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- In general, geographical references, spelling, hyphenation, and
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- Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
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* * * * *
THE HISTORY
OF
COMPANY C,
SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. I.,
BY
THEODORE WILDER.
OBERLIN:
J. B. T. MARSH, PRINTER,
"News Office."
1866.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866,
By THEODORE WILDER,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for
the Northern District of Ohio.
TO ALL
WHOSE NAMES APPEAR
ON THE
COMPANY ROLL
THIS LITTLE VOLUME
IS MOST
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
PREFACE.
This sketch and record were written at the suggestion and by the request
of the surviving members of the Company. It was their desire to have a
brief story of their marches, battles and sieges, and, especially, an
accurate record of each member, to preserve for reference in future
years. If this little publication will serve that purpose, the object of
the author is fully accomplished. There has been no design on his part
to entertain the public with a detailed and verbose account of patriotic
deeds and severe hardships, above what many others may have endured who
have taken part in the War of the Rebellion. Therefore, those who may
chance to meet with a copy of this work, expecting to be entertained,
will probably be disappointed.
As the value of such a work as this, depends entirely upon its accuracy,
great pains have been taken to avoid all mistakes. The author has had
access to diaries and journals kept by the members, and official returns
of the commanding officer, and is thus able to give the numerous dates
and facts with a good degree of correctness: and though there may be
errors, yet it is believed that very few occur.
T. W.
Oberlin, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1866.
HISTORY OF COMPANY C.
The History of Company C is properly connected with the history of
Oberlin College, the Alma Mater of its organization. The majority of its
members were proud to be known as the exponents of the generous,
Christian principles, there so fearlessly uttered and so zealously
inculcated. The founders of Oberlin were pledged to the general law of
benevolence. _All_ known forms of virtue were cheerfully adopted. Every
system of wrong was deprecated.
Patriotism and the doctrine of Anti-Slavery very naturally found a place
in the category of their principles. They seemed to be men, "clothed and
in their right mind," possessing at least the ordinary balance of moral
character, without any design to establish an institution for the
purpose of waging war against any particular system of iniquity to the
exclusion of all the others. Missionary associations, temperance and
anti-slavery societies, in short, all organizations designed to aid in
improving and saving their fellow men, found fearless advocates in them.
Under the stimulus of such principles they left their pleasant homes in
New England for residences in an unfavorable place in a forest of
Northern Ohio, to found a college that might prove a blessing to the
broad West.
[Sidenote: Oberlin College.]
The peculiar views held by Oberlin people with regard to their relations
and duties to the government, which are commonly known as the doctrine
of the Higher Law, were but the natural outgrowth of Christian
benevolence. They saw slavery to be a great crime, and they were bold to
take a stand against it, as one of their Christian duties. From the day
that the question of the evil of slavery was brought before the country,
they hesitated not to engage in the irrepressible conflict.
Multitudes of young men from the most virtuous families of the various
States of the Union gathered into the College to educate themselves for
positions of usefulness in every direction,--not all to be temperance
lecturers, not all to be honest lawyers, virtuous physicians, radical
anti-slavery enthusiasts; but some to fill all the various positions of
honor and trust.
No argument need be made to prove the vast extent of influence for good
which the College has exerted through the multitudes of young men who
have gone out from her halls, bearing the precious seed with them. It
has been scattered over the North, and to some extent over the South.
And to-day we are permitted to see the fields whitening, though not
fully ripe. The most enlightened communities, instead of receding from
the views promulgated by Oberlin teachers, have rapidly approached them.
The majority of the students of the College were those who had been
reared under good influences at home, and who found upon their arrival
at Oberlin, that the views entertained by the people and taught by the
Faculty were similar to their own. When the first military company was
formed from them, the members represented not simply Oberlin College,
but also the Christian families in which they had been trained. And so
they all felt. Each was proud to offer himself to defend the principles
his praying mother had taught him.
The news of the attack on Fort Sumter, by a rebellious force in arms,
was received by the students with a sad enthusiasm. From the morning
recitation, they would make haste to the Reading Room to learn the
latest item of intelligence in the Daily, with regard to the progress of
what then seemed the Insurrection.
[Sidenote: The Enlistment.]
The President issued a proclamation for 75,000 volunteers. A meeting of
the students, in the College Chapel, was called, Friday evening, April
19th, and was addressed by enthusiastic speakers from each of the
regular classes in the Institution. A committee of five was appointed to
get volunteers. On the next day Prof. Monroe arrived from Columbus. A
meeting was called in the Church, which was addressed by him and Col.
Sheldon from Elyria. At the close of the meeting it was announced that
the roll was open for enlistments. Immediately, young men ran from
various parts of the assembly, and in a few moments the stand was
crowded. Lester A. Bartlett was the first to write his name on the roll.
Forty-nine names were secured that evening. The next day was the
Sabbath; but many more were added before its close, because each feared
the roll would be full ere there would be opportunity for himself to
enlist.
At eight o'clock, Monday morning, it was announced that no more could be
received. Before noon the Company had partially organized itself.
