on doing good from a child, his useful
ness only increasing as his mind developed its
powers. He has been a close student of theology
during his whole life ; and it is doing no discredit
to others to say, that in this respect he has hardly
a peer in the United States. He graduated at the
Theological Seminaries at Princeton, New Jersey,
and Geneva, Switzerland.
The Westminster Church, of Cleveland, Ohio,
was organized by him ; and in the course of his
nine years' labor with it, increased from a small
congregation to one of the most respectable reli
gious societies of the city. He was pastor of this
church at the breaking out of the rebellion.

200 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
While the Seventh Eegiment Avas at Camp Den
nison, he paid it a visit by request of some of the
officers, and was iramediately chosen its chaplain,
there being but few dissenting voices. Immediately
returning to his home, he tendered his resignation
to his church, which, however, Avas not accepted ;
but in its stead, he Avas voted a leave of absence,
which he accepted, but refusing to draw pay during
the time. He joined the regiment early in July,
while it was in Western Virginia, and at once
entered upon his duties.
While here, he preached a sermon in one of the
churches — to the rebel as Avell as Union people of
the town — which was noted for the powerful argu
ments used against the j^osition occuj^ied by the
South in relation to the Federal Government. This
effort made him many friends in the village. He
afterwards had a large infiuence over its people,
being often invited to their homes. On such occa
sions he was received with a hearty Avelcorae ; al
though he never neglected an opportunity to re
prove them for the opinions cherished by them.
While at GlenvUle, Gilmer County, he carried a
message to General Cox, whose forces Avere some-
Avhere on the banks of the Kanawha Eiver. This
has already been mentioned ; but as it Avas an
enterprise attended with much danger, we here
copy a detailed account of it.

A EECOED. 201
About the 15th day of July, Colonel Tyler, feel
ing it important to open communication with Gen
eral Cox's forces on the Kanawha, determined to
send a messenger Avitli unwritten dispatches across
the' country through the enemy's lines ; and as our
chaplain could more readily be spared, than any
other member of the regiment deemed fitting to
undertake the enterprise, the expedition was pro
posed to him. He accepted it Avillingly, though
A\'ell aAvare of its difficulties and dangers. Colonel
Tyler suggested to hira to go in the character of a
merchant or trader, so that, if arrested by roving
gueriUas or any of Wise's patrols, he could say he
was on business to Gauley Bridge, or some other
place. But he declined adopting the suggestion,
as involving a possible lie, and asked to be left to
his own resources.
Hastily divesting himself of every tell-tale mark
of name, residence, or connection with the service,
mounted on a blooded mare, captured from some
guerrillas a few days before, and taking no rations
but a bunch of cigars, au hour after receiving the
order he started. It was a ride of a hundred and
twenty miles through the enemy's country, by high
ways, and by Avays, and no ways at all, nearly half
of it at night, sometimes alone, full of adventures,
amusing and otherwise, and involving some narrow
escapes from the eneray, but corapletely successful.

202 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
On the morning of the third day, at daylight, he
struck the Kanawha, four miles beloAV the mouth
ofthe Pocotaligo; and there, for the first time, got
word of General Cox, and learned that his camp
was only four railes up the river. It Avas Sunday
morning. He was soon at the general's quarters,
and in the language of the chaplain hirnself, " re
ceived such a Avelcome as that genial raan and
accomplished Christian gentleman knows how to
give." General Cox refused permission to him to
return to us by the way he had come. He there
fore remained with the general for the tirae ; Avas
Avith hira at the capture of Charleston, and in the
pursuit of Wise to Gauley Bridge, from Avhence he
joined us again. Surviving meiiibers of the old
Seventh avUI remember " the three times-three"
cheers of each company in succession, as the chap
lain rode along the line. We were on the march,
a long distance from where he had left us, had not
heard a Avord from him or of hira, and had thought
him lost ; his arrival, safe and sound, coming from
the direction of the enemy, was as one from the
dead, or frora Eichmond.
At the battle of Cross Lanes he bore a gallant
part, remaining with the command during the entire
affair, and leaving only Avhen all hope of saving the
day had expired. He escaped, with others, through
a gap in the enemy's lines, caused by Avell-directed

A EECOED. 203
volleys of musketry from the regiment. The same.
day he came into Gauley^ Bridge, after having ren
dered much service in bringing off the wagon-train.
He soon after visited Cross Lanes, under a flag of
truce, for the purpose of looking after our killed
and wounded, as Avell as to learn the fate of those
taken prisoners. While within the enemy's lines,
he was treated civilly, but was refused the privilege
of administering to the wounded, as well as visiting
the prisoners. He tlierefore returned, Avithout hav
ing accomplished, in the least degree, the object of
his visit. The chaplain was soon after ordered to
Charleston, where the scattered members of the
Seventh had beeu collected.
While at this place he formed an agreeable ac
quaintance with many gentlemen of learning and
ability, at Avhose houses he was a frequent visitor ;
and it may be truly said that on such occasions he
added much to the fund of enjoyment.
While the regiment was at Charleston, a misun
derstanding arose between the chaplain and Colonel
Tyler, by reason of which the former felt it his duty
to resign. His resignation Avas in due time ac
cepted, and he was honorably mustered out of the'
service ; the esteem and regrets of the entire com
mand going with him to his home. While Avith the
regiment his conduct had been above suspicion, and
his sudden departure caused universal gloom.

204 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Shortly after returning to his hoiiic iu Cleveland,
he Avas called to be pastor of a church at George
town, District of Columbia, Avhich is both large and
influential. Not forgetting the cause of his country and her
suffering soldiery, he is now engaged, in addition to
his pastoral labors, in attending to the wants of the
sick and wounded soldiers at the various hospitals
in the vicinity of his home. Many a poor soldier
of the republic will remember the words of conso
lation Avhich have fallen on his ear frora the lips of
this devoted Christian.
In the personal appearance of Chaplain Brown,
alone, there is a character. His light, fragile figure,
erect and graceful carriage, strikes one as peculiarly
fitting to his elegant, chaste, and mature intellect.
He leaves an impression on the mind as lasting as it
is positive. In his corapany the dark moments are
lighted up. Generous and manly, he would distri
bute even his happiness among his fellows, were it
possible. There are few raen more companionable
than he; and few ever Avon the love of their fellow-
mem equal to him. Endowed with rare conversa
tional powers and a pleasing address, he always
commands the attention of those around him. In
public speaking, the first impression he makes upon
the mind of the hearer is not such as would lead
him to expect a floAvery discourse ; but as the

A EECOED. 205
speaker proceeds, it becomes evident that dry
logic is not his only gift. "His life is a constant
reflection of truth. He takes a great grasp on
eternal things ; and lives greatly by seeking, as tho
one high aira of his studies, his labors, and his
prayers, the supreme glory of God in the everlasting
Avelfare of raan. May such samples of Christian
character be multiplied, till all the world has learned
how great is God, and Iioav great is goodness."
CHAPLAIN D. C. WRIGHT.
D. C. Wright was appointed chaplain during the
winter of 1861. He reported to the regiraent at
Patterson's Creek, Virginia.
He Avas with the regiraent at the battle of Win
chester, where he rendered rauch assistance in
caring for the wounded. He now followed the
fortunes of the Seventh until its arrival at Port
Eepubhc, at which battle he served as aid to Gen
eral Tyler. During the entire engagement he was
much exposed, carrying dispatches in the most
gallant style to diSerent parts of the field. He was
mentioned in the official reports for gallant conduct.
After this battle he left for his home, and finally
sent in his resignation, which was duly accepted.
Before the Avar broke out he was a minister of the
Methodist Cliurch, and acquired no little reputation
as a revivalist preacher.

206 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:

LIEUT.-COL. GILES W. SHURTLIFF.*
At the beginning of the rebellion, Giles "\V.
Shurtliff was one of the teachers in the college at
Oberlin. Imraediately after the bombardment and
capture of Fort Sumter, he organized a company,
principally from ainong his pupils, and reporte(l at
Camp Taylor. lie Avas Avitli the regiment in
its toilsome marches in Western Virginia, during
Avhich he was ahvays at his post. During thc af
fair at Cross Lanes he Avas taken prisoner, and now
began those terrible hardships Avhich no pen can
describe, nor imagination picture. Prison life is a
sort of living death, — a state of abeyance, Avhere the
mind is throAvn back upon itself; where time, al
though passing, seems to stop, and the great Avorld
outside, to stand still. Through all this trial, and
hardship, and miseiy. Colonel Shurtliff passed, with
out weakening his faith or his patriotism. He
returned to his home, after raore than a year's ira
prisonraent, as firm in the support of the Govern
raent as ever. After allowing himself a short rest,
he served in the Army of the Potomac on staff-
duty ; but was soon after made lieutenant-colonel
* The writer would be glad to give an extended account of
the gallant services of Colonel Shurtliff in the bloody battles
before Richmond and Petersburg, but has not received the neces
sary fa<As.

A EECOED. 207
of the Fifth United States Colored Infantry. He
has since greatly distinguished himself in the nu
merous battles in the vicinity of Eichmond. He
is at the present time at his post, Avhere he avUI
probably remain until the rebellion is crushed, and
the Governraent vindicated.
COLONEL ARTHUR T. WILCOX.
Arthur T. Wilcox is a native of Ohio, and en
tered the service as second-lieutenant of Company
E. On the organization of the regiraent for the
three years' service, he was raade a first-lieutenant,
and assigned to the same company. Pie served
with much credit in Western Virginia, until the
Cross Lanes affair, when he was taken prisoner.
He remained within the prison -walls of the enemy
for more than a year, most of the time in Charles
ton, South Carolina, suffering every hardship ; but
coming out as true and pure a patriot as Avhen he
went in, he again .joined his regiment, and was
soon after made a captain. He now took part in
all the battles of the West, in which the regiment
was engaged, — Lookout Mountain, Mission Eidge,
Uinggold, and Sherman's battles in the march on
AUanta. He came home with the regiraent, and
was in due time mustered out. He was not, how
ever, permitted to remain long at home, for, when
new regiments Avere forming, he was made a col-

208 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT :
onel, and assigned to the One Hundred and Seventy-
seventh Eegiment. He soon after joined his com
mand, and Avas alraost inimediately ordered to tho
front, lie joined General Thomas' forces, then
falliiiff back before the forces of General Hood.
Arriving at Franklin, he was engaged in the bloody
battle fought there, and greatly distinguished him
self He soon after arrived at Nashville Avith the
army. The rebel army immediately advanced ; and
the tAvo armies stood face to face, at the same time
gathering strength for a desperate confiict. The
Union army was triumphant, and the rebel hosts
Avere beaten and demoralized. In this battle. Col
onel Wilcox gained new laurels. He now took
part in the pursuit of the scattered forces of
Hood. Every one who has fallen in company with
Colonel Wilcox, will remember him as a genial
friend and true gentleman. lie has made many
friends in the array as Avell as at horae. Pie has
chosen the law as a profession, and Avhen " this cruel
Avar is over" the Avriter Avishes hira the success his
many virtues and talents merit.
LIEUT.-COL. JAME.S T. STERLING.
James T. Sterling entered the service as first-
lieutenant of Captain De VUliers' company. On
the organization of the regiraent for the three years'

A EECOED. 209
service, he was made captain. While at Camp
Dennison he labored diligently to perfect his com
mand in both drill and discipline ; and Avhen it
entered the field it was second to none, so far as
these essentials were concerned.
While in Western Virginia, Captain Sterling was
on many scouts, in which service he showed great
skill and bravery. Such adventures were very
much to his liking.
In the affair at Cross Lanes he won the respect
of all those Avho were witness to his coolness and
daring. During the march to Charleston he made
a good account of himself, being one of the raost
active in his labors, and among the wisest in his
opinions. He now followed the regiraent to the East, where
he engaged iu all the marches and skirmishes which
took place. At the battle of Winchester he com
manded two companies ; leading them into the
hottest fire like a veteran. During the entire action
he stood on the hill urging the men forward, regard
less of the great danger to which he himself was
exposed. He came through the battle, however,
without a scratch, but with some holes in his
clothing. He now took part in the long chase of Jackson
up the VaUey, and from thence to Fredericksburg
and back again ; but was not in the battle of Port

210 THE SEVENTH EEGIAIENT:
Eepublic, his company having been detailed for
headquarters guard.
Very soon after this engagement he Avas made
lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Third
Eegiment, at that time about to be raised in the
vicinity of Cleveland. He soon after reported to
this rciriment and w-as as.signcd to duty. He went
Avitli it to the field; but, after a limited period, was
assigned the position of inspector-general on the
staff of General Cox. He filled this position with
much credit to himself, until early in the year 1864-,
when he resigned and returned to his home in
Cleveland. Colonel Sterling, as an officer, was rauch esteemed.
As a companion, he was much admired. His easy
manners and agreeable conversation gathered about
hini many friends. Every one regretted his de
parture frora the Seventh ; he had been Avith it
through so many trials and dangers, that he Avas
closely^ identified with it. His company thought
well of him, and, therefore, his unexpected depart
ure caused many regrets.
COLONEL JOEL F. ASPER.
Joel F. AsjDer was born in Huntington, Adams
County, Pennsylvania, on the 20th day of AprU,
1822. When he Avas but five years old his father
removed to Farmington, Ohio, by the slow process

A EECOED. 211
of a four-horse team and Pennsylvania wagon.
The county of Trumbull was then but sparsely
settled. Until eighteen years of age he assisted his father
in clearing a farm, at the sarne tirae attending a
dristrict school in winter. This is all the school
education he ever had ; all other education beins;
acquired by his OAvn exertion and application to
study out of school.
Having a passion for reading and writing, he
was led to study laAv. But previous to this, hoAV-
ever, he coraraenced teaching a school in Southing-
ton, but, for sorae reason, left it after one month's
experience. Early in the year 1842, we find him
in the law-office of Crowell and Abel, at Warren,
Ohio, and working for his board at the American
Hotel. In 1843, he carried the Western Eeserve Chron
icle through several townships, and during thc en
tire year did not miss a trip.
In August, 1844, he was admitted to the bar, but
remained with General CroArell till 1846, when he
learned the daguerreau business, but not succeeding
in this, in October following opened a law-office at
Warren. His first year's practice netted him over
four hundred dollars, and it increased from year to
year. In 1846 be was elected a justice of the peace, and

