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Edward E. Cross | |
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| Born | (1832-04-22)April 22, 1832 |
| Died | July 3, 1863(1863-07-03) (aged 31) |
| Place of burial | Lancaster, New Hampshire |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch | United States Army Union Army |
| Service years | 1860–63 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands | 5th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry |
| Conflicts | Indian Wars American Civil War |
Edward Ephraim Cross (April 22, 1832 – July 3, 1863) was a newspaperman and anofficer in theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War.
Cross was born inLancaster, New Hampshire, son of Ephram and Abigail (Everett) Cross; he attended the common school and academy at Lancaster. When he was fifteen years old, he began writing as a printer for a local newspaper, theCoos Democrat. He later moved fromNew Hampshire toCincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as a printer for theCincinnati Times. He demonstrated writing skills and became a reporter for the newspaper, serving for a while as the paper'sWashington correspondent. In 1854, he canvassed Ohio for the American (Know-Nothing) Party, was the Washington correspondent for the Cincinnati Times during two sessions of Congress, and also wrote articles for other newspapers, including the New York Herald.[1]
On July 27, 1858, he left Cincinnati forTubac,Arizona Territory, with the last contingent of the Santa Rita Silver Mining Company.[2]
Cross invested in a series of mines and then established the territory's first newspaper, theWeekly Arizonian. He also served at times in theUnited States Army as a scout during occasional expeditions against theApache. In 1860, he crossed the border intoMexico to command a Sonoran army garrison supporting the insurgency ofBenito Juárez.
On August 5, 1860, Colonel Cross, assigned toFort Buchanan, presided over a meeting of irate miners, at the ranch of Henry Theodore Titus, who demanded protection from depredations committed bySonoran bandits. Cross enumerated the atrocities committed and paid a tribute of respect to the victims.[3]
At the outset of the Civil War, he was commissioned ascolonel of the5th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. He led his regiment in the first divisionII Corps, establishing a reputation as one of the hardest-fighting, toughest officers in the army. Serving with distinction in theBattle of Seven Pines (where he fell wounded) and theSeven Days Battles, he again was wounded at theBattle of Antietam. Cross also led his regiment at theBattle of Fredericksburg and theBattle of Chancellorsville. At Chancellorsville he briefly led an ad hoc fifth brigade in the 1st Division, II Corps.
During theBattle of Gettysburg, he led a brigade in 1st Division, II Corps. On July 2, 1863, the division was sent to the left flank to help stabilize it after the Confederates had begun attacking the salient formed byIII Corps. Cross's brigade was formed on the left of the division's battle line as it entered theWheatfield. During the fighting, Cross was mortally wounded while at the left of his line near the Rose Woods. The monument of the 5th New Hampshire is said to mark the spot where he fell. Cross died the following day at afield hospital, the George Spangler Farm. Ever the popular commander, his last words were "I think the boys will miss me." His body was transported home to Lancaster, New Hampshire, for burial in the town's cemetery.
ColH. Boyd McKeen of the81st Pennsylvania Regiment succeeded to command of the brigade.
Cross was an impulsive and colorful officer. He is reported to have struck non-commissioned officers with the flat of his sword when angry.[4] When leading his regiment into action at Seven Pines, he told the troops "Charge like hell! Show them youare damn Yankees!"
During the Gettysburg campaign, Cross's regiment broke formation so they could move single file over a narrow bridge. When he saw this, he ordered his men to go back and to ford the creek in proper column formation. This caused the soldiers' leather shoes to be wet for some time after.[5]
Cross was notable for always wearing a redbandanna on his head rather than the traditional officer's hat. This was Cross's way of making it easier for his men to locate him quickly on the battlefield. However, on July 2, 1863, Maj. Gen.Winfield S. Hancock noticed that his bandanna was black rather than red. Col. Cross indicated that he had foreseen his own death this day and that black was more appropriate. That morning, he had also looked over some ambulances behind the lines and remarked "We shan't want any of your death wagons today."
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