On Thursday, April 25, it took the cars for Camp Taylor, at Cleveland,
O. No member will ever forget the crowd of thousands at the depot, the
speeches, sensations, and the tears, shed by friends at the parting. It
was a sad day when these young men realized that they were called to
engage in their country's battles. Their love of home was equal to that
of those who remained. But at the voice of duty there was scarcely a
question with regard to the course to be taken. No large bounties from
state and town were offered them. The monthly rate of wages was not
thought of, nor even known by many.
The advantages resulting from being in the "line of promotion" found no
place in the most fanciful imagination. It was undoubtedly true that an
indifferent spectator might have discovered some vanity displayed in the
pride of a prompt performance of duty; yet the members always counted it
a necessary evil attendant upon a proper course of action.
They made claim to no peculiar sanctifying grace which exalted them
above the weaknesses common to their race.
If the principles of Oberlin in her earlier years sent out the student,
with his life in his hands, to speak against the flagrant evils of his
time, the delicate lady to seek an opportunity to teach the oppressed
and relieve their wants, the same principles in this later day prompted
him to give his life into the hands of his country to seek a similar end
by sterner means.
[Sidenote: The Three-Months Roll.]
The company was mustered into the U. S. service for three months at Camp
Taylor, April 30, 1861.
The roll presented the following names:
G. W. Shurtleff, _Captain_.
J. N. Cross, _First Lieutenant_.
E. H. Baker, _Second Lieutenant_.
_Sergeants._
O. P. Brockway,
E. R. Stiles,
W. W. Kinsley,
H. G. Orton,
E. W. Morey.
_Corporals._
J. F. Harmon,
T. E. W. Adams,
C. P. Bowler,
S. M. Cole,
E. W. Goodsell,
L. A. Bartlett,
W. W. Parmenter,
I. F. Mack.
_Privates._
E. B. Atwater,
B. A. Abbott,
M. M. Andrews,
Wm. W. Arnold,
Jno. Austin,
J. E. Bates,
Jno. Baldwin,
Foster Bodle,
E. M. Bostwick,
J. M. Burns,
C. H. Buxton,
J. W. Cheney,
Buel Chipman,
H. D. Claghorn,
H. S. Clark,
M. V. Clark,
T. B. Crowell,
Joseph Collins,
E. M. Condit,
J. S. Cooper,
A. C. Danforth,
A. H. Denman,
J. R. Davies,
Daniel Emerson,
J. M. Ginn,
E. F. Grabill,
C. P. Griffin,
A. M. Halbert,
F. B. Hayden,
C. P. Hamilton,
M. N. Hamilton,
E. T. Hayes,
Noah Huckins,
W. M. Hunter,
Henry Howard,
Burford Jeakins,
D. S. Judson,
J. S. Kellogg,
Thomas Kirk,
Stephen Kellogg,
S. B. Kingsbury,
R. B. Kelley,
H. W. Lincoln,
F. A. Lockwood,
G. R. Magary,
J. A. Massa,
E. B. Myers,
Frederick Moe,
C. E. Mason,
J. G. McKnight,
E. C. Newton,
F. M. Palmer,
J. A. Peaseley,
J. J. Peaseley,
H. Parsons,
G. W. Pease,
R. R. Potter,
J. M. Rappleye,
A. H. Robbins,
Geo. Rogers,
C. W. Rossiter,
E. C. Root,
E. G. Sackett,
W. H. Scott,
H. G. Sheldon,
E. R. Smith,
Geo. A. Smith,
Geo. W. Short,
L. G. Spees,
C. N. Sterry,
C. E. Tibbets,
D. J. Thompson,
G. H. Thrasher,
Richard Towers,
O. C. Trembley,
O. H. Wadsworth,
A. G. Wetherby,
F. A. Warner,
Theo. Wilder,
J. H. Wilsey,
Richard Winsor,
Oliver Wise,
G. F. Wright,
O. H. Worcester.
The company was assigned to a place as Co. C in the Seventh Regiment of
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was afterwards put under the command of
Col. E. B. Tyler, Lieut. Col. Wm. R. Creighton, and Maj. Jno. S.
Casement.
[Sidenote: Departure to Camp Dennison.]
In compliance with an order from the State Military Department, Sunday
morning, May 5, the regiment packed carpet sacks and took up line of
march through the streets of Cleveland to the R. R. depot, to make its
departure for Camp Dennison. It reached Columbus at 4 P. M., spent the
night in that city, Co. C quartering in the State House, and arrived in
camp at noon the following day. The men immediately proceeded to build
barracks for the night, and, as it proved, for the remainder of their
tarry at that place.
[Sidenote: Camp Dennison.]
Much ingenuity was displayed by the various messes in arranging the
interior of their miniature domicils, each fashioning its own to suit
the taste, fancy, and convenience of the occupants. And yet they were
all alike. Gravel walks, arbors and various other methods of adorning,
soon converted these uncouth barracks into comparatively pleasant
dwellings, such as might well move the envy of many a city pauper. The
multitude of jokes, both stereotyped and irregular, served their part to
create and preserve a healthy tone of humor, which otherwise might have
taken on a type far more serious. He who could neither furnish merriment
nor enjoy it, and had no affection but the chronic for any member,
supplied the only lacking element to give the company all the varieties
between the extremes of humor. The receptions of numerous packages of
letters and luxuries from Oberlin and home, made bright spots in the
history of their otherwise monotonous life at Camp Dennison.
From the beginning of the service, daily prayer meetings were
established, which were usually held in the street between the barracks.
