ID

Identified and obtained directly from the family, Frock coat of Major Augustus Norton, with period inked inscription on inside liner of left arm near shoulder reading "Maj. A. Norton/7th OV Cav.". This blue wool seven button double breasted officer's frock coat has three shield breasted eagle cuff buttons with "C" in shield as do the fourteen buttons on front and four on split tail in rear. The buttons are back marked Thomas N. Dale & Co. New York. Green silk lining and polished linen lining in sleeves. Coat has the typical balloon elbows and long tail on the frock as seen in all period examples. Norton enlisted as captain but was soon promoted to Major in Nov. of 62. Regiment was drawn from SW Ohio, where Norton was from the Hocking Hills area. Known as the River Regiment their engagements included Carter's Station, Mt. Sterling, KY Dutton's Hill, Mills Springs, Rocky Gap, pursued and cornered Morgan's Cavalry through Ohio to Buffington Island. Captured CSA garrison at Cumberland Gap, second fight at Carter's Station, Tenn., Blue Springs, lost 112 men at Rogersville, Siege of Knoxville, Bean's Station, New Market, Danbridge, Fair Garden, fought and defeated Morgan's Cavalry again near Cynthiana, KY., Franklin, Tenn., City Gate and Nashville. This cavalry unit saw some very heavy fighting throughout the war with 560 casualties in the regiment. A very few small moth holes and light wear at velvet collar. One of the finest we have seen. Augustus Norton Residence was not listed; 24 years old. Enlisted on 9/2/1862 as a Captain. On 11/5/1862 he was commissioned into "I" Co. OH 7th Cavalry. He Resigned on 1/30/1864. Promotions:* Major 12/28/1862. Intra Regimental Company Transfers: * 12/28/1862 from company I to Field & Staff. Excellent Seventh Cavalry. - Col., Israel Garrard; Lieut.-Col., George G. Miner; Majs., William Reaney, Augustus Norton, James McIntire, William T. Simpson, John Leaper, Solomon L. Green, Leonard Skinner. This regiment was recruited from the counties in the southwestern part of the state and was known as the "River regiment." It was mustered into service from Sept. 12, 1862, to Nov. 8, 1862, at Columbus, Camp Ripley, Athens, Pomeroy and Gallipolis, to serve for three years. At time of organization it numbered 1,204 men, and at time of muster-out 840 men. The regiment entered the field of warfare in Kentucky and thence to Tennessee. In December Cos. A and D fought the spirited engagement at Carter's station, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy, 273 of whom surrendered to the Federal detachment, leaving 6 killed and 8 wounded on the field, be-sides surrendering a piece of artillery. A magnificent railroad bridge was burned and a train of cars run into the river. A detachment of the regiment met the enemy at Mt. Sterling, Ky., in March, 1863, defeated him and finally drove him from the state. At the battle of Dutton's hill the regiment was especially conspicuous, distinguishing itself in two charges and contributing largely to the victory. On May 1, Gen. Pegram having collected at Monticello a force of cavalry estimated to number 4,000, the regiment, with other mounted troops, crossed the Cumberland river at Mill Springs, attacked Pegram, defeated him, drove his force to its retreat beyond the Cumberland mountains, and returned to Somerset. In the engagement known as Rocky gap the regiment bore the brunt of the fighting and Gen. Burnside complimented it in orders. The regiment was apart of the force that pursued Gen. Morgan on his raid through Indiana and Ohio, and being in the advance was the first to attack him at Buffington island. Then being reinforced by other troops a sharp engagement ensued, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy, who fled from the field in the greatest disorder, leaving his artillery and dead and wounded on the field, as well as his arms and stolen property, consisting of boots, shoes and clothing of all kinds. At Cumberland gap in September, the Confederate garrison under Gen. Frazer, consisting of 2,600 men, with 15 pieces of artillery, surrendered, the River regiment being detailed to receive the surrender and occupy this "gateway to East Tennessee." On Sept. 10 it returned to Knoxville, and from there marched to Carter's station, where in a night fight it drove a large force of the enemy from that place. In the battle of Blue Springs it participated in the final charge made near nightfall, in which the enemy was routed and sought safety in retreat. In the terrible defeat at Rogersville the regiment lost 112 men and some of its best officers. It then crossed the Clinch mountains, took position on the north bank of Clinch river, and held it against the enemy during the siege of Knoxville. In pursuit of the enemy retreating from Knoxville the regiment participated in the hotly contested battle at Bean's station, which lasted the entire day and in which both parties suffered severely. On Dec. 23 the regiment crossed the Holston river, engaged and drove the enemy from New Market. It then crossed Bey's mountain engaged a largely superior force near Dandridge, and after hard fighting all day, in it was twice surrounded, was compelled to cut its way out. In January it participated in the fight at Fair Garden, in which after several hours' fighting the enemy was defeated and driven in full retreat across the French Broad river, 2 pieces of Confederate artillery and several hundred prisoners being captured. In June the regiment, with the force under Gen. Burbridge, marched toward Cynthiana, Ky., and there at-tacked Morgan's force, defeating and driving him from the field in confusion. In this engagement the regiment captured some 500 prisoners, though in doing so sacrificed several valuable men. From July until September the regiment participated in the siege of the "Gate City," being actively engaged with the enemy almost daily. On Nov. 30 was fought the bloody battle at Franklin, Tenn., where the regiment tenaciously held its position on the left of the Federal line. In the first day's fight at Nashville it charged by squadrons, drove the enemy in its front a mile and a half, captured 4 pieces of artillery, and on the second day was actively engaged. The regiment was mustered out on July 4, 1865, its loss by casualties of war having been 560.