Jackson's army--made an attack on the town. The troops were called out
to repel it. All soon became quiet, and the next morning they returned
to their quarters. After an hour the booming of the cannon beyond
Winchester, gave the reason for the order to "fall in," which proved the
last summons to military duty for many a man of the Seventh Ohio.
Inspired by the roar of Artillery, proudly did the regiment tread
through the streets of Winchester, keeping step to the singing of "John
Brown's body." Jackson's men were drawn up in line in his chosen
position at Kernstown, four miles distant. On double quick the Seventh
Ohio and Seventh Indiana hastened to the support of Clark's and
Robinson's batteries at the right of the Winchester pike. At 3 P. M.
Colonel Tyler drew up his brigade and asked the men to go with him to
take the enemy's battery on his left. The men responded "yes," and set
off around to the right in massed column of divisions to execute the
order. In fine, cool style, the 7th Ohio, 7th Indiana, 1st Virginia,
29th Ohio, and 11th Pennsylvania, moved through the long, open field,
then, wheeling to the left, through the thick woods, to meet the enemy,
also in massed column, behind a stone wall, at the southern extremity of
the grove. The thundering of musketry and artillery, the hail storm of
bullets that continued for an hour and a half, cannot be described.
In the beginning of the musketry, Col. Tyler ordered the Seventh Ohio to
deploy to the left, an order which could not then be executed, and which
threw the whole column into confusion. That was the end of order until
the close of the action. The success was due to the bravery of the men
and their dogged determination not to yield. Col. Creighton found
himself unable to command, and very wisely seized a musket to do the
work of a private soldier. Each had his own base of operations, and used
his own skill and strength to suit his convenience. Both officer and
private seemed to do their part well. The prospect of success was, for a
long time, in a doubtful balance. The numbers of the enemy in front of
this brigade were probably triple its number.
Why these men were kept so long fighting in suspense without
reinforcement, no private can tell; but, at last, just as the darkness
was setting in, another brigade was brought up to the left, which put
the enemy to a disorderly rout.
In the course of the action, Day, Dickson, and Worcester, to secure good
shots, made their way around nearly to the rear of the enemy, who were
thus between two fires. Here Worcester received his mortal wound.
Lieutenant Junkins, of Jackson's Staff, losing his way, Sergeant Day and
an Indiana Corporal beckoned to him to come hitherward. Obeying the
advice, he was captured by them, and delivered up as their trophy of the
battle. Orderly Danforth was killed in the first volley, and was
immediately carried back to the rear. His was a beautiful corpse as it
lay the next day in full uniform on the leaves of the grove, his own
heart's blood staining those delicate, lady-like features. E. G. Sackett
received a ball through the arm, but, nothing daunted, he eagerly rushed
forward, and another passed through his lungs. He died on the following
morning. F. M. Palmer was shot through the neck, while getting over the
fence on the left. He lived two weeks. Coburn also received a mortal
wound, and lived six days. Walworth, Winsor, and Warner, were each
wounded in the arm, so as to unfit them for further military duty.
Gardner, D. Kingsbury and Stephen Kellogg, received flesh wounds.
The wounded were removed to Winchester during the night. The next
morning the enemy gave a few artillery salutes, as an invitation to
pursue, which was accepted by the Union troops. The pursuit was
continued to Strasburg, where the division encamped several days.
The next business was to drive the enemy up the valley. The division
reached Harrisonburg and vicinity on the 3d of May, having arrived at
Edenburg, April 1, and at New Market, April 17.
After two days the troops fell back to Sparta, and formed in line of
battle. As the enemy nowhere appeared, the privates supposed it was done
for a General drill.
[Sidenote: March to Fredericksburg.]
An order from the War Department indicated that Shields' division must
leave the Valley, to join McDowell's forces at Fredericksburg. A general
inspection was held on the 10th of May, to ascertain who were not able
to march a week. These were sent to Strasburg, among whom were Corporal
Cochran and J. S. Kellogg. The sequel did not prove them to be beyond
danger and hardship even there.
The division was set in motion at 8 P. M., May 12, and advancing by the
Sperryville pike, through the gap in the Massanutten Range, it passed
through Front Royal, Thoroughfare Gap, Gaines' Cross Roads, Warrenton,
Catlett Station, and reached Fredericksburg, May 22, having made a march
of 132 miles in nine days. Many stirring street scenes occurred between
the "band box soldiers" of the Army of the Potomac and the
weather-beaten, mud-stained, ragged cadets of Shield's Western troops.