Very frequently men of other companies would gather in, and there is
reason to believe that more good was done than to create and preserve a
lively, healthy, religious feeling in the company itself. The prevailing
sentiment was emphatically in favor of religion; and if a small number
were not themselves professing Christians, they were, at least, disposed
in most cases to be moral, and to discountenance flagrant vices. Of this
latter number, several were converted before their term of service
expired; and of the former class, it is believed that few merit the
dishonor of falling entirely from grace.
The company was divided into messes of about sixteen each. A chaplain
was appointed in each, whose business it was to lead in morning or
evening worship, or to see that such exercises were observed. This
practice was retained in most of the messes throughout the service.
Thus Co. C became a rather peculiar people in a camp of thousands, the
majority of whom could not be said to have deserved the reputation of
being devoted followers of the Lord. It was not very uncommon to hear
the sneer, "There goes an Oberlinite," or, "There is one of that praying
company." And a superficial observer might have supposed they were
generally despised by men of other companies; but a more thorough
investigation in a private conference would generally betray a feeling
very much like the opposite.
In spite of these sneers the men of Co. C did not think it best to give
up their Christian profession, and those virtuous principles which were
dearer to them than life, that they might thus be more completely in
uniform with those who surrounded them. If there was a trick, or act of
thievery, committed by any man of the company, great pains was taken by
others to give it complete publicity, and to let the sound of it return
to them for their humiliation. This was always regarded by Co. C as a
compliment, proving that such acts were uncommon, and that others
thought them to be so. The common sentiment was such that a profane word
was seldom heard, and the use of the pipe was generally disapproved. The
disposition of the few who wished to smoke, was modified and regulated
by the inflexible orders of the Captain. The use of stimulating drinks
was rarely indulged in. Men of other companies did not fail to assert
frequently that such soldiers could neither be valiant in battle, nor
endure the severities of military service, in the camp and on the forced
march. These assertions were seldom or never made after the first battle
and a few of the earliest marches. It became a common remark that Co. C
always suffered severely in battle in proportion to its numbers, and its
power of endurance became equally well known. Speculators have thought
the fact due to their healthful habits and superior knowledge of proper
personal care. It was true that, while other companies lost eight or ten
by sickness, Co. C lost but three, and two of these took the infection
of disease in the filthy dungeons of New Orleans.
[Sidenote: Invitation to Re-enlist.]
In the latter part of May, the Governor invited the Seventh Regiment to
re-enlist for the three-years service, promising to date their muster
roll back to their enlistment for three months. How faithful the
government was to this agreement, is proved by the fact that the
regiment was not allowed to be mustered out until July 6, 1864.
The members of Co. C will long remember the night of the 23d of May,
when at 9 P. M. they were marched out of the lines, up the little grassy
hill at the east of the camp, to be addressed by Gen. Cox and Prof.
Monroe, with regard to entering the service for three years. Prominent
among the arguments presented was the great moral influence upon the
army, which such a company must exert. Ministers of the Gospel, college
alumni, and seniors, serving their country as privates, must speak
eloquently for the righteous cause they had espoused. It was not there
considered, whether a common ploughman could carry a musket as far and
as well as one of them, or whether a man of culture might not serve his
country quite as profitably in a higher position. These were problems
which would easily be solved by experiment. But whatever solution they
admitted, or answer was obtained, it was proved that the collar once
fitted to the neck, was not easily removed; and with what rank one
entered the service, with the same he was likely to emerge.
There were those who believed that, had they disbanded and gone to their
homes, the prospect of a majority would have been good for commissions.
However, many of them, and perhaps the greater part, were proud to
belong to such an organization, and few seemed willing to yield the
honor of being a member of Company C.
[Sidenote: Re-enlistment.]
The question of a three-years enlistment was a very serious one. A
college course begun or nearly completed, good prospects of life
beginning to open--these must be given up. Many doubted the wisdom of
such a course of action, and returned to their homes or to the college,
to do good or to complete their outfit for usefulness in a less
belligerent occupation. One of the members said he hesitated not to give
three years of his time, or his life, if it were necessary; but the
thought of losing a limb, or being permanently disabled, could not be
entertained. This objection was finally laid aside at the call of duty.
The company was made proud by his heroism in the engagement at Cross
Lanes, where he was made a cripple for life. Another had aged, infirm
parents who needed his support, but they finally recovered and he added
his name to the roll. A third had just married a wife and, therefore,
had a double reason for going.
[Sidenote: The Three-Years Roll.]
It was a solemn hour in the morning of one of the latter days of May,
when, on the side of the grassy hill before mentioned, the Captain gave
orders for all who would re-enlist to step forward eight paces. The
ranks were broken. The number remaining about equaled the others. After
a few moments, one stepped forward, then another, and another, until the
full complement for a company organization was obtained. These were
furloughed for ten days, when they returned to camp, bringing with them
enough recruits to swell the number to a maximum.
The following names appeared on the roll for three years.
