The Seventh Regiment: A Record

by George L. Wood

After the battle was over, and the regiment on the retreat, seeing a wounded captain lying almost within the enemy's lines, he rode up to his company, and pointing to where he was lying, said: "Do you see your captain over yonder? Now, go for him!" They did go for him, and succeeded in bringing him from the field in safety.

Only a few were missing from the regiment in this action, although the list of killed and wounded was fearful.

We next find Creighton at the battle of Cedar Mountain, where a small division fought the whole of Jackson's army on ground of his own choosing. Creighton handled his regiment with a dexterity that told fearfully on the ranks of the enemy. He was finally severely wounded, and compelled to leave the field. In doing so, he kept his face to the foe, saying that "no rebel ever saw his back in battle; and never would." He was taken to Washington, where the bullet was extracted from his side, which was an exceedingly painful operation. Soon after this he came to his home; but while still carrying his arm in a sling, he reported to his regiment.

While at home the battle of Antietam was fought, which was the only one in which he failed to participate. Soon after his return, the affair at Dumfries occurred, where, through his ingenuity and skill, Hampton's cavalry command was defeated by a mere handful of men. For this he was publicly thanked by Generals Slocum and Geary.

He now took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, where he won new laurels. It is said that being ordered by General Hooker to fall back, he refused to do so until able to bring Knapp's Battery safely to the rear; for which disobedience of orders he was recommended for promotion. This battery was from his native city, and in it he had many friends.

Next he was at Gettysburg, where he fought with his accustomed valor.

We now find him at Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, in "Hooker's battle above the clouds," where the victory was so suddenly and unexpectedly won, that scarcely sufficient time intervened in which to display valor. It was simply a race for the top of the mountain on the part of our men; and a corresponding race on the part of the rebels for the foot of the mountain on the opposite side.

After this battle came the pursuit of Bragg. His rear-guard was overtaken at Ringgold, Georgia, where it was securely posted on the top of Taylor's Ridge—a naked eminence. It was madness to undertake to drive them from this hill, without the use of artillery to cover the assault; but in the excitement of the moment the order was given. In this assault Creighton commanded a brigade. Forming his command, he made a speech. "Boys," said he, "we are ordered to take that hill. I want to see you walk right up it." After this characteristic speech, he led his men up the hill. It soon became impossible to advance against the terrible fire by which they were met; he, therefore, led them into a ravine, but the rebels poured such a fire into it from all sides, that the command was driven back. Reaching a fence, Creighton stopped, and facing the foe, waited for his command to reach the opposite side. While in this position he fell, pierced through the body with a rifle bullet. His last words were: "Oh, my dear wife!" and he expired almost immediately. The brigade now fell rapidly back, carrying the remains of its idolized commander with it.

Lieutenant-Colonel Orrin J. Crane was born in Troy, New York, in the year 1829. At three years of age his parents moved to their native State, Vermont. Soon after, his father died, leaving but limited means for the support and education of his children. His mother was a Christian woman, and devoted to her children. From her he received his first lessons of life; and a worthy teacher he had. He cherished his mother with the utmost affection, dwelling upon her goodness with almost child-like simplicity. It was touching to listen to the words of love and confidence falling for her, from the lips of the sturdy warrior, who braved the battle-fire without a tremor.

In early youth he went to live with an uncle, and in about 1852 came with him to Conneaut, Ohio, where he employed himself in mechanical labor. He spent one year on the Isthmus, and after his return went to Cleveland, where he engaged in the occupation of a ship-carpenter, following this trade till the fall of Sumter. While in Cleveland he associated himself with a military organization.