Chapter XXII · The advance towards Atlanta. — Skirmishing. — Homeward march. — Its reception. — Muster out.

The series of successes in the vicinity of Chattanooga made Grant a lieutenant-general, and gave Sherman the command of the armies in Tennessee. Preparations were now made to press back the forces marshalled in rebellion at all points. Early in the spring the ball was opened in the East by Lieutenant-General Grant in person, while in the West the indomitable Sherman set his invincible army in motion towards the very heart of the so-called Confederacy. The advance was sounded, and the Union hosts pressed onward.

By sunset on the 17th of May the Seventh Regiment reached Calhoun, and on the 19th the vicinity of Cassville, where it hastily threw up some breastworks; but after two hours was ordered forward in line of battle. On the 23d it passed through the latter village, across the railroad, and at four P.M., arrived on the banks of the Etawa River; and after fording the stream, bivouacked for the night. On the 25th it took the advance of the entire column, and deployed seven companies as skirmishers. The march of these companies was very toilsome, and their progress correspondingly slow. Near Pumpkin Vine Creek the advance was fired upon by the enemy's pickets, and a sharp skirmish ensued. During this time the enemy attempted to destroy the bridge over the creek, but were driven back by the regiment; when it immediately crossed, and took possession of a commanding hill.

Generals Hooker and Geary, with staff and body-guard, had moved forward with the skirmish-line, and sometimes in advance even of this. On one of the latter occasions the body-guard was fired upon, and the three reserve companies of the Seventh were ordered to their relief.

The advance of the enemy was now held in check until the other regiments of the brigade came up, when he was dispersed.

In this skirmish, one man was killed and eight wounded. At this point the command threw up some breastworks, where it remained until six P.M., when it advanced in line of battle. In this movement the regiment became hotly engaged, losing three killed and fifteen wounded. One of the enemy's shell exploding in the ranks, occasioned the loss of eight men. On the 28th and the previous night, considerable skirmishing was kept up in front of the line of intrenchments, as well as some sharp artillery firing; which, however, did very little damage. These pieces were soon silenced by a New York battery. All day and night of the 30th the regiment was engaged in sharp skirmishing; but one man, however, was injured, and he severely. On the 2d of June it moved forward to Allatoona, Georgia, where it built breastworks, and went into camp.

Here it remained for some time, when its term of service having expired, it hastened its steps homeward; thus severing the connecting link between it and the army. The members of this veteran regiment now felt that they were no longer soldiers: that, although they retained the organization and uniform of a regiment, they were private citizens hastening to enjoy home and friends, from which they had been so long separated. They marched with joyous hearts, and yet there was sadness present with this happiness. Many a comrade was left behind, never to return. Fresh graves marked its line of march from Chattanooga to Georgia. Friends and kindred were sleeping beneath these green mounds, and they could not pass them by, in this homeward march, without a tear of regret.

Following the line of the railroad, the regiment finally halted and awaited transportation. When this was furnished, it went to Nashville by railroad, at which place it embarked on steamers and started down the Cumberland River. Arriving in the vicinity of Harpeth Shoals, it was fired on by guerrillas, and two men wounded. Both officers and men were desirous of landing and punishing this band of outlaws for their insolence, but could not prevail on the captain of the boat to permit it.

Arriving in the Ohio River, Sergeant Trembly fell from the boat and was drowned. This was a sad occurrence. He had served faithfully during the service of the regiment; and now, on the eve of being mustered out, he lost his life by accident. The boat was stopped, and efforts made to rescue him, but without success.

When the regiment reached Cincinnati, the Fifth Ohio had already arrived. The city being about to give an ovation to this gallant regiment, the Seventh was invited to take part in it, by partaking of the hospitality of the city. This demonstration, in honor of the two regiments, was eminently fitting, for they were united by the ties of long fellowship. From the very first they had been brigaded together. The history of the one was the history of the other. They had marched, bivouacked, and fought side by side. Each prized the honor and renown of the other not less than its own. The city of Cincinnati, in thus extending its hospitality to the Seventh Regiment, did much credit to itself. The friends of the regiment will remember this magnanimous conduct, while the members of the regiment will keep green the memory of the gallant Fifth.

