USA > Michigan > An historical sketch of the Seventh regiment Michigan volunteer cavalry from its organization, in 1862, to its muster out, in 1865 > Part 4
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
struck the trees twenty and thirty feet above us, or went on into the woods. The trees and branches were falling on all sides, and every minute or two some of our boys would be killed or wounded. We lay in this posi- tion for several hours, firing all the time until our cartridges
were gone.
Some of the men
had used eighty
or one hundred rounds apiece.
A sergeant came
around and made a detail to go back about a DANIEL M'NAUGHTON, First Lieutenant and R. Quartermaster. mile to the train for cartridges. I was one of the detail. We went to the train, each filled up two nose-bags full of cartridges. and started back to the front, distributed the anmmi- tion as best we could, and took our places in the line. This was about four or five o'clock in the afternoon. A charge was soon sounded. Over the fence we rushed and went for their works, and carried thirty or forty rods of their earthworks along the railroad, but could hold them for only a few minutes, as the battery in their
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SEVENTH REGIMENT
rear soon compelled ns to fall back, with half our men left on the field. Just inside the rebel works was an old log house. Some of the Johnnies ran into the house, and a Frenchman of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, who had been wounded, after them. I was a few steps behind him ; he was swearing and talking in French, and had already shot two Johnnies. The rebels were wildly throwing up their hands and trying to surrender. I said to him. . those men have surren- dered.' He clubbed his carbine, jumping up and down like a wild man, and saying all the time, . me no take prizone! me no take prizone!' The John- nies could not understand his language, and were scared to death. They were so frightened they looked pale. We soon fell back to the woods and fired a few rounds. As it was now getting dark, we fell back to our horses, mounted. and began to retreat. This ended the two days' terrible battle at Trevilian Station, of which history has not much to say.
" As nearly half of Custer's staff and guard had been killed or wounded, there was a detail made to fill their places. When we halted that night it was my luck to be one of them, and I was placed on guard at Custer's tent."
On the 14th of June we moved from the North Anna river to Shady Grove Church and remained there until the 15th. when the march was resumed, and we went into bivouac near Guinea Station. The 16th found ns eight miles bevond Newtown. On the 17th we encamped in the vicinity of Walkertown.
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
The 1sth brought us into proximity to King and Queen Court-House, and on the 19th Dunkirk was reached. The Mattapony river was crossed on the 20th, and we rested for the night near the Pamunky. Then we crossed the Pamunky near White House on the 21st; and on the 22d. as advance eseort to the train of the Army of the Potomac, crossed the Chick- ahominy at Jones' Bridge, and encamped near the river until the morning of the 24th, when we marched to Charles City Court - House. encamping there for the night. On the 25th, reaching the vicinity of the pontoon bridge over the James river at Deep Bottoni. we remained there until the 28th, and then crossed to the south side of JOHN H. HAMLIN. Captain Company "C." the James over the pontoon. Thonce we marched to Prince George Court-House oa the 29th, and on the 30th advanced to near Ream's Sta ion and encamped. The movement across the
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SEVENTII REGIMENT
James to Ream's Station was for the relief of Wilson's division of cavalry, that had been severing the rail- road communications west and south of Petersburg. and that had been encompassed by the enemy's in- fantry and cavalry, and severely punished. Wilson, however, had extricated himself, and we were too late to be of any assistance. From Ream's Station we marched back to Light House Point. which we reached the 2d of July, and where we remained until the 26th of the month. resting and recuperating from the fatigues and losses of the campaign.
The casualties in the regiment during the campaign were : One officer and twelve men killed, one officer and ninety-eight men wounded, and two officers and thirteen men missing-a total of one hundred and twenty-seven.
On the afternoon of July 26 we marched to Deep Bottom, crossed over to the north bank of the James river with Hancock's corps during the night. and on the morning of the 27th became engaged with the enemy on the New Market road. Here General Ker- shaw was encountered with three divisions of infantry, by which we were driven back for a time : but. dis- mounting and taking a stand on the erest of a ridge, we repulsed the enemy with heavy loss and, immedi- ately charging him across the open. captured about two hundred and fifty prisoners and two battle flags. This action, fought in conjunction with the Second Corps, all under the command of General Hancock. is known as the battle of Darbytown, and was a signal
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
victory, our infantry securing four pieces of artillery and a large number of prisoners. From the 27th to the night of the 29th we were engaged demonstrating in front of the enemy in order to hold the bulk of Lee's army north of the James until the Petersburg mine could be exploded. In the early morning of the 30th of July we re-crossed to the south side of the James river, and proceeded to the left of our lines in front of Petersburg, near Prince George Court-House, and encamped for the night near Ream's Station. On the 31st we moved back to City Point and en- camped.
