Part 2

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 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 encamped 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. While 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 regiment 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, Sheldon, 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 command--"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 succeeding days. Men gathered together in squads of two, four, or half-a-dozen, to find their way to Gauley Bridge, twenty-five miles distant, through the thick laurel, and over mountains that seemed no less than second cousins to the Alps. Harmon dropped into a ditch, was passed over by the rebels, picked up a well-filled haversack, and came into camp with a plenty and to spare. Many were concealed by loyal families, in caves or in their houses, for days, until the rebel pickets were removed. Condit was fed and housed for two weeks, after which, to the surprise of the company, he made his appearance with a full, healthy, improved countenance. Cooper, Wise, and Woodmansee, appeared at Gauley Bridge, on the ninth day, as living skeletons, nearly starved. Winsor was separated from his company, and, with 400 of the regiment, made his way through the mountains to Charleston, 80 miles distant.

These are specimens of the varied experiences of the men, such as to this day furnish new topics of conversation for them when they meet. The whole affair was, to Co. C, one of the most memorable of the war. For a long time after this sad occurrence, the company was broken up, and the pride of its organization seemed to have departed.

Joseph Collins died the next day after the battle, and was buried on the field. Burford Jeakins lived until 10 o'clock Sunday evening, September 22, and passed away to a better world. Lieutenant Cross, Sergeant Orton, H. G. Sheldon, and L. J. Jones, were recaptured by the forces of Gen. Rosecrans in the action at Carnifex Ferry, September 10. As soon as convenient they were removed to Cincinnati.

[Sidenote: Parish Prison.]

After all the stragglers had been gathered into camp it appeared that 29 had been taken prisoners of war, namely: Captain Shurtleff; Sergeants, Stiles, Parmenter, and Morey; Corporals, Cole and Mack; Privates, Biggs, Bodle, Burns, Claghorn, Curtis, Finch, Halbert, Howard, Hubbell, S. B. Kingsbury, Massa, Myers, Noble, Newton, Osborn, Parker, Root, Scott, Smith, Thompson, Tuttle, Warren, and Wheeler. These men were marched to Jacksonville, one hundred miles, with their elbows tied together behind them. From that place they went by railroad to Richmond, and, with other prisoners captured at Manassas and Ball's Bluff, were there confined in Atkinson's Tobacco Factory. After a few weeks they were privileged to ride nearly the whole length of the Confederacy, in open dirt cars, and to enjoy the wit and admiration of multitudes who had probably never before seen a live Yankee, dressed in blue. Arriving at New Orleans, October 1, 1861, they were thrust into Parish Prison, and were obliged to occupy the small, filthy cells, where the vilest criminals of the city were incarcerated. No clothing was furnished them by the Confederacy, and not half enough food was afforded to keep them thriving; but by means of the profits, arising from the manufacture of bone trinkets, their sufferings were much less than otherwise they must have been. Some of them became very skillful in making bone rings, pen-holders, watch-chains, crosses, numbers, etc. The aristocracy thought it a rare chance to buy an ornament of bone, made by a Yankee prisoner. Large sums of money were realized by some of the most expert workers. The more studious engaged in French, German, Greek, and Theology. The "Union Lyceum" was soon established, and a regular semi-monthly paper was published, called "The Stars and Stripes." In this paper there appear, regularly, the notices of prayer meetings on Sunday, at 9 o'clock, in cell No. 4; and on Wednesday, at 2 P. M., in cell No. 2. Also a Bible-Class in cell No. 8, on Sunday at 1 o'clock P. M.

For exercise, military companies were formed, and the positions in them were esteemed honorable in no small degree.

To preserve order among the large number of prisoners who dwelt so closely together, a sort of Lynch-Law Court was established, in which those who were thought guilty of misdemeanors were tried, sentenced, and punished.

In February, 1862, they were removed to Salisbury, N. C., for exchange; but the wheels of the system not working smoothly, they were left in the uncomfortable, military prison of that place until May 21, when they took an oath not to take up arms against the Confederate States until exchanged, nor to communicate any thing injurious to the Confederate cause, which might have come within their knowledge after their capture. With more than joy, they sailed down the Tar River, and stepped from under the rebel flag, to the deck of the Union steamer, over which proudly floated the Stars and Stripes. It is reported that they "danced, wept, and even kissed the mute folds of those loved colors." After their exchange some of them were discharged, and others reported themselves to the company for duty, and served during the three years of their enlistment.

[Sidenote: Explanation of Promotions.]

