USA > Ohio > Itinerary of the Seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, 1861-1864, with roster, portraits and biographies > Part 2
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"Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. The Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers at twelve o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and in- terest may seem to demand.
"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
"Done at the city of Washington, this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-fifth.
"ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
"By the President.
"WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
(Note-Under this call 91,816 men were accepted.)
Notwithstanding all that had been said in reference to secession and the establishing of a Southern Confederacy, many people were loth to believe that actual war would ensue, hence the attack upon Fort Sumter and President Lincoln's call for troops came like an electric shock to the nation. Both North and South sprang up like tigers in their lair. In cities, towns, and country places, business of
25
THE FIRST CALL FOR TROOPS
every character was generally suspended, and public meet- ings were held where volunteers by thousands enrolled for the conflict. The State of Ohio was called upon for less than 13,000 men. In less than two weeks more than 75,000 of her loyal sons tendered their services, when Governor Dennison persuaded the Secretary of War to accept twenty- one instead of thirteen regiments and informed the Presi- dent that if the State of Kentucky declined to furnish her quota, the State of Ohio would do it for her.
As might have been expected, the hardy sons of northern Ohio, whose ancestors fought at Lexington and Bunker Hill, encamped at Valley Forge and crossed the Delaware, responded promptly and enthusiastically to the call and were early prepared to leave for camp. And what of the leave taking when these volunteers left their respective home towns? Marching in a body to the depot where a great throng had gathered, some well-known citizen said a few words of parting, while the favorite pastor offered an earnest prayer for the success of the cause, their protection and safe return; then for a few moments these warriors, in miniature, were left in the hands of those most dear. While many were already in tears at the thought of perhaps a final parting, others whose hearts were equally stirred, endeavored to smile and be cheery, yet a spirit of the utmost sadness prevailed until the cars came to bear them away.
Then parents and others embraced and kissed their soldier boys with all the tenderness known to loving human hearts; said a fond good-by, and amid cheers, tears, and the waving of flags, hats, hands, and handkerchiefs, the train departed.
CHAPTER III.
CAMP TAYLOR.
On April 18, 1861, Mr. A. A. Jewett, of Cleveland, presi- dent of the Cuyahoga County Agricultural Society, ten- dered Governor Dennison the use of their Fair Grounds on Kinsman street, as a camp ground, whereupon the follow- ing orders were issued :
"GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, "ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, "COLUMBUS, O., April 18, 1861.
"GENERAL ORDER
No. 5.
"Camp Taylor will be organized at Cleveland forthwith and will be the rendezvous for all troops raised in the Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth Divisions, as lately organized, and also the Third Brigade of the Eighth Division.
"Assistant Commissary-General George B. Senter is de- tailed to make all necessary provision for the camp grounds, supplies, etc., and Brig .- Gen. J. W. Fitch will assume com- mand of Camp Taylor, and will report by telegraph to headquarters of troops, daily, for orders and also of all arrivals.
"The organization will be by companies until they report to camp, when such regimental organization will be effected as may be deemed best for the service.
"H. B. CARRINGTON, "Adjutant-General.
"By order of the
"Commander-in-chief."
27
CAMP TAYLOR
"HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, "FOURTH DIVISION, OHIO VOLUNTEER MILITIA, "CLEVELAND, O., April 20, 1861.
"BRIGADE ORDER
No. I.
"The following organized companies will report at Bri- gade Headquarters, Lyman Block, Monday, April 22, 1861, at 10 o'clock A. M., to receive orders to march into Camp Taylor :
Hibernian Guards, Captain Kinney ;
Sprague Cadets,
Captain De Villiers;
Cleveland Light Guards, National Guards,
Captain Creighton ;
Captain Wiseman.
"Colonel Barnett of Cleveland Regiment of Light Artil- lery, will detail two companies of his command for guard duty and police regulation in camp.