212 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
in the following year was married to Miss Elizabeth
BroAvn. In 1S47 he was elected prosecuting attorney. In
1840, Avas announced as one of the editors of the
Western Eeserve Chronicle ; and wrote, during the
campaign of that y'ear, all of the leading political
articles published in its columns. During the
summer of 1S4S, Mr. Parker, proprietor of the
paper, left for a pleasure excursion, and while
absent, Mr. Asper, being left in charge, took
ground against General Taylor. During this cam
paign he did much toAvards developing anti-slavery
sentiraents in the party. For this conduct he was
denounced by the minority of his party. At this
time he made a speech before a Whig convention,
which is said to have been the best effort of his life.
Carrying out these sentiments, he sustained Martin
Van Buren for the p)residency, and in the following
year ran for prosecuting attomey on the Free-Soil
ticket, but Avas defeated.
In 1850 he moved to Chardon, Ohio, and edited
a Free-Soil paper until 1852, when, it proving a
losing business, he returned to Warren, where he
again coraraenced the practice of the laAv, which
he continued until the breaking out of the rebel
lion, in 1861. He was araong the first in Northern
Ohio to tender a company to the Governor. It
marched to camp on the 25th of April. He served

A EECOED. 213
in the regiment until March, 1863, when he was hon
orably mustered out of the United States service.
During this tirae he took part in the affair of Cross
Lanes aud the battle of Winchester, in which last
engagement he was severely wounded. After the
Cross Lanes affair he accompanied a detachment
of four hundred men to Charleston, rendering much
assistance during the march. He was promoted to
lieutenant-colonel during his service with the regi
ment, in which position he commanded the regi
ment in the retreat of Pope's army from the Eapi
dan. On returning to Warren he opened an office, and
in August organized the Fifty-first Eegiment Na
tional Guards, and was elected its colonel.
When, in the spring of 1864, the corps was or
dered into the field, his regiraent was araong the
first to move. It went to Johnson's Island, and
while there the noted John PI. Morgan commenced
a raid through Kentucky. To resist him, several
mUitia regiments were ordered to the front ; among
them was the Fifty-first, now become the One Hun
dred and Seventy-first.
Arriving at Cincinnati, he reported to General
Hobson, and was ordered to Keller's Bridge by
train. Soon after getting off the cars, it was at
tacked by the enemy in overAvhelming numbers.
After a gallant fight of six hours, the brave little

214 THE SEVENTH liEGIMENT:
band of heroes was compelled to surrender. No
regiment of ucav troops ever did better : it made
itself a name Avhich history Avill perpetuate.
The reffimeiit was mustered out on the 20th of
August, 1SG4. Asper now perfected his arrange
ments to move to Missouri, which he put into
execution in October folloAving. He is now en
gaged in the practice of law at Chillicothe, in the
above State.
MAJOR W. R. STERLING.
The subject of this sketch entered the service as
Captain of Company^ I. lie carried Avith him some
considerable military experience, having been con
nected with a Corapany in his native State, lie
accompanied the regiment in its Western Virginia
campaign, taking an honorable part in the aflair at
Cross Lanes. He was with the detachment in its
march over the mountains to Charleston, during
Avhich he rendered great assistance, contributing
largely towards bringing the command off in
safety. From Charleston he retumed to his horae on
leave, but soon after returned to his command,
accompanied by a number of recruits. He now
took part in the various marches and skirmishes
occurring in the mountain department of Eastern
Virginia. He was not in the battles of Winchester

A EECOED. 215
or Port Eepublic ; but was in all the marches oc
curring before and after those engagements. At
the battle of Cedar Mountain he did yeoman's
service. His comp)any was led Avith such coolness
and bravery, that many a rebel was made to bite
the dust. He uoav remained with the regiment
until General Hooker came to the command of
the Army of the Potomac, when Captain Sterling
was assigned a position on his staff. In this capa
city he served until after the battle of Chancelloi-s-
ville. A short time after this engagement he was
taken prisoner by a roving band of rebels, and
conveyed to Eichmond, Avhere he was feir sorae
time confined in prison. He was finally taken
further south to another prison, from which, in
the summer of ISoi, he escaped ; aud after spend
ing some time in the mountains, during which he
suiiered many hardships, finally joined the Uuion
kirces in Tennessee.
He Avas a brave and competent officer. While
on Hooker's staff he was promoted to major.
MAJOR E. J. KREIGER.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Germany,
and entered the service as a sergeant in a company
composed ot' his fellow-countrymen. He very soou
rose to the rank of lieutenant, and before the term
of service of the regiment expired, to that of cap-

216 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
tain. He was in the following battles and skir
mishes : Cross Lanes, Winchester, Port Eeiuiblic,
Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Dumfries, Chancel
lorsville, Gettysburg, Mission Eidge, Lookout
Mountain, Ringgold, and in all the engagements
in Avhich his regiraent took part in Sherman's
march on Atlanta. No officer can show a })rouder
record. He was always with his comraand, and on
all occasions shoAved great bravery aud gallantry,
as well as ability to comraand.
Immediately after the Seventh was mustered out,
he Avas appointed major of the One Hundred and
Seventy-seventh Regiment, and left soon after for
the field. He iioav added to the above glorious list of
battles that of Franklin, Avhere he fully sustained
the honors that he gained while with the old Sev
enth. He is at thc present time in General Thomas'
army, Avhere he will remain, if his life is spared,
until the overthrow of the rebeUion.
CAPTAIN J. B. MOLYNEAUX.
The subject of this sketch was born, January 1,
1840, at Ann Arbor, in the State of Michigan. At
the age of four years his father removed to Penn
Yan, New York, and soon after to Bath and Elmira,
in the sarae State. In 1854, young Molyneaux
went to Belville, Ohio, and commenced the study
of medicine in the office of Dr. Whitcomb. He

A EECOED. 217
remained for nearly a year, Avhen, not liking the
stndy, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the
job-office of John WiUiston, where he learned the
art of printing.
Having a natural liking for mUitary life, he joined
the Light Guards, and afterwards the Sprague
Cadets, of which he was appointed drill-master.
On the first call for troops, he joined a company
being raised by Captain De VUliers, as a private,
heing among the first to enroll his name. Soon
after arriving in camp, he was appointed a sergeant,
and, immediately after, drill-master for the non
commissioned officers of the regiment. On the
three years' organization, he was unanimously
chosen first-lieutenant by the vote of his company.
He remained with this corapany during the earlier
part of the campaign in Western Virginia, taking
a gallant part in the affair of Cross Lanes, as also
in the final march of Major Casement's detachment
to Charleston. After this action, he was placed in
command of Company E, which comniand he held
until January, 1862, and then being relieved, only
for the purpose of receiving the appointment of
adjutant. He took part in all the marches and skirmishes
in both Western and Eastern Virginia. At the
battle of Winchester, he was mentioned, in the
official report of his colonel, for gallantry on the
10

218 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
battle-field. At the battle of Port Eepublic, he
won new laurels, being constantly under the en
emy's fire. In the fearful struggle at Cedar Moun
tain, he particularly distinguished himself. He
was, for a limited time, in command of the regi
ment, during Avhicli he extricated it frora a position,
where, under a less skilful leader, it would have
been captured. In this gallant exploit, Molyneaux
lost tAvo horses, one of thera being pierced by four
teen bullets.
In September, 1862, he was aiDpointed captain,
after having Avaived rank three tiraes. This posi
tion he held until March, 1863, when, on account
of Avounds and ill-health, he Avas compelled to re
sign. In the mean time, he was with the regiment
in all its marches, as Avell as the battle of Antietam
and the affair at Dumfries.
On his return home he followed his occupation
of a printer, until the governor's call for the Na
tional Guard, Avhen he again entered the service as
a captain. His regiment being stationed in the
defences of Washington, he Avas placed in command
of a fort, which was, a part of the time, garrisoned
by several companies. After the expiration of his
term of service, he returned to his home in Cleve
land, and resumed his business.

A EECOED. 219
C-iPTAIN CHARLES A. WEED.
Charles A. Weed was born, March 30, 1810, in
Lake County, Ohio. He enUsted in Captain John
y. Dyer's company, on the 22d day of April,
1S61. After its arrival in camp, he was made
orderly-sergeant, in which capacity he developed
fine miUtary talent, such as led his company, at
an early time, to look upon him as a proper
person for promotion when a vacancy should occur.
Therefore, on the final organization of the company
for the three years' service, he was made a first-
hen tenant. He was Avith the regiment d'^ring the
entire Westem Virginia campaign, taking part in
the skirmish at Cross Lanes, in which he took com
mand of the company after the death of Captain
Dyer, which position he held until January, 1S62,
when he was relieved by an officer promoted to
the captaincy by reason of superiority of rank.
He was soon after made captain, February 5, 1862,
and assigned to Company E.
He now took part in aU the marches and skir
mishes in Eastern Virginia, and also in the battle
of Winchester, where he displayed great gallantry.
After this battle, he commanded his company in
the pursuit of Jackson to Harrisonburg, and iu the
toilsome march to Fredericksburg, and the return
to Front Eoyal. He was uoav in the advance to

220 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Port Eepublic. In the battle which succeeded,
he displayed great courage, as Avell as ability to
command. He took part in the battle of Cedar
Mountain and Antietam, and also in the skirmish
at Dumfries. On the 22d of February, 1863, he
resigned, and returned to his horae.
There Avere fcAV better officers in the regiment.
He was prompt in the discharge of his duty, seldom
questioning the propriety of an order emanating
from a superior, but executing it at once. In his
intercourse Avith his felloAv-soldiers, he was frank
and courteous, and all cherished the kindest feelings
toA^'ards hira. CAPTAIN JUDSON N. CROSS.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio.
When the war broke out he was attending college
at Oberlin, Ohio. He iramediately enrolled him
self in Captain Shurtliff's company, and was soon
after made a first-lieutenant. He served with his
company in Western Virginia, with rauch credit to
himself and profit to his country. At the skirmish
of Cross Lanes he was brave, and showed that he
was competent to command. During the affair, he
was severely Avounded in the arm and taken prisoner.
At the battle of Carnifex Ferry, which foUowed
soon after, he Avas recaptured by the forces under
General Eosecrans. Being unfit for service, he now

A EECOED. 221
went to his horae, where it was thought he might
recover sufficiently to rejoin his command. But
after the expiration of some months, being still
unable for service, he was ordered on recruiting
service at Cleveland, Ohio. He was engaged in
this work until the fall of 1862, when he Avas
honorably mustered out of the service, on account
of the unimproved condition of his wound. In the
mean time, however, he had been promoted to a
captaincy. CAPTAIN JOHN F. SCHUTTE.
Entered the service as a lieutenant in Captain
Wiseman's company, and on its organization for
three years, was made its captain. He was with
the regiment until just before its affair at Cross
Lands, when, being on picket duty on the banks of
the Gauley Eiver, he imprudently crossed over,
and after advancing some miles into the enemy's
country, was fired upon by a body of cavalry, con
cealed in the bushes, and raortally wounded. After
heing taken to an old building close by, he. was left,
at his own request, and soon after expired. The
rebels buried him on the spot. No braver officer
ever entered the service. Had he lived, he would
undoubtedly have distinguished himself
At the time of his death, no officer had a better
reputation. His company was somewhat difficult

222 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
to manage, but while he was in command, it wag
not surpassed for discipline, and hardly equalled.
He was kind to every one A\'ho did his duty, but
when one of his men failed to do that, he came
down upon him with a heavy hand.
His loss was deeply felt throughout the entire
command. Plis company had recognized in him
a leader, and they deplored his loss.
LIEUT. LOUIS G. DE FOREST.
Louis G. De Forest was born in Cleveland, Ohio,
on the 9th of Septeraber, 1838. His youth was
spent in the city schools, Avhere he acquired a fair
education. In 1853, at the age of fifteen years, he
entered the store of N. E. Crittenden. It is a high
compliraent to his industry and business habits,
that he has reraained in his employ since that date,
with the exception of the time that he spent in the
military service.
Having a natural taste for military life, in 1859 he
joined a corapany of Light Guards as a private, but
soon rose to the positions of corporal, sergeant, and
finally lieutenant. The latter position he fiUed
with credit, until the rebellion broke out, when, on
the organization of the Sprague Cadets, for three
months' service, he hastened to enrol his name.
He was soon made orderly sergeant, which position
he held when the company went into camp. After

A EECOED. 223
the regiment arrived in Carap Dennison, he was
elected a second-lieutenant of his corapany. And
on its final organization for the three years' service,
he was chosen its adjutant, by a vote of its officers,
and soon after received his commission, with the
rank of first-lieutenant.
He accompanied the regiment in its arduous
Western Virginia campaign, and during the time
Colonel Tyler comraanded a brigade, he served as
acting assistant adjutant-general. At the affair at
Cross Lanes, he took a prominent as Avell as gallant
part. He was among the number of those who
made the march over the mountains to Elk Eiver
and Charleston.
He accompanied the regiment to Kelly's depart
ment, where he again acted as acting assistant
adjutant-general to Colonel Tyler, serving in this
capacity until his resignation, which took place in
March. When the National Guard was organized, he
raised a company, and was raade its captain. In
this position he served during the one hundred days'
campaign of this corps, being stationed in a fort in
the vicinity of Washington.
Every one who came in connection with the
Seventh Eegiment avUI remember the stentorian
voice and soldierly bearing of its first adjutant.

224 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
LIEUTENANT HALBERT B. CASE.
Halbert B. Case was born in Trumbull County,
Ohio, May 3, 1838. His father being a farmer,
he was bred to that occupation. At the age of
sixteen years he entered the W. E. Seminary, at
Farmington, Ohio, preparatory to entering college.
After a year and a half spent in this institution
of learning, he Avent to Oberlin, Avhere he pursued
his studies for more than three years, when,
his health failing him, he was corapelled to leave
coUege. During the winter of 1859, his health being some
what improved, he went to Tiffin, Ohio, and com
menced the study of the law. He remained here
two winters. In the spring of 1860, being in
indifferent health, he retumed to his home in
Mecca, Ohio, where he pursued his studies privately
for some months. After vdiich he went to Warren,
and studied law with Forrist and Burnett until the
breaking out of the rebellion.
On the 19th day of April, 1861, deeming it his
duty to serve his country, he enlisted in Asper's
company, the first organized in the county. He
was soon after made orderly-sergeant. When the
three years' organization was made, he was unani
mously chosen a lieutenant by a vote of his com
pany.

