Marcus F. Wright's Civil War Bios - Col. Edward Ephraim Cross

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                                   CROSS
   p.406
   CROSS, COL. EDWARD EPHRAIM, although chiefly remembered as a soldier,
   was a good type of the intelligent, energetic American citizen. A
   native of New Hampshire, young Cross went to the West in 1852 to
   practice his trade as a printer in Cincinnati. Here he soon rose above
   the composing stick, and became an editor of "The Times" of that city
   and a correspondent of several Eastern newspapers. He became
   interested in the movement toward California and especially in Arizona
   mines, and was the first man to take a steam-engine or a
   printing-press across the Rocky Mountains. This led to his going to
   Mexico, where he obtained a lieutenant-colonel's commission in the
   Mexican army.
   The news of the secession of the Southern States and the opening of
   hostilities caused him to resign and return to his native State, where
   he organized the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment and became its colonel.
   This regiment became conspicuous under his command during all the
   campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, and Colonel Cross was several
   times wounded. He commanded a brigade more than once, and General
   Hancock did what he could to secure permanent promotion for this
   meritorious officer, but was unable to overcome the adverse influences
   at Washington. On the third day at Gettysburg Colonel Cross was
   mortally wounded, and his death ended a career which deserved earlier
   recognition.