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Gc 973. 74 Oh3wil 1657142
M. G
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GC
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 6818
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofcompany00wild
THE HISTORY
OF
-
COMPANY 1
C,
SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. I.,
BY
THEODORE WILDER.
OBERLIN : J. B. T. MARSH, PRINTER, "News Office." 1.866.
F 8349 .625
F 8.349.625
1657142
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, BY THEODORE WILDER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for- the Northern District of Ohio.
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1
TO ALL WHOSE NAMES APPEAR ON THE COMPANY ROLL. THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED ..
PREFACE.
This sketch and record were written at the suggestion and by the request of the surviving members of the Com- pany. It was their desire to have a brief story of their marches, battles and sieges, and, especially, an accurate record of each member, to preserve for reference in future years. If this little publication will serve that purpose, the object of the author is fully accomplished. There has been no design on his part to entertain the public with a detailed and verbose account of patriotic deeds and severe hardships, above what many others may have endured tvho have taken part in the War of the Rebellion. There- fore, those who may chance to meet with a copy of this work, expecting to be entertained, will probably be disap- pointed.
As the value of such a work as this, depends entirely upon its accuracy, great pains have been taken to avoid all mistakes. The author has had access to diaries and jour- nals kept by the members, and official. returns of the commanding officer, and is thus able to give the numerous clates and facts with a good degree of correctness: and though there may be errors, yet it is believed that very few occur.
T. W.
Oberlin, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1866.
. :
.
HISTORY OF COMPANY C. - -0 ---
The History of Company C is properly connected with the history of Oberlin College, the Alma Mater of its organization. The majority of its members were proud to be known as the exponents of the generous, Christian principles, there so fearlessly uttered and so zealously inculcated. The founders of Oberlin were pledged to the general law of benevolence. All known forms of virtue were cheerfully adopted. Every system of wrong was deprecated.
Patriotism and the doctrine of Anti-Slavery very naturally found a place in the category of their principles. They seemed to be men, "clothed and in their right mind," possessing at least the ordinary balance of moral character, without any design to establish an institution for the purpose of waging war against any particular system of iniquity to the exclusion of all the others. Missionary associations, temperance and anti-slavery societies, in short, all organizations designed to aid in improving and saving their fellow men, found fearless advocates in them. Under the stimulus of such principles they left their pleasant homes in New England for residences in an unfavorable place in a forest of Northen Ohio, to found a college that might prove a blessing to the broad West.
The peculiar views held by Oberlin people with regard to their relations and duties to the government, which are commonly known as the doctrine of the Higher Law, were but the natural outgrowth of Christian benevolence. They saw slavery to be a great crime, and they were bold to take a stand against it, as one of their Christian duties. From
2
OBERLIN COLLEGE.
the day that the question of the evil of slavery was brought before the country, they hesitated not to engage in the irrepressible conflict.
· Multitudes of young men from the most virtuous families of the various States of the Union gathered into the College to educate themselves for positions of usefulness in every direction,-not all to be temperance lecturers, not all to be honest lawyers, virtuous physicians, radical anti- slavery enthusiasts; but some to fill all the various positions of honor and trust.
No argument need be made to prove the vast extent of influence for good which the College has exerted through the multitudes of young men who have gone out from her halls, bearing the precious seed with them. It has been scattered over the North, and to some extent over the South. And to-day we are permitted to see the fields whitening, though not fully ripe. The most enlightened . communities, instead of receding from the views promul- gated by Oberlin teachers, have rapidly approached them.
The majority of the students of the College were those who had been reared under good influences at home, and who found upon their arrival at Oberlin, that the views entertained by the people and taught by the Faculty were similar to their own. When the first military company was formed from them, the members represented not sim- ply Oberlin College, but also the Christian families in which they had been trained. And so they all felt. Each was proud to offer himself to defend the principles his praying mother had taught him.
The news of the attack on Fort Sumter, by a rebellious force in arms, was received by the students with a sad enthusiasm. From the morning recitation, they would make haste to the Reading Room to learn the latest item of intelligence in the Daily, with regard to the progress of what then seemed the Insurrection.
The President issued a proclamation for 75,000 volunteers. A meeting of the students, in the College Chapel, was called, Friday evening, April 19th, and was addressed by
3
THE ENLISTMENT.
enthusiastic speakers from each of the regular classes in the Institution. A committee of five was appointed to get, volunteers. On the next day Prof. Monroe arrived from Columbus. A meeting was called in the Church, which was addressed by him and Col. Sheldon from Elyria. At the close of the meeting it was announced that the roil was open for enlistments. Immediately, young men ran from various parts of the assembly, and in a few moments the stand was crowded. Lester A. Bartlett was the first to write his name on the roll. Forty-nine names were secured that evening. The next day was the Sabbath; but many more were added before its close, because each feared the roll would be full ere there would be opportunity for him- self to enlist.
