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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 355
caution, and met the Avily StoneAvall Avith his own favorite tactics of
strategy and cunning. Taking advantage of a wheat field near the
enemy's center, he extended his lines from hill to river, and doublequicked
the Fifth and Seventh from point to point along the line, under
cover of some standing wheat, halting at intermediate points to deliver a
galling fire. This Avas kept up for five .long hours, and Avith less than
three thousand muskets, the National forces repelled Jackson, with fourteen
thousand veteran rebel troops."
In the retreat that followed this sharp fight the Seventh AA'as directed
to cover the rear as guarding force. This they did gallantly, coming off
the field in line, loading as they inarched and frequently sending a
telling volley into the,ranks of the pursuers. /
In May, 1862, Colonel Tyler Avas promoted to the rank of brigade
commander and has charge of the brigade to Avhich the Seventh Avas
attached. After the battle of Port Republic and lying at Little Washington,
that officer AVIIS ordered to Washington, and thereafter General
Geary AVIIS ordered to the command of the brigade.
After Port Republic came the engagement at Cedar Mountain, Virginia,
on August 9, 1862, and the Army of Virginia, under Pope, had
again to contend with the noted Jackson. The fight commenced at about
3 o'clock in the afternoon, and the Seventh occupied a position at the
front Avhere the battle Avagcd the fiercest; in fact, it Avas a hand to hand
contest in which they were engaged, and AA-IIS continued until night-fall,
Avhen they retired and bivouacked almost upon the field. Neither side
could claim any substantial victory. The ranks of the Seventh Avere
fearfully decimated, and out of 300 of that regiment that entered the
fight scarcely a single hundred escaped injury in some form. The roster
of Company E will SIIOAV IIOAV that command fared.
With the approach of Lee's army the Union forces fell back toAvard
Washington, and on the 17th of September reached Antietam. During
the engagement at that place the Seventh Avere on the field but not
closely engaged, although some slight losses AA'ere suffered. After the
battle the regiment encamped on Bolivar Heights, and here were received
some 200 recruits, but comparatively 1'CAV of whom were given to Company
E.
Early in December the Seventh Avent into Avinter quarters at Dumfries,
but scarcely had they become settled for a season of rest and
recuperation than a troop of cavalry and a feAV pieces of artillery, under
Stuart, made their appearance. The camping forces Avere soon prepared
to meet the attack, and drove off the rebels with considerable loss, though
suffering little themselves. So ended the campaign in Virginia for the
year 1862. Five battles Avere participated in by the Seventh Regiment,
and in each their gallantry and bravery received the plaudits of the
Avhole Union people.
The campaign of 1863 opened Avith the engagement at Chancellorsville,
in which the Seventh took an active part, and Avhen the Union
forces retired their retreat was covered by the regiment assisted by tAvo
others. "Its conduct," says Reid, "in this hazardous and responsible