7th United States (Colored) Infantry

== Regimental History and Service Record ==
 
 
 In Brief
Organized at Baltimore, Md., September 26 to November 12, 1863. Duty at Camp Benedict, Md., until March, 1864. Ordered to Portsmouth, Va., March 4, thence to Hilton Head, S.C., March 7-10, and to Jacksonville, Fla., March 14-15. Attached to Post of Jacksonville, Fla., District of Florida, Dept. of the South, to July, 1864. District of Hilton Head, S.C., Dept. of the South, July, 1864. Jacksonville, Fla., District of Florida, Dept. of the South, to August, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 10th Corps, Army of the James, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 25th Corps, to January, 1866. Dept. of Texas to October, 1866.
SERVICE.--Duty at Jacksonville, Fla., until June, 1864. Cedar Creek April 2. Near Jacksonville May 6. Near Camp Finnegan May 25. Near Jacksonville May 28. Expedition to Camp Milton May 31-June 3. Camp Milton June 2. Moved to Hilton Head, S.C., June 27. Expedition to North Edisto River and Johns and James Islands July 2-10. Near Winter's Point July 3. King's Creek July 3. Skirmishes on James Island July 5 and 7. Burden's Causeway, Johns Island, July 9. Moved to Jacksonville July 15. Expedition to Florida & Gulf Railroad July 22-August 5. Moved to Bermuda Hundred, Va., August 6-11. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond August, 1864, to April, 1865. Demonstration north of James River August 16-20. Russell's Mills August 16. Strawberry Plains August 16-18. Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 28-30. Darbytown Road October 13. Battle of Fair Oaks October 27-28. Near Richmond October 28. In trenches before Richmond until March 27, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 27-April 9. Hatcher's Run March 29-31. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Moved to Petersburg April 11, and duty there until May 24. Moved to Indianola, Texas, May 24-June 23. Duty on the Rio Grande and at various points in the Dept. of Texas, until October, 1866. Moved to Baltimore, Md., October 14-November 4. Mustered out October 13, 1866, and discharged at Baltimore, Md., November 15, 1866.
 
 
 1863
THE Seventh Regiment Infantry, United States Colored Troops, Maryland Volunteers, composed of colored men from Maryland, was recruited under orders of the -war department, and the history of the regiment dates from September 26, 1863, on which date companies A. B. and C., were mustered into the service of the United States at Birney Barracks, Baltimore, Maryland.
Col. William Birney of the 2nd U. S. C. troops was the superintendent of recruiting colored troops in the State of Maryland, and had general charge of the enlistments and organization of the 7th regiment.
By October 8, 1863, the first six companies, viz: A. B. C. D. E. and F., were uniformed but arms were not issued to any of them until October 18th; drilling in the meantime went on daily.
Details of detachments for recruiting service, were sent to Millstone Landing and Benedict on the western shore and Shelltown, Rehoboth, Newtown, Shad Landing and Snow Hill on the eastern shore of Maryland, whilst a large camp of instruction and rendezvous was established at Benedict, Maryland.
October 29th, no less than 130 recruits were obtained from the oyster fleet lying at the mouth of the Patuxent river, and comprised the very best material for either the army or navy; some of these recruits afterwards found their way into the U. S. navy and gave a good account of themselves. Benedict now became the regimental camp and by November 12, 1863, the remaining four companies viz: G. H. I. and K., had been fully organized, and the 7th regiment U. B. C. troops mustered into the service of the United States, Col. James Shaw, Jr., joined the regiment November 15. 1863.
The winter of 1863 was spent at camp Stanton, Benedict, Md., in drilling and preparing the regiment for active field duty. The location of the camp was an unhealthy one, and many of the 7th regiment perished from sickness during the winter season.
 
