The history of Company C, Seventh Regiment, O.V.I Part 3

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, Mana.s.sas, White Plains, Rectorville, and Mana.s.sas 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. .h.i.therto changed prospective results in human affairs. The heavy cannonading on the Strasburg pike, indicated that Jackson was pa.s.sing 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 Ma.s.sanutten 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 sh.e.l.l pa.s.sed through the body of R. J. Kingsbury, and severely mangled the thigh of At.w.a.ter.

It was at this point that C. P. Hamilton and D. S. Judson were mortally wounded. The hissing of bullets and shrieking of sh.e.l.ls 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 pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sing 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 n.o.ble 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 Mana.s.sas. 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 ma.s.s 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 const.i.tuted 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 ma.s.sed 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 mult.i.tudes 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 pa.s.sed 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 t.i.thed 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 pa.s.sed through unhurt.

Sergeant Bowler, Corporal Evers, privates Shepard, Rappleye, and W. F.

Richmond, were killed. The most seriously wounded were Cooper, d.i.c.kson, 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, Mana.s.sas, 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 b.l.o.o.d.y 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. Wilc.o.x's Staff, he did not take command.