On the 1st of August General Sheridan was relieved of the command of the Cavalry Corps and ordered to the Shenandoah Valley. The First Cavalry Division was detached with him and, accordingly, on the 1st of Angust. we embarked on transports at City Point for Washington. We arrived at Giesborough Point. opposite Washington, on the 3d, and were disembark- ed. After a little rest, to remount our dismounted men, to draw clothing, and to refit ourselves, we took up the march for Harper's Ferry on the 5th of Angust. the Michigan Brigade being charged with the duty of guarding the train. We reached Harper's Ferry the 9th, and on the 10th proceeded to Hall- town. on the Harper's Ferry and Winchester pike, at which place Sheridan was concentrating his army preparatory to an advance.
General Torbert was assigned to the command of all the cavalry in the Department, and General
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SEVENTH REGIMENT
Merritt succeeded Torbert in command of the First Cavalry Division. From the 10th to the 16th of Angust we were moving about the country in the vicinity of Winchester, and several times came into collision with the enemy, but there were no engage- ments of much importance.
On the 16th of August, under command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Brewer, the regiment was engaged in the action at Front Royal. An official report by Major Geo. G. Briggs says, that the regiment " charged a whole brigade of rebel cavalry, completely routing it and capturing one hundred prisoners, with a large number of horses and arms." In this engagement Lieutenant Lncius Carver was killed by a volley from Longstreet's In-
fantry. A bril- liant young man, who had just at- tained to years of manhood, of un- daunted bravery and intense pa- triotism, with graces of manner and of person that LUCIT'S F. CARVER. Second Lieutenant Company "A." endeared him to all, his untimely end closed a career that promised great distinction.
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
Our loss at Front Royal was nineteen in killed, wounded and missing. A private of Company "M" came in after the engagement was over with his pants hurned over either thigh, claiming that a shell had burst in his lap, taking off his horse's head and burning his pants in the manner he exhibited.
From Front Royal the regiment marched back to White Post on the 17th, and on the 18th reached Berryville. where it remained until the 21st, when, after repulsing a determined attack of the enemy, it was ordered back to the right of the army posted in front of Halltown.
Up to the 25th we were engaged in scouting, pick- eting and light skirmishing. On the 25th, on the march to Leetown, the rebel cavalry was encountered near Kearneysville, which we drove back upon their infantry near Leetown. From there the column moved over to Shepardstown. where we were encom- passed by the enemy's cavalry. These were soon driven back upon their infantry supports, but in doing this Custer's Brigade became separated from the rest of the division, and was enveloped by two divisions of rebel infantry ; and after desperate fight- ing, in which the Seventh came in for a full share. the brigade extricated itself by crosing the Potomac near Sharpsburg, Md. In the last action a Major of the Sixth Cavalry had the skin over his Adam's apple broken by a bullet, just enough to bleed a little. It suspended his respiration for an instant, so that he dropped from his horse. But he immediately regained
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SEVENTHI REGIMENT
his feet, remounted his horse and rode away, making use of language unbecoming an officer and a gen- tleman.
On the 26th of August the Potomac was re-crossed, and the column proceeded to the vicinity of Leetown, and from there to White Post, which was reached the 27th. From there we marched back to Smithfield, where, in an engagement with the enemy on the 29th of August, Lieut. Jos. L. Meade received a mortal wound, from which he died Septem- ber 13, 1864. His death deprived the command and the country of a good soldier, and of one that possessed qualities of mind and heart that won him the esteem of all his comrades. We JOSEPH L. MEADE, Second Lieutenant Company " M !. " also lost in this action two men killed and twelve wounded. From Smithfield the command moved to Summit Point, in which neighborhood it remained, pieketing, scouting, and skirmishing with the enemy, until September 19, 1864.
MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 69
The battle of Opequan, or Winchester. was fought the 19th of September. At two o'clock on the morn- ing of that day we took up the march for the Opequan river. Here an attempt to cross the ford by the Twenty-fifth New York and Seventh Michigan cavalry regiments, all under command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Brewer, was repulsed by the rebel infantry intrenched upon the hills opposite. After concentrating a hot fire upon them by dismounted men, the First Michigan suc- ceeded in foreing a passage and captur- ing the ritle pits, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MELVIN BREWER. with a mumber of prisoners. About one mile from the crossing, in the direction of Winchester, Breckinridge's com- mand was encountered strongly posted behind earthworks. In a charge upon these, in which the Seventh participated, severe loss was inflicted upon the enemy, but we were not able to dislodge him. The advance of our infantry caused Breckinridge to abandon his position, and we moved towards Stevenson's Depot to pass around his flank, when Lomax's division of cavalry was met and put to flight.
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SEVENTH REGIMENT
Moving on over an open country, where the forces of both contending armies were exposed to view in one grand panorama, the divisions of Lomax and Fitzhugh Lee were discovered massed in an open pine wood on the Martinsburg pike, about three miles from Winchester. From the woods they made a for- midable charge, driving back our line of skirmishers, but Custer's Michiganders dashed upon them with the sabre, routed them, and captured many prisoners. Dislodging the rebel cavalry from the woods, it struck out in full retreat for the heights west of Winchester, and the chase was on. A stand was made about three- quarters of a mile from the woods, but a sabre charge again put them on the run and they did not stop again until safe behind their infantry lines. The pursuit was continned to within a few hundred yards of the enemy's infantry, when Custer, awaiting the moment when the advance of our infantry on their right and centre would force their left to change position, swooped down upon them with the sabre, capturing over seven hundred prisoners, seven battle-flags, with two caissons, and a large quantity of arms. The enemy fled precipitately, but night put a stop to fur_ ther pursuit. We bivonacked on the Valley pike three miles from the battlefield.
In the final charge fell Lieutenant-Colonel Melvin Brewer, commanding the regiment. In his official re- port General Custer says of him : " He fell farthest in advance of those that on that day surrendered their lives in their country's cause. Possessed of ability
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
qualifying him for much higher positions than those he filled, he was invariably selected to command expe- ditions involving danger and requiring experience, daring and sagacity. Known and respected by all his brother officers, his memory will always be cherished by every member of his command, and of him all will say, he was a soldier sans peur et sans pe- proche." Good words and true, as we all can testify.
Captain Linus F. Warner is
mentioned in General Custer's report for con- spienous gallan- try. The casual- ties of the Sev- enth were four killed and nine- teen wounded.
44
MAJOR L. F. WARNER.
Before day, on the morning of the 20th, we were following Early toward Strasburg, by way of the Val- ley pike, and found him in strong position at Fisher's Hill, from which he was scared by Sheridan's mandu- vering. After this we were actively engaged beating up the country here, there, and everywhere, without
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SEVENTH REGIMENT
meeting with anything noteworthy except an engage- ment at Luray on the 24th of September. At Port Republic, on the 26th, Kershaw, with four brigades of infantry, forced our division under Merritt to retire toward Cross Keys, but we soon re-occupied the former place, Kershaw withdrawing in his turn. There were also engagements with the enemy at Port Republic on the 27th and 25th of September. About this time General Custer was promoted to the command of Wil- son's division, and Colonel Stagg, of the First Michigan, was placed in com- mand of the brig- ade. The regiment was commanded by Major D. II. Dar- LIEUTENANT-COLONEL D. II. DARLING. ling, after the fall of Colonel Brewer.
We remained in the vicinity of Port Republic-per- forming the duties pertaining to cavalry, in the face of an active foe, with whom a little brush was had at Mount Crawford, October 2d-until the 6th of Octo- ber, when we moved back to Strasburg. As we leisurely proceeded, the whole Valley was laid waste, the cavalry stretching across the country from the Blue Ridge to the Alleghanies. On the Ethi, the ene-
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
my's cavalry having begun to harass our rear guard, we turned upon him at Tom's Brook and completely routed him, and then kept up the pursuit for twenty- six miles until he was safe behind his infantry. All his artillery, ambulances and wagons were captured, together with three hundred prisoners. This engage- ment and pursuit was facetiously styled the "Wood- stock races." The 9th and 10tl: the backward march was continued without molestation, and the 11th found us on the north side of Cedar Creek. Here we re- mained until the 19th, pieketing and reeonnoitering the country in all directions.