At eight o'clock, Monday morning, it was announced that no more could be received. Before noon the Company had partially organized itself.
On Thursday, April 25, it took the cars for Camp Taylor, at Cleveland, O. No member will ever forget the crowd of thousands at the depot, the speeches, sensations, and the tears, shed by friends at the parting. It was a sad day when these young men realized that they were called to engage in their country's battles. Their love of home was equal to that of those who remained. But at the voice of duty there was scarcely a question with regard to the course to be taken. No large bounties from state and town were offered them. The monthly rate of wages was not thought of, nor even known by many.
The advantages resulting from being in. the "line of promotion" found no place in the most fanciful imagination. It was undoubtedly true that an indifferent spectator might have discovered some vanity displayed in the pride of a prompt performance of duty; yet the members always counted it a necessary evil attendant upon a proper course ·of action.
They made claim to no peculiar sanctifying grace which exalted them above the weaknesses common to their race.
If the principles of Oberlin in her carlier years sent out
4
THE THREE-MONTHS ROLL.
the student, with his life in his hands, to speak against the flagrant evils of his time, the delicate lady to seek an opportunity to teach the oppressed and relieve their wants, the same principles in this later day prompted him to give his life into the hands of his country to seek a similar end by sterner means.
The company was mustered into the U. S. service for three months at Camp Taylor, April 30, 1861.
The roll presented the following names :
G. W. Shurtleff, Captain. J. N. Cross, First Lieutenant. E. H. Baker, Second Lieutenant.
Sergeants.
O. P. Brockway,
W. W. Kinsley, E. W. Morey.
E. R. Stiles,
H. G. Orton.
Corporals.
J. F. Harmon,
S. M. Cole, W. W. Parmenter,
T. E. W. Adams,
E. W. Goodsell, I. F. Mack.
C. P. Bowler,
L. A. Bartlett, Privatcs.
E. B. Atwater,
H. W. Lincoln,
B. A. Abbott,
F. A. Lockwood,
M. M. Andrews,
G. R. Magary,
Wm. W. Arnold,
J. A. Massa,
Jno. Austin,
E. B. Myers,
J. E. Bates,
Frederick Moe,
Jno. Baldwin,
C. E. Mason,
Foster Bodle,
J. G. McKnight,
E. M. Bostwick,
E. C. Newton,
J. M. Burns,
F. M. Palmer,
C. H. Buxton,
J. A. Peaseley,
J. W. Cheney,
J. J. Peaseley,
Buel Chipman,
II. Parsons,
H. D. Claghorn,
G. W. Pease,
H. S. Clark,
R. R. Potter,
M. V. Clark,
J. M. Rappleye,
T. B. Crowell,
A. H. Robbins,
5
DEPARTURE TO CAMP DENNISON.
Joseph Collins,
Geo. Rogers,
E. M. Condit,
C. W. Rossiter,
J. S. Cooper,
E. C. Root,
A. C. Danforth,
E. G. Sackett,
A. H. Denman,
W. H. Scott,
J. R. Davies,
H. G. Sheldon,
Daniel Emerson,
E. R. Smith,
J. M. Ginn,
Geo. A. Smith,
E. F. Grabill,
Geo. W. Short,
C. P. Griffin,
L. G. Spees,
A. M. Halbert,
C. N. Sterry,
F. B. Hayden,
C. E. Tibbets,
C. P. Hamilton,
D. J. Thompson,
M. N. Hamilton,
G. H. Thrasher,
E. T. Hayes,
Richard Towers,
Noah Huckins,
O. C. Trembley,
W. M. Hunter,
O. H. Wadsworth,
Henry Howard,
A. G. Wetherby,
Burford Jeakins,
F. A. Warner,
D. S. Judson,
Theo. Wilder,
J. S. Kellogg,
J. H. Wilsey,
Thomas Kirk,
Richard Winsor,
Stephen Kellogg,
Oliver Wise,
S. B. Kingsbury,
G. F. Wright,
R. B. Kelley,
O. H. Worcester.
The company was assigned to a place as Co. C in the Seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was afterwards put under the command of Col. E. B. Tyler, Lieut. Col. Wm. R. Creighton, and Maj. Jno. S. Casement.
