Category Archives: Battle of Cedar Mountain

7th Ohio Infantry, Battle of Antietam, Battle of Cedar Mountain

1862: Frederick A. Seymour to Howard Battin

October 8, 2025 Griff Leave a comment

The following letters were written by Frederick A. Seymour (1819-1903). He had Militia experience before the war and in 1860 was a 40 year old potter in Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio. He was commissioned Captain of Company G, 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry for 3 months service on 23 April 1861 and mustered out with them on 14 June. He was appointed Captain of the same company for a 3 year term on 14 June 1861. He assumed command of the regiment at Antietam after the next senior officer, Major Crane, took charge of the Tyndale’s Brigade. He resigned his commission on 17 April 1863. He reenrolled as Major of the 7th Ohio Infantry on 13 August 1863 but again resigned, on 29 March 1864.

In 1870 he was a farmer in West Hartford, CT. By 1900 he had retired there. He married Elvira Curtis (1834-) in February 1852 and they had a son Nathan.

To read a similar letter by Frederick written home after the battle of Antietam, see Dan Master’s Civil War Chronicles of September 22, 2017 for a post entitled: “The 7th Ohio Infantry at the Battle of Antietam.” The 7th Ohio Infantry served in Tyndale’s 1st Brigade, Greene’s 2nd Division, of Mansfield’s XII Corps at the Battle of Antietam.

Frederick wrote these letters to 39 year-old Howard Battin (1826-1882), a railroad conductor, who also kept a boarding house in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio.

Letter 1

[Editor’s Note: This letter describes the August 9, 1862, Battle of Cedar Mountain (or Slaughter’s Mountain, or Cedar Run) in which the 7th OVI participated and during which Colonel William R. Creighton was severely wounded, after which Major Orrin J. Crane assumed command. The regiment was at the front and engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand conflict. Of the three hundred men engaged, only one hundred escaped unhurt. The Seventh OVI suffered more than any other Union regiment in this battle.]

*Engraving of the Battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, from a sketch by Alfred R. Waud*

Camp near Culpeper
August 14, 1862

I write this morning to let you know that I am still able to be around. For the last eight days if I had been at home, I should not have been able to be up at all but I felt better yesterday. I am so weak that I cannot walk half a mile. The morning of the fight I was terrible sick. I could keep nothing on my stomach a minute. We did not expect a fight that day. We had marched all night and got the order to make ourselves comfortable for the day. I had to ride in the ambulance. That night I was so sick I could not sit up. We had just got laid to rest for the day as we supposed when came the order bring up the troops. We were seven miles from Cedar Creek. The Rebels had driven in our pickets.

[When] we started, Col. [William R.] Creighton told me not to go but I thought I could ride in the ambulance till I got there, then I could stand it awhile. On the way there we had a great many men fall from sun stroke. It was a terrible hot day. Four of my men gave out by the way & could not go at all. When we came up, I went into the field after our men, had to walk half a mile. Had there but a few moments till the shells begin to come like hail around us. We were ordered forward. On we went to the top of the hill. Then they were to go double quick. I went as far as I could [but] had to fall out. I could not go farther. I sit down on the ground. Col. Creighton told me to go back before I got so far I could not get back. I sit and watched them till i could not stay there for the shells tore the ground all around me. Then I tried to get back over the hill. As I was going back, a horseman ran over me & nearly killed me. He was scared almost to death. I sit & watched the Boys till my heart sickened at the sight. They were cut like grass before the scythe. Our little regiment all alone to fight such terrible odds. For a good many minutes, the 7th [OVI] were alone & a great while Tyler’s old regiment was all alone with fifty thousand troops behind us and none to help us. It was so hard.

But enough. I hope I will get better for I have no one to help me now but Sergt. Dean all our book[s] to make out. I cannot leave now if I can sit up at all. I have tried to get my resignation papers ready but cannot get it done. All are so busy in care of our wounded. But if I am no better, I must leave for I cannot be up much longer. It seems hard to leave now when they are making such efforts to raise troops. I don’t know what is my duty to do. I cannot feel as though it was right to stay & not be able to get around. I shall do my duty if I know what it is. — Frederick

Letter 2

Harpers Ferry or Maryland Heights
September 21st 1862

This is the first time for ten days I have had time to write you. I wrote Rube the night of the Battle. I left Washington as I wrote you from Rockville, Maryland, & have been marching all the time since then, days and some nights all night. Then lay down without a blanket for our teams were back out of the way. When we reached Frederick City the Rebels left there without much of a fight. We left Frederick on Sunday the 14th. All the time from the 13th to the 15th [there was] terrible fighting on the mountains between Frederick City and Hagerstown. Our troops drove them out of the mountain with a terrible slaughter although they had a strong position. Gen. Cox made a good fight. His men did well for the first time they were under fire. The mountain roads were strewn with their dead. We followed as close as we could get for the size of our army, our right [wing] fighting them all the way for five days before we came up.

