USA > Ohio > Itinerary of the Seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, 1861-1864, with roster, portraits and biographies > Part 5
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wind. Our horses' hoofs had scarcely touched the road inside of the enclosure, when a terrific yell, like an Indian warwhoop, burst from the Colonel's throat, seconded a second later by a like blast from my own, and up the road we went side by side, whooping and laughing, like a couple of striplings riding on a pasture lot. It took some effort to slacken our pace to a final stop in front of a big crowd of rebel officers and soldiers gathered in front of a building, the guard quarters of the post.
"Apparently the Colonel was well and favorably known to all that crowd, who sought to outdo one another in greet- ing and questioning him, and when he finally said, 'I've brought you the first Yanks,' and pointing to me; 'this is one of them,' there was not a soul who would believe him until their persistent questioning brought affirmation from me and conviction to them. The arrival some fifteen minutes later of the escort and three more 'Yanks' set all doubts at rest.
"The Colonel's friendship for me not only proved invalu- able in making my prison life at the Springs as pleasant as could be-all but the lack of liberty-but went so far as to result in two efforts on his part with Gen. R. E. Lee, their commander-in-chief in West Virginia, to have me and my companions released on parole, and upon his bringing word of his final failure and the order for us to be sent to Rich- mond, he tried to force on me five $5 gold pieces, saying. 'From all reports I hear the place you are going to is a hell. This little from a friend might prove very helpful to you.' Useless to say I could not and did not accept this last gift of friendship. When later, and while in Salisbury Prison, in March, 1862. I learned the fact that this brave, kindly, generous soul of a man had suffered the fate of war- death-by bullets, one will readily understand that I could only pray for his soul and weep for his fate. God bless him to-day as in eternity! He was the finest man I ever knew in a long sixty-nine years."
The enemy under Generals Floyd and Wise having been driven out of the Big Kanawha Valley, General Floyd ar-
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ranged to cross Gauley River at Carnifax Ferry, intending to move on Summerville and beyond, with a view of forcing General Cox to retire from Gauley Bridge and perhaps from the entire Kanawha Valley as well. To this end he moved as if to cross Gatiley River near the mouth of Twenty Mile Creek, some six miles from Gauley Bridge, where General Cox was posted. This feint had the desired effect, and General Cox ordered Colonel Tyler to hasten to his relief. When this order was received about 9 P. M. on the 20th, the long roll was beaten, and before II P. M. the Seventh was off on an all-night march to meet the supposed emergency, arriving at its destination in the early morning of the 21st. This movement uncovered Carnifax Ferry, and General Floyd crossing at that point on the 22nd, took up a strong position on the bluffs above the right bank of Gauley River.
On this date General Cox said in a message to General Rosecrans: "Colonel Tyler's Regiment marched sixteen miles this way on the 20th to be at the point to command the Rich Creek and Twenty Mile Creek roads when the advance of Floyd was first known. He will immediately return to Cross Lanes. That point commands the different roads better than the village of Summerville and is much easier held."
LETTER FROM CHAPLAIN FREDERICK T. BROWN ..
"In camp at mouth of 20 mile creek. "6 miles above Gauley Bridge,
"August 23, 1861.
"We came down here in obedience to an order from Gen- eral Cox; and came down rather hastily, leaving Cross Lanes on the 20th at II P. M. and arriving here at 6 A. M., distance 18 miles, as the order was to be here by that time. It was a severe forced march over the worst road that we had ever gone over in Virginia, and made doubly so because some of the men had been on duty all day. But they bore it heroically, and came in 'on time' vigorous and cheerful.
"The reason for this march was, because of the rapid
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concentration of the enemy under Floyd in the neighbor- hood of Gauley Bridge, it seemed to be necessary for our safety to effect a connection with General Cox, as also we might be in position to give efficient help where help was most needed. We expected a battle that morning. Floyd was said to be within eight miles on the New River Road with a force of from seven to ten thousand men and abun- dantly supplied with artillery, but there was no fight nor has there been yet. We do not understand the position of things. If Floyd is not in force to the extent he is said to be, why is he here menacing us? If he is, why does he not attack us? One thing is certain, that if he intends attack- ing us, every day, every hour diminishes his chance of suc- cess.