In compliance with an order from the State Military Department, Sunday morning, May 5, the regiment packed carpet sacks and took up line of march through the streets of Cleveland to the R. R. depot, to make its depart- ure for Camp Dennison. It reached Columbus at 4 P. M., spent the night in that city, Co, C quartering in the State House, and arrived in camp at noon the following day. The men immediately proceeded to build barracks for the
G
CAMP DENNISON.
night, and, as it proved, for the remainder of their tarry at that place.
Much ingenuity was displayed by the various messes in arranging the interior of their miniature domicils, each fashioning its own to suit the taste, fancy, and convenience of the occupants. And yet they were all alike. Gravel walks, arbors and various other methods of adorning, soon converted these uncouth barracks into comparatively pleas- ant dwellings, such as might well move the envy of many a city pauper. The multitude of jokes, both stereotyped and irregular, served their part to create and preserve a healthy tone of humor, which otherwise might have taken on a type far more serious. He who could neither furnish merriment nor enjoy it, and had no affection but the chronic for any member, supplied the only lacking element to give the company all tho varieties between the extremes of humor. The receptions of numerous packages of letters and luxuries from Oberlin and home, made bright spots in the history of their otherwise monotonous life at Camp Dennison.
From the beginning of the service, daily prayer meetings were established, which were usually held in the street between the barracks. Very frequently men of other companies would gather in, and there is reason to believe that more good was done than to create and preserve a lively,'healthy, religious feeling in the company itself. The prevailing sentiment was emphatically in favor of religion; and if a small number were not themselves professing . Christians, they were, at least, disposed in most cases to be moral, and to discountenance flagrant vices. Of this latter number, several were converted before their term of service expired; and of the former class, it is believed that few merit the dishonor of falling entirely from grace.
The company was divided into messes of about sixteen each. A chaplain was appointed in each, whose business it was to lead in morning or evening worship, or to see that such exercises were observed. This practice was retained . in most of the messes throughout the service.
CAMP DENNISON.
Thus Co. C became a rather peculiar people in a camp of thousands, the majority of whom could not be said to have deserved the reputation of being devoted followers of the Lord. It was not very uncommon to hear the sneer, "There goes an Oberlinite," or, "There is one of that praying company." And a superficial observer might have supposed they were generally despised by men of other companies; but a more thorough investigation in a private conference would generally betray a feeling very much like the opposite.
In spite of these sneers the men of Co. C did not think it best to give up their Christian profession, and those virtuous principles which were dearer to them than life, that they might thus be more completely in uniform with those who surrounded them. If there was a trick, or act of thievery, committed by any man of the com- pany, great pains was taken by others to give it complete publicity, and to let the sound of it return to them for their humiliation. This was always regarded by Co. C as a compliment, proving that such acts were uncommon, and that others thought them to be so. The common sentiment was such that a profane word was seldon heard, and the use of the pipe was generally disapproved. The disposition of the few who wished to smoke, was modified and regulated by the inflexible orders of the Captain. The use of stimulating drinks was rarely indulged in. Men of other companies did not fail to assert fre- quently that such soldiers could neither be valiant in battle, nor endure the severities of military service, in the camp and on the forced march. These assertions were seldom or never made after the first battle and a few of the earliest marches. It became a common remark that Co. C always suffered severely in battle in proportion to its numbers, and its power of endurance became equally well known. Speculators have thought the fact due to their healthful habits and superior knowledge of proper per- sonal care. It was true that, while other companies lost ciglit or ten by sickness, Co. C lost but three, and two of
8
INVITATION TO RE-ENLIST.
these took the infection of disease in the filthy dungeons of New Orleans.
In the latter part of May, the Governor invited the Seventh Regiment to re-enlist for the three-years service, promising to date their muster roll back to their enlist- ment for three months. How faithful the government was to this agreement, is proved by the fact that the regi- ment was not allowed to be mustered out until July 6, 1864.
The members of Co. C will long remember the night of the 23d of May, when at 9 P. M. they were marched out of the lines, up the little grassy hill at the east of the camp, to be addressed by Gen. Cox and Prof. Monroe, with regard to entering the service for three years. Prominent among the arguments presented was the great moral influence upon the army, which such a company must exert. Ministers of the Gospel, college alumni, and sen. iors, serving their country as privates, must speak eloquently for the righteous cause they had espoused. It was not there considered, whether a common ploughman could carry a musket as far and as well as one of them, or whether a man of culture might not serve his country quite as profita- bly in a higher position. These were problems which would easily be solved by experiment. But whatever solu- tion they admitted, or answer was obtained, it was proved that the collar once fitted to the neck, was not easily removed; and with what rank one entered the service, with the same he was likely to emerge.