G. W. Shurtleff, _Captain_.
J. N. Cross, _First Lieutenant_.
E. H. Baker, _Second Lieutenant_.
_Sergeants._
O. P. Brockway,
E. R. Stiles,
W. W. Parmenter,
H. G. Orton,
E. W. Morey.
_Corporals._
J. F. Harmon,
T. E. W. Adams,
C. P. Bowler,
S. M. Cole,
A. C. Danforth,
E. W. Goodsell,
H. W. Lincoln,
I. F. Mack.
_Musicians._
E. M. Bostwick,
C. W. Rossiter.
_Privates._
M. M. Andrews,
E. B. Atwater,
J. E. Avery,
N. L. Badger,
J. E. Bates,
Wm. Biggs,
J. R. Bell,
Foster Bodle,
C. C. Bosworth,
J. M. Burns,
C. H. Buxton,
Geo. Carrothers,
James W. Cheney,
Buel Chipman,
H. D. Claghorn,
H. S. Clark,
M. V. Clark,
Wallace Coburn,
Joseph Collins,
E. M. Condit,
J. S. Cooper,
E. T. Curtis,
S. A. Day,
T. P. Dickson,
J. J. Evers,
J. W. Finch,
H. B. Fry,
John Gardner,
L. R. Gates,
John Gillanders,
J. M. Ginn,
E. F. Grabill,
A. M. Halbert,
C. P. Hamilton,
M. N. Hamilton,
E. T. Hayes,
H. G. Hixon,
Henry Howard,
Albert Hubbell,
Burford Jeakins,
I. C. Jones,
L. J. Jones,
D. S. Judson,
J. S. Kellogg,
Stephen Kellogg,
R. J. Kingsbury,
S. B. Kingsbury,
G. R. Magary,
J. A. Massa,
E. B. Myers,
I. A. Noble,
E. C. Newton,
A. Osborn,
F. M. Palmer,
Alex. Parker,
H. Parsons,
R. R. Potter,
J. M. Rappleye,
A. H. Robbins,
Geo. Rogers,
E. C. Root.
E. G. Sackett,
W. H. Scott,
H. G. Sheldon,
E. R. Smith,
L. G. Spees,
Thos. Spriggs,
C. N. Sterry,
D. J. Thompson,
G. H. Thrasher,
O. C. Trembley,
L. V. Tuttle,
T. J. Wallace,
W. F. Walworth,
D. A. Ward,
F. A. Warner,
Leroy Warren,
W. W. Wheeler,
Theodore Wilder,
Richard Winsor,
Oliver Wise,
W. H. Wood,
Wm. Woodmansee,
O. H. Worcester.
Most of those whose names do not appear on this roll, and were
discharged at the close of the three months, enlisted again in some
branch of the service before the war closed.
The regiment remained at Camp Dennison, doing tedious guard duty and
practicing the military drill, until the 26th of June, when it had its
first experience in packing knapsacks, at 3 A. M., to remain in camp
throughout the long day, awaiting orders, to "forward."
Taking the cars at 6 P. M., passing through Columbus and Zanesville, it
first saw the "sacred soil" from Belleair, Ohio, on the next day at 3 P.
M. Bidding adieu to the loyal State in which it had been cheered on its
rout from every city, village, and door-yard, it immediately crossed the
river and put foot upon that soil which was to prove the final resting
place for the remains of a large number of its gallant members. At 9 P.
M. the first ten rounds of the mysterious cartridges were distributed,
and the first loading was practiced. These items are unimportant in
themselves, but to the soldier there is meaning in them, for they are
crises in his life, distinctly marking his progress in the great
transition from the pursuits of peace to those of war.
[Sidenote: Entry into Virginia.]
The regiment reached Clarksburg, by rail, at 2 P. M. of the following
day, and there learned to pitch the bell tent. At 4 P. M. of the 29th,
the first forced march was begun. The point in view was Weston, 23 miles
to the south-west. Thirty thousand dollars of the State funds were
deposited at that place, and were to be removed to Richmond the next
day. By great exertion under loaded knapsacks, the Seventh Ohio reached
the town at 5 o'clock of the following morning and secured the doomed
treasure. That march, under the circumstances, was one of the severest
of the war. Very few of the men who had no horses to ride, will ever
forget the almost unendurable fatigue, the unsightly blisters, and the
terrible sensation of thirst, which were experienced during that
night--which, to many, was a night of horrors. There was scarcely a
thought but of rest and water.
The people of Weston were generally loyal and well disposed to the
Federal soldiers, showing their good will and patriotism in a Fourth of
July dinner, the regiment, in turn, giving them a military parade
through all the principal streets in the town.
This practice which soldiers fall into, of displaying their officers on
every fine occasion, has proved one of the intolerable bores of military
service; and it is to be hoped that in the next war, privates will be
more economical in the expenditure of their strength.
[Sidenote: Cross Lanes.]
On the 8th of July the regiment set out for Glenville, a little town 28
miles distant, to relieve 300 of the 17th Ohio, said to be surrounded by
1,500 rebels under O. Jennings Wise. The march to that place was a
severe one, and was completed that day only by Co. C, which was detailed
to push through and furnish the necessary relief. No enemy appeared, and
the service at that town was characterized only by severe guard duty and
the wounding of Corporal Adams while on picket. Chipman carried the news
to camp and the whole regiment was aroused; but diligent search failed
to secure the rebel, who seemed to be swallowed up by mother earth.
Leaving Glenville July 24, the Seventh reached Cross Lanes on the 15th
of August, having encamped on its rout at Bulltown, Salt Lick,
Flatwoods, Sutton, Birch Mountain, and Summerville.