A EECOED. 225
He served honorably during the campaign in
Western Virginia, taking an active part in the
afi'air of Cross Lanes, sharing the fortunes of the
detachment under Major Casement.
Among the first promotions that were made in
November, 1861, he was remembered by the au
thorities, and appointed a first-lieutenant. He ac
companied the regiment to Eastern Virginia, where
he joined the expedition to Eomney and Blue's
Gap. While at Patterson's Creek he felt it his duty to
resign his commission, on account of a personal
difficulty with Colonel Tyler. He therefore left
the regiment early in February, with the regrets
of the entire command.
He was not long perraitted to remain at home,
for his former services were acknowledged by giv
ing him a commission as captain in the Eighty-
fourth Eegiment, which was being organized for
three months' service. This position being ac
cepted, he proceeded with his regiment to Cum
berland, Maryland. Soon after its arrival he Avas
made provost-marshal and comraandant of the post.
In this position he won an enviable reputation.
Among his first orders was one against the use and
sale of intoxicating liquors, which he proceeded to
enforce in an effectual manner ; and thus materially
aided in maintaining order and quiet at the post.
10»

226 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
After nearly five months' service, when the regi
raent was mustered out, he Avas appointed colonel,
for the purpose of reorganizing it for three years'
service. He immediately entered upon this task ;
bnt OAving to the nuraber of regiments at that time
being organized in Northern Ohio, he Avas hut
partially successful. The regiment being finally
consolidated with the One Hundred and TAventy-
fourth Ohio, he returned to his home.
He soon after entered the laAV-school at Ann
Arbor, Michigan ; and after a year and a half
spent at this university, he graduated, with the
degree of L. L. B. Soon after, he returned home,
married, and commenced the practice of his pro
fession at Youngstown, Ohio.
LIEUTENANT HENRY Z. EATON.
Lieutenant Eaton entered the service as a private,
but on the three years' organization was made a
second-lieutenant. He was with the regiment
constantly during the campaign in Western Vir
ginia, and always at his post. He took an im
portant part in the Cross Lanes affair, and in the
march of Major Casement s detachment.
He noAV went to the East Avith the regiment,
when Colonel Tyler being given a brigade, he
was assigned to his staff as aid-de-camp. He hefd
this position at the battle of Winchester ; and no

A EECOED. 227
one in the arrays did better service. Pie Avas c»n-
stantly in the saddle, riding fearlessly in the heat
of tho battle, a fair mark for the rebels. During
the engao-ement his horse was Avounded. • Pie Avas
mentioned in official reports for gallant conduct.
He soon after took part in the battle of Port Ee
public, Avhere he added much to his already well-
earned reputation for courage and other soldierly
qualities. He now followed the regiment to Alex
andria, where he retumed to his company and to
the front of Pope's army, where he Avas at the
battle of Cedar Mountain, in which he was severely
wounded. He soon after returned to his home,
and finally resigned, on account of disability from
Avounds.
LIEUTENANT A. H. DAY.
A. H. Day was a lieutenant in company F, in
which capacity he accompanied the regiment in
Western and Eastern Virginia, taking part in the
battles of Winchester and Port Eepublic, in both
of Avhlch he did good service. In the latter he was
severely wounded in the shoulder, by reason of
which he Avas soon after compelled to resign.
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM D. SHEPHERD.
WiUiam D. Shepherd entered the service as a
private in company D. He was soon after made a

228 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
sergeant, and at Camp Dennison, orderly. He fol
lowed the fortunes of his company through the
wilds of Western Virginia till the affair at Cross
Lanes, Avhere he shoAved great gallantry. He
went Avith his corapany to Charleston, where, in
the absence of Lieutenant Weed, he took com
mand. During this time the company was
detailed to guard a party who were engaged
in erecting a telegraph line from Point Pleasant
to Gauley Bridge. In this service he gave good
satisfaction to all concerned in the undertaking.
He now reraained Avith his command until a
few days before the battle of Winchester, when he
was compelled to leave the field on account of
inflammation in one of his eyes. It had become
very painful long before he would consent to go
to the rear. A fever soon folloAving, he was com
pletely prostrated. He now went to his home,
where he was engaged in the recruiting service.
He returned to his regiment late in the summer,
and having been promoted to first-lieutenant, was
iramediately made adjutant. He served with the
regiment in this capacity until after the affair at
Dumfries, when he was corapelled to resign on
account of ill-health.
After his return horae he did great service in
recruiting. In the winter of 1863-4 he canvassed
Lake and Geauga counties, and was the means of

A EECOED 229
enlisting a large number of men. On these occa
sions he made speeches, of which any public
speaker might well be proud.
In the fall of 1861 he raised a company for the
National Guard, which he commanded in the one
hundred days' service. Eeturning to his home, he
was appointed a quartermaster, with the rank of
captain, and assigned to a division in the Twenty-
third Army Corps.
His promotion was won in the fleld, and there
fore honorable. His commission as second-lieuten
ant bears the date of November 25th, 1861 ; and
that of first-lieutenant early in the following year.
Every one who has fallen in company with
Lieutenant Shepherd will remember him as a ge
nial friend and profitable companion. His frank
ness and courtesy have made him many friends.
To know hira, is to esteem him. I doubt whether
he has an enemy in the world. He has ahvays
been a warm supporter of the Government, al
though not an American citizen by birth, having
been born in Canada.
LIEUTENANT E. HUDSON BAKER.
Lieutenant Baker entered the service in Company
C. He remained Avith the regiment during its en
tire campaign in Western Virginia, doing good
service. At the affair at Cross Lanes, he was par-

230 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
ticularly^ conspicuous for gallantry. He now took
command of the company, which he held during
the remainder of his terra of service. He Avas in
the battle of Winchester, AA'here he commanded his
company Avith great credit to himself As an of
ficer, he was very popular Avitli his comniand ; as a
companion, he Avas sociable and benevolent. He
Avas finally compelled to resign from ill-health,
but much against his Avishes. Pie desired to re
main until the close of his regular term of service,
and then return with his old comrades ; but his
increasing debility would not admit.
LIEUTENANT RALPH LOCKWOOD.
Lieutenant Ealph Lockwood entered the regi
ment, on its first organization, in Company E. He
served creditably through the Western Virginia
campaign, taking part in the skirmish at Cross
Lanes, and the battles of Winchester and Port
Eepublic. In these battles he Avas distinguished
for personal courage. By constant exposure, he
contracted a rheumatic difficulty, which finally
compelled him to resign, at a tirae when his ser
vices Avere much needed in the regiraent.
LIEUTENANT T. T. SWEENEY.
Lieutenant T. T. Sweeney entered the service in
Company B. He saw much service in Western

A EECOED. 231
Virginia, and was in every respect a gallant officer.
At Cross Lanes, he raade an honorable record.
Soon after this skirmish, he resigned his commis
sion, and returned to his home in Cleveland, Ohio.
LIEUTENANT EDWARD W. FITCH.
Lieutenant Fitch entered the service in Company
I. He served faithfully until after the skirmish of
Cross Lanes, in which he bore a gallant part.
While at Charleston, he resigned his commission,
and returned to his home.
LIEUTENANT A. J. WILLIAMS.
Lieutenant Williams came into the regiment as
second-lieutenant of Corapany D, wdiich position he
filled with much credit till after the affair at Cross
Lanes, when he resigned his coramission. At the
time the above skirmish took place he was sick, and
therefore did not take part in it. Previous to this
he had toiled on with his company, through all its
terrible marches and dreary bivouacks ; and for this
is entitled to the gratitude of the country.

OUR DEAD.

COLONEL WILLIAM R. CREIGHTON AND
LIEUT.-COLONEL ORRIN J. CRANE.
Colonel William E. Creighton was born in Pitts
burgh, Pennsylvania, in June, 1837. At the age of
ten years, he entered a shoe-store, where he re
mained for two years ; after which he entered a
commercial college, where he reraained for six
months. But these pursuits were not to his liking
— he had no taste for accounts. We next find hira,
at the age of thirteen years, in the job-office of Mc-
Millin, in Pittsburgh, where he remained for four
years, completing his apprenticeship. The year
following, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered
the Herald office, where he remained till the fall
of 1860, with the exception of one winter spent in
a job-office in Chicago.
He united with the fire companies of both Pitts
burgh and Cleveland, and was an active and zeal
ous member. In 1858, he joined the railitary
organization known as the Cleveland Light Guards,

236 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
and soon after became a sergeant, and a lieutenant.
He advanced in rank without any effort — it was a
raatter of course.
When the rebellion broke out, his love of adven
ture Avould not permit him to remain at home ; bnt
he immediately set himself at work organizing a
company, which Avas completed in a fcAV days, and,
on the 22d day of April, marched to Camp Taylor.
He immediately commenaed drilling his company,
and with such success, that it took the lead of all
then in camp.
At this time his military genius shone so con
spicuously that he was looked on by all as the
future leader of the regiraent.
All will reraeraber with what skill and pride he
led the regiraent in its first raarch. It was on a
beautiful Sabbath moming ; and as the young
soldier, with a proud step, took his position at the
head of the column, every eye was turned upon
hira in admiration ; one could see in the counte
nances of the raen, a willingness to follow such a
leader amid the hail and thunder of battle. Before
reaching Camp Dennison, this admiration warmed
into a determination to place him in a position
when, at no distant day, he could be made avail
able as the comraander of the regiment. Therefore,
on its arrival at camp, he was elected lieutenant-
colonel, a positiou which he did not seek, nor in-

A EECOED. 237
tiraate to any that he desired. Very many were
desirous of making him colonel.
During the stay of the regiraent at Camp Den
nison, he took no active part, seldom being seen on
drill, or on duty of any kind. When the regiment
was about leaving, hoAvever, he took coramand.
Colonel Tyler having gone to Virginia in advance
of the starting of the regiment. Previous to the
movement, every thing had been arranged in per
fect order ; but this arrangement was partially de
feated by the indecent haste of a captain. An
unutterable look of scorn and contempt settled
upon the features of Creighton ; but not a word
passed his lips. He never entirely forgave that
officer for this act of disobedience of orders, till his
death, when all feelings of animosity gave Avay to
regrets for his loss ; for, outside of a disposition to
criticise the conduct of his superiors, he was a brave
as well as competent officer.
Arriving at Clarksburg, he turned over the com
mand to Colonel Tyler ; but on arriving at Gien
viUe, he again assumed command, Avhicli he held
until reaching Cross Lanes ; in the mean time,
drilling the regiment daily when in camp. During
this time it improved rapidly ; in fact, it acquired,
during this short interval, mo6t of the proficiency
it possessed. On the march back to Cross Lanes from Twenty-

238 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
mile Creek, he was with the advance, in command
of the skirmishers. During the affair Avhich suc
ceeded, at the above place, he bore himsclf cred
itably. During the retreat, his horse fell with him:
seizing the holsters, he started on foot through the
underbrush, but soon after saw his horse coming
after him at full speed. He again mounted ; but
in a short time his horse again fell, Avhen, for the
second time, he abandoned him ; but he was soon
joined by his faithful " Johnny," and this time the
devoted horse carried its gallant rider safely to
Gauley Bridge.
This misfortune to the regiment completely un
manned him. Meeting a comrade on the retreat,
who was not in the engagement, he burst into
tears, and, grasping his hand, in choked utterances
related the story of their encounter.
While the regiment reraained at Charleston,
Creighton was in command, and was untiring in
his efforts to advance his command in both drill
and discipline ; and I doubt Avhether any regiment
in the field made more rapid progress towards
perfection. It seemed to emulate its leader, who
Avas ever at his post.
When an order came for five hundred picked
men from the reginlent to report to General Ben
ham for dut}', in the pursuit of P^loyd, he Avas
chosen to command the detachment. On arriving

A EECOED. 239
at Benham's headquarters, he Avas given the ad
vance, and, for several days, was separated frora
Floyd's camp by a range of mountains only. He
Avas finally given a brigade, although only a lieu
tenant-colonel, and ordered across a range of moun
tains to the rear of the enemy ; but for some reason
no attack Avas made, and soon after, half of the
coramand was ordered back.
During the pursuit of Floyd, he travelled on
foot at the head of his regiment. When the rebel
array Avas likely to be overtaken, Benham remarked
to him, that " he depended on him to rout the en
eray," and gave him the post of honor; but Avhen
the firing became rapid, his regiment was ordered
to the front, Avhere a part of it AA-as engaged in
skirmishing, Avhile the balance Avere smoking their
pipes aud engaging in sports, alraost under the
guns of the enemy, Creighton enjoying the fun
as well as any in the command.
The detachment returned, after fifteen days' ab
sence, without the loss of a man, save one injured
by the accidental discharge of a gun.
The regiment now went to the East, where, soon
after, Tyler Avas given a brigade, aud Creighton
again commanded the regiment.
At the battle of Winchester, which foUoAved soon
after, his was the first regiraent in the famous
charge of the Third brigade, for which it acquired

240 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
such renown. He disagreed with the commanding
officer as to the manner of making the charge, pre
ferring to deploy before advancing, than to charge
a battery in close column. But throAving all per
sonal feelings and preferences aside, he dashed
forAvard, and finally deployed his regiraent within
eighty yards of the enemy's line of battle, and
under a terrible fire of both musketry and artillery.
His horse being shot from under him, he seized a
musket, and engaged in the strife, firing rapidly
till near the close of the battle, when he was com
pelled to cease for the purpose of executing some
order. On the return of the command to New Market,
after the pursuit of Jackson to near Harrisonburg,
the corapany tents were ordered to be delivered up ;
whereupon Creighton was very indignant, and, in
connection with other officers, sent in his resigna
tion. They Avere ordered to report to General
Shields the next morning. Accordingly, dressed
in their " best," they reported. They A^'ere received
with all the politeness that pompous general knew
how to assurae, Avith an invitation to be seated.
The general informed them that their resignations
would not be accepted ; but remarked, that, " if
they desired it, he would have tlieir names stricken
frora the army rolls in disgrace." This witticism
rather amused Creighton than otherwise, and ho

A EECOED. 241
returned to camp with a much better opinion of
the general than he was possessed of before making
his visit.
He now commanded the regiment in its march to
Fredericksburg, sharing with his men the hardships
attending the toilsome march ; and when, a few days
after, the regiment returned to the Valley, he did
much to cheer the men in that discouraging march.
At Front Eoyal he reraained with his regiraent
during a heavy storm, to which it was exposed
without tents, disdaining to seek shelter and com
fort while his men were thus exposed.
The men were now very destitute of clothing,
especially shoes ; but when ordered, he moved to
Columbia Bridge, followed by one hundred men
barefooted. He now went personally to General
Shields, but was coldly received by that general,
being subjected to insulting remarks. He came
back to his regiment with that same unutterable
expression of contempt stamped upon his features,
which all will remember who served with hira in
the field ; and getting his men in column, closed in
mass, made a speech. Said he : "I am unable to
procure shoes or other coraforts for you ; but I will
follow these generals until there is not a man left in
the regiment. Forward, company H 1" And he
did follow them to Port EepubUc, where his words
came near proving true. 11

242 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
At this battle his bravery and daring Avere ob
served by every one. He made repeated charges
Avith his regiment, the line being as correct as on
dress-parade. After one of these charges, the
enemy's cavalry came dashing towards his regi
ment, and dispositions were immediately made
for forraing a square ; but the enemy wisely wheel
ed, and charged another regiment. The colonel of
this regiment, being unable to get his men in posi
tion, shouted in a stentorian voice : " Men of the
 th, look at the Seventh Ohio ; and d — n you,
weep !"
In this battle the regiment made five charges,
under the leadership of Creighton ; and each time
driving the enemy.
After the battle was over, and the regiment on
the retreat, seeing a Avounded captain lying almost
within the enemy's lines, he rode up to his com
pany, and pointing to where he Avas lying, said :
" Do you see your captain over yonder ? Noijo, go
for himP'' They did go for him, and succeeded iu
bringing him from the field in safety.
Only a few were missing from the regiment in
this action, although the list of killed and wounded
was fearful.
We next find Creighton at the battle of Cedar
Mountain, where a small division fought the whole
of Jackson's army on ground of his own choosing.

