HONORABLY DISCHARGED
COMES IN ORIGINAL BOX
IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION
MATTHEW PUDDY CO.D 8TH WEST VA INFANTRY
Eighth Infantry. -- Col., John H. Oley, Lieut.-Cols., Lucien
Loeser, John J. Polsley Majs., Hedgeman Slack, William Gramm,
Edgar B. Blundon.
This regiment was organized in the Kanawha valley in the fall
of 1861, with Charleston as the headquarters, and was mustered
in for three years. It was assigned to Gen. Fremont's army in
April, 1862, was brigaded with the 60th Ohio and placed under
the command of Col. Cluseret.
In the pursuit of Stonewall Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley
the brigade had the advance and at the battle of Cross Keys
occupied the center of the line. The regiment was
complimented by Gen. Fremont in special orders for gallantry
during the action.
It next moved with Gen. Sigel to the relief of Gen. Banks at
Cedar Mountain, and was with Gen. Pope in his campaign in
eastern Virginia. It was then assigned to Gen. Milroy's
command and returned to West Virginia.
In Nov., 1862, it was cut up into detachments and posted at
various places until June, 1863, when it was ordered to
Bridgeport to be drilled as mounted infantry. It was assigned
to Averell's brigade and operated against "Mudwall" Jackson
around Strasburg, Franklin, Monterey, Huntsville, etc., losing
heavily in the engagement at Rocky gap in August.
It fought with Averell in the several engagements about
Huntersville, Hillsboro and Droop Mountain after which it
participated in the raid to Salem. On Jan. 27, 1864, the
designation of the regiment was changed to the 7th cavalry and
its subsequent history will be found under that head.