These prisoners will allow a word of explanation with regard to a measure taken by the company authorities, which, by some, has been thought unjust. When the remnant of the company was gathered, there was no non-commissioned officer present of higher rank than corporal, and only four of that rank were on company duty. Privates were obliged to perform the duties of sergeants and corporals. None seemed willing to take the responsibilities, discharge the duties, and, in case of error, bear the blame of these officers, without the pay and honor which belong to them. Besides, it was constantly a matter of uncertainty, who should be detailed, as sergeant or corporal, and feelings of jealousy were daily excited by what was supposed to be the partiality of the officer who made the detail. The privates themselves soon began to desire that some of their number might be promoted, to end the occasion of such feelings. In order to do this, it was both expedient and necessary that the non-commissioned officers among the prisoners should be reduced to the ranks. This measure was taken in November, and there can hardly be a doubt that it was right and just. Indeed, it rather seems that no other course could have been so. No man had a natural right to any office in the company. If expediency, because of superior qualifications, rendered it right that certain men should occupy certain positions before their capture, then, certainly, after that capture, which disqualified them for the discharge of official duty, the same cause rendered it right that others who were qualified by their presence, should be promoted.

[Sidenote: Gauley Bridge.]

The fragments of companies, A, E, F, K, and C, went into camp at Gauley Bridge. Picket duty each alternate day and night, characterized the stay here. One aggressive movement, however, was made to Dogwood Gap, sixteen miles eastward. Nothing of note occurred but the repeated confiscations of native mountain pigs, and a hasty return to camp the next day. The excellent water privileges, boat riding, rafting-in of potatoes, and gathering of paw-paws and persimmons, rendered Gauley Bridge a comparatively pleasant place to do soldier duty.

On the 16th of October, the regiment was ordered to Charleston. It marched down the river ten miles, to Cannelton, and there took a steamer.

Sixteen members of Co. C will long remember their tedious ride down from this point with Major Casement, in an old oil flat-boat, during the cold, rainy afternoon of that day, without shelter for their heads or a decent place for the soles of their feet. Their joy at being taken aboard the steamer at dark, was as though they had been rescued from shipwreck.

The camp at Charleston was in a quiet, level place, two miles up the north side of the Kanawa River.

The monotony of the stay was somewhat relieved by the generosity of a gentleman who presented Co. C with a library of valuable books that had been damaged by the flood a few days previous. When the regiment moved for the East, a large box of these books, under disguise, accompanied it, which any officer of the commissary department was at liberty to suppose filled with cooking utensils.

[Sidenote: Ned.]

When Gen. Wise scoured the Kanawa Valley for men, he took with him Edward Morrison, a useful well-trained servant belonging to a gentleman of the city of Charleston. Ned, being of a different school of politics from the General, did not fancy the service, and, when in the midst of the Alleghany mountains, he made his escape. He arrived at last, at Charleston, and supposing the Emancipation Proclamation would soon be issued, he begged the protection of Col. Tyler. The Colonel thought he would risk the principles of Co. C, and accordingly, turned him over to them contraband, for secretion. After lying in their quarters two weeks, he was hired to act as their cook, which business he gladly entered. He faithfully served them more than a year, after which he came to Oberlin to be educated. But an attachment which has more than once turned a student from his interest, allured him to the vicinity of Gallipolis, Ohio, where he immediately wrote to Lieutenant Lincoln that he was to be married in ten days.

In the latter part of October, Gen. Floyd had established himself on Cotton Hill, thus being enabled to shell the camp of the Union Army at Gauley Bridge, and to threaten its communications. Gen. Benham was ordered to march around to the rear to induce him to desist from so rash operations. Two or three regiments hesitated to perform the dangerous movement. Finally he said, "Give me the Seventh and the Tenth Ohio and I can drive the rebels to" ----, a place beyond the confines of this lower world. This circumstance healed the old wound in the Tenth, which had been made at Camp Dennison when the Seventh was called out to suppress a riot among them.

On the 4th of November the Seventh set sail for Loop Creek, seven miles below Gauley Bridge. It marched up the Creek on the 6th, wading it seventeen times, and encamped on Taylor's Farm, within two miles of Floyd's Camp. The severe frost of that night did much mischief in the wet socks of the soldiers while sleeping in the open air. It was amusing, in the latter part of the night, to see the men racing about camp at more than double-quick to prevent their feet from freezing. The heavy rains rendered it impossible to convey bread to the army, and famine stared them in the face. When, at last, a few sacks of hard bread were brought through, and the very crumbs counted out to secure fair division, those crumbs were more delicious than the most costly preparations of food on royal tables.

[Sidenote: Pursuit of Floyd.]