A EECOED. 243
Creighton handled his regiraent with a dexterity
that told fearfully on the ranks of the enemy. He
Avas finally severely wounded, and compelled to
leave the field. In doing so, he kept his face to the
foe, saying that " no rebel ever saw his back in
battle ; and never would." He was taken to Wash
ington, where the bullet was extracted from his
side, which was an exceedingly painful operation.
Soon after this he came to his home ; but while
still carrying his arm in a sling, he reported to his
regiment. WhUe at home the battle of Antietam was
fought, which was the only one in which he failed
to participate. Soon after his return, the affair at
Dumfries occurred, where, through his ingenuity
and skill, Hampton's cavalry command was de
feated by a mere handful of raen. For this he was
publicly thanked by Generals Slocum and Geary.
He now took part in the battle of Chancellors
ville, where he won new laurels. It is said that
being ordered by General Hooker to fall back, he
refused to do so until able to bring Knapp's Bat
tery safely to the rear ; for which disobedience of
orders he was recommended for promotion. This
battery was frora his native city, and in it he had
many friends.
Next he Avas at Gettysburg, where he fought with
his accustoraed valor.

244 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
We now find him at Lookout Mountain and Mis
sion Eidge, in " Hooker's battle above the clouds,"
where the victory Avas so suddenly and unexpectedly
won, that scarcely sufficient time intervened in
which to display valor. It was simply a race for
the top of the mountain on the part of our men ;
and a corresponding race on the part of the
rebels for the foot of the mountain on the oppo
site side.
After this battle carae the pursuit of Bragg.
His rear-guard was overtaken at Einggold, Geor
gia, where it was securely posted on the top of
Taylor's Eidge — a naked erainence. It was inad-
ness to undertake to drive thera from this hill,
without the use of artillery to cover the assault ;
but in the excitement of the moraent the order
was given. In this assault Creighton commanded
a brigade. Forming his command, he made a
speech. " Boys," said he, " we are ordered to
take that hill. I want to see you walk right up
it." After this characteristic speech, he led his
men up the hill. It soon becarae impossible to
advance against the terrible fire by which they
were met ; he, therefore, led them into a ravine,
but the rebels poured such a fire into it from all
sides, that the command Avas driven back. Eeacli-
ing a fence, Creighton stopped, and facing the foe,
waited for his command to reach the opposite side.

A EECOED. 245
While in this position he fell, pierced through the
body with a rifle' bullet. His last words were :
" Oh, my dear wife !" and he expired almost imme
diately. The brigade now fell rapidly back, carry
ing the remains of its idolized commander with it.

Lieutenant-Colonel Orrin J. Crane was bom in
Troy, New York, in the year 1829. At three years
of age his parents moved to their native State,
Vermont. Soon after, his father died, leaving but
limited means for the support and education of his
chUdren. His mother was a Christian woraan,
and devoted to her children. Frora her he re
ceived his first lessons of life; and a worthy
teacher he had. He cherished his mother with
the utraost affection, dwelling upon her goodness
with almost child-like simplicity. It was touching
to listen to the words of love and confidence fall
ing for her, from the lips of the sturdy warrior,
who braved the battle-fire without a tremor.
In early youth he went to live with an uncle,
and in about 1852 came with him to Conneaut,
Ohio, where he employed himself in mechanical
labor. He spent one year on the Isthmus, and
after his return went to Cleveland, where he en
gaged in the occupation of a ship-carpenter, fol
lowing this trade till the fall of Sumter. While

246 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
in Cleveland he associated himself Avith a military
organization. He entered the service as first-lieutenant in Cap
tain Creighton's company^ ; and on his promotion,
was raade captain. He early devoted hiraself to
the instruction of his company; and it can bo
said that it lost nothing of the efficiency it ac
quired under the leadership of Creighton.
After the regiment entered the field, his services
were invaluable. I doubt if the entire army con
tains an officer Avho has performed more service, in
the same length of time, than Crane. If a bridge
was to be constructed, or a road repaired, he was
sent for to superintend it. If the commissary de
partment became reduced, he was the one to pro
cure supplies. No undertaking was too arduous
for his iron-Avill to brave. There was no fear of
starvation while the sturdy Crane was present.
All relied on him with the utmost confidence,
and no one was ever disappointed in him.
At the affair of Cross Lanes, where he first came
under fire, he was raore than a hero ; he seemed
possessed of attributes of a higher nature. He
moved amid that sheet of flame, as if possessed of a
soul in communion with a higher power. He in
spired his men with true courage. They stood like a
wall, and fell back only when ordered by their
leader, then dashed through the strong line of the

A EECOED. 247
enemy with a bravery which Avas truly sublirae.
The enemy, although flve to one, hesitated, swayed
backward, and finally fled, so severely punished,
that for the time they did not pursue. In that long
march, over the mountains to Gauley Bridge, he
was still the proud leader.
After his arrival at the above place, he was sent
out to the front, up New Eiver, where he rendered
valuable service.
He was in cA^ery march and skirmish in both
Western and Eastern Virginia, until we find the
regiment at the battle of Winchester. In this
engagement he showed the same indomitable and
true courage. He held his raen to the work of
carnage so fearfully, that the enemy's slain almost
equalled his command.
We now find him in every battle in which his
regiment was engaged in the East. Port Eepublic,
Cedar Mountain (where he was slightly wounded),
Antietam, Dumfries, Chancellorsville, and Gettys
burg. In aU of these he led his coramand, and the
dead of the enemy left on the field before it attest
how well he led it.
At the battle of Antietam, he comraanded the
regiment, and during the latter part of the engage
ment, a brigade.
Before the resiment left for the West, he was
made lieutenant-colonel ; a position which his abUity

248 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
and long, as well as faithful, service of his country
rendered him eminently qualified tofiU.
Arriving in the West, he comraanded tbe regi
ment in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mis
sion Eidge, where he added new laurels to his
already imperishable name. At fatal Einggold, he
again coramanded the regiraent. He led it up the
steep ascent, where the whistling of bullets made
the air musical : and where raen dropped so quietly
that they were scarcely missed, except in the
thinned ranks of the comraand. The regiment had
not recovered from the shock produced by the
announcement of the death of Creighton, when the
noble Crane, on whom all hearts were centred in
the fearful peril of that hour, fell at the feet of his
devoted comrades, pierced through the forehead by
a rifle bullet. He spoke not a word — his strong
heart ceased to beat ; aud his soul took its flight
from its blood-red tenement, and from the confusion
of battle, to the land of patriot spirits. He fell so
far in the advance, that his men were driven back
before possessing themselves of his body, — but soon
after it was recovered.
The sketches of Creighton and Crane now Ue in
the same path.
-After the bodies of the fallen braves had been
laid side by side, the remaining fcAv of a once full

A EECOED. 249
regiment gathered around and mourned, — the silence
alone being broken by the tears and sobs of a band
of warriors, grieving for the loss of their chieftains.
Was such a scene ever witnessed? Those forms,
now cold and bloody, had often led thera on the
field of carnage, to victory and glory ; under their
leadership the regiraent had been made imraortal ;
and now, in all their pride, and glory, and chivalry,
they had gone down to rise no raore. No wonder,
then, that their brave followers paid their last
tribute to all that was raortal of their renowned
leaders. It seemed to these mourners, in their loss
the regiment itself was blotted out — that it would
no more be known and honored — that its sun had
forever set. But no, many a brave heart, that
stood in that circle, was to be made a sacrifice to
his country; many more hearts were to be left
crushed and bleeding for the loved ones fallen in
battle. When the last tear had been shed, and the
last vow made over these fallen braves, the regi
ment moved away in profound silence.
While this scene was being enacted afar off
among the hills of Georgia, the peaceful valleys of
Ohio were echoing with the lamentations of friends
at home. The hearts of the people of the Western
Eeserve were bound by the strong ties of kin and
friendship to this gallant regiment, which had but
jnst made its great sacrifice, and they were all in
11*

250 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
mourning. When the news came of this great
disaster, it could not be believed ; the friends of the
fallen vA'ould not give them up. And it was not
until a dispatch was received that their bodies were
on the way home, that it was generally believed.
At last, when the people realized that the sad news
was indeed true, meetings were called by thc rep
resentatives of all branches of trade and industry.
Eesolutions of respect were passed, and preparations
raade to receive the dead, on their arrival, in a
becoming raanner.
When General Hooker learned of the death of
Creighton and Crane, he raised both hands, in sur
prise and grief, exclaiming, " My God ! are they
dead ? Two braver raen never lived !"
General Butterfield, chief of staff, gave orders to
remove the bodies to the rear. They were conveyed
to Chattanooga by Sergeant Tisdell, where they
were met by Quartermaster Loomis, and privates
Wetzel, Shepherd, and Meigs. General Slocum
testified his appreciation of their worth, by accom
panying their bodies as far as TuUahoma. When
the news reached hira of their death, his grief was
BO profound, that the stern veteran burst into tears.
They were taken to Nashville to be embalmed.
But little, however, could be done for Creighton, as
he had bled inwardly ; his body was therefore jjut
into a metaUic case. Crane's body was embalmed.

A EECOED. 251
and placed in a plain, but neat coffin, till it should
arri\'e in Cleveland and be transferred to a burial
case. Dr. Newbury, of the Sanitary Commission,
rendered much service in this Avork, after which he
accompanied the remains to Louisville. From this
place they were forwarded to Cincinnati by train,
where they were met by the special escort from
Cleveland, consisting of Colonel Hayward, Lieuten
ant-Colonel J. T. SterUng, Lieutenant-Colonel
Frazee, Captain Baird, Captain Molyneaux, Captain
De Forest, Captain Wiseman, Surgeon Cushing,
and Quartermaster Chapin.
On Sunday morning the train dashed into Cleve
land, and stopped at the foot of Superior-street.
Two hearses were in waiting. One for Colonel
Creighton, drawn by four white horses ; the other
for Lieutenant-Colonel Crane, drawn by four black
horses. Each was draped by American flags and
the usual insignia of mourning.
The remains of Colonel Creighton were now re
moved from the car to the hearse, and conveyed to
the residence of Mrs. Creighton, on Bolivar-street.
The remains of Lieutenant-Colonel Crane remained
under guard, till the retum of the escort, when
they were taken to the residence of the Avidow.
This bright Sabbath avUI long be remembered.
But a few short Sabbaths before, the coffined dead
left the city of their homes, possessed of life and

252 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
hope : looking forward with pride and happiness
to the termination of an honorable career in the
service of their country. And often in their night
vigils, over the dying embers of their picket-fires,
had they conversed on the subject, passing the long
nieht in dreams never to be realized. The remain-
ing few of your followers have, indeed, long since
retumed ; and although the hearts and feet of these
brave warriors were heavy with the tramp of weary
months, yet your slumber was not disturbed. Long
years shall roll away, in which war's tumult and
carnage shall cease ; but you shall only be known
araong men by your good deeds left behind, and
perpetuated in the hearts of your countrynien.
On the 7th of December the bodies of Creighton
and Crane were brought from the residences of
their families and taken to the Council Hall, for
the purpose of lying in state, to be seen by the
public. The same hearses were used as on the
arrival of the bodies from the South.
The CouncU Hall was elegantly and appropriately
decorated. In the centre, within the railing, a
handsome canopy had been placed, with roof of
national flags, draped with mourning emblems,
suspended from the ceiling, and trailing at the
corners to the ground. Wreaths, loops, and fes
toons of black and white edged the canopy. On
the inside, from the centre, hung a large pendant

A EECOED. 253
of mourning emblems, beneath which was the bier
on which lay the bodies of the gallant dead.
On the president's desk, at the head of the hall,
were portraits of Colonel Creighton and Lieutenant-
Colonel Crane, draped in raourning ; and against
the wall, behind the place of the president's seat,
was a life-size portrait of Colonel Creighton, also
draped in raourning. Above this portrait was this
inscription, in black letters on white ground :
" My God ! "are they dead ?
Two braver men never lived !"
— Genkbai, Hookek.
The windows were hung with black, and the gas
lights threw a dira, solemn light over the mournful
seene. The bodies were placed in handsome burial-
cases, and the covers reraoved, so that they could
be seen through the glass fronts. As we have
before mentioned, the body of Colonel Creighton,
from the wounds having bled inwardly, was so much
changed, previously to reaching Nashville, that it
was impossible to properly embalm it ; and there
fore did not present a natural appearance. That of
Lieutenant-Colonel Crane Avas in good preservation,
and could easily be recognized.
The bodies were guarded by a detachment of
members of the old Seventh, who formed the guard
of honor.

