USA > Ohio > Itinerary of the Seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, 1861-1864, with roster, portraits and biographies > Part 7
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"Colonels Tyler and Creighton, Surgeon Salter and Chaplain Brown now dashed up the Gauley road, and made their escape to the bridge. The retreat of the Seventh, which occupied three and one-half days ( from Monday at sunrise until Thursday noon), was, perhaps, and ever will be the greatest event in the lives of many if not all engaged
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in it. I have neither language nor time to give you a cor- rect idea of it. Roads in the mountainous country are neces- sarily built at great expense. Those connecting main points and county-seats are built at the mutual expense of State and county. There are many good farms lying back hid among the hills, which are reached only by bridle paths or on foot. We left the battlefield and took a northerly course, just between the Gauley road and one running almost di- rectly north. There was not even a path, nor had we a guide. Heavy forests, entangled underbrush, long, steep declivities, rocks and creeks beset our way; still, we has- tened on. Major Casement, Adjutant DeForest, and Sergt .- Maj. King had each their horses with them, and got them through to Charleston. The perseverance of the Major, and the sagacity of his fine animal, surmounted all difficul- ties, and the other animals followed.
"I have not time to give details of our entire march. The first day we were obliged to cross a turnpike leading from Summerville to Gauley Bridge, at a place not more than three miles from Cross Lanes. It was now 3 P. M., and we had been since sunrise in making it; which shows the diffi- culties 'we encountered. When we reached the pike we found it covered with horse tracks. We knew that the ene- my's cavalry had just passed over it. On, on we hurried, and by 10 at niglit, after clambering an almost insurmount- able mountainside, thoughit it safe to stop till daylight. Af- ter roasting corn, we lay down on some fresh hay in the road for rest until daylight, when we were off again with- out breakfast. At 10 A. M. Tuesday we halted at a corn- field and made a hasty meal. At 4 P. M., after crossing a mountain, we reached a ford on Elk River-to be upon the other side was comparative safety. It was a novel sight to see 400 men wading the broad, swift and rocky river, car- rying their guns and much of their clothing. On the oppo- site bank was a saw-mill. On every side were high moun- tains covered with the richest foliage. All crossed safely. and after a short rest went on again until dark: lay on the grass again until daylight; then on again without break-
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fast. We saved 6 miles of our journey by crossing a very high mountain, and again by twice fording the Elk 10 more were saved.
"At the house of Mr. D. Smith, a good Union man, we got some bacon, corn, and wheat bread, and plenty of boiled corn-all well cooked. He had heard of our coming. and was preparing for us. It now commenced raining and we had miles to go before we rested for the night. Some men not being able to keep up were put into a canoe and sent down the river; and in the course of the day other canoes were taken and used in the same manner. Our path was along the Elk. In the afternoon it rained almost inces- santly; crossed the Big Sandy, near its junction with the Elk, twenty miles from Charleston, at which place is a seces- sion settlement.
"Three miles beyond we met the teams sent up from Charleston with provisions. They were hailed with nine and a tiger. The rain continued all night, and was to us the hardest of the march. At 3 A. M. the men were called up for marching again. They rose stiffer, and less inclined to move than ever before. The heavy rain and darkness, slippery clay roads, and stiff joints had the effect to make a most gloomy march. However, as dayliglit dawned, cheer- fulness increased, and we marched into Charleston with light hearts.
"The troops stationed liere (a part of the Twenty-sixth O. V. and part of the First Kentucky Regiment), turned out to receive us. escorting us to their camp ground, and im- mediately set to work providing us food and shelter. Our baggage being at Gauley Bridge, of course we had no tents, cooking apparatus, or change of clothing. Charleston is a very pretty place of about 3.000 inhabitants, who, to almost a man, are of secession sentiments, and, therefore, not our friends, and do not receive from them favors or courtesies as were bestowed upon us at Weston and all other small places through which we have passed-although the same respectful deportment is shown and observance of their pro- prietorship of property.
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"For the reason that a full and accurate list cannot now be made out of the men, I will not attempt to give it par- tially-within a few days it will be furnished entire. I hope our friends at home will not anticipate.