"The day we left Cross Lanes, Captain Schutte of Com- pany K (Captain Wiseman's old company) was out scout- ing on the Saturday road leading from the Gauley River over to the New River pike, with 19 men, and was sur- prised by the Richmond Blues, who killed Privates John Reile and John Shissler, wounded and took prisoner the Captain himself, and Sergeant Bolim and privates Henry Taubel, Geo. Weissenback, and F. Bruckelman. Corporal Greble, Geo. Drusel, Louis Demil, and Andrew Malchus were also wounded, but not severely, and made their escape. They are here in the hospital and doing well. Captain Schutte is said to be mortally wounded. This is a sad loss for Company K and the whole regiment. No means will be spared to avenge them.
"After a long consultation yesterday between General Cox and Colonel Tyler it was concluded best that the Sev- enth return to Cross Lanes. We expect to move to-mor- row. If there is any fighting to be done we can come in the rear of the enemy by way of the Saturday road and do as good service that way doubtless as in any other. And besides it is important to hold the ferries over Gauley bridge in that neighborhood."*
*General Floyd had already crossed at Carnifax Ferry on August 22, but General Cox was not then aware of it.
CHAPTER IX.
REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF CROSS LANES.
"GAULEY BRIDGE, VA., August 27, 1861. "To Brig .- Gen. J. D. Cox.
"SIR: On receipt of your order of the 24th instant I put my regiment on the march from the mouth of the Twenty Mile Creek to Cross Lanes, but on reaching Peter's Creek Ford five miles from Cross Lanes the information I re- ceived induced me to countermarch the column and train two miles, to forks of road, to prevent a surprise. Your dispatch of the 24th inst. 10 o'clock P. M. in answer to mine of the same date at 6 o'clock P. M. was received at I o'clock A. M.
"On the morning of the 25th at 6 o'clock we moved on again with nine companies, leaving one company, with the Snake Hunters, to guard the train.
"I spent the entire day moving the seven miles, reconnoi- tering with the utmost caution, reaching Cross Lanes at 5 o'clock P. M., driving in the enemy's pickets. After a thor- ough reconnaisance, my whole force was put on duty for the night.
"At 5 o'clock in the morning of the 26th, while at break- fast, we were attacked by a large force of the enemy and nearly the whole of our line was fired upon in less than five minutes after the first signal given from our pickets, much of the enemy's force being under cover of the woods and crests of surrounding hills. Our men were soon ready to receive them, and for about three-quarters of an hour held the enemy in check, at which time I ordered a retreat under cover of the woods.
"Six of the companies were on one side of the road and three on the other. The officers and men conducted them- selves, so far as I could observe, with the utmost coolness
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and bravery, contending with at least four times their num- ber of infantry, a considerable force of cavalry, and three pieces of artillery. On the following day I sent Chaplain Brown and Surgeon Cushing with a flag of truce, request- ing the enemy to permit them to bury the dead and care for the wounded. They were not allowed to go nearer than three miles of the field, but were informed by General Floyd that the dead were decently interred and the wounded properly cared for, giving our loss at 15 killed and from 30 to 50 wounded .* It is with regret that I have to mention the loss of Captain Dyer among the killed. A more faithful officer or a truer patriot does not belong to the service.
"Captain Shurtleff was made a prisoner in the act of leading off his men.
"While I have to say that all did their duty well, I shall take occasion in a future report to mention specific acts of companies that were in the hottest of the fight.
"All of which is respectfully submitted.
"Your obedient servant, "E. B. TYLER, "Col. Seventh Ohio Inf."
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM GENERAL FLOYD, C. S. A.
"CAMP GAULEY, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE KANAWHA,
"August 24, 1861.
"Brig .- Gen. HENRY A. WISE.
"SIR: I have this evening received information that 500 of the enemy are encamped within five miles of this place. Send me at once your strongest regiment.
"JOHN B. FLOYD, "Brigadier-General C. S. A., "Commanding Army of the Kanawha."
On August 25 General Floyd said to General Wise :
*Sce Casualty List, p. 629.
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"The enemy is very near us. Their advance guard is within three miles. Send me your strongest regiment.
"P. S .- 3.30 P. M.
"Enemy advancing in battle array.
"JOHN B. FLOYD."
"CAMP GAULEY AT CARNIFAX FERRY, VA., "August 26, 1861.
"General ROBERT E. LEE.