The next day was spent in washing, bathing, and purchasing soft bread,
gingerbread, and cheese.
It was soon found that the division had arrived in the vicinity of
reviews and inspections, the most detestable of all military
performances to the utilitarian soldier.
[Sidenote: Raid and Retreat of Jackson.]
President Lincoln arrived on the morning train of the 24th, and ordered
a review of the 43,000 troops then under the command of McDowell. The
performance lasted until 9 P. M., and the men returned to their quarters
with disgust, ripened into indignation. The expectation was general that
the whole force would at once move against Richmond. Jackson very
shrewdly checkmated that movement by raiding down to Winchester with
28,000 troops.
Shields' division was immediately set in motion to meet him, and save
Washington and the North. By hard marching, night and day through
Catlett Station, Manassas, White Plains, Rectorville, and Manassas Gap,
it reached Front Royal at 3 P. M. of the 30th of May. Shields' division
of 10,000 men was now on one of the direct roads between the enemy and
Richmond. Gen. Fremont was making great efforts to reach the other.
Hence a battle was thought imminent. But "many a slip" has hitherto
changed prospective results in human affairs. The heavy cannonading on
the Strasburg pike, indicated that Jackson was passing and Gen. Fremont
was probably giving him a farewell salutation. So it proved; and the
next business was to drive him once more up the Valley. Gen. Shields was
ordered up on the eastern side of the Massanutten Range, while Fremont
pushed the enemy on the western side. The roar of artillery daily marked
his advance.
On the 8th of June the Rebel General halted his column and gave battle
at Cross Keys. The third and fourth brigades of Shields' troops,
numbering 3000 men, reached Port Republic on the same day. This town is
on the Shenandoah, sixty-eight miles above Front Royal, and was
occupied by the rear of Jackson's army.
During all the afternoon, these brigades lay quietly listening to the
roar of the artillery, within sight of Jackson's train and rear. Farther
and farther away the sounds receded at night, and it was evident that
Fremont was falling back.
[Sidenote: Battle of Port Republic.]
In breathless suspense did Gen. Shield's men listen to these receding
sounds, for, almost by instinct, they knew their turn was soon to come.
The attempt to burn the bridge at Port Republic, and thus to prevent the
retreat of the enemy to Richmond, for some inexplicable reason, was not
executed. During the night, Jackson crossed over 10,000 men and thirty
pieces of artillery.
The field, destined to be for battle, was a beautiful, level farm one
and a half miles long, and one half a mile wide, enclosed by the
Shenandoah closely hugging the north-west side, and a ridge of high
hills on the south-east side. The bridge was at the west end, and the
Federal troops at the east end of the open field. At 6-1/2 A. M. of the
9th of June, 1862, the Union soldiers were startled by heavy volleys of
musketry upon Robinson's battery, stationed on a knoll at the south-east
corner of the farm. Sections of Clark's and Huntington's batteries were
moved down to the middle of the field. The 7th and 5th Ohio were sent on
double-quick to support them. They arrived just in time to save them
from a brigade of the enemy who were charging up with fixed bayonets.
The heavy volleys of musketry and double charges of grape checked the
rebels, and they fell back behind a rail fence. A severe fire was
continued half an hour. It was here that a shell passed through the body
of R. J. Kingsbury, and severely mangled the thigh of Atwater.
It was at this point that C. P. Hamilton and D. S. Judson were mortally
wounded. The hissing of bullets and shrieking of shells were frightful.
Not less than twenty pieces of artillery, standing in the form of a
semicircle, were ranged on these two fated regiments. This was one of
those fine opportunities for coolly meeting an enemy in an open field,
which school boys fancy they would like to enjoy.
Soon the rebels fell back in confusion, and with deafening shouts these
two regiments pushed after them. As they passed the fence where the
enemy had lain, there could be seen a long line of dead, dying and
wounded men. One was getting a bullet out of his foot, another was
rubbing his shin, a third was rolling and groaning, and thus scores were
passing their time. Eighty rods farther and another rebel brigade rose
up in line. These were soon put to flight. It was far out in front at
this point that the noble Gates fell. A quiver of the muscles, a setting
of the eye in the socket, and all was over with him. None that knew him
doubted that from the thick smoke of battle he had gone up to be crowned
with everlasting peace.
[Sidenote: Retreat from Port Republic.]
