USA > Kansas > The Seventh Kansas calvary: its service in the civil war. An address before the State historical society, December 2, 1902 > Part 2
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Company B was organized by Capt. Fred Swoyer, of Leav- enworth; it was composed of men recruited in Leavenworth and Atchison counties, except about thirty men brought from Chicago by Lieut. Isaac Gannett. The company was recruited during September, 1861, and partially organized with two officers, First Lieut. Fred Swoyer and Second Lieut. William S. Moorhouse. Early in October, when Lieutenant Gannett arrived with his recruits from Chicago, the organization was completed, with the following officers :
Captain Fred Swoyer.
First lieutenant. Isaac Gannett.
Second lieutenant. William S. Moorhouse.
Captain Swoyer commanded the company until he was killed,
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS.
January 3, 1863. He was succeeded by Capt. William S. Moor- house, promoted from second lieutenant. Lieutenant Gannett was absent from the regiment on staff duty during most of his term of service and lost out on promotion in consequence. Moorhouse was succeeded as second lieutenant by Charles L. Thompson, advanced from first sergeant. Lieutenant Thomp- son deserted February 18, 1863.
Captain Swoyer was a man of great physical courage, but exceedingly reckless. In the winter of 1861-'62 he did a little steeple-chasing down Delaware street, in Leavenworth, and while putting his horse over a sleigh loaded with cord-wood, standing across the street, the animal fell and broke the cap- tain's leg. He limped through the rest of his life. His death was the result of his recklessness, but he was brave and patri- otic and did splendid service while he lived. After the death of Captain Swoyer the company was temporarily commanded by Capt. Bernard P. Chenoweth, of the First Kansas infantry, who was with the company for a short time; after his depar- ture Moorhouse was made captain, as above stated. Captain Chenoweth was a gallant officer, who had done splendid serv- ice at Wilson Creek with his regiment. He was very punc- tilious, and exceedingly neat in his dress; he always wore a black regulation hat with a long white feather trailing down his back, but you can be assured that, like the white plume of Navarre, it would always be seen dancing in the forefront · of battle when the fight was on. Moorhouse became captain April 22, 1863, and Chenoweth returned to his old regiment. Moorhouse commanded the company most efficiently until he was mustered out, March 7, 1865.
Sergt. John A. Middleton, a member of company B, who deserted at Germantown, Tenn., in February, 1863, gained a later notoriety; he was the desperado, "Doc" Middleton, who terrorized a portion of Nebraska some twenty years ago.
Company C was recruited in Leavenworth city by its first captain, William S. Jenkins. About twenty-five men recruited in Doniphan and Brown counties completed the organization. Recruiting began September 5 and the organization was per- fected at Kansas City on October 10, with the following offi -- cers :
Captain
William S. Jenkins.
First lieutenant. Francis M. Ray.
Second lieutenant. James Smith.
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS.
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Captain Jenkins commanded the company until his promo- tion to major, May 27, 1863. He was promoted to lieutenant- colonel March 21, 1864, and resigned November 14 of same year. Lieutenant Ray resigned December 8, 1861, and was succeeded by First Lieut. James D. Snoddy, appointed from civil life. Lieutenant Snoddy was later temporarily trans- ferred to company G, and left the service in December, 1862. Snoddy was succeeded by Lieut. John A. Tanner, promoted from second lieutenant of company F. Lieutenant Tanner resigned July 23, 1863, and was succeeded by the promotion of Second Lieut. Bayless S. Campbell. Captain Jenkins was succeeded by Capt. James Smith, promoted from second lieu- tenant July 1, 1863. Lieut. Bayless S. Campbell, promoted from sergeant, filled the vacancy created by the advancement of Smith; when Campbell was promoted to first lieutenant he was succeeded by Second Lieut. John H. Wildey, promoted from first sergeant.
Captain Jenkins was an efficient officer and deserved his promotions. Lieutenant Ray and First Sergt. John H. Gilbert were the original drill-masters of the company. They had both served in the regular army, and were efficient, and soon had the company whipped into excellent shape. Lieut. James Smith, later captain, was a native of the East Tennessee mountains, and had an intense hatred for a rebel. He was a big, awkward fellow, with very light hair, which he always wore close cropped; he never escaped the name of "Babe," given him at his first enlistment. He was perfectly fearless and would fight an army rather than retreat, and, when he held the command of the company, had always to be watched and ordered back in a most peremptory manner or he was lia- ble to stay too long. He would have died any time rather than surrender, as the story of his death will attest. After his discharge from the service he went to southern Kansas, where he jumped, or rather took possession of, a claim de- serted by the original preemptor; a party of men who con- sidered him an interloper rode out to drive him off. He did not drive, and when they opened fire he promptly returned it, and killed two of their number before he himself fell. As one of the posse bent over him to ascertain if he was dead, he suddenly raised his pistol hand and sent a bullet through the brain of his inquisitive enemy, and with a look of grim satisfaction joined him on his unknown journey. Poor old Jim! His men always loved him, and when he was twice de-
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS.
