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Seventh Infantry WEST VIRGINIA (3-YEARS) Seventh Infantry. -Cols., James Evans, Joseph Snyder; Lieut.Cols., John G. Kelley, Jonathan H. Lockwood, Isaac B. Fisher, Francis W. H. Baldwin; Majs., Isaac B. Fisher, James B. Morris Marcus Fetty. This regiment was organized at Wheeling and Grafton from July to Oct., 1861, and was mustered in for three years. Its early service was in Virginia and West Virginia, dispersing wandering bands of the enemy, guarding the railroads, etc. It fought at Romney, Bloomery Gap, and in numerous minor skirmishes, and on April 2, 1862, was relieved from railroad duty and ordered to Winchester, where it was assigned to provost duty under Maj. Lockwood. It was next engaged in several tiresome marches in the Shenandoah Valley, and on July 2 reached Harrison's Landing on the James river in time to cover the rear of McClellan's army as it fell back from Malvern Hill. It remained with the Army of the Potomac covered Pope's retreat from Centerville to Chain bridge, distinguished itself at Antietam and Fredericksburg, in both of which actions it was in the first line of battle, participated in the battle of Chancellorsville; arrived at Gettysburg on the evening of July 1, 1863, and played a prominent part in the two days' engagement that followed. In all these actions it lost severely, but was always at its post of duty. After Gettysburg it rested at Elk run, Va., until in September, when it moved on the Bristoe campaign and the Mine Run fiasco. In Feb., 1864, it fought at Morton's ford, immediately after which the veterans went home on furlough. The regiment rejoined the Army of the Potomac in time for the campaign from the Rapidan to the James, in which it was engaged at the Wilderness, Po River, Ny River, Spottsylvania, the North Anna River, Totopotomy, and Cold Harbor, losing heavily during the campaign. It was in the first assaults on the works at Petersburg; was engaged at Deep Bottom; at the explosion of Burnside's mine; and as a compliment to the gallantry of the members at Reams' station the regiment was furnished with the Henry repeating rifle. It was in action at Hatcher's run and on the Boydton plank road; was present at the fall of Petersburg; pursued Lee's army to Appomattox, and was present at the surrender. During these later movements the regiment consisted of a battalion of four companies under Lieut.-Col. Baldwin, the non-veterans having been mustered out at the expiration of the term of enlistment. The battalion was mustered out July 1, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 2, p. 302 Antietam after battle report: Report of Col. Joseph Snider, Seventh West Virginia Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS, September 20, 1862. SIR: I have, in obedience to your order, the honor of submitting the following report: In obedience to your order on the morning of the 17th instant, we took our position in line of battle on the extreme left of your brigade, and, in further obedience of your orders, moved forward at 8 o'clock, at which time we engaged the enemy, who were drawn up in large force. The fight was terrific during the whole engagement. The enemy endeavored to deceive us by hoisting a white flag, which for moment caused our men to cease firing, during which time the enemy was discovered to be moving in large force with the view of flanking our left, which caused us to change the position of our left wing, this being done as speedily as possible, when we succeeded in driving the enemy back with great slaughter beyond their original position, where we held them until our ammunition was exhausted, when we were relieved by the Irish Brigade, commanded by Gen. Meagher. During the engagement our colors were shot down three times, but were promptly hoisted each time, and were brought off the field with the regiment. JO. SNIDER, Col., Commanding Seventh Virginia. Brig.-Gen. KIMBALL. Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Jonathan H. Lockwood, Seventh West Virginia Infantry. Camp near Gettysburg, Pa., July 5, 1863. Sir: In obedience to orders, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Seventh West Virginia in the late engagement near Gettysburg: About 8 a. m. on the 2d instant, under the command of Col. Carroll, the Seventh West Virginia, with the Fourteenth Indiana, Fourth and Eighth Ohio Volunteers, were massed in front of the enemy and near their center. About 4 p. m. the Seventh West Virginia and Fourteenth Indiana changed position on the left of the enemy's right center, where we remained but a short time, when the Seventh West Virginia was ordered back, and placed to protect the Fourth U. S. Artillery, where we remained under heavy fire from the enemy's batteres until about 8 o'clock, at which time, in connection with the Fourteenth Indiana, we were ordered to the right of Cemetery Hill, in support of Battery L, First New York Artillery, and on arriving there we found the battery about to be taken charge of by the enemy, who were in large force; whereupon we immediately charged upon the enemy, and succeeded in completely routing the entire force and driving them beyond their lines, capturing a number of prisoners, and removing their dead and wounded in order to establish our line on the line previously occupied by the enemy. Among the prisoners captured was the colonel of the Seventh Virginia Volunteers, and colonel and major of the Twenty-first North Carolina Volunteers. Having established our lines, we remained at this position during the night and the day and the night of the 3d. From 6 a. m. until about dusk on the 3d, we lay under heavy fire and cross-fire from the enemy's batteries. We had brisk skirmishing in our front during the time we occupied that position. During the whole engagement the field was contested with a spirit of determination on our side to gain the victory. Our loss is as follows: Lieut.-colonel wounded; 5 enlisted men killed; 42 enlisted men wounded, and 13 enlisted men missing*--a list of the same having previously been forwarded. My officers and men behaved with admirable coolness and undaunted courage, and deserve well of their country. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, J. H. LOCKWOOD, Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Lieut. J. G. Reid, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

West Virginia 7th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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