"Camp Taylor will be organized at the Cuyahoga County Fair Grounds, corner of Kinsman and Hudson streets, in the city of Cleveland, Monday, April 22d, 1861, at II o'clock, at which time Brigade Headquarters at Lyman's Block will be discontinued.
"All companies ordered into Camp Taylor after Monday, 10 o'clock A. M., will report to Brigade Headquarters at camp.
"By order of "J. W. FITCH, "Brigadier-General.
"W. F. CAREY. "Brigade Major."
THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEERS.
While the "Sprague Cadets," "Cleveland Light Guards," and "National Guards" had all been organized in the city of Cleveland since the fall of Sumter, there had also been formed at Oberlin, the "Monroe Rifles;" at Painesville, the "Painesville Union Guards:" at Huron, the "Huron Infantry ;" at Franklin Mills, the "Franklin Rifles;" at
-
28
SEVENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Ravenna, the "Tyler Guards;" at Warren, "Company A of Warren," and at Youngstown, the "Union Guards," all of which came trooping into Camp Taylor from April 22, and having been duly mustered were on the 28th of April, 1861, designated as follows :
Zouave Light Guards, Capt. Creighton,
Co. A
Sprague Zouave Cadets,
De Villiers,
B
Monroe Rifles,
Shurtleff, C
Painesville Union Guards, 66
Dyer,
D
Huron Infantry,
Sprague,
E
Franklin Rifles,
Morris,
F
Tyler Guards,
60
Seymour,
66
G H
Union Guards,
Sterling,
66
I
National Guards,
Wiseman,
K
and denominated the Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteers.
The following extracts from the Cleveland Leader it is believed will be of interest :
Cleveland Leader, April 18, 1861.
"The Light Guards organization was completed and of- ficers elected as follows: W. R. Creighton, captain; O. J. Crane, first lieutenant : A. C. Burgess, second lieutenant ; Dudley Kimball, first sergeant; George A. McKay, second sergeant; Frank Lynch, third sergeant; Dwight H. Brown, fourth sergeant; J. P. McIlrath, first corporal; William J. Morgan, second corporal; Alexander Ewart, third corporal; William A. Howe, fourth corporal; C. L. Smith, commissary."
Cleveland Leader, April 22, 1861.
"The Sprague Zouave Corps elected the following of- ficers : C. A. De Villiers, captain; James T. Sterling, first lieutenant; T. T. Sweeny, second lieutenant ; H. Z. Eaton, ensign; Louis G. De Forest, orderly sergeant; Joseph B. Molyneaux, first sergeant; George Whitehead, second sergeant; Merwin Clark, third sergeant; Frank M. Thomas, fourth sergeant; E. B. Thomas, first corporal;
Company A of Warren,
Asper,
29
CAMP TAYLOR
William R. McChesney, second corporal; Ed. Gibson, third corporal, and William Walworth, fourth corporal."
Cleveland Leader, April 25, 1861.
"We learn that 75,000 troops, the full number called for by the President's Proclamation, have been tendered from this State alone, and that 100,000 are probably prepared to do military duty. Our people are alive with patriotism and honest bravery."
Same date :
"The Union Guards, a fine company numbering 104 men, arrived at camp yesterday afternoon. They are from Painesville and were accompanied by the Painesville Brass Band, who discoursed sweet music as they marched through the streets."
Cleveland Leader, April 26, 1861.
"Shortly after 12 o'clock yesterday a company from Huron, numbering So men, came in, commanded by Cap- tain Sprague."
Same date :
"Portage County has sent 71 of her noble sons from Ravenna. The Company is named the 'Tyler Guards' in honor of Brigadier-General E. B. Tyler. The Company es- corted General Tyler to Camp Taylor, and after reporting themselves at headquarters, returned to the Weddel House for the night."
Same date :
"Eighty-four men came in on the C. & P. road last night from Franklin Mills, commanded by Captain John Morris."