254 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
The following account of the funeral services is
from the Cleveland Herald of the 9th of Decem
ber. " The sad pageant is over. A sorrowing people
have paid their tribute of affection and regret over
the remains of the dead heroes. The brave leaders
of the glorious but ill-fated Seventh sleep iu their
quiet tomb.
" Tuesday, the Sth, was a bright and beautiful
day. Its clear sky and pleasant atmosphere were
strangely similar to that bright Sunday in May,
two years and a half ago, when the Seventh Eegi
ment marched out of Cleveland on its Avay to the
battle-fields where it Avas destined to win such
renown. The unclouded sun shed a halo of glory
on all that was left of the brave men Avho led the
old Seventh in many a fight ; but who uoav were to
be laid away in the silent and peaceful tomb.
" The bright day^ opened on a city of mourners.
People gathered on the streets, Avaiting for the hour
for the funeral. Business was unthought of, eveu
the latest news by telegraph, exciting as it was, and
calculated to stir the pulse with triumphant joy,
failed to engross the attention. Men spoke of the
dead heroes, of their first departure for the war, of
their terrible battles and bloody sacrifices ; and of
that last fearful struggle on the hill at Einggold,
where the gallant leaders laid down their lives for

A EECOED. 255
their country-, amid their dead and Avounded com
rades. " Frora every fiag-staff the national colors hung
at half-mast, and signs of mourning AA'ere every-
Avhere visible. As the hour set for the commence
ment of the solemn exercises drew near, business
was entirely suspended throughout the city. The
stores were closed, the Federal, State, and city
offices shut their doors, and a Sabbath-like stillness
reigned over the city. Soon came the tramp of
armed men, the mournful wail of bugles, and the
funeral roll of the drums, as the troops moved up
to take part in the funeral procession.
"The bodies had remained in the Council Hall
over-night, guarded by the old comrades of the
gallant dead. The families and relatives were in
the mayor's office, waiting for the hour of moving
the procession. At half-past ten o'clock the bodies
were removed from the Council Hall and jjlaced in
hearses which were draped with the national colors,
looped up with mourning emblems.
" The pall-bearers were as follows : For Colonel
Creighton — Colonel Senter, Colonel Whittlesey,
Majoi; Mygatt, Lieutenant-Colonel Asper, Major
Seymour, Captain McUrath, Captain. Eansom, Cap
tain Stratton. For Lieutenant-Colonel Crane —
Lieutenant-Colonel Goddard, Lieutenant-Colonel
Sterling, Major Palmer, Captain Drummond, Cap-

256 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT :
tain Douglass, Captain Wilson, Captain Standart,
Captain Hill.
" The burial-cases were the best that money could
buy. On one was the following inscription :
Col. W. R. Cbeighton,
Vth O. V. I.,
In his 27th year.
Killed at the Battle of Einggold,
Nov. 37th, 1863.
" On the other was the inscription :
LrEUT.-CoL. 0. J. CnANB,
FeU at the Battle of Ringgold,
Nov. 27th, 1863.
" On each coffin was laid a handsorae wreath of
iramortelles, with the sword of the dead officer.
" The Twenty-ninth Volunteer Militia were drawn
up in line each side of the way between the Coun
cil Hall and the Stone Church, and the mournful
cortege passed through the lane so formed, Leland's
Band playing a dirge. The hearse was followed
by the mourners in carriages — Governor Brough,
Surgeon McClurg, of the United States Military
Hospital, the City Council, and City and County
Officers, all wearing crape badges.
" Thousands of people lined the way-, and croAvded
around the church with the hope of getting in ; but
there was not a sound from them, as the procession

A EECOED. 257
passed on to the church. And such perfect order
and decorum we never before saw in such a vast
concourse. nsr THE CHUECH.
" At the church — as indeed throughout the whole
of the obsequies — the most perfect arrangements
had been made, and were carried out. The read
ing-desk was draped Avith flags and crape. Directly
in front was a stand with an elegant bouquet of
flowers, and below this another stand, draped with
national colors, on which rested the two coffins,
side by side.
"The silk banner of the Seventh, presented by the
city after Cross Lanes, and bearing the names of
several battles, was displayed against the reading-
desk. It was pierced and rent by showers of bul
lets and shell in many a hard-fought battle.
" The families and relatives of the deceased were
placed in the seats immediately in front of the
bodies. On either side of the coffins sat the pall
bearers. Directly behind the mourners sat about
a dozen or more of the members of the old Cleve
land Light Guard, the company commanded by
Colonel Creighton before the war, and of which
Lieutenant-Colonel Crane was a member. They
wore crape badges, and had vvith them the cora
pany flag, draped in mourning.

258 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
" Near the reading-desk Avere seated Governor
Brough, Surgeon McClurg, and other invited
guests, the coraraittees, city councU, city officers,
count}- officers, the clergy of the city and neighbor
hood, members of the old Seventh, members of the
old Cleveland Light Guard, si.ddiers from the Mili
tary Hospital, members of the Typographical Union,
ship-carpenters, and other friends of the deceaseil.
The body of the church was packed tightly with
citizens, of Avlioin the greater part were ladies,
preference being given to thera in the selection of
seats. The Twenty-ninth Eegiment stood in the
aisles. "During the entry of the procession to the church,
the organ played a A-oluntary suitable to the occa
sion. At half-past eleven o'clock the funeral cere
monies in the church commenced Avith an invoca
tion of the Divine blessing by Eev. S. W. Adams,
of the First Baptist Church, who afterAvards read
appropriate passages of Scripture.
" The choir then sang the Ninetieth Psalm :
" ' 0 God ! our help in ages past.
Our help in years to come ;
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home ;
" ' Beneath the shadow of Thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure ;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone.
And our defence is sure.

A EECOED. 259
" ' Before the hills in order stood.
Or earth received her name,
From everlasting Thou art God —
To endless years the same.
" ' Thy word commands our flesh to dust :
Return ye sons of men !
AU nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.
" ' 0 God ! our help in ages past.
Our help for rears to come :
Be Thou our guide while troubles last.
And our eternal home.'
"Eev. Adam Crooks, of the Wesleyan Metho
dist Church, then made the foUoAving address, at
the request of the family of the late Colonel
Creighton :
"'To-day we are in the solemn presence of inex
orable death. We are impressedly reminded that
dust we are, and nnto dust we must return ; that
'¦ death is the mighty leveller of us all ;" that " the
tall, the wise, the heroic dead must lie as low as

" ' Their swords in rust ;
Their souls -with God in heaven, we trust.'
We would do well to pray with the hero of other
days: "So teach us to number our days, that we
may apply our hearts unto wisdom.'' Before us
are two more rich offerings which the State of Ohio
and Cleveland have laid upon our country's altar !

260 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
They Avere preceded by Wheeler, Lantry, Pickands,
Mahan, Vail, and others. We are here to mourn,
to honor, and to bury the noble dead ! They Avere
the pride of our city and of Northern Ohio. Brave
and honored representatives of a brave and honored
constituency ! Of one thousand eight hundred
soldiers AA^ho have filled the ranks of the Seventh
Eegiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but little over
a hundred now report for duty. Mauy of them
sleep in patriots' and heroes' graves. Most of the
remainder bear on their persons honorable marks
of their patriotism and bravery. In honoring the
representative, we honor the constituency.
" ' But general remarks are not ajjpropriate from
me. At the request of the stricken widow and
relatives of Colonel Creighton, I come to utter a
few Avords of condolence, sympathy, and comfort,
in this hour, to them and to us all, of deep affiiction.
Brother Foot will speak in behalf of the relatives
of Lieutenant-Colonel Crane.
" ' Colonel William E. Creighton was born in the
the City of Pittsburgh, in the year 1836 or 1837—
the records are not in this city. In early childhood
he was bereft of a father. He was baptized by the
Eev. Bishop Uphold, now bishop of Indiana, of .the
Protestant Episcopal Church.
" ' In his early teens, he served in the eraploy of
Mr. A  , in an extensive shoe establishment.

A EECOED. 261
Subsequently, he chose the occupation of a printer,
and spent three years in making himself master of
his trade. Eight years ago he carae to this city —
was four years in the office of the Cleveland Herald.
Also some six months in the City of Chicago. At
the time of enlistment, he was in the employ of
Mr. Nevans of this city. Early in life, he gave
evidence that the tendencies of his nature were
strongly military.
" ' This was evinced by his connection with com
panies for drill in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and this
city. When the bloody drama of this dreadful war
was inaugurated, he was lieutenant of the ' Cleve
land Light Guard.' He was not willing that the
fair and majestic superstructure, reared by the
superior skill, patient labor, and heroic suffering of
our honored fathers — resting its deep foundations
in the inalienability of the natural rights of all men,
and in which the most indigent son of toil stands
before the law the equal peer of merchant princes^
should be torn down by perjured traitors and sworn
enemies of mankind ; not willing that these traitors
and enemies should bury beneath the magnificent
rains of this superstructure our strength, and great
ness, and safety, and peace, and very liberties ; not
wUling that this young, yet powerful republic,
should be so dismembered and disintegrated as to
tempt the rapacity, and be an easy prey of the

262 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
weakest of adverse powers ; not willing that the
principle, that ' Capital shall own labor,'' the non-
capitalled be the chattel of the rich, should rule all
over this continent — that labor should be at once
unreraunerative and the badge of infamy, that thus
there should be eternal antagonism between the
indigent and the affiuent, developing in intestine
broils and civil feuds, — nor that the sun of liberty
should go down upon an entire hemisphere, to rise
not again for many generations ; not Avilling that
the forum, pulpit, and press should all be enslaved,
and intelligence araong the masses be rendered con
traband ; in brief, not willing that our Paradise
should be converted into a Pandemonium.
" ' Hence, no sooner had the ucavs reached us of
the assault upon Fort Sumter, and the call of the
President for seventy-five thousand volunteers to
rush to the defence of the life of the republic, than,
with all the ardor of his earnest nature, Colonel
William E. Creighton threw his all upon his
country's altar, and appealed to his associates and
compeers to do likewise.
"'His success in securing enlistments was com
mensurate Avith his zeal and knoAvn military- skill.
In a few days he Avas captain of a fnll company —
the first enlisted in this city — Avliich afterwards
becarae Company A of the immortal Seventh
Eegiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the

A EECOED. 263
morning of the 3d of May, 1861, a beautiful Sabbath
morning in the spring, emblem of life, youth, and
beauty, this regiment started for the field of con
fiict, glory, and of death. And now, on a clear,
serene Sabbath of the December of 1863, the dying
month of the year, the first Sabbath of the month,
and in the morning, after raany hard-fought battles,
the brave colonel and lieutenant- colonel of the
gallant Seventh came back to say to us, in the
mute silence of death, ' We have done what we
could.' In terras and strains of true eloquence
you will soon be told by Brother Peck, how bravely
the colonel led the charges at Cross Lanes, Win
chester, Port Eepublic, Cedar Mountain (not at
Antietam, for he was at horae wounded), Dumfries,
ChancellorsvUle, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain,
and fatal Einggold, — and how he loved his brave
command, and how they idoUzed him. But I will
not anticipate, nor need I attempt encomium. Plis
deeds praise him beyond the capacity of all huraan
eloquence. " ' Of his social and manl-y qualities, one Avho
knew him 'well is permitted ^to speak, in a letter
of Christian sympathy, addressed to his widow— for
the 2d of May, 1861, three days before leaving with
his command, he was united in wedlock with
Eleanor L. Quirk, of this city. In a letter, such as
described above, the Eev. Mr. Brown, former pastor

264 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
of Westminster Church, and for sorae months
chaplain of the Seventh Eegiment, says :
"'Mrs. Colonel Cbei&hton: My dear Friend — I have just
read in the dispatches that your brave husband and Lieutenant-
Colonel Crane were kUled in the late battle at Ringgold, Georgia.
Oh, how sad this is ! Sad to me who loved him ; but how
tert-ibly sad to you, his beloved w-ife I I cannot write about it.
Precious memories of hours and days of dangers and hardships,
shared together in Western Virginia (and of one long, serious
conversation about death and eternity, as we rode together at
midnight through the woods) crowd upon me. He was Avarm-
hearted, generous, and noble. He loved his country unto death.
He was brave, even to rashness. But he has gone 1'
" ' Yes, the warm-hearted friend, the loving brother,
the aflectionate son, the devoted husband, the brave
soldier, the undying patriot, the fearless and fiery
Creighton, is gone ! We are here to-day to honor
his memory, recount his heroic deeds of noble
daring, mourn his fall, and convey his lifeless re
mains — with those of his brave comrade, Lieuten
ant-Colonel Crane — to the tomb of a hero and a
patriot. " ' What words of elegiac comfort shall I speak to
his numerous personal and sorrowful friends ; his
brothers iu the union of the same useful and honor
able handicraft ; his brave comrades in arms of the
noble Seventh, and other regiments, who are here
to attest their aflection and sorroAV ; his brother
in the fiesh, who is now left without a brother ; his

A EECOED. 265
aged and sorely bereaved mother ; and his youthful,
but grief-stricken, Av-idow ? How shall /, who
would take my place with the mourners, speak
words of comfort to you ?
" ' Let us remeraber that although our d^ar, dear
friend will no longer mingle with us in the social or
domestic circle, — will not again lead regiraent or
hrigade of fearless braves in the thickest and hottest
of the fight, inspiring to feats of exalted heroism —
his brave and generous heart now cold and life
less — dim and sightless those eyes Avhose radiant and
enlivening orbs beamed, now with kindness, and
now with fiery bravery — his intercourse with the
living world, brought to a final period, — ^let us
remember, that although Colonel Creighton is gone,
yet he is not lost ; he is not lost to his country, for
it has his noble example of true bravery and practi
cal patriotism.
" ' He is not lost to us who knew him, for he lives,
and will ever live, templed in our brightest memo
ries and best affections. Nor can he be lost to
history, for he has made the offering which places
his name on its brightest page.
" 'Death never coraes alone, bnt is always attended
by an escort of sadness. Whenever the silver cord is
loosed, the golden bowl broken, the pitcher broken
at the fountain, the Av-heel broken at the cistern, and
dust returns to the earth, as it was, mourners go
12

266 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
about the streets. But it is especially sad, A\'hen,
as in this case, sister, mother, and Avife are denied
the sorroAvful pleasure of being present, and minis
tering to the Avants of the dying, and speaking
AVords of Christian hope. But even this finds an
offset in the fact that it Avas his honored privilege
to die for country — to fall, covered Avith gloiy !
Also, in the fact that his body was not mangled —
that he did not suffer long — in the assurance fur
nished by^ the words, ' Oh, my dear wife !' uttered
in dying accents after he fell, and before he expired,
that his last thouglits Avere of home and kindred ;
and may not avc hope that these words Avere
breathed in prayer, and that he thrcAv his Avhole
soul helpless, but trustfully, upon the merits of the
Saviour ? Again, it is a source of great gratifica
tion to us all, and especially to the relatives, that
he does not fill a distant and unknown grave— that
he Avas tenderly borne frora the field, and promptly
forwarded for honorable interment. His grave is to
be in our midst, marked by a marble shaft, which
will scarcely crumble beneath the tread of the
coming ages. Tou can go there and pay tho
mournful tribute which nature and affection prompt.
And may it not be believed, that frora their pa
triotic ashes (for Creighton and Crane fought and
fell together, and they are to rest side by side) — is
it not to be believed, that frora their patriotic ashes

A EECOED. 267
will spring a rich harvest in kind, to at once avenge
their fall, and save our imperilled country ? And
will not fathers and mothers conduct their chUdren
to these honored graves, and there put upon them
vows of eternal hostility to treason and to traitors,
be they secret or armed, even as Harailcar caused
his son Hannibal to swear, at the altar, eternal
hatred to Eome ? And will not every one who
visits their tombs, and reads their epitaphs, whisper,
"Peace and honor." And when this cruel war is
over, and the God of our fathers shall crown our
labors and sufferings with success, and bestow
upon us, as a nation, an honorable, righteous, and
perpetual peace, then, amid the light, and songs,
and joy of the nation's jubilee, let their epitaphs be
written anew. And during all ages, peace to their
ashes, peace to their memory, and peace to their
heroic spirits.
'• 'Let us this day, around the lifeless forms of tliese
fallen heroes, not profanely, but solemnly and re
ligiously, sAvear that the lives of these, together
with the lives of hundreds of thousands of the
flower of the nation, given for the salvation of the
country, shall not be given in vain ; that we Av-ill
complete well, what they have so well begun.
" ' I need not ask of you, in behalf of the aged
mother and bereaved AvidoAV of Colonel Creighton,
your Avarra, your practical, your continued sym-