"SIR: I ascertained late yesterday evening that the com- mand of Tyler had taken position within three miles of me here, and I determined immediately to engage him. I ac- cordingly put my force in motion about 5 o'clock this morn- ing, met the enemy, completely routed them, and pursued them seven miles. My own loss was very inconsiderable- 5 or 6 wounded and 3 killed.
"The number of the enemy killed and wounded I have not been able to ascertain with certainty. Thirty-eight were captured.
"Enemy dispersed for miles around. Scouting parties are in pursuit.
"Tyler's command is said to be of their best troops. They were certainly brave men.
"JOHN B. FLOYD, "Brig .- Gen. Commanding Army of the Kanawha."
From Cleveland Herald, September 3, 1861.
"GAULEY BRIDGE, August 29, 1861.
"EDITOR HERALD: I should have written you immedi- ately after the battle of Cross Lanes on the 26th, but that the results were so uncertain-and have continued to be to this time-that I knew I should only confuse and alarm the friends of those in the Seventh who were engaged in it. without giving them any real satisfaction. For the same reason I sent you no telegraphic dispatch. And even now, I cannot give you as full information as I wish I could.
"In my last letter from the mouth of Twenty Mile Creek,
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REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF CROSS LANES
I told you of our being ordered back there in consequence of a threatened attack on General Cox. But the enemy retired after a brisk skirmish in which their advance guard was severely repulsed, and in a day or two we were ordered back again to Cross Lanes to guard the ferries in that neigh- borhood, and prevent the enemy crossing over Gauley River, in accordance with the general plan as arranged by General Rosecrans. We moved on Saturday, and by 4 o'clock P. M. were at Peters Creek within 5 miles of Cross Lanes, where we learned that General Floyd, with a large force, had already crossed the river, and was in possession of our old camping ground at the Lanes. Believing it to be unsafe to move forward that evening, we retired 2 miles to a more protected place, and there remained for the night. In the morning-Sunday morning-a counsel of war was held, at which time it was determined to leave the baggage-train there in charge of one company, and advance with the re- mainder of the regiment, numbering in all about 750 men, against the enemy. As no company was willing to volun- teer to remain behind, and as the Colonel did not like to make the selection himself where all were anxious to go, lots were cast. The lot fell on Company F. Captain Clay- ton's, commanded by Lieutenant Kimball.
"About 9 o'clock, the other nine companies, and a com- pany of Independent Virginians, Captain Bagg, called Snake Hunters, began the march. We moved slowly and cautiously, sending out scouts and waiting for their reports. At Peters Creek the road to Summerville divides, the north- ern branch running direct, the southern leading southward. and being 2 miles longer in consequence. Half way along them, and where they are separated some 5 miles they are crossed by the road leading up from Carnifax Ferry. The crossing of the southern branch is called Cross Lanes. Thither we were bound. One company, however, was sent to reconnoiter up the northern branch, five were left at the ford, and three were ordered forward up the southern branch to make a forced reconnaissance. With these three companies, under command of Lieut .- Col. Creighton, Col-
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onel Tyler also accompanying part of the way, I went. No opposition was met with, and no enemy seen, until we arrived at Cross Lanes, where were 40 of the enemy's cav- alry, whom Captain Crane attacked and dispersed like a flock of sheep. Floyd himself, with the body of his forces, was encamped two miles and a half down the cross-road leading to the ferry. Immediately word was sent back and our whole force was moved up to the Lanes, leaving the Snake Hunters in charge of the ford and watching the north road.
"It was now dark, and we encamped for the night. But as we had no tents nor blankets with us, and were not allowed fires to cook food or warm ourselves, our company was disagreeable enough.' For myself. I slept with many others on a bundle of hay in the middle of the road. We were not all together, but dispersed, all the companies being on picket guard. Company A, Captain Crane, on the road out toward Summerville, but near the crossing; Company C, Captain Shurtleff, at the crossing ; Company K, Lieuten- ant Nitchelm. some distance down the road toward the enemy ; and Companies B, D, E, G, H and I, commanded by Captains Jas. Sterling, Dyer, Lieutenants Wilcox, Rob- inson, Captains Asper and Wm. Sterling, in the order named, along the road we had come, and on side roads lead- ing into it within a short distance. The orders were in case of an attack, for Companies A, C and K to fall back on the others, and contest the road to the ford, along which, if compelled to give way, we must retreat toward Gauley Bridge.
