Having a natural taste for military life, in 1859 he joined a company of Light Guards as a private, but soon rose to the positions of corporal, sergeant, and finally lieutenant. The latter position he filled with credit, until the rebellion broke out, when, on the organization of the Sprague Cadets, for three months' service, he hastened to enroll his name. He was soon made orderly sergeant, which position he held when the company went into camp. After the regiment arrived in Camp Dennison, he was elected a second-lieutenant of his company. And on its final organization for the three years' service, he was chosen its adjutant, by a vote of its officers, and soon after received his commission, with the rank of first-lieutenant.
He accompanied the regiment in its arduous Western Virginia campaign, and during the time Colonel Tyler commanded a brigade, he served as acting assistant adjutant-general. At the affair at Cross Lanes, he took a prominent as well as gallant part. He was among the number of those who made the march over the mountains to Elk River and Charleston.
He accompanied the regiment to Kelly's department, where he again acted as acting assistant adjutant-general to Colonel Tyler, serving in this capacity until his resignation, which took place in March.
When the National Guard was organized, he raised a company, and was made its captain. In this position he served during the one hundred days' campaign of this corps, being stationed in a fort in the vicinity of Washington.
Every one who came in connection with the Seventh Regiment will remember the stentorian voice and soldierly bearing of its first adjutant.
LIEUTENANT HALBERT B. CASE.
Halbert B. Case was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 3, 1838. His father being a farmer, he was bred to that occupation. At the age of sixteen years he entered the W. R. Seminary, at Farmington, Ohio, preparatory to entering college. After a year and a half spent in this institution of learning, he went to Oberlin, where he pursued his studies for more than three years, when, his health failing him, he was compelled to leave college.
During the winter of 1859, his health being somewhat improved, he went to Tiffin, Ohio, and commenced the study of the law. He remained here two winters. In the spring of 1860, being in indifferent health, he returned to his home in Mecca, Ohio, where he pursued his studies privately for some months. After which he went to Warren, and studied law with Forrist and Burnett until the breaking out of the rebellion.
On the 19th day of April, 1861, deeming it his duty to serve his country, he enlisted in Asper's company, the first organized in the county. He was soon after made orderly-sergeant. When the three years' organization was made, he was unanimously chosen a lieutenant by a vote of his company.
He served honorably during the campaign in Western Virginia, taking an active part in the affair of Cross Lanes, sharing the fortunes of the detachment under Major Casement.