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THE SEVENTH REGIMENT: A RECORD.
THE SEVENTH REGIMENT: A RECORD.
BY MAJOR GEORGE L. WOOD. NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY JAMES MILLER, (SUCCESSOR TO C. S. FRANCIS & CO.,) 522 BROADWAY. 1865. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, By JAMES MILLER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York....
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AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
The following pages were written for the purpose of making a permanent record of the facts within the author's knowledge relating to the Seventh Ohio Regiment. The work was undertaken with the belief that the doings and sufferings of the regiment were of sufficient magnitude and importance to entitle it to a separate record. It has been extremely difficult to obtain facts, on account of so large a portion of the members still being in the service. The book is, therefore, written principally from
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
This preface to the history of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry is written at the request of the accomplished author of the book; but without having 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 commend it to others. But was there a demand for another book on the war? Or were the doings and suffer
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CHAPTER I. The fall of Sumter. — Civil war begun. — Preparations by the South. — Nobility.
CHAPTER I. The fall of Sumter. — Civil war begun. — Preparations by the South. — Nobility.
On a gloomy day in April, 1861, the telegraph flashed the news over the country that Fort Sumter, a fortress belonging to the United States, had been fired upon by a body of rebels, and thus inaugurating all the horrors of civil war. By the great mass of people, civil war in our hitherto peaceful country was entirely unlooked for. It burst so suddenly, that the entire country was convulsed. The people had become so accustomed to clamor in Congress and elsewhere, that they looked upon these threa
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CHAPTER II. The President's call for troops. — Organization of the Seventh. — Its departure for Camp Dennison. — Its reorganization and departure for the field.
CHAPTER II. The President's call for troops. — Organization of the Seventh. — Its departure for Camp Dennison. — Its reorganization 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 required. Never in the history of the world was such a response witnessed to the call of any country. Men left their implements of husbandry 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
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CHAPTER III. The pursuit of General Wise. — Tyler ordered to menace Gauley Bridge and threaten Wise's communications.
CHAPTER III. The pursuit of General Wise. — Tyler ordered to menace Gauley Bridge and threaten Wise's communications.
On the 11th day of July General Rosecrans, by order of General McClellan, marched his brigade eight miles through a mountain-path to the rear of the rebel force, occupying the crest of Rich Mountain, commanded by Colonel Pegram. This movement 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 W
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CHAPTER IV. The skirmish at Cross Lanes. — Gallant conduct and final escape of the Seventh Regiment.
CHAPTER IV. The skirmish at Cross Lanes. — Gallant conduct and final escape of the Seventh Regiment.
The occupation of Cross Lanes was considered by the authorities of the gravest importance. It was contiguous to three fords on the Gauley River, 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 River, which unites with the Sunday road, crossing the river at this ferry. This r
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CHAPTER V. Reflections on the Skirmish at Cross Lanes. — Battle of Carnifex Ferry.
CHAPTER V. Reflections on the Skirmish at Cross Lanes. — Battle of 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, with the exception of the Seventh Ohio, from a position which enabled them to guard the ferries of the Gauley. If it was deemed important to hold these ferries at all, it was certainly advisable to retain a sufficient force to guard against surprise and capture. But then, what would be considered a sufficient force? To settle the questio
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CHAPTER VI. Charleston and the Kanawha Valley. — A double murder. — Colonel Tyler assumes command of the post.
CHAPTER VI. Charleston and the Kanawha Valley. — A double murder. — Colonel Tyler assumes command of the post.
After the engagement at Cross Lanes, five companies 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 Regiment. 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 Kanawha River, at a point where the Elk empties into it. There is a fine suspension bridge over the latter stream, w
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CHAPTER VII. Floyd establishes batteries on Cotton Hill. — Driven off by the forces of general Cox. — Benham's failure to intercept his retreat. — His pursuit. — Skirmish at McCoy's Mills. — His final escape.
CHAPTER VII. Floyd establishes batteries on Cotton Hill. — Driven off by the forces of general Cox. — Benham's failure to intercept his retreat. — His pursuit. — Skirmish at McCoy's Mills. — His final escape.