Encamped at Cross Lanes in a beautiful, sloping meadow, it remained
drilling until August 21, when an order was received in the evening to
march to Gauley Bridge. In an hour the regiment was on the road, and at
10 A. M. of the next day it had reached Twenty-Mile Creek, where it
halted. Gen. Cox, at Gauley Bridge, gave orders for it to return
immediately. It remained until the 24th. On arrival in the vicinity of
the old camp, it was discovered that Gen. Floyd had crossed Gauley River
and had encamped near Cross Lanes with 4000 men. Reason suggested only
one thing to be done. Military orders, not always coming within its
jurisdiction, put the men in bivouac on the corners and on the four
roads leading to them. While the men were roasting their corn and frying
their meat for breakfast in the morning of the 24th, the picket alarm
was given, and very soon it was discovered that the regiment was nearly
surrounded. The main strategy seemed to be for each company to take care
of itself, and do what its wisdom and discretion dictated. The enemy
marched across the meadow in fine column of divisions, and, by exact
orders, poured successive volleys into companies, A, C and K, the most
of which was received by Co. C. Here was enough order justly to give the
action the name of battle. If others name it differently, it may be that
they did not see enough of it to learn its true nature. Co. C formed on
a little hill, and held it, fighting to the best of its ability until
every other company, without exception, had fled, in addition to every
field officer. To retreat, soon became a military necessity. Cross,
Orton, Jeakins, Sheldon, Collins, and Jones, were severely wounded, and
left on the field. The rest of the company, with the Captain and
Parmenter at its head, wandered two hours in the woods, and, losing
their way, turned their course so as to fall in with a regiment of
rebels, commanded by Col. Tompkins, who ordered a halt and surrender.
The Captain shrewdly parleyed sufficiently to give Lieutenant Baker time
to command--"Skedaddle." Then followed the scattering of Co. C in the
woods, and a separation of friends that have never since met. At this
point only fifteen were captured. Others were picked up in the woods
during the four succeeding days. Men gathered together in squads of
two, four, or half-a-dozen, to find their way to Gauley Bridge,
twenty-five miles distant, through the thick laurel, and over mountains
that seemed no less than second cousins to the Alps. Harmon dropped into
a ditch, was passed over by the rebels, picked up a well-filled
haversack, and came into camp with a plenty and to spare. Many were
concealed by loyal families, in caves or in their houses, for days,
until the rebel pickets were removed. Condit was fed and housed for two
weeks, after which, to the surprise of the company, he made his
appearance with a full, healthy, improved countenance. Cooper, Wise, and
Woodmansee, appeared at Gauley Bridge, on the ninth day, as living
skeletons, nearly starved. Winsor was separated from his company, and,
with 400 of the regiment, made his way through the mountains to
Charleston, 80 miles distant.
These are specimens of the varied experiences of the men, such as to
this day furnish new topics of conversation for them when they meet. The
whole affair was, to Co. C, one of the most memorable of the war. For a
long time after this sad occurrence, the company was broken up, and the
pride of its organization seemed to have departed.
Joseph Collins died the next day after the battle, and was buried on the
field. Burford Jeakins lived until 10 o'clock Sunday evening, September
22, and passed away to a better world. Lieutenant Cross, Sergeant Orton,
H. G. Sheldon, and L. J. Jones, were recaptured by the forces of Gen.
Rosecrans in the action at Carnifex Ferry, September 10. As soon as
convenient they were removed to Cincinnati.
[Sidenote: Parish Prison.]
After all the stragglers had been gathered into camp it appeared that 29
had been taken prisoners of war, namely: Captain Shurtleff; Sergeants,
Stiles, Parmenter, and Morey; Corporals, Cole and Mack; Privates, Biggs,
Bodle, Burns, Claghorn, Curtis, Finch, Halbert, Howard, Hubbell, S. B.
Kingsbury, Massa, Myers, Noble, Newton, Osborn, Parker, Root, Scott,
Smith, Thompson, Tuttle, Warren, and Wheeler. These men were marched to
Jacksonville, one hundred miles, with their elbows tied together behind
them. From that place they went by railroad to Richmond, and, with other
prisoners captured at Manassas and Ball's Bluff, were there confined in
Atkinson's Tobacco Factory. After a few weeks they were privileged to
ride nearly the whole length of the Confederacy, in open dirt cars, and
to enjoy the wit and admiration of multitudes who had probably never
before seen a live Yankee, dressed in blue. Arriving at New Orleans,
October 1, 1861, they were thrust into Parish Prison, and were obliged
to occupy the small, filthy cells, where the vilest criminals of the
city were incarcerated. No clothing was furnished them by the
Confederacy, and not half enough food was afforded to keep them
thriving; but by means of the profits, arising from the manufacture of
bone trinkets, their sufferings were much less than otherwise they must
have been. Some of them became very skillful in making bone rings,
pen-holders, watch-chains, crosses, numbers, etc. The aristocracy
thought it a rare chance to buy an ornament of bone, made by a Yankee
prisoner. Large sums of money were realized by some of the most expert
workers. The more studious engaged in French, German, Greek, and
Theology. The "Union Lyceum" was soon established, and a regular
semi-monthly paper was published, called "The Stars and Stripes." In
this paper there appear, regularly, the notices of prayer meetings on
Sunday, at 9 o'clock, in cell No. 4; and on Wednesday, at 2 P. M., in
cell No. 2. Also a Bible-Class in cell No. 8, on Sunday at 1 o'clock P.