April 27, 1861 :
"Company A, Second Brigade, Ninth Division Ohio Volunteer Militia, came to town last night from Warren, under command of Capt. Joel F. Asper. They marched to Camp Taylor this morning, where quarters were provided for them."
Before any adequate preparation and provision could be made for their comfort, some 5,000 volunteers rendez-
30
SEVENTHI REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
voused at Camp Taylor, and while the accommodations there were necessarily scant and crude, by the use of the Agricultural Society's buildings reinforced by hastily con- structed barracks, some cighty feet in length and sixteen wide, with aisles through the center and tiers of bunks on either side, like shelves in an apple bin, and packed to over- flowing, shelter was provided for the assembling patriots. As for uniforms. arms, or army rations, there were none. Meals were supplied by contract, while even blankets were scarce, and largely contributed by generous and loyal people.
Everywhere the sound of martial music filled the air, and whenever a new organization came into camp with fifes screaming. drums beating, and colors flying, it was greeted with enthusiastic cheers and given a most cordial welcome.
And what a motley crew!
In the absence of regulation uniforms every sort of cos- tume prevailed. Each volunteer wore the garb he donned when he left home for camp, yet this did not detract from his desire to learn the evolutions of a soldier and qualify himself for the proper discharge of his duties as such; hence each day was given to drill with all the zeal and earnestness of young men preparing to do battle for their country.
ONE OF THE FIRST LETTERS FROM CAMP.
"CAMP TAYLOR, CLEVELAND, O., April 27, 1861.
"We left Painesville at 12.40 Wednesday, and arrived in camp about 3 o'clock. Headed by the Cornet Band we were marched on to the parade grounds and rested until supper time, when we were called together and marched to supper, which consisted of bread, coffee and cold meat. After this we were marched near headquarters and received a good heavy blanket, thence to the barracks, where we stopped for the night.
"After a nighit's rest on Uncle Sam's feathers (straw) we were called by the reveille. Orderly Weed called the roll, and we broke ranks to prepare for breakfast, after
3I
CAMP TAYLOR
which we were marched to the parade grounds, where we drilled until dinner. Our dinner consisted of meat and potatoes, bread and beans and water. From 2 until 6 o'clock visitors are allowed on the grounds. At 5 o'clock we all assemble around the center stand for prayer. The boys are all enjoying themselves first rate. There are be- tween four and five thousand men in camp at present. Re- spects to all.
"W. P. TISDEL.
"To Painesville Telegraph."
On April 28, 1861, the Sprague Zouave Cadets (Co. B) were presented with a handsome flag by their lady friends, Mrs. A. Stone making the presentation address.
0
·
CHAPTER IV. CAMP DENNISON.
Camp Dennison, named after the then Governor of the State of Ohio, was conveniently located on the Little Miami River and railroad, seventeen miles north of Cincinnati, in what had been a huge corn-field of more than five hundred acres, then seeded to wheat, and existed as a camp of or- ganization and instruction for infantry, cavalry, and artil- lery, all through the war of which we write, as well as a vast hospital where thousands of sick and wounded and convalescent soldiers found shelter and medical treatment.
In the early days of 1861 Camp Dennison was under the command of Brig .- Gen. Jacob D. Cox .*
"COLUMBUS, OHIO, May 2, 1861. "SPECIAL ORDER No. 135.
"The Seventh and Eighth Regiments Infantry, will leave Camp Taylor, May the 3d, instant, en route for Camp Dennison, by the C. C. & C. Railroad, and will be at the depot to leave at 5 o'clock in the morning without fail.
"They will supply themselves with an army ration of cooked provisions.
H. B. CARRINGTON, "Adjutant-General.
"By order of Commander-in-Chief :
"To Brig .- Gen. J. W. FITCH, "Camp Taylor."
"COLUMBUS, O., May 3, 1861.
"SPECIAL ORDER No. 146.
