The Seventh Regiment: A Record

by George L. Wood

During the pursuit of Floyd, he travelled on foot at the head of his regiment. When the rebel army was likely to be overtaken, Benham remarked to him, that "he depended on him to rout the enemy," and gave him the post of honor; but when the firing became rapid, his regiment was ordered to the front, where a part of it was engaged in skirmishing, while the balance were smoking their pipes and engaging in sports, almost under the guns of the enemy, Creighton enjoying the fun as well as any in the command.

The detachment returned, after fifteen days' absence, without the loss of a man, save one injured by the accidental discharge of a gun.

The regiment now went to the East, where, soon after, Tyler was given a brigade, and Creighton again commanded the regiment.

At the battle of Winchester, which followed soon after, his was the first regiment in the famous charge of the Third brigade, for which it acquired such renown. He disagreed with the commanding officer as to the manner of making the charge, preferring to deploy before advancing, than to charge a battery in close column. But throwing all personal feelings and preferences aside, he dashed forward, and finally deployed his regiment within eighty yards of the enemy's line of battle, and under a terrible fire of both musketry and artillery. His horse being shot from under him, he seized a musket, and engaged in the strife, firing rapidly till near the close of the battle, when he was compelled to cease for the purpose of executing some order.

On the return of the command to New Market, after the pursuit of Jackson to near Harrisonburg, the company tents were ordered to be delivered up; whereupon Creighton was very indignant, and, in connection with other officers, sent in his resignation. They were ordered to report to General Shields the next morning. Accordingly, dressed in their "best," they reported. They were received with all the politeness that pompous general knew how to assume, with an invitation to be seated. The general informed them that their resignations would not be accepted; but remarked, that, "if they desired it, he would have their names stricken from the army rolls in disgrace." This witticism rather amused Creighton than otherwise, and he returned to camp with a much better opinion of the general than he was possessed of before making his visit.

He now commanded the regiment in its march to Fredericksburg, sharing with his men the hardships attending the toilsome march; and when, a few days after, the regiment returned to the Valley, he did much to cheer the men in that discouraging march.

At Front Royal he remained with his regiment during a heavy storm, to which it was exposed without tents, disdaining to seek shelter and comfort while his men were thus exposed.

The men were now very destitute of clothing, especially shoes; but when ordered, he moved to Columbia Bridge, followed by one hundred men barefooted. He now went personally to General Shields, but was coldly received by that general, being subjected to insulting remarks. He came back to his regiment with that same unutterable expression of contempt stamped upon his features, which all will remember who served with him in the field; and getting his men in column, closed in mass, made a speech. Said he: "I am unable to procure shoes or other comforts for you; but I will follow these generals until there is not a man left in the regiment. Forward, company H!" And he did follow them to Port Republic, where his words came near proving true.

At this battle his bravery and daring were observed by every one. He made repeated charges with his regiment, the line being as correct as on dress-parade. After one of these charges, the enemy's cavalry came dashing towards his regiment, and dispositions were immediately made for forming a square; but the enemy wisely wheeled, and charged another regiment. The colonel of this regiment, being unable to get his men in position, shouted in a stentorian voice: "Men of the ——th, look at the Seventh Ohio; and d—n you, weep!"

In this battle the regiment made five charges, under the leadership of Creighton; and each time driving the enemy.