The subject of this sketch is a native of Germany, and entered the service as a sergeant in a company composed of his fellow-countrymen. He very soon rose to the rank of lieutenant, and before the term of service of the regiment expired, to that of captain. He was in the following battles and skirmishes: Cross Lanes, Winchester, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Dumfries, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, and in all the engagements in which his regiment took part in Sherman's march on Atlanta. No officer can show a prouder record. He was always with his command, and on all occasions showed great bravery and gallantry, as well as ability to command.
Immediately after the Seventh was mustered out, he was appointed major of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment, and left soon after for the field. He now added to the above glorious list of battles that of Franklin, where he fully sustained the honors that he gained while with the old Seventh. He is at the present time in General Thomas' army, where he will remain, if his life is spared, until the overthrow of the rebellion.
CAPTAIN J. B. MOLYNEAUX.
The subject of this sketch was born, January 1, 1840, at Ann Arbor, in the State of Michigan. At the age of four years his father removed to Penn Yan, New York, and soon after to Bath and Elmira, in the same State. In 1854, young Molyneaux went to Belville, Ohio, and commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Whitcomb. He remained for nearly a year, when, not liking the study, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the job-office of John Williston, where he learned the art of printing.
Having a natural liking for military life, he joined the Light Guards, and afterwards the Sprague Cadets, of which he was appointed drill-master. On the first call for troops, he joined a company being raised by Captain De Villiers, as a private, being among the first to enroll his name. Soon after arriving in camp, he was appointed a sergeant, and, immediately after, drill-master for the non-commissioned officers of the regiment. On the three years' organization, he was unanimously chosen first-lieutenant by the vote of his company. He remained with this company during the earlier part of the campaign in Western Virginia, taking a gallant part in the affair of Cross Lanes, as also in the final march of Major Casement's detachment to Charleston. After this action, he was placed in command of Company E, which command he held until January, 1862, and then being relieved, only for the purpose of receiving the appointment of adjutant.
He took part in all the marches and skirmishes in both Western and Eastern Virginia. At the battle of Winchester, he was mentioned, in the official report of his colonel, for gallantry on the battle-field. At the battle of Port Republic, he won new laurels, being constantly under the enemy's fire. In the fearful struggle at Cedar Mountain, he particularly distinguished himself. He was, for a limited time, in command of the regiment, during which he extricated it from a position, where, under a less skilful leader, it would have been captured. In this gallant exploit, Molyneaux lost two horses, one of them being pierced by fourteen bullets.
In September, 1862, he was appointed captain, after having waived rank three times. This position he held until March, 1863, when, on account of wounds and ill-health, he was compelled to resign. In the mean time, he was with the regiment in all its marches, as well as the battle of Antietam and the affair at Dumfries.
On his return home he followed his occupation of a printer, until the governor's call for the National Guard, when he again entered the service as a captain. His regiment being stationed in the defences of Washington, he was placed in command of a fort, which was, a part of the time, garrisoned by several companies. After the expiration of his term of service, he returned to his home in Cleveland, and resumed his business.
CAPTAIN CHARLES A. WEED.
Charles A. Weed was born, March 30, 1840, in Lake County, Ohio. He enlisted in Captain John N. Dyer's company, on the 22d day of April, 1861. After its arrival in camp, he was made orderly-sergeant, in which capacity he developed fine military talent, such as led his company, at an early time, to look upon him as a proper person for promotion when a vacancy should occur. Therefore, on the final organization of the company for the three years' service, he was made a first-lieutenant. He was with the regiment during the entire Western Virginia campaign, taking part in the skirmish at Cross Lanes, in which he took command of the company after the death of Captain Dyer, which position he held until January, 1862, when he was relieved by an officer promoted to the captaincy by reason of superiority of rank. He was soon after made captain, February 5, 1862, and assigned to Company E.