XARMYoFTHtpOTOMAa \ SHERIDAN ^55 THREE YEARS IN THE FEDERAL CAVALRY. C6^?' THEEE YEARS IN TBI FEDERAL CAVALRY. BY CAPTAIN WILLARD GLAZIER, AUtHOB OF "the OAPTUKE, the PRISON-PEN AND THB ESOAPB," " ▼'BOItilA'S BiTII.B-FIELDS," ETC.. ETO.. BIO. ^Ww^txnttA, NEW YORK : R. H. FERGUSON <3t COlVrPANY, PUBLISHERS, 188 BLEECKER STREET 1873. Bntered, according to Act of Congress, in tke yemr 1810 Of WILLARD GLAZIER, lo the Office of tbe Librarian of Congress at WaaliingtOB. THE GALLANT AND UNASSUMING SOLDIER, MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY E. DAVI ES", JR. WHOSE STAR ALWAYS SHONE BRIGHTEST ON THE FRONT LINE OF BATTl>», *HI8 VOLUME IS RESPECTF0LLT BT THE AUTHOR. PREFACE The Cavalry arm of the service during the late Kebelliou has never been fully appreciated, and that is my reason for writing this book ; for I feel that Buch a work will not only be found interesting to the public, but will be doing justice to the brave men with wboni it was my fortune to be associated during the dark hom*s of the Ilcbellion. To serve them, is and ever will be my greatest pleasure. The remarkable features and events of our late Cavalry movements in Virginia and elsewhere, visi- ble to me during the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, were noted daily in my journal, sometimes in camp, sometimes during the halt of the mareli, again at the bivouac fire, and often jotted down with pencil during the lull of battle. From that diary this story of our raids, expeditions, and tights is pre- pared. My descriptions of battles and skirmishes, in Bome cases, may seem too brief and unsatisfactory ; 1* X Preface. to which I can only repl j, that scores of engagements, which to the participants appear to be of vast impor- tance, have verj little general interest. On the other hand, however, it is to he regretted that, where onr cavalry-men have done the most brilliant things, it has been impossible for me, in many instances, to secure reliable and detailed accounts with whicii to do them full justice ; still, my work contains many truths not cognizant to the public, and is creditable to our gallant horsemen, who have too often been eutu'ely overlooked. WiLLAED GlAZIEB. New York, October 8th, 18W CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE "WAR FOR THE tTOION. — CONTEST BEGUH. PAQI, 1861. — Enthusiasm of tlie Nortli. — Washington Threatened. — Bull Eun, and Its Lessons. — General Scott and the Cavalry. — Enlist- ment under Captain Buel. — The Harris Light Cavalry. — Leaving Troy, New York. — Captain A. N. Dutfie. — Drilling and Fencing at Scarsdale, New York. — Bound for the Seat of War. — Phila- delphia. — Baltimore. — Washington. — Camp Oregon.. . . 19 CHAPTER n. CAMP-LIFE XKD ITS rNFLUENCES. 1861. — Our unmilitary Appearance. — First Equipage. — My Black Mare. — Good and Evil Influences. — News-Boys. — Mail-Bag. — Letter-Writing.— The Bugle Corps. — Camp-Guard. — Guerillas under Turner Ashby. — Mounted Drill. — Laughable Experiences with Horses. — Southern Egotism. — Northern Fancies. . .27 CHAPTER m. PREPARATIONS FOR ACTIVE SERTICE. 1861. — First Advance. — " Contrabands," their Hopes and Treatment. — Union Ranks Filling Up. — Promotion. — Foraging and its Ob- stacles. — Scouting and its Aim. — Senator Harris visits the Com- mand. — Ball's Bluff. — Recruiting Service. — Interesting Incidents. — Camp Palmer. — " Contrabands" at Woik. — Drilling near Ar- linittou Heights. — Colonel George D. Bayard. — Fight at Uraines- ville; 89 adi Contents. PAGl, CHAPTER IV. THE ADVANCE TO THE EAPPABAIOTOCK. 1862. — "All quiet along the Potomac." — Preparations. — Army of the Potomac Moves ! — Capture of the " Quaker Guns " at Centre- ville. — Eeturn to Defences. — Guerillas. — Their Attacks and Stratagems. — The Bovine Foe. — Picketing ; how it is done. — Sufferings. — McClellan to the Peninsula. — Virginia Weather and the People. — General Augur's Advance to the Rappahannock. — Lieutenant Decker's Bravery and Death. — Night Charge on Fal- mouth Heights. — Fredericksburg Surrenders. — How Citizens re- gard us.— Guarding a Train to Thoroughfare Gap. — Fight and Captures at Flipper's Orchard. — Shenandoah Valley. — The Fifth New York Cavalry, First Ira Harris' Guard. — Death of Turner Ashby. — Strange Cavalry Tactics. — Personal Bravery of Captain Hammond. — End of the Peninsular Campaign. . . . .49 CHAPTER V. pope's campaign in NOHTHEKN VIEGrNTA. ^862. — Kilpatrick at Beaver Dam. — Captain John S. Mosby. — Eeturn of the Kaiders. — Complimentary Orders. — The Harris Light at Anderson's Turnout. — Eebel Account of the Scare. — General John P. Hatch, his Misfortunes and Justification. — Eeconnois- eances. — Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Hospital at Culpepper. — General Stuart in Close Quarters. — His Adjutant-General Cap- tured. — Deatli of Captain Charles Walters. — Pope driven back and waiting for Reinforcements. — Kilpatrick's Fight at Brandy Station. — Waterloo Bridge. — Bristoe Station. — Manassas Junc- tion. — Battle of Grovcton. — Second BijU Eun. — Chantilly and Death of Kearny. — General Pope resigns 78 CHAPTER VI. REBEL INYABION OF MARYLAND. 1862. — Result of Pope's Campaign. — Ecst and Eccruit at Hiill's Hill. — " My Maryland ; " lis Invasion. — Ofl'ensivo Policy of the Re- bellion. — Pennsylvania and the Whole Country Aroused. — Battle of South Mountain. — Harper's Ferry. — Colonel Miles. — His Treachery and Death. — I'loody Battle of Antietam. — Diilling Kccruita. — The Harris Light again at the Front. — At Chantilly. — Contents xih PAGE. Sudley Church. — Leesburg. — McClellan again Relieved from Command 9S CHAPTER Vn. MCCLELLAN SUCCEEDED BY BUKNSIDE. 1B62. — Burnside's First Campaign. — Army of tlie Potomac in Three Division!?. — Advance from Warrenton to Falmouth. — General Stahcl's Eaid to the Slienandoali. — Laying Pontoons across the Eappaliannock under Fire. — Battle of Fredericl^sburg. — Daring Feats and General Heroism. — Death of General Bayard. — The Hospitals. — Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — Camp " Bay- ard." — Camp-Fires. — Winter Quarters. — Friendly Kehitions of Pickets.— Trading.— Pay -Day.—" Stuck in the Mud." . . .105 CHAPTER VHI. ORGANIZATION OF A CAVALKY CORPS. 1868. — General Hooker assumes Command of the Army of the Poto- mac. — Demoralization. — Reorganization. — A Cavalry Corps. — General George D. Stoncman in Command. — Death of Sergeant May. — Forests of the Old Dominion. — The Cavalryman and his Faithful Horse. — Scenes in Winter Quaiiors. — Kilpatrick. — His Character. — Qualifications of the True Soldier. — A New Horse. — A Mulish Mule. — Kilpatrick's Colored Servants in Trouble. — Terriflc-IIail-Storm.— Major E. F. Cooke Honored.— Colonel Clar- ence Buel. . . . . . . ' . . ^. . . 124 CHAPTER IX. REBEL CHIEFS AND THEIR RAIDS. 1863. — Rebel Eaids by Stuart, Imboden, and Fitz-Hugh Lee. — John S. Mosby, Guerilla Chief. — His Character. — His Command. — Daring and Plunder. — Aided by Citizens. — Condition of the Country Favorable for their Depredations. — Our Picket Lines too Light. — Attacks on Pickets at Herndon Station, Cub Run, and Fryiug-Pan Church. — Miss Laura Ratcliffe, Mosby's Inform- ant. — Mosby at Fairfax Court House. — Capture of General Stoughton.— Fight at Chantilly.— Moeby lauded by His Chiefs. — Mosby beaten at Warrenton Junction. — Severely whipped at Greenwich, whore ho loses a Howitzer captured from Colonel Baker at B.iU's Bluff. 143 xiv Contents. VAO> CHAPTER X, CHAKCELLORSVILLE AJSTD STOJSEMAN's RAXD. 1863. — Review of the Army by the President. — Deserters Punish- ed. — Sports and Pastimes. — Stoneman's First Move. — Storm. — Eeconnoissance to Warrenton. — Anotlier Move. — Other Storms. — Catching "Kabbits." — Stoneman's Great Eaid on Lee's Com- munications. — On tlie Vii'ginia Central Eailroad, — Kilpatrick at Louisa Court House. — He Marelies upon Kichmond. — Bold Ad- vance near the City. — Important Captures. — Eetreat over Meadow Bridge. — Destructions. — Bushwhackers. — Happy Eencounter. — Safe Arrival at Gloucester Point. — Public Prints. — Battle of Chancellorbville. — Heroism and Defeat. — Stonewall Jackson Falls. — Hooker Injured. — Eetreat. — Orders 161 CHAPTER XI. FROM YORKTOWN TO FALMOUTH. 1863. — Curiosity Satisfied. — Pastimes on the York Eiver. — Eeligious Services; their Influence. — Eaid to Mathias Court House. — Sickness and Eecovery. — From Gloucester Point to Falmouth. — Exciting Details. — Correspondence of Mr. Young. — Tlie Press. — With the Army of the Potomac again. — Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station. — Bold Charge of the First Maine Cavalry. — Tlie Chivalry fairly Beaten.— Death of Colonel B. F. Davis, Eighth New York Cavalry. — Interesting Letter of a Eebel Chap- lain. — Casualties. — What was Gained by the Eeconnoissance. — " Pleasontou and Kilpatrick Promoted. — Eebels Eaiding in Mary- land 208 CHAPTER Xn. SECOND INTASION OF MARYLAJSD. — GETTYSBURG. 18C^. — Invasion of the Northern States. — Kilpatrick at Aldie. — The Bloody Battle. — Daring Deeds. — Colonel Cesnola, Fourth New York Cavalry. — Incidents. — Victory. — Advance to Ashby's Gap, — Plcasonton's Ollicial Ecport. — Kebel Movements on Free Soil. — Diflicullies in the North. — Tha Cavalry Corps Crosses the Po- tomac at Edward's Ferry. — General Meade succeeds Hooker. — Orderrt. — Changes in the Cavalry. — Movements. — Kiljiutrick's Fight will) Stuart nt Hanover .Junction. — Solemn and Laughable Scenes. — Buford's Division Opens tlie Figlit at Gettysburg. — Dcuth of General Koynol Js. — First Day's liepulse.—Socoiid Day. Contents. XV PAGE. — Rebel Advantages. — Third Day. — Last Grand Effort. — Death of Genenil Farnsworth. — The Kcpublic just Saved. . . .225 CHAPTER XIII. RETREAT OF THE REBELS FROM GETTYSBURG. 1603. — National Rejoicing. — The Enemy Retreating. — Feebly Pur- sued. — Reconnoissances. — Kilpatrick Gives tlie Enemy a Fourth of July Entertainment at Monterey Pass. — Storm and Terror.^ Immense Train Destroyed, and Hosts of Prisoners Taken. — Pitiable Condition of Stuart's Cavalry. — Battle of Ilagerstown. — Captains Penfield and Dahlgren Wounded. — Wonderful Exploits of a Union Scout. — Kilpatrick and Buford at Williamsport. — Cavalry Fight at Boonsboro. — Stuart Defeated. — Hagerstown Re- taken. — Orders to Advance, One Day Too Late. — Kilpatrick Chases the Flying Foe. — Fight at Falling Waters, Last Act in the Drama. — Great Bravery of Union Troops. — Last Vestige of the Invaders Wiped Out. — Bivouac and Rest 267 CHAPTER XIV. KILPATRICK's GUTTBOAT EXPEDITION. 1863. — Escape of Lee into Virginia. — Reasons. — Cavalry Advance into the Valley via Harper's Ferry. — Riot in New York and other Northern Cities. — Again Across the Potomac on " Sacred Soil." — Blackberries and Discipline. — Mails. — Battle of Manassas Gap. — Mosby Again, and His Bands. — Kilpatrick's Gunboat Expe- dition on the Rappahannock. — Cavalry Captures Navy. — Com- plimented by Superiors. — General Advance of the Army. — Third Cavalry Battle at Brandy Station. — Stuart's Cavalry Worsted at Culpepper Court House. — Sharp Artillery Practice at Raccoon Ford, on the Rapidan. — Special Duties and Special Dangers. — Good Living Along the Hazel and Robertson Rivers. — Import- ant Reconuoissance and Raid. — Hard Fighting and Narrow Es- cape. — Needed Rest Received. — The Paymaster. — Rebel Plan of Attack Foiled by a Citizen Informer. — Suspicious Activity on Our Front 298 CHAPTER XY. CAPTURE OF THE AUTHOR. 1863. — Fight at James City. — Music of Retreat. — Fourth Cavahy Fight at Brandy Station. — Critical Situation. — Kilpatrick Uu- XVI Contents. FAOB daunted.— Davies and Custer. — The Grand Charge. — The Escape. — Tlie Scene. — Subsequent Charges and Counter-cliarges. — The Cavalry Eouted. — The Kappaliannock Kecrossed in Safety. — Infantry Keconnoissance to Brandy Station. — Comical ASair at Bealeton Station.— Thrilling Adventure of Stuart.— His Escape. —Battle of Bristoe.— Casualties.— Retreat Continued.— Destruc- tion of Railroad by tlie Rebels.— Kilpatrick at Buckland Mills. — Unpleasant Surioundings.— Sagacity and Daring.— The Au- tbor's-Capture. — Fall, Itisensibility, Change of Scene.— The End. — lotroduccd to Prison Life 887 Cist of JfUustrations. FAQE. 1. Portrait of the Author, ..... Frontispiece. 2. Our Cavalry Leaders, .-•-... 17 S Cavalry Column on the March, ...... 37 4. Night Attack on Falmouth Heights, ..... 61 6. Burial of Captain ^y alters at Midnight, during Pope's Eetreat, - - 87 6. Federal and Rebel Pickets Meeting in the Bappahannock, • - 119 7. Foraging Party Returning to Camp, --.-.- 173 8. Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station, ..... 215 9. The Cavalry Bivouac. ..-<,.-- .277 10. Cavalry Battle at Buckland MiUs, Va., and Capture of the Author, 333 GKOU p. BANK. Batard, George D Brigiidier-General. Bdford, John " " Cdster, George A Davies, Henry E., Jr.. Grego, David McM.... KlI.PATUIOK, JUDSON... Pi.EASONTON, AlFKED... SuERiDAN, Philip H.... Stoneman, Geobgb D.. .U jor Genera]. THREE YEARS FEDERAL CAVALRY. CHAPTER I. THE WAR FOR THE UNION.— CONTEST BEGUN. 1861.— Enthusiasm of the North.— Washington Threatened.— Bull Run, and Its Lessons. — General Scott and the Cavalry. — Enlistment un- der Captain Buel. — Harris Light Cavalry. — Leaving Troy, New York.— Captain A. N. Duffi6.— Drilling and Fencing at Scarsdale, New York.— Bound for the Seat of War.— Philadelphia.— Baltimore.— Washington. — Camp Oregon. THE eleventh of April, 1861, revealed the real m- tention of the Sonthern people in their dastardly assault upon Fort Sumter. The thunder of Rebel cannon shook the air not only around Charleston, but sent its thrilling vibrations to the remotest sections of the country, and was the precursor of a storm whose wrath no one anticipated. This shock of arms was like a fire-alarm in our great cities, and the North arose in its might with a grand unanimity which the South did not expect. Tiie spirit and principle of Rebellion were so uncaused and unpro- voked, that scarcely could any one be found at home or abroad to justify them. 20 Three Years in the Federal Caval/ry. President Lincoln thereupon issued a call for seveiitj-five thousand men to uphold and vindicate the authority of the Government, and to prove, if possible, that secession was not only a heresy in doc- trine, but an impracticability in the American Re- public. The response to this call was much more general than the most sanguine had any reason to look for. The enthusiasm of the people was quite unbounded. Individuals encouraged individuals ; fam- ilies aroused families ; communities vied with com- munities, and States strove with States. Who could be the first and do the most, was the noble conten- tion which everywhere prevailed. All political party lines seemed to be obliterated. Under this i-enovating and inspiring spirit the work of raising the nucleus of the grandest army that ever swept a continent went bravely on. Regiments were rapidly organized and as rapidly as possible sent forward to the seat of Government ; and so vast was the number that presented themselves for their country's defence, that the original call was soon more than filled, and the authorities found themselves unable to accept many organizations which were eager to press into the fray. Meanwhile the great leaders of the Rebellion were marshalling the hordes of treason, and assem- bling them on the ])lains of Manassas, with the nn- (h)ubted intention of moving upon the national capi- tal, lliis point determined the principal theatre of the opening contest, and around it on every side, and ])articularly southward, was to be the aceldama of America, — the dreadful " field of blood." The lii'st great impulse of the authorities was in the direction of self-defence (and ^vhat could be more Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 21 natural and proper ?), and WasLington was fortified and garrisoned. This done, it was believed that the accumulating forces of the Union, wliich had become thoroughly equipped and somewhat disciplined, ought to advance into the revolted territory, scatter the defiant hosts of the enemy, and put a speedy end to the slaveholders' Rebellion. But the hesitati(Mi and indecision which prevailed in our military circles were becoming oppressive and unendurable, and hence the cry of " On to Richmond ! " was heard from the Border States to the St. Lawrence, precipi- tating the first general engagement of the war. Our defeat at Bull Run was a totally unexpected disaster, which, for a time, it was feared, would chill the en- thusiasm and greatly weaken the energy of the North. But thouo-h the South was much strength- ened and emboldened by their victory, our defeat had its own curative elements : it taught us that the enemy was determined and powerful, and that to overcome him the ranks of the Union army must be filled with something besides three months' men, or men on any very limited term of enlistment. Otlier lessons were also gained : our men had formed some acquaintance with the citizens and the country ; they liad learned the importance of a more thorough disci- pline and organization ; and those who had gone forth as to a pic-nic or a holiday, sat down " to count tlie cost " of " enduring privations as good soldiers." The nation discovered that this struggle for life was desperate and even dubious, and it was thoroughly aroused. Under the military regime of General Wmfield 22 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Scott, the cavalrj-firm of the service had been ahnost entirely overlooked. His previous campaigns in Mexico, which consisted mainly of the investments of walled cities, and of assaults on fortresses, had not been favorable to extensive cavalry operations, and he was not disposed at so advanced an age in life materially to change his tactics of war. What few regiments of cavalry we had in the regular army were mostly broken up into small detachments for the pm"pose of ranging our Western frontiers, while a few squads were patrolling between the outposts of our new army, carrying messages from camp to camp, and pompously escorting the commanding generals in their grand reviews and parades. But the Black Horse Cavalry of Virginia, at Bull Run, unmatched by any similar force on our side, had demonstrated the efficiency and importance of this branch of the service, and our authorities began to change their views. The sentiment of the people at large seemed to turn in the same channel, and a peculiar enthusiasm in this direction was perceptible everywhere. It w^as as though the spirit of the old knight-errantry had suddenly fallen upon us. I was in Troy, New York, when the sad intelligence of the reverse to our arms at Bull Run, was received. This was followed quickly by another call for volun- teers, and I decided without hesitation to enter the army. In a(;cordanco with my resolve I enlisted as a ])rivate soldier at Troy, on the sixth day of August, 1801, in a company raised by Captain Clarence Buel, for the cavalry service. To encounter the chivalrous Black Horse Cavalry, of Bull Run fame, it was pro- Three Years in tlu Federal Cavalry. 23 posed to raise a force in the Nortli, and as Senator Ira Harris, of New York, was giving this organiza- tion his patronage and influence, a brigade was formed, whose banners sliould bear his name. Originally the regiment to which my company was assigned was intended for the regular army, and was for some time known as the Seventh United States Cavalry ; but the Government having decided to have but six regiments of regular cavaby, and as New York had contributed tlie majority of the men to the organization, we were denominated the Sec- ond Eegiment of New York Cavalry, " Harris Light." This regiment was organized by J. Mansfield Davies, of New York, as colonel, assisted by Judson Kil- patrick, of New Jersey, as lieutenant-colonel. The men were mostly from the States of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. On the thirteenth of August, Captain Buel's Tro- jan Company was summoned together for the purpose of leaving for the South. Under a severe drenching rain we were drawn up in line fronting the residence of General John E. Wool, when the old veteran deliv- ered a most heroic address, which led us quite to for- get the pelting rain, and prepared us for our departure. The boys then found a very pleasant shelter on board the Vanderbilt, bound for New York City. The day following all the New York State men rendezvoused at G48 Broadway, and were mustered into the service of the United States by Lieutenant-colonel D. B. Sackett, of the regular army. At four o'clock p. m. we were ordered aboard a train of cars, and told that 24 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. our destination was Camp Howe, near Scarsdale^ twentj-fonr miles north of the citj, between the Har- lem and East rivers. We reached the place jnst in time to pitch our tents for the night — an operation which was not only new and strange, but performed in any thing but a workman-like manner. We had every thing to learn, and this was our first lesson in soldiering. Captain A. N. Duffie, a French officer and gradu- ate of the military school of St. Cyr, is in command of the camp, and is to be the superintendent of our dis- cipline and drill. He is somewhat eccentric, bvit is un- doubtedly well qualified for the duties of his position. Atigust 16. — This morning we commenced the inevitable drill on foot, as we are still without horses. We find this exercise very severe, and yet, in view of its great importance, we accept it with a good de- gree of relish. Our drill-master is thorough and i-igidly strict, after the fashion of the French schools. We cannot avoid learning under his tuition. In the afternoon we were set to policing camp. This com- prises the cleaning of one of the roughest farms in the country of stone. And as a remuneration to the owners for the use of this most unsightly of God's forsaken ground, we are compelled to build stone fences — a veiy unpleasant introduction to military life, and an occu]iation which by no means accords with our ideas of a soldier's duties. But our hands toil with a protest in our hearts, and with q. certain re- solve that this kind of fencing must not long continue. After a week spent in drill and the stone-wall en- tcrprisG, we were all surprised one morning with an Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 25 order to fall into line to receive a Napoleonic ha- rangue from Captain Duffie. So many and even loud had been our protests, and so glarinirly mani- fest our rebellious spirit on the subject of fortifying a farm in the State of New York, that the captain undoubtedly feared that he might not be very zeal- ously supported by us in his future movements, and so, like Napoleon, on assuming command of the army of Italy, he sought to test the devotion of his men. After amuying us awhile in his broken English, and arousing us by his touching appeals to our patriotism and honor, at length he shouted, " Now as many of you as are ready to follow me to the cannon's mouth, take one step to the front." This dernier resort to pride was perfectly successful, and the whole lino took the desired step. We were then ordered t > i^e ready to leave camp at eleven o'clock that mornijig, which was on the twentieth of August, assured that Washington, D. C, was our destination. Our ranks were quickly broken, and all due pre- paration made for our departure. After marching to Scarsdale we took cars and were soon landed in the metropolis, through the principal streets of which our command passed to the Jersey City ferry. Without much delay we reached Philadelphia in the evening, where we were bountifully supplied with rations by her proverbially generous and patriotic people. True to the instinct of " Brotherly Love," the citizens are making arrangements such as would indicate that mil- lions of Union soldiers might be fed at their tables. Here we spent the night. The next morning at 6.30 we were on our way southward. A brief halt was 26 Three Years in the Federal Ca/oalry. made in Baltimore, whose streets still seem to be speaking of the blood of the brave Massachusetts men. And as we march along, we can but recall the poet's prophesy : '' And the Eagle, never dying, 6till is trying, still is trying, With its wings upon tiie map to hide a city with its gore; But the name is there forever, and it shall be hidden never, Whilje the awful brand of nnirder points the Avenger to its shore; While the blood of peaceful brothers God's dread vengeance doth implore, Thou art doomed, Baltimore!" At four o'clock in the afternoon we beheld the dome of the nation's Capitol, and, after landing, marched a few hundred yards beyond the eastern boundai'y of the city, where we pitched tents near Camp Oregon — named thus in honor of Colonel Ed- ward D. Baker, who represented that Territory in the United States Senate previous to his acceptauce of a military commission, and who is now in command of the famous California regiment — a noble body of men, who will ever follow with devotion the lead of their gallant Colonel. Three Years in tlie Federal Cavalry. CHAPTER II. CAMP-LIFE AND ITS INFLUENCES. 1861. — Our uninilitary Appearance. — First Equipage. — My Black Mare.— Good and Evil Influeuces. — News-Boys. — Mail-Bag. — Letter-Writ- ing. — The Bugle Corps. — Camp Guard. — Guerillas under Turner Ash- by. — Mounted Drill. — Laughable Experiences with Horses. — Southern Egotism. — Northern Fancies. DRILL ! drill ! and cnmp-police are the order of the day. Indeed we have nothino; else to do, and to do nothing at all is the hardest kind of work. We expect soon to have some accoutrements to enable us to drill sometliing besides our feet. Our prepara- tions for war have commenced at the extremities ; for thus far nothing but our heads and feet have been instructed. However, as we become better acquaint- ed witli this part of our duty, we relish it better than at first, and flatter ourseh^es that we are making no very mean progress. For some time after our arrival here, tJie Govern- ment was unable to supply us with uniforms, or weapons of war, and our appearance ^vas far from being a la iniliiaire, as Captain Duffie would have it. Coming as we did from colleges and schools, from offices and counting-rooms, from shops and farms, and some from no occupation at all, each with the peculiar dress he wore when he enlisted, and 2 28 Three Years in the Federal CaA)alry. already pretty well worn out by onr labors at Camp Howe and extensive traveJlina^, we were a most un- sightly, heterogeneous mass of humanity, and were a subject of no little sport to our better-clad fellow-sol- diers. Especially was this tlie case when on a certain day General B, F. Botler reviewed the troops of this department, and we were made to appear before him and the multitude witli our hats and caps, our coats and jackets, in nearly all colors, and many of them in rags and shags. We certainly had nothing to recommend us to the consideration of military men, except the courageous spirit that throbbed in our generally ro- bust frames. But we were hopeful of better days, when we might have the appearance and equipage as well as the internal qualities of soldiers. But the Government was so wholly unprepared for war, tliat our su])plies were received v-ery slowly. First came our uniforms, which every man donned gladly, and yet with a feeling that the last link to civil life, for the present, was severed, and that hence- forth in a very peculiar sense we belonged to our com- mon country. A few days after our arrival at Camp Oregon, we were joined by the men who belonged to our regiment from other States. This added fresh enthusiasm, as well as new strength, to our ranks. However, there is as yet nothing in our tout ensemhle to distinguish us from infantry or artillery, except the yellow trim- ming of our blue uniforms, whereas the infantry has the light blue trimming, and the artillery Ijright red, Avfjttst '■lo. — To-day I am happy to make the following entry in my diary, namely: the regiment Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 29 was furnished with sabres, Coh's revolvers and all the necessary aj)pendages, consisting of belts and am- mnnition-boxes. Every man has now a new care and pride — to keep his sabre bright, and his entire outfit clean, that he may wear them with pleasure to himself and honor to his comrades. The morning of the twenty-fourth was spent in sabre exer- cise, with which we were all delio-hted. This is the first development in us of the cavalry element as euch, and we begin to feel our individuality. Wo desire to have this growth continue uninterruptedly, and in aid of it, in the early part of September, came quite a large installment of horses and equipments. This occurred while the regiment occupied a camp about three miles from Washington, on the Bladens- burg road, which we named Sussex, in honor of Sus- sex county, Ts^ew York, our colonel's native county. As the number of horses furnished us at this time was not sufficient to mount the whole command, the number received by each company was proportioned to the maximum roll of its men. After the non- commissioned oificers of each company, including all the sergeants and corporals, had drawn their liorses according to rank, the privates were made to draw lots for the remainder — a performance which pro- duced no little amount of excitement. Several of our comrades were of course unfor- tunately compelled for several days to march on foot, though much against their Avishes ; for nothing could be more humiliating to a drag(jon tlnni to be trudging through the mud and dust, while his eompaniona are gliding past him with their neighing steeds, 30 Three Years in tlie Federal Cavah^. on tlieir way to the cb-ill-gronnd, or to any other post of duty. It was my good fortune to be the recipient of a beautiful blaclc mare, only five years old, full of life and fiery metal, fourteen hands high, and weigh- ing not less than ten hundred pounds. She was a gem for the cavalry service, or anything else, and a friendship was destined to grow up between vis wor- thy of future mention. We are now fairly out upon the ocean of our new life, and are beginning to feel its influence. It does not take the careful observer long to notice the efiects which outward changes and circumstances have upon the charactei's of most men. Indeed, no man remains unaffected by them ; he either advances or retrogrades, and it is very apparent already among us tliat while soldiering does make some men, it -?/;? makes many. The very lowest sti-atum of life among us, such as re- presents the loungers in the streets and lanes of our cities, — those who have neither occupation nor cul- ture, is amazingly influenced for the better by mili- tary discipline. These men now find themselves with something to do, and with somebody to make them do it. The progress is very slow, it is true, and in some cases exceptional, but this is evidently the gen- eral tendency. On the other liand, however, our regiment is made up ])riiicipally of young men from highly respectable families, reared under tlie influences of a pure morality, who And that the highest staiulard of n "u-ality present- ed here is mucli lowci- tlian they were wont to have at liome, and th(^y soon begin to waver. Tlius, having, lorit their fii'st moorings of character, they start down- TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 31 ward, and in many instances are pi-ecipitated to lior rible depths. " When once a pliaking monarcliy doclinca, Eiich thing grows bold and to its fall comtines." Only a very few Lave sufficient force in tlieniselTes to effectually resist these evils. It must be remem- bered that the wholesome and normal restraints of virtuous female society are wholly removed from us. And from what we daily see around us we are convinced that a colony of men only, however virtuous or moral, Avould in a short time run into utter barbarism. No candid observer can doubt the teaching of the old scripture, that " it is not good for man to be alone." Moreover, the friends and associates of our child- hood's innocence, whose presence always calls forth the purest memories, are not with us ; nor do we feel the almost omnipotent influences of the old school- house gatherings, of the church-going bell, and of the liome-ti reside. When you sever all these ties and helps to a moral life, and throw a man in the im- mediate association of the vicious, he must be only a little less than an angel not to fall. Here we are all dressed alike, live alike, and are all subject to like laws and discipline. The very man who shares our blanket and tent-cover, who drawls rations from tlie same kettle, who drinks from the samb canteen, and with whom we are compelled to come in contact daily, may be the veriest poltroon, whose diploma shows graduation at the Five Points, and whose presence alone is morally miasmatic. Consequently our camp is infested more or less with gambling, drunkenness, 32 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. and profanity, and all their train of attendant evils, and at times we long for campaigning in the field, whore it seems to us we may rid ourselves of this demoralization. Hannihars toilsome marches across the Ali)S and through Upper Italy only gave hardihood and courage to his legions, wdio came thundering at tlie very gates of Rome, and threatening its immediate ov^erthrow ; hut a winter's camp-life at Capua left them shorn of their strength. But then w^e have remedial influences even in camp, and we hail them with no little delight. Daily the news-boys n)ake their appearance, calling out: "Washington Chronicle and ]S'ew York papers!" They enjoy an extensive patronage. - With these sheets many moments are pleasantly spent, as their columns are eagerly perused. Then, following hard on the track of the news-boys, comes our adjutant's orderly or courier with a mail-bag full of letters, pre- cious mementos from the loved ones at home. These messages are the best reminders we have of our home- life, especially when they are brim-full, as is usually the case, with patriotic sparkling, and wuth afiection's purest libations. These letters have a double influence ; while they keej) the memories of home more or less bright within us, and at times so bright that as we read we can almost see our mothers, wives, and sisters in their tender Christian solicitude for us, they also stimulate us to greater improvements in the episto- lary art. Men who never wrote a letter in their lives l)efo)-e, are at it now; those who cannot write at all, arc either learning, or engage their comrades to write fur them, and the command is doing more writing in Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 33 one day than, I should judge, we used to do in a inonth, and, perhaps, a year. No sooner are tlie contents of the mail-bag dis- tributed, and devoured by the eager newsmongers, than active preparations are made for responding. Some men carr}^ pocket-inkstands and write with pens, but the nuijority use pencils. Here 3'ou see one seated on a stump or fence, addressing his " sweet-heart," wife, or mother; another w^rites standing up against a tree, while a third is lying flat on the ground. Thus (iither in the tents or in the open air, scribbling is going on, and the return mail will cairy many sweet Avords to those wdio cannot l)o wholly forgotten. I suppose in this way we are not oidy making, but writing history. Camp-life then is not entirely mono- tonous. THE BUGLE-CORPS. Sights and sounds of interest may be seen and heard at almost every hour of the day. The morning is ushered in with the shrill reveille, which means awake and arise. This is well executed by our bugle- coi"ps, which Colonel Davies has organized, and is drilling thoroughly. All our movements are now ordered by the bugle. By its blast we are called to our breakfast, dinner and supper. Roll-call is sound- ed twice a day, and the companies fall into line, when the first sergeants easily ascertain whether every man is at his post of duty. The bugle calls the sick, and sometimes those who feign to be, to the surgeon's quarters, and their wants and woes are attended to. By the bugle we are summoned to inspections, to camp- guard, to the feeding and watering of our horses and 2* 34 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. to drill. A peculiarly slirill call is that whicli brings all the lirst or orderly sergeants to the adjutant's quarters to receive any special order he may have to communicate. Thus call after call is sounded at in- tervals throughout the day, ending with " taps," "svhich is the signal for blowing out the lights and seeking the rest which night demands. Any neglect of the latter call usually brings the offender to the guard-house, or sends him to extra duty. Our principal duties now are camp guard and drill, which we perform by turns. Every morning quite a large force is detailed, with a commissioned officer in command, for guard duty. These form a line of dismounted pickets, or vedettes, around the entire camp. They are stationed within sight and hailing distance of each other, enabling them to pre- vent any one from leaving or entering can.ip without a written pass in the day-time, or the countersign at night. The rule is to have each man stand post for two hours, when he is relieved. This is the maximum time, and is sometimes made less at the discretion of the commandant. "VVe are told, as we perform this duty, that it is not very unlike the picketing that will be re(|uired of us if we are ever ])ermitted to take the field which confronts the enemy. Indeed, this is picketing on a small, scale. And our enthusiasm in this branch of our work increases, as we are almost daily in receipt of accounts of attacks on our ])ickets along the line of the Ijaltimorc and Ohio llailroad and the Cumber- land Canal. It appears that a certain Colonel Turner Ashhy, with a force of cavaliers ('^) acting as gucril- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 35 las, singly and in squads, is nightly endeavoring tc eever oui* telegraph-wires, to burn our railroad-bridges, and to destroy the canal, or fire at our men on the passing boats ; and not unfrequently we read of skir- mishes in which several of our pickets have ])een either captured, wounded, or killed. We, of course, expect before long to face Colonel Asliby and his con- federates, and are preparing ourselves for the issue. MOUNTED DRILL. The regiment w^as supplied with its full comple- ment of horses a few days since, and mounted drill is now the general order of the day ; nearly all our time not otherwise occupied is now devoted to this exercise. At first we had some exciting times with our young and untrained horses. One of our men received a kick from his horse which proved fatal to liis life. Several of our wildest and seemingly incor- rigible ones w^e have been compelled to run up the steepest hills in the vicinity, under the wholesome discipline of sharp spurs, until the evil has been sweated out of them. We find, however, that the trouble is not only with the horees, but frequently with the men, many of wdiom have never bridled a horse nor touched a saddle. And then, too, these curbed bits in the mouths of animals that had been trained with the common bridle, produced a most rebellious temper, causing many of them to pitch up into the air as though they had suddenly been trans- formed into monstrous kangaroos, while the riders showed signs of having taken lessons in somersaults. Some of the scenes are more than ludicror.s. Horses 36 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. and men are acting very awkwardly, also, with the guiding of the animal by the rein against the neck, and not by the bit, as we were accustomed to do at home. We do not wonder much that the chivalrous Black Horse gentry have expressed their contempt of I^orth- ern "mudsills and greasy mechanics," and have made their brags that we could never match them. But then it is said that these Southrons were born in a saddle, and were always trained in horsemanship. They generally perform their pleasure excursions, go on their business journeys, and even to church, on horseback. They w^ere therefore prepared for the cavalry service, before we had so much as thought of it. But let them beware of what they think or say, for we can learn., and it does frequently occur that somewhere in the experience of contending parties, " the first is last, and the last first." AVe are improving rapidly. There is so much exhil- aration in the shrill bugle-notes wdiich order the move- ments of the drill, and so much life in its swift evolu- tions, that the men and horses seem to dance rather than walk on their way to the drill grounds, and both are readily learning the certain sounds of the trumpet, and becoming masters of motions and dispositions re- quired of them. Like all other apprentices, of course, we occasionally indulge in the reveries of imagina- tion, and think w^e are laying the foundation of a career which is destined to be important and glorious. Be this as it may, w^e do not mean to be outstripped by the niost efficient in our knowledge and practice of cavalry tactics, and of the general manceuvrings of war, Three Years in the Federal Cavah-y. 39 CnATTER III. PREPARATIONS FOR ACTIVE SERVICE. 