A few moments later, Corporal Magary received his final discharge. The
eager enthusiasm of the men had thrown them into utter confusion. The
loud ring of Colonel Creighton's voice to "fall in," soon restored
order, and the 7th and 5th Ohio were marched back to the rear to cover
the retreat. A closing scene over Robinson's battery, at 10:30 A. M.,
ended the battle. The Seventh retreated in line. It entered with 325
men. Twelve were killed, and sixty-three wounded. One half of the Fifth
were killed, wounded, and captured.
Company C entered with thirty-six men. Three were killed, and seven
wounded, two of whom died in a few days.
The enemy closely pressed the Union troops with cavalry and artillery.
No halt could be made for fourteen miles. Wounded and barefooted men
formed no small portion of the retreating column. After an hour's rest,
the men pushed on eight miles farther, to a secure camp, for the night.
The next work of the division was to make its way to Alexandria. At that
City, it arrived at daylight of the 28th of June. Its route was _via_
Luray, Front Royal, Markham, White Plains, Bristoe Station, and
Manassas. It immediately took steamers to join McClellan, on the
Peninsula. The 1st and 2d brigades proceeded, but the 3d and 4th were
allowed to debark on the following morning, by order of the war
department, in consideration of their arduous services. The 3d brigade
encamped at Alexandria, one half a mile south of Fort Ellsworth, where
it remained four weeks. Every opportunity was improved to visit
Washington and Mount Vernon, by the men of Company C, who ever had
inquiring minds, inspired with a good degree of curiosity. The 4th of
July was duly celebrated by a review, the reading of the Declaration of
Independence by Sergeant Bowler, and short speeches from Chaplain Wright
and Gen. Tyler.
The men of the 3d brigade supposed the government had decided to let the
remnant of them live to enjoy the blessings of the coming peace, which
so many of their comrades had sacrificed their lives to secure. But the
sad sequel proved the fact to be decidedly otherwise. The advance of Lee
northward, made it necessary to mass all the troops that were in the
vicinity Washington, to meet him.
[Sidenote: Warrenton.]
On the morning of the 26th of July, the Seventh with other Ohio
regiments, reached Warrenton. The next day was the Sabbath. A squad of
Company C attended the Episcopal service. Women and children in mourning
apparel constituted nearly the entire congregation. At this aristocratic
town the celebrated Black Horse Cavalry were raised, and nearly all of
them had sacrificed their lives in the Confederate service.
The brigade was here supplied with mules that had never worn a harness.
Wallace and Woodmansee were detailed to drive each a team of four of
these obstinate, unbroken beasts, and no little credit do they deserve
for bringing their loads of camp baggage safely through to Little
Washington. Truly surprising was the skill with which these animals
would rear, plunge, perform evolutions not distinctly traceable, and
finally light with their heads where their heels ought to be.
At Little Washington a grand review was made by Gen. Pope of all the
troops in Gen. Banks command. In the midst of this _parade militaire_,
the troops were massed to attend divine service, which was very
impressive after so fine a preparation of the mind for devotional
exercises. This review proved the last to many a soldier present, and it
was hoped that it might be so to all.
By an order from the War Department, Gen. Tyler was relieved of the
command of the brigade, and was succeeded by Gen. Geary, who held the
position during the remainder of the service. It was with many tears of
his own and of the men of the Seventh, that he bade adieu to that band
of heroes who had been the secret of his success.
[Sidenote: Battle of Cedar Mountain.]
There was no time for delay. Gen. Jackson was already on the banks of
the Rapidan. The corps of Gen. Banks was urged forward to meet him. It
reached Culpepper on the morning of the 8th of August. The artillery
firing in the direction of Cedar Mountain, indicated that work was near
at hand. After an hour's rest the men were sent down to the scene of
action in light marching order. Cedar Mountain is a conical peak,
situated eight miles south-east from the village of Culpepper, upon the
sides and at the base of which the rebel army was arranged in line of
battle. The whole corps arrived at 1 P. M. Small skirmishing parties
were sent out in various directions, and very frequently would the sound
of their rifles return to the main body, to signify that there was a
large force in the woods, very near at hand.
During the preparations for a battle, very little is usually seen, but
much is generally heard. Men on each side are concealed in every ravine
and thicket of bushes. General Geary's brigade was brought out into the
west end of a large cultivated farm, one mile long, three fourths of a
mile wide, and hemmed in by woods on every side.
At 4 P. M. this brigade was ordered forward. Promptly it obeyed, and
pushed down directly towards the middle of the field in two lines of
battle. Twice it halted behind eminences to avoid the raking artillery
fire. Creighton recklessly sat upon his nag, as though inviting the aim
of the multitudes of concealed marksmen on every hand.