"The Seventh Regiment on arrival at Columbus will march into Camp Jackson until further orders.
"H. B. CARRINGTON, "Adjutant-General.
"By order of Commander-in-Chief : "To Brig .- Gen. J. W. FITCH, "Camp Taylor."
*See frontispiece.
33
CAMP DENNISON
On May 3, 1861, George B. McClellan, who had been appointed major-general of the Ohio Militia by Governor Dennison, visited Camp Taylor and ordered that a detail of ten men from each of the ten companies, destined to become the Seventh Ohio Infantry, proceed the next day to Camp Dennison to construct barracks for the regiment. This detail of 100 men, under the command of Lieut. Orrin J. Crane, left the city of Cleveland on May 4, at 6 A. M., reaching Camp Dennison about 5 P. M. to find that the lum- ber for the construction of barracks had not yet arrived.
In the absence of any provision of quarters for this de- tail, Lieutenant Crane and his men sought shelter for the night in the already crowded barracks of the Eighth Ohio Infantry and in abandoned buildings near by.
On the morning of May 5, Lieutenant Crane and his detail went forth in the midst of a severe rain storm, to learn that while the lumber had reached its destination, but one mule and one ox team had been provided to haul it from the railroad to the building sites, a quarter of a mile distant.
As some seventy barracks were to be hastily constructed, the absolute inadequacy of the transportation mentioned was at once apparent; but nothing daunted, those sturdy patriots at once began carrying the heavy, rough, water- soaked lumber through mud and mire, until energy, pluck, and endurance were well-nigh vanquished, and yet that night they rested well.
The next morning Lieutenant Crane and his men again awoke to find the rain falling as in the days of Noah, yet they went to work with renewed vigor and determination, again carrying lumber through mud and mire now almost knee deep, yet thinner than the day before because of more water mixed with it, and by 5 P. M. had succeeded so well in the construction of the seventy barracks as to have many of them enclosed so as to afford partial shelter to the rest of their comrades when they arrived.
These barracks were built of rough boards, like railroad
3
34
SEVENTH REGIMENT CHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
shanties, 12 by 18 feet, six to a company, three on each side of a street 25 feet wide, facing each other, with a cook- house of same size in the rear.
LEAVING CAMP TAYLOR.
On May 5, 1861, a beautiful Sabbath morning, the Sev- enth Ohio Infantry left Camp Taylor, under command of Capt. William R. Creighton, and marching to the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad, embarked in eighteen cars for Columbus. The following is an extract from the Cleveland Leader of May 6, 1861 :
"Both sides of the street were lined with people and the number grew larger momentarily, a large portion of them women, and waving handkerchiefs and tearful eyes bore witness to the sympathy which was felt for those young men who were going forth to do battle in behalf of that which is equally dear to us all. Never did the several com- panies march better or look better.
"At the depot and along the track there were gathered from 5,000 to 8,000 people; among them were many of our most respectable citizens and several ministers of the gospel. Some of the farewells were most affecting, and indeed there were at any time few dry eyes among those who were near the cars. The soldiers were cheerful and endeavored to console those whom they were leaving with promise of a safe and speedy return.
"At length the train began to move, and as it rolled out of the depot there was silence for a moment and then cheer after cheer arose, which those on board returned, and in the midst of a thousand cries of 'God bless you!' the noble Seventh, the pride of Ohio, departed."
While en route to Columbus the people everywhere greeted the soldiers with every demonstration of enthusi- astic and patriotic approval, and at Grafton the ladies served a liberal basket lunch, which was greatly enjoyed by the boys who had for a few days been deprived of "mother's cooking." Comrade N. K. Hubbard said in a letter :
£
35
1764783
CAMP DENNISON
"Following this, about 2 o'clock, we had dinner while the cars were in motion, which consisted of cold meat, bread and butter, crackers and cheese. All were well satisfied."
