USA > Indiana > Henry County > Fall Creek > Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Indiana, in the War of the Rebellion and the War with Mexico; with an app. giving a short history of the Grand Army of the Republic, Dept. of Ind., George W. Rader Post No. 119, and J. B. Gossett Camp No. 46, S. of V., U.S.A > Part 8
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Died IS
Discharged, 4; transferred, 5. 9
Galycon, Milo L. Gillis, Samuel M. Ginn, David. Griffith, John. Gustin, Joseph G.
Hayes, Eaton. Jones, Ephraim L. Lamar, Absolem. Laven, John. Lutholtz, Jacob.
Mckinsey, David.
Mills, Samuel H.
McCormack, Jackson. Pence, Alfred M.
Ratcliff, Calvin.
Reeves, John M. H.
Riley, William.
Smith, Isaac.
Vaughan, Thomas C.
Welker, Jordon.
80
COMPANY H, 147TH INFANTRY.
Deserted 5
Mustered out under general and special orders 9
Mustered out July 11, 1865, with regiment. 64
Total. 99
BATTLES.
Fort Anderson, N. C.
Fort Fisher, N. C.
Murfreesboro, Tenn. Town Creek Bridge, N. C.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS 140TH INFANTRY.
Colonel --
Brady, Thomas J.
Lieutenant Colonel- Mitchell, David T. Major-
Pendergrast, Charles P. Jan. 21, IS65.
Adjutant- Johnson, Thomas E.
Oct. 20, 1864. Honorably discharged May 12, I865.
Dale, Eli M.
Quartermaster- Routh, John B.
Sept. 3, IS64.
Mustered out with regiment.
Nov. 3, 1864.
Died April 2, 1865.
Nov. 12, 1864. Mustered out with regiment.
Oct. 25, 1864. Mustered out with regiment. Nov. 12, 1864. Mustered out with regiment.
GOMPARY H. 147TH INFARTRY. [One Year Service.]
This organization was recruited in Henry county, by Captain William F. Shelley, of New Castle, in February, and was mustered into the ser- vice of the United States at Indianapolis in the same month, and the reg- iment was mustered in on the 13th of March, IS65.
ROSTER.
Captain- Shelley, William F. Ist Lieutenant- Weast, George L.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Chaplain- Geyer, Jacob R. Surgeon- Sweezey, William C.
Assistant Surgeon- Ballard, Micajah B. Pratt, William C.
Date of Commission.
Oct. 20, 1864. Mustered out with regiment; breveted Brigadier General March 13, 1865.
Nov. 21, 1864.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
June 1, IS65. Not mustered; mustered out as Sergeant Major with regi- ment.
81
COMPANY H, 147TH INFANTRY.
2d Lieutenant-
Rock, William H. H. Ist Sergeant -- Smith, Thorban W. Sergeants- Denwiddie, Samuel. Hupp, De Witt C. Stonesipher, Thomas J. Allison, Asa H.
Corporals --
Connell, Zachariah D. Adams, Byron F.
Bratton, Cornelius V. Young, Robert A. Alexander, Harvey W. Cornell, John F.
Please, Joseph H. Brown, Lewis E.
Musicians- Weaver, Samuel W.
Pratt, James C.
Privates-
Ayler,. Edward. Allred, John W.
Austin, James. Albertson, Daniel C. Burk, Milton. Brosius, Jacob F. Bock, Christopher C. M. Bright, John J. Bigelow, Arthur M. Barr, Henry.
Barnett, Charles W. Berry, Charles P. Bowers, David. Benton, Joel. Black, James W. Bitner, Benjamin.
Bunner, Christopher.
Biggers. James A.
Bartow, John G.
Canfield, William. Cox, Edward. Coon, Isaac.
Coke, Jacob J.
Covey, Daniel. Darling, William A. Denny, Philip J.
Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out June 10, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. as private.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment, as principal musician. Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out May 10, 1865. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out June 5, 1865. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out July 17. 1865. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out May 10, 1865. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment.
82
COMPANY H, 147TH INFANTRY.
Deen, Samuel. Dillie, George J. Elliott, William S. Gillgeese, John. Gregory. Henry. Gordon, Eli. Gallespie, Charles. Glass, Francis H.
Greenwood, Henry.
Houd, Julius G. Hickman, Charles. Hunt, George W. Harter, Joseph L. Hazzard, John W. Ice, Abraham S. Inman, John M. Jackson, Charles. Kelly, Joseph.