There were those who believed that, had they disbanded and gone to their homes, the prospect of a majority would have been good for commissions. However, many of theni, and perhaps the greater part, were proud to belong to such an organization, and few seemed willing to yield the honor of being a member of Company C.
The question of a three-years enlistment was a very serious one. A college course begun or nearly completed, good prospects of life beginning to open-these must be given up. Many doubted the wisdom of such a course of
9
RE-ENLISTMENT
1
action, and returned to their homes or to the college, to do good or to complete their outfit for usefulness in a less belligerent occupation. One of the members said he - hesitated not to give three years of his time, or his life, if it were necessary; but the thought of losing a limb, or being permanently disabled, could not be entertained. This objection was finally laid aside at the call of duty. The company was made proud by his heroism in the engagement at Cross Lanes, where he was made a cripple for life. Another had aged, infirm parents who needed his support, but they finally recovered and he added his name to the roll. A third had just married a wife and, therefore, had a double reason for going.
It was a solemn hour in the morning of one of the latter days of May, when, on the side of the grassy hill before mentioned, the Captain gave orders for all who would ret enlist to step forward eight paces. The ranks were broken. The number remaining about equaled the others. After a few moments, one stepped forward, then another, and another, until the full complement for a company organiza- tion was obtained. These were furloughed for ten days, when they returned to camp, bringing with them enough recruits to swell the number to a maximum.
The following names appeared on the roll for three years.
G. W. Shurtleff, Captain. J. N. Cross, First Lieutenant. E. H. Baker, Second Lieutenant.
Sergeants.
O. P. Brockway, H. G. Orton,
E. R. Stiles, E. W. Morey.
W. W. Parmenter,
Corporals.
J. F. Harmon,
T. E. W. Adams,
C. P. Bowler,
S. M. Cole,
A. C. Danforth,
E. W. Goodsell, II. W. Lincoln,
I. F. Mack.
10
THE THREE-YEARS ROLL.
Musicians.
E. M. Bostwick,
C. W. Rossiter.
Privates.
M. M. Andrews,
D. S. Judson, .
E. B. Atwater,
J. S. Kellogg,
J. E. Avery,
Stephen Kellogg,
N. L. Badger,
. R. J. Kingsbury,
J. E. Bates,
S. B. Kingsbury,
Wm. Biggs,
G. R. Magary,
J. R. Bell,
J. A. Massa,
Foster Bodle, '
E. B. Myers,
C. C. Bosworth,
I. A. Noble.
J. M. Burns,
E. C. Newton,
C. H. Buxton,
A. Osborn, .
Geo. Carrothers,
F. M. Palmer,
James W. Cheney,
Alex. Parker,
Buel Chipman,
H. Parsons,
H. D. Claghorn,
R. R. Potter,
H. S. Clark,
J. M. Rappleye,
M. V. Clark,
A. H. Robbins,
Wallace Coburn,
Geo. Rogers,
Joseph Collins,
E. C. Root,
E. M. Condit,
E. G. Sackett,
J. S. Cooper,
W. II. Scott,
E. T. Curtis,
H. G. Sheldon,
S. A. Day,
E. R. Smith.
T. P. Dickson,
L. G. Spees,
J. J. Evers,
Thos. Spriggs,
J. W. Finch,
C. N. Sterry,
HI. B. Fry,
D. J. Thompson,
John Gardner,
G. H. Thrasher,
L. R. Gates,
O. C. Trembley,
John Gillanders,
L. V. Tuttle,
J. M. Ginn,
T. J. Wallace,
E. F. Grabill,
W. F. Walworth,
A. M. Halbert,
C. P. Hamilton,
8 D. A. Ward, F. A. Warner,
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11
.
ENTRY INTO VIRGINIA.
M. N. Hamilton,
Leroy Warren,
E. T. Hayes,
W. W. Wheeler,
H. G. Hixon,
Theodore Wilder,
Henry Howard,
Richard Winsor,
Albert Hubbell,
Oliver Wise,
Burford Jeakins,
W. H. Wood,
Wm. Woodmansee,
I. C. Jones, L. J. Jones,
O. H. Worcester.
Most of those whose names do not appear on this roll, and were discharged at the close of the three months, enlisted again in some branch of the service before the war closed.
The regiment remained at Camp Dennison, doing tedious guard duty and practicing the miltary drill, until the 26th of June, when it had its first experience in packing knap- sacks, at 3 A. M., to remain in camp throughout the long day, awaiting ord'ers, to " forward."
