INTRODUCTION. Major-Gen. C. C. Andrews, I have also found of service, and have quoted extensively therefrom. I have prepared this work in the midst of a busy life, and regret that my engagements have prevented my giving that time to it which its importance demands. I have long wished that a connected and continuous history of the regiment might be written, and I very much hoped that some more competent person would undertake its compilation. But as no one has come forward for that purpose, I offer the following narrative, well knowing that it does but faint justice to the many noble acts and achievements of the gallant officers and enlisted men of that veteran regiment. I trust, however, that from this statement the Military historian of the State will derive information that will enable him to record the services and experiences of the Seventh in an appropriate manner, conscious as I am that its career for bravery and faithful performance of duty is second to none of the regiments sent forth by Vermont during the War of the Rebellion. New York, August 16th, 1882. WM. C. HOLBROOK. CONTENTS. Departure from the State.-Voyage to Ship Island.-Fort Pike.- Vicksburg Campaign.-Grand Gulf.-Experience of Col. Roberts and Lieut. Clark in ascending the River.-Butler's Ditch.- Condition of the Regiment.-Death of Lieut. Cull.-Battle of Death of Lieut. French.-Scouting and Alarms.-Skirmish at Oak- field.-Santa Rosa Island.-Fort Pickens--Evacuation of Pensacola.-Barrancas.-Camp Roberts.-Picket Duty.-Cap- ture of Prisoners at Pensacola by Capt. Young.-Accident at Combat at Jackson Bridge.-Capture of Lieut. Ross.-Arrival of Recruits. Re-Enlistment of Regiment.-Combat near Nix's Clearing.-Order for Veteran Furlough.-Action at Gonzales' Station. Return to Vermont and Reception at Brattleboro.- Departure for Mobile Point.-Mobile Campaign.-March to and Investment of Spanish Fort.-Capture of Capt. Stearns and Pickets. Operations and Termination of Siege.-Incidents.- Blakely.-Occupation of Mobile. -Action at Whistler.-March CHAPTER I. DEPARTURE FROM THE STATE.-VOYAGE TO SHIP ISLAND. FORT PIKE, NEW ORLEANS, CARROLTON.—DEATH OF CAPT. RUGGLES.-BATON ROUGE. 1862. HE Seventh Regiment, numbering 1,014 officers and men, was mustered into the service of the United States at Rutland, Vermont, February 12th, 1862, under the command of Colonel George T. Roberts, and was designated for duty in the Division which Major-General Benjamin F. Butler was authorized to raise in the New England States. This Division, it was understood, was to form a part of an expedition under Gen. Butler, which was to have for its field of action the City of New Orleans and its vicinity, and for that reason, and because many of the officers and men preferred to serve with the other Vermont regiments in the Army of the Potomac, it was the desire of a considerable number that the regiment might be sent to that army. Unfortunately, however, it was otherwise ordered, and the regiment, as we subsequently learned to our sorrow, was |