prived of promotion by the appointment of officers from out- side the company over him they made it so uncomfortable for the intruders that they were glad to be transferred to more agreeable surroundings. Lieutenants Campbell and Wildey were brave men and made good officers. Lieutenant Campbell commanded the artillery detachment attached to the regiment in 1863. Ex-Gov. E. N. Morrill was a member of this com- pany during the first year of its service. He served as com- pany commissary sergeant until he was promoted to captain in the subsistence department.
Company D was recruited in Bureau county, Illinois, and vicinity. It was organized at Wyanet, by Capt. Clark S. Merriman, in August, 1861. The company had not been as- signed when it came to Fort Leavenworth on escort duty, and was induced to cast its fortunes with Jennison's regiment, then organizing at that post. The company was made up of a fine lot of men and was always considered a great acquisi- tion. The officers at organization were :
Captain
Clark S. Merriman.
First lieutenant. Andrew Downing.
Second lieutenant .. Isaac J. Hughes.
Captain Merriman was promoted to major October 3, 1862. and resigned July 13, 1863. Lieutenant Downing remained with the company until the close of his original term of serv- ice, September 27, 1864. Lieutenant Downing was writing poetry then, as he is to-day, and I have a printed sheet of his poems of 1861, written under the nom de plume, "Curley Q., Esq." Second Lieutenant Hughes was not a success, and re- signed June 2, 1863. Hughes was at first familiarly known as "Shang Hai," which was soon abbreviated into "Shang." He once had an exceedingly narrow escape from death. At Coffeyville, Miss., he was in command of his company, and, when it was dismounted and ordered on the firing line, sent it in under command of First Sergeant Hinsdale, while he per- sonally took charge of his lead horses in the rear. The gallant Hinsdale was killed. The vacancy created by the promotion of Captain Merriman was filled by the advancement of Lieut. Aaron M. Pitts, of company A, who commanded the company until its final discharge. When Lieutenant Downing was mus- tered out, First Sergt. William Henry was promoted to first lieutenant to fill the vacancy. No appointment was made to
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS.
fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Second Lieu- tenant Hughes. Lieutenant Henry was an exceptionally fine officer, absolutely fearless, and, although a boyish-appearing, smooth-faced young fellow, had a remarkable control over men.
Company E was originally organized at Quincy, Ill., in the month of August, 1861, by Capt. George I. Yeager. The mem- bers of the company were mostly from Chicago. The company arrived at Fort Leavenworth on September 22, and moved im- mediately to Kansas City, where it joined the other companies of the regiment recruited up to date, that were temporarily stationed there. The original officers were :
Captain
George I. Yeager.
First lieutenant.
Charles H. Gregory.
Second lieutenant. John Noyes, jr.
Captain Yeager became very unpopular with his men, and was forced to resign on October 8, 1861, and First Lieut. Charles H. Gregory was commissioned captain, and First Sergt. Russell W. Maryhugh was appointed first lieutenant, on October 18, 1861. Captain Gregory was promoted to major April 8, 1864, and Second Lieutenant Noyes was promoted captain to fill the vacancy on May 19, 1864; the vacancy in grade of second lieutenant was never filled. First Lieutenant Maryhugh was mustered out October 12, 1864, by reason of the expiration of his term of service, and was succeeded by the promotion of Corp. Edwin T. Saunders, of company A. Captain Gregory was a man of the greatest bravery and dash and had the knack of doing just the right thing at just the proper time. His gallantry produced brilliant results and much of the credit earned by the regiment was due to him. Noyes and Maryhugh were both sturdy and reliable soldiers. Lieutenant Saunders was little more than a boy. but he never knew what fear was.
Company F was organized by Capt. Francis M. Malone, of Pana, Ill., in September, 1861. The company was recruited largely in Christian county and vicinity. Captain Malone brought his men to Kansas and joined Jennison's regiment in October, 1861. The original officers of the company were:
Captain Francis M. Malone.
