“Battle of Seven Pines”
“Battle of Seven Pines”
Name: John F. Goodner
Date: December 8th, 1862
Unit: 7th Volunteer Tennessee Infantry
Location: Near Fredericksburg at Camp
Camp of 7th regt Ten Gen J. J. Archer Brigade
December 8th, 1862
To the Hon. Secy of war
The following names persons are most respectfully suggested for promotion in Co. G 7th Regt. Tenn Vols.
William F. Graves now 1st Lieutenant in said Co. to Captain of it instead of Capt. James H. Bond resigned 7th Oct. 1862.
Newbern A. Jennings now 2nd Lieut to 1st in place of WM F. Graves promoted.
John C. Ingram now now 2nd Lieut in place of Newbern A. Jennings promoted.
Wm. H. Robbins now 2nd Sergeant to Jun
2nd Lieut. in place of John C. Ingram promoted
They said Wm. H. Robbins has made a good soldier and was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines while gallantly charging the enemy.
Has recovered from his wounds and continues in the line of his duty bearing himself like a true soldier and patient through the recent battles from Cedar Run to Shepardstowm.
All of which is most respectfully submitted for your consideration.
John F. Goodner
Col Comdg. 7th Regt Tenn
All to take effect from 7th OCT 1862
_____________________________________
Biography:
John F. Goodner was born in 1822 to James Goodner and Margaret Fite in Dekalb County, Tennessee. It seems that on both sides of John’s family his ancestors had a strong presence in the United States military, as members had fought in wars spanning from the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, and even the Creek Wars alongside General Jackson. John Goodner was a lifelong military man, like most of his family, enlisting in the 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry. He took part in the Mexican American war spanning from 1846 to 1848 and reached the rank of Captain. He took part in the battle of Vera Cruz and fought at Cerro Gordo. Both of these battles became major moments in the Mexican American War, inflicting many casualties on the Mexican Army.
After John Goodner returned home to Tennessee, he married Nancy Floyd and lived a quiet life. Unfortunately, Nancy would pass during childbirth in 1850; John would never remarry. John was called back up to action in 1861 when the United States was divided by a great Civil War. Both sides desperately reached out to men who had combat experience in the Mexican American War. Many Generals and Officers that took part in the Civil War fought alongside each other during the Mexican American War.
John enlisted in the 7th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry as a Captain on May 20th, 1861 and became part of the Confederacy. From here, the unit would be shipped off to the Eastern Theater and would get their first taste of combat at the Battle of Seven Pines. They suffered heavily at Gaines Mill, having 72 wounded. From here, the unit would be in Second Manassas, Antietam where they only had 100 men present for battle. In Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, they would see heavy fighting on the first day as well as Pickett's Charge. By the end of the war, the 7th Tennessee only surrendered 42 men and 6 officers. They were in a lot of battles and suffered heavy losses throughout the war.
The document written above is talking about the heroism that was witnessed at the Battle of Seven Pines. WM Robbins charged into the enemy after being wounded and is being put in for a promotion due to his heroic actions. John did not see all of these battles and eventually replaced himself after his long career, achieving the rank of Col and Commander of the 7th Tennessee Vol. Infantry. He resigned due to illness April 8th, 1863. After his resignation, he was granted amnesty and died shortly after the war in 1870.
