The Seventh Regiment: A Record

by George L. Wood

During the trying marches in Western Virginia, Captain Sprague was ever at his post to encourage and cheer his men. A few days previous to the Cross Lanes affair, he was given a leave of absence; and soon after leaving for his home, he was taken prisoner by the enemy's cavalry. He remained in prison about a year, suffering all the hardships that the imagination can picture. When he was released, his hair had become gray, and his every appearance was indicative of great suffering. On his return, he was immediately commissioned colonel of the Sixty-third Ohio Regiment, and very soon after entered the field. From this time on he did gallant service in the armies of the West. His great military talent was at last acknowledged, and his vast services rewarded by conferring on him a star. He is now serving in the West.

LIEUT.-COL. SAMUEL McCLELLAND.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Ireland. He was born in 1829. While in his youth, his parents emigrated to this country, landing at Philadelphia, from whence they went to Pittsburgh. Remaining here for a short time, they removed to Youngstown, Ohio, where they have since resided.

He entered the service as first-lieutenant of Company I, and was at once active in the discharge of his duty. He accompanied the regiment to Western Virginia, where he took part in all the hard marches that followed. At the affair of Cross Lanes, he demonstrated, by his gallantry, the fact of the possession of great military talent; for he was brave, prudent, and skilful. Up to the battle of Winchester, he was with the regiment in every march and skirmish. At this battle he commanded a company, and had the honor of opening the battle, and sustaining it for a few minutes, till other companies formed on his flanks.

He was engaged in the following battles and skirmishes, which embrace every one in which the regiment was engaged: Cross Lanes, Winchester, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Dumfries, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and Taylor's Ridge. The various skirmishes and battles during the march of Sherman to Marietta, are to be added to this list. At the battle of Winchester he was slightly wounded in the head, but remained on the field, against the urgent solicitations of his friends, until the close of the engagement. At the battle of Taylor's Ridge he was severely wounded in the leg. He now returned to his home, but remained but a short time, rejoining his command before he was entirely recovered.

While in the East he was made captain of Company H, and after the battle of Taylor's Ridge, lieutenant-colonel. He now took command of the regiment; leading it through the arduous campaign of Sherman, as far as Marietta, in which service he won a fine reputation for ability as an officer. He was known and recognized throughout the army as the fighting colonel. At the above place, the old Seventh turned its steps homeward, commanded by Colonel McClelland, who had the proud satisfaction of leading the regiment into Cleveland, to do which the lamented Creighton was ever ambitious.

When encamped in the city, he set himself industriously at work preparing the regiment to be mustered out; which was done in due time.

McClelland was one of the few officers who were ever at their post. He was brave, active, and zealous, a good officer in every particular. His kindness and good feeling towards his fellow-soldiers won him many friends. His family have suffered severe loss, two brave brothers having died in battle. During all this affliction he has remained true to his country, his patriotism never growing cold for a moment.

MAJOR FREDERICK A. SEYMOUR.

The subject of this sketch came into the regiment as captain of Company G, having organized the company immediately after the first call for troops. He had seen a good deal of service in the militia of his native State, which was of great assistance to him in this new position. When the regiment was organized for the three-years' service, he was elected to his old position, which was an indication of the esteem his company had for him.