The following is from the Cleveland Herald, of the 11th of June:

"On Saturday afternoon, soon after the evening papers had been issued, a dispatch was received, announcing that the Seventh Ohio had but just left Cincinnati, and would not arrive in Cleveland until about seven o'clock Sunday morning. Bulletins to this effect were at once printed, and distributed through the city; but a large crowd of persons, not aware of this fact, came down to watch the arrival of the evening train, on which the Seventh was supposed to be coming.

"On Sunday morning the population of the city were early astir, and by seven o'clock a large and continually increasing crowd had assembled in and around the depot. The police, in full uniform, marched down to the depot, and were followed by the old members of the Seventh, bearing the second regimental flag, the first having been deposited in the State-house at Columbus.

"At seven o'clock the ringing of the fire-bells announced the approach of the time for the arrival of the train; and about half-past seven o'clock a salute from the guns, manned by the Brooklyn Artillery, and run down to the bluff at the foot of Water-street, announced the arrival of the train.

"As it moved into the depot it was received with cheers by the assembled crowd; and the war-worn veterans were soon out of the cars, and surrounded by anxious and joyful friends. Shouts of welcome, hearty hand-shaking, embraces and kisses, were showered upon the sun-browned soldiers. Many of the scenes were very affecting. In one place a young wife, whose husband had left for the field just after their marriage, hung with clinging embrace on her returned brave, and her moist eyes sought his with unutterable affection, her hands trembling with excess of joy. In another, an old man, with both hands grasped in those of his son, mingled smiles of joy over his returned boy, with tears of sorrow for the one who had laid down his life for his country. Mothers clung to sons, sisters to brothers, wives to husbands, and some little children climbed up for a father's embrace.

"The number all told, men and officers, of those who returned, was two hundred and forty-five. These were the remnants of nearly eleven hundred men, who left Camp Dennison three years ago, on the reorganization of the regiment. The whole number of the regiment is five hundred and one, of whom the remainder were recruited at various times, and their term of service not expired. Sixty of these were left in Sherman's army; the rest are scattered in every direction, from the James River to Atlanta. The greater part of those whose term of service has not expired are to be consolidated with the same class in the Fifth Ohio, which fought by its side in many a bloody fray, and which is to retain its number. The slightly wounded were brought up with the regiment, the more seriously wounded being left in different hospitals.

"The following is the present organization of the Seventh:

"Lieutenant-colonel, Sam. McClelland; surgeon, Dr. Bellows; assistant surgeon, Dr. Ferguson; Captain Wilcox, Company E; Captain Kreiger, Company K; Captain Clark, Company B; Captain Howe, Company A; Captain Braden, Company G; Captain Davis, Company C, taken prisoner in last fight; Captain Nesper, Company H; Captain McKay, Company F; Captain Lockwood, Company D; Lieutenant Bohm, commanding Company I; quartermaster, S. D. Loomis.

"The regiment left Chattanooga with the Fifth Ohio; but parted company on the way, the Fifth having left their arms behind them, and were therefore compelled to come by railroad, no unarmed troops being allowed to come by the river. The Seventh came up the Cumberland and Ohio rivers by steamboats, and were fired on by guerrillas on the way. One man was lost, Sergeant Trembly, of Company C, about thirty miles below Cincinnati. He was on the guards of the steamer cleaning his gun, when he fell overboard. The boat was stopped, and efforts made to save him; but he was carried away by the current and drowned.

"On reaching Cincinnati, they were ordered to Columbus to be mustered out; but when the train got to Columbus, they were ordered to go on to this city to be paid, and mustered out.