Kirkham, Samuel. Klarman, Nicholas. Lewis, John F.
Lyman, Perry C. Lemsford, Benjamin F. McGuffin, Samuel.
Moon, Benjamin. McConnell, James.
McSherry, William L.
Mosebaugh, George B, Meeker, Benjamin F. Miller, Abraham. Madarea, George W. McCullouch, John Z. Nelson, Wilson. Orrusten, Andrew. Ohmit, Emanuel. Ozment, Joseph.
Penticost, Andrew F. Pittman, George W.
Roberts, Edmund. Roberts, Patrick.
Reynolds, Hugh. Staley, Thomas, Smith, James. Stubblefield, Martin. Shepherd, Martin.
Mustered out May 10, 1865. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out July 20, 1865. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment. Deserted Feb. 15, 1865.
Appointed Sergeant Major; mustered out with regiment.
Deserted Feb. 16, 1865.
Mustered out July 6, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out May 10, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out July 17, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Deserted Feb. 16, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Deserted Feb. 16, 1865.
Appointed Sergeant; mustered out with reg- iment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out June 29, 1865.
Mustered out June 3, 1865.
Mustered out May 31, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Deserted Feb. 11. 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Appointed Corporal; mustered out with reg. iment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Appointed Quartermaster Sergeant; mus. tered out with regiment.
Mustered out July 21, 1865. Mustered out with regiment.
Deserted Feb. 20, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out June 10, 1865. Deserted Feb. 25, 1865. Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
83
COMPANY H, 147TH INFANTRY.
Shatz, William.
Mustered out with regiment.
Shaffer, Ira.
Mustered out with regiment.
Steffy, Joseph. Mustered out with regiment.
Thornburg, James.
Mustered out with regiment.
Walker, Clinton.
Mustered out with regiment.
Watson, William C.
Mustered out with regiment.
Wampler, Daniel S.
Mustered out July 17, 1865.
Wallick, Samuel.
Mustered out with regiment.
Waggoner, James L.
Mustered out with regiment.
Williams, John.
Deserted Feb. 13, 1865.
Worle, Alexander.
Deserted Feb. 13, 1865.
The 147th left Indianapolis on the 16th of March, 1865, for Harper's Ferry, Va., and on reaching there marched to Charleston, where it was assigned to one of the provisional divisions of the army of the Shenan- doah.
From this time until its muster out it was engaged in doing guard and garrison duty at Stevenson's Station, Summit Point, Berryville, Harper's Ferry and Maryland Heights until the 4th of August, 1865, when it was mustered out and returning to Indiana, arrived at Indianapolis on the 9th of the same month, where the men received their discharges.
Company H sustained no losses by death and the changes will be shown by the roster and recapitulation.
RECAPITULATION. Non-commissioned officers and privates 97
Mustered out under general and special orders IS
Deserted
9
Mustered out with regiment Aug. 4, 1865. 70
Total.
97
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS 147TH INFANTRY.
Colonel- Peden, Milton.
Date of Commission. March 11, 1865. Mustered out with regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel- Colgrove, Theodore F.
March 11, 1865. Unaccounted for; supposed mustered out.
Major --- Finney, Joel J. Adjutant --- Hilligoss, Joseph. Jan. 20, 1865. Promoted Captain Company F. Aug. 3, IS65. Mustered out as Sergeant Ma- jor with regiment.
Saint, William M.
Quartermaster -- Newman, Jonathan W. Chaplain- Thompson, George W.
Jan. 21, 1865. Mustered out with regiment.
March 11, 1865. Honorably discharged June 17, 1865.
April 17, IS65. Mustered out with regiment.
84
COMPANY G, 7TH CAVALRY.
Surgeon- King, William F. March 10, 1865. Mustered out with regiment. Assistant Surgeon- Weddington, Samuel C. March 9, 1865. Mustered out with regiment. Reed, Albert S.
March 10, 1865. Mustered out with regiment.
GOMPARY G, 7TH CAVALRY. [Three Years Service.]
This company was recruited in Henry, Delaware, Marion and Vigo ocunties, in July and August, 1863.
The company was mustered into the service of the United States on the 5th of September, and the regiment on Oct. 1. 1863, at Camp Shanks, Indianapolis. Following is the roster of the company :
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain -- Scott, Walter K. Ryan, William A. Piety, Austin H. Thompson, Andrew J.
