ighting took place.

At 5:20 A. M. of the 2d of May, the firing was renewed. At 10 A. M. the
enemy undertook to silence the battery supported by the Seventh, but
their own guns were soon silenced by the blowing up of two of their
caissons. A fine opportunity was given to the regiment, in the
afternoon, to show its valor. It was ordered down the plank road through
the middle of the battle field, to support a regiment of skirmishers.
These became frightened and rushed back to the rear, while the Seventh
pushed firmly on in column, one half the regiment being on each side of
the road, under the command of Col. Creighton and Major Crane. A green,
Pennsylvania regiment, at the rear, gave them a severe volley and thus
put them between two fires; but in good order, the men retained their
places until they were ordered to retreat.

The enemy massed his forces upon the right wing in the latter part of
the day. The 11th Corps gave way, and the Union troops were forced back
to the west end of the field. The rapid firing of the massed artillery
during the night, made the whole line in front a sheet of living flame.
It was one of the grandest sights that the eye has opportunity to
witness. Early the following morning, the battle was vigorously renewed.
At 8:30 A. M. the Seventh was ordered into the rifle pits at the east
end of the field. The enemy took possession of the west end, and planted
batteries, so as to give the Union forces a terrible cross fire from
three directions. After an hour it was ordered to its old position at
the south-east corner of the field. At 11 A. M. the Seventh was ordered
to charge the enemy, who were driving several regiments before them.
After a short fight in the brush, the enemy fell back. It was then
discovered that the rest of the Union forces had been withdrawn, leaving
this Ohio brigade to fight alone with the rebels, and to cover the
retreat. The Seventh was the last engaged, and was obliged to retire
across the open field that was swept by the enemy's artillery. The
brigade took up a fortified position near the river, and held it until
the 6th of May. In the battle, John Gardner was wounded and left uncared
for, ten days, on the field, in the hands of the enemy. Cole, Wise, and
J. S. Kellogg, were also wounded, but were able to retreat.

[Sidenote: Battle of Gettysburg.]

The sequel proved that Lee's object from this time was, to push into
Pennsylvania. The Union forces were compelled to fo