M.
For exercise, military companies were formed, and the positions in them
were esteemed honorable in no small degree.
To preserve order among the large number of prisoners who dwelt so
closely together, a sort of Lynch-Law Court was established, in which
those who were thought guilty of misdemeanors were tried, sentenced, and
punished.
In February, 1862, they were removed to Salisbury, N. C., for exchange;
but the wheels of the system not working smoothly, they were left in the
uncomfortable, military prison of that place until May 21, when they
took an oath not to take up arms against the Confederate States until
exchanged, nor to communicate any thing injurious to the Confederate
cause, which might have come within their knowledge after their capture.
With more than joy, they sailed down the Tar River, and stepped from
under the rebel flag, to the deck of the Union steamer, over which
proudly floated the Stars and Stripes. It is reported that they "danced,
wept, and even kissed the mute folds of those loved colors." After their
exchange some of them were discharged, and others reported themselves to
the company for duty, and served during the three years of their
enlistment.
[Sidenote: Explanation of Promotions.]
These prisoners will allow a word of explanation with regard to a
measure taken by the company authorities, which, by some, has been
thought unjust. When the remnant of the company was gathered, there was
no non-commissioned officer present of higher rank than corporal, and
only four of that rank were on company duty. Privates were obliged to
perform the duties of sergeants and corporals. None seemed willing to
take the responsibilities, discharge the duties, and, in case of error,
bear the blame of these officers, without the pay and honor which belong
to them. Besides, it was constantly a matter of uncertainty, who should
be detailed, as sergeant or corporal, and feelings of jealousy were
daily excited by what was supposed to be the partiality of the officer
who made the detail. The privates themselves soon began to desire that
some of their number might be promoted, to end the occasion of such
feelings. In order to do this, it was both expedient and necessary that
the non-commissioned officers among the prisoners should be reduced to
the ranks. This measure was taken in November, and there can hardly be a
doubt that it was right and just. Indeed, it rather seems that no other
course could have been so. No man had a natural right to any office in
the company. If expediency, because of superior qualifications, rendered
it right that certain men should occupy certain positions before their
capture, then, certainly, after that capture, which disqualified them
for the discharge of official duty, the same cause rendered it right
that others who were qualified by their presence, should be promoted.
[Sidenote: Gauley Bridge.]
The fragments of companies, A, E, F, K, and C, went into camp at Gauley
Bridge. Picket duty each alternate day and night, characterized the stay
here. One aggressive movement, however, was made to Dogwood Gap, sixteen
miles eastward. Nothing of note occurred but the repeated confiscations
of native mountain pigs, and a hasty return to camp the next day. The
excellent water privileges, boat riding, rafting-in of potatoes, and
gathering of paw-paws and persimmons, rendered Gauley Bridge a
comparatively pleasant place to do soldier duty.
On the 16th of October, the regiment was ordered to Charleston. It
marched down the river ten miles, to Cannelton, and there took a
steamer.
Sixteen members of Co. C will long remember their tedious ride down from
this point with Major Casement, in an old oil flat-boat, during the
cold, rainy afternoon of that day, without shelter for their heads or a
decent place for the soles of their feet. Their joy at being taken
aboard the steamer at dark, was as though they had been rescued from
shipwreck.
The camp at Charleston was in a quiet, level place, two miles up the
north side of the Kanawa River.
The monotony of the stay was somewhat relieved by the generosity of a
gentleman who presented Co. C with a library of valuable books that had
been damaged by the flood a few days previous. When the regiment moved
for the East, a large box of these books, under disguise, accompanied
it, which any officer of the commissary department was at liberty to
suppose filled with cooking utensils.
[Sidenote: Ned.]
When Gen. Wise scoured the Kanawa Valley for men, he took with him
Edward Morrison, a useful well-trained servant belonging to a gentleman
of the city of Charleston. Ned, being of a different school of politics
from the General, did not fancy the service, and, when in the midst of
the Alleghany mountains, he made his escape. He arrived at last, at
Charleston, and supposing the Emancipation Proclamation would soon be
issued, he begged the protection of Col. Tyler. The Colonel thought he
would risk the principles of Co. C, and accordingly, turned him over to
them contraband, for secretion. After lying in their quarters two weeks,
he was hired to act as their cook, which business he gladly entered. He
faithfully served them more than a year, after which he came to Oberlin
to be educated. But an attachment which has more than once turned a
student from his interest, allured him to the vicinity of Gallipolis,
Ohio, where he immediately wrote to Lieutenant Lincoln that he was to be
married in ten days.
In the latter part of October, Gen. Floyd had established himself on
Cotton Hill, thus being enabled to shell the camp of the Union Army at
Gauley Bridge, and to threaten its communications. Gen. Benham was
ordered to march around to the rear to induce him to desist from so rash
operations. Two or three regiments hesitated to perform the dangerous
movement. Finally he said, "Give me the Seventh and the Tenth Ohio and I
can drive the rebels to" ----, a place beyond the confines of this lower
world. This circumstance healed the old wound in the Tenth, which had
been made at Camp Dennison when the Seventh was called out to suppress a
riot among them.