"All these arrangements made, except those in each com- pany actually on guard, we lay down and tried to sleep. Colonel Tyler and Adjutant DeForest had their quarters in a little church on the road to the ford, in the midst of the companies in charge of it, about 200 yards from the cross- ing. Lieut .- Col. Creighton, Major Casement, Sergt .- Maj. King. Dr. Salter and I were at the crossing with Company C. Those of us who had horses kept them saddled all night and at hand. The night passed away without any alarm,
£
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REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF CROSS LANES
and the morning broke cold and misty. As soon as pos- sible, fires were kindled. I am told that toward midnight many fires were kindled in the different companies by the men who were suffering from the cold, and were kept burn- ing brightly all night; but excepting one fire at the cross- ing, where it was thought a fire would do no harm, being at the center and distant from the pickets, I saw none; none were burning when I went to sleep-and I know that Colo- nel Tyler ordered that there should be none-and the men busied themselves roasting green corn gathered from the fields about for breakfast. While thus engaged at some of the fires, some eating, the pickets down the road toward the ferry commenced firing. Instantly the word was given to 'fall in.' In one minute the companies were in line and ready to march. Colonel Tyler took command of the men on the road to the ford. Lieut .- Col. Creighton, assisted by Major Casement and Sergt .- Maj. King, of Companies A, C, and K. These last were started down the road to the ferry to meet the enemy; the others were formed in line along the road to the ford. I accompanied Major Casement. But before we advanced one-fourth of a mile, we saw the enemy deploying out of the woods into the field on our left, and already in advance of our front. They were quite near, and the firing began rapid and severe.
"Almost with the discharge of the first gun at us, the firing commenced on our extreme right and behind us. where Colonel Tyler was. Meanwhile, the enemy were pouring out from the woods, and outflanking us on the left. We saw we were surrounded. or nearly so, and by a force greatly superior to our own. Leaving Company K to hold the enemy in check as far as possible, Major Casement or- dered Companies A and C into the fields on the right to make a stand on some hills, and rode back to bring up rein- forcements to oppose the enemy now flanking us on the left. Having no command of my own, I kept close along by him. The cross firing and the whistle of the Minie bullets about us and over us was not the most pleasant music I have heard, and our horses evidently thought the same, for they
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were nearly frantic and unmanageable with fright. It was impossible to get reinforcements. In fact, the men under Colonel Tyler could not maintain their own positions, but were falling back, and brave men though they were, needed urgent commands to keep them from a disastrous panic. With a word here and there, we galloped along the lines. But the battle was evidently against us. Company K was driven in. The enemy was closing on A and C and pour- ing deadly volleys into them. They fought desperately and bravely, but the odds were too heavy. Against Captain Crane's and Shurtleff's companies on a little hill the heaviest fire seemed to be directed. We trembled for them, knowing how heroically they would fight, and fearing they would be annihilated. Still on and on in increasing numbers and cheering as they came, the enemy pressed, and our brave fellows silently retired before them. Company K was dis- persed. Companies A and C were driven into the woods, and the other companies under Colonel Tyler had given away from the road and church into a field and wood on the other side. Just then Captain Dyer was struck by a bullet in the breast and killed. And still on in front and on the right and left the enemy was pressing. We were driven from all our positions and were nearly surrounded. Our destruction, or the capture of the entire regiment seemed inevitable. I have seen much of Major Casement, and seen him in many moods, but I never saw such an expression as his face then wore-pale, fierce, determined, but cool and self-collected. I felt I could follow him anywhere, and follow him I did. We rode down toward the head of the advancing column of the enemy on the right, calling to some of the companies of our men to follow us. But they did not move. Colonel Tyler tells me he ordered them to remain there. Perhaps it is better they did not follow us. No good could have come of it.