"A few words more and I will close. Had it not been for the cool intrepidity of Major Casement, the Seventh Regi- ment would this day be among the regiments that were. 'Boys,' said he, when we had assembled on the hill in retreat. 'stand by me, and I will take you throughi!' And he did take us through; over mountains, down almost precipice descents, through ravines, fording streams, undaunted he went. During the entire retreat not a mouthful would he eat till he knew that every man under his command was sup- plied with such as could be had. Thanks to our gallant Major! His noble bearing, his firm conduct, his unwearied exertions in behalf of his men, and his uniform kindness, will never be forgotten by the 400 whose lives this day are due to him.
Still for the war,
"W. D. SHEPHERD."
FROM THE CHAPLAIN OF THE SEVENTH.
(Correspondence of the Cleveland Herald.)
"GAULEY BRIDGE, August 31, 1861.
"I sent you a dispatch yesterday evening telling you of the safety of all the commissioned officers of the regiment, save Captain Dyer, known to be killed; Captain Shurtleff, known to be a prisoner, and Lieutenants Wilcox and Lock- wood, missing. I regret exceedingly that I cannot give you the names of the privates and non-commissioned officers killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing. But this cannot be done until we hear more fully from Major Casement con- cerning the men with him, over 400, at Charleston, 38 miles below us. The only way even then that we could approxi- mate to a correct list would be to give the names of all who have escaped, those with him and those with us. One of the objects I aimed to secure under the flag of truce the other day, was information upon this very thing, for the
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sake mainly of the relatives and friends of those we have lost. I did not succeed. But the history of the attempt may interest them and your readers generally.
"After riding 18 miles, the last 7 keeping our flag constantly displayed, we came to their first picket, a strong cavalry one, 7 miles this side of Cross Lanes. We were received civilly, and stated our business, showing the com- mission we had from Colonel Tyler. The officer in com- mand said he had no authority to permit us to pass, but kindly offered to send for information to the next picket, 2 miles farther on at the ford over Peters Creek, where Colonel Finny was. We were two hours there, and allowed full liberty to walk about as we pleased. There we found five of our men, who had just been taken. all from Cleve- land but one, viz: Frank Williams, Andrew Scovill (whose brother is here wounded in the hip), a Mr. Burt, a Mr. Ban- dell, and one whose name I do not remember, a German. Poor fellows, weary and hungry, they had come in from the woods to get something to eat, and were captured. I could but sympathize especially with Williams, as he has a wife . and two children. The brave fellow had but little to say, but I saw that a word would bring the tears into his eyes. Before we left we saw them seated at a bountiful table which their captors had kindly provided for them; and we saw that in all other respects they were kindly and respect- fully treated.
"After a delay of two hours, word came that we could proceed to the next encampment. A squad of cavalry took us in charge, blindfolding us and leading our horses. In this fashion we rode 2 miles. At the ford we were received by Colonel Finny in a closed room, and the bandages taken from our eyes. We found the Colonel a courteous gentle- man of eastern Virginia, and were informed by him that our dead had already been decently buried, with the excep- tion of Captain Dyer, who had been recognized on the bat- tlefield before he was quite dead by Major Thomburg of their army, who had served with him in Mexico, whose body they were intending to send down to us under a flag
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of truce, to be forwarded to his friends (it had not been done, however), and that our wounded were receiving the care of their most skilful surgeons. I then asked for Dr. Cushing and myself the privilege of visiting our wounded and prisoners, to see them, and to receive messages from them to their friends. He replied that General Floyd's or- ders were that no one should pass from us beyond that point; but added that if we were willing to remain where we were till an answer could be received, he would send a messenger to the General with our request. We told him we were. I then addressed to General Floyd the following note, viz :
" 'PETERS CREEK, August 27, 1861.
" 'BRIG .- GEN. JOHN B. FLOYD.
"'GENERAL: I am here under a flag of truce, with Dr. Cushing of the Seventh Regiment O. V. I., to look after our dead and wounded in the late battle at Cross Lanes. We are informed by Colonel Finney, as we knew would be, that our dead have been decently buried, and that our wounded have received the skilful attention of the gentle- men of your medical staff. Here, then, our mission might end. But, General, the Seventh Regiment is mainly com- posed of men from and in the vicinity of Cleveland, and as we both expect to return there shortly on furloughs, for the sake of the relatives and friends of the wounded and pris- oners, we very much wish to see them and be the bearers of any messages they may wish to send. If, therefore, under our flag of truce, you will permit us to do so, we will accept it as a very high favor, and we promise you on our honor as gentlemen to take no advantage of it prejudicial to your service.