1861. — First Advance. — " Contrabands," their Hopes and Treatment.— Union Ranks Filling Up. — Promotion. — Foraging and its Obstacles.— Scouting and its Aim. — Senator Ilariis visits the Command. — Ball'a Bluff. — Recruiting Service. — Interesting Incidents. — Camp Palmer. — "Contrabands" at Work. — Drilling near Arlington Heights. — Colonel George D. Bayard. — Fight at Drainesville. OCTOBER 15, 1861.— The Harris Liglit broke camp at eight o'clock, a. m., and marched proudlj through Washington, crossed tlie famous Long Bridge over the Potomac, and moved forward to Munson's Hill, in full view of onr infantry ontposts, wdiere we es- tablished anew camp, calling it " Advance." For tliG first time our horses remained saddled through the night, and the men slept on their arms. To ns this was a new and exciting phase of life. ' Since our retreat from Bull Run, the Rebel army has made itself fornn'dable on this line, and though no active movements have been attempted on Wash- ington, we are, nevertheless, apprehensive of such a measure on their part. Hence our picket lines are doubly strong and vigilant, while every means is re- sorted to to ascertain the position, strength, and inten- tion of our wily foe. Frequently "contrabands" feel their way through the enemy's pickets under cover of the night, and 40 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. tlirongh tlie tangled brushwood wliich abomids, and reach our lines safely. From them we gain much valuable information of the state of things in " Dix- ie." Some of them, we learn, were employed by Rebel leaders in constructing forts and earthwork s^ and in various ways were made to contribute muscle to the Southern Confederacy. They have strange and exciting stories to tell us, and yet it seems as though they might be of great service to us, if we saw fit to employ them, as guides in our movements. Their hearts arc with us in this conflict. They bail us as friends, and entertain wild notions about a jubilee of liberty, for which they are ever praying and singing, and look upon us as their deliverers. How they have formed such opinions is somewhat difficult to conjec- ture, especially M'lien we consider the anomalous treatment they have received from our hands. The authorities have seemed to be puzzled with regard to them; and there are cases where they have even been returned to their former owners. And yet there seems to be an instinctive prophecy in their natures, which leads them to look to Northmen for freedom. Their presence in our camps becomes a sort of inspiratio*i to most of us, and we earnestly hope that their prayers may be answered, and that every chain of servitude may be broken. This sentiment at times breaks out in such as the following poetic strain : " In the beauty of the lily Christ was born ixcross the sen, With ii plory in Ilia boso!n tliat tninsfigiires you nnd mo As He died to make men holy, let us die to make them free," And as slavery was the ca-jse, and not, as some say, the pretext, of the war, if the Union arms succeed, Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 41 tliis " irrepressible conflict " and villanous wrong mnst come to an end. Our confidence in tlie ultimate success of our arms is daily increasing. Since the first of August our ranks have been wonderfully swelled ; and now j-egi- nieut after regiment, battery after battery, is pouring in from the North, filling the camps of instruction, and manning the fortifications around Washington. Meanwhile, earthworks are being constructed on all the high hills and commanding positions ; strong abatis are made of the forest-trees, and every thing done that can give the city an air of security, and the country round about the appearance of a bi'istling porcupine. Should this influx of troops continue, we shall be compelled to advance our lines for very room on which to station them. We have some intimations that our advance to this point to-day is preparatory to such a movement. The day follow^ing our advance to Munson's Hill I was promoted to the rank of corporal, on recom- mendation of Captain Buel, my appointment to date from the fifteenth. On the sixteenth our lines were advanced to Vien- na, a station on the Leesburgh Eailroad, and on the seventeenth as far as Fairfax Court House, the Con- federate force falling back towards Centreville and Manassas Junction without offering us the slightest opportunity to bring them into an engagement. We are spending our time mostly in foraging, scouting, and patroling. In consequence of imperfect transportation, the cavalry especially is compelled to seek its own forage, w^ith wdiich, however, the 42 Three Tears in the Federal Cavalry. country ahouiids. Corn is found in " riglit smart heaps," as the natives say, either in the fields or barns, and hayricks dot the country on every side. But there is a certain degree of scrupulousness on the part of some of our commanders with regard to ap- propriating the produce of the " sacred soil " to our own use, Avliich greatly embarrasses our foraging ex- peditions, and exasperates not a little those of us who are needy of the things we are at times ordered not to take. It is no uncommon thing to find one of our men stationed as safeguard over the property of a most bitter Rebel — property which, in our judgment, ouglit to be confiscated to the use of the Union, or utterly destroyed. We do not believe in handling Kebels with kid gloves, and especially when we know tliat the very men whom we protect ai"e constantly giving information to the enemy of all our move- ments, and using their property Avhenever they can to aid and comfV»rt the cause of treason. We are too forcibly reminded of the fable we used to read in our schoolboy days, of the Farmer and the Viper. We are only warming into new life and strength this virus of Rebellion, to have it recoil upon ourselves. We hope our autliorities will soon discover their error, and change their tactics. -* Our scouting is on a limited scale, though it afibrds considerable (exercise and excitement. Thereby Me are learning the topography of the country, and mak- ing small ma])S of the same. We are traversing tlie forests, througli the wood-roads and by-paths which run in every direction ; strolling by the streams and ravines, and gaining al] tlie information which can be Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 43 of use to ns in future manoeuvrings. We scout in small squads over the entire area occupied by our forces, and often beyond ; and, now and then, moi-e frequently in the night, we patrol between our picket posts, to ascei'tain that all is well at the points most exposed to danger. The principal object of scout- ing is to learn the strength and position of the ene- my, while the object of patrolling is to learn our own. October 20. — To-day the regiment was honored by a visit from its patron, Senator Ira Harris. After witnessing a mounted drill and parade, which pleased him much, he presented us a beautiful stand of colors, accompanied by an appropriate and eloquent address. He made especial reference to the object of the organ- ization, the hopes of its friends, and their earnest prayers for its future usefulness and success. He dwelt enthusiastically upon the work before us. At the close of the speech the command responded with a rousing round of cheers, expressive of their thankful- ness for the banner and of their determination to keep it, to stand by it, and to defend it. even with their lives. The occasion was one to be remembered. BALL'S BLUFF. Another great pall of sadness has fallen upon our Boldiers. The papers bring intelligence of our terrible disaster at Ball's Bluff, and the promising Colonel E. D. Baker has fallen, while gallantly leading his noble Californians. Discussions as to the cause or causes of that fatal advance and retreat are now in vogue throughout our camps. It does seem to many as 44 Tfiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. tliongli gross incompetency or treachery must liave influenced the authorities having immediate oversight of the afl'air, and that our fallen braves have been needlessly immolated upon their country's altar. " Big Bethel, Bull Run, and Ball's Bluff, Oh, allitei'ation of blunders! Of blunders more than eiioufi;h. In a time full of blunders and wonders." But the boys are enthusiastic over the bravery of our nineteen hundred, who fought against a force more than twice their number, with all the advantage of position and knowledge of the country. All our battles have proven that our men can fight, and, though Providence seems to have been against us thus far, for reasons most inscrutable, we will not waver in our determination to dare or die in the contest. Our chief difhcultics are not in the rank and file of the army, but in the general management of the forces, and we trust that ere long right men \\\\\ be found to take the places of incompetent ones. RECRUITING SERVICE., Being detailed by Colonel Davies for recruiting service, I left camp on the twenty-eighth of October, and proceeded, in company with Lieutenant Charles E. Morton, to New York. We went on to I^ew- burgh, near the lieutenant's native home, wlicre we remained a few days together ; but on the first of No- vember I was ordered to Troy, to act indci)end(;ntly. I spent several weeks in this peculiar work and with good success. Though recruiting ofliccs could be found on all the Three Years in the Fedei'al Cavalry. 4:^ principal streets of onr cities and villages, yet a good business was done by them all, sucli was the cntlnisi- asm which prevailed among the people. AVar-meet- iugs were frequently held, and addressed by our best orators. The press, with few exceptions, poured forth its eloquent appeals to the strong-bodied men of the country to range themselves on the side of right against wrong. Violence would be done to truth did we not mention, also, that the pulpits of the land were potent helpers in this work, by their religious patriotism and persistent efforts to keej) the great issue distinctly before the ])eople. Thus the mind and heart of the I^orth were kept alive to the great problem of the nation's existence, and men were ral- lying to our standard. It was no uncommon thing to receive applications to enter our lists from young men or boys too young and slender to be admitted, who left our offices in tears of disappointm.ent, unless we could find for them a position as drummers and buglers. A single instance of enlistment under my obser- vation might be mentioned, as it gives a specimen of the manner in which our work went on. Having taken passage on the cars one day from one point of my labors to another, I fell in with a young man who was on his way to college, where he expected to be matriculated the following day. His valise was full of books and other students' requisites, and his heart full of literary ambition. Attracted to me by my uniform, he soon learned my. business, and, after a few moments of pensiveness, to my surprise, he told me to inscribe his name among my recruits. Then, 4:6 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. turning to a friend on board the car, he said, "Take this trunk to my home, and tell mother I have enlist- ed in a cavah-y regiment." On the fourth of Deccnil)er I returned from re- cruiting service, bringing with me all recruits who had not been previously sent to the regiment. I found the Harris Light occupying Camp Palmer, on Arling- ton Heights, the confiscated property of the Hebel General Robert E. Lee. On arriving in camp I found that the papers from Washington contained a letter of Secretary Seward, directing General McCIellannot to return to their former owners contrabands in our lines. This order, when fully understood by our col- ored friends, will undoubtedly increase their exit " from Egypt," as many of them style their escape from bondage. The government will probably adopt measures to give these fngitives systematic assistance and labor, that they may be of use to us. Already I find that a large number of our officers have adopted them for cooks and hostlers, in which posi- tions they certainl}' excel ; and there is no good reason why we may not employ them as teamsters on our trains and heli)ers in our trenches, Tlicy are gener- ally very powerful, and show signs "of great endur- ance. Nor do we find them unwilling to labor, as we liave been so often told they were. However, we do not wonder much that they liave acquired the "repu- tation " of being hizy, for what but a thing or an ani- mal could take pleasure in unrequited toil? Now they have a personal interest, and take a peculiar de- light in what they do for us. Their great willingness and ability to work for Uncle Sam or any of his boys, Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 41 would indicate that tlicy will become eminently use- ful in the service of tlieir country. From Camp Palmer the regiment had gone out tc drill for some time ; and here we continued through the month, generally occupying the large plain which lies between the Arlington House and the Potomac, and in full view of Washington. On this Held Kil- patrick, Davies, Duffie, and others, began to develop their soldierly qualities, infusing them into their com- mands, and imparting that knowledge of cavalry tactics which would prepare us for the duties of war. We have recently been greatly encouraged by the movements of Colonel George Dasliiel Bayard, of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, who, on the twenty-sev- enth of November, Avliile on a scout on the road to Leesburg, Loudon cuuuty, met a band of the Chiv- alry near Drainesville, with whom he had a spirited skirmisli. The wdiole aflair would indicate that Colo- nel Bayard is destined to be no mean cavalry leader. Cavalry regiments from most of the loyal States have been organized, and are now in camps of instruc- tion. Occasionally they go out scouting, picketing, etc., and arc thus preparing for the coming campaigns. December 'i^. — To-day a brigade of Pennsylvani- ans, including two squadrons of Colonel Bayard's cavalry regiment, the whole force under command of General E. O. C. Ord, while foraging in the vicinity of Drainesville, were attacked by a Rebel force nearly equal in numbers, with General J. E.B.Stuart com- manding in person. A lively contest followed, in' which the Rebels were thoroughly beaten and driven from the field, losing, according to their own accounts, 4:8 Three Years in tlie Federal Cavalry. about two hundred and fiftv in killed, wounded, and captured, Tliej left twentj'-live dead Lorses on the field, with the debris of two caissons, disal^led and exploded bj the well-directed fire ot'Easton's battery, which accompanied the expedition. The Rebels, who had undoubtedly come out for the purpose of foraj^e as well as ourselves, having a long wagon train, re- treated toward Fairfax Court House, with their wag- ons laden with their wounded. Our loss includes only nine killed and sixty wounded. Unimportant as this victory might seem, it caused an immense re- joicing in the Union ranks. It was a fitting answer to the calumny heaped upon us from both IS^orth and South, that our soldiers could not fight, and were no match for their boastful enemy. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 49 CHAPTER lY. THE ADVANCE TO THE RAPPAHANN^OCK. 1882. — "All quiet along the Potomac." — Preparations. — Army of tlie Po« toinac Moves ! — Capture of tlie " Qu.aker Guns " at Centreville. — Ke- turn to Defences. — Guerillas. — Their Attacks and Stratagems. — The Eovine Foe.-— Picketing; how it is done. ^Sufferings. — McClellan to the Peninsula. — Virginia Weather and the People. — General Augur'a Advance to the Rappahannock. — Lieutenant Decker's Bravery and Death. — Night Charge on Fulmoutli Heights. — Fredericksburg Sur- renders. --How Citizens regard us. — Guarding a Train to Thorousrli- fare Gap. — Figlit and Captures at Flipper's Orchard. — Shenandoah Valley.— The Fifth New York Cavalry, First Ira Harris' Guard,— Death of Turner Ashby. — Strange Cavalry Tactics. — Personal Bravery of Captain Hammond. — Eud of the Peninsular Campaign. fl^riE winter was one of preparation, not of opera- JL tion. Why we were kept " all quiet along the Po- tomac," until the announcement, reiterated throngh the press, elicited only disdainful merriment among our friends, was never satisfactorily explained. The month of December had been beautiful, the roads in excellent condition, the army well supplied and disciplined, so that nothing but hesitancy in our leaders stood in the way of army movements. The North and West, which had supplied myriads of men and millions of money, were becoming very impa- tient with such a state of things. This feeling was intensilied by the fact that it was known that the enemy was tireless in his efforts to increase his array 60 TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. and to foi'tify his strongholds, while he was alsc gain- ing the sympathy of foreign powers, and, by means of blockade-running, was adding not a little to liis muni- tions of war. The army shared largely this general discontent. ""Why do we not advance?" was every where the interrogation of eager officers and men. However, we were not wholly unemployed ; for while we waited for reinforcements and cannon, as demanded by the general in command, and for the leaves to fall from the trees to facilitate movements in a country so thichly wooded as is Yirginia, we were kept busy with the camp curriculum, namely, the drill, the guard, the inspection, and parade. General Lee's plantation, on Arlington Heights, and the surrounding country, was thoroughly trodden by loyal feet, as men ond horses were acquiring the form and power of military life. INCIDENTS OF THE MARCH. But our quiet was to be broken by our grand ad- vance, which commenced on the 3d of March. The Harris Light broke camp at three o'clock in the morn- ing, and, with several regiments of cavalry, under the command of Colonel W. W. ^Vverill, led the advance, the Harris Light having the position of honor as van- guard. We were ordered to move slowly and cau- tiously, which we did, on the main thoroughfare known as the Little lliver Turn])ike, and, at four o'clock, p. M,, we arrived at Fairfax Court House, having marched only about fourteen miles. What was our surprise to find the place entirely deserted by the enemy, who had left the day pie- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 51 vious "witli the design of retiring beyond the Rappa- Iiaunock. This change of aifairs seemed so sudden a? to be full of mystery, and was wholly unknown even to our secret corps. We could not doubt but that tliis movement was performed in anticipation of some of our contemplated manoeuvrings, of which the Kebel leaders are generally informed by their spies in Washington and all through our lines, even before they are known to our army. Our march was resumed the following day at ten o'clock A. M., and early in the afternoon we captured the " Quaker Guns " at Centreville. The enemy had actually placed in the earthworks or forts which com- manded the road, large trunks of trees, resembling cannon of heavy calibre, which frowned down upon US from the heights. Had it not been for the infor- mation we had received from contrabands on the march, that the enemy had evacuated, a report con- firmed by the curling smoke which rose from various parts of the field, this formidable array of tlireaten- ing cannon would have greatly retarded our prog- ress. Indeed, it was not until after the suspicious works had been thoroughly scanned with field-glasses that we were ordered to advance, when the strong position was carried without the sna|)ping of a caj), or a sabre-stroke. Chagrin was written upon every face. Not a sign of the enemy was visible, save the deserted remains of their winter-quarters, which fell into our hands. A very brief halt was here made, and, hurrying our steps, we soon crossed the memorable Bull Run, and came up with the rear-guard of the retiring arm 52 TJiree Tears in the Federal Cavahy. at Manassas Junction. Here we pitched into tliem, and kicked up a little dust on tlie road to Bristoe. Tliis expedition, or wild-goose chase, was continued to Warrenton Junction, wliere General George D. Stoneman found the enemy in force, but returned without attacking tliem. Having loitered about these historic fields a few days, our whole force began to fall back towards its old position on the Potomac, establishing our advanced picket-lines, however, as far forward as Centreville, with Fairfax Court House as headquarters. Our line of pickets intercepts the Leesburg turnjnke at Drainesville and extends to the Potomac, a distance of about twenty miles. GUERILLAS AND BUSIIWEACKERS. As guerillas and their brethren, the bushwhack- ers, infest the country more or less, picketing is dan- gerous as well as difficult. Between the Bappahannock and the Potomac lies a vast territory which abounds in creeks, marshes, deep, dark forests, with only here and there a village or settlement. Alittle tothe west of this plain extend the Bull Bun Mountains, with their ravines and caverns. This is a very tit hiding- place for mischief-makers. The guerillas consist mostly of farmers and mechanics, residents of this re- gion, who, by some means, are exempt from the Bebel conscription. Most of them follow their usual avoca- tions during- the day, and have their rendezvous at night, where they congregate to lay their plans of attack on the pickets. They resort to every stratagem which a vile and Bavage spirit could inspire. Sometimes a picket is TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 53 approached by the stealthicst creeping through the dark thickets, when the nn fortunate sentinel is seized and qnickly despatched hy a bowie-knife, or other like weapon, whicli a Southron can always use most dexterously. AVhcn mere stealth cannot accomplish the task, other methods are used. For instance, on a dark night, a vedette, stationed by a thick under- brush, heard a cow-bell approaching him, and sup- posing' that the accompanying rustle of leaves and crackling of dry limbs was occasioned by a bovine friend, unwittingly sufl'ered himself to be captured by a bushwhacker. But the boys soon learned to be sus- picious of ever}' noise they heard ; so much so, that one night a picket, hearing footsteps approaching him, cried out, " Halt! Who comes there? " His carbine was instantly brought to a ready, and as no halt oc- curred nor answer was made, a second challenge was given ; but failing to effect any thing, he fired in the direction of the noise, when he distinctly heard a lieavy fall, and then groans, as of somebody dying. The sergeant of the post, running up to ascertain the cause of the alarm, found that an unfortunate ox, that had been grazing his way through the forest, lay dy- ing, with his forehead perforated by the faithful sen- try's bullet. The incident caused considerable merri- ment, and the pickets were supjilied with poor Con- federate beef during the remainder of their term of duty. But the attacks are frequently of a more disas- trous character, resulting in the killing of men and horses, in wounds and in captures. The utmost care and strictest vigilance cannot secure ue perfectly from 54: TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. depredations. Our general plan is as follows : Tlio major part of the regiment or picket detail establishes what we denominate the " main reserve " within a mile or two in rear of the centre of the line of ve- dettes, or at a point where their assistance, in case of an attack, can he secnred at any place in the line, at the shortest possible notice. About midway between the main reserve and the picket line are stationed two, three, or four picket reliefs, so situated as to form, with the line of vedettes for a base, a pyramid, with its apex at the main reserve. TICKET DUTY. The boys will not soon forget the long, dreary, dan- gerous honrs they spent along this line. Here we find ourselves shivering around a miserable fii'e among the sighing pines (though in times of special danger we are not permitted to have even this slight comfort, for fear of detection), often compelled to sit or lie down in snow or mud, or to walk about smartly to prevent freezing to death. Sometimes, when much exhausted, we have laid ourselves down on the damp and muddy ground, which was frozen stiffly and held us as a vice when we awoke. Frozen fingers and toes were no un- common occurrence. In this wretched plight we licar the summons to get ready to stand post. We go out upon our shiver- ing horses, to sit in the saddle Ibr two hours oi- more, fiicing the biting wind, and peering through the storm of sUx't, snow, or rain, which unmercifully i^elts us in its Uwy. Ihit it were well for us if this was our Worst enemy, and we consider ourselves haj)])y if the Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 55 guerilla does not creep tlirono-li bushes impenetrablo to the sight, to inflict his mortal blows. The two hours expire, relief conies, and the vedette returns to spend his four, six, oi* eight hours off post, as best he may. Once, at least, during the night, we are visited by the grand guard, which consists of the officer of the day, accompanied by others, whose duty it is to make a thorough, though usually swift, inspection of the picket line. Most of onr time is spent in this duty. March 29. — Considerable excitement prevailed among us to-day, as Colonel Bayard was dispatched with a detachment of his regiment to repulse a das- tardly raid made by some of General J. E. B. Stuart's men, on the house of a Mrs. Tenant, a Union lady, residing near Difficult Run, about six miles from Chain Bridge. Colonel Bayard reached the place a few moments too late, and the raiders succeeded in taking Mrs. Tenant as a prisoner, and making off with their prey. For several weeks the main portion of our grand army has been sent by transports to the Peninsula, with the evident intention of moving upon Richmond by shorter land routes than l)y way of Manassas. This change in our i)lan of attack was probably known by the Rebels bcfoi-e they were matured at Washington, and we now nnderstand why they so quietly evacuated their positions on onr front. General McDowell remains in command of the defences of Washington, with a force sufficient, it is believed, to give safety to the Capital, and to harass the Rebels who continue before us. With the de- 56 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. parture of General McClellan to the Peninsula, our picket lines were immediately withdrawn to Annan- dale and Talis Chnrch, within a few miles of the for- tifications surroundint^ Washington. Aj)ril 4. — The Harris Light and the First Penn- sylvania Cavalry were recalled from tiie picket lines and sent out on a reconnoissance in force, with a divis- ion in command of General McDowell. Our march led us through Fairfax Court House and Centreville, near which we bivouacked for the night, THE ATMOSPHERE ATS^D THE PEOPLE. Already, at this early spring time, a luxurious vegetable growth of green is beautifully carpeting the fields through which we pass and in which we halt. Flowers of great beauty and variety of hues and sweetness of perfume greet us on every hand. It would seem as though Nature were struggling to hide the desolations which war has made, and were weav- ing her cha]»lets of honor around the graves of our iailen brothers. And it really seems as though De- Btruction himself had contributed to this lavish growth. Thus, " Life erermore is fed by death, In eartli, or sea, or sky ; And, that a rose iniiy breathe its breath, Something must die." On the filth we continued on our march to Bristoe Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Kailroad, wlicrc we encountci'cd one of the most furious snow htorins ever known in tliis region of countr}'. The wind which bore the snow was cold and cutting. It Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 57 was a season never to be forgotten bj those who were quartered in mere shelter tents, or had no tents at all. So sudden are the changes of the atmosphere here that "no man knoweth what a moment may bring forth." Yesterday we sought shelter from the sun's heat under the budding trees, while grass and flowers and singing birds indicated settled weather. To-day the storm howls music through the bending pines, and snow several inches deep covers tlie earth. We are thoroughly convinced that the character of the people here greatly partakes of the nature of these surroundings. Is not this the case everywhere ? But we see it here more plainly than we ever did be- fore. The people are fitful, and their spasms are ter- rible ; and yet we find them at times to be as kind and hospitable as any we have ever found elsewhere. After one has witnessed their beautiful days, cooled with a gentle sea-breeze, which generally blows from about nine o'clock in the morning till six at night, and then their cool, calm evenings, he can see why there are so many lovely traits in the nature of the people. But if he experience some of their sudden and ter- rific snow storms and showers, when the thunder and the lightning are such that a I^orthcrner feels that all the storms he has ever w^itnessed are only infantile attempts, he is inclined to extenuate, on mere climactic principles, the outbursts of wrath, and "fire-eating" propensities of the people. He who is gendered of fire and brimstone must have some vim in his compo- sition. We believe this study is not unworthy the Christian philosopher and philanthropist. 58 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Tlio day following the storm, the snn came out warmly, and the snow suddenly disappeai'ed, but left us in a bed of mud. The soil, naturally rich and tender, consisting of a reddish loam, trodden by many feet, and cut by the wheels of heavy vehicles, became almost impassable. But it has this advantage, that it soon dries. So the soil, as well as the atmosphere and the people, is suddenly changeable. Ajyril 7. — To-day our expedition continued its march to Catlett's Station, a few miles south of Biis* toe. General Augur commands the advance, which consists of a brigade of infantry and two regiments of cavalry. On the eighth of the month a detaclnncnt of the Harris Light was ordered out on picket at six o'clock r.M., and we enjoyed a quiet, pleasant trip on this usually unpleasant duty. Here we spent a few days picketing, scouting and patrolling, and on the seven- teenth we advanced from Catlett's in the direction of Falmouth, on the Rappahannock. DEATH OF LIEUTENANT DECKER. Our march was rapid and lay through a country altogetlier new to us, which, however, presented no very interesting features. The Harris Light had the advance, and was followed by the Fourteenth Brook- lyn. As our infantry comrades became foot-sore and weary, we exchanged positions with them, for mutual ]clief, until at last one half of the two regi- ments were l)caring each other's burdens. This inci- dent paved the way for a strong friendship to grow up between us. TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 59 Seventeen miles were travelled quietly, when a Budden fire on our advance-guard brought every cavalry man to his horse and infantry man to his mus- ket. Every thing assumed the signs of a fight. Kil- patrick, who was in command of the regiment, or- dered his band to the rear. This precaution of the commander was no sooner taken than the vanguard, in command of Lieutenant George Decker, was making a furious charge upon Field's Cavalry, which was doing outpost duty ten miles from Falmouth. On the very first assault Lieutenant Decker fell from his horse, pierced through the heart with a fatal bullet. He was a dariug young man, well formed, light com- plexion, blue eyes, and about twenty-three years of age. Pie was much lamented by his many friends. His fall, shocking as it was to the command, being our first fatal casualty, only seemed to nerve the men for bold revenge. And we had it. Like chafi' before the whirlwind the outpost was quickly scat- tered, and the whole regiment entered upon its first charge with a will, a charge which continued for sev- eral miles with wild excitement. Picket reliefs and reserves were swept away like forest trees before the avalanche, and we fell upon their encampment before time had been afibrded them for esca])e. Here we captured several men and horses, with large quanti- ties of stores, and then rested our tired steeds and fed them with confederate forage. The men enjoyed the captured rations. It was nearly night, and- as the sun disappeared the infantry force came up to our newly-possessed territory. The cavalry was ordered to " stand to horse," and CO Three Years i?i ilie Federal Cavalry. a strong picket, was thrown out to prevent any sur- prise attack or flanking movement of tlie enemy. In the early part of the evening one of our pickets was surj)rised by the friendly approacli of a citizen of Fal- luouth, who had come, as lie said, " to hail once more the 'old star-s])angled banner,' and to greet his loyal brethi-en of the North." Such a patriotic and fearless individual among the white population of that section of country was a great rarity, and his protestations of friendsliip were at lirst received with some suspicion. He was, how- ever, brouglit to General Augur's headquarters, where he gave satirifactor}^ proof of his kind intentions, and then gave the General a full description of the position and strength of the enemy. NIGHT ATTACK ON FALMOUTn HEIGHTS. A ]^lan for a night attack was thereuj)on laid and committed to Buyard and Kil})atrick. Our instruc- tions were conveyed to us in a whis])er. A beautiful moonlight fell upon the scene, which was as still as death ; and with a proud determination the two young cavalry chieftains moved forward to the night's fray. Bayard was to attack on the main road in front, but not until Kilpatrick had commenced operations on their right ilank by a detour through a neglected and nari-ow wood-path. As the Heights were considered well nigh impregnable, it was ne(!essary to resort to •♦onie stratagem, for which Kilpatrick showed a be- ^OJuing ai)tness. Having approached to within hearing distance of the Rebel pickets, but before we were challenged, Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 63 Kilpatrick shouted witli liis clear voice wliicli sounded like a trumpet on the still night air, "Bring up your artillery in the centre, and infan- try on the left." '' Well, but. Colonel," replied an honest, though rather obtuse captain, " we haven't got any inf -" " Silence in the ranks ! " commanded the leader. " Artillery in the centre, infantry on the left." The pickets caught and spread the alarm, and thus greatly facilitated our hazardous enterprise. ■" Charge ! " was the oi'der which then thrilled the ranks and echoed through the dark, dismal woods, and the column swept up the rugged Heights in the midst of blazing cannon and rattling )nusketry. So steep was the ascent that not a few saddles slipped off the horses, precipitating their riders into a creek which flowed lazily at the base of the hill ; while others fell dead and dying, struck by the missiles of destruction which at times filled the air. But the red field was won ; and the enemy, driven at the point of the sabi-e fled unceremoniously down the Heights, throngii Fal- mouth, and over the bridge which spanned the Kap- pahannock, burning the beautiful structure behind them to prevent pursuit. Quite a number of prison- ers and various materials of war full into our hands. Kilpatrick and Bayard were both highly complimented for their personal bravery on this occasion. April 18. — This morning, at eight o'clock, Gen- eral Augur took peaceful possession of Falmouth ; atd here, with military honors, the remains of Lieu- tenant Decker and about fifteen others, who fell in the late struggle, were interred. Later in the 3* 6i Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. day, and after considerable hesitation, the mayor of Fredericksburg formally surrendered the city to the Yankee General, whose guns on Falmouth Heights commanded obedience. A bridge of canal boats, similar to a pontoon, was constructed across the river, and we took possession of this beautiful, proud city. This was the first ap- pearance of Yankees in this Rebel locality, and we were the subject of no little curiosity. Many of the people, who, by the misrepresentations of their licen- tious press and flaming orators, had been led to be- lieve that Yankees were a species of one-eyed cy clops, or long-clawed harpies, or horned and hoofed devils; who had been deceived into the notion that President Lincoln was a deformed mulatto, degenerated into a hideous monkey, and that all his followers were oi that sort, on seeing us, expressed great sui-prise and wished to know " if we were specimens of the Lincoln army." They had forgotten that our fathers fought side by side in our common country's early struggles, and that now we, their children, as brothers, ought all to sit unitedly under the tree of liberty which they had |)lanted and nourished with their hearts' blood. But it is painful to observe how the spirit of se- cession has blotted out the memories of the past, and filled their hearts with bitterness toward the friends of the Union. A few Union families in these parts, whose acquaintance we have niade, assure us that tlieii" neighbors, who were formerly most hospitable and humane, have become, througli this Rebel virus, incarnate fiends. To secede from the Union was evi- dently to secede from the God of virtue and charity. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 65 April 25. — After spending a few days of toler- able quietness on the baidcs of the Rappahannock, with our camp ne;irthe Phillips House, Falmouili, a most lovely spot, we were to-day ordered out as escort or guard to a ti'ain destined for the Shenandtjah Yalley. Such a job is generally any thing but pleas- ant to a cavalry force, for the movement is altogether too slow, especially when bad roads are encountered. And in case a team becomes balky or gives out, or a wagon breaks down (incidents which occur frequent- ly), the whole column is in statu quo until thi^ diffi- culty or disability is removed. And so we are halt- ing, advancing, halting and advancing again, with this monotonous variety repeated ad lihitujn, while the halts are often longer than the advances. But our slow motion gives us some opportunity to scout the country through which we pass, and to obtain, large quantities of rations and forage for man and beast. By this means we are not compelled to con- sume much, if any, of the contents of our train. On the twenty-eighth we reached Thoroughfare Gap, thi'ough which the Manassas Gap railroad linds its way over the Bull Run mountains. Here we met a force from General Nathaniel P. Banks' army, to whose care we delivered the train. We remained a few days to scout through the country. On the first of May we started back toward Fal- mouth, but stopped several days at Biistersburg, a small town, where we s})ent our time very ])leasantly, scouting through the country and living upon its rich products. Here we are very much isolated from the rest of our army. We seldom get a mail or receive 66 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. any papers, except from rebel sources, and these are so meagre of literuiy taste and os])eciall}' of reliable army news, that we dare not put much trust in their representations. However, we are satisfied from what we read, that our grand Peninsular army is making some telling demonstrations toward Rich- mond, and that the Rebel General Thomas J. Jackson, surnamed " Stonewall," since his famous defeat by General James Shields at Kernstown, near Winches- ter, is still in the valley. We reached Falmouth on the twenty-fifth of May, and took possession of our old camping-ground in front of the Phillips House. We have but little to do ex- cept to graze our horses in the surrounding fields, and to recruit our strength. We alsp have the usual camp work, namely, policing, drilling, etc. This de- partment is very quiet at present, though we hear of active movements elsewhere. On the thirtieth we had a severe rain storm, with thunder and lightning, a la Virginie. The streams were greatly swollen, and mud was abundant, so as to retard movements before Richmond. June 6. — The Harris Light crossed the Rappa- hannock and advanced six miles beyond Fredericks- burg, where we got oidy a glimpse of some of Field's cavalry, who had not foi-gotten us. They kept them- selves at a very respectful distance from us, and made themselves "scarce" whenever we made signs of an attack. For several days we bivouacked on that side of the river, and on the twelfth we returned to our old cam]) at Falmouth Heights. On the six- teenth we were again thrown across the river, and Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 07 made a rcconnoissance several miles south, without finding any force of the enemy. Nothing of importance occurred nntil the Fourth of July, when tlic Troy company of the Harris Light, commanded l)y Lieutenant Hubert Loudon, was sent out to celebrate tliis national holiday by a rccon- noissance on the Telegraph Road, sonth of Freder- icksburg. We left camp at eight o'clock in the morning, and soon came in sight of a detachment of Bath Cavalry, doing patrol duty. After following them for some time, though not rapidly, we halted a few moments, and they lost sight of us, concluding doubtless that we had retired. This was just what we wanted. ATTACK AT FLIPPER'S ORCHARD. On the south bank of the Po river, about twenty miles from Fredericksburg, was a beautiful orchard, owned by a Dr. Flipper. This lovely spot had been chosen by our Bath friends for their outpost, their main reserve being a few miles farther south. On arriving at the orchard, with its luscious fruit and in- viting shade, the squad we were still pursuing unsus- pectingly unsaddled their horses, began to arrange preparations for their dinner, and to make themselves generally comfortable. Of this state of things we were informed by a contraband we chanced to meet. We then resoiv^ed either to share or spoil their coffee ; 80, moving forward at a trot until in sight of them, we swooped down upon the orchard like eagles. The surprised and frightened cavaliers fired but a few shots, and we captured twelve men and nine 68 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. liorses, and escaped witli our lawful prej without liaviug received a scratcli. It was my good fortune to take pi'isoner Lieutenant Powell, the ottiecr in com- mand, and to receive as my own a silver-mounted revolver, which he reluctantly placed in my hand. It will be a fine souvenir of the war, and of this Fourth of July victoi'y to the Troy Company. SHENANDOAH VALLEY. Sometime in May Colonel Bayard with his regi- ment and a large portion of General McDowell's divi- sion were sent to the Shenandoah Yalley to share in the shifting military panorama which was there dis- played. With the removal of the Army of the Poto- mac to the Peninsula the Confederate authorities des- patched General Jackson to the Valley, to threaten the "upper Potomac and Mai-yland, thus making it neces- sary for a large Federal force to remain in this quarter. General Banks was in command of that department. After the battle of Kernstown, in which Jackson received the sobriquet of " Stonewall " and a sound thrashing, General Banks, who had set out for War- renton, returned to the Valley, and pursued Jackson, but was unable to bring him to bay. The enemy's cavalry under Colonel Turner Ashby was frequently attacked by the Union Cavalry under General John P. Hatch. On the sixth of May, the Fifth New York Cavalry, First Ira Harris (iuard, had a hand to hand encounter with Ashby's men near Harrisonburg, where Yankee sabres and pluck had establislied a reputation. A portion of the same regiment under Colonel John li. Kenly, at Front Royal, added new Thrae Years in the Federal Cavalry. 69 Iii&tre to their fame, on the twentj-third of tlie same month, during "Stonewall's" flank movement on General Banks at StrasLurg, and fought bravely during that memorable retreat to Maryland. At this juncture of affairs, a division of General McDowell's forces, under General Shields, was dis- patched to the valley to intercept Jackson, while General John C. Fremont was ordered by telegraph to the same scene from the Mountain Department. But unavoidably detained by almost impassable mountain roads and streams enormously swollen by recent i-ains, Fremont reached Strasburg just in time to see Jackson's last stragglers I'etreating through the town. His pursuit was very rapid, though no en- gagement was brought about until the fifth of June, at Harrisonburg. Here Colonel Percy Wyndham, on our side, and Turner Ashby, now a general, on the Rebel side, distinguished themselves in the cavalry. Ashby was killed. His loss was greatly lamented by his comrades. He always fought at the head of his men, with the most reckless self-exposure, and for outpost duty and the skirmish line he left scarcely an equal behind him in either army. His humaneness to our men who had fallen into his hands caused many of them to shed tears at the intelligence of his death. Men of valor and kindness are always worthy of a better cause than that in which the Rebels are engaged ; but their merit is always appreciated. Upon the heel of this fight followed the battles of Cross Keys, and Port Republic, where Jackson eluded the combined Union forces which had been directed against him. 70 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. During this memorable campaign, a ciirions mili- tary -modus ojjerandi had been resorted to in tho lairay Valley, m which the cavalry had made itself doubly useful. A small force of our infantry and cavalry were surrounded by the enemy on the south bank of the Shenandoah River, which was so high as to be unfordable. As a last resort the cavalrymen plunged into the stream, swimming their horses, and towing across the infantrymen, who clung to the ani- mals' tails ! A striking case of personal daring in this Yallej campaign, is worthy of record here. During Banks' retreat from Winchester, on the twenty-fourth of May, four companies of the Fifth New York Cavalry, under command of Captain "Wheeler, were moving on the left flank of our retreating colunjns, to ])rotect them from any attacks by the Rebel cavalry, which infested the wooded hills that lay along our route. Emerg- ing from a thick wood, Captain John Hammond, who had the advance with eight or ten men, suddenly came upon a squad of mounted Rebels, and immediately called on them to surrender. However, they fled, firing as they went, but were closely pursued. Cap- tain Hammond was riding a powerful horse, which he had taken from his homc^ and as his blood was up, he determined to capture one of the party at least, at all hazards. He soon came up to the hindmost, a strong man, with whom he exchanged several shots at close quarters, but without eft'ect on either side, owing to their fearful gait through the timber and dowm a hill. Hammond's pistol became fouled by a cap, and the cylinder would not revolve. The Rebel had twc Tlivee Years in the Federal Cavalry, 71 charges left. Quick work was now necessaiy. An other spnn'ing of his horse brought liim within arm's length of the flying Rebel, wherenpon he seized hia coat collar with both his hands, and dragged hini backward from his saddle. Ilokling iirndv his grasp, both horses went from under them, and they fell pell- mell to the ground. Luckily Ilanimond was n])per- most, with one hand at the enemy's throat and the other holding the band of the pistol with which the Rebel was trying to shoot him. As the two men were powerful, a fearful struggle ensued for the mas- tery of the pistol. Meantime up rode one of Ham- mond's boys, who, by his order, fired at the upturned face of the obstinate foe, the ball grazing his scalp and causing hira to relinquish his hold ot the revolv' er, when he was forced to surrender. Thus ended one of the roughest yet amusing contests of the war. The prisoner proved to be one ot Ashby's scouts, and the remainder of the party were all captured. But notwithstanding the personal bravery of our men, disaster and defeat had attended our operations in the Valley. JMor was this tlie only iield of disasti-ous changes. On the Peninsula sieges had been laid and raised, terrible battles fought, won, and lost, and thousands of our brave comrades had succumbed to the impure water and miasmatic condition* of the country. The rebel General J. E. B. Stuart had as- tounded every body by a raid around our entire army, cutting off communications, destnjying stores, and ca])turing not a few prisoners. On the second of July this jaded army found a resting place at Harri- son's Landino; on the James River. Tlirce Years in the Federal Caval/t^y. CHAPTER Y. POPE'S CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 1862. — Kilpatrick at Beaver Dam.— Cuptain John S. Mosby. — Return of the Raiders. — Complimentary Orders. — The Harris Light at Ander- son's Turnout. — Rebel Account of the Scare. — General John P. Hatch, his Misfortunes and Justification. — Reconnoissanees. — Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Hospital at Culpepper. — General Stuart in Close Quarters. — His Adjutant-General Captured. — Death of Captain Charles Walters. — Pope driven back and waiting for Reinforcements. — Kilpatrick's Fight at Brandy Station. — Waterloo Bridge. — Bristoe Station. — Manassas Junction. — Battle of Grovcton. — Second Bull Run. — Chantilly and Death of Kearny. — General Pope resigns. OUR prospects as a nation were any tiling bnt ])roinising about tbe fourtb of Jul j, 18G2. Our oj)crations in tbe Sbenandoab Yalley bad been very cx[)ensive and IVuitless. Tbe Peninsular campaign, wbicb promised so mucb at its ])eginning, wbicb bad proceeded at so fearful a cost of treasure and blood, M-as ])ronounced a failure at last, and tbe great armies, depleted and worn, were well nigli discouraged. Tbe celebration of tbe anniversary of our national birtb- day was observed tbrougbout tbe loyal Nortb in tbe midst of gloomy forebodings, and only tbe ]iuro ])atriotism of governors of States, and of tbe President of tbe United States, gave tbe people any ground of lioj)e for success. In tbe army cbanges of leaders were occurring, wbicb ])roduccd no little amount of Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 73 jealousy among the " stars," and upon which the opiii ion of tlic rank and file was divided. On the fourteenth of July, General John Pope, having been called from a glorious career in tlie West, took command of the Army of Virginia, which was a consolidation of the commands of Fremont, Banks, and McDowell. Befoi'e General Pope left Washington, he ordered General Rufus King, who was in command at Frede- ricksburgli, to make a raid on the Virginia Central Railroad, for the purpose of destroying it at as many points as possible, and thus impede communications between Richmond and the Valley. This work was committed to our regiment. At six o'clock in liie evening of July nineteenth the Harris Light was set in rapid motion almost direct- ly south. By means of a forced march of forty miles through the night, at the gray dawn of morning we descended upon Beaver Dam depot, on the Vir- ginia Central, like so many ravenous wolves upon a broken fold. Here we had some lively work. The command was divided in several squads, and each party was assigned its peculiar and definite dnty. So while some were destroying culverts and bridges, others were playing mischief with the telegraph wii-es ; others still were burning the depot, which was nearly full of stores, and a fourth party was on the lookout. During our aftray we captured a young Confederate oflicer, who gave his name as Captain John S. Mosby. By his sprightly appearance and conversation he attracted considerable attention. He is slight, yet well formed ; has a keen blue eye, and 74 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. florid complexion ; and displays no small amount of Southern bravado in his dress and manners. His gray plush hat is surmounted by a wavini>; plume, which he tosses as he speaks in real Prussian stjde. He had a letter in his possession from General Stuart, recommending him to the kind regards of Genera) J-ee. After making general havoc of railroad stock and Rebel stores, Ave started in the direction of Gordons- ville, but having ascertained that a force of Rebels much larger than our own occupied the place, we turned northward, and reached our old camp at mid- night, having marched upward of eighty miles in thirty hours. Some of us will not soon forget the ludicrous scones which were enacted, especially during the latter portion of the raid. In consequence of the jaded con- dition of our horses it was necessary to make frequent halts. To relieve themselves and animals, when a halt was ordered, some men would dismount, and, sinking to the ground through exhaustion, would quickly fall asleep. With the utmost difficulty they were aroused by their comrades when the column advanced. Call- ing them by their names, though we did it with mouth to ear, and with all our might, made no im- pression upon them. In many instaiices we were compelled to take hold of them, roll (hem over, tum- ble them about, and ])()nnd tliem, before we could make them realize that the projier time for rest and sleep had not yet come. Others sle])t in their saddles, either leaning for- ward on the pommel of the saddle, or on the roll of Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 75 coat and blanket, or sitting qnite erect, Avitli an occa- sional bow forward or to the right or left, like the swaying of a flag on a signal station, or like the career- ings of a drunken man. The horse of such a sleeping man will seldom leave his place in the coluiini, though this will sometimes occur, and the man awakes at last to find himself alone with his horse which is grazino' along some unknown field or woods. Some men, having lost the column in this way, have fallen into the enemy's hands. Sometimes a fast- walking liorse in one of the roar companies will bear his sleeping lord quickly along, forcing his way through the ranks ahead of him, until the poor fellow is awakened, and finds himself just passing by the colonel and his stuff at the head of the column ! Of course, he falls back to his old place somewhat confused and ashamed, and the occurrence lends him just excitement enough to keep him awake for a few moments. It is seldom that men under these somnambulic circumstances fall from their horses, yet sometimes it diK'S happen, and headlong goes the cavalier upon the hard ground, or into a splashing mud-puddle, while general merriment is produced among the lookers-on. But. as no one is seriously injured, the "fallen brave" retakes his position in the ranks and the column pro- ceeds as though nothing had happened. We had all these experiences in one form or another in our raid, and on reaching camp found tliat several men had lost tlielr caps by the way. The day following our arrival at camp the Gen- eral in command issued his complimentaiy message, namely : 76 TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. Headquarters Army of Virginia, ) Washington, July 21. J To Hon. E. M. Stanton^ Secretary of War : Sir: The cavalry expedition I directed General King to send out on the nineteenth instant has returned. They left Fredericksburg at seven p. m., on the nineteenth, and a fter a forced march during the night made a descent at day- light in the morning upon the Virginia Central Eailroad at Beaver Dam Creek, twenty-five miles north of Hanover Junction and thirty-five miles from Richmond. They destroyed the rail- road and telegraph line for several miles, burned the depot, which contained forty thousand rounds of musket ammunition, one hundred barrels of flour, and much other valuable property, and brought in the Captain in charge as a prisoner. The whole country round was thrown into a great state of al&rm. One private was wounded on our side. The cavalry marched eighty miles in thirty hours. The affair was most successful, and reflects high credit vipon the commanding ofli- cer and his troops. As soon as full particulars are received I will transmit to you the name of the commanding ofiicer of the troops en- gaged. I am. Sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, John Pope, M((jor- General Comnuinding, The ahove order was rc(;civcd with great gladness Ly tlic boys of tlie ]Iarn's Liglit, and Kilpatrick had just reasons to feel proud of liis brave boys aTid their iiolde decKJs. As we bad done so well in this branch of business, it was natuial for the commanding general to be loolaration from you. When a telegram has an- n:)uneere]iare ourselves and others more thoroughly than Ijcfore to meet the foe in coming campaigns. We had scarcely reached our new camps and en- tered upon our new labors, when we learned that Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 97 General Lee was marching his confident hosts into Maryland. This movement at first was regarded as a feint only, with the intention of uncovering Wash- mgton ; but as column after column was known to have crossed the Potomac, and to be advancing through the State with more or less rapidity, the tocsin of alarm was sounded everywliere, and a gen- eral movement was made to repel the invaders. Pennsylvania was thoroughly aroused, and her loyal and true governor issued a proclamation calling upon all the able-bodied men of the Commonwealth to or- ganize for defence. The militia promptly responded to the call, and military preparations were going on, not only in the old Keystone State, but throughout the land. Up to this time the attitude of thePcbels had been defensive, but their recent great victories had led them to change their tactics, and thinking that ulti- mate success was almost within their grasp, they now assumed the ofi'ensive policy. Aside from this con- sideration they doubtless hoj^ed to awaken in the Border States a' sympatliy and an enthusiasm on their behalf, which thus far they had failed to create ; and that their brilliant march northward would not only carry a strong political influence, but that their ranks would be greatly swollen by accessions of re- cruits from those States. This indication of Pebel thought is evidently found, in the address whicli Gen- eral Leo issued to the people of Maryland on the eighth day of September. In it are found the follow- ing sentences : " The people of the Confederate States have long 98 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. watched with the deepest sympathy the wrongs and outrages that have been inflicted upon the citizens of a Commonwealth allied to the States of the South by the strongest social, political, and commercial ties, and reduced to the condition of a conquered prov- ince. * * * " Believing that the people of Maryland possess a sim-it too lofty to submit to such a Government, the people of the South have long wished to aid you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable you again to enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, and restore the independence and sovereignty of your State. "**1d obedience to this wish, our army has come among you, and is prepared to assist you with the power of its arms in regaining the rights of which you have been so unjustly despoiled." But the fond hopes which prompted this address were destined to be blasted. Lee's advancing col- umns met no resistance, and marched directly upon Frederick Cicy, where recruiting offices were opened imder the superintendence of General Bradley T. Johnson, who had left this city, at the beginning of the wai-, to serve in the Rebel army. But the Con- federate chiefs were disappointed. The number who were marshalled under their stars and bars did not exceed the number of those who, tired of training in Rebel gray, deserted their banner. The enemy's peaceful march through the State and its quiet possession were not of long duration ; and the invaders soon found other work to do, than to make ])()litical orders and harangues, and to in- crease their ranks bv recruits. From AVashington Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 99 the Union army began to advance with considerable strengtli and determination, compelling General Lee to relinquisli his design of penetrating into Pennsyl- vania. Initiatory steps were now being taken for a great battle, the first eiKX)unter of which took place, under General Pleasanton, who commanded our cavalry during this campaign, at the Catoctin Creek, in Middletown, Maryland. The enemy's rear-guard, consisting of cavalry, was struck with some force, tiie prelude of the battle of South Mountain, at Turner"'s Gap. The enemy having taken possession of this mountain pass, was driven from it only after the most obstinate resistance and severe loss, and forced to leave only before superior numbers. This occurred on the fourteenth ; and the victory, though somewhat dearly bought, inspired our troops with new courage, and gave them a foretaste of better days. HARPER'S FERRY AND AXTIETAM. But during the day we have received sad tidings from Harper's Ferry, a point of no little importance to the invaders. Unfoi'tunately for us the place was under the command of Colonel Miles, who, for his drunkenness and general incompetency, had made him- self conspicuous during the first battle of Bull Bun. Why such a man was left in command of at least ten thousand men, and at a place of so much interest, cannot well be accounted for. Aware as he must have been several days ago, that this position was a coveted prize and would un- doubtedly be assailed, he neither retreated, nor forti- fied himself as he easily could have done to hold out 100 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. for a lon_oj time against a superior force. Kotliing but imbecility or treachery could have controlled liis con- duct. On the eleventh his command was increased largely by a force under General Julius White, who had evacuated Martinsburg on the approach of Stone- wall Jackson, But to-day he was attacked from various positions, and his forces driven ; and on the fifteenth, being at- tacked from at least seven commanding positions, early in the day the white flag was raised, which the enemy failing to see, continued to fire for several minutes, during which time Colonel Miles was killed, some say by a Rebel shell, others assert by some of his OW'U men. By this shameful surrender there fell into the hands of the enemy nearly twelve thousand men, half of them New Yorkers, who had just entered the service ; also seventy-three guns good and bad ; thirteen thousand small arms; two hundred wagons, and a large supply of tents and camp equipage. Stonewall Jackson, who had commanded the ex- pedition from Frederick to Harper's Ferry, now moved forward to join Lee's main army, which he did on the sixteenth. From South Mountain General McClellan began to collect his forces well in hand and to move towards Boonsborough. Here General Pleasanton again struck the Kebel cavalry rear- guard, capturing two hundred and fifty prisoners and two field-pieces. Infantry su]iports were following our cavalry very closely, and, after marching about twelve miles, they discovered the Rebels in force posted on the south bank of Antictam Creek, just in front of the little village of Shurpsburg. Our troops Three Years in the Federal CoAKtlry. 101 entered into bivouacs for the night, expecting to at- tack tlie enemy early next morning. But the morn- ing and most of the day passed in idleness, wliile the Kebels were fortifying their positions, and gathering their forces which had been more or less scattered. Had McClellan ordered an advance that morning early, the sixteenth of September, 18G2, wonld have witnessed a comparatively easy and com])lete vic- tory. At four o'clock p. m.. General Joseph Hooker was sent out on the right. Moving at a sufficient distance to keep out of sight of the Rebel batteries, he forded the Antietam, and, sooa afterward turning sharply to the left, came down upon the enemy near the road to Hagerstown. But darkness soon coming on put a speedy end to the conflict. September 17. — This day has witnessed the grand and glorious battle of Antietam, the particulars of which I need not record. It is enough to say, that the daring of our men and their heroic deeds upon this field, wiped out forever, in Rebel blood, the dis- grace and foul stain cast upon our arms in the mo- mentous military blunders and defeats which have followed us since the beginning of this great Ameri- can conflict. The losses were heavy on both sides, but the enemy was fiiirly beaten, and driven from his cliosen positions ; and night closed the most sanguinary day ever known to the American continent. McClellan ought to have followed up his victory early next morning, but hesitating, the enemy made good hi8 escape across the Potomac, leaving only his dead 102 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. and desperately wounded, the latter numbering abf nt two tliousand, in our hands. Odoher 4. — We are still in our camps at Hail's Hill, teaching and learning the tactics of war. To- day Kilpatrick detailed me to act as drill-master, and gave me the command of a detachment of recruits. This gives me a new phase of army experience, and tliongh it has its difficulties, as one will alwaj'^s find when he endeavors to control " men of many minds," yet I find a good exercise of my little knowledge of human nature, and realize that the influence of my new labor upon myself is very salutary. I had thought that I was master of all the preliminary steps of the science and art of a soldier's discipline, but in endeav- oring to teach tlie same to others, I have learned so mmch myself, that it now seems to me that what I knew before was the merest rudiment. This I learn is the experience of others who are engaged in similar work. Helping others has a wonderful reflex influ- ence upon oui'selves. I often wonder if this may no explain in part the philosophy of that passage of Holy "Writ, which says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." In this exercise of drilling, and in the com- parative monotony of camp life, we spent the month of Octolx'r. All was quiet along the entii'c lines of the great armies. Our ranks had been greatly SAvollen by new accessions ; yet General McClellan was constantly call- ing for reenforcements, and all kinds of sujiplies, al- leging that the army was in no condition to move. At length about the twenty -sixth of October a feeble advance was made across the Potomac. Several day* Three Years in the Federal Cavalmj. 103 were spent in putting the Federal army on the sacred soil and under marching orders. No opposition waa encountered in the inarch. Our forces moved along the east side of the Blue E-idge, the enemy still occu- pying the Shenandoah Yalley, and moving southward on a line parallel with our own. Novemher 2. — The Harris Light broke camp at Hall's Hill and adv^anced to the Chantilly Mansion, bivouacking on its beautiful grounds. This property is said to be owned by one of the Stuarts, who is reported to be a quartermaster-general in the Rebel sei'vice. Pleasant as was the place, with its fine walks, bordered with flowers and evergreen shrubbery ; ita fruitful gardens and groves, the cold of the night made our stay not the most agreeable. The next morning we pursued our line of march to Sudley Church, near Bull Run, where we encountered a strong force of Stuart's cavalry. After a sharp con- flict, in which Yankee ingenuity and grit were fairly tested, the chivalry retired southwesrwardly, acknowl- edging theui selves badly defeated. ISfovaiiber 4. — To-day the regiment was ordei'ed to move to Leesburg, near which we j)itc]ie(l our shelters. This is aTi old, aristocratic village, the shire-town of Loudon Ooimty. It is situated in a lovely valley, at tlie terminus of the Loudon and Hanjpsliire Tvailroad, and is only about two miles fi'om the Potomac, and an equal distance from Goose Creek, which is a con- siderable stream. Though this county sent many brave men into the Union ranks, jirobably more than any other county of the same jDopulatiun in Virginia, yet Leesburg is almost a facsimile of Charlestown, lOl Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. the capital of Jefferson County, the scene of JoliB Brown's execution, where all tlie people, including women and children, are " secession to a man." All this while the Grand Army of the Potomac was moving southward at a snail's pace ; and on the seventh of November, just after reaching Warrcnton, General McClellan was relieved from command, and directed to rejxirt to the authorities by letter from Trenton, New Jersey. Thus ended another indecisive campaign, which though it had witnessed a greater victory than ever won before, yet had failed to reap the fruits thereof. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 105 CHAPTER YII. McCLELLAN SUCCEEDED BY BURNSIDE. 1862.