First lieutenant Amos Hodgeman.
Second lieutenant .. John A. Tanner.
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS.
Captain Malone was promoted to major August 12, 1863, and to lieutenant-colonel November 19, 1864, and was in com- mand of the regiment during the most of its last year's serv- ice. Lieutenant Hodgeman was promoted to captain and as- signed to company H June 23, 1863. Second Lieut. John A. Tanner was promoted to first lieutenant of company C, and First Sergt. Edward Colbert was promoted to second lieu- tenant to fill the vacancy October 31, 1862, and promoted captain October 26, 1863, and was in command of the com- pany until its muster-out. First Sergt. John Clark was pro- moted to first lieutenant October 26, 1863, and resigned February 15, 1865. First Sergt. John W. Moore was ap- pointed first lieutenant July 17, 1865, and was mustered out with the regiment. The vacancy in the grade of second lieu- tenant, occasioned by the promotion of Lieutenant Colbert, was never filled.
Captain Hodgeman was a brave officer and was killed in ac- tion. Captain Colbert had previously served in the regular army and was a good officer and most excellent in the field.
Company G was recruited in Linn county, Kansas, and vi- cinity, by Capt. Edward Thornton, and was mustered into the United States service on October 12, 1861, with the following officers :
Captain
Edward Thornton.
First lieutenant. David W. Houston.
Second lieutenant .. Christopher C. Thompkins.
Captain Thornton commanded the company during its full term of service. First Lieutenant Houston was promoted cap- tain of company H September 30, 1862, and promoted lieuten- ant-colonel July 1, 1863. Lieutenant Thompkins resigned February 1, 1862. Sergt .- maj. Harmon D. Hunt was pro- moted to first lieutenant, to fill the vacancy created by the pro- motion of Lieutenant Houston. Lieutenant Hunt resigned November 30, 1864, and was succeeded by First Lieut. Zacha- riah Norris, promoted from second lieutenant January 17, 1865. The vacancy in the grade of second lieutenant created by the resignation of Lieutenant Thompkins was filled by the appointment of Richard H. Kerr from civil life. Lieutenant Kerr was dismissed from the service November 24, 1862, and the vacancy created was filled by the promotion of Corp. Zach- ariah Norris, who was promoted to first lieutenant as above.
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS.
Private William A. Pease was appointed second lieutenant to fill the vacancy. Captain Thornton was a generous, whole- souled man, and made an excellent company commander. Lieut. Zach. Norris had been a soldier in the old Second Kan- sas infantry, and had been severely wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek.
Company H was organized by Capt. Marshall Cleveland, of jayhawker fame, and was mustered in at Fort Leavenworth on September 27, 1861, with the following officers :
Captain Marshall Cleveland.
First lieutenant. James L. Rafety.
Second lieutenant. . Charles E. Gordon.
The original company was largely made up of members of Cleveland's old band of jayhawkers, that had operated along the Missouri border. Captain Cleveland was one of the hand- somest men I ever saw; tall and rather slender, hair dark, beard dark and neatly trimmed. He was very neat in his dress and his carriage was easy and graceful. As a horseman he was superb. A stranger never would get the impression from his appearance that he was the desperate character that he was. His real name was Charles Metz. He was a native of New York state, had been a stage-driver in Ohio, and had served a term in the Missouri penitentiary. After his gradua- tion from this institution he had for a time called himself "Moore," but later settled down on to the name "Cleveland." He did not remain with the regiment long; he could not endure the restraint, and one evening at Fort Leavenworth the cul- mination came. The regiment marched out for dismounted . dress parade; Colonel Anthony was receiving the salute and, as the regiment was formed, took occasion to censure Captain Cleveland for appearing in a pair of light drab trousers tucked in his boot-tops. Cleveland immediately left his station in front of his company and advanced directly towards the colonel; all expected bloodshed, but it only culminated in a few characteristic and pointed remarks on the part of the two officers immediately involved, and Cleveland passed on. He mounted his horse and rode away to Leavenworth city, and immediately sent in his resignation, and we saw him no more. He soon gathered a band of kindred spirits about him and be-
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS.
gan his old trade of jayhawking." He was quite impartial in his dealings with rebels and Union men at the last, and if there was any question he took the benefit of the doubt. He made his headquarters at Atchison and eluded for a time all attempts to capture him; once or twice he captured the posse sent out after him and, after taking their horses and arms, sent them home on foot, as may be supposed, somewhat crest- fallen. He finally ran up against the inevitable while trying to escape across the Marais des Cygnes, when pursued by Lieu- tenant Walker with a squad of company E, Sixth Kansas cav- alry; he was shot and killed by a sergeant. He sleeps peace- fully in the cemetery at St. Joseph. The headstone which marks his grave bears this gentle epitaph :
"One hero less on earth, One angel more in heaven."
