"There is no need to tell you what the lesson of this war is. You have learned it in many a weary march, and on many a field of carnage. None know better than you, that there are but two ways possible for the termination of this war. One is an inglorious peace and disgraceful submission, and the other is to completely crush the military power of the rebellion. There is no other way; and he who goes about on street-corners, and talks about a peace short of one or the other of these alternatives, is either grossly ignorant or intentionally attempting to deceive. More than that, no one knows better than yourselves, that to secure a lasting peace, when the military power of the rebellion is crushed, the cause of this infernal rebellion itself must be thoroughly wiped out. You have been taught that in many a fiery lesson, and know it to be a truth.
"There are gallant men and brave generals in the army laboring to reach this end; and we have confidence that their efforts will be crowned with success. God grant that it may be so. I had almost said that God and Grant will make it so.
"But I will detain you no longer. There is another greeting awaiting you in your homes—a greeting that no other eyes should witness. To that sacred and precious greeting I remit you."
The regiment now marched off to Camp Cleveland, escorted by the old members of the Seventh.
The men were given a brief furlough, after which preparations were made to be mustered out.
On the 4th of July, a grand ovation was given to the regiment, in connection with the Eighth Ohio; in fact, while the regiment remained in Cleveland, it was one continued ovation. The citizens vied with each other, in caring for and honoring the old Seventh. It seemed as if they could not do enough. These brave men will not soon forget the anxious care bestowed upon them by the citizens of Cleveland, during this closing period of their career in the service of their country.
After remaining for a brief period in camp, the regiment was mustered out; and after kindly farewells had been exchanged, each member departed for his home, from which he had been so long absent in protecting a Government that he loved from the ruthless touch of treason and slavery.
When the regiment entered the field, it numbered more than a thousand men. As these began to dwindle away by the shock of battle and the ravages of disease, new members came in, until we find nearly fourteen hundred men on the rolls, exclusive of three months' men: the latter would swell the number to about eighteen hundred men. Of the former, over six hundred were killed and wounded—the killed alone amounting to about one hundred and thirty. One hundred and upwards died from disease; while more than six hundred were discharged on account of disability arising from various causes. Many of those who were on the rolls at the time the regiment was mustered out were disabled for life, and were only retained for the want of an opportunity to be discharged. The whole number of able-bodied officers and men returning with the regiment was only two hundred and forty-five, leaving upwards of eleven hundred dead and disabled.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL E. B. TYLER.[3]