The Seventh Regiment: A Record

by George L. Wood

At the battle of Cedar Mountain he was slightly wounded, losing a finger.

In July he was sent to Ohio to bring forward the drafted men assigned to the Seventh. While on his way from Columbus to his home in Bristol, he met with a frightful accident resulting in death. While seated in an omnibus, it was driven on to the railroad track, directly in front of a train. In jumping out, he was knocked down by the cars and run over, mangling both legs frightfully. He was taken to the New England House, but nothing could be done for him, and he expired early the following morning. The following is from the pen of one who knew him and prized him:[6]

"The career of this young man has been short but brilliant. He has been a soldier and a man; pure, noble-hearted, sympathetic, and always ready for any duty. He has been brave, courageous, and trustworthy. He has gone from us with no stain upon his honor, no spots upon his escutcheon, but with his armor begrimed with the dust of many battles. Although young in years, he had lived long, if you count the hardships he had endured, the stirring and momentous events through which he had passed, and in the transpiring of which he had been an actor, the service he rendered his country, and humanity at large, and the good he had done; if gauged by this standard, he had become more mature than many men who have attained their threescore and ten years. So bright an example cannot fail to have a good influence upon the young men of the country. His violent death will bring his virtues prominently before their minds, and cannot fail to make an impression. Let all be exhorted to emulate his patriotism, his gallantry, his valor, his promptness in the discharge of duty, his kindness of heart, suavity of manner, his manly and soldier-like qualities; and if in civil life, they will become manlier men—if in military life, they cannot fail to become better and braver soldiers."

He was buried near where he was born, on the banks of a rippling brook, under the shade of beautiful trees, through the boughs of which will sing an everlasting requiem fitting so brave and active a spirit. The citizens of the vicinity turned out in mass to honor his memory with their presence, and tearful eyes and expressive looks showed their heartfelt sympathy for the afflicted mother, sister, brother, and relatives; while a military organization from Warren gave him the fitting escort, and fired three volleys over his grave.

A grateful public will not forget this heroic and noble sacrifice. Let an enduring monument be erected. Not of marble, which may crumble; but let his manly deeds be engraved upon the tablets of their memory, and let his virtues and sacrifices be interwoven with the affections, the sympathies, and the lives of the people, so that while time lasts, and all that is noble in human action, good in thought, and true in conception and motive, shall be treasured as sacred memories, this hero will not be forgotten, because kept fresh with the watering of many tears.

LIEUTENANT JOSEPH H. ROSS.

Joseph H. Ross entered the service as a private in Captain W. R. Sterling's company. Soon after arriving in camp he was made a sergeant, and finally orderly. He was engaged in all the marches and skirmishes in Western Virginia, and at Cross Lanes fought like a veteran. He was in the battle of Winchester, where he displayed such reckless bravery as to attract the attention of the entire command. While the regiment was partially concealed behind a ridge, within eighty yards of the enemy, Ross was not content with remaining at such a distance, but creeping over the hill, crawled forward on his hands and knees till he was midway between the lines, and taking a position behind a rock, swung his hat to those behind. None but Sergeant Whiting, of Company D, had the courage to follow him. From behind this rock, the two heroes kept up a constant fire on the enemy, hitting their man at every shot.

Ross was now made a lieutenant, and assigned to Company C. He was in the battle of Port Republic, where he fought with his usual bravery. At the battle of Cedar Mountain he commanded Company C. During the entire day he led his men with such certainty, that they slaughtered the enemy fearfully. Night came, and he had not received a scratch, while the thinned ranks testified how many had fallen around him. Soon after dark, as if the regiment had not already suffered sufficiently, it was ordered on picket. When about a mile out, it was fired upon from all quarters, and Lieutenant Ross fell, mortally wounded. He died soon after. His loss was deeply felt, both in the army and at home; for he was a true soldier and friend.

LIEUTENANT FRANK JOHNSON.

At this same bloody battle of Cedar Mountain, another youthful hero fell, Frank Johnson, Company F. He had entered the service as a private in John Man's company, and had risen through the different grades of corporal and sergeant to be a lieutenant. He had toiled along through the hard marches of the Seventh, struggling against a weak constitution, which was every day being impaired by hardships and exposure. He had fought nobly in the battles of Winchester and Port Republic,—recognized by the authorities by giving him a commission; and now, in the morning of his new life as a leader, he fell at the head of his company.