" 'Respectfully, your obedient servant,
" 'FREDERICK T. BROWN, "'Chaplain of the Seventh,
"'Minister in Presbyterian Church O. S.'
7
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"To this note, some five hours after, I received the fol- lowing reply, viz :
" 'HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF KANAWHA, "'August 27, 1861.
" 'REV. FREDERICK T. BROWN,
" 'Chaplain of Seventh Regiment O. V.
"'DEAR SIR: Your note requesting to be permitted to visit the prisoners and wounded at present in my charge, of the Seventh Regiment O. V., and conveying information of them has been received. In reply I have to say that in this, as in all other cases, the dead shall not be neglected by me. Your dead have all been decently interred. Your prisoners are and shall be humanely and kindly treated, shall not be the recipients of any indignity by language or otherwise. Your wounded are beyond Gauley River, and under the treatment of my best surgeons. Your request to visit them I cannot concede, persuaded that to do so would be at- tended with some risk of detriment to the service in which I am engaged. I regret then that my sense of duty prompts me to adopt a course which under other circumstances would afford me a pleasure, and which may I fear seem to you un- gracious. Permit me to add that one of the captains of your regiment is here and on parole. He will be able, as he has already done, to visit the prisoners and wounded and give them his personal attention.
"'Very respectfully, your obedient servant, " 'JOHN B. FLOYD, " 'Brig .- Gen. Commanding Army of Kanawha.'
"Of course nothing further could be done. I will only add that while waiting for this note. I-I say 'I,' for Dr. Cushing was in one of his silent moods-had long conversa- tions with Colonel Finney and Major Honnsel, on a variety of topics, not ignoring the one great topic at issue, and found them both accomplished. cultivated, and courteous gentlemen. Before the note came it grew dark, when
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Colonel Finney took us to his headquarters, two miles far- ther up toward Cross Lanes, without having us blindfolded. There he gave us a sumptuous supper, and lodged us until 3 o'clock A. M., when we were sent out of the lines back, not blindfolded. I must also say that in all our intercourse with the rebel officers and men, I did not hear one abusive or taunting word. We could not have been treated with more kindness or consideration.
"The messenger is just leaving.
"Yours truly, "FREDERICK T. BROWN.
A LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT EATON.
"CHARLESTON, W. VA., September 7, 1861.
* * The march in retreat was commenced about 7 o'clock in the morning of the 26th, and continued with scarcely ten minutes' rest, over the mountains which to our unaccustomed eyes seemed impassable, and through woods thick with undergrowth of laurel and vine, until late at night, without path, and nearly all the way without a guide. A man was obtained late in the afternoon who conducted us to a mountain path, leading to Elk River, but he could be induced to go no farther. He lived upon the road which we had to cross, within two or three miles of our starting place, and we afterward learned that a thousand of the enemy were within half a mile of where we crossed it, watching for us to come out of the woods. We camped that night on a little improvement on the summit of a mountain in the midst of the woods, 'forty miles from no place.'
"The march was resumed at an early hour the next morn- ing, without breakfast, and upon a supper the night previous of a small allowance of corn-bread. At noon we halted to dine on green corn at a point where the pass we had been following struck the Lily Fork of Buffalo Creek. Follow- ing it up, after our luncheon, we struck the Elk River at about 6 p. M. of the 27th, after fording it through water
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nearly waist deep, encamped four or five miles below. Here. for the first time, we had a little variety in the subsistence line. Some sheep were killed, and these with green corn, after our fatiguing march, gave us a relish for sleep on the ground with a small allowance of hay for bed. In the morn- ing. Capt. W. R. Sterling having gone ahead to provide subsistence for the day, our journey was resumed, and at 10 o'clock we were fed at a point 28 miles from Charleston, on boiled corn, bacon, and a little coffee, and a very small al- lowance of bread. At a distance of 14 miles from this place we encamped that night ( following), during which and the next day until we arrived here, a shower of rain fell without cessation, aggravating to an indescribable degree the sore feet and weary limbs of the wanderers. Rations from Charleston met us here and we fared sumptuously. Reached Charleston noon next day. August 29.