268 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
pathles: these, I am sure, avUI not be withheld.
But I now ask you to join me in one fervent
prayer to the God of the aged, the fatherless, and
the widoAv, our fathers' God, and the God of bat
tles, that He will, by His almighty arm, sustain.
and, by His abundant grace, comfort the aged
mothers, and bereaved widows, and afflicted friends
of our brave soldiers, and their departed sons,
husbands, and brothers ; that He will thus sustain
and comfort all whose hearts have been cloven by
the battle-axe of war; that He will abundantly
shield, help, bless, and comfort our brave soldiers
upon the field, in the hospitals, and prisoners in
the hands of our enemies ; and that He will speed
ily bestow upon our imperiUed country the ines
timable blessing of an honorable, righteous, and
lasting peace. Amen.'
" Eev. C. C. Foot, at the request of the family of
the late Lieutenant-Colonel Crane, made the fol
lowing address :
" ' The duties Ave are called to perform — the bear
ing of our dead brave to their final rest — is indeed
solemn and sad. That those who admired and
loved them in life, and delight to honor them when
dead, should, with sympathizing hearts and grateful
hands, minister such a funeral ovation, is due to
them in view of the sacrifice they made, the toils
they endured, and their deeds of patriotism and

A EECOED. 269
valor. When the bugle was first sounded in Wash
ington, calling the North to the defence of our
institutions, these were among the first to respond ;
leaving their business, their friends, and their fam
Uies, for the field of strife, they unsheathed their
BAVords to strike for freedom's sacred cause. In
many skirmishes, and in every battle of their bri
gade, they struck Avith such braveiy and success as
to have secured perpetual illustriousness ; Avhile
ever a nation exists to feel the throb of a nation's
heart, Avhile a man lives to read the annals of
America, their noble deeds shall be knoAvn, and
their illustrious naraes shall bo honored.
" ' They passed througli so many dangers almost
unscarred, that they feared no ill, and their farailies
began to expect Avith confidence their return to
the enjoyments of home, ere many months more
should have flown. But when on Einggold's hill
side they raised their swords to gleam as never
before, frora a volley of Confederate musketry their
death-Avarrant carae. Their bodies sank to the
ground — tlieir spirits ascended through the smoke-
cloud of battle to the patriot's God, to join the slain
of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantrj'-, Avhere the
stars forever shine in original splendor and glory.
On the morrow, instead of tho ready pen reporting
to loved ones at home that " all is Avell with us,"
the telegraph Avas put in requisition to announce

270 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
that never more should their voices be heard by
friend, corapanion, or offspring. Oh, how sad such
intelligence ! How many families, how many ten
der, loving, trembling hearts throughout the land,
have been made sorroAvful by like intelligence since
this war was so cruelly hurled upon us ? From
what our soldier friends do and suffer from the
myriad untiraely deaths, shall we not learn the
magnitude of the work of the army, and our great
indebtedness to all who have gone to fight for us,
our homes, and our country ? Let us render them
the honor due. When men become illustrious, it is
but natural that their friends review their lives,
and that others inquire who they are, whence they
carae, and what circurastances molded them for
their greatness. To answer briefly and in part such
inquiries about one of these brave men — Lieuten
ant-Colonel O. J. Crane — is the work to Avhich I
have been invited. Lieutenant-Colonel Crane w-as
bom in Chautauque County. New York, in the year
1829. When about three years old, his parents
removed to their native State, Vermont. Soon
after this, his father died, and he was left to climb
life's rugged hill frora his mother's arms to man-
DO
hood, without the invaluable aid of a father's coun
sels and assistance. He was blest with a kind,
inteUigent, and prayerful mother, to whom he owed
no small amount of gratitude.

A EECOED. 271
" ' Her care and labor for his health, and even his
life, were constant and great. While quite young,
he once received a burn, so severe that his life was
despaired of. The attendant physician said he
could not live — or living, Avould ahvays be helpless.
But his mother loved him into lfe and health, little
thinking that she had saved him from one fire, only
to see him exposed and becoming a victim to a
more galling one ; little thinking that to him, for
whose life she struggled, she and the nation would
become indebted for liberty and political security.
During his youth he lived chiefiy with an uncle,
ahd Avith whom, about thirteen years ago, he lo
cated in Conneaut, Ohio. While there, he was
employed in mechanical labor. He spent one year
on the Isthmus. On his return frora the Isthmus,
he came to Cleveland, and found employment as a
ship-carpenter. In this city, and this business, he
remained till called to participate in our national
conflict. " ' As a raechanic, he enjoyed the confidence and
esteem of his employers and his fellows. As a man,
he drew around him a pleasant circle of friends,
constant and affectionate, who deeply mourn his
loss. In disposition, he was frank, manl}^, kind,
and ever cheerful. He leaves a sorrowing wife, to
Avhom he was married nine years ago, three small
children, a mother, brothers and sisters. Their

272 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
bereavement is too great, their grief too deep, for
even them to express in language. Yet not till
weary weeks shall fail to bring letters from the
battle-field — not tUl months confirm that no hus
band returns — not till years reveal the need of a
father to guide the orphans, and a companion to
sustain an aching heart, shall be fully realized the
magnitude of the sacrifice made, in laying upon a
nation's altar a husband and a father.
'¦ ' The subject of these remarks had never made
a public profession of faith in Jesus. He had
respected religion. He shoAved great kindness
and respect to the chaplain of his regiment, and
consequently had a good chaplain. He also, after
entering the service, became interested in personal
religion. He professed a readiness to die when
called. Let us pray and hope that beyond the
turmoil of this life, he may receive his dear ones to
everlasting felloAvship of joy.
" ' Some months ago he becarae a raember of the
Masonic fraternity. Though so soon taken from
them, yet —
" ' By the hieroglyphic bright.
Which none but craftsmen ever saw.
Strange memory on our minds shall Avrite
His honored name that's far awa.'
" ' Citizens of Cleveland and Ohio, as we embalm
his name in onr raemory, let us not fail to rem em-

A EECOED. 273
ber, also, the dear family he has left. Let us give
them our heartfelt sympathy — not the sympathy of
piti/, but that of gratitude — for his and their debtors
we are. He gave his life ; not for himself, but for
us who live, for our homes, and our posterity.
Surrounding the husbandless with what comforts
we can, and supplying the fatherless with fatherly
care, and aid, and sympathy, let us, to our utmost,
discharge our indebtedness. Let us work and
pray that but few more brave need fall ; and that
the time be speeded when the defenders of our
liberties shall be welcomed home to the enjoyraent
of their triumphs, with the jubilant acclamation of
many millions of freemen.'
" Professor H. E. Peck, at the request of the
General Comraittee, delivered the address on behalf
of the city, as foUows :
" ' On a fair Sabbath in May, only three short
seasons ago, just as the bells were calling the toAvn
to worship, a regiment passed down yonder street.
That, citizens, was a spectacle which you A\dio saw
it will never forget. Not because the marching
column was striking to the eye. There was no
pageant. There were no arms, no banners. There
was not even a uniform. The farmer, the student,
and the smith, Avere in that line ; and the farraer
marched in the garments he brought from the fur
row, and the student and the smith were attired as
12*

274 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
they^ had been in the rccitatioii-room and shop.
But for all that, thc display Avas profoundly im
pressive. Here Avas tho flower of the Eeserve.
Lake, Mahoning, Trumbull, Lorain, and Erie, each
had a hundred ; Portage, twice a hundred ; and
Cuyahoga, thrice a hundred in tho line. And each
hundred Avas made up, not of tho rabble, but of
sons, Avliom worthy fathers and mothers dearly
loved ; of men, avIio, if they should stay at home,
Avould soon be consj)icuous for Avealtli, or learning,
or skill in useful arts. And these thousand true
men, loved Avell at home, made of sterling stuff,
Avere on their way to tour — to actual Avar. To serve
the imperilled country, they had quit all, — farms,
shops, books, friends, hopes, the past, tho future, —
all but duty and honor. They might never return.
The VOAV on them might take them to bloodj' fields,
from which there should be no passage except
down through the gates of death. Oh, kinsman,
was not that an impressive scene ? Did j'ou ever
see the like ? Did not tears Avet your eyes as you
looked on ? Were not the cheers Avitli Avliich you
sent the heroes on their way divided, as shouts
of yours had never before been, nor have been
since, betAVcen admiration and sorrow?
" ' This, friends, Avas the first raarch of our gallant
Seventh. You do not forget that in that march
the column was led by a young captain, whose

A EECOED. 275
high carriage and soldierly bearing were alraost
the only signs of real military display. The body
of that young captain lies in one of yonder coffins.
Of him, and his brave comrade Avho sleeps beside
him, I am to speak on this occasion. The history
of the noble Seventh is their late history. With it,
therefore, let rae begin.
'"The Seventh left Cleveland May 5, 1861. It
went henee to Carap Dennison, where E. B. Tyler,
of Eavenna; W. E. Creighton, of Cleveland; and
John S. Casement, of PainesviUe, were made its
first field-officers. In the June foUoAA^ng, while it
was still at Camp Dennison, the regiment was
reorganized and sworn into the three-years' service.
I well remember seeing Captain Crane, whose re
mains are yonder, on a sweet Sabbath afternoon —
men, sun, air, and earth, all Avere glad, and the
harmonies of nature were tunefully praising God —
bringing his company to the colonel's quarters to be
sworn in. I well remember the impression which
the strong voice of the sombre captain made upon
rae, as, after the young soldiers, with bare heads and
uplifted hands, had taken the oath, he cried, " Cora
pany, right face ; forward, raarch !" The tone of
the coramand Avas as if he Avould sa}"-, " Noav, men,
there is no retreat. Only service, perhaps death, is
before you."
"'A Aveek later. General McClellan, who had
13*

276 THE SEVENTH BEGIMENT:
then just taken command of the Westem Depart
ment, came looking for the right material Avith
which to begin his Western Virginia campaign,
and inspected the regiment. But it was not at
garments the shrewd leader looked. It was the
person he studied. He sought the eye. He nar
rowly scanned the look. Down the line and back
again he sIowIa- went. I saw the expression on his
face, as at the end, he seemed to say to himself,
'-'-They are iTie -rigid .so'i-t ,'" In the reorganization of
the regiment, the staff remained as it was before.
'• 'On the 2oth of June, 1S61. the Seventh left
Camp Dennison, to enter on active service in West
em Virginia. With many long marches it sought
the foe. It had begun to doubt whether it would
ever meet him, when, at Cross Lanes, on the 26th
of August, he came, with overwhelming force.
For a brief space, the companies, separated from
each other, held their ground. Then, from bare
and irresistible necessity, they gave way. Twenty-
four gaUant men were left on the field, dead or
wounded. One hundred were carried away prison
ers, and the remainder were scattered like partridges
which have received the sportsman's fire. At first,
tidings came to us that the Seventh was whoUy
destroyed. How ached our hearts I Presently,
better news came. Major Casement had brought
four hundred men through the wUderness into

A EECOED. 277
Charleston, and Captain Crane had corae to Gauley,
bringing, not only alraost his entire company, but
a flag Avhicli he had captured from the enemy.
" 'Then came to the regiment days of distraction
and despondency. You, and others of the Eeserve,
heard of, and agonized over its condition. To
encourage and cheer it, you sent* it a stand of beauti
ful colors. At the Academy of Music, as y^ou will
remember, before a throng of your best citizens, the
standards Avere dedicated.
" ' On a mountain-side, in Western Virginia, with
Eosecrans' army lying miles up and doAvn, and
with the smoke of the enemy's camp-fires rising in
the distance, they A\'ere presented to the regiraent.
I wish I could picture the scene, the splendors of
the magnificent landscape, the exquisite beauty of
the colors as they proudly glowed in the clear sun-
fight, the enthusiasm of the raen and the pride of
the officers. Your present helped to rouse the
spirit of the regiment. The words of love and con
siderate regard, which you sent with the gift,
assured it that its honor was not yet lost. Hoav
thrilling, how hopeful, was the cheer Avhich rolled
ofl' among the hills, as the color-guard took its
trust !
" ' From the Kanawha the Seventh went, on the
17th of December, 1861,. to the Potomac. There,
now led by Lieutenant Colonel Creighton — Colonel

278 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Tyler having taken temporaiw command of a bri
gade — it met, at Winchester, March 2-'.], 1S62, Jack
son's celebrated •' Stonewall Legion." Hot Avas the
fire, Avhen the Northem iron met the Southern
fiint. The Seventh left fifty-six dead and Avounded
on the field. But it won a name in the fight. The
stoiy told of thera, the land over, Avas, they fought
like veterans. Then came the long chase up the
Shenandoah, then the hard march across to Eastern
Virginia, and back to the gates of the Shenandoah.
Then came Port Eepublic, the first square stand-up
fight Avhich the regiment had, when, led by Creigh
ton, in an open field, in a line trim enough for a
dress parade, and Avith " Cross Lanes" for its battle-
cry, the glorious Seventh charged down on Jack
son's steadfast front. Ah, how the list of the dead
and Avounded Avas again fearfuU}' swelled ! Seventy-
two names Avere added to it.
" ' By this titne the regiment had becorae so re
duced by the casualties of Avar, that its friends on
the Eeserve asked that it raight be sent home to
recruit. " No," promptly replied discriminating
Halleck, " not so long as tliere is a lame drnmmer
left; not if you Avill send us a whole new regiment
in jDlace of this handful. We know these men, they
are just such as Ave Avant." Colonel Tyler's promo
tion to a brigadiership brought Lieutenant-Colonel
Creighton to the head of the regiment, and this.