Cleveland was succeeded in command of the company by Capt. Horace Pardee, appointed from civil life. Captain Par- dee led a strenuous life during the few months he was with the regiment. He was wounded at Columbus, Mo. He resigned May 15, 1862, and was succeeded by Capt. James L. Rafety, promoted from first lieutenant. Rafety was dismissed August 31, 1862. Capt. David W. Houston, promoted from first lieu- tenant of company G, was next in succession, and commanded . the company until his promotion to lieutenant-colonel, July 1, 1863. He in turn was succeeded by Capt. Amos Hodgeman,
2. JOHN JAMES INGALLS published in the Kansas Magasine, April, 1872, an article entitled "The Last of the Jayhawkers." Two paragraphs will suffice :
"The border ruffians in '56 constructed the ecealeobion in which the jayhawk was hatched, and it broke the shell upon the reedy shores of the Marais des Cygnes. Its habits were not migratory, and for many years its habitat was southern Kansas: but . eventually it extended its field of operations northward. and soon after the outbreak of the war was domiciled in the gloomy defiles and lonely forests of the bluffs whose rugged bastions resist the assaults of the Missouri from the mouth of the Kaw to the Nebraska line.
"Conspicuous among the irregular heroes who thus sprang to arms in 1861. and ostensibly their leader, was an Ohio stage-driver by the name of Charles Metz, who, having graduated with honor from the penitentiary of Missouri. assumed. from pru- dential reasons, the more euphonions and distinguished appellation of Cleveland. Hle was a picturesque brigand. Had he worn a slashed doublet and trunk hose of black velvet he would have been the ideal of an Itallan bandit. Young, erect. and tall, he was sparely built. and arrayed himself like a gentleman, in the costume of the day. His appearance was that of a student. His visage was thin; his complexion olive-tinted and colorless, as if slicked over with the pale east of thought. Black, piercing eyes, finely cut features, dark hair and beard. correctly trimmed. completed a tout ensemble that was strangely at variance with the aspect of the score of disso- lute and dirty desperadoes that formed his command. There were generally degraded ruffians of the worst type, whose highest idea of elegance in personal appearance was to have their moustaches dyed a villainons metallic black, irrespective of the con- sideration whether its native hue was red or brown. It is a noticeable fact that a dyed mustache stamps its wearer inevitably either as a pitiful snob or an irreclaim- able scoundrel."
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS. .
promoted from first lieutenant of company F, July 23, 1863. Captain Hodgeman died of wounds received at Wyatt, Miss., October 16, 1863. Capt. Charles L. Wall, promoted from first lieutenant April 6, 1864, was Captain Hodgeman's successor, and commanded the company until its final discharge.
The first lieutenants of the company were: James L. Rafety, promoted and dismissed as above; John Kendall, promoted from second lieutenant May 15, 1862, and dismissed the serv- ice November 22, 1862; and Charles L. Wall, promoted from second lieutenant September 1, 1862. Lieutenant Wall having been promoted to captain, was succeeded by the promotion of Lieut. Samuel N. Ayers from first sergeant, May 28, 1864. Lieutenant Ayers resigned March 20, 1865, and First Sergt. Wallace E. Dickson was promoted to fill the vacancy, and held the rank until the muster-out of the company.
The second lieutenants were: Charles E. Gordon, who .re- signed February 11, 1862; John Kendall, promoted as above; Charles L. Wall, promoted from sergeant May 15, 1862, and later promoted to first lieutenant and captain; Samuel R. Doo- little, promoted from first sergeant September 1, 1862, and re- signed March 3, 1863. Doolittle was succeeded by Joseph H. Nessell, promoted from sergeant April 8, 1863. He was dis- missed the service April, 1864, and the vacancy was never filled.