— Burnside's First Campaign. — Army of tlio Potomac in Three Divisions. — Advance from Warrenton to Falmouth. — General Stahel's Kaid to the Slienandoah. — Laying Pontoons across tlie Rappahanjioclc under Fire. — Battle of Fredericksburg. — Daring Feats and General Heroism. — Death of General Bayard. — The Hospitals. — Sanitary and Christian Commissious. — Camp " Bayard." — Cainp-Fires. — Win- ter Quarters. — Friendly Kelations of Pickets. — Trading. — Pay -Day. —" Stuck in the Mud." TTPON Genera] Ambrose Burnside fell the choice U of tlie Executive for commander of tlie great Union army. He assumed it with great reluctance and unfeigned self-disti-ust, and only as a matter of obedi- ence to orders. Tliis change in the commanding officer, deleterious and dangerous as it might be upon the morale of the array, was nevertheless considered necessary and expedient. Having secured, by somewhat formidable forces, the principal gaps or passages of the Blue Eidge, wliich had been occupied by the enemy since their advance into the Valley, General Burnside began to make preparations to move his army to Fredericks- bu)-g, as being tlie most feasible and direct line fro/n Washington to Richmond. To mask as long as pos- sible his real design, he threatened an attack upon Gordonsville ; but General Lee, by the aid of his 5 106 Three Tears in the Federal Cavalry. emissaries and raiders, soon ascertained Lis plans, and moving liis armj across the Blue Ilidge, tlirough the western passes, he took his position on the south bank of the Rappahannock, to prevent Burnside'a crossing. Noveimher 8. — The Harris Light broke camp at Leesburg early in the morning, and advanced to White Phiins, wlicre we encountered and defeated a detachment of Rebel cavalry, driving them towards the mountains. Continuing our journey througli tliis pleasant valley between the Blue Ridge and the Bull Run mountains, we soon joined our main army, whose headquarters were at Warrenton. This is the most beautiful village in this region of country, situated on the crest of fruitful hills, and elegantly laid out. It is the sliire-town of Fauquier County. Here a few days were consumed in eftecting the alterations incident unon a chaniie of commander, and on the fourteenth the Army of the Potomac was constituted into three grand divisions, to be commanded respectively by Generals Sumner, Fi'anklin, and Hooker. The follow- ing day Wari'enton was abandoned, and the army swept down towards the Rai)pahannock. The sight was a grand one. On our mar<;h, orders were received from President Lincoln enjoining a stricter observance of the Sabbath in the army and navy, than had been done before. As a general thing tlie Sabbath had not been regarded as any more than any other day. Li- deed, very few men iu the rank and hie kept any calendar of time, and seldom knew the date or day. This was occasionally the case even with officers. The only possible way of kcei)ing i)ace with flying Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 107 time in the army, is by writing a diary. But even when it was known that the Sabbath had been reached, no regard was taken of its sacred character. One of the causes of our disaster at the first battle of Bull Bun was sup})osed by many to be, that we had de- secrated tlie holy Sabbath by our attack. However true or Mse such a view may have been, the order we received to-day from Washington was universally felt to be opportune. Two dajs' march brought onr advance to Fal- mouth, and on the twenty -first General Patrick, our provost-marshal general, was directed to repair to Fredericksburg under a flag of truce, and request the Burreuder of the city. The authorities replied, that while its buildings and streets would no longer be used by Bebel sharp-sliooters to annoy our forces across the river, its occupation by Yankee troops would be resisted to the last. Had the means of crossing the river been at hand, General Burnside would have made hostile demonstrations at once ; but through some misunderstanding between himself and General Halleck, at Washington, the pontoons were not in readiness. Novemher 28. — A strong force of Eebel cavalry, under General Wade Hampton, dashed across the river at some of the upper fords, raided up around Dumfries and the Occoquan,, captured several prison- ers and wagons, and returned to their side of the river without loss. As a sort of ofiset to this, on the twenty-ninth. General Julius Stahel, who commanded a brigade of cavalry at Fairfax Court House, com- menced an expedition of great daring and success, to 108 Tliree Years in iJte Federal Cavalry. tlie Shenandoah Yalley. Having advanced to Snick- er's Gap in the Blue liidge, a stn)ng Rebel picket-post was captured by our vanguard. Pressing forward on the main thoroughfare, they soon reached the Shenandoah river, and were not a little annoyed by Kebel carbineers, hidden behind old buildings across the stream. Captain Abram H. Krom, commanding a detachment of the Fifth New York Cavalry, and leading the advance, dashed across the river, though deep and the current swift, closely followed by his men. On reaching the opposite bank, a charge was ordered, and executed in so gallant a manner that several Rebels wore made prisoners, and the re- mainder of the squad was driven away at a break- neck speed. Our men pursued them in a scrambling race for nearly three miles, when they came upon a Rebel camp, which was attacked in a furious manner. Our boys made music enough for a brigade, though only a squadron was at hand. The enemy attempted a defence, but utterly failed. Reenforcements com- ing to our aid, the Rebels were thoroughly beaten and driven away, leaving in our hands one captain, two lieutenants, thirty two privates, one stand of colors, and several wagons and ambulances. Most of these were laden with booty taken by AVhite's guerillas in a recent raid into Poolesvi lie, Maryland. Sixty b.orses and fifty heads of cattle were also cap- tured in this gallant charge. AVith all their spoils tlic expedition returned, via Leesburg, arriving at tlieir cani})S in safety. J>ut all eyes were turned expectantly towards Fredericksl)Ui"g, with its two vast armies j)rcparing Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 1(19 for a grand encounter. Nearly all tlie citizens of tlie city had left their homes and fled southward. While General Burnside waited for his pontoons, General Lee was fortifying the Heights in rear of the city, and concentrating his forces for the anticipated on- set. This state of things was greatly regretted. Decefnl>er 11. — The laying of the pontoons com- menced in the night, but the task was only partially performed when daylight made the sappers and miners at work a fair mark for the sharpshooters, who were hidden among the buildings which lined the opposite shore, and whose numbers had largely increased within a few days. Battery after battery was opened on Falmouth Heights, until not less than one hundred and fifty guns, at good range, were belching fire and destruction upon the nearly tenant- less city, and still the sharpshooters prevented tlie completion of the pontoons, and disputed our cross- ing. At this critical moment the Seventh Michigan regiment of infantry immortalized their names. Fail- ing, after some entreaty, to secure the assistance of the engineer corps to row them across, they under- took the perilous labor themselves, and amid the rat- tling of bullets and the cheers and shouts of our own men, they reached the opposite shore, with five of their number killed, and sixteen wounded, including Lieutenant-Colonel Baxter. They immediately dashed through the streets of the city, and being quickly re- enforced by other regiments, they soon cleared the rifle-pits and buildings adjacent to the stream of all annoyance. Foremost among the noble men who performed this heroic work was the Rev. Arthur B. 110 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. I'uller, chaplain of the Sixteenth Massachusetts in- fantry, who was killed by a rifle-shot. Our pontoons were now laid in quietness to the city ; and about three miles below General Franklin laid his pontoons without opposition. Several bridges were thus constructed, and before night the main body of'infantry and cavalry filed across the river, prepara- tory to a grand engagement. On tlie twelfth General Bayard moved his cavalry down the river six miles, aud was posted on picket. Several shots wore ex- changed with the Rebel pickets during the day, and the demon of fight seemed to exist everywhere. Decemher 13. — The night had been cold, and the morning was dimmed by a heavy fog which covered friend and foe. But orders for an attack upon the formidable works of the enemy had been given, and even before the mist arose. General Gibbon opened fire with his heavy artillery, which v/as responded to, but without much effect, owing to the fog, which, however, disappeared about eleven o'clock. The engagement now became general, and the fighting was of a charticter more desperate and determined than ever known before. Thc! line of Rebel fortifications was so far back from the river, that our artillery, posted on tlie Fal- moutli Heights, was out of range, and nuxde more havoc in our advancing ranks than in the ranks of the en(!my, until the fire was silenced by order of General Burnside. About one o'clock, one of the most brilliant movements of thc day was performed by General Geoi'ge G. Meade's division, whi(!h by a terrific charge, gained the crest of the hill, which was Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Ill near tlie key of tlie position. But not being sufficiently supi)orted, they were oomjielled to retire, bringing away several hundred prisoners with them. Another masterpiece of gallantry was presented nearer the town, at Marye's Heights, where General Meagher's Irish Brigade repeatedly charged the Rebel works, until at least two-thirds of his stalwart men strew^ed the ground, killed and wounded. Brig- ade after brigade was ordered to take these heights, and though their ranks were mown down like grass before the scythe, in the very mouth of Kebel guns the effort was again and again made. Midway up the Heights was a heavy stone wall, behind which lay the hosts of the enemy, who delivered their fire with scarcely any exposure, sweeping down our columns as they approached. This hillside was completely strewn with our dead and disabled, and at length our assailing ranks retired, compelled to abandon their futile and murderous attempts. But in the language of General Sumner, " they did all that men could do." This could be applied to all the troops engaged. Night at length threw her sable mantle over the bloody field, covering in her sombre folds the stiffened corpses and mangled forms of not less than fifteen thousand dead and wounded, including the casualties of both armies. Not one of all our dead fell more lamented than Major-General George D. Bayard, who was struck by a shrieking shell, dying early in the evening. He was only twenty-eight years of age, of prepossessing appearance and manners, with as brave a heart as ever bled for a weeping country, and a capacity of 112 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. mind for military usefulness equal to any man in tLe service. Gradually he had arisen from one position of honor and responsibility to another, proving him- self tried and true in each j^romotion, while his cavalry conn-ados especially were watching the developments ot" his growing power, with nnabating enthusiasm. Eut " death loves a shining mark," and our hero, with his own blood, baptized the day which had been ap- pointed for his nuptials. The recital of his early death brought tears to many eyes, and caused many a lov- ing heart to bleed. Deatli lies on him like an untimely frost — ■ Upon the sweetest flower of all the field." The night following this bloody conflict was liorri- ble in the extreme. Every available spot or building in the city was sought for a hospital, to which the wounded were brought on stretchers by their com- ])anions. Now and then there came a poor fellow who was able to walk, supporting with one hand its bloody, mangled mate. At times two men might l)e seen approaching through the darkness, sup})orting between them their less fortunate comrade, whose bloody garments told that he had faced the foe. But numy of our hospitals proved to be very unsafe refuges, into which Minie balls and broken shells would come rattling, and in some instances destroying the precious lives tiiat had escaped — though not without suffering — the teri-ible and deadly shock of battle. Many of the wounded wei'e taken across the river, and made pei'fectly safe and as comfortable as circumstances would permit. The Sanitary and Christian Commis- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 113 Bions rendered very effective service, enshrining tliem- Belves in the memory of a grateful people. Their deeds of charity and mercy can never be forgotten. By their timely supplies and personal labors many lives were saved, and thousands of the wounded were .comforted. Decenilcr 14. — The light of this holy Sabbath was hailed with gladness by many a jjoor soldier, who had suflered from the chill of the night alone upon the bloody field. The weather, however, is unusually clement for this season of the year. A little tiring occurred this morning, but no general engagement resulted. This was greatly feared, for had General Lee advanced upon us, it is difficult to see how our men, though somewhat covered by the fire of our batteries from Falmouth Heights, could have recrossed the stream without fearful loss. But both armies spent most of the holy day in the sacred task of car- ing for the wounded and buryiiig their dead. Monday was also spent mostly in the same employment, and in the night, so skilfully as to be unknown even to the liebel pickets, our whole army was withdrawn to the north side of the river in perfect order and without loss. Our pontoons were then taken up. General Burnside was not willing to remain totally idle, and, after some time had elapsed, he planned another grand movement, which, with more or less opposition from his subordinates, who did not confide in his judgment, he endeavored to execute. But he had just taken the first step in the programme when he was signaled to desist by a telegram from the President, who had been informed that the temper of 114 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. the army was not favorable to a general move undei its present commander. With the battle of Fredericksburg terminated the campaign of 1862, and the two great armies estab- lislied their winter quarters facing each other along the line of the Rappahannock. Our camps extend for several miles along the northern shore above and below Falmouth, and the enemy occupy the south bank above and below the Heights of Fredericksburg. Indeed, nearly the whole territory between the Rap- pahannock and the Defences of Washington, a dark, forsaken, wilderness i-egion, with only here and there a plantation or a village, was soon converted into a vast camping ground, and became the most populous section of Virginia. To avoid the distant transportation of forage, the greater portion of the cavalry is encamped near Belle Plain, where government transports land with sup- plies from Washington. The Harris Light has estab- lished its camp on the Belle Plain and Falmouth Turnpike, about four miles from the former place, and has named it "Bayard," in honor of our lamented commander, whose fall at Fredei'icksburg is still a subject of universal sorrow. It is wonderful to witness how the forests are dis- apj)earing in and around our camps. From morning till night the woodman's axe resounds from camp to camp, cclioing dolefully along the river-shore and far back into the dense, dark woods. Soon after the battle of Fredericksburg, as we had no (quarters, and jiothing but worn and torn shelter-tents, our only way to prevent freezing at night was to cut and liea]) to Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 115 gether a large number of logs, which, tlioiigli green, when fully ignited made a rousing tire. Tiiese fires, numerously built in rows throughout; the streets of our camps, presented, especially at night, a most beautiful and lively scene. The few trees which still remained as shelters were genei-ally lighted up by our lires into grand chandeliers, reflecting upon our white tents a weird hght of gold and green, which might have furnished the pen of the romancer, and the pencil of the artist, their most interesting plots and designs. Around these tires gathered the comrades of many a march and battle, to discuss the experiences of tho past, to applaud or censure certain men and measures, and to lay plans, and to entertain rumors with regard to future operations. The gallantry and merits of companions fallen in strife were presented by those most intimate with them; and otherwise dreary hours were pleasantly wliiled away with narratives of per- sonal encounters, of terrible sufferings of prisoners while in the hands of the enemy, and of hair-breadth escapes. These accounts were generally enlivened with extra coloring drawn from the enchanting and fairy- like scenes which surrounded the speaker, and an entire group w-as thrilled and electrified until fre- quently the night was made to ring with ui)roarious applause. Occasionally the friends and home scenes we have left behind us became the subjects of con- versation, and it is astonishing how that word " home," with its hallowed associations, touches the tender feelings of our hearts. These colloquies often ended with the good old hymn, " Home, sweet home," and with the sound of the last bugle-call we hastened to 116 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. our rest, to spend, it may be, a miserable niglit of cold and storm. Iso soldier can ever forget these camp and bivouac scenes, for they are deeply photographed upon his memory. He will often recall their ludicrous as well as romantic side, when the mud was knee-deep and over, up to within a few feet of the fire, compelling him often to stand so near the burning pile as to set his clothes on lire. In very cold weather he would freeze one side while the other burned, unless he fre- qaently performed that military feat, changing " his base of operations." If the wind blew, making his fantastic gyrations among the tents, so that you never knew whence he would come nor whither he would go, you were sure to get your face smoked horribly. With thousands of camps thus circumstanced, it may be conjectured that no little amount of fuel would sufiice us. At first the trees were cut down without much regard to the height of the stumps, but as the forest receded from the camps, making trans- portation difliciilt, the stumps were dug uj) by the roots, leaving the ground perfectly smooth, and made I'cady for the ])l<)iigliman, whenever our swords are beaten intij ploughshares and our battle spears into ])nining lK)oks. And besides the consumption of wood for tires, no little amount is used for the con- Btruction of our houses or huts. Nearly every man lias suddenly become a mason or a carpenter, and the hammer, the axe, and the trowel are being plied with the utmost vigor, if not with tlu^ highest skill. Many of us, however, are astonished at the ingenuity that is disi)l!iyed in this department. Large logs, notched Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 117 at the ends so as to dovetail togetlier, and sometimes hewn on the inside, compose the body of the hut. 13j the careful a]>p]icHtion of nmd — that Virginia mortar or phxster with which every soldier is so fa- niiliar — to the crevices betweei) the logs, a veiy com- fortable structure is made ready for its covering and occupancy. Shelter-tents, buttoned or sewed together, form the roof, which, by the aid of talmas or ponchocs, is generally made water-proof. Three or four men usually unite in the construc- tion of a hut, and share one another's shill and stores. If they can afibrd it, they purchase of the sutlers small sheet-iron stoves, which will keep them very comfortably warm, and afibrd them an opportunity to do their own cooking on extra occasions, such as come with the issues of supplies from the Christian or Sanitary Commissions, or the reception of boxes from friends at home. The oi'dinaiy cooking of a company is done by men detailed for that purpose. Often good iire-places and chimneys are erected in the tents. These are sometimes made of sticks of wood laid in thick mud, or of stones or bricks taken from the foundations and remains of buildings that have been destroyed in the neighborhood of our camps. Every means is resorted to which Yankee ingenuity can devise to make our soldier-homes as comfortable and convenient as possible. Punch says, " that a Yankee baby will creep out of his ci'adle, take a survey of it, invent an improved style and ap- ply for a patent, before he is six months old," and this he said some time ago ; what he would say now, we cannot tell. If a house has been abandoned by 118 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. its inmates anywhere within our lines, it is taken as jprima facie evideuce that the owners must be Rebels — and it matters but little whether they are or not, so long as the house stands alone ; and in nearly as short a period of time as it takes to tell the story, the build- ing is torn in pieces, and the materials are used in the construction of officers' quarters, huts for the enlisted men, and stables for our horses. The dying year left us engaged thus in the work of policing and adding comfort to Camp Bayard. January 1, 1863. — The Harris Light was ordered to the Rappahannock, where we were posted on picket near Port Conway. The Federal and Rebel pickets have mutually arranged that there shall be no firing on either side, unless an advance is undertaken. This agreement is of course among ourselves, neither ap- proved nor disapproved at headquarters. For several days the most perfect harmony has prevailed betv/een the blue and the gray. Yankees and Johnnies wash together in the same stream, procure water to drink and for culinary pur})0ses from the same spring, and, curious to relate, often read the news from the same pajDers. Squads of soldiers from both armies may be observed seated together on either side of the Rap])a- hannock, earnestly discussing the great questions of the day, each obstinately maintaining his views of the matters at issue. On one occasion a soldier from our ranks took from his pocket a copy of the New Yorh Herald^ and read tlie Union account of one of the great battles to an attentive crowd of Rebel soldiers. AVlien he had concluded, up sprang one of the chivalry, who Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 121 brought to view a dingy copy of the Richmond Examiner, and proceeded to read his side of the story. No one was offended, and all relished the comparison of views, and then began to discuss the merits of the two accounts. During all these interviews trading was the order of the day, and a heavy business was carried on in the tobacco, coffee, and hardtack line. There was also a special demand on the part of the Rebels for pocket- knives and canteens, these articles evidently being very scarce in Dixie. January 12. — The weather has been very uneven since the year began. Wind, rain, sleet, and snow, singly and combined, have been our portion, and as a natural consequence, oceans of mud have thus far given Camp Bayard a most unwelcome appearance. Our only remedy is to corduroy our streets, which we do by bridging them with the straightest timber we can find. Usually this is pine, with which tliou- sands of acres are covered in Virginia. As it is mostly of a recent growth, averaging about six inches in diameter, and shooting up to an immense height before you can reach the branches, it is well suited to our purpose. Rough as these corduroyed streets are, they are very passable, and prevent us from sinking with our horses into a bottomless limbo. On the fourteenth of the month our picket details returned to camp, after being several days on duty. The weatlier is becoming delightful. The sun is often so brilliant and warm that we are compelled to seek shelter in our tents or in the fragrant shades of the woods. Wa 122 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. are reujinded of pleasant April weather in Northern !New Tork. Under this regime of old Sol, the roads are rapidly improving, and should no adverse change occur, we may soon look for some important army movement. January 21. — To-day we received two months' pay, and, as is usually the case on pay-day, the boys are in excellent spirits. Whatever trouble or diffi- culty the soldier may have, pay-day is a wonderful panacea, at least if his pay-roll and accounts are all satisfactory and right. But the men do not all make the same use of their money. Many on receiving the " greenbacks " hasten to Adams' Express, or despatch an agent, and send home all the money that cau be spared. Some repair to their tents and enter upon gambling schemes, with cards generally, or other games ; and it is no uncommon thing to hear that some one has lost all he had, and has gone so far even as to borrow more, in less than twelve hours of the time he w^as paid. A small jjortion of the men visit the sutlers, those army vam])ires, whose quarters are converted into scenes of dissipation, drunkenness, and folly. Men whose families at home are waiting for means to live, thus waste all their wages, disgrace themselves, and cast their dependents upon the chari- ties of the cold world. January 22. — For about two days the army has been prepared for an advance across the Ita})})a- liannock. To-day the grand movement was com- menced. Several regiments, supposing that they vvoidd never again need their winter huts, have burned or otherwise demolished them. But the Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 123 weather, wliich was fine at tlie outset, has suddenly changed, and about ten o'clock at night there poured upon us, untented and unprotected, a I'urious stoi'ra of rain, sleet, and snow, making our condition almost unendurable. We are now left in a bed of almost fathomless mire. ISTone of the men who flounder through these oozy roads, under the inclement sky, will ever forget the "• Muddy March." We had scarcely reached the riv^er-shore before we ^vere com- j)elled to return. In one instance a piece of artillery with its horses had to be abandoned, submeiged so deeply in the mud that it was considered impractica- ble to extricate them. Men are frequently comj)clled to assist one another, unable to proceed alone. The ground is covered with snow, and yet the mud is so deep that it is almost an impossibility to move artil- lery or supplies. All our forage and rations are brought from J3elle Plain on horses and pack-mules, all wheeled vehicles being entirely shipwrecked. The Rebels appear to understand what had been our designs, and know fully the cause of our failure in the expedition. Consecpiently, to tantalize us, they have erected an enormous sign-board on their side of the river, but in full view of our pickets, bearing the inscrij)tion : " Stuck in the mud ! " General Burnside, beset on every hand with mis- fortunes and disasters, tendered his resignation, but was simply relieved, as at his own request, from the command of the Army of the Potomac. 124 Three, Years in the Federal C(mal/ry, CHAPTER YIII. OKGANIZATION OF A CAVALRY CORPS. 1863. — General Hooker assumes Command of the Army of the Potomao. — Demoralization. — Reorganization. — A Cavalry Corps. — Genera- George D. Stoneman in Command. — Death of Sergeant May. — Foresta of the Old Dominion. — The Cavalryman and hus Faithful Horse. — Scenes in Winter Quarters. — Kilpatrick. — His Character. — Qualiflea- tions of the True Soldier.— A New Horse. — A Mulish Mule. — Kil- patrick's Colored Servants in Trouble. — Terrific Hail-Storm. — Major E. F. Cooke Honored. — Colonel Clarence Buel. OlST the twenty-sixth of January, General Joseph Hooker assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, whose vicissitudes and defeats have well- nigh hroken its spirit and wiped out its efficiency. The patriotic lire is burning dimly in shrines where it has blazed brightly before. The tide of military life has possibly readied its lowest ebb, and the signs of the times are ominous of ill. Desertions are re- ported to be fearfully large. For this many of our Iriends at the North are responsible. Not only do their letters speak discouraging words to the soldier, but many of them sent by express citizens' clothes, with whicii many of the boys quickly invest them- selves, throwing away the blue, and thus disguised lind their way to their false iriends at home. I 'esteem liim false to me who would thus rob me of my honor. I would rather say, " despoil me of my life. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 125 but my iutegiitj never." Discouraging as all tbia depression of mind and dispersion of comrades may be, many still remain steadfast at their trust and un- flinchingly go ahead in the discharge of their duty. General Hooker's lirst work seems to be in the direction of checking this loosening of discipline, and in reorganizing and strengthening the bands of military order. As the infantry needed but little further solidification, the commander-in-chief turned his attention to the cavalry. In the possible effi- ciency of this arm of the service the general seems to have fidl faith. But it is currently reported that the general has said " that he has yet failed to see or hear of a dead cavalryman." Of course this cannot be strictly true, for we could cite him multitudes, in- cluding our noble Bayard, whose bravery and sacri- fice of themselves upon their country's altar, are worthy of recognition at the hand of their com- mander. Bat it is quite evident that the cavalry has not yet come up to the beau-ideal of the general. And, indeed, it has been a source of speculation to us, that while the efficiency of the infantry is known to depend largely upon its organization into brigades, divisions, and corps, with their general commander, the same may not be true of the cavalry. General Bayard, the great cavalry chief of the Army of the Potomac during General Burnside's ad- ministration, made several efforts at consolidation, resulting, however, in no very permanent changes. It was reserved for General Hooker to bring about the desired result ; and, at last, the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac is organized, with General 126 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. George D. Stoneman for its commanding officer. By this cliano;e regiments wliieli liave been scattered liere and there on detached service are brought together, and made to feel the enthusiasm which numbers gen- erally inspire, esi)ecially when those numbers are united into a system, with a living head, whose in- telligence and authority control the whole. Under this new regime some very beneficial changes have been wrought. Schools or camps of instruction have been established, with a more rigid discipline than before, and boards of examination, with all the experience of the past before their eyes, have been organized. Old and incompetent officers have been dismissed, or have slunk away before this incisive catechism, giving way generally to intelligent, young, and efficient men, who, placed at the heads of regiments and brigades, give promise of success in the struggles that await us. The Rebel cavalry under Stuart has long been or- ganized into an efficient body, which, at times, has sneered at our attempts to match them ; and yet they liave been made to feel, on some occasions, that we are a gi'owing {)Ower, which time and experience may develop) into something formidable. But the general successes of the Rebel army have made them all very insolent, in the hope that final victory is already in their grasp. Fcbruarii 11. — My old friend and comi'ade. Ser- geant Theodore May, of Bittslown, New York, died this afternoon at two o'clock, after a bi'ief illness, of typhoid fever, which is a great scourge throughout the army. The death of this valiant fellow-soldier Three Years in the Federnl Cavalry. 127 casts a deep gloom over the entire command, in wliich he has so faithfully served. When we entered the army together at the organization of the regiment, lie came a perfect stranger, bnt his gentle manners and soldierly deportment soon made for him hosts of warm friends. By his gallantry on the fiehl of battle, as well as by the gentleness of his manners and his nn- blemished conduct in camp, he has won the respect, and even admiration, of all who knew him. The patriotic motives which induced Sergeant May to quit his pleasant home in the beautiful valley of the Tomhannock, for the privations, hardships, and dangers of militaiy life, have always proved him to be a true and warm sympathizer in his country's cause. It was evidently not the mere love of adven- ture, or the mere pageantry or glory of war, that led him to make the great sacrifice. lie has been with us in every conflict, and shared v/ith us the varied fortunes of the Harris Light. His death, which he would rather have met on the field of strife, battlhig manfully against traitors, was reserved for the calm and quiet of the camp, where he spent his last mo- ments urging liis comrades to " cheer up and fight on," offering as his dying reason, that "• our cause is just, and must trium])h." Such a death is a rich leg- a(!y to a command. " He being dead, yet speaketh." We would emulate his virtues. February 12. — On recommendation of Lieutenant Frederick C. Lord, I was to-day appointed by Colonel Ivilpatrick First Sergeant of Company E, vice Henry Temple, promoted to Sergeant Major. My. appoint- ment is to date from the first of January, making me 128 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. a very desirable New Year's gift, wliicli I shall sti-ive to honor. Fihrua/ry 22. — Snow has been falling uninterrupt- edly the livelong day, and yet the boys have been unusually merry, as they were wont to be on this an- niversary before the war. Our celebration has been on a scanty scale, and yet we have felt the patriotic stimulus which comes from the great men and days of the past. And truly, the birth of the great Wash- ington gives birth to many interesting thoughts, es- pecially at this period of our liistory. A national salute has been fired from our fortifications on the Potomac, and the whole country round about us has been made to reverberate with the sound that wel- comes in the day. But all these patriotic manifestations have not prevented the snow-storm and the cold. When we left our home in the North for what was termed "the sunny South," we little ex})ected to find such storms as this here. While the summers are much cooler than we expected to find them, the days being gen- erally fanned by a beautiful sea-breeze, the winters exceed for cold our highest expectation. The cold is not continuous, but very severe. We have seen the soft ground and water-puddles freeze sufficiently in one night to bear a horse ; and in several days and nights the irost has penetrated the earth several inches deep. The snow-storm of to-day is as severe as most stoi-ms experienced in the North. The wind has howled from the north-west, burdened with its cold, feathery, flakes, which to-night lie at least twelve inches duep in places undisturbed. It is such a storm Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 129 as our sufFering pickets, and indeed our entire army, cannot soon forget. It may be that the vast forests of Virginia have much to do with its peculiar temperature. As we travel from place to place we are strongly impressed with the vastness of the wilderness, which covers thou- sands of acres of as fine arable soil as can be found on the continent. How different is this from the notions we had formed of the Old Dominion, while reading of its early settlements, and of its great agricultural advantages. But when we look into its system of land-owning, and find that one individual monopo- lizes a territory sufficient for a dozen farms, and con- sequently neglects eleven twelfths of his acres ; and then look into its even worse system of labor, we need search no farther for the causes of this backwardness in agricultural pursuits. The implements made use of here on the plantations are such as were rejected by New England farmers over half a century ago ; and the methods of cultivation are a century behind the times. Slavery and land-monopoly are the incu- bus. Who does not sincerely hope that the time is not far distant, when the rich acres of this great State shall be properly shared by its inhabitants, and when, freed from a burden and curse which have long paralyzed their energies, instinct with new life and enterprise, the people will realize the dignity of labor? Then will the almost interminable forests disappear, and in their stead the industrious yeoman will behold his rich fields of waving grain. Then, too, along the now comparatively useless streams and 130 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. swift water- courses, will spring up the factory and the mill, whose rolling wheels and buzzing spindles will bring wealth and prosperity to the nation. We are convinced, from what we have seen, that Yir- ginia has water-power enough to turn the machinery of the world. With these changes the school-house will be found by the side of every church, and intel- ligence and virtue w"ill bless the home of the Pres- idents. We have also many times been led to think, while lying in these chilly woods, that a greater warmth would be imparted to the atmosphere if the forest-trees were felled and the land put under culti- vation, — a change sufficiently great to be appreciable throughout the State. " UNCHRONICLED HEROES." Sunday, March 1. — The usual Sunday morning in- spection was omitted on account of rain. Hain, rain had fallen for many days almost incessantly. The regi- ment has been earnestly at work throughout the day in building stables for the horses, which have suffered greatly from being kept standing too long in tlie mud, Under these circumstances our horses are afflicted with the scratches, many of them so badly "as to render them unserviceable, and occasionally they lose their lives. By this cause and thi'ough hard work my little black mare, whicli I (h-ew by lot at Camp Sussex in the autinun of J SOI, has at last succumbed, and, with a gi'icf akin to that wdiich is felt at the loss of a dear human fi'ieiid, 1 liuve perlbrjued the last rite of honor Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 131 to tli3 dead. The Indian may love liis faithful dog, but his attachments cannot surpass the cavalryman ^s for his horse. Thej have learned to love one another in the most trying vicissitudes of life, and the animal manifests affection and confidence quite as evidently as a human being could. The cavalier, it is true, is often compelled to ride at a most fearful rate, as wlicn bearing hurried des- patches or making a (-liargc, frequently causing almost immediate blindness to the animal. Or, per- haps, he continues on a mai-ch for many days and nights in succession, as on a raid, averaging at least sixty- five miles in twenty-four hours, with little water and less forage ; unable to remove the saddle, which has to be tightly bound, until the animal is so badly galled that the hair comes ofi' with the blanket at its first removal. Sufferings like these often cause the death of a large proportion of a command ; and to a careless looker-on these things would appear to be mere neg- lects. But these cruel military necessities only de- velop more perfectly the rider's sympathy for liis suffering beast, and bind them in closer and more en- dearing bonds. Some men had rather injure themselves than have their horses harmed, and the utmost pains are taken to hea. them in case they are wounded. Each regiment has its veterinary surgeon, whose skill is taxed to the utmost in his branch of the healing art. Among the most touching scenes we have wit- nessed, are those in which the mortally wounded horse has to be abandoned on the field of carnage. 6 132 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. With tearful eyes the rider and perhaps owner turns to take a last look of the " nnchronicled hero,'^ his fellow- sufferer, that now lies weltering in his blood, and yet makes every possible effort to follow the advancing column. Tlie parting is deeply affecting. Often the cavalryman finds no object to which he may hitch his horse for the night save his own hand ; and thus with the halter fast bound to his grasp he lies down with a stone, or perhaps his saddle, for a pillow, Jiis faithful horse standing as a watchful guardian by his side. At times the animal will walk around him, eating the grass as far as he can reach, and frequently arousing him by trying to gain the grass on which he lies ; yet it is worthy of note, that an instance can scarcely be found where the horse has been known to step upon or in anywise injure his sleeping lord. Such a scene tiie poet undoubtedly had in his mind when he sang: " The imirmui'ing wind, tlie moving leaves Lnll'd him at length to sleep, With mingled lullabies of sight and sound." Such exjieriences as these had taught me to love my faithful and true friend. But I found 1 was not the only man -in the connnand who was bereaved of his jirnt h>ve. Only a few horses of the original number which we drew still remain, and several of them are either ])artially or totally blind, though yet Bervieenble. Tlie hai'dships of the camp and the campaign are more destructive of animal than human flcHli. Men are often Bheltered from the storm when the horses are exposed, and the men are sometimea fed when the horses have to go hungry. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 133 In battle the horse is a larger mark than the man, and hence is more frequently victimized than his rider, so that there is always a much 1 a iger propor- tion of casualties among the horses than men of a cavalry command in every engagement. The horse's head and shoulders will often receive the bullet which was intended for the rider's body. This is true also of the elevated portions of the saddle, with the rolls of blankets and coats and bag of forage. A differ- ence has also been noticed between the casualties in cavalry and infantry regimeiits under equal exposure. This diiference is wholly explained when we consider the jolting and swift motion of the man as his hoi"se leaps forward in the fray, making him a very uncer- tain mark for the enemy. BRIGHT DAYS. March 3. — Tliis is the first bright day we have Been in more than three weeks. The mud around our camps, especially in the neighborhood where we water our horses, is terrible, and the roads are almost bottomless. However, long trains of forage and conimissary-wagons may be seen passing to and fro, with horses and mules in mud fi-om " stem to stern." Cavalcades of mudded horses and riders traverse the camps and adjoining fields in various directions. Large flocks of crows — the most soldier-like bird in the world — with their high-perched vedettes when alighted, and their military line of march when on the wMug, afford some lessons of diversion and in- struction. It would seem as if all the ravens of the United States had congregated liere, having been at- 134 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. tracted bj the carrion of battle-fields and the refuse of camps. Turkey buzzards, birds which are always on the wing, and that none of us ever yet saw alighted wheel through the air like eagles, gazing down U])on us with seeming defiance. These sights are of daily occurrence. KILPATRICK. To-day several details were made from the regi- meut for brigade headquarters, where Kilpatrick, the senior colonel in the brigade, now commands. In tlie afternoon we -raised the "stars and stripes" in front of his tent, after wdiich three cheers were given for the flag and three for the Union. Kilpatrick was then called upon for a speech, and responded in his usually felicitous style. He is certainly an orator as well as a warrior. He speaks, too, as he fights, with dash and daring. What he has to say he says with such ])erspicuity that no one doubts his meaning. Frequently there are flashes of eloquence worthy of a Demosthenes. His voice and diction seem to be well-nigh faultless. Ilis speech to-day (elicited fre- quent outbursts of applause, and the men cheered liim enthusiastically at the close, and left his quai'tcrs with a deeper affection for ])im than beibre. Strict as ho is to enforce disci])line, and thorough, yet he is not severe ; and the men love him for his personal atleutiou to their waiils, and for his api)reciation of their labors. If he gives us hard work to do in march or biitthi, he endures or shares with us the hai'dshi]). ]f by the losses of men he has sustained he is truly entithid to the nickiuame of "Kill Cavalry," which has been quite generally accorded to him, his men Three Years in tJte Federal Cavalry. 135 know tliat these casualties liave fallen out in the line of duty, in bold enterprises that cost the enemy dearly, the wisdom of which will ever exculpate our loved commander from the imputation of rashness with which, by uninformed parties, he is sometimes charged. In preparation for, and during, a battle, none can excel him. His plans are quickly made and exe- cuted, while all possible contingencies seem to have been foreseen. His selection of positions and dispo- sition of forces always exhibits great sagacity and military genius. He generally holds his men under perfect control. His clarion voice rings like nuigic through the ranks, while his busy form, always in the thickest of the tight, elicits the warmest enthusiasm. His equanimity of mind seems never to be overcome by his celerity of motion, but are equally balanced. Rarely is so great prudence found blended with so undaunted courage. He has an indomitable will that cannot brook defeat. The word impossihle he never knows, whatever difficulties intervene between him and duty. He feels like Napoleon, " that impossible is the adjective of fools." Added to all these mental qualifications, is that perfect physique^ which makes Kilpatrick the model soldier. As an equestrian we have never seen his superior. He rides as though he had been made for a saddle. Rocks, stumps, fallen trees, brooks, and fences are nothing before him. His well-trained steeds understand him perfectly, and are never at a loss to know what is meant by the sharp spurs on their sides, whatever obstacles stand in their patli- 136 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. We have seen him leap over barriers where only few could follow him. To accomplish such feats the horse must have confidence in the rider as well as the rider in the horse. While in a charge, Kilpatrick has more the appearance of an eagle pouncing upon his })rey, than that of a man pouncing upon a man. Then, too, he has a wonderful power of endurance. Though somewhat slender in form and delicate in mould, with complexion and eyes as ligiit as a maid- en's, yet it would seem as though his bones were iron and his sinews steel, while the whole is overlaid with gold. He is certainly compactly built. He has un- doubtedly his faults, but his men fail to see them, so that to them he is as good as perfect. What so young a champion of the right may yet achieve for his country, is a matter of much hopeful conjecture among us. He is now only twenty -five years of age, having had his birth in the beautiful valley of the Clove, in Northern New Jersey, in 1838. He entered the Military Academy at West Point on the twentieth of June, 185G, and graduated with honors in 1860, just in time to be ready for the great conflict then impending. He was present at Baltimore when the mob endeavored to stop the trains for Washington, and the blood of Massachu- setts men was sj^ilt upon the streets. He there ex- hibited that bold intrepidity which has ever charac- terized his actions. He was wounded at the battle of Big Bethel, one of the lii'st engagements of the war, where as a lieutenant he commanded Duryea'a Zouaves, .June eleventh, 1861, He had just recovered from his wound when he entered upon the orgauiza- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 137 tion of the Ilarris Light, and became its lieutcnaut- culoiiel. March 5. — We had regimental drill at the usual time this morning. I rode my black pony recently drawn in place of my little black mare, deceased. This was his first experience in cavalry discipline; and I infer that the men in the front rank of the platoon, which I commanded, hoped it might be his last entry ; for it must have been most emphatically evident to those who followed him that he was de- termined to introduce a new system of tactics, in Avhich heels were to go uj) in no gentle manner at every change of movement. He is certainly the most ungovernable horse on drill I ever mounted ; and nothing but long marches and raids can eflecrii- ally subdue his kicking pi-opensities. I am enc< ur- aged, however, with the consideration that such fiery metal, when properly controlled and moulded, is usually very valuable. Tlie rain fell so fast on the sixth, that we were prevented from drill, and recall was sounded imme- diately after drill-call. Sunday., March 8. — Details from tlie regiment were ordered out on picket. The night had been stormy, but the day has been lovely. At such times, were it not for the mud, we would feel that we are very comfortably circumstanced. On the eleventh, in the morning, the ground was covered with snow which had fallen in the night. A brilliant sun soon dissolved the pure mantle and left us in much mire. But our attention was diverted from the going by a novel scene which we were 138 Three Tears in the Federal Cavalry. called to witness in camp. The regiment was in- structed in the best method of packing a mule, by one who has had experience in the business. The most mulish mule in the whole braying family was selected for the operation, and if we did not have some tall fun I will admit that I am no judge. A hog on ice or a bristling porcupine are bad enough, but an ugly mule outstrips them all. It seems as if the irascible animal tried to do lus prettiest, flounc- ing around in a most laughable manner, pawing and lacking at times furiously. But the desperate Yan- kee teacher was not to be outwitted, and conquered him at last, when the pack was satisfactorily poised, and the ornamented mule was promenaded about camp as in triumph. We are informed that it is the intention of the authorities to have pack-mules used in the cavalry corps henceforward in place of army wagons. The reason of this change seems to be to facilitate rapid movements or forced marches. It is the prevailing opinion, however, that the experiment will prove a failure. Too many mules would be required for this ])uri)Ose, and our forage and rations would be very insecure, especially from the storms. But we will see how the thing works. At times it may be expedient. March 12. — I had the misfoitune to have my quarters luirned this morning while getting out a de- tail for ])icket. All my extra clotliing, equipments, and some little mementoes or valuables were speedily converted into ashes. But I immediately went to work, and with some kind assistance, which every brotiier-soldier is so ready to bestow, I i)ut up a new Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 131) establishment which in every respect is superior to the old one. Details from the regiment, with pack-mules, were sent out to the Rappahannock on the thirteenth, to carry rations and forage to our pickets. The mule- train looks oddly enough, and yet through these mud- dy roads it seems to be a necessity. MarcJi 14:. — Having been detailed to act as officer of the guard, I am to-day engaged in the performance of that duty. We were not a little anmsed this morning by the arrest of Ivilpatrick's colored servants. It was their misfortune to be discovered by Captain Southard, the officer of the day, while engaged in a fierce contest, in which their heads were used as the chief weapons of attack and defence. The blows they dealt u})on each other were most terrible, reminding one of the battering-rams of old, used for demolishing the walls of forts or cities. Such ancient modes of warfiire, of course, could not be tolerated here, especially as no order for battle had been promulgated from head- quarters, and the captain arrested the offenders and brought them to the guard-house, where they were placed in my charge. I immediately ordered them out under guard to police camp as a punishment for their bad conduct. "While thus engaged, Kilpatrick happened to see them, and, not wishing to have his faithful servants subjected to such humiliating labor, issued an order for tlieir immediate release from durance vile, assert- ing that he would be responsible for their lighting in the future, if at least they did not put their heads to- gether more than half a dozen times a day. 140 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. The day following this laughable farce, in the afternoon, we experienced one of the most terrific storms ever known in this part of the country. The day had been quite pleasant until about two o'clock, when dark clouds began to obscure the sky, and the wind shifted from the south to the north-west. At four o'clock the elements were ready for battle, and a iierce eno-ao-ement commenced. Gleaming and forked lightnings cleft the canopy, while booming thunder shook the trembling earth. The artillery of Heaven had not long been opened before the musketry com- menced, and down poured a shower of hail, which came near demolishing our tents, and brought suf- fering and sorrow upon all unsheltered heads. Mules brayed horribly, vying with the hoarse, muttering thunder, making the camp most hideous and lonely. The wind and cold mcreased with every passing hour, the hail fell faster and more heavily, and night came suddenly down to hide, though not to prevent, the storm. The night was one of great sufi'ering, espe- cially on the lines of picket — it was bad enough any- where. March 23. — A beautiful sabre was presented to Major E. F. Cooke this afternoon, by the members of his old company, for his gallantry and soldierly character, which have earned his promotion. Cap- tain O. J. Downing, of company B, made the present- ation speech, in which he beautifully alluded to the hai)py relation which always exists between a faith- ful commander and his men. As a token that such relation existed between the major and those whom he had often led through perilous scenes and con- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 141 flicts, their gift was presented. An appropriate re- sponse was made by the major, in which he very humbly attributed his military success thus far to the bravery of the noble men who had always stood by him, and whose gift lie accepted not only as a mark of their appreciation of himself as a man, but of their devotion to the cause which he hoped, by the edge of the sabre and trust in Pi'ovidence, we may yet win, March 34. — Kilpatrick's brigade was reviewed this morning by General Gregg, who commands the Second division of the cavalry corps. Kilpatrick commands the First brigade, which is composed of the First Maine, the Tenth New York, and Harris Light. On the twenty-fifth General Gregg again reviewed us. We were ordered to turn out in " li^avy marching orders," that is, with all our cloth- ing, rations, forage or grain, and fully equipped. For some reason inspections and reviev\'s are frequent of late. The Harris Light maintains its established reputation, as being second to none in the corps, for its efficiency in drill and discipline, and in its general appearance. The men take pride in keeping up the morale of the regiment. March 28. — Colonel Clarence Euel is paying us a visit to-day. This gallant and noble oflicer, who or- ganized and formerly commanded the Troy company of the Harris Light, has recently been promoted to the colonelcy of the Hundred and Sixty-ninth New York Infantry. The colonel has taken a teraj)orary leave of absence from his new command for the pur- pose of -making us a friendly call ; and he is again surrounded by his old tried friends and comrades, 142 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Compuny E hails with pleasure its former loved cap tain, and though sad at his loss, still rejoices in his ■well-earned and merited promotion. All the men of the company showed their respect and admiration for him by falling into line upon the announcement of his arrival in camp, and thus greeted the Chris- tian soldier. It was a very delightful and enjoyable occasion. As a soldier, Colonel Buel stands among the brav- est and the best. Always attentive to the wants of his command, his men are always the last to be out of supplies of rations or clothing. He generally exer- cised that fatherly care over us which called forth in return a filial love. He is dignified, and yet perfectly affable. As a connnander, he is intrepid and cool, and manages his troops with admirable skill. He possesses a naturally well-balanced mind, thoroughly cultivated, and a heart always full of Christian hope- fulness and benevolence. We wish him great success in his new field of labor and responsibility. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 143 CHAPTEH IX. REBEL CHIEFS AND THEIR RAIDS. 1803. — Uebel Raids by Stuart, Imboden, and Fitz-Hugh Lee. — John 8. Mosby, Guerilla Chief. — Ilis Character. — His Command. — Daring and Plunder. — Aided by Citizens. — Condition of the Country Favora- ble for their Depredations. — Our Picket Lines too Liglit. — Attacks on Pickets at Herndon Station, Cub Run, and Fryiug-Pan Chnrcli. — Miss Lanra Ratcliffe, Mosby's Informant.— Mosby at Fairfax Court House. — Capture of General Stongliton. — Fight at Chantilly. — Mosby lauded by His Chiefs. — Mosby beaten at VVarreuton Junction.— Se- verely whijipedat Greenwich, where he loses a Howitzer captured from Colonel Baker at Biill's Bluff. ri"^nE Rebel cavalry lias been very active all winter, as X may be seen by the many raids which they have made, beginning as far ba(;k as December twenty-tifth, when their cliief, J. E. B. Stuart, anxious to obtain something suitable with which to celebrate the holi- days, crossed the Rappahannock, advanced on Dum- fries, where it would seem that our boys, freezing dumb (Dumfries), suffered the raider to capture not less than twenty-five wagons, and at least two hundred prisoners. Moving boldly northward, he struck the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, burning the bridge across the Accotink Run, and from Bui-ke's Station he swung around Fairfax Court House, and returned, by long, circuitous route, into their lines with their bard-earned spoils. A lull of operations followed this bold holiday en- 144: Three Years in tJie Federal Cavalry. terprise, until the sixteenth of February, when a party of General John D. Iraboden's rangers, in the Shenandoah Yalley, made a rapid raid to Romney, farther west, where they captured several men, horses, and wagons, having taken our forces entirely bj surprise. The success which characterized these forays was not only disgi-aceful to ourselves, and very disheartening, but it gave the Rebels an audacious effrontery and malignant boldness, which led them into more frequent and reckless movements. But our men wore a little more on the alert, and thus averted, to a great extent, the injury which was intended. February 25. — To-day Fitz-IIugh Lee, almost in the very face of our pickets, crossed the Ilappahan- nock near Falmouth, attacked by surprise a camp, wdiere he captured one hundred and fifty prisoners, but was not able to return without some loss. The next day General W. E. Jones marched with a bri- gade into the Valley, attacked and routed two regi- ments of General Milroy's cavalry, and, with slight loss from his command, escaped with about two hun- dred prisoners. The most daring, however, of all these raids was made by Major White, with his band of Loudon County rangers, which differs not much from guerillas, into Maryland, where they captured a few ])risoncrs, but spent most of their time and strength in plunder. Poolesviile was the scene of their dc])redations. It did seem as though nearly every Rebel cavalry oflicer luid been touched with a magic wand which filled him witli tlic most weird and romantic views ot" warfare, and led him into enterprises almost aa Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 145 wild as any of Dick Turpin's. Fauquier County was the theatre of several of these movements by Captain Randolph, of the Black Plorse Cavalry. And in these days appeared another partisan, whose name for the first time flashes out in big capitals in the official as well as other bulletins, amid most startling manoeuvrings : it is John S. Mosby. To the Harris Light this gentleman was not wholly unknown, and we distinctly remember the time when he was a pi'is- oner in our hands. It appears that he was then sent to Old Capitol Prison at Washington. Not long thereafter he was released ; and, being bent on re- venge, and naturally fitted for guerilla operations, he soon received permission from his chief, to operate on an independent plan. This Mosby, as we have been informed by an ac- quaintance of his, a Rebel soldier who has known him from early life, has always been a sort of guerilla — deserting from his father's house in mere boyhood — fighting duels as a pastime — roving the country far and wide in search of pleasure or profit — a thorough student of human nature and of the country in which he operates — bold and daring to a fault and romantic in his make — and finding now his chief delight in the adventures of guerilla life. His commission is a roving one, and his command seems to be limited neither to kind or number. Many of his men are citizens, who spend a portion of their time in their ordinary business pursuits, and who hold themselves in readiness for any movements indicated by thoir commander. Occasionally he is accompa- nied and assisted in his forays by daring men from 146 Three Years m the Federal Cavalry. various commands, who are at home on leaves of ab- sence or furloughs, while a few seem to be directly and continually under his control. Tlie principal stimulus of the entire party (except the bad whiskey which they are said to use), is the plunder whicli they sliare. It is their custom at times to parole their prisoners and send them back to our linos, tliough often, when large numbers are taken, they are sent to Richmond ; but all horses and equip- ments, which now command enormous prices in Dixie, are the property of the captors. The region of tlie country they have chosen for their operations is certainly well adapted to facilitate their designs. Deep ravines traverse the countiy, skirted with dense, dark foliage, which affords them shelter, and through which they pa?s like so many wild turkeys or wild boars, knowing, as they do, all the roads and by-paths. Indeed, some of their ]>arties are dwellers in these regions, and are acquainted with every nook and corner, where they can hide securely with their prey and elude their pursuers. When the immediate neighborhoods of their depredations do not offer a sufficient asylum, they fly to the fastnesses and caverns of the Bull Eun Mountains. Then, too, there is a certain degree of carelessness on the part of our own men, wliich merits censure and causes trouble. For instance, calls are frequently made at the homes of bitter Eebels, for the purpose of se- (turing articles of food, which are usually purchased- 01- taken, aud while at these places they are too often uiiiruarded in their conversations about the condition of our army, the position of picket lines, etc. — infornia- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 147 tion wliidi is gi-asped with •wonderful avidity and aa readily transmitted to Mosby and his men. Scarcely does any important event transpire among us, that ia not fully understood immediately by the Rebel fami- lies within our lines, and is very easily borne to those outside the lines between two days. Thus movements even in contemplation have been heralded before the incipient steps liad been taken, and con- sequently thwarted. Our only safety from this source of trouble wonld be to drive out of our lines all Rebel families, thus preventing the means of communicating the news to the outer world. Another simple statement will explain the chances of the enemy and the causes of many of our casual- ties. Our picket-lines are too much extended, cover- ing too wide a territory to make them as strong as they should be. Only a brigade is doing the work of a division, and consequently the picket- posts are not suthciently near ea(;h other. Thus, in the night, it requires no veiy great dexterity to creep through the bushes between the pickets unobserved, and, once within our lines, any amount of mischief may be done by the miscreants. The method indicated here is usually the one employed by these active guerillas, and it forms the chief stratagem of all their movements upon us. Their first important attack upon our i)ickets took place on or about the tenth of January. A small Federal picket was doing duty at llerndon Station, on the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad. Mosby determined to effect their capture. Led by a skilful guide, he dismounted his command some distance 148 Tltree Years in the Federal Cavalry. from tlie picket-lines. Then they all crept cautiousl;y between the vedettes, uutil they reached the rear of the post, and from that direction advanced upon the unsuspecting boys, whose forms could be distinctly seen by the flaring light of their bivouac fire. While the pickets were thus a fine shot and mark for the enemy, the attacking force was concealed perfectly by the darkness of night and the shades of the thick pines. A pistol-shot from the guerillas was followed by a charge, when our boys were suddenly surrounded and captured. This attack and capture was followed by ariother Bimilar enterprise a few nights afterwards at Cub Run, near the Little River Turnpike. The picket relief was captured by a charge made in their rear, and only the two vedettes made their escape. Later in the same night a similar assault was made upon our post at Frying-Pau Church. Not far from this church resides a Miss Laura Ratcliffe, a very active and cunning llebel, who is known to our men, and is at least sus- pected of assisting Mosby not a little in his movements. Tlic cavalry brigade doing picket duty at this point is com[)Osed of the First Virginia (many of whose men were raised in these parts), the First Vermont, the Fifth New York, and the Eighteenth Pennsylvania. The latter of these regiments has but recently been mustered into the service, is pooi-ly drilled and worse equipped, and is by no means fitted to picket against BO wily a foe as Mosby. Though great caution is exercised by Colonel Percy Wyndham, who is in command of the brigade, to arrange and change the alternation of the pickets, so that the regiments to Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 149 picket at a given point may not be known beforehand ; yet by means of Miss Ratcliffe and her rebellious sisterhood, Mosby is generally informed of the regi- ment doing duty, and his attacks are usually directed against the unskilled and unsuspecting. Having approached, under cover of the night above alluded to, within a few hundred yards of the pickets, wliose position and strength he knew very well fi'om information received by the neighbors, the liorses were left in charge of one man, while the party skulked along through the thick underbrush, until they could approach the post from the direction of the Union camp. The picket relief was mostly quartered iji an old house near by, with a single sentinel station- ed at the door. Seeing the Mosby party ap])roaching^ he sup[)osed that they were a patrol, and conse(piently allowed them to come within a few paces of the house before he challenged them. But it was now too late; and springing forward like panthers, the guerillas presented their pistols at his head, ordering a sur- render. The house was immediately surrounded and the assailants began to fire thi-ough the thin weather- boarding upon the men shut up within. This fire, however, was vigorously returned for a time, but yielding at last to su{)erior numbers, who had greatly khe advantage, the whole party was compelled to sur- render. The success -with which Mosby carried on his operations made him a sort of terror to our pickets, while it attracted to him from all quarters of Rebel- dom a larger and more enthusiastic command. They became wonderfully skilled and bold, as may be seen 150 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. bj tlie following daring exploit. On the night of the eighth of March, during rain and intense darkness, Mosby led a squadron of his conglomerate command through the pines between the pickets near the Turn- pike from Ceutreville to Fairfax Court House. Strik- ing through the country, so as to avoid some infantry cami:)S, he soon reached the road leading from Fairfax Station to the Court House. Moving now with per- fect confidence, as no pickets along this route would suspect the character of such a cavalcade several miles inside our lines, about two o'clock in the morning he entered the village and began ojierations. The tirst thing was to capture the pickets stationed along the streets in a quiet manner, so as to arouse no one from their slumbers, and this was easily accomplished. The way was now fully open to the Confederate band. Divided into parties, each with its work assigned, they quickly accomplished the mischief they desired. Mosby, with a small baud, proceeded to General Stoughton's headquarters, in the house of a Dr. Gunnel. Dismounting, he soon stood knocking at the door. A voice from an open window above demand- ed their business at such an unseasonable hour. " Des- ])atches for General Stoughton," responded JNIosby. The door was quickly unlocked, and the guerilla chief stood by the bedside of the sleeping general, who had but a \'e\v moments before retired from a dancing and convivial ])arty. Fancy now the reonactmerit of tlio scene in old Ticonderoga ibrt, when Ethan Allen, by stratagem, stood in the presence of His M:ijesty's sleep- ing commander. Stoiigliton was soon a])prised of the character of Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 151 his niglitly visitors, and quickly making his toilet, he was hurried away with a })ortion of his escort, and several other prisonei's, including Captain Augustus Bai-ker, of the Fifth New York Cavalry. Fifty-eight of the finest horses from the ofliccrs' stables were also captured ; and Mosby retraced his sinuous route through our lines of pickets so rapidly, that he esca[)ed all liis pursuers. The morning light of the ninth of March revealed the boldness and success of the raiders, and no little excitement prevailed. Several ])arties of cavalry were ordered out in pursuit of the flying partisans, but all returned at night unsuccessful. This was an occasion for great humiliation on the part of our troops, stationed about the Court House, while in Washing- ton and throughout the nation not a little humor was drawn from the remark made by the President when some one told him of the loss we had sustained ; "Yes," he characteristically replied, " that of the horses is bad ; but I can make ancjther general in five minutes." Suspicious that Eebel citizens within our lines were more or less implicated in this and other raids, quite a number of arrests were made among them, which cleai'ed the country of the most flagitious cases. However, it is very probable that some innocent ones were made to sufl'er, while the most guilty were al- lowed to escape. March 23. — The pickets near Chantilly had been quiet for several days, but toward night a con"i]-)any of cavaliers, mostly dressed in blue uniforms, emerged from a })iece of wood within a mile of the Chantilly mansion, and moved directly toward the picket post 152 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. stationed near a small run on the Little Eiver Turn- pike. The picket, supposing them to be Uuion troops, watched their approach without suspicion; and when thej had come within a few feet of him they intro- duced themselves by shooting him through the head. The aharm being thus given, the nearest reserve made a sudden descent upon the attacking party, which proved to be Mosby's, and the guerillas retreated for some distance up the turnpike, closely pursued. Having followed them about three miles, they came to a barricade of trees which had been fallen across the road. Back of this obstruction Mosby had formed a large part of his command, and our column was stopped by a heavy fire from carbines and pistols in their front and also by a flank-tire from the woods. At this inopportune moment Mosby made a chai-ge which broke our column. The boys were diiven back at a furious rate, and had not strength to rally. Some horses giving out, the hapless riders were captured. But as Eebels and Yankees were uniformed much alike, it gave some of our boys an opportunity for stratagem. For instance, one of our fellows finding himself overtaken by the enemy, began to fire his ]»ist(tl in the direction of his flying comrades (with cai-e ]iot to harm theui), but with sufficient vim to be taken by tiie enemy, in their haste, as one of their number. In this way they })assed him by, and he effected his escape. This scrambling race continued for about three miles, back to the ground where the affair com- menced, when our men were reenforced by the reserve fnjin Frying-Pan Church. The Mosbyites were now Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 153 compelled to halt, and a charge made upon them drove them back np the pike. They were pursued several miles, but night came on and oui- men were compelled to retui'n. Three of our men w^ere killed, and about thirtj-iive were taken prisoners, including one lieutenant. Several liorses were also taken aw^ay. The enemy suffered no appreciable loss. Mosby's plans were certainly made with great wisdom and forethouglit, and executed with a dash and will which were at times very astonishing. His men nmst have been warmly attached to him as their leader, while the gain they made by their plun- der greatly increased their zeal. The command was truly unique in its leader, its composition, and its modus oj>era7idi, wliile its results, assisted as they were by the topography of the country, and the Rebel sympathizers within and just without our lines, at- tracted no little attention. The orders of General Stuart and even those of General Lee associated the name of Mosby with consummate daring and continual success, stimulating the band to greater deeds. We append one specimen of those orders, furnished us by one of their own number : Headquarters, Cavalry "Division, ) Army of Northern \'irgniia, M;u\'li 27, 1863. \ Captain — Your telegram, announcing your brilliant achieve- ments near Chantilly, was duly received and forwarded to Gen- eral Lee. He exclaimed upon reading it, " Ilurrali for M'lsby 1 1 wish I had a hundred like him! " Heartily wishing you continued success, I remain your obe- dient servant, J. E. B. Stuaht, Major-General Commanding. Captain J. S. Mosby, commanding, etc., etc. 154 Three Yecirs^ in the Federal Cavalry. But it is not often permitted one man always to prosper in his enterprises, and even the wonderful Mosby Wiis destined to meet equals, and to be worsted in engagements. Later in the season, wliile General Staliel's cavalry division was picketing the line of tlie Orange and Alexandria Ilaih'oad, ]\[osby made a sud- den descent one morning upon the First Virginia Cavalry at Warren ton Junction. Unfortunately, these Union Virginians, who were one of the best regiments in our service, were just then unprepared for any such manoeuvring. They iiad just been relieved from duty, and were taking their rest. Many of the men were lounging about under the shade of trees, or quartered for the time in a few block buihlings situated in an angle formed by the two railroads. Their horses were mostly " unsaddled and unbridled, and hence not fit for a fight," while many of them were grazing loosely and quietly in the adjoining fields. Mosby advanced ujion them from the direction of "Wari-enton — was at first mistaken for a squadron of our own cavalry, which had been sent out on a scout- ing expedition. The error was soon corrected by a lierce charge made by the guerillas. Such of the men as were roaming about the premises, mostly un- armed, of course immediately surrendered ; but about one hundred of them fled for refuge in one of the largest buildings, resolved to sell themselves (if it came to that) at the dearest ]>rice. And now com- UKMHied a fearful struggle. The Confederates would ride up near the wimlows and discharge their pi('(!cs ut tli(! men within, wliih^ the l)rave fellows inside, commanded and insj)ii'ed by Major Steele, one of Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 155 the bravest of tlie brave, defended tlieinselvcs with a noble determination. All effoi'ts of Mosby to make them snrrender were in vain. Findiiii^ at last tliat lie could not intimidate them with bullets, lie ordered the torch to be applied to a pile of hay near by, and the house was set on fire. Just at this juncture of affairs a strone: party of Mosby's gang, having dismoni.tcd from their horses, rnshed a:ed a pistol ball in the ca])tain's neck, from which he did not lung survive. An interesting diary was found in Captain Hoskins' possession, describing mainly his private life since entering Mosby's command. MosI)y himself barely escaped being captured on this occasion, and he carried the mark of a sabre-cut on his arm. The fight had been desperate on both sides, but the guerillas were badly worsted, and driven away as far as the jaded condition of our horses would permit us to pursue them. In their flight the spoils, which had been taken from the cap- tured train, were left behind, strewn in every direc- tion. This tight occurred near the little village of Greenwich, and gave Mosby a blow quite as severe as any he had ever received. *>. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 161 CHAPTEE X. CHANCELLORSVILLE AND STOXEMAN'S RAID. Itirs.- rieview of tlie Army by tlie President. — Deserters Piinish-i ert. — Sports and Pastimes. — Stouemaii's First Move. — Storm. — Ke- coiuioissanec to Warreiiton. — Another Move. — Oilier Storms. — Catch- ing' " Kiihbits." — Stoneman's Great liaid on Lee's Communications. — On tlie Virginia Central Railroad. — Kilpatrick at Louisa Court House. — He Marches, upon Eiflimond. — Bold Advance near the City — Im- portant Ciiptnres. — Ketreat over Meiidovv Bridge. — Destruc'ions. — Bushwhackers. — Happy Rencounter. — Safe Arrival at Glouce^'tor Point. — Public Prints. — Battle of Clianccllorsville. — Heroism and 1 v- feat. — Stonewall Jackson Fulls. — Hooker Injured. — Retreat. — Oi-.U-i>-. APRIL 1. — April-fool day always brings its trains of fun and broods of annoyani^es, the boys being determined to make the most of it. The usual plan is to induce a comrade to believe that either the colonel, his captain, or lieutenant, wants to see him. This scheme is generally successful ; for the victim dare not refuse to report whenever called for, and as he is unable to learn whether he is really wanted or otherwise, he finds it necessary to call upon his supe- rior to ask his pleasure. Receiving the assurance that nothing is wanted of him, he sees that he has been "sold," and returns to his comrades in the midst of their hilarity at his expense. But he is generally determined to have revenge, and to get the "laugh" on them before the day is spent. Sometimes these 162 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. jokes are carried rather too far for sport, and recoil upon their perpetrators with unpleasant forcp. But, then, this soldier-life of oars is so grave and solemn that our buoyant natures seek relief in all such in cans as the above. The bow, always bent to its utmost tension, would soon break or become use- less; it must be straightened to send the arrow. So our natures would break were they not elastic, and were tliere no opportunities for reaction as well as action. Then, too, there is a kind of monotony to our life in winter quarters, to which it is difficult to accustom ourselves. And he who can suggest any thing laughable is a great benefactor to his comrades ; for then the monotony is broken, and we enjoy a little sprinkling of variety, which is truly said to be "the spice of life." A good joke, that runs through the command like a bubbling brook along the flower- ing meadows, is worth more to us than a corps of nurses with cart-loads of medicine. On the second of April, from nine to eleven o'clock in the morning, we had a mounted brigade- drill. Colonel Kilpatrick was in command. lie ap- peared well )>leased, at the close, with the ])roficiency of his men, and they arc all enthusiastic over him, Thci'c seems to be a wonderful unanimity of feeling in the lirigade, all i-egarding Kilpatrick as the right Tiiaii in the right place. A/>iU (1. — To-day the Cavalry Corps, consisting (if twenty-live regiments, well filled and dillled, was reviewed l)y President Lincoln and Generals Hooker uiid Stoncman. A salute of twenty-one guns was fired upon the arrival of the Presidential party. Tho Three Years i?i the Federal Cavalnj. 