Near the last of October General Floyd very suddenly appeared on Cotton Hill, an abrupt eminence lying between the Kanawha and New rivers, at the junction of the Gauley with the latter stream, which form the Kanawha. The enemy immediately commenced shelling Gauley Bridge. General Cox, who was some distance up New River, near the headquarters of General Rosecrans, was ordered to proceed to Gauley Bridge and to assume direction of affairs. He was also ordered to direct General Benham, who was expe
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CHAPTER VIII. Reflections on the Institution of Slavery.
CHAPTER VIII. Reflections on the Institution of Slavery.
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 white 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
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CHAPTER IX. The Seventh ordered to the East. — Expedition to Blue's Gap. — Skirmish on the Blooming pike.
CHAPTER IX. The Seventh ordered to the East. — Expedition to Blue's Gap. — Skirmish on the Blooming pike.
After Floyd was driven from Cotton Hill, very few rebels remained in that portion of Virginia. Many troops were sent to Kentucky and elsewhere. Among the number was the Seventh Regiment. It was ordered to join the forces under command of General Kelley, which were operating on the upper waters of the Potomac, with headquarters at Cumberland, Maryland. Accordingly, on the twelfth day of December, the regiment embarked on steamers, and after paying its respects to General Cox, by way of presenting
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CHAPTER X. Gallantry of Lieutenant O'Brien. — Death of General Lander. — The Seventh escort his remains. — The occupation of Winchester.
CHAPTER X. Gallantry of Lieutenant O'Brien. — Death of General Lander. — The Seventh escort his remains. — The occupation of Winchester.
During the occupation of the country about Pau-Pau Station, the troops were kept active. Skirmishes were of frequent occurrence. One of them is deserving of mention. A reconnoissance 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 immediately 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
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CHAPTER XI. A Reconnoissance to Strasburg. — Battle of Winchester. — Utter defeat and rout of Jackson's army.
CHAPTER XI. A Reconnoissance to Strasburg. — Battle of Winchester. — Utter defeat and rout of Jackson's army.
Immediately after the occupation of Winchester, the enemy's cavalry advance becoming troublesome, a plan was laid for its capture. Colonel Mason, of the Fourth Ohio, was sent out on the road to Front Royal, with a brigade, composed of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, with instructions to proceed until he arrived at the last road leading to the right before reaching Front Royal; which road he was to take, and by it strike the rear of the enemy at Middletown, a small hamlet equally distant from b
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CHAPTER XII. General Shields' anxiety for laurels. — Summing up of the battle. — Losses in the Seventh.
CHAPTER XII. General Shields' anxiety for laurels. — Summing up of the battle. — Losses in the Seventh.
After 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 reconnoissance to Strasburg, on the 18th, he fell back hurriedly, 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
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CHAPTER XIII. Pursuit of Jackson up the Valley. — March to Fredericksburg, and return to Front Royal.
CHAPTER XIII. Pursuit of Jackson up the Valley. — March to Fredericksburg, and return to Front Royal.
About the 1st of April the command left Strasburg, 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 17th, during which time the enemy kept up an artillery fire across the creek, which resulted in the killing of several men in the division of General Williams. On the morning of the 17th the command crossed the creek, and sto
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CHAPTER XIV. The march on Waynesboro'. — Two brigades encounter Jackson at Port Republic, and after five hours' fighting are compelled to fall back.
CHAPTER XIV. The march on Waynesboro'. — Two brigades encounter Jackson at Port Republic, and after five hours' fighting are compelled to fall back.
Nearly the entire corps of General McDowell followed the division of General Shields. The latter took the direction of Manassas Junction, and from there passed down the railroad, through Manassas Gap, arriving at Front Royal on Friday noon, after a sharp engagement with a small force of rebels. Soon after, Shields stationed one brigade on the Luray road, another to watch the fords of the Shenandoah, another was sent out on the Strasburg road, while the remaining one occupied the town. On McDowel
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CHAPTER XV. Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Gallantry of the regiment, and terrible loss.
CHAPTER XV. Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Gallantry of the regiment, and terrible loss.
After a few days' rest at Luray, the regiment marched to Front Royal, and soon after left for Alexandria, where it arrived on the 27th of June. It went into camp on a beautiful hill, just outside the fortifications. Remaining in this camp for a month, the regiment was ordered to join the forces under McDowell, at Warrenton. It arrived there on the morning of June 26th, and soon after reported to General Banks, at Little Washington. General Tyler had now been relieved from duty with the Third bri
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CHAPTER XVI. The regiment goes into camp at Alexandria, but is soon ordered to the front. — Battle of Antietam.