"I cannot possibly give an account of all we went through during that fight and retreat. That so large a number sur- vived the heavy fire of the superior number of the enemy, and a forced march, estimated at not less than 80 miles, and that we escaped from an entire cutting up and capture, sur- rounded on almost every side, as we were, seems a little short of a miracle to me.
"NOTAE."
The following message from Captain Sterling, who was the advance guard of the forces marching to Charleston under Major Casement. gave to General Cox and Colonel Tyler the first information they had that 404 more of the Seventh had escaped from the enemy at Cross Lanes :
"CHARLESTON, August 28. 1861.
"GENERAL COX.
"DEAR SIR: I have arrived here and started three wagons to meet the Seventh Regiment at the mouth of the Big Sandy. 20 miles from this place, where the Seventh will camp to-night. The men are in fine spirits, but a little leg- weary and footsore. Several Union men have followed us. They say that the main body of the enemy is at Cross Lanes.
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"I learn that Colonel Tyler came into Gauley with some 200 men with the train.
"If that be so, we have made a glorious retreat.
"Yours respectfully, "W. R. STERLING, "Capt. Co. I, Seventh Ohio Inf."
General Cox commended the action of Major Casement to General Rosecrans as follows :
"GAULEY BRIDGE, August 28, 1861, 9 P. M.
"GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS,
"Clarksburg, Va .:
"Major Casement has carried over 400 of the Seventh into Charleston handsomely. He went by Big Sandy and down Elk.
"There are so many practicable routes for cavalry and infantry without trains that his presence in Charleston may prove very fortunate. The enemy still continues in princi- pal force near Cross Lanes.
"J. D. Cox."
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CHAPTER XI.
AT CHARLESTON.
During the month of September, 1861, the companies un- der Major Casement remained at Charleston, performing very active guard duty, scouting after the enemy, unloading steamboats, etc., while those at Gauley Bridge performed like service there.
Capt. John N. Dyer having been killed at Cross Lanes, and Lieut. Andrew J. Williams having resigned because of ill-health, Company D on September 25, 1861, held an elec- tion, when Lieut. Charles A. Weed was chosen captain ; Sergeant William D. Shepherd, first lieutenant, and Ser- geant Frank Payne, Jr., second lieutenant.
On or about the 26th rain began falling in torrents and continued until the 28th, when the greatest flood ever known in that section occurred. The Big Kanawha River rose more than 50 feet, overflowing the town and rendering the rescue of families in boats necessary. The Seventh moved camp to the highest ground available, and then kept a steamn- boat near on which to embark if necessary.
Floating down the river could be seen small buildings, haystacks, rail fences, shocks of corn and every sort of debris, completing a very picture of waste and desolation.
On October 1, Company D. under the command of Lieu- tenants Shepherd and Paine, took boat for Point Pleasant. 65 miles below Charleston, from which place it was to guard and protect a body of workmen while they constructed a telegraph line to Charleston.
Sending off the sick to Gallipolis this duty was at once entered upon, and on the 21st Company D marched into camp at Charleston, its duty having been well performed. On October 11, when this telegraph expedition had passed Buffalo on the right bank of the river, the steamer Isetta, loaded to the, guards with Government stores, was seen with
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full head of steam puffing, sputtering, and groaning on her way to Charleston; but in a very short time she came back fairly flying as she went with the current, while the Cap- tain shouted to the nearby shore, "Rebels up at Red House!" Now as there had been rumors of rebel cavalry scouting about we were at once on the qui vive. The citizen work- men were wild from fear, lest they should be captured and carried off South, and could not be controlled.
Throwing out everything that would impede their prog- ress, they sprang into the wagons, and away they flew to the Ohio River, 30 miles distant. Company D, not to be outdone, fell back with alacrity and dispatch on Buffalo; took refuge in the court-house, getting in water and rations, determined to hold the fort if it came to a state of siege.
Early the next morning, however, no enemy having ap- peared, Company D went on board of a steamboat which ran up to Red House, where Colonel Guthrie, then com- manding post at Charleston, had also come down with some of the Piatt Zouaves to meet the enemy; but they had long since retreated. The Isetta was hailed and ordered to come ashore; slowed down and swung about as if to do so, but instead of landing kept on swinging, put on all possible steam, and pulled away down stream, thus escaping cap- ture, although some 200 rifle shots were fired into her with- out material harm.