On the 4th of November the Seventh set sail for Loop Creek, seven miles
below Gauley Bridge. It marched up the Creek on the 6th, wading it
seventeen times, and encamped on Taylor's Farm, within two miles of
Floyd's Camp. The severe frost of that night did much mischief in the
wet socks of the soldiers while sleeping in the open air. It was
amusing, in the latter part of the night, to see the men racing about
camp at more than double-quick to prevent their feet from freezing. The
heavy rains rendered it impossible to convey bread to the army, and
famine stared them in the face. When, at last, a few sacks of hard bread
were brought through, and the very crumbs counted out to secure fair
division, those crumbs were more delicious than the most costly
preparations of food on royal tables.
[Sidenote: Pursuit of Floyd.]
After six days the regiment moved on a few miles farther to the rear of
the rebel camp, passing over a high mountain in zigzag lines of single
rank, which gave the appearance of "Bonaparte crossing the Alps." While
this part of the army was sleeping, in the early part of the night of
the 12th, Gen. Floyd quietly passed by on the Fayetteville pike, not
more than four miles distant. As soon as he had securely accomplished
this feat for himself, and defeat for Gen. Rosecrans, all the Union
forces were put in pursuit. It was continued until the close of the
following day, with no decided result but a skirmish, in which Col.
Croghan of the Second Georgia Cavalry, was killed, with a few of his
men, and a few prisoners were taken.
Being without blankets and bread, the soldiers gladly heard the sonorous
voice of Adjutant DeForest, just after the terrific thunder shower at
midnight, commanding them to "fall in," to return. They were then far
out in the State towards Raleigh. Floyd has never since been seen in
Western Virginia. The next thing heard of him was his stealing away from
Fort Donelson.
It was at the close of the next day that the Seventh had a feast. Having
marched back four miles past Fayetteville, the men found an abundant
supper of boiled pigs, prepared by the blanket guards. After so many
days of semi-fasting, this tender meat gave a relish which cannot be
appreciated by those who are accustomed to sit at loaded tables. That
night, too, was refreshing after two sleepless ones, though the heavens
did let fall a sheet of snow four inches deep upon the shelterless men.
The 17th of November saw the Seventh Ohio again in its quarters at
Charleston. The men found that a canvas tent was a palace.
While tarrying at this place, Mr. Winsor did a driving business at
tuning the pianos and melodeons of the young ladies, who had not been
thus favored since the beginning of the war--for all the Yankees had
been driven away.
With the expulsion of Floyd, the campaign of Western Virginia was ended.
The Union army was divided. One part was retained under the command of
Gen. Cox; another was sent to Kentucky, while the Seventh Ohio was sent
to Romney to join a limb of the Army of the Potomac.
[Sidenote: Departure from Charleston.]
Bidding adieu to Gen. Cox, on the 10th of December, 1861, the regiment
took the two steamers, Ft. Wayne and Stephen Decatur. Pushing down the
Kanawa, and up the Ohio, passing the famous Isle of Blennerhassett early
the next morning, it arrived at Parkersburg at noon of the following
day. On it went, by the B. & O. R. R. to Green Spring Run, a houseless
town sixteen miles east of Romney. Here the men were supplied with new
Sibley tents, which were great balloon-like palaces to the soldier.
After a hard day's march, on the 16th of December, the regiment joined
the force of Gen. Lander at Romney. The garrison of 8000 men was under
the immediate command of Colonel Dunning, of the 5th Ohio.
The peculiar position of Romney, and its relation to Winchester, where a
large force under Gen. Jackson, was encamped, made an unusual amount of
severe picket duty necessary; and to add to the necessary amount, the
foolish notion of inexperienced officers was then in vogue, of sending a
dozen infantry-men six or seven miles from camp, where they could
neither prevent their own capture nor communicate with the camp in case
of a surprise.
Many a cold, tedious, winter night was spent on these distant picket
posts. On the road towards Winchester, there was one that was
particularly dangerous to the unfortunate vidette. The enemy had a small
force stationed at Ballou's Gap, seventeen miles distant, from which he
was in the habit of sending out bushwhackers to annoy our pickets. Early
in the morning of January 6, Colonel Dunning led to this place a
detachment consisting of the 4th, 5th, and 7th, Ohio, 14th Indiana, and
1st Virginia, with a few cavalry companies. This force surprised the
rebels at day-break, killed ten or a dozen, took nine horses and two
steel rifled cannon, captured fourteen prisoners, and returned to camp
at 4 P. M., making a march of thirty-four miles on the snow, in fifteen
hours. This lively raid, with the burning of a good number of buildings
on the route, was a brilliant punishment, which proved an effectual
remedy.
Christmas was observed according to the common practice of feasting on
pies, cakes, fowls and other luxuries that had been preserved for that
occasion. Mess No. 5 digressed from the usual custom, by having an
oyster supper, prepared by unusual hands. The other messes fully
sustained their culinary reputation, and thought themselves not far
behind their enviable comrades of No. 5. That was not, by any means, an
unhappy day, in spite of the protestation that one important element of
society was lacking. And yet, very few will ever hope that circumstances
will render it necessary for them to spend another Christmas in like
manner.