Ist Lieutenant-
Ryan, William A.
Rankin, Oscar. Lowes, James H. S. Thompson, Andrew J. 2d Lieutenant- Rankin, Oscar. Lowes, James H. S. Piety, Austin H. Dundon, James.
Date of Commission.
Sept. 1, 1863. Promoted Paymaster U. S. V. March 26, 1864. March 30, 1865. Aug. 20, 1865.
Resigned March 25, 1865. Resigned Aug. 19, 1865. Mustered out as Ist Lieutenant with regiment.
Sept. 1, 1863.
Promoted Captain.
March 26, IS64. Discharged Oct. 29, 1864.
Nov. 14, 1864. Resigned March 27, 1865.
March 28, 1865.
Promoted Captain.
Sept. I, IS63. Promoted Ist Lieutenant.
March 26 1864. Promoted Ist Lieutenant.
Nov. 14, IS64. Promoted Captain. May 1, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865.
ENLISTED MEN.
Ist Seargeant- Lowes, James H. S. Sergeants -- Thompson, Andrew J. Hurley, John.
Piety, Austin H. Sowerwine, Isaac. Dundon, James. Warfield, Basil M. Hamilton, John W. Corporals- Jones John.
Promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Promoted Ist Lieutenant.
Wounded near Memphis, Tenn .; discharged Feb. 14, 1865, on account of wounds.
Promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Mustered out Sept. 19, 1865.
Promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Mustered out Sept. 14, 1865, as private. Discharged Aug. 1, 1865.
Deserted July IS, 1864.
85
COMPANY G, 7TH CAVALRY.
Cottrill, Charles E.
Pinson, James A. Vinnedge, James T.
Shannon, John C. Wells, Samuel H. Wilson, Charles. Corbin, William S. Musicians- McKawon, James. McBride, Edward.
Farrier --- McCoy, Robert.
Blacksmith --- Oberdurf, William H.
Saddler- Kelley, Patrick.
Wagoner- Brenner, Daniel C. Privates ---
Acker, George W. Burny, Christopher C.
Budd, Isaac. Brandon, George W.
Culbertson, Alfred T. Carter, Joseph. Cole, William N. Carmichael, George. Crow, George. Davis, Milton. Dickey, Joseph B. De Witt, Alfred O. Downing, Leander. Downing, William T. Frazier, James P.
Freeman, David. Falkner, Andrew. Grow, William H. Grisham, William. Goad, Hiram.
Gay, William H. Hanson, John C.
Appointed Sergeant; mustered out with reg- iment. Discharged July IS, 1864.
Appointed Sergeant; mustered out with reg- iment.
Mustered out with regiment, as private.
Mustered out May 24, 1865.
Deserted Sept. 15, 1863.
Killed April 27, 1865, explosion Sultana.
Died at Memphis, Tenn., March 6, 1865. Discharged Nov. 24, 1863.
Appointed Sergeant; mustered out with reg- iment.
Unaccounted for; supposed discharged at St. Louis, in 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Transferred to V. R. C., date unknown.
Deserted Sept. 26, 1863.
Deserted Oct. 12, 1863.
Mustered out Aug. 10, 1865.
Mustered out May 13, IS65.
Mustered out May IS, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Killed at Okolona, Miss., Feb. 22, 1864.
Deserted Oct. 29, 1863.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Died at Memphis, Tenn., March 14, 1S64.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Appointed Bugler; mustered out with regi- ment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out May 15. 1865.
Deserted, date unknown. Deserted Nov. 24, 1863.
Discharged Dec. 14, 1864, on account of wounds. Mustered out with regiment. Appointed Sergeant Major; promoted 2d Lieutenant Company A; resigned Aug. 13, 1864.
86
COMPANY G, 7TH CAVALRY.
Hamilton Benjamin. Hunneford, Daniel C. Hunt, James D. Isabel, Joseph. Kelley, Timothy.
Lane, Joseph R. Luther, Henry E. Lambert, Wesley B. Laken, Andrew F.
Mitcham, Abraham.
Muthert, Henry H.
Matherly, John H. Mentor, John.
Massacre, Joseph. Miller, Jacob.
Nash; Daniel C. Needham, Isaac.
Needham, George W. Nicely, Abraham. Nearon, Adam.
Powers, James C.
Peak, Bluford.
