7th Ohio Cavalry
​in the American Civil War

​​​​​​​​​Online Books
7th Ohio Cavalry Soldier Roster - Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866, Volume 11, by Ohio Roster Commission (Joseph B. Foraker, Governor, James S. Robinson, Sec'y of State and H. A. Axline, Adjutant-General), 1886     View Entire Book
Regimental History
Seventh Cavalry. — Col., Israel Garrard ; Lieut.-Col., George G. Miner ; Majs., William Reaney, Augustus Norton, James McIntire, William T. Simpson, John Leaper, Solomon L. Green, Leonard Skinner. This regiment was recruited from the counties in the southwestern part of the state and was known as the "River regiment." It was mustered into service from Sept. 12, 1862, to Nov. 8, 1862, at Columbus, Camp Ripley, Athens, Pomeroy and Gallipolis, to serve for three years. At time of organization it numbered 1,204 men, and at time of muster-out 840 men. The regiment entered the field of warfare in Kentucky and thence to Tennessee. In December Cos. A and D fought the spirited engagement at Carter's station, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy, 273 of whom surrendered to the Federal detachment, leaving 6 killed and 8 wounded on the field, besides surrendering a piece of artillery. A magnificent rail-road bridge was burned and a train of cars run into the river. A detachment of the regiment met the enemy at Mt. Sterling, Ky., in March, 1863, defeated him and finally drove him from the state. At the battle of Button's hill the regiment was especially conspicuous, distinguishing itself in two charges and contribuing largely to the victory. On May 1, Gen. Pegram having collected at Monticello a force of cavalry estimated to number 4,000, the regiment, with other mounted troops, crossed the Cumberland river at Mill Springs, attacked Pegram, defeated him, drove his force to its retreat beyond the Cumberland mountains, and returned to Somerset. In the engagement known as Rocky gap the regiment bore the brunt of the fighting and Gen. Burnside complimented it in orders. The regiment was a part of the force that pursued Gen. Morgan on his raid through Indiana and Ohio, and being in the advance was the first to attack him at Buffington island. Then being reinforced by other troops a sharp engagement ensued, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy, who fled from the field in the greatest disorder, leaving his artillery and dead and wounded on the field, as well as his arms and stolen property, consisting of boots, shoes and clothing of all kinds. At Cumberland gap in September, the Confederate garrison under Gen. Frazer, consisting of 2,600 men, with 15 pieces of artillery, surrendered, the River regiment being detailed to receive the surrender and occupy this "gateway to East Tennessee." On Sept. 10 it returned to Knoxville, and from there marched to Carter's station, where in a night fight it drove a large force of the enemy from that place. In the battle of Blue Springs it participated in the final charge made near nightfall, in which the enemy was routed and sought safety in retreat. In the terrible defeat at Rogersville the regiment lost 112 men and some of its best officers. It then crossed the Clinch mountains, took position on the north bank of Clinch river, and held it against the enemy during the siege of Knoxville. In pursuit of the enemy retreating from Knoxville the regiment participated in the hotly contested battle at Bean's station, which lasted the entire day and in which both parties suffered severely. On Dec. 23 the regiment crossed the Holston river, engaged and drove the enemy from New Market. It then crossed Bey's mountain, engaged a largely superior force near Dandridge, and after hard fighting all day, in which it was twice surrounded, was compelled to cut its way out. In January it participated in the fight at Fair Garden, in which after several hours' fighting the enemy was defeated and driven in full retreat across the French Broad river, 2 pieces of Confederate artillery and several hundred prisoners being captured. In June the regiment, with the force under Gen. Burbridge, marched toward Cynthiana, Ky., and there attacked Morgan's force, defeating and driving him from the field in confusion. In this engagement the regiment captured some 500 prisoners, though in doing so sacrificed several valuable men. From July until September the regiment participated in the siege of the "Gate City," being actively engaged with the enemy almost daily. On Nov. 30 was fought the bloody battle at Franklin, Tenn., where the regiment tenaciously held its position on the left of the Federal line. In the first day's fight at Nashville it charged by squadrons, drove the enemy in its front a mile and a half, captured 4 pieces of artillery, and on the second day was actively engaged. The regiment was mustered out on July 4, 1865, its loss by casualties of war having been 560.
​Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 2