163 review took jjlace on Falmouth Heights, in full view of the Rebel encampment in i-ear of Fredericksburg. The scene we presented to our enemies must have been grand, for we appeared in our best uniforms and with flying colors. It was an occasion not to be for- gotten, the sight being one of the most magnificent many of us ever saw. The column was between three and four hours passing in review. It seemed to do us all good to get a glimpse of the solemn, earnest face of the President, who reviewed us with appa- rent satisfaction. April 7. — Picket details returned from the river to-day. In the afternoon several horse-races came ofl' near our camp, between the First Pennsylvania, the First New Jersey, and Harris Light. One of Kil- patrick's favorite horses was badly beaten, much to his mortification, owing, as was alleged, to the stupid- ity of the rider, wlio was sent off the ground in dis- grace. We are frequently training our horses for swift motions, and teaching them to jump ditches and fences. These are occasions of excitement and amuse- ment. Men are frequently thrown from their horses while endeavoring to jump them beyond their ability, though seldom is any one hurt. Much practice is necessary to make perfect in this exercise. The papers bring us good news of a " Great Union Victory in Connecticut." Such victories, though bloodless, have a powerful influence upon the rank and file of the army. Every ballot cast to sus- tain the administration is equal to a well-directed bul- let against the foe. April 8. — The brigade was called out this morn- 7* 164 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. ing on the old diill-grouiid to witness a somewhat sad and novel scene, namely, the branding and drumming out of service of two deserters from Company K. Tlie command was formed into a hollow square, facing inward. Upon tlic arrival of the bla,clvsmltirs forge, the deserters were partially stripped of their clothing, irons were heated, and the letter " D " was burnt upon their left hip. Their heads were then shaved, after which they were marched about the square under guard, accompanied by a corps of bu- glers phiying " the rogue's march." It was a hu- miliating and painful sight, and undoubtedly it left its salutary impression, as it was designed^ upon all who witnessed it. A deserter should be regarded as only next to a traitor, and when the military law aojainst such offenders is enforced with becominof rigor, we will probably have fewer infractions. This part of our army discipline has thus far been evident- ly too loosely administered, giving occasion for de- moralization. In the afternoon wc enjoyed a very pleasing change of programme, when true merit was reward ed. A beautiful sabre was presented by the officers of the brigade to Kilpatrick. Affairs of this kind are much enjoyed by the major part of the command ; and when night came on we all felt that to-day, at least, we have learned that " the W'ay of the trans- gressor is hard," and also that " Good actions crown thcniHclves with lasting days; Who duscrves well needs not another's praise." April 9. — To increase the vai'icty of our experi- ence, and to give it a ]>leasing tone, Kilpatrick's bri- Three, Years in the Federal Cavalry. 1G5 gade-band made its first appearance in front of" head- quarters this evening. Thej discoursed national airs in a nnmner tliat thrilled and elated us, makin and a hard tack or biscuit, the most essential things, he sehh^iu now borrows much troulile about his suiToundings, Wu cuiiimencL'd march at four o'clock on the morn Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 17J ing of April twentieth, and advanced toward Sulplmr Springs. Scarcely Had we gone out of our bivouaca before a drenching rain-storm set in, and continued incessantly until we were forced to lialt, the inud bei nu^ really oceanic. The day being quite warm, we experienced but little discomfort from the wet until night. The weather then became cold, and every thing being so wet, it was difficult to make lires ; con- sequently we had a very tedious night. A fellow con- sidered himself fortunate, if, after toiling long through the culd and dark, he coukl succeed to cook a little coffee. But the soldier will have his coffee, if it be possible, and then he is quite contented with his lot. On the twenty-first, all we could do was to change our position, to get out of the very deep mud, which one night's treading of the horses' feet produced. On the following day in the afternoon the Cavalry Coi'ps moved from Waterloo Bridge to Warrenton Junction. The day w^as pleasant, though the roads are still in a fearful condition. Our infantry is engaged in repair- ing the railroad to Ka[)])ahannock Station. We are evidently on the eve of some important movements. Before night, many of the boys were made glad by the reception of a large mail from the North, which is the first we have received since we left our w^inter- quarters on the thirteenth instant. Neai'ly every man had a letter, and there was general contentment all around. The mail-bag is alwaj'S a welcome visitor, especially in times like this, and it is not the least of the instrumentalities which mould our character and give tone to our morale. A^ril 23. — Another drenching rain set in this 172 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. moiiiiug and continued witliout cessation throughout the day. We were all drowned out of oiir little shelter-tents, and many preferred to take the chastise- ment face to face with the merciless elements. We were a sorry looking company of men, drenched with the rain, bespattered with mud, and chilled with the cold. Our fires, well-nigh quenched by the falling floods, were of very little use to us. Men and horses all suffered together. Thus far the month has been very wet, and this April is certainly entitled to be classed among the Weeping Sisters. We spent the dreary night hoping for a better- morrow. But the twenty-fourth followed the example of its predecessor, and rain poured upon us in torrents. The yielding clay of this region of country is soon trodden into a soft mud, under so many hoofs, until it seems quite impossible to find a dry spot large enough to lie down upoa at night. This makes our bivouacs veiy dreary and uncomfortable. And yet under these melancholy circumstances we are not totally bereft of pleasant entertainment. The woods and fields in this vicinity abound with quails and rabbits, whose presence has been the cause of souje excitement and not a little fun. Ever and anon a sportive cavalier starts up a nimble rabbit and chases the frightened little creatui'o through the camp, crying at the toj) of his voice, "stop hiin ! stop him! catch that rabbit," etc. Poor ]>us8y comes flying down the road, pursued by a throng of men, while the shouts are caught up and repeated along the entire line of escape, men jumping u]» at K^\{i\-y bound of the animal, and joining in the Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 175 sport. Occasionally the rabbit is so perfectly sur- rounded as to be compelled at last to surrender, when the trembling prisoner is caught, but carefully treated. At this time of the year they are so very small and lean as to be scarcely eatable, and yet now and tliQii they are shot, as well as quails, to increase our com- missary supplies, and the cooks display considerable skill in dressing and preparing them a la Dehnonico. April 27. — Colonel Davies, after quite a lengthy absence from us, rejoined the regiment at ten o'clock AM. He reported having a narrow escape from guerillas near Elkton, where he was fired at and pur- sued for some distance, while on his way from Fal- mouth. Details were ordered out immediately to those infested regions, with instructions to capture every thing in the shape of a bushwhacker. Captain Coon, of the Connecticut squadron, was put in com- mand of the reconnoitring jmrty. We had a rich and delightful ride, but did not succeed in overhaul- ing the oflenders. On the twenty-eighth the first battalion of the Ilarris Light, commanded by Captain Samuel Mc- Irvin, was ordered to reconnoitre as far as Brentsville. We went via Elkton and Bristerburg, at which places we captured several guerillas, who were not looking for us. The first part of the day was very pleasant, but from eleven o'clock till night \te had a continual- y drizzling rain, which made our march exceedingly disagreeable. We had but just halted for the night, when an order was received from a messenger, to rejoin the regiment without delay. Thiough the rain, mud, 176 Three Years hi the Federal Cavalry. and darkness we hastened back to Catlett's Station. whcie we found everj thing in motion, preparing foi some grand movement. With the gray light of the morning of the twenty- ninth, after marching most of the night, we reached the banks of the Eappahannock at Kelly's Ford. In addition to the Cavalry Corps we found here the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Twelfth Corps of the Army of the Potomac, making preparation to cross the river. The Engineer Cor])S soon laid the pontoons, and the grand columns effected a passage without material resistance or difficulty. STOXEMAX'S RAID. We are credibly informed that other columns of our army are crossing the river at other points, and that a great battle is imminent. There has been oc- casional skirmishing, on the front, during the day. The Rebels, however, seem to have been taken wholly by surprise and are not making the demonstrations we liad good reason to anticipate ; but we shall be greatly disappointed if they do not soon awake, and come to their work. The going is far from pleasant, though to-day the weather is favorable. The streams are dreadfully swollen and nearly all bridgeless, compelling us to ford them. This process, through the cold, high water, is attended with more or less difficulty and suf- fering. Soon after crossing the river the Cavalry Corps broke away from the infantry, in the direction of Stcven&burg; and it is rumored among us that a grautl TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 177 raid upon the enemy's eoniinum'cations is conterii- plated, while tlie two armies engnge in deadly combat, it is thought not far from the river« April 30. — This afternoon oiir column reached the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford, and began to cross over. The water being much above the fording mark and very i-apid, we had an exciting time. SoNera! horses and men were swept down tlie stream by the swift current and were drowned ; and none of us escaped the unpleasant operation of getting wet. After reaching the high plateau on the south bank of the river, the entire corps were formed in line of battle, in which hostile position we were ordered to spend the night. For more thorough protection, pick- ets had been sent out in every direction, and posted with much care. It was a season of considerable anxiety to all, and of great fatigue especially to those of us who had been in the saddle several consecutive days and nights. Standing to horse as we were com- pelled to do, very little rest could be obtained, though many were so exhausted, that, droj)ping to the earth, with bridle and halter in hand, they fell asleep, while their comrades wished for the morning, which came at last. After our frugal breakfast, which consisted mostly of hard-tack and coffee, a thorough inspection of the command was made, and all men reported to have unserviceable or unsafe horses, were sent to the rear. The weather is perfectly charming to-day, although quite too war.n, in the mid-day heat, to be comfortable marching. Early in the morning of May second our column 178 Three Years in the Federal Cavalinj. reacliod tlie railroad in tlie rear of Genei-al Lee'g army, and, with slight op])osition from scattered pick- ets, the work otVlestruction began. Culverts and bridges, telegraph lines and posts, disappeared like the smoke of their burning. While this work was going on, Kilpatrick was oi'dered to lead the Harris Light into Louisa Court House, which he did in a galhmt manner. The in- habitants, taken by surprise, were greatly terrified at our approach and entry into the pbice ; but finding themselves in the bands of men, and not fiends, as tliej^ had been wont to regard us, and receiving from us neither disrespect nor insult, soon dispelled their needless fears. We ren)ained in town until two o'clock in the afternoon, collecting supplies of i-ations and forage for men and horses, tearing up railroad track and destroying railroad property, as well as commissary and quartermaster stores found in public buildings. At the hour above named we were ordered out to support the First Maine Cavalry in a spirited skir- mish with Kebel cavalry. In this engagement our Troy company had one sergeant wounded, and one coiporal and four men taken prisoners. 13y eleven o'clock at night General Stoneman's forces had. reached the neighboi-hood of Thompson's Cross Koads, where the command was broken up into seveial independent expeditions to scour the country in every direction, and to destroy as completely ag ])(>8sible all the enemy's means of sn]i])ly. Colonel Percy Wyndliam, with the First New Jersey and First Maine, was sent south to Columbia on the Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 179 James Klver, to destroy the great canal which feeds Kichraond from the wes* Liiuitenant Coluiiel Davis, with the Twelfth Illinois, was despatched to the South Anna River, in th^ neighborhood of Ashland Station, on the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, to destroy the impoi'tant bridges in that vicinity. Gen- eral Buford was to march westward and do all the mischief he could. But it was reserved f(jrKilpatrick to advance upon Ricliraond, enter the Rebel capital, if possible, and lay waste the public property and communications there. Sunday, May 3. — We marched steadily after leaving General Stoneman, long into the night, halt- ing only long enough for a little refreshment and rest. At two o'clock this afternoon tlie command, which consists of only about three hundred men, well mounted, was marched into a pine thicket, where we were ordered to destroy or thiow away all our extra clothing and blankets, with every thing which we could possibly spare, to lighten the burdens of our horses. Tliis halt in the shade of the ])ines was very refreshing botli to men and beasts. The sun is very warm and shelter is -very agreeable. Leaving the fragrant shade, we move(i on nntil night. We are now within fifteen miles of Richmond, where vigilance is the piice, not oidy of liberty, l)ut of life. Sergeant Northrup, while on a scout to the front, was fired upon by a guerilla undoubtedly, and wounded. Kilpatrick and Lieut.-Colonel Henry E. Uavies, Jr., slept on their arms in the road with the men. Very little sleep was had through the night, but what we did get was precious. 180 Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. At two o'clock on the morning of the fourtli wq resumed our hazardous jourifty toward the rebellious city. Had it not been for the intrepidity of our leader, and the utmost confidence of the men in his ability to accomplish whatever he undertook, it would have been impossible to proceed. Fearing as we did the desolation and sorrows of "Libby Prison," igno- rant of the forces we might soon encounter, and the ambuscades that might be laid for us, we nevertheless pushed bravely on, because we were bound to follow om* chief, be the consequences what they might. Soon after day-break we came down upon Hun- gary Station, on the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad. Here we destroyed the telegraph lines, tore up the track, and burned the depot. Near the station we ran into the enemy's pickets, the first we have encountered since leaving our main column. Only two of them were discovered, and they fled so rapidly tliat it was useless for us to try to overtake them with our jaded horses. They kept generally about thiee hundred yards ahead of us, and as we had orders to fire on no one unless positively necessary, they proceeded unmolested, in the direction of Ricii- mond. Having arrived within five miles of the city, wo advanced more cautiously. There was good reason for this, for our condition was critical. There wo were, only a remnant of a regiment, many miles away from any support, with no way to retreat, as we had burned all tlui bridges and ferries in our reai", nearer to llic ( 'onlctlci-ate cnpitaJ tlian ever any Union troops were Ijelbrc, and ignorant of the forces that Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 181 garrisoned it. Still on we moved, looking only to our leader, who seemed especially inspired for the work assigned him. "We soon arrived in sight of the outer line of for- tifications, and moved steadily upon them. To our surprise, we found them unmanned, and we safely passed in towards the second line of defence. We had scarcely entered these consecrated grounds, when General Winder's assistant adjutant-general pomp- ously rode up to the head of our column, and in- quired, " What regiment ? " Astonishment and blight accompanied the answer of Kilpatrick, who said, " The Second New York Cavalry," adding, " and you, sir, are my prisoner." Ceremonies were short, and Ivilpatrick very quickly appropriated Winder's favor- ite charger, upon which the capi^ured adjutant was mounted when he made his fatal challenge. We continued still to advance, until the smoko from workshops, and the church steeples were plainly visible, and we began to think that we were about to enter Kichmond without opposition. We were now within two miles of the city, and yet we halted not until we had reached the toj) of a hillock just before us. Here was an interesting scene. There stood a handful of cavalrymen, far within the fortifications of a hostile city, almost knocking at the door of her rebellious heart. On every hand were frowning earthworks, and just ahead of us the coveted prize. But just at the foot of the hill on which we stood, we discovered a battery of artillery, drawn up in the road, supported by infantry, ready to receive us. It became evident that we had advanced as far as pra- 8 182 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. dence would permit us. "We "had also readied and secured the road to tlie Meadow Bridge across the Chickahominy, over which we were expected to es- cape, and which it was very desirable to destroy. These facts or circumstances decided the direction of our march. We moved leisurely on our way, the Gftvalry refusing to give us even the semblance of a pursuit. Having crossed Meadow Bridge, it was set on fire. Following the railroad a little distance, a train of cars was met and captured, much to the astonishment of the bewildered conductor, who was in charge of gov- ernment stores en route for Kichmond. After firing the cars, the engine was set in motion under a full head of steam, and the blazing and crackling freight went rushing on until it reached the burning bridge, when the whole thing well-nigh disappeared in the deep mud and water of the sluggish stream. No particular line of escape seemed to have been agreed upon. Our main object was to do all the mischief in our power to the Eebel cause. The men were much exhausted for want of rations and rest, but you could not hear a word of complaint from one of them. They were all inspired with the greatness of the deeds Avliich they were required to perform, feeling much as Napoleon's legions must have felt, when he said to them : " The eyes of all Europe are upon you." Sustnined by such considerations, and cheered by the voice and still more potent example of their loader, they pressed onward, resolved to do all within their power, and then, if the worst came, they could go to " Libby " or "Belle Isle," with Three Years in tlie Federal Cavalry. 183 the pleasing cousciousness that tliey liad done their duty. All night we marched with only an occasional and brief rest. On the morning of the fifth we arrived at the Panmnkey River. Here we captured a Rebel train laden with commissary stores, just the prize we coveted. After appropriating a generous supply for the day, the remnant was reduced to ashes. All the serviceable animals captured were added to our caval- cade, and the prisoners paroled and sent on their way rejoicing. The river was crossed on a one-horse plat- form ferry-boat, whose capacity was only twenty horses and their riders. Considerable precious time was consumed in this tedious operation. When the last man had reached the desired shore, the ferry-boat was destroyed, and the column resumed its line of march. About four o'clock in the afternoon a cold rain- storm set in, borne on the flapping wings of a chilly wind. Cold, hungry, and fatigued, we still pressed onward, suffering not a little. Fearful of encoimter- ing heavy forces of the enemy on the main thorough- fares, we filed along the by-ways and neglected paths, where we were fi*equently immersed in almost im- penetrable bushes dripping with rain. May 6. — To-day we crossed the Mattapony, at Aylett's, burning the ferry behind us. We then took the road to Tappahannock, a small village on the Rappahannock. We had not proceeded far in this direction before we met and captured another wagon- train, laden with ham and eggs and other luxuries, which had been smuggled across the Rappahannock. 184 TJiree Yearns in the Federal Cavalry. This, of course, was thoroughly confiscated, appropri- ated, and destroyed. A consultation of officers was here instituted, and it was decided to try to reach Gloucester Point, opposite Yorktown, which we knew was in possession of Union forces. l^ot far from King and Queen Court House we captured and burned a depot of ordnance and several wagons. We have been much annoyed by bush- whackers on the way to-day. Their plan is to hide in the thick bushes, and tire upon the rear of our column as we pass, in places where it is not possible to pursue them without much loss of time, which is too precious to be wasted thus. Several men and horses have been wounded by these skulkers during the day. As night was settling down upon us, we discovered a body of cavalry in our front, and quickly made preparations to meet them. Kilpatrick deploy- ed skirmishers and advanced in column of squadrons. Our supposed enemies were also prei:>ared for fight, and a spirited conflict was anticipated. Several shots were exchanged, when the contending parties dis- covered their mutual mistake. Our opponents proved to be the Twelfth Illinois, which, after leaving the main column at Thompson's Cross Eoads, had swept down through the enemy's communications about Ashland Station, destroyed several important bridges and some stores, and was now, like ourselves, endeavoring to reach Gloucester Point. This rencounter was very pleasing. Our column was greatly increased and encouraged. We needed this stimulus exceedingly, for we had been marching all day thjough a cold diizzling rain, which had Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 185 dampened our ardor somewhat, and chilled onr blood. Many of our horses had given out by the way, and were killed to prevent tbeir falling into the enemy's hands. A few days of rest and care will so recruit Bucb borses that they become again serviceable. Tbeir places were filled by those borses and mules which were brougbt to ns by tbe contrabands, wbicb all along our joui-ney flocked to our standards, and by such otber animals as were captured by our flankers and advance guards. Exhausted as most of us were, no bivouac fires were kindled until we reacbed our lines of pickets from Gloucester Point, wbere we were received by our Union comrades in the midst of de- monstrations of admiration and joy. Here we had a splendid rest. May 7. — This morning, after a more sumptuous breakfast than we bad had for many days, we crossed the York Kiver to Yorktown, where we encamped. We are now, as it may well be supposed, the " lions of the day." Nothing is too good for us. We have ibe freedom of tbe town, and the suljject of our raid is tbe theme of private and public speculation. In our travels we have captured and paroled over tbree hundred prisoners, burned five or six railroad bridges, destroyed all the ferries on our route, cap- tured and demolished two wagon-trains, burned five or six depots of stores, destroyed one railroad train, besides stations and telegraph ofiices, and liave torn several miles of track. We have taken over one hun- dred and fifty horses, some of them the finest in tbe country. Tbe following extract from tbe YorMown Gazette 186 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. will more fullj explain the importance of our expe- dition : " We have heard startling acconnts'of the prodigies of valor performed by Stuart's Cavalry in Virginia, and the bands of Morgan in the West. That they showed true valor, nice discretion, and great powers of endurance, we will not for a moment question. But the exploits of our cavalry, in the late expedition in the rear of Lee's army, surpasses any thing ever achieved on this continent. Especially are the adven- tures of the Second Kew York (Harris Light Cavalry) and the Twelfth Illinois almost incredible. But they bear with them trophies that fully confirm the record of their daring. " They penetrated within the outer lines of fortifica- tion at Richmond, to within less than two miles of the city, and captured prisoners and trophies there. They cut all the communications between that city and Lee's army, travelled two hundred miles, and lost only thirty men. Many of them have changed horses a number of times on the route. Whenever theirs got tired, they laid hold of any thing that came in their way that suited them better. The contrabands flock- ed to them from every quarter. They would take their masters' teams from the plough and their best horses from the stables. Some of them were almost frantic with delight on the ap])carance of the Yan- kees. Over three hundred found their way to this phice. Their services are all needed at this present time." The following rej)ort of Brigadier-General King will Ije read with interest: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 187 YoEKTOWN, Virginia, ^lay 7, 1863. To Major- General UalUck : Colonel Kilpatrick, with his regiment (the Harris Light Cavalry) and the rest of the Twelfth Illinois, have just arrived at Gloucester Point, opposite this post. They burned the bridges over the Chickahominy, destroyed three large trains of provisions in the rear of Lee's army, drove in the Rebel pickets to within two miles of Richmond, and have lost only one lieutenant and thirty men, having cajDturcd and paroled upwards of three hundred prisoners. xlmong the jDrisoners was an aid of General Winder, who was captured with his escort far within the entrenchments out- side of Richmond. The cavalry have marched nearly two hundred miles since the third of May. They were inside of the fortifications of Richmond on the fourth ; burnt all the stores at Aylett's Sta- tion, on the Mattapony, on the fifth ; destroyed all the fen'iea over the Pamunkey and j\Iattapony, and a large depot of com- missary stores near and above the Rappahannock, and came here in good condition. They deserve great credit for what they have done. It is one of the finest feats of the war. RuFus King, Brigadier- General Coinmanding Post. Another print contained the following i-emarks : Two regiments of Stoncman's Cavalry, the Second Kew York (Harris Light Cavalry) atid the Twelfth Illinois, after accomplishing the duty assigned them of cutting the railroads near Richmond, made their way through the country to this place. The boldness and success of their movements surpass any thing of the kind ever performed in this country. Various opinions are entertained with regard to General Stoneman's expedition as a whole, some be- lieving it to have been a grand success, and others a 188 Three Tears in the Federal Cavalry. conspicuous failure. The former look onlj at wliat was actually accomplished, the latter only at what they think might have been done. While all admit that the destruction of property and the severance of communications were a serious blow to the enemy, most persons agree that the General made a mistake in dividing his command. Had he kept his forces to- gether he was amply sufficient to have broken all railroad and telegraphic connection between Lee and Richmond at least for a whole week, and he could have routed any cavalry force which could have been brought against him. As it was, by dividing his strength, he made each party too weak to effect very great damage, and exposed them to great danger of capture. The following is a summary, in tabular form, as clipped from the Ncio York Herald, of the work accomplished by General Stoneman's expedition : Bridges destroyed 23 Culverts destroyed 7 Ferries destroyed 5 Railroads broken, places 7 Supply-trains burned 4 Wagons destroyed 123 Horses captured 200 Mules captured 104 Canals broken 3 Canal-boats burned 5 Triiins of cars destroyed 3 Storehouses burned 3 Telcf^raph-stations burned 4 Wires cut, places 5 Depots burued 3 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 189 Towns visited 25 Contrabands liberated 400 In addition to the foregoing, large quantities of pork, bacon, flour, wheat, corn, clothing, and other articles of great value to the Confederate army, were bm^ned or otherwise destroyed. But it must be borne in mind that General Stone- man's grand raid and ride were only the background of a bloody tableau in the wilderness country around CHANCELLORSVILLE. The last days of April witnessed the stratagem and skill of General Hooker, in his advance upon the enemy's position. A feint of crossing his entii-e army to the south side of the Rappahannock below Fred- ericksburg completely deceived the enemy, who with- drew his forces from the upper fords of the river. Three corps, commanded respectively by Gencralg Howard, Slocnm, and Meade, had been sent up the river, but marched at a sufficient distance from the hostile southern bank to avoid all observation. Ar- riving at Kelly's Ford, they began to cross, though it was in the night, and the men were compelled to wade in water up to their armpits. The moon, which shone brightly, assisted them most of the night, but went down before the entire force had crossed, when crossing had to be suspended until morning. Pon- toons were brought up and laid, and so the remainder of the infantry and the cavalry corps crossed pleas- antly. Tlie column advanced towards the Rapidan, and 8* 190 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Generals Howard and Slociim's commands crossed this stream at Germania Mills, and General Meade's at Ely Ford, below, and then all marched on roads which converge to the Chancellorsville House, a large brick edifice, which was used as a mansion and tav- ern, situated in a small clearing of a few acres, and which, with its few appendages of outbuildings, con- stituted the village known by tliat name. Other forces, including General Pleasonton, with nearly a brigade of cavalry, who guarded the flanks of the advancing columns, had crossed the river, and taken their position near Chancellorsville. By this wily movement General Lee's position on the Eappahannock had been entirely flanked ; and, flushed \vith incipient success. General Hooker fol- lowed his great captains, and in the evening of the thirtieth of April he established his headquarters in the liistoric brick mansion above described. So com- pletely absorbed was our general with the brilliancy of his advance that, in the moment of exultation, lie forgot the dangers of his situation, and issued the fol- lowing congratulatory order : IlEADClUAHTEIiS AkMY OF THE PoTOMAC, ) Ciimp near Fnlmouth, Virginia, April 30, 1863. ) It is with liparli'clt satisfaction that the commanding gene- ral announces to the army that the operations of the h\st three days have determined that our enemy must either ingloriously fly or come out from behind his defences and give us battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him. The opcratioiLS of the Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Corps have been a succession of splendid achievements. By coniniand of Majou-CSeneral Hooker. 8. VVu.),iAM», Atmiddht AdjiUaid-CiciuruL Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 191 It weuld seem as if the general had overlooked the fact that his army had but eight days' supplies at liaud ; that a ti'eacherous river flowed between him and his depots ; that he was surrounded by a laby- riuth of forests, traversed in every direction by nar- row roads and paths, all well known to the enemy, but unknown even to most of his guides ; and that many of his guns of heaviest calibre, and most need- ed in a deadly strife, were on the other side the river. General Lee had undoubtedly been outgeneraled by Hooker in this movement, but he appeared not to have been disconcerted. Leaving the Lleights of Fredericksburg with a small force, he advanced tow- ards Chancellorsville. May 1. — The first collision between the contend- ing forces took ]dace to-day. General Sykes, with a division of regulars, was despatched at nine o'clock in the morning on the Old Pike to Fredericksburg. He was followed by a part of the Second Corps. Sykes had not proceeded tar before he encountered Lee advancing, and a sharp contest ensued, with heavy losses on both sides. The Rebels having the best ground, and being superior in numbers, com- pelled our men to fall back, which they did in tolera- ble order, bringing away every thing but their dead and badly wounded. But the enemy followed our retreating column, though cautiousl}'", and filled the woods with sharpshooters. They also planted their heavy batteries on hills which partially commanded the clenring around the Chancellorsville House. This gave them great advantage. They were also gi'eatly elated wilh the success which had crowned the first 192 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. onset. This was Hooker's first misfortniie or mistake. The first blow in such an engagement is quite as im portaut as the last. Tliis first movement onght to have been more powerful, and ought to have given to our men a foretaste of victory. But we had lost pres- tige and position which undoubtedly weakened us not a little. The night following passed quietly away, except tjiat the leaders were laying their plans for future o})erations. About eight o'clock on the morning of the second, it was reported that a heavy column of the enemy was passing rapidly toward our right, whither the Eleventh Corps had been stationed. This movement was hidden by the forests, though the road over which the column passed was not far from our front. A rifled battery was opened upon this moving col- umn, which, though out of sight, was thrown into disorder, at which time General Birney made a charge upon them witli such force as to capture and bring away five hundred prisoners. By successive and successful advances, by sunset our men had bro- ken this column and held the road upon which they had been marching to some scene of mischief. But the evil was not cured, as other roads more distant and better screened were followed by the m ily foe. Just before dark Stonewall Jackson, with about twenty-five thousand veterans, fell like a whirlwind upon the Eleventh Corps, which he had flanked so cautiously and yet so rapidly that our German com- rades were taken by surprise while prepaiing their riuppers, with arms stacked, and no lime lo recover. It is not at all wonderful tliat men surprised under Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 193 these circumstances should be panic-stricken and flee. Let the censure rest not upon the rout, but upon the carelessness that led to the surprise. Whole divisions were now overwhelmed by the Rebel hordes, that swept forward amid blazing mus- ketry and battle-shouts which made the wilderness resound ; and a frantic stampede commenced which not all the courage and effort of commanding gene- rals, or the intrepidity of some regiments could check, and which threatened to rout the entire army. This unforeseen disaster changed the whole programme of the battle and greatly disheartened our men. However, the ground was not to be abandoned so ingloriously, and though our lines were broken, and the enemy had gained a great advantage, heroism was yet to manifest its grand spirit, and to acliieve undying laurels. The sun had gone down, refusing to look upon this Union defeat and slaughter, but the pale-faced moon gazed with her weird light upon the bloody scene, while the carnage still continued. With the disaster of the Eleventh Corps General Sickles, who was stationed in the front and centre of our lines, and had been preparing to deal a heavy blow upon the enemy, was left in a critical position. His expectation of assistance from General Howard was not only cut off, but he was left with only two divisions and his artillery to meet the shock of the advancing hosts. General Pleasanton, with his small force of cavalry, being under Sickles' command, was ordered to charge the proud columns of the enemy, with the hope of checking them until our batteries could be suitably planted. 