Rankin, John. Richardson, Andrew G. Rex, John. Ryan, Leoklas. Shirley, Jacob E.
Stout, Hezekiah.
Shewmaker, William R.
Shoemaker, Silas M.
Shoemaker, Sanford. Sisk, William. Smock, Jasper. Sparks, John W. Stewart, Henry R. Smith, John.
Trueblood, Reason.
Died at Memphis, Tenn., April 10, 1864. Deserted Oct. 7, 1863. Mustered out with regiment. Died at home, Sept. 16, 1864.
Wounded and captured at Guntown, June 10, 1864; exchanged; mustered out with regiment.
Deserted Sept. 15, 1863.
Promoted 2d Lieutenant U. S. Army.
Died at Memphis, Tenn., April 10, 1864.
Wounded and captured at Guntown, June 10, 1864; died in Andersonville prison, Nov. I, 1864.
Mustered out with regiment.
Deserted Jan. 2, 1864.
Mustered out with regiment.
Killed at Okolona, Miss., Feb. 22, IS64.
Discharged Nov. 10, 1863.
Wounded and captured at Okolona, Feb. 22, 1864; died in Andersonville prison, Sept. 23, 1864.
Deserted July 3, 1865.
Wounded at Okolona, Feb. 22, 1864; mus- tered out with regiment.
Transferred to V. R. C.
Died at Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 23. 1864.
Wounded at Guntown, June 10, 1864; mus- tered out June 5, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out June 1, 1865.
Deserted May 23, 1864.
Deserted June 25, IS65.
Killed at Okolona, Miss., Feb. 22, 1864, as Corporal.
Wounded and captured at Okolona; died in Andersonville, Aug. 18, 1864.
Wounded and captured at Okolona: ex- changed; discharged March 15, 1865.
Mustered out with regiment.
Mustered out with regiment.
Deserted Sept. 26, 1863.
Discharged Sept. 4, 1863.
Died at Memphis, Tenn., May 1, 1864.
Wounded at Okolona; transferred to V. R. C. Wounded near Memphis; discharged May 16, 1865; wounds. Wounded at Osage, Kan., Oct. 25, 1864; dis-
87
COMPANY G, 7TH CAVALRY.
Van Mater, Joseph J. Vinnedge, Francis M. Williams, Christian.
Welsh, William. Whitworth, Sanford.
Windsor, Enoch M.
Young, Joseph A.
charged April IS, 1865; wounds. Mustered out with regiment. Mustered out with regiment.
Captured near Vicksburg; exchanged March, 1865; mustered out with regiment.
Discharged Oct. 4, 1863.
Wounded near Memphis; mustered out with regiment.
Wounded and captured at Okolona; died at Andersonville; date unknown.
Appointed Corporal; Sergeant; mustered out Sept. 1, 1864.
RECRUITS.
Date of Muster.
Oct. S, IS63. Died at White's Station, Tenn., June 14th. 1864.
Oct. 10, IS63. Deserted Oct. 11, IS63.
Sept. 28, IS63 Mustered out July 14, 1865.
Oct. 14, IS63. Wounded at Okolona; trans- ferred to V R. C.
Nov. 25, 1863 Mustered out with regiment.
Oct. 24, IS63.
Mustered out with regiment.
Nov. 9, 1863. Died at White's Station, Tenn., July 28, 1864.
Sept. 24, 1863. Mustered out with regiment.
Sept. 26, 1863. Mustered out with regiment.
Sept. 5, IS63. Appointed Corporal: Sergeant: mustered out Sept. 19, 1865.
Sept. 14, 1863. Deserted Nov. 28, 1863.
Sept. 16, 1863 Deserted; date unknown.
Sept. 5, IS63. Mustered out with regiment.
I, IS63. Died at Memphis, Tenn., May I, IS64.
Dec. . Nov. 25, IS63.|Deserted; date unknown.
Sept. 5, IS63. Deserted Oct. 1, 1863.
Sept. 12, 1863. Wounded at Okolona; appoint- ed Corporal; Sergeant; mus- tered out with regiment. Oct. 16, 1863. Appointed Corporal; Sergeant; mustered out Sept. 1, IS65. Oct. 28, 1863. Mustered out with regiment.