*Lt. Col. Orrin J. Crane, 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (LOC)*

On Wednesday the 17th we came up with them after marching all night, sire and tired. At four they opened on us and drove our men back half a mile on the right of the line which extended four or five miles. At five Gen. [George S.] Greene’s Division in which was our regiment, was ordered up to the front. At about six, we were engaged from that time till 3 in the afternoon. We were in the hottest of the fight in the center of the line. Such terrible fighting was never seen. The Rebels fought with a desperation worthy a better cause. They were bold and perfectly reckless. Our boys fought with determined energy that has ever characterized the 7th [Ohio] Regiment. [Maj. Orrin J.] Crane was commanding the regiment. I acted as Major. I had command of the regiment for a week but Crane came up in time for the fight. I would liked to have had our boys in the fight but it is all right, I suppose.

In the afternoon, Gen. Greene ordered us back to rest as we had run out of ammunition. We fell back onto a field to rest and they brought up fresh troops. We had a great many troops not engaged. When we fell back, Crane went off. Then came the order to the front again. I led the boys up but as fortune for our weary boys, they did not have to fight again that night but lay on our arms all night ready for the fight in the morning which the darkness had stopped.

In the morning artillery and skirmishing commenced at break of day. I was detailed to bury the dead of our regiment. I took eight men and went to the front and found our pickets and sharpshooters hard at work but I was bound to find our men which I did after a great deal of trouble. After one man—Corporal [Martin] Lazarus—fell, I went back under fire to see if he was alive and hear what he had to say, but poor fellow was dead before I could get back to him. By his side I found H. L. [J. B.] Carter of Co. F. He too was dead. I took their blankets off them and rolled them up and had to leave them for shot and shell came thick around me. In the night they were taken away but after long search, I found them, took our stretchers, carried them half a mile to a burying ground & gave them a soldier’s burial. I placed a board at the head plainly marked so at any time their remains can be obtained. After cold weather, it would be utterly impossible to get them now. I did all I could for them. They were decently buried in a church yard. I had none but him killed, 9 wounded, some of them badly, but another such a scene as that battlefield—may God spare me the sight at which the heart grows sick & shudders at the terrible sight.

As we marched over the bloody field on our way here on the ground on which our Regiment—the 7th [Ohio]—were engaged, more than 2,000 dead Rebels in less than a mile in all conceivable forms possible to think of festering and decaying in the sun as the Rebels fled and left them unburied. I can give no description nor can any person picture the horrid scene. They lie in countless numbers for miles around. But they have left Maryland & gone to Virginia again. Where we will go now is not known but I presume we will have to chase them up the Valley again. Gen. McClellan was with or near us all the time. The boys gave cheer upon cheer as he passed us. Our own General in the fight was wounded. As he passed us, he paid us a high compliment. He said he would see we had justice done us but he was severely wounded and probably will not live. But God’s will be done.

We have lost some good officers. Gens. [Joseph K.] Mansfield & [Jesse] Reno & others of lesser rank. Our wounded are numerous but not so many killed as one would suppose for so bloody a battle for the estimation of army men, it was the great battle. Oh may I never be called on to go through another such a day. I am nearly worn out marching all day, lying on the ground nights without so much as a blanket, but God will protect and he has kindly preserved me thus far. He will do all things right. — Frederick