"After leaving the cars, and the greetings of friends were ended, the men were marched to one part of the depot, and given a chance to wash themselves. They were then conducted to tables set along the north wing of the depot, where a hot breakfast had been provided by Wheeler and Russel, on the order of the military committee. Rev. Mr. Goodrich invoked the blessing.

"A number of ladies were on hand, who supplied the soldiers bountifully with strawberries, after the more substantial part of the feast was concluded.

"As soon as the men had been properly fed and refreshed, they fell into line, and proceeded through Water and Superior streets to the front of the government buildings, where the formal reception was to take place. The procession was headed by the police, followed by a brass band, and by the military committee, members of the council, and city officers. The old members of the Seventh, with the second flag of the regiment, tattered and torn, immediately preceded the bronzed veterans, who, fully armed, and bearing their last flag, rent with a hailstorm of hostile bullets, marched with proud steps through the streets they had left three years and three months since. Carriages followed with the sick and wounded who were unable to march. The procession was accompanied with a throng of people, and crowds lined the streets, whilst flags fluttered in all directions.

"On reaching the front of the government building, the regiment was drawn up in double line, and Prosecuting-Attorney Grannis, in the absence of Mayor Senter, addressed the regiment, in behalf of the corporation and citizens, as follows:

"Soldiers of the Seventh Ohio—The people of the city of Cleveland welcome you home. More than three years ago, you went forth with full ranks—more than a thousand strong. To-day a little remnant returns to receive the greetings of friends, and to mingle again with society, as was your wont in times gone by. But this is not all. You, and those who went with you, whether present here to-day or absent, whether among the living or the dead, shall be held forever in grateful remembrance.

"We witnessed your departure with pride, not unmingled with sorrow. We did not regret that the men of the glorious Seventh had gone out to fight against a brutal and insolent foe, or fear that any member of it would ever fail to do his whole duty in the perilous ridges of the battle; but we did know that your departure was attended with many sacrifices;—that you would be exposed to cold, fatigue, and hunger; would suffer from disease, from honorable wounds, and in loathsome prisons; and that many a noble form would bite the dust. We knew that these things must needs be, that the nation might live. The half was not told us. It did not enter into our hearts to believe what you would suffer and what you would accomplish. Upon almost every battle-field, from Cross Lanes to Dalton, the glorious banner of the Seventh has been in the van of the battle. We have watched your course with painful interest. After every battle, came the intelligence that your regiment had fought bravely, and had come out with thinned ranks.

"You have the grand consolation of knowing that the victories of Gettysburg, of Lookout Mountain, of Ringgold, and of Resaca, were not won without your aid. To have been in any one of those desperate conflicts, is glory enough for any man. The record you have made will seem almost like a tale of fiction. We have often had tidings of you, but such as would not cause our cheeks to tingle with shame. It was never said of the Seventh Ohio that it faltered in battle, that it failed to do its whole duty. You have been faithful, uncomplaining, and heroic. These things have not been accomplished without painful sacrifices. How painful, let the honorable scars many will carry to their graves answer. How painful, let this begrimed and tattered flag answer. How painful, these thinned ranks will answer. Your gallant colonel and lieutenant-colonel came home before you. Not as we could have wished them to come, but wearing the habiliments which all must wear; and now they lie yonder, and their graves are still wet with the tears of their mourning countrymen.

"Not so fortunate many of your countrymen, for they lie in unknown seclusion, but not in unhonored graves. We will not mourn these dead as those who die without hope, for their names shall be honored, so long as liberty is prized among men.

"It is an honor to be engaged in this conflict, which those who share it should fully prize; and those who have been engaged in it have shown a self-sacrificing devotion to duty, seldom excelled. It is a conflict in favor of liberty against treason and traitors; against a desperate and implacable foe, fighting with desperate energy, that fraud, oppression, and crime may stalk abroad in daylight.