The bullets of the rebel sharp-shooters were annoying, but produced no
disorder in the ranks, save a man now and then fell to rise no more.
What solemnity was on every countenance! What resolution in every heart!
What stillness reigned in the ranks as the men heard the spitting of the
bullets over their heads, between them, at their feet, and saw fifty
rods in front of them, a long column of rebels, coolly standing at
parade rest, waiting to receive them!
A few rods farther, and the order to fire was given on both sides, to be
followed by a roar of musketry and a scene of carnage that beggars all
description.
At this point, the writer of this sketch had the honor to establish his
claim for a discharge. He bade adieu to the company, wishing them a
happy time, and was escorted to the rear by the faithful Trembley. This
little band of Ohio soldiers soon found themselves hemmed in by hosts of
rebels, who rose up on every side.
To stand, was impossible. To run, was not thought of. Therefore they
were obliged to take the only alternative, to fall.
The darkness of the night closed the musketry engagement; and when that
glad time came, only seventy of the Seventh Ohio could be found to go on
picket duty. As this small remnant passed the ambulance which had the
honor to bear the wounded, bleeding body of that brave man, Col.
Creighton, his soul was stirred within him, but he could only say, "Go
on, boys. You have got to be killed, and it may as well be now as any
other time." In the thick darkness, they were soon challenged, and a
volley of musketry again tithed the ranks. Lieut. Ross, commanding
Company C, fell, mortally wounded, and with him five or six of the rank
and file of the regiment. The Union troops were obliged to fall back a
mile, and the enemy occupied the field until the close of the next day.
The dead and wounded were in the hands of the enemy, and could be found
only by flag of truce.
It proved that only four of Company C had passed through unhurt.
Sergeant Bowler, Corporal Evers, privates Shepard, Rappleye, and W. F.
Richmond, were killed. The most seriously wounded were Cooper, Dickson,
Andrews, Badger, Carrothers, Buxton, and Theodore Wilder.
The wounded were removed to Culpepper during the night, and after two or
three days, to Alexandria.
The battle of Cedar Mountain proved the most destructive of all, to the
Seventh. Seventy-five per cent. were killed and wounded.
[Sidenote: Pope's Retreat.]
Gen. Pope learned from this defeat, that "lines of retreat and bases of
operations" were phrases that properly had places in the military
vocabulary.
Gen. Lee's opportunity had come to compel all the Union forces to fall
back to Washington and Maryland.
After the grand review on the 18th of August, made in compliance with
the President's order to all the U. S. troops, the general retreat was
commenced. A delay was made on the banks of the Rappahannock. The
Seventh took part in the skirmishes along the stream for fifteen miles.
August 27th the retreat was renewed. The route of the regiment was by
way of Catlett Station, Bristoe Station, Brentsville, Manassas,
Centerville, Alexandria, Arlington Heights, Aqueduct Bridge, Georgetown,
Frederick, and South Mountain, to the field of Antietam, where it
arrived, September 17, 1862, in time to engage once more in the bloody
work of battle. The greater part of this march had been made without the
comfort of blankets at night, and the exposures had much diminished the
strength of the men.
The Seventh Ohio did not take a very active part in this battle.
Sergeant Jones and Corporal Goodsell were severely wounded and left at
Sharpsburg. The Corporal died on the 19th.
This defeat of Gen. Lee turned the faces of both armies toward Richmond.
September 29, Gen. Geary's brigade went into camp on the rocky side of
Loudon Heights, and, a few days afterwards, moved to Bolivar Heights.
Capt. Shurtleff here returned to the company for the first time after
his capture, but, being detailed as Inspector General on Gen. Wilcox's
Staff, he did not take command.
Harper's Ferry is situated at the confluence of the Potomac and
Shenandoah rivers. The towering bluff on the north side of the Potomac
is called Maryland Heights; that on the south side, Loudon Heights; and
the one between the rivers is called Bolivar Heights. The physical
development of the soldiers was secured by the necessity of carrying
their water half a mile up the steep hill of Loudon Heights. On the 11th
of October, thirty-one recruits swelled the company to a respectable
size. Their names and record appear in the latter part of this work.
Occasional reconnaissances were made from Harper's Ferry up the Valley
towards Winchester. On one of these scouts a brisk skirmish took place
with the rebel cavalry at Berryville. Company C, under the command of
Orderly Andrews, was deployed in advance. The cavalry made a sudden,
furious dash upon them. They rallied, formed line, and repulsed the
enemy without loss to themselves.