3rd Maryland Infantry, Battle of Cedar Mountain

1862: James W. Hamilton to his Sister

June 11, 2025 Griff Leave a comment

The following letter was signed “J. W. Hamilton” and I’m inclined to attribute it to James W. Hamilton of Co. G, 3rd Maryland Infantry though I am unable to corroborate his identity by anything in the letter. I believe James was from Baltimore, Maryland, but I could not find an ancestral record for him. Whomever wrote the letter likely belonged to Gen. Nathaniel Banks army and so I looked for soldiers named Hamilton among the regiments in the II Corps who participated in the 9 August 1862 battle at Cedar Mountain though the author was not present for the battle because he accompanied the baggage train as a guard and arrived in camp “near Culpeper” on 12 August where Pope “had taken up what he thought was a strong position in the triangle formed on the left by the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, on the right by the Rappahannock River and at the bottom by the Rapidan River. While awaiting reinforcements and pondering a move on Richmond, Pope separated his forces, positioning Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel’s division at the foot of Cedar Mountain, Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell’s division north of Rapidan Station, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks’ division near Culpeper and Brig. Gen. Jesse Reno’s division near Raccoon Ford. In doing so, Pope unwittingly presented Robert E. Lee with an unparalleled opportunity to crush his army.” [Source: Pope’s Narrow Escape at Clark’s Mountain” by John Lam]

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp near Culpeper, Va.
August 13th 1862

Dear Sister,

I am well and happy at present for I am in sight of the Rebels at the foot of the mountain. I have been marching for 3 days and nights. I was detailed for baggage guard last Saturday [9 August] and have guarded it on the march. The first night the baggage train marched 9 miles and halted for to feed at 2 o’clock in the morning. At sunrise we started again, most damned tired, I tell you. We marched all day and half the night. I stood picket guard until 4 o’clock in the morning. Then the train started on the march again and we marched all that day and then at night I had to stand guard all night again. Last night we got in camp and they had a face to detail me for guard around the camp.

On the march the troops—all but the guard—was on the lead of the train and they took all the chickens and ducks and geese and turkeys that they could find, besides beehives and apples. The guard was about one day behind and they could not get much of anything but milk and such like. We have had a good time on the march this time.

Last night we landed in camp in sight of the battlefield where Old Jackson—the Rebel—and Old Banks fought all day last Saturday [9 August] and part of Sunday [10 August]. Banks won the battle but Jackson is getting ready to try him again. They say that the rebels lost one thousand, five hundred and our loss was eleven hundred. If Old Jackson wants more fun, we are ready to give it to him for since last Sunday over 30 thousand men have put up their tents within five miles of him. It is consoling to one to stand in hearing of a battle with his gun in hand, loaded and waiting for orders to march to the field of battle. We are under such orders and expect orders to go every hour.

While I am writing, my knapsack is packed and everything that I have is in readiness to go and I am in readiness too. Old Jackson has got to fight this time. He cannot run for he has no track to run on. We have them all.

I wish that you could have one look at the Union troops that is here in sight of the field of battle but you cannot and so I will look at it for you. It will be a good thing for us if we can take Old Jackson and his whole army and if he stands fire, we will do it. There is so much noise in camp that I cannot write any more this time. Write as often as you can and direct as you always have. From your brother, — J. W. Hamilton

13th Massachusetts Infantry, Battle of Cedar Mountain

1861: John Viles, Jr. to Frances C. (Thornton) Viles

February 16, 2025 Griff Leave a comment

The following letters were written by John Viles, Jr. (1817-1882), a musician from Waltham, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, who enlisted in July 1861 in the 13th Massachusetts Regimental band and served with them until late August 1862 by order of the War Department. Several of Viles’ letters can be found on the web page kept by the 13th Regt. Riles Mass. and his bio reads:

“Viles’ position in the regiment gives him a unique perspective on things, almost like a civilian observer. He did not play an instrument with the band, so he did not have to participate in the morning and evening duties at dress parade, etc. Nor did he have the added burden of doing guard duty or participating in drills. Still he followed the fortunes of the regiment and suffered many of the same hardships of the rank and file. The arrangement of music kept him busy for a long while, but in time, when that work was done, he had little to do.

His letters are written to his wife “Franky,” whom he addressed as “Frank.” He had three children, a baby girl Fannie, and two sons, Franky and Gene, the son Gene, quite a bit older. Domestic concerns take up the greater portion of content in the letters. He was concerned for his wife’s well-being at home, alone with the three children. The fact that times were hard came up frequently, and it was clear John appreciated the fact that he was receiving regular pay with his fortunate position in the army, although he missed his family.” [see 13th Regt. Rifles Mass. Vol.]

This oil on canvas painting is described as “a scene of the 13th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry” done in 1865 by Corp. Henry Bacon (1839-1912) who served in Co. D with Edwin F. Morris. It depicts the regiment at Camp Jackson near Williamsport, Maryland, during the winter of 1861-62. The red blankets are a unique characteristic of the regiment. So are the men, who were noted for their neatness, their health, their manners and their high standing in society.