The regiment left Indianapolis December 6. 1S63, for Columbus, Ky., via Cario, Ill., and reached Columbus on the Sth. Leaving that place on the roth. it marched to Union City, Tenn., where it was assigned to the Ist Brigade, 6th Division, 16th Corps, General B. H. Grierson command- ing division and General A. J. Smith the corps
About the 20th of December it lett Union City with the corps and moved on Forrest at Jackson, who retreated into Mississippi on the ad-
1
Clevinger, John.
Cory. Henry. Dillman, Robert M.
Downing, Daniel G.
Downing, Samuel.
Edgarton, Lewis F. Gay, John.
Highton, Richard. Heck, John. Kennedy, George W.
Moore, William.
Moore, William M.
Myers, John. Richards, Henry C.
Slaughter, Charles. Tidwell, John W. Truitt, Isaac H.
Warnock, Jacob.
Waymire, Washington.
88
COMPANY G, 7TH CAVALRY.
vance of the Federals. Smith's cavalry occupied Jackson on the 31st, and remained until the 2d of January, 1864. passing the memorable cold New Year in camp there. The march back to Union City was made with the mercury many degrees below zero.
The changes in Company G for IS63, were
Discharged-Bugler Edward McBride, Privates Joseph Massacre, Jas- per Smock and William Welsh.
Deserted-Corporal Charles Wilson, Privates George W. Acker, Christopher C. Burny, George Carmichael, William Grisham, Daniel C. Hunneford, Joseph R. Lane, William Sisk, Henry Cory, William Moore and John W. Tidwell.
I S64.
Shortly after the return from Jackson the 7th was sent to occupy Hickman. Ky., on the Ohio River, where it remained until the latter part of January, when it marched to Memphis, Tenn., arriving at Collierville, twenty-five miles east of Memphis, February 10.
General William S. Smith was collecting all the cavalry of the depart- ment at this point. preparatory to moving into Mississippi, to co-operate with General Sherman against Meridian and other points in Southern Mississippi and Alabama.
The expedition left Collierville on the morning of February 11, and moved southeast until the Ohio and Mobile Railroad was reached, when it moved almost due south, destroying the railroad as it marched, as well as great quantities of corn and cotton collected along the route.
At West Point the enemy was encountered on the evening of the 20th of February in strong force, and the next morning Smith began to re- treat towards Memphis, closely pursued by the Confederates under Gen- eral Forrest. Just at daylight on the 22d, the Federals, on approach- ing the town of Okolona, discovered the Confederates deploying in line of battle to the east of the town, having made a flank march during the night, and had almost succeeded in heading off Smith's columns.
Smith determined to avoid an encounter if possible, and hastily deploying a single brigade in the town, the balance of the command was hurried forward, but the enemy hurled himself on the brigade at Okolona in such force as to drive it from the town in confusion, after losing many men and six pieces of artillery. Smith now fought his adversary by de- tail, the brunt of the battle falling on the Ist Brigade until late in the afternoon, when they were relieved by fresh troops. Just at the close of day the enemy was pressing so hard that the capture of Smith's entire command was imminent. A stand was made at Joy Hills, or Mount Jov. and a desperate fight of half an hour ensued. It was determined to pierce the enemy's center by a saber charge, and for this purpose Companies A. D. E, G, H and I, of the 7th. numbering about two hundred men, were selected, and at the command they dashed upon the enemy and drove back his advance upon the reserve, where they were in turn compelled to retreat, leaving eighty-four of their number upon the field. The enemy was so crippled by this stand that he left off the pursuit, and the Federals reached Collierville, without further fighting, on the 25th, having been in camp but four entire nights during the march. Company G lost in the
89
COMPANY G, 7TH CAVALRY.
battle of the 22d as follows: Killed-Corporal Jacob E. Shirley, Pri- William N. Cole and John Mentor: wounded-Jacob Miller, Isaac Need- ham, Hezekiah Stout, William R. Shewmaker, Henry R. Stewart, Enoch M. Windsor, Daniel G. Downing and Isaac H. Truitt; captured-Jacob Miller, Hezekiah Stout, William R. Shewmaker and Enoch M. Windsor.
The regiment encamped near Memphis, and was engaged in scouting during March, April and the first half of May. On the 3d of April it took part in an engagement at Raleigh, Tenn., but without loss to Company G. . During the latter part of May the regiment assisted in guarding the workmen in repairing the railroad to La Grange, and on the Ist of June joined the expedition under General Sturgis which resulted in the disas- trous battle of Brice's Cross Roads, or Guntown. On the 9th of June the cavalry in advance encountered a strong force of the enemy at a bridge near Ripley, Miss., and the nature of the ground preventing the forma- tion of mounted troops, the 7th was dismounted and charged through the swamp on foot, dispersing the enemy.