After six days the regiment moved on a few miles farther to the rear of the rebel camp, passing over a high mountain in zigzag lines of single rank, which gave the appearance of "Bonaparte crossing the Alps." While this part of the army was sleeping, in the early part of the night of the 12th, Gen. Floyd quietly passed by on the Fayetteville pike, not more than four miles distant. As soon as he had securely accomplished this feat for himself, and defeat for Gen. Rosecrans, all the Union forces were put in pursuit. It was continued until the close of the following day, with no decided result but a skirmish, in which Col. Croghan of the Second Georgia Cavalry, was killed, with a few of his men, and a few prisoners were taken.

Being without blankets and bread, the soldiers gladly heard the sonorous voice of Adjutant DeForest, just after the terrific thunder shower at midnight, commanding them to "fall in," to return. They were then far out in the State towards Raleigh. Floyd has never since been seen in Western Virginia. The next thing heard of him was his stealing away from Fort Donelson.

It was at the close of the next day that the Seventh had a feast. Having marched back four miles past Fayetteville, the men found an abundant supper of boiled pigs, prepared by the blanket guards. After so many days of semi-fasting, this tender meat gave a relish which cannot be appreciated by those who are accustomed to sit at loaded tables. That night, too, was refreshing after two sleepless ones, though the heavens did let fall a sheet of snow four inches deep upon the shelterless men.

The 17th of November saw the Seventh Ohio again in its quarters at Charleston. The men found that a canvas tent was a palace.

While tarrying at this place, Mr. Winsor did a driving business at tuning the pianos and melodeons of the young ladies, who had not been thus favored since the beginning of the war--for all the Yankees had been driven away.

With the expulsion of Floyd, the campaign of Western Virginia was ended. The Union army was divided. One part was retained under the command of Gen. Cox; another was sent to Kentucky, while the Seventh Ohio was sent to Romney to join a limb of the Army of the Potomac.

[Sidenote: Departure from Charleston.]

Bidding adieu to Gen. Cox, on the 10th of December, 1861, the regiment took the two steamers, Ft. Wayne and Stephen Decatur. Pushing down the Kanawa, and up the Ohio, passing the famous Isle of Blennerhassett early the next morning, it arrived at Parkersburg at noon of the following day. On it went, by the B. & O. R. R. to Green Spring Run, a houseless town sixteen miles east of Romney. Here the men were supplied with new Sibley tents, which were great balloon-like palaces to the soldier. After a hard day's march, on the 16th of December, the regiment joined the force of Gen. Lander at Romney. The garrison of 8000 men was under the immediate command of Colonel Dunning, of the 5th Ohio.

The peculiar position of Romney, and its relation to Winchester, where a large force under Gen. Jackson, was encamped, made an unusual amount of severe picket duty necessary; and to add to the necessary amount, the foolish notion of inexperienced officers was then in vogue, of sending a dozen infantry-men six or seven miles from camp, where they could neither prevent their own capture nor communicate with the camp in case of a surprise.

Many a cold, tedious, winter night was spent on these distant picket posts. On the road towards Winchester, there was one that was particularly dangerous to the unfortunate vidette. The enemy had a small force stationed at Ballou's Gap, seventeen miles distant, from which he was in the habit of sending out bushwhackers to annoy our pickets. Early in the morning of January 6, Colonel Dunning led to this place a detachment consisting of the 4th, 5th, and 7th, Ohio, 14th Indiana, and 1st Virginia, with a few cavalry companies. This force surprised the rebels at day-break, killed ten or a dozen, took nine horses and two steel rifled cannon, captured fourteen prisoners, and returned to camp at 4 P. M., making a march of thirty-four miles on the snow, in fifteen hours. This lively raid, with the burning of a good number of buildings on the route, was a brilliant punishment, which proved an effectual remedy.

Christmas was observed according to the common practice of feasting on pies, cakes, fowls and other luxuries that had been preserved for that occasion. Mess No. 5 digressed from the usual custom, by having an oyster supper, prepared by unusual hands. The other messes fully sustained their culinary reputation, and thought themselves not far behind their enviable comrades of No. 5. That was not, by any means, an unhappy day, in spite of the protestation that one important element of society was lacking. And yet, very few will ever hope that circumstances will render it necessary for them to spend another Christmas in like manner.

[Sidenote: Romney.]