 
 1864
March 4, 1864, the regiment was transported by steamer to Portsmouth, Va., disembarked and proceeded thence to Gettys station on the U. S. military railroad. The experience of the men the first night of their bivouac in the cold, bleak and inclement season was long remembered; after moving from point to point to protect Suffolk and Portsmouth from an attack by the enemy, the regiment embarked March 7th on the steam transport "Daniel Webster" for the department of the south and after a rough voyage reached Hilton Head, South Carolina, March l0th, where the regiment disembarked and marched out beyond the town and went into camp near old "Fort Beauregard."
The regiment again re-embarked on the S. S, "Delaware," March 14, 1864, and proceeded to Jacksonville, Florida, which latter point was reached on the afternoon of the 15th, where the regiment again disembarked, marched beyond the fortifications and went into camp; here the regiment in addition to its usual company, regimental and brigade drills was utilized in building additional fortifications, and in the performance of picket and scout duty.
On the evening of the 6th of May 1864, the enemy's cavalry attacked the outposts of the 7th regiment but were speedily repulsed. On the 25th day of May, the regiment with a detachment of mounted infantry and a battery of Artillery whilst out on a reconnoissance had quite a skirmish with the enemy at Cedar Creek, Florida. Another skirmish in which the regiment took a conspicuous part was at Cedar Creek several days later.
In the early part of June 1864, after an inspection of the 7th regiment by the inspector general of the department of the south, Gen. Gordon stated, "that the 7th regiment was the best colored regiment in the service of the United States."
The month of June 1864, proved to be exceedingly hot in the camps at Jacksonville and considerable sickness prevailed in the regiment, more especially amongst the officers.
On the 27th day of June 1864, the regiment proceeded by steamship to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where they formed a part of an expedition under Gen. Foster to the North Edisto river, for the ensuing seventeen days the regiment was constantly engaged with a large column of troops marching and fighting, during which the casualties in the regiment were severe.
The regiment returned to Jacksonville on the 15th day of July 1864. On the 22d day of July 1864, the regiment was ordered out for another raid; embarking on the steamer "Mary Benton," the regiment proceeded up the St. John's river to Black Creek, where it disembarked, and was joined by other troops and pushing forward, cut the Florida and Gulf railroad at Trail Ridge.
The regiment returned to Jacksonville August 5th, and embarked the next day for Hilton Head, South Carolina, en-route for Fortress Monroe and the army of the Potomac. The regiment reached Fortress Monroe August llth. and received orders to proceed immediately to Bermuda Hundred on the James river; here it disembarked and became a part of the colored brigade of the 3rd division, 10th army corps. The brigade consisted of the 7th and 9th U. S. colored troops, both Maryland regiments, the 8th regiment U. S. colored troops and 29th regiment infantry Connecticut colored troops.
The regiment immediately took an active part in all of the serious fighting in which the army of the Potomac was then engaged, and casualties were of almost daily occurrence.
The regiment felt very much encouraged upon the publication of the following congratulatory order, viz:
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HEADQUARTERS 10TH ARMY CORPS, FUSSELS MILLS, VA., AUG. 19, 1864.
General Orders:—The major-general commanding congratulates the 10th army corps upon its success. It has on each occasion, when ordered, broken the enemy's strong lines. It has captured during the short campaign four siege guns, protected by formidable works, six colors and many prisoners. It has proved itself worthy of its old Wagner and Fort Sumter renown. Much fatigue, patience and heroism, may still be demanded of it, but the major-general commanding is confident of the response. To the colored troops recently added to us and fighting with us, the major-general tenders his thanks for their uniform good conduct and soldierly bearing. They have set a good example to our veterans by the entire absence of straggling from their ranks on the march.
By order of MAJOR-GEN. D. B. BIRNEY,
E. W. SMITH,
Lieut. Colonel and Asst. Adjt. General.
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The special correspondent of the New York Tribune said about the same time: "The loss in the four colored regiments is about three hundred. The 7th U. S. colored, troops (Maryland) on the first day carried with fixed bayonets, a line of rifle pits, and carried it without a shot, but with a loss of thirty-five; it was one of the most stirring and gallant affairs I have ever known."
The regiment continued in active campaign work on the north bank of the James river, participating in the most severe fighting until the latter part of November 1864, during which the casualties were severe; in fact from the time that the regiment joined the army in Virginia in August until the latter part of November 1864, the losses in killed, wounded and missing footed up nearly 500.
On the 1st day of December 1864, the colored troops of the 9th, 10th and 18th army corps, were consolidated and formed into the 25th army corps, the 7th regiment having been assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 25th army corps.
The 7th regiment had its full share of the winter campaign work devolved upon that part of the army north of the James river, known as the army of the James. 
 
