Edward Cross
Colonel Edward Cross was born on April 22, 1832, in the town of Lancaster, New Hampshire. He had two brothers, Richard and Nelson, who served for the Union Army. At the age of 15 he served as a newspaperman and editor. Cross lived in Cincinnati for some time, but later moved to Arizona. When he heard about Fort Sumter he returned home to New Hampshire. Here he was appointed Colonel of the 5th Regiment by Governor Berry.
As colonel he established a school in which to train his officers and non commissioned officers. Cross was strict and very disciplinary. He was highly critical and fast to jump to conclusions. He was often referred to as gallant under fire in the Official Records.
The Fifth regiment had their first encounter at Rappahanock Station. They suffered no loses and therefore became known as the “Bloodless Fifth.” Their first major battle was at Fair Oaks. During this battle 170 men were wounded and 30 more were killed.
Other battles they fought in were the Peninsula Campaign, Seven Days battle at Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, and of course Gettysburg. The second largest battle was the battle of Antietam fought near the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland.
The day before the Battle of Gettysburg, Cross decided to replace the colonel of the raw recruits. Weeks before the battle Colonel Cross had premonitions of his death.
The morning of the battle Major General Winfield Scott Hancock rode past Colonel Cross and said, “Today will bring you a star.” By this he meant a rank. Cross replied, “No, sir today will be my last day.” Before the battle of Gettysburg he would wear a red bandana so that his troops could see him more easily in battle, but on July 2nd he wore a black bandana instead.
At the battle of Gettysburg his line faced east to southeast and was formed in the southern part of the Wheatfield. His premonition came at eleven p.m. on the night of July 2nd. On his way to the left side of his line he was hit with a Minnie ball. This entered through his chest and went out near the spine. He died around midnight of that same day at the age of thirty- three.
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