"Just then my mare plunged into a wet ditch covered with grass from sight, fell, and then threw me, escaping from me. The Major caught her for me, and we started to some of our men farther up on the extreme left. To do this it
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REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF CROSS LANES
was necessary to pass through some corn-fields, and a piece of woods in which was a deep, rocky gorge, filled with fallen logs and brush. Crossing this gorge we got separ- ated, and I saw the Major no more. When I emerged from the woods, the battle seemed to be over. None of our men was visible save Colonel Tyler, sitting on his horse close to the point of a hill overlooking the battlefield, indeed in it. I rode up to him along the border of another piece of woods. In it were a number of our men standing in order to repel an attack, who called to me as I rode along to come in and save myself. I continued on, however, feeling that the chances of doing that were small, and the time for try- ing it had not yet come. The coldest heart would have been touched for Colonel Tyler in that hour. His proud and pet regiment seemed to be annihilated; all who had come on the field with him killed, wounded, or captured. He turned to me as I rode up and quietly said. 'All is lost. Is there no way by which we can escape?' I told him that I thought there was, and we rode off together. Presently Colonel Creighton joined us. And we three slowly and most re- luctantly entered the woods, I, having more knowledge than either of them of that part of the country, acting as guide. On our way we were joined by one fugitive after another, including Dr. Salter and John and Charlie, the Major's and Colonel's black servants, till we numbered fifty or sixty persons. We threaded our way through the woods and across fields and came out at length on the road a mile and a half below Cross Lanes toward the ford. We ex- pected at every turn to be cut off, but were not. When once sure that we were safe, Colonel Creighton and I rode rapidly forward to camp and started our baggage-train, and not a moment too soon, as we afterward learned. Colonel Tyler and those with him came along more slowly and barely reached the camp, when the enemy's cavalry rode up in hot pursuit, the Captain of it taking deliberate aim at the Colonel, but missed him by a few inches. Finding the prize gone, and fearing an ambuscade, they returned, cursing the 'damned Yankees' as they rode off.
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"There we were with our baggage-train, one company of men and fifty fugitives, all that seemed to be left of the Seventh Regiment. Our return to Gauley Bridge was any- thing but a triumph. But just after dark, Captain Crane and Lieutenant Burgess came in bringing with them sixty of their men and a secession flag Company A had captured. This was the first ray of hope. In the morning Dr. Cush- ing and I went back with a flag of truce to look after our dead and wounded, and though we were not permitted to go nearer than within 3 miles of Cross Lanes, we were treated very courteously, and were told that our dead, which amounted to but 15, were decently buried, and over 30 wounded were receiving kind medical treatment. How many prisoners they had we were not told, and did not ask, for fear they, learning from our ignorance of the missing, might go in pursuit of them. We inferred, however, that the number was small. Who our dead were, we do not yet know, save Captain Dyer, nor who their prisoners, save Captain Shurtleff. Since then the missing have been com- ing in one by one, and in little squads, till now there are nearly 200. And yesterday evening General Cox received a message from Major Casement from Charleston that he was there with over 400. How he got there, who they are, who are with him, and the events of the journey we do not know. We believe, however, that Captains James and Wm. Sterling and Asper are safe.
"The footing up seems about this: Killed, 15; wounded, 30, half of them severely ; prisoners, 75 or 100; missing, very few. These results are most surprising to all of us. Two days ago we thought, and with good reason, that the Seventh was nearly annihilated. Now we know that it is nearly as strong as it ever was. How so many escaped, surrounded as we were by a force three times our own, con- posed of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, we cannot conceive.
"Of course in this account of the battle, I am compelled to speak chiefly of what I saw with my own eyes. Others can and will speak of what they saw, or was done.
"When I learn more of the details of the fight, and the
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REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF CROSS LANES
names of the killed and wounded, you shall hear from me again. General Cox's pickets and those of the enemy are skirmishing daily, making it extremely difficult to obtain information from within their lines.
"With my heartiest sympathies for those who have been bereaved or afflicted by this fight, and gratitude to God for my own escape and the escape of so many others, and love to all,
"I am, as ever, yours truly, "FREDERICK T. BROWN."
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The map of the battlefield of Cross Lanes was drawn by Lieut. T. T. Sweeney.
The following explanation will assist in reading the map:
F. R .- Ferry road on which the firing first commenced, and on which Companies A, C, and K rallied, eventually taking position on hill I.
M. H .- Meeting-House-Colonel Tyler's headquarters, and pathway nearly opposite on which and in the woods 5 the firing next commenced on our extreme left.
2-Our former camp-ground and hill on which the enemy next appeared in overwhelming force at "A." formed in line of battle at "b," and subsequently worked their way around to "c."
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