Letter 1

*Patriotic “McClellan” heading on stationery.*

Camp Jackson
Williamsport [Maryland]
Thursday, December 5, 1861

My dear Frank,

Your letter of December 1st was received this morning which is the 3rd I have had so far. The last time I wrote was December 1st. This is the 8th I have written from this place besides two or three papers. The last I had from Ned was mailed 16 November. I wrote to him a day or two after Thanksgiving but have not had but one Sentinel since I was at home and that was for the week before Thanksgiving. I am glad you received the money I sent. The next time we are paid I hope I can send twice a much as it will be likely to be a two-month’s payment.

We have had very pleasant weather for several days. The mornings are rather frosty and cool but as the sun gets up, it grows warmer. Today is remarkably warm—almost like summer and much the warmest day since my return here. Yesterday I changed my flannels and put on two shirts—the thin one I brought from home for the under one—and it is so warm that I almost wish I had left it off. We’ve had some quite cold weather, cold enough to freeze the ground, but no snow except a few flakes now and then. I had much rather have cold than rainy weather.

I’ve not much to write about. Everyday goes on about alike. There are plenty of camp stories that we are going to this and that place floating about every day to day. The camp gossip is that we are going to Frederick. A messenger arrived in camp this morning from Banks’ Headquarters and that I suppose gave rise to the report. Banks has moved his quarters to Frederick but I don’t think we are to move for some days as the teams are bringing wood and hay into camp for a day or two past and are still engaged in it. There is no truth in what you read of this regiment, or any part of it, having a fight. What you wrote is the first and last I’ve ever heard about it. As you have received but three letters when you wrote, there must have been four more on the way which you have probably received by this time as the last was written December 1st.

I see by what you wrote about Ned that he was paid the same day as this regiment. The man that was accidentally shot the other day is still living. There is another bad case of a private in the Westboro Company [Co. K] from a [ ]. I believe there are no hopes of his recovery. I don’t think of anything more to write. Yours truly, — J. V. [John Viles]

Letter 2

Note: The following letter describes the aftermath of the Battle of Cedar Mountain that took place on 9 August 1862

Camp five miles beyond Culpepper Courthouse
Thursday morning, August 14, 1862.

My dear Frank,

I received yours of Sunday 10th last night. I wrote last Sunday which I suppose you have received, giving some account of the battle of Saturday, but of course you have read the particulars in the papers.

We are still camped on the same ground as when I wrote on Monday, but some of the army has advanced and this Division will probably move forward today or tomorrow. The line of battle was kept formed through Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. It was several miles in extent from the right to left. The enemy has fallen back beyond the Rapidan and yesterday the advance of Pope’s forces began to move forward. Troops were constantly arriving here through Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and the sum total of the army must be upwards of one hundred thousand. It certainly cannot be less.

Last Monday the dead were burned by both sides under Flag of Truce. They had laid there from Saturday afternoon till Monday noon. Some of the wounded were still living at that time and were brought off. Yesterday—Wednesday—a party of us went about a mile further on in the woods and found some 8 or 10 dead Rebels and one Union soldier. Also one Union soldier wounded and alive. He was brought off and taken to the hospital. One battlefield is quite as much as I desire to see and is a sight one can never forget. The account which we get in the Philadelphia and Baltimore papers is mostly correct. The loss of this side is estimated from 12 to 15 hundred in killed and wounded. Rebel prisoners—mostly stragglers who have been taken each day since the battle—admit a greater loss.

We had a heavy thunder shower Tuesday afternoon since which the weather is more cool. We are camped in a horrid place for water. It would be good enough if there wasn’t so many to use it. But thousands dipping out of two or three little springs makes the water dirty. The order for our discharge does not come yet. We expect it this week. We see by Baltimore papers that about 600 musicians were brought up by boats from the armies south of Washington on Monday and Tuesday to be discharged. As soon as we are in Washington I’ll be sure to write.

I had a letter from Ned also last night dated 5 Inst. which I enclose. As our mail closes at ten, I must say goodbye for this time dear Frank.

Truly, — J. V.

General Banks was not wounded but received a slight hurt from his horse falling. There was not more than 7000 of union troops engaged. The enemy had 15 or 20,000.