On the roth occurred the battle of Guntown, or Brice's Cross Roads, between one Division of infantry and one of cavalry, numbering about 6,500 men, under command of General Sturgis, and the Confederates under General Forrest. This was the hardest fought battle of the war, numbers considered. the Federals losing 2,240 men, or thirty-five per cent. of the number engaged. The Union arms were defeated and driven from the field, with the loss as above stated, and twenty-three pieces of artillery and about 300 loaded wagons.
Captain John W. Morton, chief of artillery on General Forrest's staff, the Confederate historian of this battle, says: "The firing could only be likened to that of General Pat Cleburne's attack on the Union lines at Chicamauga on Sunday evening. September 20, 1863." and again he says, "At one time sixteen officers (Confederates) were killed, and sixty-two wounded, in less than ten minutes."
In the desperate charges made by the Confederates the fighting fre- quently became a hand-to-hand encounter, and in one assault a Confed- crate officer siezed Joseph J. Van Mater. of Company G, (familiarly known to the regiment as Longstreet or Spile Driver), and demanded that he surrender, which Van Mater declining to do, a desperate struggle ensued. The Confederate's pistol, as well as Van Mater's gun being un- loaded, they used those weapons as clubs. Van Mater, securing a tem- porary advantage, killed his adversary by braining him by a blow from his gun, and then falling back to the line, coolly resumed firing. There were no doubt men as brave as Van Mater in the army, but none braver.
During the latter part of June the 7th encamped at White's Station, Tenn. On the 4th of July the regiment embarked with its brigade at Memphis for Vicksburg. landing there on the 7th. On the Sth, having been joined by the Mississippi Marine Corps, the command moved east to make a diversion in favor of General A. J. Smith, who was marching on General Lee at Tupello. At Port Gibson these forces were attacked by the Confederates under General Wirt Adams, and fell back to Grand Gulf, on the Mississippi River, where on the next morning they were again attacked by Adams' command, and after an hour and thirty minutes
.
90
COMPANY G, 7TH CAVALRY.
of fighting, the Confederates were defeated. About the last of the month the regiment returned to Memphis, and on August I joined General A. I. Smith's expedition into northern Mississippi. During this month the reg- iment took part in engagements at Hatchie River, Hurricane Creek and Oxford, or College Hill. Forrest having made a successful flank march and suddenly appearing in the streets of Memphis, caused Smith to countermarch in that direction, the 7th reaching their camp August 31.
At midnight, September 1, every man of the 7th who had a service- able horse (some two hundred in number), mounted him and started in pursuit of General Price, who, with a corps of Confederates 25.000 strong, had marched north through Arkansas and invaded Missouri. On the 19th of October the division of cavalry of the 16th Corps, 1.500 strong. under Colonel Winslow, joined the forces in Missouri, 6,000 in number. making an aggregate of 7,500 men. With this force General Pleasanton proposed to move on and defeat Price, with his corps of veterans nearly four times greater. This he did, defeating him on the 22d at Independ- ence and at Big Blue on the 23d, and again at Osage, Kan., on the 25th, entirely destroying as an organization the entire corps and capturing nearly all his artillery and wagons, with a loss to himself of less than Soo men. The 7th continued in the pursuit to the Arkansa's River, in the In- dian Territory, where it was abandoned. The regiment returned to St. Louis by the way of Springfield and Rolla, and proceeded to Louisville, Ky .; and after encamping there until February, rejoined the regiment at Memphis February 10, after an absence of five months, and had traveled more than 2,500 miles since September 1.
During the absence of this detachment those remaining were con- stantly employed in scouting. Almost from the beginning of the war a desperate band of guerrillas bad infested the country in the neighborhood of Memphis, taking refuge when closely pressed in the heavily wooded regions along the Cold Water. All the cavalry stationed at and near Memphis had so far failed to capture or disperse this band. In the fall of 1864 Captain Skelton with a scouting party of the 7th, surprised a portion of the band and captured their leader, Colonel Dick Davis. He was tried by a court martial, of which Colonel "Tom " Browne of the regiment was president, and sentenced to be hung, and the 7th guarded him to the scaffold when the sentence was carried into execution.
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