[Sidenote: Battle of Dumfries.]
On the 10th of December, Geary's brigade struck tents for
Fredericksburg. Hearing of Burnside's defeat, the four Ohio regiments
under Col. Candy, encamped at Dumfries.
At 2 P. M., December 27, the signal to fall in was sounded, and the
cannon on the side of the town, opposite the camp, signified that there
was work to be done.
The brigade hastily marched through the village and concealed themselves
on each side of the road. The enemy, consisting of a brigade of
Stewart's cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, finding his shells were
ineffectual, divided his force, sending one detachment to the right, to
flank the Federal soldiers. It was gallantly repulsed by the 66th Ohio.
The other detachment moved around to the left and rear to attack the
camp. Col. Creighton had drawn in the pickets which he that day
commanded, and had concealed them behind a thicket. Putting himself out
in full view and range of the rebels, with his loud voice, he dared them
on. As they advanced, a severe, unexpected fire from these men put them
in confusion. A repetition of these charges proved ineffectual, and
night, the soldier's ally, closed the contest. The rebels kept up the
appearances of a large force present, by building large fires, but the
feint brightness was intended only to conceal their withdrawal. In this
action, Corporal Condit and Philip Grigsby were severely wounded.
At this town the brigade spent the winter. Lieutenant I. C. Jones took
command of Co. C, March 1, 1863, and held it until his death at
Ringgold.
[Sidenote: Battle of Chancellorsville.]
In obedience to orders to march with eight days' rations, these troops
set out on the Chancellorsville campaign, April 20.
Marching by Aquia Landing, Stafford Court House, and Kelley's Ford, they
reached Chancellorsville on the 30th. The battle opened at 12 o'clock 15
minutes of the next day, but the Seventh took no active part, except to
move to the support of a battery in the south-east corner of the large,
open field in and around which the fighting took place.
At 5:20 A. M. of the 2d of May, the firing was renewed. At 10 A. M. the
enemy undertook to silence the battery supported by the Seventh, but
their own guns were soon silenced by the blowing up of two of their
caissons. A fine opportunity was given to the regiment, in the
afternoon, to show its valor. It was ordered down the plank road through
the middle of the battle field, to support a regiment of skirmishers.
These became frightened and rushed back to the rear, while the Seventh
pushed firmly on in column, one half the regiment being on each side of
the road, under the command of Col. Creighton and Major Crane. A green,
Pennsylvania regiment, at the rear, gave them a severe volley and thus
put them between two fires; but in good order, the men retained their
places until they were ordered to retreat.
The enemy massed his forces upon the right wing in the latter part of
the day. The 11th Corps gave way, and the Union troops were forced back
to the west end of the field. The rapid firing of the massed artillery
during the night, made the whole line in front a sheet of living flame.
It was one of the grandest sights that the eye has opportunity to
witness. Early the following morning, the battle was vigorously renewed.
At 8:30 A. M. the Seventh was ordered into the rifle pits at the east
end of the field. The enemy took possession of the west end, and planted
batteries, so as to give the Union forces a terrible cross fire from
three directions. After an hour it was ordered to its old position at
the south-east corner of the field. At 11 A. M. the Seventh was ordered
to charge the enemy, who were driving several regiments before them.
After a short fight in the brush, the enemy fell back. It was then
discovered that the rest of the Union forces had been withdrawn, leaving
this Ohio brigade to fight alone with the rebels, and to cover the
retreat. The Seventh was the last engaged, and was obliged to retire
across the open field that was swept by the enemy's artillery. The
brigade took up a fortified position near the river, and held it until
the 6th of May. In the battle, John Gardner was wounded and left uncared
for, ten days, on the field, in the hands of the enemy. Cole, Wise, and
J. S. Kellogg, were also wounded, but were able to retreat.
[Sidenote: Battle of Gettysburg.]
The sequel proved that Lee's object from this time was, to push into
Pennsylvania. The Union forces were compelled to follow. They reached
Gettysburg on the 1st of July, 1863. The route of the Seventh was _via_.
Aquia Landing, Edward's Ferry, Frederick, and Littletown. Tedious in the
extreme was the march a portion of the way. The weather was excessively
warm; so that on the route from Dumfries to Fairfax, in one day,
nineteen men in one division, died by the road side from heat and
exhaustion. Who can tell the amount of suffering among the survivors?
Battles have produced only a fractional portion of the horrors and
sufferings of this war.