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7th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Chickamauga

7th Pennsylvania Cavalry Monument

On Friday, September 18, 1863, the First Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland, commanded by R. H. G. Minty, was bivouacking on the east side of Chickamauga Creek, near Reed's Bridge, eight miles west of Ringgold, protecting the left of the Army of the Cumberland.

The indications were that there would be some hard work. At 6 A.M., Captain Heber Thompson, with one hundred men of the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, moved out, with orders to go to Ringgold.

At the same hour, Brigadier General Bushrod R. Johnson, with a provisional division of Confederates, seven thousand rank and file, moved out from Ringgold, with orders to cross the Chickamauga Creek at Reed's Bridge and sweep up the creek towards Lee & Gordon's Mill.

At seven A.M., Johnson reached Peeler's Mill, one mile east of Pea Vine Creek, and formed line of battle with Captain McDonald's company of the Seventeenth Regiment of Tennessee Infantry, the advance on Johnson's left. Near Pea Vine Bridge, Lieutenant Colonel Martin, with a detachment of John Morgan's Cavalry, ( the remnant that were not captured in Morgan's Ohio raid ), was on the right.

Reed's Bridge, Chickamauga, Georgia

Captain Heber S. Thompson, with one hundred men of the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, at seven A.M. was east of Pea Vine Church; his advance of four men, Corporal John Williams, Privates Amandus Wormer, Samuel Waters and John Ward, on the road, one hundred yards east of Pea Vine Creek.

Lieutenant Colonel Watt W. Floyd and Adjutant McCormick of the Seventeenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Confederates, were in front of Captain McDonald's company to observe and try to effect a crossing of Pea Vine Creek at the bridge. Private Samuel Waters, company F, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, at a house about one hundred yards from the creek, took aim and fired his Smith breech loading carbine at the two Confederate Officers, who retreated and reported to Brigadier General Johnson at Peeler's Mill. Captain McDonald moved his company of Confederates forward toward Pea Vine Creek. Captain Thompsons advance moved toward the creek, sustained by sixteen soldiers at a trot.

As the advance reached the west bank of Pea Vine creek, Morgan's Confederate Cavalry fired a volley, killing John Ward and wounding Corporal Williams, Captain Thompson advanced his command until halted by Everett's Battery, ( Battery E, Ninth Georgia ), who opened with three pieces, killing Owen Brennan, company F; Jacob Stroup, company H; wounding Daniel King mortally, and John Lynch, company F, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.

This was the actual opening of the great battle of Chickamauga. Captain Thompson held his advance position, skirmishing with the Confederates who he prevented from crossing Pea Vine Creek until ten A.M. Colonel R. H. G. Minty moved the brigade from Reed's Bridge to the east slope of Pea Vine Ridge where line of battle was formed. Lieutenant T. D. Griffin, with two guns, Chicago Board of Trade Battery, commenced firing, causing the enemy to halt and adjust his lines.

At eleven A.M. Johnson received orders from General Bragg "to move forward and cross Reed's Bridge." General Nathan Bedford Forrest, with the Seventeenth Tennessee Regiment, moved to the right of Minty as a flank movement to gain Lambert's Ford, Chickamauga Creek. With this movement being observed by Minty, he moved the brigade to the rear and formed on the west slope of Pea Vine Ridge. As the enemy moved forward he received re-enforcements, augmenting his force to ten thousand. A stubborn fight ensued.

Picket Pin, Found at Reeds Bridge

Minty, with nine hundred and seventy-three, rank and file, held the enemy at bay until one o'clock P.M. At this hour General Bragg sent Johnson a peremptory order to "take Reed's Bridge regardless of the forces in your front. The army is waiting on you to cross the Chickamauga Creek." In compliance with the order, Johnson moved forward to Reed's House, west of Pea Vine Ridge. Minty formed his brigade of Cavalry on the plateau in a semi-circle, the right and left resting on the creek.

A regiment, six companies and two pieces of artillery, from Wilders Brigade of mounted infantry, arrived as re-enforcements. Minty ordered Colonel Miller down the west side of Chickamauga Creek to protect the left flanks at two thirty P.M. The enemy charged but were halted by the Chicago Board of Trade Battery from the west side of Chickamauga Creek.