This was the only exciting incident of the telegraph line expedition.
On October 16 the members of the Seventh at Gauley Bridge came to Charleston, and on the 19th Colone! Tyler assumed command of the post there, so that when Company D came into Camp Warren on the 21st, the regiment, which had not been together since the battle of Cross Lanes, was again reunited.
The unusual exposure and hardships immediately follow- ing the affair at Cross Lanes, assisted by the damp, chilly mountain air (the result of fogs, dew, and frequent show- ers), plainly told upon the health of the members of the Seventh at Gauley Bridge and Charleston, causing diarrhoea,
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typhoid and malarial fevers, sending many of them home on sick furloughs, to the hospitals, and the cemetery. Dur- ing the balance of October some effort at company and regimental drill was made, but guard duty and scouting after the enemy, up and down and across the river, ren- dered this inoperative. However, everything went along in the usual way until General Floyd advanced to Cotton Hill, opposite Gauley Bridge, and threatened attack.
CARNIFAX FERRY.
Although not engaged in this battle the Seventh was greatly interested therein because of the fact that General Floyd's force engaged there was the same as that which fought at Cross Lanes.
The engagement at Cross Lanes called the attention of General Rosecrans in that direction, causing him to take the field in person. Reaching Sutton about September I, 1861, with Benham's, McCook's, and Scammon's bri- gades and tliree batteries, he advanced over the same route covered by the Seventh, reaching the vicinity of Carnifax Ferry on the Ioth about 3 P. M. Disposition was at once made for battle and a spirited attack and fusillade was kept up until dusk, without any perceptible advantage gained by the Union forces, when they were withdrawn, with a loss of 17 killed and 143 wounded. During the night the enemy withdrew across Gauley River, having suffered a loss of but 20 wounded.
FLAG PRESENTATION.
About the middle of October, Prof. H. E. Peck of Ober- lin made a visit to the regiment, but more especially to Com- pany C, at Gauley Bridge, bringing with him, as a token of remembrance from the loyal people at home, a beautiful silk flag, of the presentation of which he wrote as follows :
"The morning was bright with sunshine and the wild Virginia landscape glowed with richest splendor. At guard mounting after breakfast the 400 of the Seventh then at Gauley were drawn up to receive the colors I was com-
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missioned to present to them. In presenting my charge I took occasion to express the affection which the people of the Western Reserve have always felt for the regiment, and which was deepened many fold by the occurrence at Cross Lanes.
"Colonel Tyler replied with great emotion and equal pro- priety. His manner and that of the whole regiment de- cisively proved that the gift from home was appreciated and well bestowed. It was a glad scene. The gentle air un- furled just enough the graceful colors; the joyous sun illuminated the blazon so that it shone as if a glory was upon it; the men were happy, and far off among the hills rolled the swelling notes of the 'Star Spangled Banner,' with which the band made its first salute."
The Professor said that the men in the Seventh were well- clothed; looked clean; were in good spirits; respected their officers and each other; that the right sort of fraternal spirit existed among them, and he nowhere saw soldiers in Virginia who seemed to be in as good physical condition as they did.
He closed with, "On the whole, the people of the Reserve may well cherish, as they have done, their noble representa- tives in the Seventh Ohio Volunteers."
"GAULEY, VA., 11th Sept., 1861.
"MRS. JOHN N. DYER,
"Paineville, Ohio.
"MY DEAR MADAM : Permit me to intrude myself upon you in this hour of your terrible trial and affliction as a friend to him who now, within the lines of our enemy's camp, 'sleeps the sleep that knows no waking.' As a friend to him who must have been to you what all else on earth cannot replace, allow me to intrude upon you and for a mo- ment mingle my sorrow with your tears for one we loved and esteemed.
"While you, madam, and those little ones around you mourn the loss of a beloved husband and father, our regi-
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ment joined you in your sorrow for the loss of one of our country's bravest and truest defenders, and we an esteemed friend and officer whose counsels and assistance we have ever appreciated.
"I saw him fall while leading on his brave men in obe- dience to my orders. His latest words were when I asked him if he could turn the enemy's advancing column and pre- vent them outflanking us, 'I will try, sir. Company forward by file left, march!' His order to fire soon followed. A mo- ment after he was struck with a musket ball and Captain Dyer's earthly career was closed.
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