It appears that, for three months, Stonewall Jackson had meditated an attack upon Romney, with the reasonable hope of capturing the whole garrison. Gen. Lander had so well anticipated his movement as to evacuate the town during the night before the very morning on which the rebel General had expected to pounce upon his prey. At 10 P. M. of January 10, 1862, the Union force moved from the town with its baggage and stores, and marching via Springfield and Frankfort, arrived at 4 P. M. of the 11th at Patterson's Creek, on the B. & O. R. R., a few miles from Cumberland, Md. The site for the camp was the worst possible in all that country. The snow lay on the ground and was filled with water that had fallen during the day. The ground itself was a swamp. These three circumstances, combined, had prepared a soft bed for the weary, hungry, foot-sore soldier.

The sea of mud, stirred and kneaded by 8000 soldiers, was altogether indescribable, for only a comparatively small portion was on the top in sight.

[Sidenote: Patterson's Creek.]

It is said that there was a time when the highway in Chicago might be traced by the hats of the teamsters. At Patterson's Creek the ears of the mules might well serve the same purpose.

Every body seemed to curse the mud, and nobody to take its part. But it deserved great praise for the gentle manner in which it received the forms of the commissioned officers, when they were unable to sit upon their nags. Not one of them was known to be severely injured by a fall during the stay at that camp. Here, Prof. Ellis visited the company a few days, sharing the lot of the private soldier. To accommodate him at night, it was no difficult matter to piece out a blanket of ordinary length, and a long place made by the uneven stretching of the largest sized circular tent, was readily found. His own testimony may give to the reader a hint with regard to the degree of demoralization to which these men had passed after nearly a year of military deprivations:

"When their ranks had been thinned by capture and death, and they had passed through all the corrupting tendencies and temptations of their new life for nearly a year, I saw them in their tents in the heart of Virginia, and nightly from the six tents went up the voice of song and prayer as they bowed themselves around their family altars."

His visit was truly a pleasant one for Company C, and having proved his genuine interest in them, he bade them adieu, feeling, undoubtedly, a deep regret that he was not privileged to share their fortunes through the whole service.

[Sidenote: Bivouac on the Levels.]

Not long, however, were the troops allowed to remain quiet, when a man of so much life as Gen. Lander possessed, was at their head. On the 5th of February they moved down the railroad to French's Store, and from that point marched through the long night in a tedious, plodding manner, over mountains and through streams, towards a point on the road between Romney and Winchester, to intercept the rebels at the former place. By noon of the next day the men, excessively wearied, found it even a pleasure to throw themselves down upon the snow in the freezing rain, to rest their exhausted forms. It was a fruitless raid. The foe had fled; and at 3 P. M., with joy the men heard the order "About, face!" It was a sweet rest that was enjoyed during that night after they halted on the banks of the Little Cacapon. What added to it, were two stacks of wheat, which were very soon converted into beds. The command moved back early in the following morning to a high table land of the adjacent mountain, where it remained seven days without tents or cooking utensils, and with only one blanket to each man. Strong winds prevailed through these days, which were the coldest of the whole winter. The snow was two thirds of a foot deep where the men made their brush beds, and they had no protection from the weather but loose brush sheds. The log fires in front of these sheds soon consumed ten acres of thick pine forest. One Irish ditching spade was the only cooking utensil which Co. C was able to secure, and even with that it was a tedious process to get a breakfast for fifty men.

Those were comparatively pleasant days, and the men learned to vie with the brute in enduring exposures and hardships.

From this place the division moved, February 13, to a point two miles south of Paw Paw Station, one part going into camp and the other to Bloomery Gap, under the leadership of Gen. Lander, to surprise a small force of rebels under Col. Baldwin. The expedition was a brilliant success. The Colonel with eighteen commissioned officers and fifty privates, was captured.

[Sidenote: March to Winchester.]

The contagion of "Quiet on the Potomac" prevailed at Paw Paw until the 1st of March. The division, consisting of fifteen regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and four or five batteries, was put in motion towards Winchester, but the sad death of Gen. Lander caused a return to camp on the next day. On the 3d, all the troops turned out to pay military honors to the departed hero, the Seventh Ohio being detailed to escort his remains to the cars.

Gen. Shields succeeded him, and led the division up and down the Shenandoah Valley until it became a terror to the enemy and was thought almost invincible.

Passing down the railroad to Martinsburg, and taking the stone pike, it reached a point four miles north of Winchester, on the 12th of March. The rebels had evacuated during the previous day, and there was no work to be done until the reconnaissance to Strasburg was made on the 20th. An artillery skirmish took place without loss, and the troops made a hasty return during the drizzling rain of the 21st.

The hasty retreat over the sharp stones, through the rain, and with only one halt in twenty-two miles, made that another of the severe marches which multiplied on that fated division. One poor fellow of the 110th Pa. was so fatigued that he stepped into the corner of the fence to end his military career forever. The next morning only about 100 of this regiment could report for duty.