 
 1865
The winter was cold and disagreeable with frequent snow storms. As the month of March advanced the weather became milder and the roads better and better. On the 19th day of March the division of colored troops of which the 7th regiment formed a part was reviewed by Gen. Grant and the secretary of War, and on the 26th by President Lincoln, after which the regiment with the division prepared for an active field campaign, and immediately marched south, crossed the James river, and then the Appomattox river, continuing the march all night and part of the next day, until the Weldon railroad south of Petersburg had been reached; thence the command continued to a point near Hatcher's Run taking part in all of the preliminary movements leading up to the evacuation of Petersburg.
After the terrific cannonade all along the lines, from the extreme right in front of Richmond over forty miles away to our own immediate front, on the 1st and 2nd of April, the enemy's lines were broken by the charge of the 6th army corps on the 2nd, and the division of which the command formed a part charged also, only to find the enemy's works in their front evacuated, turning to the right the command marched along the line of the enemy's abandoned works towards the City of Petersburg, whilst the terrific artillery fire continued, and the long lines of glistening steel closed in around the doomed city.
The enemy contested every foot of ground as the command advanced. With the energy of despair; early on the morning of the following day the command pushed forward, and the 7th regiment was the first regiment that reached the centre of the City of Petersburg, where they were speedily joined by other troops who had entered the city from the opposite side. The command pushed forward in pursuit of the enemy and after a march of ten miles by night had reached Sunderlands, continued the pursuit of the enemy on the 5th, 6th and 7th until Berksville was reached, thence to Farmville on the 8th, after a march of twenty-six miles from last camp. On Sunday the 9th day of April 1865, the command made another forced march, starting before daylight, and after proceeding twenty-four miles, reached the vicinity of Appomattox Court House; the end had at last arrived, the armies of Grant had the last remnant of Gen. Lee's Confederate Army in its grasp, and its surrender followed.
After the surrender of Lee's Army the regiment with its command returned to Petersburg, Va., and went into camp, and thence to City Point where it embarked by steamship for Texas, May 24, 1865, after a long and tedious voyage, stopping en-route at Mobile Bay and the mouth of the Mississippi river, the regiment finally reached Indianola, Texas, and disembarked June 23, 1865.
 
 
 1866
The regiment continued to perform garrison duty in Texas until the 14th day of October 1866, when it again embarked at Indianola, Texas, en-route for their Maryland homes.
The stay of the regiment in Texas was attended with serious loss from the disease of cholera prevalent there at the time as an epidemic. After vexatious delays the regiment reached Fortress Monroe, November 2nd, and Baltimore on the 4th, disembarked and went into camp at Fort Federal Hill. The regiment was finally paid off and disbanded at Baltimore, Md., November 15, 1866.
The casualties of the regiment during its term of service were as follows: Killed and died of wounds, commissioned officers 1, enlisted men 84, total 86; died of disease, etc., commissioned officers 1, enlisted men 307, total 308; an aggregate death list of 393.
The engagements in which the regiment were engaged and authorized to inscribe on its colors were as follows: Cedar Creek, Florida, Baldwin, Kingland Road, Fussels Mills, White Point, Fort Gilmer, Va., Darbytown Road, Armstrong's Mills, Petersburg, Appomattox Court House, John's Island.
 
 
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== Regimental Roster ==
 
 
 Field and Staff Officers
 
 
 Company A
 
 
 Company B
 
 
 Company C
 
 
 Company D
 
 
 Company E
 
 
 Company F
 
 
 Company G
 
 
 Company H
 
 
 Company I
 
 
 Company K
 
 
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== Regiment Statistical Information ==
* Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 84 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 307 Enlisted men by disease. Total 393.
== Legacy ==
== Notes ==
== Sources == 
* (Pages 1724-1725)
* (Pages 155-182)
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