194 Three Years m the Federal Cavalry. Pleasonton, addressing Majoi- Keen an of the Eiglith Pennsylvania Cavalry, said, " You must charge mto those woods with your regiment, and hold the Kebels until I can get some of these guns into posi- tion. You must do it at whatever cost." " I will," w^as the noble response of the true sol- dier, who, with only about live hundred men, w^as to encounter columns at least twentj'-tive thousand strong, led by Stonewall Jackson ! The forlorn charge was made, but the martyr- leader, with the majority of his dauntless troopers, soon baptized the earth upon which he fell, with his life blood. But the precious sacritice was not in vain. The Rebel advance was greatly checked, as when a trembling lamb is thrown into the jaws of a pursuing pack of ravenous wolves. The two determined generals improved these dear- bought moments in planting their own batteries, and getting in readiness also several guns which had been abandoned by the Eleventh Corps in its flight. All these guns were double-shotted, and all due prepara- tion w^as made for the expected stroke. It was a mo- ment of ti'cmbling suspense. Our heroes waited not long, when the woods just in front of them began to swarm with the advancing legions, who opened a fear- ful musketry, and charged toward our guns. Dark- ness was failing; but the field where the batteries were planted was so level that the gunners could do wonderful execntion. And this they did. The Rebel charge had just commenced when our guns simul- taneously 0])ened with a withei'ing tire, which cut down whoh; j'links of Hving Hcsh like gr;iss. As one lijie of omI>atLlcd iiosls melted away, anuther I'ushcd Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 195 forward iu its place to meet the same sad fate. Three successive and desperate charges were made, one of them to within a few yards of the guns, but each was repulsed with terri])le slaughter. In many places the dead were literally iu heaps. Our resist- ance proved successful. A little later in the night, and right in front of these batteries, fell Stonewall Jackson, mortally -wounded by our scathing fire, as was at first sup- posed, but more likely by the tire of his own infantry, as one of their writers alleges. Speaking of Jackson, he says, " Such was his ardor, at this critical moment, and his anxiety to penetrate the movements of the enemy, doubly screened as they were by the dense forest and gathering darkness, that he rode ahead of his skirmishers, and exposed himself to a close and dangerous fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, posted in the timber. " So great was the danger which he thus ran, that one of his stafit' said : ' General, don't you think this is the wrong place for you ? ' He replied quickly ; ' The danger is all over ; the enemy is routed. Go back, and tell A. P. Hill to press right on.' Soon after giving this order General Jackson turned, and, accompanied by his staff and escort, rode back at a trot, on his well-known ' Old Sorrel,' toward his own men. Unhappily, in the darkness — it was now nine or ten o'clock at night — tlie little body of horsemen was mistaken for Federal cavalry charging, and the regiments on the right and left of the road fired a Budden volley into them with the most lamentable re- sults. Captain Boswell, of General Jackson's staff, 196 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. cliief of artillery, was woimded ; and two couriers were killed. Genei-al Jackson received one ball in bis left arm, two inclies below the shoulder joint, shattering the bone and severing the cliief artery ; a second passed throngh the same arm, between the elbow and wrist, making its exit through the palm of the hand ; a third ball entered the palm of his right hand, about the middle, and, passing through, broke two of the bones. " He fell from his horse, and was caught by Cap- tain Wormly, to wliom he said, ' All my wounds are by my own men.' " The loss of this heroic chieftain, this swift flanker and intrepid leader, was undoubtedly the greatest yet felt by either army in the fall of a single man. Some report that, on hearing of the sad fall of his cliief Captain, General Lee exclaimed, " I would rather have lost twenty thousand men ! " Admitting that the Rebels gained in this battle a great victory, its advantages were dearly purchased by the loss of Thomas Jonathan Jackson. About mid- night a fierce charge was made by General Sickles' forces, which proved successful, enabling our boys to recover much of the ground formerly occupied by the unfortunate Eleventh Corps, and they brought back with them some abandoned guns and other valuable articles from the chhris^ which the Ivebels had not time or disj^osition to disturb. General Hooker then ordered this exposed position to be abandoned, and by daylight our lines were fall- ing back in good oi'der towards Chancellorsville, but were closely pursued by the enemy, who filled the Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 197 woods. Several detertnined charges were made upon our retreating eolmniis, which, however, were repel- led inostlj bj the fire of our artillery, which mowed down hundreds as thej rushed recklessly almost to the cannon's mouth. But these batteries had been played and worked so incessantly for the last twelve hours, that ammunition began to fail, and General Sickles sent a message to Hooker that assistance must be granted him, or he would be compelled to yield his ground. The officer who brought the despatch, found General Ilqoker in a senseless state, surrounded by his hopeless attendants, while general confusion had possession of the headquarters. A few minutes pre- vious to this a cannon-ball had struck the wall of the mansion upon which the General was incidentally leaning, the concussion felling him to the floor. For some time he was supposed to be dead, but soon giv- ing signs of returning consciousness. General Couch, who was next in rank, refused to assume command, and hence .about one hour of precious time was lost. This w%as a fatal hour. Had General Hooker been able to receive Sickles' message, aiid ordered a heavy force to his assistance, it is thought that a great disas- ter could have been prevented, and probably a victory might have been gained. But the golden opportunity, which is seldom duplicated in a given crisis or a life-time, was lost ; and the enemy, though somewhat disorganized and badly disheartened by our well-managed batteries, had time, during this lull, to recover strengtli. They then advanced again with such power as to compel our men to retire from Chancellorsville toward the 198 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Rappanannock, leaving the brick mansion a mass of ruins, made such by the fire of the enemy. By noon General Hooker had recovered his con- sciousness sufiiciently to order the movements of his troops. The fighting on his front was now nearly over, but his position was critical. General Sedg- wick, who had been directed to cross the Rappahan- nock below Fredericksburg, with orders to advance thence against all obstacles until he could fall upon General Lee's rear, while the grand army engaged him in front, found it impossible to proceed as rajudly as was expected of him, and was finally repulsed with such slaughter and pursued with such vigor as to be compelled to recross the river, leaving at least five thousand of his men killed, wounded, and captured in the hands of the enemy. No alternative seemed now left to the Army of the Potomac but to beat a retreat and recross the river. On the evening of the fifth, General Hooker held a council of war with his connnanders, at which, however, nothing was decided upon ; but in the night he took the responsibility of ordering all his forces to recross the Rappahannock, which they did in good order and without molestation ; and tlms ended tlie disastrous battle of Cliancellorsville, with a loss of about eighteen thousand men on each side, and our remaining troops returned to bivouac on tluiir old cam])ing-ground on the north bank of the fiver near Fiilnioulli. This retrograde movement was undoubtedly con- ildered to be necessary in consc(pience of the im- pending storm, which set in about four o'clock of the TJiTee Years in the Federal Cavalry. 1 99 afternoon of tlie fifth, and rendered the march and night exceedingly disagreeable. The river was swol- len so rapidly as to set adrift several of our pontoons, and the act of recrossing, thongh orderly, was by no means pleasant. The storm was cold and violent, and the roads soon became so bad as to remind the boys of Burnside's unfortunate advance in January. It i? supposed by some that the rain explains satisfactorily the conduct of the enemy, wlio seemed to make no attempt whatever to follow our returning troops. While yet the rain was drenching our weary boys, on the sixth. General Hooker issued a congratulatory order to them and the country, in which are to be found the following characteristic passages : " The Major-General com.mandiiig tenders to this army his congratulations on its achievements of the last seven days. If it has not accomplished all that was expected, the reasons are well known to the army. It is sufficient to say they were of a charac- ter not to be foreseen nor prevented by liuman saga- city or resources. " In withdrawing from the south bank of the Kappahannock before delivering a general battle to our adversaries, the army has given renewed evi- dence of its confidence in itself and its fidelity to the principles it represents. In fighting at a disadvan- tage, we would have been recreant to our trust, to ourselves, our cause, and our country. Profoundly loyal, and conscious of its strength, the Army of the Potomac will give or decline battle whenever its in- terest or honor may demand. It will also be the guardian of its own history and its own honor. 200 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. " By our celerity and secrecy of movement, cm advance and passage of the rivers was nndisputed, and, on our withdrawal, not a Kebel ventured to follow. " The events of the last week may swell with pride the heart of every officer and soldier of this army. We have added new lustre to its former re- nown. We have made long marches, crossed rivers, surprised the enemy in his intrenchments, and, wher- ever we have fought, have inflicted heavier blows than we have received. We have taken from the enemy five thousand prisoners and fifteen colors ; captured and brought off seven pieces of artillery ; placed hors de combat eighteen thousand of his chosen troops ; de- stroyed his depots filled with a vast amount of stores ; deranged his communications ; captured prisoners within the fortifications of his capital, and filled his country with fear and consternation. We have no other regret than that caused by the loss of our brave companions ; and in this we are consoled by the con- viction that they have fallen in the holiest cause ever submitted to the arbitrament of battle." This order, if not perfectl}'- satisfactory to the country and to the authorities, was generally hailed with applause by the army, Avhich recognized in its sagacious rendering of our difliculties and humilia- tions the meed of praise awarded where it was due. General Lee's order respecting this campaign is also very modest and unique, and is worthy of a place in this record. In it he says: " With heartfelt gratification the General com- Three Years in the Federal CoAiolry, 201 manding expresses to the army his sense of the heroic conduct displayed by officers and men during tlie arduous operations in whicli they have just been en- gaged. " Under trying vicissitudes of heat and storm, you attacked the enemy strongly intrenched in the depths of a tangled wilderness, and again on the hills of Fredericksburg, fifteen miles distant, and, by the valor that has ti'iumphed on so many fields, forced him once more to seek safety beyond the Rappahan- nock. While this glorious victory entitles you to the praise and gratitude of the nation, we are especially called upon to return our grateful thanks to the only Giver of victory for the signal deliverance He has .wrought. " It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that the troops unite on Sunday next in ascribing to the Lord of Hosts the glory due His name. Let us not forget in our rejoicings the brave soldiers who have fallen in defence of their country ; and, while we mourn their loss, let us resolve to emulate their noble ex- ample. The army and the country alike lament the absence for a time of one [Jackson] to whose bravery, energy, and skill they are so much indebted for suc- cess." The two great armies once more confronted each other from either bank of the river, as they had done during all the winter and spring months. On the seventh of May, President Lincoln visited the camp near Falmouth, conferred with his generalissimo on movements past and future, appeared pleased with the spirit and morale of the troops, and returned to 202 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, "Waslungton to continue his earnest toil for the na- tion's life and well-being. During the month quite a depletion of the rank and iile of the army took place, by the mustering out of large numbers of three months' and two years- men. And such had been the depressing influence! of Chancellorsville upon the country, that the place? of these men were not very easily filled. To the sa- gacious leaders in political and military circles this state of things was not a little alarming. But to the Kebel leaders the times were affording opportunities for grand schemes, and for the execution of move- ments most startlino;. Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry, 203 CHAPTEE XI. FROM YORKTOWN TO FALMOUTH. 1868. — Curiosity Satisfied. — Pastimes on tli3 York River. — Religious Se? vices ; their Influence. — Raid to MuUiias Court House. ^Sickness and Recovery. — From Gloucester Point to Falmouth. — Excitino: De- tails. — Correspondence of Mr. Young. — The Press. — With the Army of the Potomac again. — Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station. — Bold Charge of the First Maine Cavalry. — The Chivalry fairly Beaten.— Death of Colonel B. F. Davis, Eighth New York Cavalry. — Interest- ing Letter of a Rebel Chaplain. — Casualties. — What was Gained by the Reconnoissance. — Pleasonton and Kilpatrick Promoted. — Rebels Raiding in Maryland. LONG raids and general engagements or cam- paigns are usually followed by a few days of comparative rest. This is necessary both for ani- mals and men. "Vacancies which are generally made during such vicissitudes, in the staffs of commissioned and non-commissioned ofificers, have to be filled, and reoro-anization takes place. This was the experience of the Army of the Potomac after its Chancellors- ville campaign, as well as our own after our return from Piehmond. On the eighth of May, Kilpatrick's command left Gloucester Point in the morning, and, after crossing the York River, amid the cheers of General Keyes' command, we were provided with touts in an en- campment within the fortifications of Fort York- 204 Three Tears in the Federal Cavalry. town. Here was a fine opportunity for repose, which we were all in a condition to relish. Like tha prince of poets, we could realize that Weariness Can snore upon the flint, when rusty sleth Finds the down-pillow hard. On the day following our arrival here, soldiera and citizens from the town were flocking into our camp in droves, from reveille till taps, eager to learn from us the particulars of our recent raid. Groups of attentive hearers could be seen in various parts of the grounds surrounding some of our talkative com- rades who discoursed eloquently to them of the suf- ferings and fatigue, of the daring and danger, of the stratagem and endurance wliicli attended the expedi- tion. No little amount of yarn was spun, and not a little imagination was employed to paint the scenes as vividly as possible. May 10. — A dress-parade was ordered at ten o'clock this morning, at which time a complimentary order to the regiment from the Secretary of "War was read by the adjutant. The occasion was very inter- esting, and every man seemed to feel proud of him- self, liis deeds, and especially of his leader. In the afternoon our cup of delight was made to run over by the appearing of our paymaster with his " stamps," as the boys call the greenbacks. We received two months' pay. The usual scenes of pay-day were rer'nacted, and the occasion passed away amid the un- tempered follies of some atid the conserving wisdom of otli^irs. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 205 The weather is warm and beautifuL Many of us are improving the ojiportimity of Lathing in the York. This, though not a military, is certainly a very salutary, exercise, and one which we very much enjoy. Boat-rides are occasionally partici{)ated in, and lots of sport is found in raking the river-bed for oysters. "Two birds are here killed with one stone," for there is pleasure in catching, and a double pleas- ure in eating, these bivalvular creatures of the brine. Some days we live on little else but oysters — a diet which is very rapidly recuperating our overtasked powers. Sunday, May 17. — This has been a beautiful day, and this evening a lai'ge meeting for religious services was held near the spot where Lord Cornwallis sur- rendered his sword to General "Washington. The place seemed hallowed witli the memory of those events ; and it certainly ought to have witnessed the surrender of many rebellious hcai'ts to the " King of kings and Lord of lords." The exercises of the meeting were conducted by the ofhcers of the post, and were full of interest. Wild and rude as soldiers often are, they gener- ally attend with pleasure all religious services when they are pleasantly invited to do so. And I think no one ever beheld more attentive audiences than here. So great is the contrast between the spirit of such a meeting and the general tenor of our woi'k, that the transition is relieving. Then there is so much in the life and character of a true soldier that suggests the experience and principles of a soldier of the Cross, that a versatile and interesting speaker in 9 206 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. a religions assembly here finds ample illustrations from our every-day observations for the unfolding of Christian themes. And yet the main influence of Christianity here lies back even of these statements ; it is found in the ready response which memory brino;s from the fireside relio;ion of our homes, and the early instructions of the Sunday-school and church. The " stirring up of our pure minds by way of remembrance," which is done so easily in the company of American soldiers, is one of the most potent elements of heroism and right discipline which can be found. The history of this country borrows so much light from the cross which Columbus bore as an ensign, and planted here, from the prayers of the Pilgrim Fathers, and from the Christian devotion of Wash- ington and others who laid the foundation of this great Republic, that a true American cannot be des- titute of reverence for the religion of the Bible. Hence over us especially these religious assemblies cannot fail to exert a salutary influence. And yet we observe that not more than one regiment in five is ])ruvidcd with a cliaplain, or with means of reli- gions instruction. To a certain extent this deficiency is supplied by the benevolent agents of the Christian Commission, who, however, are not able to fill the ]ilace of a faithful chaplain. But if it were not for these, mniiy of our sick and dying would be utterly destitute of Christian influence, and our dead would be buried nnu'c like dogs than like Christian heroes. We fear that the Government does m)t })ro})erly ap- preciate the importance of the chaplaincy in the Tlwee Years in the Federal Cavalry. 207 army, and hence does not give sufficient inducement for true men to enter this difficult field of labor Only a man of stalwart cliaracter is tit for the posi- tion — a man of physical, menial, and moral daring. And so far as our observations extend, with very few exceptions, this is the class of men who occupy the position of chaplains among us. May 19. — Several days have been spent pleasant- ly within Fort Yorktown, and we are becoming some- what eager for more lively experiences and scenes. " Viiriety's the source of joy below, From wliicli still fresh revolving pleasures flow." During the day we abandoned Fort Yorktown, and Kilpatrick established a camp for the regiment in the old peach-orchard, famous for the battle which oc- curred within its limits during McClellan's Peninsu- lar Campaign. It is a lovely spot, wdiich, however, shows sign's of the conflict above referred to. There is scarcely a tree but presents marks of the bloody drama, in broken bark and splintered trunk, and in wounded branches which hang danglingly over our heads. RAID TO MATHEWS COURT HOUSE. During the day a detail of the regiment, sufficient in number to mount all the serviceable horses, was ordered out in an expedition against Mathews Court House. A detachment of infantry and a battery of artillery accompany the cavalry, and Kilpatrick is in command of the entire force. The line of march is thi'ough a rich and buuutifid region of country. Ma- 208 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. thias county is a lovely peninsula, encompassed by the waters of the Piankatank River, on the north, the Chesapeake Bay, on the east, and Mob Jack Bay, on the south. The North E.iver forms a portion of its boundary on the west, against Gloucester county, and nearly severs it from the mainland, Kilpatrick was favored with fine weather in his expedition, and returned on the twenty-second crown- ed with success. A multitude of slaves was liberated, hailino; our forces evervwhere as their friends and protectors. Large numbers of fine horses and mules, with which that country abounds, were also captured. !No Rebel force of any importance was encountered, and the boys greatly enjoyed their visit to the well- stocked plantations of the wealthy farmers, many of whom had never before seen a Yankee. 3fay 24. — I was taken very suddenly ill during the night. Dr. Kingston came to see me at three o'clock, and so skilfully treated my case, that I was quickly relieved of pain. In tliree hours from the tinae the Burgpon came to my quarters, I was well enough to be up and on duty, so that at six o'clock I was able to call the roll of my company as usual, and to attend to other duties. The day after my illness I began to make out muster and pay rolls for my com])any. This work was undertaken by all the first-sergeants of the regi- ment. But our task is unusually difficult, as nearly all our coni])any-books and papers were captured by guerillas at the commencement of the spring cam- paign, " Patience and perseverance " is our motto ; and yet many times, as we endeavor to unravel the Three Years hi the Federal Cavalnj. 209 snarls and untie the knots, we find tliat the above virtues almost forsake us. In the afternoon of May twenty-sixth we had mount- ed regimental drill, and this was followed by diess- parade. Our time is now devoted mostly to drilling, in preparation, as we all think, for some movement. May 29. — Orders for an advance have at lengtl: reached us. At live o'clock this afternoon we struck our tents, broke camp, and ci'ossed the York by fei-ry, halting for the night near Fort Keyes, at Gloucester Point. There is much discussion among us as to the point of destination, but nearly all agree that we are to rejoin the Army of the Potomac. Soldiers seldom know the object of their movements. All we need is to receive the order or command, and we go, " ask- ing no question for conscience' sake." May 30. — We moved from Gloucester Point early in the morning, and made a forced march to the Pian- katank River. The rising smoke announced to us that the bridge across this stream had been burnt before us. After considerable searching and sound- ing, a place so nearly fordable was found as to enable a portion of the command to cross over. Others mean- while constructed a temporary bridge over wdiich they effected a crossing. Guerillas are very numerous in these parts. One of our vedettes was fired upon and wounded by them early this, evening. All our at- tempts to capture such culprits are in vain. The forests are so deuse, and ravines so deep and dark that a man acquainted with every secret nook ano corner, can hide away in perfect security, after com mitting his depredations. 210 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Sunday, May 31. — The Troj company is on picket duty to-day. A detachment from the com- pany made a reconnoissance tliis morning beyond the outposts, and brought in two citizens of a suspicious character. They undoubtedly belong to the gang of bushwhackers that has hung upon our flanks and rear, and inflicted, the injuries we have sustained for the past few days. Kich supplies of bacon and corn, of sorghum and honey, are found along our path. The country has never been visited by Federal troops, and is as full of provisions for us as it is fllled with consternation and alarm at our approach. We have spent the day in scouting the country. June 1. — Our march was resumed at an early hour in the morning, and we advanced to Urbanna, a town on the Rappahannock. Here several important captures were made, including Colonel E. P. Jones and Captain Brown, of the Virghiia militia. Here we spent the night pleasantly. During the night Kilpatrick managed to establish communication with our gun-boats on the Rappahannock, and in the morn- ing early we were taken across on transports, protect- ed by the gun-boats. After a short halt to feed our horses from the corn-ricks which dot the countiy, we resumed our march, and with the setting sun reached a ])lace culled Litwalton, where we bivouacked for the night. Jane 3. — To-day we had a very pleasant march through a ])leasaiit country and with pleasant weather, llichmond Coui't House was reached for our bivouac to-night; but wo left early in the morning of the fourth, and bv irood marchiiiir arrived at Port Con- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 211 way at four o'clock p. m. Here we unsaddled our horses for the first time since leaving Yorktown, after the marches of six days. June 5. — We reached Falmouth. Upon meetins: our old acquaintances in the Army of the Potomac, cheers upon cheers were heartily vocifei-ated for Kil- patrick and the Harris Light, and our march was a continual ovation. The following quotations will show the considera- tion that was accorded to Kilpatrick's movements: " Colonel Kilpatrick, with the Harris Light Cav- alry and the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, left Yorktown at twelve o'clock Friday night, reaching Gloucester Point at one a. m., and Gloucester Court House at half-past five a. m., Saturday, They left again at eight o'clock, and at four p, m, on the same day arrived t Sahida, leaving there at half-past four Monday mun,- ing, and reaching Urbanna at half-past six a, m., M-here the wharves were found to be partially destroyed by fire, " The bi'idge on the Piankatank Tliver, near Drag- on Ordinary, had been destroyed by the citizens, and, as there were no fords, a squadron of the Twelfth Il- linois swam their horses over the river, while another portion of Kilpatrick's command — the Colonel and his staff-officers assisting — constructed a floating bridge of felled trees and fence-rails in about half an hour, over which the remainder of the cavaliy crossed in safety. " At Saluda the colors of the Twelfth Yirginia In- fantry were captured by the cavalry. From thei'e the country was scoured for a distance of ten miles, result' 212 Three Years i7i the Federal Cavalry. ing in tlie capture of horses, mule?, and carriages, and in the emancipation of numerous slaves. " Between Montague and Bowler's Ferry the Reb- el pickets were driven in as far as the bai'ricades which they had constructed of felled trees, within three miles of the ferrj. " Occasionally guerilla skirmishing was encounter- ed on the road; but there was no fighting with any considerable force of the Rebels, though they had in- fantry and artillery at Kings and Queens Court House and about two hundred cavalry at Bowler's Ferry. " A letter from Stuart was intercepted, addressed to a secessionist named Fontleroy, in Middlesex Coun- ty, assuring him that he would have a sufficient foi-ce of cavalry in that neighborhood by Sunday evening to relieve the anxiety of the people of the county and stop the raids of the Yankees. "Among the prisoners captured by Kilpatrick's cavalry was Captain Brown, of the Fifth Virgi)iia cav- alry, and the guerilla, Colonel E. P. Jones. The only man wounded was Orderly-Sergeant Northrup, of Company G, Harris Light Cavalry, who was hit with a buckshot-charge fired by a bushwhacker. " The transports Long Branch, William ]^. Fraziei, Star, •nd Tailaca, under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Dickinson, of General Hooker's staff, con- veyed the cavalry and the captured horses and mules across the Ra]>pahaiin()ck from Urbanna to Carter's wharf, six miles higher np than the former place, and Bubsequently conveyed tlio contrabands to Aquia Cr(3ck. " The gun-boats Freeborn, Yankee, Anacostia, Ja- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 213 cob Bell, Satellite, Primrose, and Currituck, convojod the transports up and down the river, and the Jacob Bell covered the landing at Carter's Creek. These vessels of the Potomac flotilla were under the com- mand of Commodore Samuel Magaw. " There was a small force of infantry under Colo- nel Dickinson, being picked men ; and the cavalry^ with the aid of this infantry at Urbanna, despoiled the Rebels between Yorktown and the Raj^pahan- nock of nearly one thousand contrabands and about three hundred horses and mules, besides depleting their granaries and poultry-yards. " Colonel Kilpatrick, Colonel Dickinson, and Com- modore Magaw, and those in tbeir commands, are en- titled to con)mendation for the energy exhibited, as is also the engineer corps of the Fiftieth New York, un- der Captain Folwell, which promptly repaircu the bridffe at Carter's wharf, Lieutenant-Colonel Dick- inson, Captain John B. Howard, acting assistant-quar- termaster, formerly of the Brooklyn FourteeTith, and other military gentlemen and civilians, rode out to Saluda, and were hospitably entertained at the resi- dence of the Clerk of the Courts, who tendered his assurances of respect with generous plates of straw- berries and cream." From another periodical we clip the following: " "We have an account of Colonel Kilpatrick's re- cent successful raid back from Gloucester Point, lie crossed the country between the York and Rappahan- nock Rivers, making an extensive circuit through the garden-spot of Virginia — a section where our troops have never before penetrated. Colonel Kilpatrick y 214 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. made a large haul of negroes, horses, &c., and liaa arrived safely at Urbanna with them, lie spread general terror among the Rebels. His forces were taken across the Rappahannock bj our gun-boats, and proceeded at once to our lines." A brief item from the Troy Times will complete the journal of this important event : " Colonel Kilpatrick is the hero of another great raid through the enemy's country. At the conclu- sion of Stoneman's raid, it will be remembered. Colo- nel Kilpatrick's command remained at Gloucester Court House. Last week he was ordered to again join the main army, and, on the thirtieth ultimo, he started on the march to Urbanna, on the Lower Rap- pahannock. He returned to the Army of the Poto- mac on the fifth instant, after travelling over a large extent of territory and destroying an immense amount of property." A little rest was enjoyed at Falmouth. But our experience convinces us that the cavalryman must write history in haste if he would write as rapidly as it is made. Jime 7. — The bugles sounded reveille at three o'clock A. M. " Boots and saddles " followed at four ; "lead out" at four-and-a-quartcr, and the column was in motion towards Warrenton Junction at four-and-a- half. We went via Catlett's Station, which place we reached at two o'clock p. m. Nearly every step of the march was on familiar gronnd, Mdiere we had ])as8ed aiul repassed many times. It seemed like meeting old iVionds, and nearly every object we saw suggciitcd til oughts aud (>x])eriences of the past. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 217 At Warrenton Junction we rejoined tlie Cavalry Corps, now under the command of General Alfred Pleasonton. June 9. — At two o'clock p. m. the whole Cavahy Corps moved from Warrenton Junction towards the Rappahannock. We are marching in two columns, one towards Beverly and the other towards Kelly's Fords. The Harris Light moves with the latter col- umn. Two brigades of infantry under Generals Ames and Russell accompany the expedition, each wnth a battery of artillery. CAVALRY FIGHT AT BRANDY STATION, Early on the morning of the ninth we arrived at the river, where it was evident we were not expected in force, for we found nothing but a strong picket- guard to contest our advance. A brief though brisk skirmish took place at the ford, but the Rebel pickets were soon driven back and our column began to cross over, the Harris Light being in the van. On reach- ing the south bank of tiie stream, the column was re-formed, and we advanced for some distance at a gallop. The column at Beverly Ford, commanded by Gen- eral Gregg, had been engaged since early in the morn- ing, and the roaring of light arms and the booming of cannon clearly indicated to us that hot work was be- ing done by our comrades below. It had been hoped that that column would be able to strike the enemy in flank at Brandy Station, in the early part of the day, giving us an opportunity to rake them furiously in front. Hence we were somewhat i-etarded in oui 218 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. movements, waiting or expecting the coinbinationa and juxtapositions which had been planned. But, failing in this, at length we advanced towards the station, where, at ten o'clock, we engaged a regiment of Stuart's cavalry. As soon as we reached the field which they had evidently selected for the hght, we charged them in a splendid manner, routing them completely, and capturing many prisoiiers. Light artillery was used briskly on both sides. By twelve o'clock Pleasonton's entire force had effected a union, after much severe fighting, on the left, and the engagement became general. The in- fantry fought side by side with the cavaliy. There was some grand manoeuvring on that historic field, and feats were performed worthy of heroes. One incident should be particularized. At a criti- cal moment, when the formidable and ever-increasing hosts of the enemy were driving our forces from a desirable position we sought to gain, and when it seemed as though disaster to our arms would be fatal, Kilpatrick's battle-flag was seen advancing, followed by the tried squadrons of the Harris Light, the Tenth New York, and the First Maine. In echelons of squadrons his brigade was quickly formed, and he advanced like a storm-cloud upon the Hebel cavalry which filled the field before him. The Tenth New York received the first sho{dv of the Kebel charge, but was hui-led back, though not in c(jnfusion. Tlie Harris Light met with no better Buccess; and, notwithstanding their prestige and pow- er, they were repulsed under the very eye of their chief, whose excitement at the sc«ne was well-nigb Three Years in tlie Federal Cavalry. 219 uncontrollable. His flasliiiig eye now turned to th^ First Maine, a regiuieiit composed mostly of heavy sturdy men, who had not been engaged as yet during the day ; and, riding to the head of tlie column, he sh.outed, " Men of Maine, you must save the day ! Follow me ! " With one simultaneous war-cry these giants of the North moved forward in one solid mass u})on the flank of the Rebel columns. The shock was overwhelming ; and the opposing lines crumbled like a " bowing wall " before this wild rush of pranc- ing horses, gleaming sabres, and rattling balls. On rode Kilpatrick with the men of Maine, and, on meeting the two regiments of his brigade, which had been repulsed and were I'cturning from the front, tlie General's voice rang out like clarion notes above the din of battle, " Back, the Harris Light ! Back, the Tenth Kew York ! Ee-form your squadrons and charge ! " With magical alacrity the order was obej^ed, and the tw^o regiments, which had been so humbled b}" their first reverse, now rushed into the fight with a spirit and success which redeemed them from censure, and accounted them worthy of their gallant leader. The commanding position was won ; a battery lost in a previous charge was recaptured, and an effectual blow was given to the enemy, which greatly facilitated the movements which followed. But the Rebel cavalry was greatly emboldened and strengthened by reenforcements of infantrj' which were brought in railroad cars. We, however, contin- ued to press them closely until six o'clock, when, by a grand charge of our entire force, we gained an im- portant position, which ended the contest. 