y rail
to Alexandria, and, after being paid for two months, taking the ocean
steamer, Baltic, they reached New York Harbor about the middle of
August, and encamped on Governor's Island, at the southern extremity of
the city.
The draft having passed among the lower classes without a pat-riot, they
again weighed anchor on the same steamer, about the 1st of September,
and, by the same route, reached their former camp on the Rapidan, very
near the middle of the month.
Hooker's Corps was immediately ordered to Tennessee. This corps
consisted of the 11th and 12th consolidated, and was numbered the 20th.
Its route was through Washington, Baltimore, Columbus, Indianapolis,
Louisville, Nashville, to Wauhatchie Valley.
[Sidenote: Battle of Lookout Mountain.]
Co. C was left at Wartrace, Tenn., to scout for annoying rebel cavalry.
It proved an excellent hunting ground, but a poor one for finding. The
four Ohio regiments that had so long shared each other's fortunes, were
sent to Bridgeport, Alabama. Early in November, they joined the army of
Gen. Grant, to assist in the capture of the strong hold upon Lookout
Mountain. The sides of the peak are very steep and full of gorges. The
order was given Nov. 24, 1863, to ascend its rocky sides. It seemed
impossible. But those veterans did not hesitate to make the necessary
effort. Gen. Hooker sent troops to entertain the enemy in front, while
others passed up the north and east sides, to capture his camp.
The Seventh was not brought under fire until it arrived at the front of
the mountain, and even then, nature turned in to be its ally. The guns
of the enemy could not be depressed sufficiently to do much harm, and
their greatest efficiency was secured by shooting off the tops of the
trees to fall upon the heads of the men. Moving farther on, they were
exposed to a severe musketry fire. Here M. C. Stone was severely wounded
and taken from the field. A heavy fog soon ended the firing. Night came
on, and the fog disappeared. The full moon gave to the Seventh, while
doing picket duty, a scene that was truly grand. The summit of the
mountain is 2700 feet above the river. The regiment was up two thirds
this distance. The camps of both armies were visible, and an enrapturing
view for many miles around could be taken. The eclipse of the moon,
almost total, seemed to indicate the displeasure of the Almighty at such
scenes as the evening shades had just closed in upon.
[Sidenote: M
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