The Seventh Regiment: A Record

by George L. Wood

LIEUTENANT E. S. QUAY.

E. S. Quay entered the service as second-lieutenant of Company G. He was with the regiment at Cross Lanes, where he gave promise of much future usefulness as a soldier. He accompanied the regiment to Eastern Virginia, where he was acting assistant adjutant-general to Colonel Tyler. He took part in the battle of Winchester, where he did splendid service. After Tyler's promotion to a general, he was made adjutant-general, and assigned to his staff. In this capacity, he served in the battle of Port Republic, where he gained new laurels. He finally went to his home on account of ill-health, and after a time, died of consumption. He was a good soldier.

LIEUTENANT JAMES P. BRISBINE.

James P. Brisbine was a native of Trumbull County, Ohio. He was born in 1836. His parents dying while he was quite young, he went to live with an uncle by the name of Applegate. He received a fair education, and during the time, in part, maintaining himself by teaching school in winter. In the spring of 1860, he commenced reading law in Warren, Ohio, which he continued until the breaking out of the rebellion. During his course of study, he gave promise of an able and useful lawyer. When it became evident that the rebellion could not be suppressed but by the force of arms, he deemed it his duty to leave the study of the profession of his choice, and enroll himself among the defenders of his country. This step he considered as a decided sacrifice to him; for, by nature, he was in no way inclined to the life of a soldier; he preferred the quiet life of a citizen, which is alone to be found at home. It was with many misgivings that he finally placed his name on the roll. In doing this, he was alone influenced by patriotic motives. When urged to be a candidate for the position of sergeant, he declined to have any thing to do with the matter; but was elected, notwithstanding his indifference.

At Camp Dennison, he was made orderly-sergeant. He took part in the skirmish at Cross Lanes, where he made a good record as a soldier. Soon after entering the field, his health failed him. The long marches often taxed him beyond his strength; but he seldom complained. He was not in the battle of Winchester on account of sickness, being disabled from the effects of the severe march from Strasburg, which took place a short time before. He expressed many regrets on account of his absence. But he very soon had an opportunity to test his courage on the battle-field. The engagement of Port Republic occurred shortly after. He was in no respect second in gallantry to those who were in the previous battle. He was ever at his post, doing his duty. During the latter part of the battle, a captain, an intimate friend, fell, severely wounded. He caught him in his arms, and laid him gently on the ground, pillowing his head in his lap. The regiment moved off, and the rebels advanced; but he refused to leave his friend. And he did not leave until the captain was borne away by his comrades. He passed through this battle without a scratch. He accompanied the regiment to Alexandria, and from there to the front of Pope's army. He now took part in the battle of Cedar Mountain. While cheering his men forward, he was wounded. Two men took him in their arms, and started in search of the hospital; but before they were off the field a bullet struck him in the groin, severing the femoral artery. Said he, "Remember, boys, I die for my country," and expired in their arms. Thus, a true and devoted friend of his country died to preserve it from the attacks of those who had been educated and supported by it from boyhood.

As an officer, Lieutenant Brisbine was much esteemed; as a companion, he was admired by every one. I doubt if he had an enemy in the army or at home. He won his promotion in the field; and it was, therefore, a much greater prize than a higher rank conferred by favor. He was commissioned early in 1862.

LIEUTENANT CHARLES A. BROOKS.

The subject of this sketch was born in Bristol, Trumbull County, in the year 1843. He early developed those good qualities of head and heart for which he was afterwards so distinguished. Being a good student, attentive to his books, as he was to every other good purpose, he acquired a good education, which would have enabled him to engage in any occupation with credit to himself and profit to the community.

He was desirous of entering the service when the war first began, but was held back by domestic ties which bound him strongly to home. But on the second call for troops, he could no longer remain out of the army; and, hastening to a recruiting station, he enlisted in Company H, of the Seventh Regiment. He arrived at Camp Dennison on the 30th of May, and, with others, was mustered into the service. His tall, commanding figure, connected with his sterling qualities of mind, pointed him out as a proper person for promotion. He was, therefore made a corporal, and, as soon as a vacancy occurred, a sergeant. His officers soon put unlimited confidence in him. If a hazardous enterprise was to be performed, he was deemed fitting to undertake it. While still a sergeant, Creighton would often point him out as his future adjutant. Finally, when Adjutant Shepherd was compelled to resign, on account of growing ill health, Creighton procured his appointment as first-lieutenant, and at once detailed him as his adjutant. He came to this position entirely qualified; for, from the time he had been made orderly of Company H, he transacted all of the business of the company. He was in the affair at Cross Lanes, and all other skirmishes in which the regiment was engaged, as well as the following battles: Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Dumfries, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.

Near the close of the battle of Port Republic, he saw one of his old officers lying, seriously wounded, so near the enemy's lines as to be in danger of capture. Throwing down his gun, in company with Charles Garrard, he braved the battle-fire, and brought his old comrade safely from the field; thus, probably, saving his life.