Company H was made up of splendid fighting material, but did not have the proper discipline at first. After Cleveland's resignation, many of his old men deserted and joined the band their old leader was organizing. When Blunt was made a brigadier-general, Jennison, who was an aspirant for the pro- motion himself, was highly wroth, and made an intemperate speech while in camp at Lawrence, during which he practically advised the men to desert. That night a number of men, prin- cipally from company H, took his advice and disappeared. Jennison himself sent in his resignation, which was promptly accepted on May 1, 1862, and the regiment was relieved of a worthless officer. Houston, Hodgeman and Wall were fine of- ficers and brought the company out in excellent shape. Some of the best and most daring men of the regiment were in this company. Capt. Amos Hodgeman did much to discipline and make company H what it eventually became. He was a man of great bravery, and I believe was liked by his men. He was dark, with a countenance that gave him an almost sinister ap-
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS.
pearance; he rarely smiled and did not talk any more than necessary. He was mortally wounded October 10, 1863, while leading a charge at Wyatt, Miss. A severe fight was in prog- ress between the cavalry forces under General Hatch and Gen- eral Forrest. As we were forcing the rebels back, they made a determined stand around a log house on a ridge. A charge had been made and repulsed, and Captain Hodgeman was lead- ing the second assault when he fell, mortally wounded ; he died on October 16, 1863. Hodgeman county was named after him. He was born in Massachusetts, and when the war broke out was a carpenter and builder in Leavenworth city.
There is a pathetic story connected with his life that may here be told. After he joined the regiment he married a pretty young woman who served drinks in a Leavenworth beer hall. In the spring of 1863 he brought her to the camp, at Corinth, Miss., and she remained there for a number of weeks. The wives of a number of the other officers were there, but Mrs. Hodgeman made no attempt to push herself into their company; she seemed contented with her husband's so- ciety, and busied herself in taking care of his quarters. They were very fond of each other, and that was enough. The camp became liable to attack any day from Forrest, and the women were sent north. After Captain Hodgeman's death, she came to the regiment dressed in deep mourning, and went out with her husband's old company under a flag of truce, secured his body, and took it away for burial. Soon after she entered a military hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio, as a nurse. She was never very robust, but she steadily performed her duties, growing a little less strong each day. She was always patient and gentle, and worked on until she could work no more. She did not have to wait long before death came to her as her re- ward. Poor Kitty Hodgeman! There are heroes who deserve to be "enskied and sainted" other than those who, striving for principle, go down in the forefront of battle,
One of the members of company H has since become famous -W. F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill." - He entered as a veteran recruit, and was mustered out with the regiment.
Company I was recruited by Maj. Albert L. Lee in Doni- phan county. Major Lee lived at Elwood, opposite St. Joseph, and a number of recruits came from that city. Lee was made a major at the organization of the regiment, and on May 7,
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STORY OF THE SEVENTH KANSAS . 21
1862, was promoted to colonel. The company was recruited in October, and was mustered into the United States service October 28, 1861, with the following officers :.
Captain John L. Merrick.
First lieutenant. Robert Hayes.
Second lieutenant. Edwin Miller.
Capt. "Jack" Merrick resigned November 27, 1862, and was succeeded by Capt. Jacob M. Anthony, promoted from second lieutenant of company A. First Lieut. Robert Hayes died of . disease at Corinth, Miss., September 20, 1862. and was suc- ceeded by the promotion of Second Lieut. William Weston. Second Lieut. Edwin Miller resigned September 27, 1862, and First Sergt. William Weston was promoted to the vacancy. When Weston became first lieutenant the grade of second lieutenant remained vacant. Company I was steady and re- liable at all times, and did splendid service; it was made up of a lot of unpretentious men who came promptly when- needed and remained until orders directed them otherwise. Capt. Jack Merrick was something of a character; he was somewhat Falstaffian in his proportions, and used to wear a pair of big cavalry boots that slopped down about his heels. His oft- repeated phrase, "If the court knows herself, and I think she do," rings in my ears yet. Captain Anthony, who succeeded him, was a brother of Daniel R., but he had been molded from more plastic and tractable clay. He had courage and staying qualities, and made up in persistency what he lacked in ag- gressiveness. He was an excellent company commander, and I believe that he, of all the officers appointed from civil life who came to the regiment after it went into the field, over- came the resentment of the men and served through to the end.
Lieutenant Weston was a quiet soldier who did his duty al- ways, and the regimental commander always knew that if he was sent to accomplish a purpose it would be done, if within the limits of possibility.
Company K was originally organized at Jefferson, Ashta- bula county, Ohio, by John Brown, jr., on September 6, 1861. Captain Brown sent the company on to Fort Leavenworth under the command of First Lieut. Burr H. Bostwick, and re- mained for a time in Ohio to finish the recruiting. Company K reached Fort Leavenworth on November 7, 1861, and was
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