Columbus was reached about 5 P. M., and the regiment marched to Camp Jackson about one-half mile out, where supper was at once announced.
After supper it was found that the entire regiment could not be accommodated in the barracks at Camp Jackson, when the Sprague Cadets and Monroe Rifles marched to the State-House, where the Cadets were quartered in the basement, while the Rifles took possession of the Senate Chamber.
As early as 3.30 A. M. on May 6 the Seventh was astir, and embarking again on early trains, reached Camp Denni- son that afternoon in the midst of heavy rain and a sea of mud, making the entry into this new camp singularly dreary and forbidding.
Within a few days, however, with the completion of the barracks and fair weather, which speedily eliminated the mud, Camp Dennison became a habitable and desirable place.
THE ELECTION OF FIELD OFFICERS.
"COLUMBUS, OHIO, May 6, 1861.
"SPECIAL ORDER No. 150.
0
"The Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteers. called out under requisition of the President of the United States, will elect field officers, the 7th instant, at 3 o'clock P. M.
"Officers and men all voting by ballot.
"Return to be made at this office.
" H. B. CARRINGTON, "Adjutant-General.
"By order of the Commander-in-Chief.
"To Brig .- Gen. J. D. Cox,
"Camp Dennison."
The candidates for the colonelcy of the Seventh Regi- ment were Erastus B. Tyler. of Ravenna, a former briga-
36
SEVENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
dier-general of militia, and State Senator James A. Gar- field. The former was elected, while Capt. William R. Creighton of Company A was the unanimous choice for lieutenant-colonel, and John S. Casement, of Painesville, Lake County, for major.
The regimental staff was completed by the appointment of Dr. Henry K. Cushing, surgeon; Dr. Francis Salter, asst. surgeon; Rev. Frederick T. Brown, chaplain; Louis G. DeForest, adjutant; John Morris, R. O. M .; Leicester King, sergeant major; Marcus S. Hopkins, quartermaster sergeant; John L. Woodard, drum major; and Harry Wood, fife major.
On May 3, 1861, President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers to serve for a period of three years, and on May 24, Brig .- Gen. J. D. Cox, then in command of Camp Dennison, announced his desire to know how many of the Seventh Regiment would enlist for that period. The officers were practically unanimous in favor of a reorgani- zation on the three-year basis, and the subject being brought before the men, about three-fourths of them en- listed.
As soon as possible these three-year volunteers were uni- formed and given a ten-day furlough, while the various company officers went to their respective homes in search of recruits to take the place of the men who did not re- enlist, and by the middle of June the quota of the regiment was full.
On June 14 the members of the regiment who did not reenlist left Camp Dennison on leave, until regularly mus- tered out of service, which occurred at Columbus on Au- gust 18, 1861.
On June 19, 1861, the field officers were reelected, and on that day and on the 20th, the entire regiment was regu- larly mustered into the military service of the United States by a Regular Army officer, to serve for the full period of three years.
On June 21 at a meeting of the officers the following action was taken :
37
CAMP DENNISON
"We the undersigned, commandants of the several com- panies composing the Seventh Regiment of Ohio Volun- teers and field officers belonging thereto, called into service of the President of the United States, being advised of the fact that our honored colonel, E. B. Tyler, is about to leave his little daughter, Mary, to the care of strangers and go to the defense of his country. do hereby agree that in case any unforeseen casualty should deprive our regiment of its colo- nel and his child of a protector, we will adopt the said Mary A. Tyler as the 'Daughter of the Seventh Regiment,' and we further pledge ourselves to extend over her the care and protection of this regiment until she shall arrive at the age of maturity.
"Given under our hands at Camp Dennison, O., this 21st day of June, A. D. 1861.
