The Seventh Regiment: A Record

by George L. Wood

During this time, the Seventh was supporting a section of Huntington's Battery. This new movement was directed against the position occupied by it. When arriving within range of the guns, the enemy charged. The regiment reserved its fire until the rebel column approached within easy range, when, by order of Colonel Creighton, the regiment, which had hitherto been concealed by the tall spires of wheat, rose to its feet, and delivered its fire. This shower of lead made a fearful gap in the lines of the advancing column. It staggered, and finally halted. The Seventh now plunged into the midst of the foe, when an awful scene of carnage followed. After a short struggle, the enemy was pressed back, followed by the exultant victors. The Fifth and Twenty-ninth Ohio regiments did gallant service in this charge. When the enemy had been pressed back for half a mile, the column halted, reformed, and then fell back to its old position.

The enemy now made a furious attack on the extreme right of the division, to meet which the Seventh changed front on the Fourth company. The enemy was soon driven back in great confusion, and with heavy loss. Immediately recovering from this temporary check, he made an onslaught on the centre, which resulted in his repulse, with greater loss than in any previous attack; the Fifth Ohio alone capturing a piece of artillery and many prisoners.

During these operations, the enemy sent a heavy column against our left; and debouching from the timber, came down with such rapidity as to overwhelm the small force of infantry supporting four guns of Clark's Battery. This force, endeavoring to make a defence, came near being captured. The guns, of course, fell into the hands of the enemy. The Seventh and Fifth Ohio regiments were now directed to regain the position. Moving by the left flank to the rear of the position under a heavy fire, these two regiments dashed up the hill and over the guns, into the midst of the terrified rebels. Five color-bearers had now been shot down, while advancing as many rods. Lieutenant King seized the colors and pressed forward, followed by the regiment, which sent volley after volley after the fugitives, the firing ceasing only when the rebels were covered by a friendly hill. We were soon ordered to drive them from this position, which was done in gallant style, the command charging up the steep sides of the hill, in the face of the foe.

A large column of the enemy was now seen advancing from the bridge to the scene of action. It was therefore thought advisable by General Tyler to withdraw from the field during this check of the enemy, and before these re-enforcements could be brought into the contest.

This movement was executed under the direction of Colonel Carroll; and, with few exceptions, the retreat was as orderly as the advance.

After falling back some miles, we met the balance of the command under General Shields, who assumed the direction of the forces. Eighteen miles from the battle-field, the command halted for the night; and, on the third day, reached the vicinity of Luray, where it went into camp.

The importance of this engagement has been underrated. Great and beneficial results to the Union army would have followed a victory; as it was, a great disaster succeeded. The impetuous Jackson having thus prevented McDowell's forces from uniting with the grand army, dashed down in front of Richmond, and hurling his army against the right wing of McClellan, gave the Federal army its first check, which finally resulted in its overthrow. McClellan expecting McDowell, received Jackson. Had the former formed a junction with him, the grand army would have entered Richmond; but receiving Jackson, it entered Washington. This failure to intercept Jackson was due to General Shields' disobedience of orders. His entire division should have been on the ground on Sunday, or none of it; and on its arrival, he should have burned the bridge: then the capture of Jackson would have been rendered probable, but, as events occurred, it was impossible. A part of the division not being in supporting distance, rendered the burning of the bridge a necessity; but Shields regarded it differently. His order to save the bridge was the extreme of folly. To make himself a name, he came near sacrificing his command. On Sunday, Colonel Carroll's forces were in a position to have burned the bridge. Soon after, the enemy commanded it, with eighteen pieces of cannon. Early in the day it was safe to approach it—afterwards, madness.

This bridge in his possession, gave the enemy an opportunity to debouch on to the open plain. When there, the advance of Shields' division was liable to be crushed. The preservation of the bridge rendered it certain that he would be there, because this plain lay between him and safety. To avoid entering it, was to surrender. The shrewd Jackson chose to enter it. When there, he turned upon Tyler, and overwhelmed him; then moved off at his leisure. The defeat of Tyler was certain; his escape, marvellous. Jackson anticipated an easy victory, but met with a stubborn resistance. This mistake of Jackson saved Tyler.

When McDowell saw that the pursuit of Jackson was a failure, he endeavored to collect his forces at Fredericksburg, for the purpose of carrying out his original intention of joining McClellan; but Jackson was there before him, and the grand army had been beaten back.

Had the forces of Generals Banks and Fremont been left to take care of Jackson, and thus left McDowell with his 41,000 men free to go down to Richmond, the labor of historians would have been lessened.