[Sidenote: Romney.]
It appears that, for three months, Stonewall Jackson had meditated an
attack upon Romney, with the reasonable hope of capturing the whole
garrison. Gen. Lander had so well anticipated his movement as to
evacuate the town during the night before the very morning on which the
rebel General had expected to pounce upon his prey. At 10 P. M. of
January 10, 1862, the Union force moved from the town with its baggage
and stores, and marching via Springfield and Frankfort, arrived at 4 P.
M. of the 11th at Patterson's Creek, on the B. & O. R. R., a few miles
from Cumberland, Md. The site for the camp was the worst possible in all
that country. The snow lay on the ground and was filled with water that
had fallen during the day. The ground itself was a swamp. These three
circumstances, combined, had prepared a soft bed for the weary, hungry,
foot-sore soldier.
The sea of mud, stirred and kneaded by 8000 soldiers, was altogether
indescribable, for only a comparatively small portion was on the top in
sight.
[Sidenote: Patterson's Creek.]
It is said that there was a time when the highway in Chicago might be
traced by the hats of the teamsters. At Patterson's Creek the ears of
the mules might well serve the same purpose.
Every body seemed to curse the mud, and nobody to take its part. But it
deserved great praise for the gentle manner in which it received the
forms of the commissioned officers, when they were unable to sit upon
their nags. Not one of them was known to be severely injured by a fall
during the stay at that camp. Here, Prof. Ellis visited the company a
few days, sharing the lot of the private soldier. To accommodate him at
night, it was no difficult matter to piece out a blanket of ordinary
length, and a long place made by the uneven stretching of the largest
sized circular tent, was readily found. His own testimony may give to
the reader a hint with regard to the degree of demoralization to which
these men had passed after nearly a year of military deprivations:
"When their ranks had been thinned by capture and death, and they had
passed through all the corrupting tendencies and temptations of their
new life for nearly a year, I saw them in their tents in the heart of
Virginia, and nightly from the six tents went up the voice of song and
prayer as they bowed themselves around their family altars."
His visit was truly a pleasant one for Company C, and having proved his
genuine interest in them, he bade them adieu, feeling, undoubtedly, a
deep regret that he was not privileged to share their fortunes through
the whole service.
[Sidenote: Bivouac on the Levels.]
Not long, however, were the troops allowed to remain quiet, when a man
of so much life as Gen. Lander possessed, was at their head. On the 5th
of February they moved down the railroad to French's Store, and from
that point marched through the long night in a tedious, plodding manner,
over mountains and through streams, towards a point on the road between
Romney and Winchester, to intercept the rebels at the former place. By
noon of the next day the men, excessively wearied, found it even a
pleasure to throw themselves down upon the snow in the freezing rain, to
rest their exhausted forms. It was a fruitless raid. The foe had fled;
and at 3 P. M., with joy the men heard the order "About, face!" It was a
sweet rest that was enjoyed during that night after they halted on the
banks of the Little Cacapon. What added to it, were two stacks of wheat,
which were very soon converted into beds. The command moved back early
in the following morning to a high table land of the adjacent mountain,
where it remained seven days without tents or cooking utensils, and with
only one blanket to each man. Strong winds prevailed through these days,
which were the coldest of the whole winter. The snow was two thirds of a
foot deep where the men made their brush beds, and they had no
protection from the weather but loose brush sheds. The log fires in
front of these sheds soon consumed ten acres of thick pine forest. One
Irish ditching spade was the only cooking utensil which Co. C was able
to secure, and even with that it was a tedious process to get a
breakfast for fifty men.
Those were comparatively pleasant days, and the men learned to vie with
the brute in enduring exposures and hardships.
From this place the division moved, February 13, to a point two miles
south of Paw Paw Station, one part going into camp and the other to
Bloomery Gap, under the leadership of Gen. Lander, to surprise a small
force of rebels under Col. Baldwin. The expedition was a brilliant
success. The Colonel with eighteen commissioned officers and fifty
privates, was captured.
[Sidenote: March to Winchester.]
The contagion of "Quiet on the Potomac" prevailed at Paw Paw until the
1st of March. The division, consisting of fifteen regiments of infantry,
one regiment of cavalry, and four or five batteries, was put in motion
towards Winchester, but the sad death of Gen. Lander caused a return to
camp on the next day. On the 3d, all the troops turned out to pay
military honors to the departed hero, the Seventh Ohio being detailed to
escort his remains to the cars.
Gen. Shields succeeded him, and led the division up and down the
Shenandoah Valley until it became a terror to the enemy and was thought
almost invincible.
Passing down the railroad to Martinsburg, and taking the stone pike, it
reached a point four miles north of Winchester, on the 12th of March.
The rebels had evacuated during the previous day, and there was no work
to be done until the reconnaissance to Strasburg was made on the 20th.
An artillery skirmish took place without loss, and the troops made a
hasty return during the drizzling rain of the 21st.
The hasty retreat over the sharp stones, through the rain, and with only
one halt in twenty-two miles, made that another of the severe marches
which multiplied on that fated division. One poor fellow of the 110th
Pa. was so fatigued that he stepped into the corner of the fence to end
his military career forever. The next morning only about 100 of this
regiment could report for duty.
[Sidenote: Battle of Winchester.]