A EECOED. 279
and other changes, presently made Captain Crane
a Lieutenant-Colonel. The regiment now had
plenty of duty. It fought at Cedar Mountain, and
there, on the extreme advance, it met the brunt of
danger. " ' In one corapany, out of twenty-one men en
gaged, eighteen fell killed or wounded. The Avhole
regiment suffered in hardly less proportion. One
hundred and ninety-six, of the two hundred and
ninety-seven heroes engaged, fell. There, fiery
Creighton, as -usual, not content to be elsewhere
than on the extrerae front, was so severely
wounded that he was corapelled to come home to
recover. " 'Soon |;he regiraent was at Antietara, and there it
shared the toils and honors of that honorable field.
Thirty-eight fallen raen, out of one hundred en
gaged, was the price it paid for its opportunity.
Presently it fought and prevailed against great odds
at Dumfries. Here it lost ten raore of its scant few.
" 'In the next year's campaign, after lying in camp
and being considerably recruited, the regiment was
at ChancellorsvUle. There it did good service, by
catching and holding on its steady line droves of
fugitives, who were ingloriously seeking the rear,
and by covering the retreat of its corps. It lost, at
Chancellorsville, ninetj^-nine men. Next the regi
ment was at Gettysburg. There, for the first time

280 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
in its history, it fought behind defences ; nor could
Ewell, surging Avith fiery valor up against the rocky
rampart, break the line Avliich it, and its compeers
of the Twelfth Corps, held. The Seventh lost at
Gettysburg nineteen men ; and, as from every field
before, so frora this, it brought honor and a new
name. From the Potomac the regiment Avent, in
Septeraber last, to the Tennessee. There, on the
24th of last month, it shared in that brilliant " bat
tle above the clouds," by which Hooker cleared
Lookout Mountain. Decisive as the result of its
courage here was, it seeras to have left behind but
one Avounded raan as its share of the sacrifice Avhich
the victory cost. Then carae the pursuit of Bragg,
and the overtaking of his rear-guard at Einggold ;
then the climbing, by the Twelfth Corps, of that
bare hill, on the top of which the enemy was se
curely^ posted. Staunch Creighton was in command
of a brigade, and Crane led the Seventh. The
charge was a desperate one, but Creighton did not
falter. Kindling to that ardor of Avhich he Avas so
susceptible, he urged his command on. " Boys," he
said, " Ave are ordered to take that hill. I want to
see you Avalk right up it." Then putting himself,
not in the rear, as being temporarily a brigadier he
might haA-e done, but far in the advance, he led the
way. And Crane, close behind, stoutly held the
Seventh to its bloody work. The men were ready

A EECOED. 281
for the task. The zeal of Cross Lanes, of AYinches-
ter, of Port Eepublic, burned to a Avhito heat. The
gallant Seventh, leading the column, flung itself
into the billoAVS of fire, as if it Avere rescuing home
from robber hands. But, ah ! chivalric Creighton
feU, and, alas ! sturdy Crane, too ; aud of the com
missioned officers of the Seventh, but one remained
unhurt. Is it wonderful that the grand old regi
ment, losing the inspiring command of the brave
soldiors Avhose voices had so often aroused its pur
poses, fell back ? Oh, Creighton and Crane, had you
lived, the Seventh would, perhaps, Avithout help,
have carried the dear old colors, tattered by so
many leaden storms, into the enemy's defiant Avorks !
Sad tale that I must tell, of the two hundred and
ten sons and brothers of ours Avho Avent into the
fight, ninety fell ; of the fourteen commissioned offi
cers ou the field, thirteen were killed or Avoundcd.
'"My story- of the Seventh is done. Yes, the Sab-
batli comes ; SAVcot, clear day, as bright as that holy
morn on Avhich the Seventh fii-st went its Avay. A
sad cortege passes up the same street y-onder. Mu
sic Avails at its head. A doAvncast guard of honor
marches. Avith mourning colors, behind hearses
trimmed with the badges of Avoe. Look you, kin
dred, the band Avhich foUoAvs the dead is made up
of the men Avho marched in that May Sabbath line
two yeai-s ago. But the fai-mer, the student, the

282 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
smith, are not there. These are soldiers all. They
aro scarred Avith the marks of Cross Lanes, of Win
chester — nay, let me not stop to recite thc long list
of battles through Avhich they havc passed. Yes,
here is ]iart of the scant fcAV left (.mt of the eighteen
hundred staunch men who have stood under the
flag of the Seventh ; and here, hearse-borne, arc the
bodies of the good leaders Avho shall head thc regi
ment no more. Pause now, citizens, Avhile I tell
you about these noble men. Colonel Creighton
Avas born in Pittsburgh. He Avas but twenty-six
years of age Avhen he fell. For several years he fol-
loAved the trade of a printer in this city. But he
Avas born to be a soldier, and years ago he learned,
in civic schools, a soldier's trade. So, when the war
broke out, he Avas fit to take command. He
raised a company in this city. At once his military
talent Avas revealed. He had not a peer in the camp
as a drill-master, and there Avas something about his
ardent nature Avliich made men feci that he was fit
to comraand. Thus superior office carae to hira —
he did not seek it. But getting it, he discharged
his duties well. He was affectionate to his men,
erring only in being, perhaps, too free with them.
And Avlien battle came, he was a master-spirit in the
dreadful storm. Burning Avith enthusiasm, almost
rash with courage, he could inspire his " game
cocks" — as he famiUarly called his raen — Avith such

A EECOED. 283
qualities as are raost needed in the charge and in
the deadly breach. I have often asked sound think
ing members of the Seventh, " What of Creighton ?"
The answer has ahvays been, "He is a soldier, every
inchP " ' Lieutenant-Colonel Crane was born in Troy,
New York, in the year 1828. He, too, has been a
mechanic here for raany years. Like his chief, he,
too, had learned the use of arras before the war com
menced. He was, therefore, amply qualified to take
command of his company Avhen Captain Creighton
was promoted. And no ordinary disciplinarian
was Captain Crane. He had a difficult corapany,
but it was with a strong hand that he laid hold of
his work. Headstrong men had a master in hira.
Withal, he was the soul of kindness to those he
commanded. His rugged nature, despising railitary
finery, and the poraps and forras of miUtary life,
came down at once to plain, blunt, frank, but sin
cere and hearty intercourse Avitli the men under
him. If you A^dshed to find Captain Crane, yon
must look for him Avhere his boys were ; and if his
boys had had a trying or toilsome work, you might
be sure he was lightening the load by his own ex
ample of brave and sturdy patience. He did not
have an impulsive nature. He was not a thunder-
holt on the field. He Avas rock, rather. Fiery
floods might break against him, and yet he was

284 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
always the same ; ahvays imperturbable, honest,
strong. '• 'I should have said before, that Colonel Creigh
ton was in CA-ery battle wliich the Seventh ever
fought, except Antietam. It is in place for me
to say here, that Lieutenant-Colonel Crane took
part in every battle iu which his regiment shared.
I doubt if another instance of the kind is on record.
Would that the Hand which had so often averted
danger, could have turned the fatal bullets aside at
Einggold !
" 'And now, friends, I am, at the invitation of
the joint-committee of the city council, the mili
tary-, the Typographical Unimi, the ship-carpenters,
and yourselves, and as the representative of other
toAvns, who helped raise the Seventh, to bring a
tribute of gratitude and. praise to the memory of
the gallant dead. In my poor way, 1 here certify
to the noble qualities, to the brave deeds of the
soldiers coffined yonder. I come to say, that the
honor done them by the city, by the military, by
yourselves, by good men who, in other towns,
mourn their loss, is well bestowed. The heroes
have earned their honors. They have bought
them Avitli such high conduct, with such self-sacri
fices, as the brightest laurels poorly rcAvard. I
know not how those souls, which lately inhabited
yonder clay, stand in the other world (would that

A EECOED. 285
your prayers and mine could reach thera), but I
do know, that their names shall live in this world
forever. The marble you shall put up over their
dust will itself have gone to dust before their
renown shall have passed frora the hearts and
lips of men.
" ' Would, friends, that you and I, by any minis
try of love, could staunch these widows' and half-
orphans' tears. Oh ! sisters bereaved, and dear lit
tle children, now fatherless, may God in His mercy
keep you ! May He be help and hope to you !
Eemember, I pray you, that the spilled blood
which AA-as so dear to you, was precious also to
God ; that it is from such seed that He makes
freedom, peace, social order, and prosperity to
grow. " ' And, citizens, what shall I say of the Seventh,
which mourns its noble dead ? Shall I sumraon
here the spirits of those who have fallen on the
half-score fields, where the staunch old regiraent
has left its dead ? Shall I call from the shadowy
world those who have died in festering prisons?
ShaU I order the rally for those Avho, broken in
body, shall engage in active pursuits no more?
Shall I bring frora the field the little remnant-
headed by the one-unhurt coramissioned officer,
and under this dear, chafed, and rent old flag,
which no longer shines with the glory of color

286 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT :
and figure Avhich it displayed when first unfurled
in your Academy of Music, but Avhich is lustrous
with the light Avith Avhicli braA-e deeds have in
vested it — shall I tell them of your love for, and
3-our gratitude to them ? Naj-, this I cannot do.
But I can say^ to these representatives of the regi
ment who are with us, and through them to that
little handful of bronzed veterans who, huddling
around a single camp-fire at Chattanooga, are the
last remnant of the Seventh — to you, honored men,
wo owe a debt Ave can never discharge. You
sprang to arms, Avhen others hesitated. You en
tered tho fiinty paths of war Avith feet shod only
for the gentle Avays of peace. Often have you
been tried, never have you failed ; and the honor of
the Eeserve, Avliich Ave committed to you, has been
proudly kept on every field. And in this hour of
Aveighty bereavement, our feelings toAvards you
and your comrades, living and dead, is like that of
the pious Scotch Avoraan Avho, Avlicn grim Claver
house having first shot her husband, laughing,
asked, "Well, woman, Avhat thinkest thou of thy
good man noAv?'' quietly replied, as she drew the
pierced head to her bosom, and wiped the death-
damp from his brow : " I aye thought much of
hira, but noAV raore than ever."
" ' Noav, bearers, take out your dead. Put the
cherished remains in an honored place. Tell art to

A EECOED. 287
lift above them worthj"- marble. Write upon the
stone the names of the battles in Avhich our heroes
have fought. Write also the virtues of the dead.
Write, too, that gratitude has lifted the monument,
partly^ to do honor to thera, AVorthy of it, Avhom
human praise can ncA^er reach ; and to teach the
living that it is well to raake even life a sacrifice to
duty. And Avhen our Avar has been ended, Avhen
peace and freedora shall be in all our borders,
thronging feet shall, through all the generations,
come up to your memorial, and learn lessons of
heroism and self-sacrifice.'
" Eev. Williara Goodrich, of the First Presby
terian Church, made the closing prayer; after
Avhich the choir chanted impressively the foUoAving
hymn: " ' With tearful eyes I look around.
Life seems a dark and gloomy sea ;
Tet midst the gloom I hear a sound,
A heavenly whisper, ' Come to Me.'
" ' It tells me of a place of rest —
It tells me where my soul may flee ;
Oh ! to the weary, faint, oppressed.
How sweet the bidding, ' Come to Me I'
" ' When nature shudders, loth to part
From all I love, enjoy, and see.
When a faint chill steals o'er thy heart,
A sweet voice utters, ' Come to Me.'
" • Come, for all else must fade and die,
Earth is no resting place for thee ;

288 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Heavenward direct thy weeping eye,
I am thy portion, ' Come to Me.'
" ' Oh, voice of mercy ! voice of love 1
In conflict, grief, and agony ;
Support me, cheer me from above I
And gently whisper. Come to Me.'
" This closed the exercises at the church.

THE FDNEEAL PEOCESSION.
" As soon as the exercises in the church closed,
the Brooklyn Light Artillery coraraenced firing
minute-guns from the field-piece planted on tho
square in front of the cliurch. At the sarae time,
the chimes of Trinity rang a muffled peal, and the
bells in all the other churches coraraenced tolling.
The square and the streets leading to it were packed
with people from the city and surrounding country,
the latter having been pouring in all the morning.
It seemed almost impossible to keep an open space
in so great a crowd, but the admirable management
of the marshals of the day and the city police,
aided by the spirit of order and decorum in the
crowd, succeeded in preventing any trouble or con
fusion. " The procession was formed in nearly the order
as at first arranged. First carae Leland's band,
playing the "Dead March." Then the TAventy-
ninth Eegiment, comraanded by Lieutenant-Colonel

A EECOED. 289
Frazee, with arms reversed and bound with crape.
Next the discharged officers and soldiers of the
Seventh, headed by their old band. These old mera
bers of the regiment numbered sixty, and were
formed into a company, under Captain Molyneaux.
They were followed by the clergymen of the city,
after which came the bodies.
" Colonel Creighton's body was in a hearse drawn
by four white horses, from undertaker Duty ; and
the body of Lieutenant-Colonel Crane, in a hearse
draAvn by four black horses, from undertaker How
land. Behind the hearses Avere led two horses fully
caparisoned. The pall-bearers, whose names have
been previously given, walked beside the hearses.
Eleven carriages, containing the mourners, came
next, followed by a carriage containing Lieutenant
Loomis, Sergeant-Major Tisdel, Bugler Welzel, and
privates Shepherd aud Meigs, forming the escort
from the Seventh. Next were the merabers of the
old Cleveland Light Guard, with their badges and
flags ; Governor Brough and other invited guests,
conimittee of arrangements, city council, city offi
cers, county military committee, tAvo hundred sick
and wounded soldiers from the United States Military
Hospital, soldiers from the Twelfth Cavalry, Brook
lyn Light ArtUlery, Captain Pelton ; other mUitary
and officers ofthe United States regular and volun
teer services ; United States Court officers, Typogra-

290 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
phical Union, ship-carpenters, old Light Guard, un
der Captain J. Eobinson, students frora Commercial
College, County Court officers, citizens on foot, citi
zens in carriages.
" The procession was of great length, and passed
through a dense crowd of thousands of people
during the Avhole Avay. It was avcU managed by
Colonel William II. Hayward, chief marshal of
the day, and his assistants, H. M. Chapin,
William EdAvards, John M. Sterling, junior, and
C. Busch. The police were again of incalculable
value in clearing the way and keeping perfect
order. AT THE TOMB.
" The lot in the Woodland Cemetery, intended aa
the final resting-place of the heroic dead, not having
yet been selected, the bodies were taken to the City
Cemetery, and deposited temporarily in the Brad
burn Vault, the use of which had been generously
tendered. The police again, ever vigilant and
effective, had kept the cemetery and its approaches
free from the vast crowd until the procession had
entered, and then secured ample room, so that there
was no crowding or confusion.
" The Twenty-ninth Eegiment was drawn up in
line, with colors imraediately opposite the tomb.
The company of the old members of the Seventh,

A EECOED. 291
with reversed arms, stood at the right of the
tomb. " As the procession moved up to the tomb the
band played a dirge. The Eev. W. A. Fiske,
rector of Grace Church, read the beautiful and
impressive burial-service of the Episcopal Church,
the bodies were placed in the vault, the final prayer
said, and then the door of the tomb was closed.
The old merabers of the Seventh fired three volleys
over the torab, and all was over. The heroic dead
sleep undisturbed.
" So ended the grandest and the raost mournful
pageant that has passed through the streets of Cleve
land for many a year."
LIEUT.-COL. MERYESr CLARK.
On a gloomy night in May, 1861, when the wind
was howling in fitful gusts, and the rain pouring
doAvn in merciless rapidity, the writer was awakened
by the stentorian voice of the adjutant in front of
the tent, followed by an order that Lieutenant 
would report for guard-dutj'. After wading half-
knee deep in mud and Avater, narrowly escaping a
cold bath in an over-friendly ditch, I arrived at the
headquarters of the guard. Soon after my arrival,
a boy reported to me for duty, as sergeant of the
guard ; a position no less responsible than my own.
At first I felt that, on such a fearful night, I needed
13