"Let us hope that the final overthrow of rebellion is at hand; that soon our soldiers may all return home, with—

"On concluding, Mr. Grannis introduced Governor Brough, who also addressed the regiment. He said in substance as follows:

"Men of the Seventh Ohio—I know you are anxious to turn from this public to private greetings, to clasp friends and acquaintances in your hands and hearts. Under these circumstances I have not the courage to detain you. I will not read the glorious record of your achievements, for it would keep you so long. It is not necessary. We know your record in all its glory, but not, like you, in all its pain. A little over three years ago, on a Sabbath morning, you left Cleveland. Now, on a Sabbath morning, you return to us. That Sabbath was hallowed, by the purpose with which you went forth. This Sabbath is rendered sacred, by the joy with which you are welcomed back to us.

"On behalf of the State, I am here to give you a cordial greeting on your return. For the people of Cleveland, no formal greeting is necessary. In the crowd that gather around you, you can read the cordial welcome, that needs no words to express it.

"The Spartan mother, who sent her son to battle, bade him to return with his shield in honor, or on his shield in death. You have returned with your shields, and with honor reflected from them on you. But let us not forget that many have come home on their shields. We cannot forget those that, on another Sabbath morning, came home, and were received by the city in the weeds of mourning.

"We welcome you back, not only because you are back, but because you have reflected honor on your State. Standing, as I do, in the position of father of all of the regiments of the State, it will not do for me to discriminate; but I will say, that no regiment has returned to the bosom of the State, and none remains to come after it, that will bring back a more glorious record than the gallant old Seventh.

"There is no need to tell you what the lesson of this war is. You have learned it in many a weary march, and on many a field of carnage. None know better than you, that there are but two ways possible for the termination of this war. One is an inglorious peace and disgraceful submission, and the other is to completely crush the military power of the rebellion. There is no other way; and he who goes about on street-corners, and talks about a peace short of one or the other of these alternatives, is either grossly ignorant or intentionally attempting to deceive. More than that, no one knows better than yourselves, that to secure a lasting peace, when the military power of the rebellion is crushed, the cause of this infernal rebellion itself must be thoroughly wiped out. You have been taught that in many a fiery lesson, and know it to be a truth.

"There are gallant men and brave generals in the army laboring to reach this end; and we have confidence that their efforts will be crowned with success. God grant that it may be so. I had almost said that God and Grant will make it so.

"But I will detain you no longer. There is another greeting awaiting you in your homes—a greeting that no other eyes should witness. To that sacred and precious greeting I remit you."

The regiment now marched off to Camp Cleveland, escorted by the old members of the Seventh.

The men were given a brief furlough, after which preparations were made to be mustered out.

On the 4th of July, a grand ovation was given to the regiment, in connection with the Eighth Ohio; in fact, while the regiment remained in Cleveland, it was one continued ovation. The citizens vied with each other, in caring for and honoring the old Seventh. It seemed as if they could not do enough. These brave men will not soon forget the anxious care bestowed upon them by the citizens of Cleveland, during this closing period of their career in the service of their country.

After remaining for a brief period in camp, the regiment was mustered out; and after kindly farewells had been exchanged, each member departed for his home, from which he had been so long absent in protecting a Government that he loved from the ruthless touch of treason and slavery.

When the regiment entered the field, it numbered more than a thousand men. As these began to dwindle away by the shock of battle and the ravages of disease, new members came in, until we find nearly fourteen hundred men on the rolls, exclusive of three months' men: the latter would swell the number to about eighteen hundred men. Of the former, over six hundred were killed and wounded—the killed alone amounting to about one hundred and thirty. One hundred and upwards died from disease; while more than six hundred were discharged on account of disability arising from various causes. Many of those who were on the rolls at the time the regiment was mustered out were disabled for life, and were only retained for the want of an opportunity to be discharged. The whole number of able-bodied officers and men returning with the regiment was only two hundred and forty-five, leaving upwards of eleven hundred dead and disabled.