The night preceding the 19th of October, 1864, the day of the battle of Cedar Creek, the Seventh Michigan was picketing the front of the brigade on the right of the Army of the Shenandoah, joining on the left with the infantry piekets. Hearing some shots at the outposts before daylight of the 19th, Major Briggs proceeded thither, and found that some of the sentries had discharged their pieces at what seemed to be a column of troops moving in their front, but no fire had been returned. Finding all quiet and no in- dieation of the presence of a foe, the Major rode back toward the reserve, when he was startled by a volley of musketry and a rush of a large force to his left and front, near the position occupied by the reserves, which had changed position and were now beginning to make a successful resistance to the enemy's advance, in which, assistance was soon rendered by other portions of the brigade. Disengaging himself from:
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SEVENTH REGIMENT
the enemy, the Major returned to the outposts. An infantry picket post to the left of the Seventh Michigan had been captured by the enemy without creating an alarm, and through the gap thus opened the Rebel columns had poured, intervening between the pickets and reserves of the Seventh. Some time after daylight the pieket force rejoined the rest of the regiment by flanking the enemy, although not with- out considerable fighting. Our cavalry held its position and repulsed the attacks of the Rebels, but our infantry falling back upon the left of the cavalry position, and the sound of battle angmenting in that direction, the cavalry moved to the left and did good service in checking the enemy's advance in the centre and on the left. When Sheridan arrived from Winchester he found the grand old Sixth Corps, a part of Crook's command, and the cavalry which formed the left of the line, in perfect order of battle, having repulsed the enemy, and now were ready and waiting for orders to move upon him. There was no rout or disorder here; it was all some distance in the rear. The sight of Sheridan evoked a tremendous enthusiasm. Never did more resounding acclamations issue from the throats of men. His presence was equal to a re-inforcement of twenty thousand troops, and the demonstration his coming aroused must have impressed the foe that our lines had already received, or were about to receive, strong accessions. No time was given him to discover what was the meaning of the outburst, for there was an immediate movement
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
forward of the whole line. In this advance the Michigan brigade came in collision with Kershaw's infantry, which was completely broken and dispersed, one stand of colors and a large number of prisoners being secured. The Seventh captured more prisoners than it had troopers in its ranks. Darkness alone prevented the total destruction of Early's army. Colonel J. II. Kidd, of the Sixth Michigan, com- manded the brigade in this battle, General Custer having been placed in command of the third division on the evening of the 18th of October.
From the 20th of October to the 11th of November nothing of especial note transpired. On the latter date, however, Early appeared on the north side of Cedar Creek, only to be driven back precipitately, with a loss of artillery and prisoners.
The 14th and 13th of November we were engaged with the division, in a reconnoissance to Mount Jackson, where there was a little skirmish with the enemy, in order to develop him and to obtain information. This being secured, we returned to the vicinity of Win- chester. The 28th of November we marched with the division into Londonn Valley, and laid waste the country, after which we returned again to a point near Winchester.
The 19th of December the regiment participated in an expedition toward Charlottesville and Gordonsville. to wreck the railroads in those localities. The enemy being apprised of our movement interposed with a large force of infantry and cavalry, which interfered
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SEVENTII REGIMENT
with the prosecution of the expedition, so that it was only partly successful. From day to day there was considerable skirmishing, and quite a lively engage- ment at Liberty Mills, on the Rapidan, where Torbert captured two pieces of artillery. It was bitterly cold during all the time we were out. and our foree rejoined the army near Winchester on the 29th of December, having suffered greatly by reason of the weather. We then settled down into winter quarters.