292 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
more than a boy to assist me in the performance of
my task. His form was fragile ; his face was
smooth as that of a girl, and in the dira, shadowy
light of a carap-fire, struggling against the heavy
rain, I took hira to be about fifteen years of age.
We immediately- entered into conversation, and
between admiration and surprise, the rain was for
gotten, and the moraents sped so rapidly, that it
was nearing the tirae to change the guard. But
my boy comjjanion had forgotten nothing, and as
the moment arrived, he called in the relief As he
moved among those sturdy warriors, it occurred to"
me that I had never before met a boy, who was at
the same time a raan — a brave, prudent, reliable
man. All night he did his duty, and when we
parted in the morning, I both loved and admired
him. This was ray first raeeting with Colonel
Clark. Mervin Clark was a native of Ohio, having been
born in the city of Cleveland, in 1843. When but
three years of age his mother died, and at the age
of nine his surviving parent, leaving him an orphan.
He was now taken into the family of Henry W.
Clark, an uncle, where he found a home, and kind
friends, during the remainder of his life.
The flash of the last gun at Sumter had hardly
died away, when he enrolled himself as a private
in Captain De VUliers' company, at the sarae time

A EECOED. 293
declaring that he would, by no act of his, leave the
service of his country, until rebels in arms were
met and subdued. How well he kept that pledge,
it is the office of this brief sketch to show.
He left Camp Dennison as an orderly-sergeant,
and during the trying marches and skirmishes in
Western Virginia, won a commission. Arriving in
the East, he was made a first-lieutenant. At the
battle of Winchester, he surprised and delighted
every one who saw him. When the bullets flew
thickest, he stepped on to the brink of the hill, over
which our men were firing, and, with revolver in
hand, took part in the strife. His captain, seeing
his danger, directed him to get behind a tree which
stood close by. He obeyed orders, but with his
back to the tree, and his face to the foe. At the
battle of Cedar Mountain, he commanded a com-
pany, and during that fearful day, led his men with
great bravery. At last, when the order was given
to retreat, he mistook it for an order to charge, and,
with a dozen men, dashed at the double line of a
Avhole brigade of rebels. It was not until an officer
of authority conveyed the true order to him, that
he would withdraw. He now took part in all the
battles in which his regiment was engaged in the
East, except Antietara. When the regiraent left
for the West, he accompanied it, and soon after
took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain,

294 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
Mission Eidge, Taylor's Eidge, and the series of
engagements taking place Avhile with Sherman.
Before his term of service expired, he was made a
captain, and commanded his company on its home
ward raarch. He Avas soou after mustered out with
his corapany. He uoav sought quiet and rest at his
home, giving no evidence of an intention to again
enter the service. But before he had been at home
many Aveeks, he surprised and disapj^ointed his
friends by enlisting as a private in the regular
army. His fame, hoAvever, was too wide-spread in
Ohio to suffer him to re-enter the service as a
private. Governor Brough had already selected
him for promotion, and Avhen learning of his enlist
ment in the regular service, procured an order for
his discharge, and iramediately appointed him
lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Eighty-
third Eegiment, then about to enter the field. He
had noAv come of age, November 5th, and on the
Sth of November cast his first vote; on the 12th,
he received his commission ; and on the 15th, he
left for the front. Iiis regiment joined the army of
General Thomas, on its retreat before the rebel
forces under Hood. On the SOth of November, the
regiment Avas engaged in the terrible battle of
Franklin. During the engagement, the regiment
was ordered to charge the enemy's works. The
color-bearer Avas soon shot down, when Clark seized

A EECOED. 295
the colors, and calling to his raen, " Who will follow
me to retake these works ?" mounted the rebel
works, aud iramediately fell, a minie ball having
passed through his head. Every effort was made
to take his body frora the field, but to no purpose,
and the " boy officer" Avas Avrapped in his blanket,
and buried on the field of his farae, to be finally
removed by careful hands, when the earth had
covered every vestige of the strife in its friendly
bosom. LIEUTENANT HEiSTlT ROBINSON.
Henry Eobinson was a native of Ohio, and en
tered the service as first-lieutenant of Company G.
He was always attentive to his duties, and soon
took a position among the first of his rank. He
was constantly with his command during its early
service. He was in the skirmish at Cross Lanes,
Avhere he won the respect and confidence of the
entire comraand by his gallant conduct. In this
affair, he commanded Company G. Arriving at
Charleston, he was sent to Gauley Bridge, and soon
after Avas taken violently sick with a fever. He
soon after died.
In the death of Lieutenant Eobinson, the regi
ment made one of its greatest sacrifices. He was
esteemed by every one for his kind and courteous
manners, as Avell as for his abiUty as a soldier. He

296 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
had many friends in the army-, and at home, and I
doubt very much if he had an enemy in the Avorld.
His military career was short, but of such a char
acter that his friends can refer to it with pride.
LIEUTENANT E. S. QUAY.
E. S. Quay entered the service as second-lieuten
ant of Company G. He was Avith the regiment at
Cross Lanes, Avhere he gave promise of much future
usefulness as a soldier. He accompanied the regi
ment to Eastern Virginia, AA'here he Avas acting
assistant adjutant-general to Colonel Tyler. He
took part in the battle of Winchester, where he did
splendid service. After Tyler's promotion to a
general, he was made adjutant-general, and as
signed to his staff. In this capacity, he served in
the battle of Port Eepublic, where he gained new
laurels. Pie finally went to his home on account
of ill-health, and after a time, died of consumption.
He was a good soldier.
LIEUTENANT JAMES P. BRISBINE.
Jaraes P. Brisbine was a native of TrurabuU
County, Ohio. He was born in 1836. His parents
dying while he was quite young, he Avent to live
with an unele by the narae of Applegate. He re
ceived a fair education, and during the tirae, in part,
maintaining hiraself by teaching school in winter.

A EECOED. 297
r
In the spring of 1860, he commenced reading law
in Warren, Ohio, Avhich he continued until the
breaking out of the rebellion. During his course
of study, he gave promise of an able and useful
laAvyer. When it became evident that the rebellion
could not be suppressed but by the force of arms,
he deemed it his duty to leave the study of the
profession of his choice, and enroll himself among
the defenders of his country. This step he consid
ered as a decided sacrifice to him ; for, by nature,
he was in no way inclined to the life of a soldier ;
he preferred the quiet life of a citizen, which is
alone to be found at horae. It was with many
misgivings that he finally placed his narae on the
roll. In doing this, he was alone infiuenced by
patriotic motives. When urged to be a candidate
fof the position of sergeant, he declined to have
any thing to do Avith the matter ; but was elected,
notwithstanding his indiffei«ence.
At Camp Dennison, he was raade orderly-ser
geant. He took part in the skirmish at Cross
Lanes, Avhere he made a good record as a soldier.
Soon after entering the field, his health failed hira.
The long marches often taxed him beyond his
strength ; but he seldom complained. He was not
in the battle of Winchester on account of sickness,
being disabled from the effects of the severe raarch
from Strasburg, which took place a short time
13*

298 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
before. He expressed many regrets on account of
his absence. But he very soon had an opportunity
to test his courage on the battle-field. The engage
ment of Port Eepublic occurred shortly after. He
was in no respect second in gallantry to those Avho
were in the previous battle. He Avas ever at his
post, doing his duty. During the latter part of the
battle, a captain, an intimate friend, fell, severely
wounded. He caught hira in his arms, and laid
him gently on the ground, pillowing his head in
his lap. The regiment moved off, and the rebels
advanced ; but he refused to leave his friend.
And he did not leave until the captain was borne
aAvay by his comrades. He passed through this
battle without a scratch. He accompanied the
regiment to Alexandria, and frora there to the front
of Pope's array. He now took part in the battle
of Cedar Mountain. While cheering his men for
ward, he Avas Avounded. Tavo men took him in
their arms, and started in search of the hospital ;
but before they were off the field a bullet struck
him in the groin, severing the femoral artery\
Said he, " Eemember, boys, I die for my country,"
and expired in their arms. Thus, a true and de
voted friend of his country died to preserve it from
the attacks of those wdio had been educated and
supported by it from boyhood.
As an. officer. Lieutenant Brisbine was rauch

A EECOED. 299
esteemed ; as a companion, he was admired by
every one. I doubt if he had an enemy in the
army or at home. He won his promotion in the
field ; and it Avas, therefore, a much greater prize
than a higher rank conferred by favor. He Avas
commissioned early in 1862.
LIEUTENANT CHARLES A. BROOKS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Bristol,
Trumbull County, in the year 1843. He early de
veloped those good qualities of head and heart for
Avhicli he was afterwards so distinguished. Being a
good student, attentive to his books, as he was to
every other good purpose, he acquired a good edu
cation, which w-ould have enabled hira to engage in
any occupation with credit to himself and profit to
the community.
He was desirous of entering the service when the
war first began, but was held back by domestic ties
Avhich bound hira strongly to home. But on the
second call for troops, he could no longer remain
out of the army ; and, hastening to a recruiting sta
tion, he enlisted in Company H, of the Seventh
Eegiment. He arrived at Camp Dennison on the
SOth of May, and, with others, was mustered into
the service. His tall, commanding figure, connected
with his sterling qualities of mind, pointed him out
as a proper person for promotion. He was, there-

300 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
fore raade a corporal, and, as soon as a vacancy oc
curred, a sergeant. His officers soon put unlimited
confid'ence in him. If a hazardous enterprise was
to be performed, he was deemed fitting to undertake
it. WhUe still a sergeant, Creighton would often
point him out as his future adjutant. Finally, when
Adjutant Shepherd was compelled to resign, on ac
count of growing ill health, Creighton procured his
appointment as first-lieutenant, and at once detailed.
him as his adjutant. Pie came to this position en
tirely qualified ; for, from the time he had been
made orderly of Company H, he transacted all of
the business of the company. He was in the affair
at Cross Lanes, and all other skirmishes in which
the regiment was engaged, as well as the following
battles : Port Eepublic, Cedar Mountain, Dumfries,
Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.
Near the close of the battle of Port Eepublic, he
saw one of his old officers lying, seriously Avounded,
so near the enemy's lines as to be in danger of cap
ture. Throwing down his gun, in company vidth
Charles Garrard, he braved the battle-fire, and
brought his old comrade safely from the field ;
thus, probably, saving his life.
At the battle of Cedar Mountain he was slightly
wounded, losing a finger.
In July he Avas sent to Ohio to bring forward the
drafted men assigned to the Seventh. While on his

A EECOED. 301
way from Columbus to his home in Bristol, he met
with a frightful accident resulting in death. While
seated in an oranibus, it was driven on to the rail
road track, directly in front of a train. In jumping
out, he was knocked down by the cars and run
over, mangling both legs frightfully. He was taken
to the New England House, but nothing could be
done for him, and he expired early the following
morning. The following 'is from the pen of one who
knew him and prized him :*
"The career of this young man has been short
but brilliant. He has been a soldier and a raan ;
pure, noble-hearted, sympathetic, and always ready
for any duty. He has been brave, courageous, and
trustAvorthy. He has gone from us with no stain
upon his honor, uo spots upon his escutcheon, but
with his armor begrimed with the dust of many
battles. Although young in years, he had lived
long, if you count the hardships he had endured,
the stirring and momentous events through which
he had passed, and in the transpiring of which he
had been an actor, the service he rendered his coun
try, and humanity at large, and the good he had
done ; if gauged by this standard, he had become
more mature than many men who have attained
their threescore and ten years. So bright an ex-
* Colonel J. F. Asper.

302 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT:
ample cannot fail to have a good influence upon the
young men of the countiy. His violent death avUI
bring his virtues prominently before their minds,
'and cannot fail to make an impression. Let all be
exhorted to emulate his patriotism, his gaUantiy,
his A^alor, his promptness in thc discharge of duty,
his kindness of heart, suavity of manner, his manly
ami soldier-like qualities ; and if in civil life, they
will become manlier men — if in military life, they
cannot fail to becorae better and braver soldiers."
lie Avas buried near Avhere he was born, on the
banks of a rippling brook, under the shade of beau
tiful trees, through the boughs of which Avill sing
an everlasting requiem fitting so brave and active
a spirit. The citizens of the vicinity turned out in
mass to honor his memory Avitli their presence,
and tearful ey^es and expressive looks showed
their heartfelt sympathy for the afflicted mother,
sister, brother, and relatives; while a railitary or
ganization from Warren gave him the fitting es
cort, and fired three volleys over his grave.
A grateful public will not forget this heroic and
noble sacrifice. Let an enduring monument be
erected. Not of marble, wdiich may crumble ;
but let his manly deeds be engraved upon the
tablets of their memory, and let his virtues and
sacrifices be interAvoven Avitli the affections, the
sy-mpathies, and the lives of the people, so that

A EECOED. 303
while tirae lasts, and all that is noble in huraan
action, good in thought, and true in conception
and motive, shall be treasured as sacred memories,
this hero avUI not be forgotten, because kept fresh
Avith the Avatering of many tears.
LIEUTENANT JOSEPH H. ROSS.
Joseph H. Eoss entered the service as a private
in Captain W. E. Sterling's company. Soon after
arriving in camp he was made a sergeant, and
finally orderly. He was engaged in all the marches
and skirmishes in Western Virginia, and at Cross
Lanes fought like a veteran. He was in the battle
of Winchester, where he displayed such reckless
bravery as to attract the attention of the entire
command. While the regiment was partially
concealed behind a ridge, within eighty yards of"
the enemy, Eoss was not content with remaining
at such a distance, but creeping over the hill,
crawled forward on his hands and knees till he
was midAvay between the lines, and taking a posi
tion behind a rock, swung his hat to those behind.
None but Sergeant Whiting, of Company D, had
the courage to foUoAV hira. From behind this rock,
the tAvo heroes kept up a constant fire on the en
emy, hitting their man at every shot.
Eoss was now raade a lieutenant, and assigned
to Company C. He was in the battle of Port Ee-

304 THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT.
public, Avhere he fought with his usual bravery.
At the battle of Cedar Mountain he commanded
Company C. During the entire day he led his
men Avith such certainty-, that they slaughtered
the enemy fearfully. Night came, and he had not
received a scratch, while the thinned ranks testified
liOAV many had fallen around him. Soon after dark,
as if the regiment had not already suffered suffi
ciently, it A\-as ordered on picket. When about a
mile out, it Avas fired upon from all quarters, and
Lieutenant Eoss fell, mortally Avounded. He died
soon after. Ilis loss Avas deeply felt, both in the army
and at home ; for he was a true soldier and friend.
LIEUTENANT FRANK JOHNSON.
At this same bloody battle of Cedar Mountain,
another youthful hero fell, Frank Johnson, Company
F. He had entered the service as a private in
John Morris' company, and had risen through the
different grades of corporal and sergeant to be a
lieutenant. He had toiled along through the hard
marches of the Seventh, struggling against a weak
constitution, which Avas every day being impaired
by hardships and exposure. He had fought nobly
in the battles of Winchester and Port Eepublic, —
recognized by the authorities by giving him a com
mission ; and now, in the morning of his new life as
a leader, he fell at the head of his corapany.

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