The Fourth Michigan Cavalry commenced crossing the frail, dilapidated Reed's Bridge, followed by the Fourth U.S. Cavalry. The Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, partly dismantled Reed's Bridge under a severe Artillery fire from Bedsloe's Missouri Battery.

The brigade was formed at Jay's Saw Mill, west of Chickamauga Creek. Colonel Miller's command of mounted infantry was recalled. The Seventeenth Tennessee Confederates crossed Reed's Bridge at three thirty P.M. General Hood, of Longstreet's Corps, arrived with re-enforcements and assumed command and moved up the Chickamauga Creek to a position east of the Viniard's House. Minty, Wilder and two infantry regiments of Dix's Brigade formed line of battle west of the Viniard's House at dusk.

At sunset a brigade of the reserve corps commanded by Colonel Daniel McCook arrived at Jay's Saw Mill, two hours after Minty had moved to make a conjunction with Wilder's Brigade. McCook had a fight with McNair's Confederate Brigade at dusk.

At nine o'clock P.M., the Confederates charged Minty and Wilder at the Viniard's House and were repulsed. The line of battle held the position until 4 o'clock A.M., September 19, when it was relieved by Major General Palmers Division, Twenty-First Army Corps.

Minty retired to the rear of General Rosecrans' headquarters, " The Glenn House ," to feed and groom the horses, and the men to cook breakfast.

At twelve P.M., moved out as guards to ammunition train, with orders to report to General Gordon Granger, bivouacked near Rossville. At five A.M., Sunday, September 20, moved to Missionary Mills on the left of the reserve corps. Scouts and patrols were sent east of Chickamauga Creek, to Chickamauga Station in Georgia. At three P.M., moved to the Red House Bridge, met Scott's Division of Confederate Cavalry, skirmished and drove them a mile east of the Chickamauga Creek, thereby preventing an assault on the left and rear of General Thomas at Cloud's Springs. At night, held the front at McAfee's Church on the Ringgold road.

General Thomas, during the night, moved the Army of the Cumberland from Snodgrass Hill to Missionary Ridge, east of Rossville. Minty's Brigade of cavalry was three miles in front of the army until ten fifteen A.M., September 21, when attacked by General Forrest command. A stubborn resistance was maintained against a force trebly outnumbering Minty's Sabre Brigade; retiring to Rossville Gap, fighting with desperation, on Missionary Ridge the brigade made a last stand, being shelled vigorously by three batteries.

Barnett's Second Illinois Battery of the reserve corps came to Minty's assistance. At one P.M. orders were received to retire. In doing so the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry received a volley from the rear, delivered by an Ohio regiment of infantry, wounding a number of horses.

During the engagement on Missionary Ridge, Captain David G. May, company K, and Private Andrew Lavette, company E, were killed, and a number wounded. Moving to the rear of the army, a halt was made at Rossville, where Lieutenant Bernard Reilly, Jr., company F, was wounded.

From Rossville, the brigade moved to the left of the army, taking position on Missionary Ridge, and holding it until Tuesday morning, September 22, then being withdrawn to a position west of Rossville. Skirmished, up to noon, to the Watkin's House, two miles west of Chattanooga.

The Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry was assigned to the duty of rear guard, arriving at Cameron Hill at seven P.M. At eight o'clock P.M., the Fourth Michigan and Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry were ordered to work in the trenches, doing so until sunrise September 23.

The Seventh Pennsylvania opened and closed the battle of Chickamauga and was engaged and under fire five days. The command behaved itself with unusual bravery, receiving praise from the commander of the army and from the commanders of division and brigade.

Every officer and soldier of the Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry who was engaged in this memorable battle did his whole duty, of which he and the State of Pennsylvania can truthfully say, "well done, brave, true and loyal soldiers."

Private Samuel Waters, company F, fired the first shot and John Ward was the first killed in the opening skirmish of the battle of Chickamauga. To Pennsylvania belongs the honor of opening and closing the battle.

From the Address and Historical Sketch, by Lieutenant and Adjt. George F. Steahlin at the dedication of the 7th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry Monument on November 13, 1897.