On the 25th of February, 1865, General Merritt was appointed Chief of Cavalry, and General Devin was assigned to the com- mand of the FirstCavalry Division,and we set out upon a cam- paign to wipe out Early's rebel force in the valley, the regiment be- ing under the com- mand of COLONEL GEO. G. BRIGGS. Lieutenant- Colonel
Briggs. That night we bivouacked at Woodstock. and
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
on the 28th reached Lacey's Springs. The 1st of March Rosser was encountered at Mount Crawford and de- feated. Staunton was entered the morning of March 2d, whence the command moved toward Waynesboro, where Early's force was met and, except a few officers and men with Early himself, was captured after a sharp engagement. Sixteen hundred prisoners, seven- teen battle flags, and eleven pieces of artillery were secured.
The morning of the 3d of March the column was on the march for Charlottesville, which was entered late in the afternoon. Some cavalry and three pieces of artillery were captured. We remained here two days resting, enjoying the hospitalities of the citizens, and destroying the railroad in the direction of Lyneh- burg.
The brief rest of the command at Charlottesville will always be remembered by those who took part in this short but arduous campaign. For several days we had been marching over the rain-soaked roads of red Virginia clay, elmrned into thin mortar by the hoofs of many thousands of horses, who, at every step, would splash sheets of the red mixture over each other and over the riders umtil for onee, at least, on uni- forms all corresponded, though not of the regulation blue. Mud-covered and water-soaked. hungry and sleepy, we reached the dry and solid pike leading into the town. The sun, which had been hidden behind the rainclouds for days. now shone out warm and bright to cheer our discouraged spirits. The General
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SEVENTH REGIMENT
assigned us to quarters in and about the residences formerly occupied by the officers and professors of the University of Virginia. These residences were large and commodious, and were situated on a dry and sandy knoll, forming extensive grounds for picket lines and tents. As tents had been generally left behind, many of the men betook themselves to the numerous, but now unoccupied, rooms once used by the University students, each soldier having a room to himself. His bearing for that day was so high-toned and exclusive that an interview with him could hardly be had without first apprising him by card of a desire for communication.
The surrounding country had thus far escaped the ravages of either army and was rich in forage and food. Foraging parties soon returned with an abundance of beef, hams, poultry, bread, cakes, butter. honey, preserves, pickles, cheese, eggs, milk, etc., to say nothing of the wet goods, such as applejack and wine, and last, but not least, with generous quantities of that sweet and deceptive beverage, methylin. the un- happy effects of which were felt by some for a day or two after drinking. But
Pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, the bloom is shed : Or like the snowflake in the river- A moment white, then melts forever.
All too soon the bugles sounded " Boots and Saddles." with the " General " attached. and we again took up
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MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
our line of march. not over but through the muddy roads of the James River valley.
March 5th, 1565, we reached Scottsville on the James river, the Seventh Michigan having the ad- vance. Here we captured a fleet of canal boats loaded with supplies for Richmond. The fact that the Union forces were near at hand caused the Rebel officer in charge to call on the citizens of the town to carry away all the flour and meat they could, so that we found many houses filled with these commodities, which were either destroyed by us or issned in smaller quantities to the negroes and poor whites, who were in a starving condition. Many queer experiences came from search- ing the houses for concealed goods. One healthy woman was apparently at the point of death on a bed made on top of seven barrels of flour. In tender sympathy for the soldiers who had been so long soaked in mud and water. General Sheridan ordered an issue of a canteen of applejack to every man who brought an order from his company commander. Filling these orders consumed several barrels of applejack. Imme- diately after the issue we started on a march to Lynchburg, but soon countermarched down the river and canal toward Richmond. destroying the canal and burning mills and storehouses in our way. On the loth we arrived at Columbia, where a rest was taken for the day, awaiting the arrival of the train. We moved to Louisa Court-House the 11th, and de- stroved the Virginia Central Railroad to Frederick's Hall; on the 12th, 18th and 14th of March we
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SEVENTH REGIMENT
operated abont Hanover Junction and Ashland, wrecking the railroad. and reached Mount Carmel
Church on the
North Anna river.
On the 16th we
marched toward
White House
Landing. which
was reached the
18th. where sup- plies were await-
ing us. Here we remained until the 25th of March.
resting and re-
fitting the com-
mand. Thus was ended our service in the Shenandoah Valley. and we
JAMES B. LOOMIS, Captain Company " MI."
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