W. R. CREIGHTON, Lieut. Col.
J. S. CASEMENT, Major. O. J. CRANE, Captain of Co. A. JAMES T. STERLING, Captain of Co. B.
J. W. SHURTLEFF, Captain of Co. C. JOHN N. DYER, Captain of Co. D. J. W. SPRAGUE, Captain of Co. E.
D. B. CLAYTON, Captain of Co. F. W. H. ROBINSON, Lieut. Commanding, Co. G. J. F. ASPER, Captain of Co. H.
W. R. STERLING, Captain of Co. I.
JOHN J. WISEMAN, Captain of Co. K."
On June 22 arms, accouterments, and uniforms were drawn and issued, and the Seventh Regiment of Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry was placed upon a war footing.
Our guns consisted of old flint lock muskets converted into percussion locks, and destined to carry "buck and ball," which proved to be very effective in battle at short range. For the space of three days the regiment drilled almost incessantly in the manual of arms, learning how to handle their pieces and "load in nine times."
CHAPTER V.
FROM CAMP DENNISON TO WESTON.
On June 25, to the great joy of every member of the organization, orders came to cook rations and be prepared to leave camp the next day.
What glorious news was this! Whither going or what we were to do, we cared not, so that we left camp in peace- ful Ohio and were placed upon active duty in the enemy's country.
At a very early hour on June 26 the members of the Seventh were astir and taking their first lesson in packing knapsacks. It is needless to state that the capacity of our knapsacks seemed disgustingly small when we attempted to store therein our modest supply of clothing and numerous keepsakes which we did not see how we could part with. We experienced our first great disappointment, however, when we had to wait all day until 6 P. M. before the train, in sections, rolled away, but we subsequently learned that it was frequently military to fall in promptly and then wait and keep on waiting, until tired out and thoroughly dis- gusted, before the column moved. Going by Columbus, camp equipage and ammunition were taken on board, and with a train of 45 cars, running in sections, and accom- panied by extra locomotives, the regiment reached Bellaire. on the Ohio River, some four miles below Wheeling, on June 27, about 3 P. M., having been given an ovation along the entire route.
The command at once crossed over to Benwood and stood upon Virginia soil. Ammunition was issued and muskets loaded, so as to be prepared for any emergency.
At dusk for the first time the regiment bivouacked in the open, under the starry canopy.
Just after midnight we were aroused to embark in box cars, and about 2 o'clock A. M. of June 28 left for Grafton.
1
THE SEVENTH OHIO OFF FOR DIXIE
L
1
1
!
/
39
FROM CAMP DENNISON TO WESTON
This branch of the B. & O. R. R. passes through a very rough and hilly country, generally following along the course of streams, now and then plunging through tunnels of less or greater length, making our journey in the dark- ness, with a prospect oi a possible attack while en route, strangely weird and uninviting.
After a brief pause at Grafton the trains proceeded to Clarksburg, where about 3 P. M. the entire command dis- embarked, pitched tents, and established camp in the enemy's country.
The next day the Seventh was called out by Colonel Tyler, who delivered an address exhorting faithfulness, steadiness, and strict obedience to orders. A stand of colors was also presented on behalf of the German Turners of Cleveland, Ohio, and when dismissed it was under in- structions to be ready to march at 3 P. M. upon an impor- tant mission.
At 4 P. M. the regiment, newly armed, uniformed, and equipped, and led by a splendid instrumental band, under a German professor, marched out of Clarksburg with drums beating and colors flying and took the pike for Weston, 25 miles distant. At first how jolly we all were, although loaded down with large and well-packed knapsacks, haver- sacks, canteens, guns, and cartridge-boxes.
The weight of our entire equipment was not for a time noticed, but as the miles and the hours wore on hilarity gradually ceased, and by dark we began to feel somewhat fatigued. An occasional brief halt was made, and as the night and distance drew on, our fatigue, thirst and hunger, and loss of sleep began to be more and more apparent. Tender and unused feet in stiff and unused army shoes began to chafe and blister; the straps on our knapsacks began to cut into our shoulders, while those across our chest became irksome and confining.
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