Taking the cars at 6 P. M., passing through Columbus and Zanesville, it first saw the " sacred soil" from Belleair, Ohio, on the next day at 3 P. M. Bidding adieu to the loyal State in which it had been cheered on its rout from every city, village, and door-yard, it immediately crossed the river and put foot upon that soil which was to prove the final resting place for the remains of a large number of its gallant members. At 9 P. M. the first ten rounds of the mysterious cartridges were distributed, and the first loading was practiced. These items are unimportant in themselves, but to the soldier there is meaning in them, for they are crises in his life, distinctly marking his progress in the great transition from the pursuits of peace to those of war.
The regiment reached Clarksburg, by rail, at 2 P. M. of the following day, and there learned to pitch the bell tent. At 4 P. M. of the 20th, the first forced march was begun. The point in view was Weston, 23 miles to the south-west. Thirty thousand dollars of the State funds were deposited at that place, and were to be removed to Richmond the
12
CROSS LANES.
next day. By great exertion under loaded knapsacks, the Seventh Ohio reached the town at 5 o'clock of the follow- ing morning and secured the doomed treasure. That march, under the circumstances, was one of the severest of the war. Very few of the men who had no horses to ride, will ever forget the almost unendurable fatigue, the unsightly blisters, and the terrible sensation of thirst, which were experienced during that night-which, to many, was a night of horrors. There was scarcely a thought but of rest and water.
The people of Weston were generally loyal and well disposed to the Federal soldiers, showing their good will and patriotism in a Fourth of July dinner, the regiment, in turn, giving them a military parade through all the principal streets in the town.
This practice which soldiers fall into, of displaying their officers on every fine occasion, has proved one of the intol- erable bores of military service ; and it is to be hoped that in the next war, privates will be more economical in the expenditure of their strength.
On the 8th of July the regiment set out for Glenville, a little town 28 miles distant, to relieve 300 of the 17th Ohio, said to be surrounded by 1,500 rebels under O. Jen- nings Wise. The march to that place was a severe one, and was completed that day only by Co. C, which was detailed to push through and furnish the necessary relief. No enemy appeared, and the service at that town was characterized only by severe guard duty and the wounding of Corporal Adams while on picket. Chipman carried the news to camp and the whole regiment was aroused; but diligent search failed to secure the rebel, who seemed to be swallowed up by mother carth. Leaving Glenville, July 24, the Seventh reached Cross Lanes on the 15th of August, having encamped on its rout at Bulltown, Salt Lick, Flatwoods, Sutton, Birch Mountain, and Summerville.
Encamped at Cross Lanes in a beautiful, sloping meadow, it remained drilling until August 21, when an order was received in the evening to march to Gauley Bridge. In
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1
13
CROSS LANES.
an hour the regiment was on the road, and at 10 A. M. of the next day it had reached Twenty-Mile Creek, where it halted. Gen. Cox, at Gauley Bridge, gave orders for it to return immediately. It remained until the 24th. On arrival in the vicinity of the old camp, it was discovered that Gen. Floyd had crossed Gauley River and had en- camped near Cross Lanes with 4000 men. Reason suggested only one thing to be done. Military orders, not always coming within its jurisdiction, put the men in bivouac on the corners and on the four roads leading to them. Whilo the men were roasting their corn and frying their meat for breakfast in the morning of the 24th, the picket alarm was given, and very soon it was discovered that the regi- ment was nearly surrounded. The main strategy seemed to be for each company to take care of itself, and do what its wisdom and discretion dictated. The enemy marched across the meadow in fine column of divisions, and, by exact orders, poured successive volleys into companies, A, C and K, the most of which was received by Co. C. Here was enough order justly to give the action the name of battle. If others name it differently, it may be that they did not see enough of it to learn its true nature. Co. C formed on a little hill, and held it, fighting to the best of its ability until every other company, without exception, had fled, in addition to every field officer. To retreat, soon became a military necessity. Cross, Orton, Jeakins, Shel- clon, Collins, and Jones, were severely wounded, and left on the field. The rest of the company, with the Captain and Parmenter at its head, wandered two hours in the woods, and, losing their way, turned their course so as to fall in with a regiment of rebels, commanded by Col. Tompkins, who ordered a halt and surrender. The Captain shrewdly parleyed sufficiently to give Lieutenant Baker time to com- mand-"Skedaddle." Then followed the scattering of Co. C in the woods, and a separation of friends that have never since met. At this point only fifteen were captured. Others were picked up in the woods during the four suc- ceeding days. Men gathered together in squads of two,
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