E. B. Tyler entered the service as colonel of the Seventh. He brought with him some little military experience, having been a brigadier-general of militia before the rebellion broke out.
When General McClellan was about to make his advance into Western Virginia, he selected Tyler to lead the way, on account of his thorough acquaintance with that wild region, he having been engaged in purchasing furs from the people for many years. During the entire summer he was kept well out to the front. He was finally given a brigade, with which to assist General Cox in driving General Wise from the valley. He moved as far as Somerville, in the very heart of the enemy's country, and was soon after in the skirmish of Cross Lanes. From this time, during the remainder of his stay in the department, he was in command at Charleston, in the Kanawha Valley. In the winter following, he was ordered to Kelley's department, where he was again given a brigade, with which he did good service on the outposts. We next find him at the battle of Winchester, where he commanded a brigade. It was his command that charged the battery, for which it acquired so much renown. His conduct at this battle won him a star. He now served with his command in the Valley, accompanying it to the Rappahannock and back. After which he commanded the forces in the battle of Port Republic. His conduct in this engagement is above criticism. No general could have made better dispositions than he, and no one would have met with better success. Defeat was certain; and all that the best generalship could do, was to save barely a remnant of the command. It is a wonder that any artillery was saved. He gained much reputation in his command for the manner in which he acquitted himself in this battle. He soon after left his old brigade, and finally took command of a Pennsylvania brigade, which he led in the battle of Fredericksburg, in December, 1862. He had acquired a fine reputation with Governor Curtin, and his conduct in this battle confirmed it. The spring following he was assigned to a command in Baltimore, under General Schenck. At the time of the raid on Washington, in the summer of 1864, he was at the front. During an engagement he became separated from his command, and only escaped by dint of hard riding. After remaining concealed for some days, he escaped, and returned in safety to our lines. After this campaign he returned to Baltimore, where he is at the present time stationed.
BREVET BRIG.-GEN. J. S. CASEMENT.
J. S. Casement came into the regiment as major, and was just the man for the place. The regiment needed a practical, common-sense sort of a man, and it found him in the person of Jack Casement. Many of his previous years had been spent in the construction of railroads. In this he had not a superior in the United States. He is of small stature, but of iron frame; and for endurance has few equals. He will shoulder and walk off under a load that would make the most athletic tremble. He has probably superintended the laying of as much track as any man of his age.
On joining the regiment, the major at once made himself useful in looking after matters for the comfort of the command, that really belonged to no one to look to, and yet, when attended to, went far to improve the condition of the men. He rapidly acquired a knowledge of military tactics, which was afterwards to fit him for a leader. This was not difficult for him to do, for he made it a practical study. He was always on duty when the occasion required it. This habit of promptness he acquired while working large parties of men, and it never left him during his service. During the long marches in Western Virginia, he was ever watchful as to how matters were going on in the rear; and while other mounted officers were riding leisurely along, he was ever watchful of the train, as well as all other matters connected with the easy movement of the command. Arriving in camp, he made it his business to see that all was snug. At the affair at Cross Lanes he conducted himself with such gallantry as to endear him to the entire regiment. He rode over that fatal field as calm and collected as on drill. When his superior officers had escaped, he organized the balance of the command, and then commenced that memorable march over the hills and mountains, through the valleys and over the streams, of that wild waste. It was finally crowned with success, and the regiment felt proud of its major; and the Western Reserve felt proud, too, that they had sent so brave a man to serve with so brave a regiment. He now did his duty, until we find the regiment in the East, and in its expedition to Blue's Gap, Major Casement at its head. Just before reaching the fortifications, he made a speech. Said he: "Boys, you've not got much of a daddy, but with such as you have, I want you to go for those rebels." And they did go for them in earnest. It seems the boys did not object to the character of the "daddy." He now went with the regiment to Winchester, where he was engaged in that battle. He sat on his horse where the bullets were flying thickest, and seemed to be a stranger to fear. When the battle was nearly over, followed by a few men, he took possession of a piece of artillery, and held it until the close of the action. In the evening succeeding the battle, he found that ten rifle-bullets had passed through the cape of his coat on the left side, near to his arm.
Major Casement accompanied the regiment on its march up the Valley, making himself useful in the way of constructing bridges and roads. On arriving at Falmouth, on the Rappahannock, he tendered his resignation, which being accepted, he returned to his home. All missed the merry laugh, as well as the merry jokes, of the ever happy major.
He was not long permitted to enjoy home, however, as in the following summer he was made colonel of the One Hundred and Third Ohio Regiment, and immediately after left for the field. His regiment was ordered to Kentucky, in which department he served until Sherman's triumphant march on Atlanta, when he joined him, and soon after commanded a brigade. In this campaign he distinguished himself. After Sherman left for Savannah, Casement commanded a brigade in Thomas' army. At the battle of Franklin, which followed, he conducted himself in such a brilliant manner as to win a star by brevet. He now took part in the pursuit of the disorganized forces of Hood, and when it ceased, went to Wilmington, North Carolina, with the corps of General Schofield, where he has since remained.
The career of this dashing officer has been one of usefulness, and his numerous friends, as well as the entire country, appreciate his services.
BRIGADIER JOHN W. SPRAGUE.[4]
General Sprague entered the service as captain of Company E. He immediately gained a high character as an officer, both for his fine military bearing and gentlemanly deportment. His company was first in discipline, and during the time he was in command not one of his men was under arrest. His influence was such, that they seldom disobeyed an order. They regarded their captain as a fit person to lead them—one whose example was worthy of imitation.