CHAPTER XVI. The regiment goes into camp at Alexandria, but is soon ordered to the front. — Battle of Antietam.
After the battle of Cedar Mountain, the regiment took part in the memorable retreat of General Pope to the Potomac. During the time, it was not engaged in immediate action; but was 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 was marched to Arlington Heights, to the support of Fort Albany, near which it encampe
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CHAPTER XVII. The march to Dumfries. — Skirmish with Hampton's cavalry, in which they are badly defeated by a much inferior force.
CHAPTER XVII. The march to Dumfries. — Skirmish with Hampton's cavalry, in which they are badly defeated by a much inferior force.
While at Loudon Heights, the monotony of life in camp was relieved by drill, guard, and picket duty, with an occasional reconnoissance. On the latter occasions some little skirmishing would usually occur. An occasional dash was 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 the Loudon Valley, on its way to Fredericksburg. We copy a description of the march of a regiment in Porter's corps. [2] "I have be
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CHAPTER XVIII. The regiment ordered to the front. — Battle of Chancellorsville.
CHAPTER XVIII. The regiment ordered to the front. — Battle of Chancellorsville.
Near the middle of April, 1863, the regiment marched down to Aquia Landing, where it remained 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 attempt to drive the rebel army from the vicinity of the Rappahannock. Burnside's failure had demonstrated the impracticability of crossing the river at Fredericksburg; for no army was safe for a moment
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CHAPTER XIX. Accompanies the grand army into Pennsylvania. — Battle of Gettysburg.
CHAPTER XIX. Accompanies the grand army into Pennsylvania. — Battle of Gettysburg.
After the battle of Chancellorsville, the regiment remained for some time in its camp at Aquia Landing. The Army 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 demonstrations on the various fords of the Rappahannock. 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 movements gave rise to sharp skirm
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CHAPTER XX. After reaching the Rapidan it goes to Governor's Island. — After its return it accompanies Hooker's corps to the Western department.
CHAPTER XX. After reaching the Rapidan it goes to Governor's Island. — After its return it accompanies Hooker's corps to the Western department.
After the battle of Gettysburg, the regiment was with the grand army in pursuit of the broken columns of General Lee. Passing through Frederick 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 Ridge to Fairfax and Manassas Junction, over the old battle-field of Bull Run. Again taking up the line of march, it crossed the Rappahannock below Culpepper Court-house
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CHAPTER XXI. The Seventh joins Grant's army. — The battles of Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and Ringgold.
CHAPTER XXI. The Seventh joins Grant's army. — The battles of Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and Ringgold.
After remaining for some time at Bridgeport, the regiment was ordered to the vicinity of Lookout Mountain. It marched to the little village of Wahatcha, at the base of this mountain, and went into camp. It remained, however, but a short time, and then returned to Bridgeport, where it went 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 vicin
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CHAPTER XXII. The advance towards Atlanta. — Skirmishing. — Homeward march. — Its reception. — Muster out.
CHAPTER XXII. The advance towards Atlanta. — Skirmishing. — Homeward march. — Its reception. — Muster out.
The series of successes in the vicinity of Chattanooga made Grant a lieutenant-general, and gave Sherman the command of the armies in Tennessee. Preparations were now made to press back the forces marshalled in rebellion at all points. Early in the spring the ball was opened in the East by Lieutenant-General Grant in person, while in the West the indomitable Sherman set his invincible army in motion towards the very heart of the so-called Confederacy. The advance was sounded, and the Union hosts
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL E. B. TYLER. [3] 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 militia 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 acquaintance with that wild region, he having been engaged in purchasing furs from the people for many years. During the entire summer he wa
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OUR DEAD.
OUR DEAD.
COLONEL WILLIAM R. CREIGHTON AND LIEUT.-COLONEL ORRIN J. CRANE. Colonel William R. Creighton was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in June, 1837. At the age of ten years, he entered a shoe-store, where he remained for two years; after which he entered a commercial college, where he remained for six months. But these pursuits were not to his liking—he had no taste for accounts. We next find him, at the age of thirteen years, in the job-office of McMillin, in Pittsburgh, where he remained for four
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