220 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Heavy columns of Rebel infantry conld now bo distinctly seen advancing over the plains from the direction of Culpepper, to the rescue of their fairlj- beaten cavalry. But it was too late for them, for we had won a splendid victoiy, and had gained all the information of Rebel movements which we desired to obtain. Under cover of the night we recrossed the Rappahannock in safety. The whole command had lost about five hundred men, and we brought over with us one hundred pris- oners. In the early part of the engagement fell Colo- nel B. F. Davis, of the Eighth New York Cavalry, who was instantly killed. His loss was a subject of general lamentation. He had distinguished himself for great sagacity, wonderful powers of endurance, and unsurpassed bravery. He it was who led the cavalry safely from Harper's Ferry just before Miles' surrender of the place, and who, on his way to Penn- Bylvania, captured Longstreet's ammunition-train. Among our wounded was Colonel Percy Wynd- ham. The enemy's killed included Colonel Saul Wil- liams, of the Second North Carolina, and Lieutenant- Colonel Fi'ank nam])ton, of the South Carolina Cav- alry. They acknowledge a loss of six hundred men. From the Richmond Sentinel we clip the follow- ing account of the battle, by a Rebel Chaplain. The casualties of a single regiment may be regarded as an index of the general result : Camp in Oulpkpper County, ) June 10, 1SG3. } Tuesday, the ninth of Juno, will be memorable to General Stuart's commjind as the day on which was fonght the longest Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 221 and most hotly-contested cavalry battle of the war. At an early hour skirmishing commenced, and soon the commands of Hampton, the two Lees, Robinson, and Jones, were engaged along the whole Culpopper line, from Welford's Ford, on the Hazel, down to Stevensburg. Each command acted nobly, and the Yankees were forced, after a fight of nearly twelve hours, to recross the river with great losses. We have to lament the loss of many gallant officers and privates, some killed and oth- ers permanently disabled. The forces under W. H. F. Lee, that worthy descendant of " Old Light Horse Harry," bore no mean part in the fray. We have to regret the temporary loss of our general (W. H. F. Lee), who was wounded in the thigh, and the death of Colonel Williams (of our brigade), than whom a more elegant gentleman or braver soldier never lived. Being connected with the Tenth Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel J. Lucius Davis, and, therefore, better cognizant of its conduct, it is not invitlious to allude to it, though not claiming any superiority over other regiments, all of which did nobly. Early in the morning this regiment was dismounted for sharp- shooting, and, until ordered off, held its ground, though ex- posed to an incessant and galling fire from the Fifth United States Regulars, who were snugly ensconced behind a stone fence. At this point many of the casualties in our regiment occurred. In the afternoon the Tenth, led by Colonel Davis, made a splendid charge on the Second United States Regu- lars, who, after a hand-to-hand conflict, broke and fled inconti- nently. Our General (Stuart), whose praise is not to be de- spised, paid a high compliment on the field to the Tenth for its conduct in holding Welford's Hill, and for its dashing charge. I append a list of casualties : Company A (Caskie Rangers), commanded by Captain Robert Caskie. — Killed : None. Wounded : Second Lieuten- ant, J. Doyle, slightly in head; Private, Eytel, in breast; English, in foot ; Hubbell, in breast ; Gill, in arm and shoul- der; Wilson, in hip. Missing and taken prisoners: Privates Burton, Charles Childress, Joseph Childress, Fulcher, HudnalL and Parker.— Total, 13. 222 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Company B, Captain W. B. Clements. — Killed : Corporal N. B. Ellis. Wounded : Privates Anderson Foster, severely in thigh ; P. J. Cape, in thigh ; H. Foster, slightly in foot R. P. Brewbaker, slightly in head ; A. Caton, in hand. — To- tal, 6. Company C, commanded by Lieutenant Richardson. — Kill- ed : None. Wounded : Lieutenant N. Richardson, seriously through breast ; Sergeant J. Mason, in leg ; Corporal Brown, in arm ; Privates J. B. King, slightly in thigh ; W. B. Saw, seriously in hip ; M. Potter, in hand. Missing : J. Shumate. — Total, 7. Company D, absent on detached service. Company E, commanded by Captain J. Tucker. — Killed : Private H. T. Bourgois. Wounded : Corporal F. S. Labit, in shoulder ; S. H. Lamb, in hand. Missing : Sergeant Peter Smith (wounded and captured) ; Sergeant Stromburg (wound- ed and captured) ; Private Enoch Pelton. — Total, 6. Company F, commanded by Captain J. H. Dettor. — Killed : G. Wescott. Wounded : Privates John White, in thigh ; John E. Edge, in thigh ; J. R. Giles, in arm ; Sergeant J. Durret, arm. — Total, 5. Company G, commanded by M. S. Kirtley. — Killed : None. Wounded : Corporal J. M. McConn, seriously in arm ; Private Jonathan Shepherd, slightly in head. Missing : Private S. Hartley.— Total, 3. Company H, commanded by Lieutenant S. K. Newham. — Killed : None. Wounded : Privates James O'Connor, mor- tally ; M. Neff, seriously in leg. Missing : J. P. Martz, R. F. Koontz. — Total, 4. Company I (Henrico Light Dragoons), commanded by Lieu- tenant J. H. T. McDowell. — Killed : Private Louis Ottenburg. Wounded : Sergeant S. L. McGruder, slightly in shoulder ; Corporal J. C. Mann, slightly in leg ; Privates Walter Priest, mortally in breast; George Waldroj), slightly in shoulder; B. J. Duval, slightly in head ; W. T. Thomas, in shoulder slightly. -Total, 7. Company K, commanded by Ca2:)tain Dickinson. — Killed • Tliree Years in the Federal Ca miry. 223 None. Woundefl : Corporal J. L. Franklin, in rii>bt shoulder; Private J. M. Craig, head, left arm severely ; R. V. Griffin, right slioulder severely ; C. P. Preston, slightly in nose ; W. T. Arrington, breast slightly ; T. R. Gilbert, left arm slightly. Missing : Sergeant T. S. Holland ; Privates E. A. Haines and S. R. Gilbert.— Total, 9. Total killed, wounded, and missing, 59. J. B. Taylor, Jr., Chaplain Tenth Virginia Cavalry , W. H. F. Lee's Brigade, Two important ends were reached by this ad- vance, namely, first, a cavah-y raid contemplated by Stuart, who had massed his forces near Culpepper, was utterly frustrated ; and second, General Pleas- onton ascertained conclusively that General Lee was marching his army northward, with the evident de- sign of invading the Northern States. Indeed, it was a suspicion of such a movement that led General Hooker to order the reconnoissance. The da}' following this glorious fight, in which the men of the North had proved themselves to be more than a match for the boasted Southern chivalry, and had gained a name which placed Pleasonton'a command at the head of the world's cavalry forces, Pleasonton was made a Major-General, and Kilpat- rick a Brigadier. Their stars were well-deserved and proudly worn. During the day the Cavalry Corps moved to War- renton Junction, leaving strong guards at the fords of the Rappahannock to prevent any crossing which might be attempted by the enemy. June 11. — At two o'clock this afternoon GeneraJ Gregg inspected our division. The day was beauti- ful, and the troopers made a splendid appearanoe. 224 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. To lieigliten the interest of the occasion, the colors captured by the Harris Liglit at Urbanna, and those taken by the First Maine in their memorable charge at Brandy Station on the ninth instant, were dis- played amid the cheers of the enthusiastic cavalry- men, whose past deeds give encouraging promise for the future. Sunday^ June 14. — We are still encamped on the plains near Warrenton Junction. On the twelfth the regiment was inspected by Captain Armstrong, of Kilpatrick's staff. The following day we had an interesting mounted-drill. We cannot keep idle. This afternoon, at two o'clock, we received orders to prepare to move at a moment's notice. Cannonad- ing is distinctly lieard in the direction of Warrenton. For several days it has been expected that Gen- eral Lee, with his forces, would make his appearance on the banks of the Potomac, somewhere below Har- per's Ferry. But as they have failed to do so, the inquiry is very general among us, "Where are they?" and, "What do they intend?" To work out the answer to such interrogations is generally the woi-k of the cavalry ; so that, when our orders for readiness to move were received, we saw before us a reconnoissance in force. We understand that alrcadj'' Rebel cavalry is raiding more or less in Maryland, and some exciting times are expected before long. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 225 CHAPTER XII. SECOND INVASION OF MARYLAND.— GETTYSBURG. 1863. — Inviision of the Northern Stiites. — Kilpatrick at Ahlie. — The Bloody Battle. — Daruig Deeds. — Colonel Cesncla, Fourth New York Cavalry. — Incidents. — Victory. — Advance to Ashby's Gap. — Pleas- onton's Official Report. — Rebel Movements on Free Soil. — Difficulties in the North. — The Cavalry Corps Crosses the Potomac at Edward's Ferry. — General Meade succeeds Hooker. — Orders. — Changes in tlie Cavalry. — Movements. — Kilpatrick's Fight with Stuart at Hanover Junction. — Soiemu and Laughable Scenes. — Buford's Division Opens the Fight at Gettysburg. — Death of General Reynolds. — First Day's Eepulse. — Second Day. — Rebel Advantages. — Third Day. — Last Grand Effort. — Death of General Farnsworth. — Tlie Republic just Saved. FOR nearly two days we were prepared to march, and awaiting orders, when at last they came. At about six o'clock on the morning of the sixteenth we took up our line of march, which was mostly along the railroad in the direction of Manassas. Having arrived at these celebrated plains, we struck off a little to the left towards Centreville, where we arrived at ten o'clock, weary with the long journey. Here we ascertained that General Hooker's head- quarters are at Fairfax Court House, or in the vicin- ity, and that his army covers the approaches to "Washington. June 17. — After a refreshing night's rest, we were up early in the morning, and resumed our march at 226 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. six o'clock, taking the Wavrenton Turnpike. Kil patrick has the advance of the coi-ps. We soon crossed the memorable fields of the two Bull Run battles, passed the famous field of Groveton, and thei-e defiecting to the right, and pushing forward j-apidly, we arrived bj noon in siglit of the hills which partially surround the village of Aldie, on, the north side of the Bull Run IMountains. Kilpatrick had been directed to move through Aklie, and thence to and through Ashbj's Gap, in the Blue Ridge, learn all he could of the enemy's movements, and, then re- turning, to rejoin the corps at Nolan's Ferry on the Potomac. Colonel Duftie, with his regiment, the First Rhode Island, was ordered to move through Thoroughfare Gap, and to join Kilpatrick in Pleasant Valley beyond. These plans were laid with the pre- sumption that no very heavy force of Rebels re- mained north of the Blue Ridge, and none at all north of the Bull Run Mountains. But this was eventually foimd to be a great mistake. BLOODY BATTLE OF ALDIE. James Moore, M, D., Surgeon of the Ninth Peim- Bvlvania Cavalry, thus describes what occurred to Kilpatrick and his command at this place : " Scarcely had his advance reached the town of Aldie, when it came directly upon the advance-guard of W. II. F. Lee. It was entirely unexpected. No enemy was supposed to be on the Aldie side of the Hull Run Mountains. "The general rode to the front, ran his eye over the field for a moment, and then ra])idly gave hi? Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 227 orders. He had taken in the wliole field at one rapid glance, and saw the important points tliat must be gained. The Harris Light Cavahy was directed to charge straight down the road, through the town, gain and hold the long, low hill over wliich runs the road from Middleburg. With anxious eye he watched the charge, on which so much depended, saw that it was successful, and quickly and resolutely pushed in one resriment after another on the rio-ht of the Harris Light, till the high hills far on the right of Aldie were gained. " This fine disposition was made, and important position won, before the Rebel General Fitzhugh Lee could make a single effort to prevent it, although he had a division of cavalry at his back. " lie soon recovered, however, from the tempo- rary surprise, and for two hours made most desperate efforts to regain the position lost. He struck the right, left, and centre in quick succession, wdiile his battery of Bhikely guns thundered forth their mes- sengers of death. " But all in vain ! Kilpatrick's gallant men — the heroes of Brandy Station — met and hurled back each charge, while Randall's battery, ignoring en- tirely the Rebel guns, sent his canister and shells tearing through the heavy columns of the enemy. " On this day Kilpatrick did wonders. He fought under the eye of his chief, and where bullets Hew the thickest, and where the shock came the heaviest, there rang his cheering voice and there flashed his sabre. His own regiment, the Harris Light, had failed to meet his hopes on the plains of Brandy Station. This 2^8 Three Years in the Federal Caval/ry. was known to the ofBcers of that splendid organiza- tion^ and on that veiy morning they had petitioned their general for an opportunity to retrieve their reputation. The opportunity was at hand. " A large force of the enemy occupied a strong position behind rail barricades encircling large stacks of hay. For a long time Rebel sharp-shooters, from this secure position, had baffled every attempt to ad- vance our lines on the left. The general ordered up a battalion of the Harris Light. Quickly they came ! Addressing a few encouraging words to the men, and then turning to Major Mclrvin, the officer in com- mand, be said, pointing to the barricades : ' Major, there is the opportunity you have asked for. Go, take that position ! ' Away dashed this officer and his men. In a moment the enemy was reached, and the struggle began. The horses could not leap the barricade, but the men dismounted, scaled those for- midable bari'iers, and, with drawn sabres, rushed upon the hidden foe, who quickly asked for quarter. " Another incident occurred worth mentioning. Colonel Cesnola, of the Fourth New Tork Cav- alry, had that morning, through mistake, been placed under arrest, and, his sword being taken from him, was without arms. But in one of these wild chara:es, made early in the contest, his regiment hesitated, Foi'getting that he was uiuler arrest, and without command, he flew to the head of his regiment, reas- sured his men, and, without a weapon to give or wui-i-ove of their abandonment, except in case of abs(dute necessity." Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 2S9 General Hooker's reply to this shows him to have been in the right, and to have comprehended the rela^ tive importance of the position in question : " I have received your telegram in regard to Har- per's Ferry. I hnd ten thousand men here in con- dition to take the field. Here they are of no earthly account. They cannot defend a ford of the river ; and, so far as Harper's Ferry is concerned, there is nothing of it. As for the fortifications, the work of the troops, they remain when the troops are with- drawn. This is my opinion. All the public prop- erty could have been secured to-night, and the troops marched to where they could have been of some service. Now they are but a bait for the Eebels, should they return. I beg that this may be pre- sented to the Secretary of War, and his Excellency, the President." Eeceiving no direct reply to this announcement, and goaded by the pressure of fast-moving events, our General yielded to do what many of us heartily condemn, by sending the following message : Sandt Hook, Md., ) June 27, 1863. j Major- G eneral H. W. Halleck, Q eneral-in- Chief : My original instructions require me to cover Harper's Ferry and Wasliingtou. I have now Imposed upon me, in addition, an enemy in my front of more than my numbers. I beg to be understood respectfully, but firmly, that I am unable to com])ly with this condition, with the means at my disjjosal, and ear- nestly request that I may at once be relieved frum the position I occupy. Joseph Hooker, Major- General, To-day came the order relieving General Hooker, 10* 240 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. who issued the following characteristic farewell ad- dress to the troops, many of whom were taken wholly by surprise, and all of them appeared greatly af- flicted : Headquarters Army op the Potomac, ) Frederick, Md., June 28, 1863. ) la conformity with the orders of the War Department, dated June 27, 1863, I relinquish the command of the Army of the Potomac. It is transferred to Major-General George G, Meade, a brave and accom2:)lished officer, who has nobly earned the confidence and esteem of the army on many a well-fought field. Imjjressed wdth the belief that my usefulness as the commander of the Army of the Potomac is impaired, I part from it, yet not without the deepest emotions. The sorrow of parting with the comrades of so many battles is relieved by the conviction that the courage and devotion of this army will never cease nor fail ; that it will yield to my successor, as it has to me, a willing and hearty support. With the earnest prayer that the triumph of this army may bring successes worthy of it and the nation, I bid it farewell. Joseph Hooker, Major- General. Such a change of regime on the eve of a great battle, witli the command in the hands of one less known and trusted, at first seemed to threaten dis- aster. But the modest, earnest words with which the new commander framed his first order to the troops allayed all fears, renewed coniidence, and greatly attached to him the hearts of his subordinates. Headquarters Army of tite Potomac, ) June 28, 1863. ( By direction of the President of the United States I hereby assume command of the Army of Ihe Potomac. As a soldier, in ()t)e3ing this order — an order totally unexpected and un- solicited — I have no promises or pledges to make. The coun Three Years in the Federal Cavalr;/. 241 try looks to this army to relieve it from the devastation and disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and sacri- fices we may be called to undergo, let us have in view con- stantly the magnitude of the interests involved, and let each man determine to do his duty, leaving to an all-controlling Providence the decision of the contest. It is with just diffi- dence that I relieved, in the command of this army, an eminent and accomplished soldier, whose name must ever appear con- spicuous in the history of its achievements ; but I rely upon the hearty support of my companions in arms to assist me in the discharge of the duties of the important trust which has been confided to me. George G. Meade, Major- General Commanding. This cliange of commanders was followed by oth- ers in various brandies of the service, not excepting the Cavalr}^ Corj^s. Our force has been increased by General Julins Stahll's division, which has been em- ]doyed for some time in the vicinity of Fairfax Com*t House, and along the line of the Orange and Alex- andria Railroad. In the reorganization, the corps, which continues nnder the efficient command of Gen- eral Pleasonton, is arranged into three divisions, the First, Second, and Third, commanded respectively by Generals Buford, Gregg, and Kilpatrick. A more eifective cavalry force was never organized on this continent, and probably on no other. The Harris Light is assigned to General Gregg's division, which separates us, for the first time, from our former beloved commander. But we are not among those who desire to shirk resjwnsibility foi any such cause as this. After the division had been reorganized and reviewed, in the afternoon we took 242 TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. up our line of march to New Market. Some rain fell towards night, which laid the dust and allayed the heat. Men and horses are living well upon the rich products of the country. Upon snch supplies we rely mainly, though our trains are not wholly destitute. We are received with more or less enthusiasm and demonstrations of patriotism in nearly all the towns we visit, making a very striking contrast with oar former receptions in cities and towns of Vir- ginia. This gives our men additional courage, and nerves us for tlie conflicts impending. June 29. — We have been in the saddle nearly all day, scouting the country in the neighborhood of Westminster. On the morning of the thirtieth, about nine o'clock, the regiment entered this pleasant town, the citizens flocking from all directions to pay us their respects, and to show their devotion to the cause of the Union. After a short halt we advanced to Manchester. On the first of July wo marched to Hanover Junc- tion, Pennsylvania where we met the enemy's caval- ry under General John Jenkins, and, after a spirited skirmish, they were forced to retire. The Pennsylvanians welcomed us with glad cheers, and showed their appreciation of our presence and ser- vices by driving several "huckster's wagons" into our midst, well laden with a great variety of eat- ables, which were donated to us by the good citi- zens of the surrounding country. It is true tiiai oome of the iidiabitants made their gifts very sparingly and not without grudging, while others charged cnormou? Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 243 prices for such articles as we were willing to pur- chase ; but justice demands that we state that such inhospitable, unpatriotic, and niggardly souls were the exception. "While here we learned the particulars of import- ant movenaents made by other portions of our cavalry. Kilpatrick, with his vigorous division, left the vicinity of Frederick on Monday ; and, striking northward, he ]iassed through Taneytown, reaching Littletown about ten o'clock at night, where he was received in the midst of great rejoicing. A large group of children and young ladies, gayly attired, on the balcony of a hotel, waving handkerchiefs and flags, greeted their defenders with patriotic songs, while the heroic troop- ers responded with cheers which made the welkin ring. The command bivouacked in the vicinity of the village, where the citizens brought abundant for- age for the horses, and the cavalrynaen rested till mornings. The march was then resumed in the direc- tion of Hanover. The column, which was several miles in length, entered this beautiful towm, and was passing through, while the citizens were regaling the men sumptuously from their bountifully provided larders, and inter- changing friendly and patriotic greetings, neither party suspecting the presence of the enemy. Nearly one half the column had already passed through, when suddenly the quiet, social scene was disturbed by the opening of a Kebel battery concealed on a wood- crowned hill, and so posted as to rake a portion of the road upon which the Union forces entered the town. This was immediately followed by a charge of Rebel 2i4 Tliree Yearn in the Federal Ca/oalry. cavalry, which had been drawn up in line of battle jnst behind a chain of hills which ran near and par- allel to the highway. There they had quietly waited nntil the train was passing before them, with the hope that this might be captured or stampeded, and a glo- rious victory be won. General Stuart commanded in person, and the attack was certainly well planned. But Kilpatrick's boys were not to be disconcerted nor panic-stricken by any such or any other trap. The main force of the charging column happened to be in the rear of the Fifth New York, commanded by Major Hammond. Quick work was necessary. Kapidly moving out of the street into the open park near the railroad depot. Major Hammond drew his regiment in line of battle, and in nearly as short time as it takes to record it, charged with drawn sabres the Rebels, who then possessed the town. The charging columns met on Frederick street, where a fierce and bloody hand-to-hand contest ensued. For a few moments the enemy made heroic resistance, but soon broke and fled, closely pursued. They rallied again and again as fresh regiments came to their aid, but they were met, hurled back, and pursued with irresistible on- Bets, which compelled them to retire not only from the town, but also behind the hills under cover of their batteries. In less than fifteen minutes from the time the Kebels charged into the village they were driven from it, leaving the streets strewn with their dead men and liorses, and tlie debris which always accompanies such a conflict. Tlic dead of both parties lay promiscu- ously about the street, so covered with blood and dust Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 245 as to render identification in some cases very difficult. The Hue of the Union and the gray of liehellion were ahnost entirely obliterated, and, in many instances, the contending parties mingled their blood in one common pool. This work of destruction had but just commenced when Generals Ki!patri(*k and Farnsworth, who, though some miles distant at the head of the column when the booming carmon announced the bloody fray, arrived in hot haste and took personal charge of the miOvements. These were ordered with consummate skill, and executed with promptness and success. Elder's battery, well jjosted on the hills facing the Hebels, and well supported, soon silenced the guns of the enemy, and drove him in the direction of Lee's main army. He was thoroughly punished for his audacious attack, and left many dead, wounded, and captured. The colors of the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry were captured by a sergeant of the Fifth New York. About seventy-five prisoners, beside the wounded, fell into our hands, including Lieutenant- Colonel Payne, who commanded a brigade. The particulars of his capture are worthy of his- toric record. In one of the charges made in the edge of the town, one of our boys, by the name of Abram Folger, was captured by Colonel Payne, and marched toward the rear. Just outside the town was a large brick tannery, the vats of which were not under cover, and close alongside of the highway. Folger was walking beside the Colonel's orderly. As they ap- proached the tan-vats he espied a carbine lying on the ground. Quick as thought he seized it, fired, and 246 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, killed Pci^'iie's horse. The animal, in his death-stnig- gle, plunged over towaj'ds the vats, and Payne wa,s thrown headlong into one of them, being completely snbmei-ged in the tan-liquid. Folger, feeling that the Colonel was secure enough for the moment, levelled his piece on the orderly, who, finding that his pistol was fouled and hence useless, attempted to jnnij) his horse over the fence, but not succeeding, surrendered. It happened, however, that Folger had expended the last shot in the carbine on the Colonel's horse ; but, as the orderly did not know it, it was just as well for Folc-er as thoua-h more ammunition had been on hand. The recently-made prisoner was compelled to assist his Colonel from the vat. His gray uniform, with white velvet trimmings, his white gauntlets, and his face and hair had received a brief but thorough tan- nine. Folii-er marched the two in front of him to the market-place in the centre of the village, where he delivered his captives to the authorities. In one hand the brave soldier-boy carried his empty carbine, and in the other a good strong stick. It was a most ludicrous and interesting scene. Folger was ca})tured by Payne's command, in Virginia, the winter before this affair, and his feelings may be imagined at hav- ing so nicely returned the (;omj)limcnt. The citizens of Hanover, who so nobly cared for our wounded in the hospitals during and after the battle, and assisted us in burying our dead, will not Boon Ibrgut that terrible last day of June. Our brave boys, who, though taken by sur})rise, had so valiantly defeated the enemy, built their bivouac fires and rest- Three Years iii the Federal Cavalry. 2i7 ed for the night on the field of their i-ecent victory. Stuart's cavahy was now losing caste, while onr troop- ers were not only adding fresh hiurels to their chap- let of renown, but also new fibres of vitality to the hearts and hands which loved and defended the sacred Tree of Liberty. FIRST DAY AT GETTYSBURG. General Buford, with his division, had moved from Frederick City directly to Gettysburg, the capi- tal of Adams County, a rural village of about three thousand inhabitants, beautifully situated among the hills, which, though quite lofty, are genei-ally well cultivated. The general found the borough very- quiet, and passed through ; but he had not proceeded far beyond before he met the van of the Rebel army under General Heth, of HilFs Corps. The dauntless troopers charged furiously the invading hordes, and drove them back upon theii- supports, where our boys were driven back in their turn before overwhelming: numbers. As Providence would have it, our infantry advance, under General James S. Wadsworth, march- ing from the village of Emmitsbui'g, hearing the familiar sound of battle, went into a double-quick, and, hastening through Gettysburg, struc^k the ad- vancing Rebel column just in time to seize and occu- py the range of hills that overlooks the place from the northwest, in the direction of Chambersburg. General John F. Reynolds, a true Pennsylvanian, was in command of our entire advance, which consist- ed of the First and Eleventh Corps, about twenty-twc thousand strong. As General Wadsworth was placing 248 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. his di\n'sion in position, General Keynolds went for Ti-ard quite alone to reconnoitre, when he discovered a hea\"j force of the enemy in a grove not far distant. Dismounting quickly he crouched down by a fence through which he souglit to survey the force and its position by means of his iield-glass, M-hen a whistling ball from a sharpshooter's nmsket struck him in the neck. He fell on his face and baptized with his life- blood the soil wliicli had given him birth. His un- timely fall, especially at this crisis and almost in sight of his childhood's home, was generally lamented. His lifeless form was borne away to the rear just as the Kebels in heavy force advanced upon not more than one-tliiid their number. General Abner Doubleday had to assume command of our forces under this galh'ng fire, having arrived with a portion of the First Corps, the remainder of which and the Eleventh Cor])s, not being able to join tliem until two hours of feai'ful destruction had gone on. Our feeble advance was compelled to fall quickly back upon Seminary Hill, just west of the village, and were pursued very closely, so much so that one por- tion of our line, seeing its opportunity, swung around rapidly, enveloping the Rebel advance and capturing General Archer the leader and aljout eight hundred prisoners. On the arrival of the Eleventh Cor])s, General O. O. Howard, being the ranking officer pres- ent, assumed command, giving his ])lace to General Carl Scliurz. Our men, now emboldened by these fresh {Ti-rivals of heljiers, and having alighted upon a fine commanding position, renewed the fight with 6]tirit and wonderful success. This prosperous tide of Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 249 things contiimed until about one o'clock p. m., when their right wing was assailed furiously by fresh troops, which proved to be General E well's Corps, which had been inarching from York, directed by the thunder of battle. Thus flanked and outnumbered by the gathering hosts, the Eleventh Corps, which was most exposed to the enlilading lire of the newly arrived columns, began to waver, then to break, and soon fled in perfect rout. The First Corps was thus compelled to fallow, or be annihilated. The two retreating columns met and mingled in more or less confusion in the streets of the towTQ, where they greatly obstructed each other, though the First Corps retained its organization quite unbroken. In passing through tlie town the Eleventh Corps was especially exposed to the fire of the enemy, "who pressed his advantage and captured thousands of prisoners. Our wounded, who, up to this time, had been quartered in Gettysburg, fell into the enemy's hands, and scarcely one-half of our brave boys, who had so recently and proudly passed through the streets to the battle lines, had the privilege of re- turning, but either lay dead or dying on the well- fought fields, or were captives with a cruel foe. The number of killed and wounded showed how desperate- ly they had fought, and the large number captured was evidence of the overwhelming numbers with which they had contended. General Buford, with his troopers, covered our retreat, showing as bold a front as possible to the enemy, who, it was feared, would follow fiercely, as they were very strong and several hours of daylight 250 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. yet remained. But doubtless fearing that a trap might be laid for them if they advanced too far, they contented themselves with only a portion of tiie borough, their main force occupying the hills which form a grand amphitheatre on the north and west. It would be difficult to refrain from saying, that those Eebel forces were prevented from advancing by some mighty unseen hand — the hand of Him who " watches over the destiny of nations." Our feeble and decimated forces took possession of Cemetery Hill, south, of the town, and being re- enforced by General Sickles' Corps, they began to intrench themselves with earthworks and rifle-pits, to extend their lines to right and left, and to select the best positions for our batteries. This work was con- tinued quite late into the evening, the broad moonlight greatly facilitating the operations. General Meade, who had selected his ground for the impending battle along the banks of Pipe Creek, and who at one o'clock p. m. was at Taney town when the news of the light, and the death of the brave Keynolds at Gettysburg, reached him, despatched General Hancock to the scene of conflict to take com- mand, and to ascertain whether Gettysburg afforded better ground than that whi(;h had been selected. Hancock ari-ived at Cemetery Hill just as our broken lilies were hastily and confusedly retreating from the village ; our advance, however, had already taken this commanding position and was making some prepara- tion for resistance. The newly arrived general began at once to order the forces which had been engaged and others which were occasionally arriving. He Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 251 oidered the occupancy of Gulp's Hill on our extreme riiJ'ht, and extended the lines to our left well up the high ground in tlie vicinity of Round Top, a rocky emmence about two miles from Gettysbui'g, and nearly equi-distant from the Emmitsburg and Taney- town roads. The line having been made as secure as possible, Hancock wrote to Meade tliat the position was excellent. His despatch had scarcely gone, when he was relieved by General Slocum, a raidcing officer, and so, leaving the field, Hancock hastened to report in person to his chief the condition of things at Gettys- burg. On arriving, Meade informed him that he had decided to fight at Gettysburg, and had sent orders to the various commands to that efiect ; then together they rode to Gettysburg, arriving about eleven o'clock at night. All night long our forces were concentrating be- fore this historic village, where they were all found on the morning of the second of July, except the Sixth Corps, General Sedgwick's, which did not arrive until two o'clock in the afternoon, after marching nearly all the previous night. SECOND DAY'S FIGHT Until three o'clock all was quiet along the battle lines, except an occasional picket or sharpshooter's fire. However, there had been considerable man- Qiuvring. On our left General Sickles, in his eager- ness for a fight, had advanced his corps across the Emmitsburg road, and on a wood-crowned ridge in the immediate vicinity of the main portion of the Rwbel army. General Meade, in his inspection of the 252 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. lines, Temonstrated against the perilous position wliich Sickles had taken the liberty to gain. He, however, intimated that, if desired, he would withdraw to the ridge which Meade had justly indicated as the proper place where our forces w^ould be better protected, and would be able to cover Round Top, a point which it was considered essential to retain. General Meade thereupon expressed his fear to Sickles that the enemy would not permit him quietly to retire from the trap in which he had placed his foot; and the last words had scarcely fallen from his lips, when the Rebel batteries were opened with fearful accuracy and at short range, and the infantry came on with their fierce charging yell. General Longstreet was in command. With so long and strong lines of infantry in his front, which lapped over his flanks on either side, and a fearful enfilading fire from the heavy batteries on Seminary Hill, Sickles and his brave men were torn, shattered, overwhelmed, and with terrible loss and in great confusion, fell back to the rid^-e from which he ought not to have advanced. In the struggle the Rebels made a desperate attem])t to reach and pos- sess Round Top, which they came near doing before General Sykes, who had been ordered to advance and hold it, had gained tlie elevation. But their failure to y)Ossess this coveted \n'\7.e proved a great disaster; for before they could withdraw their charg- ing (iolumns across the plain between Round Top and tlie ridge where Sickles stood at the beginning of the fray, they were attacked by General Hancock with a heavy Ibrce, and driven almost like chaff before the wind. Their loss was terrible. At the close of thia Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 253 encounter onr lines stood precisely where General Meade desired they should be before the fight com- menced, with Round Top fully in our possession and now strongly fortified with heavy artillery and good infantry support. On our right General Ewell had succeeded in pushing back some portions of our lines under Slo- cum, who occupied Culp's Hill, and some of our for- tified lines and rifle-pits were occupied by the Rebels- Night came on to close the dreadful day. Thus far the battle had been mostly in the advantage of the Rebels. They held the ground where Reynolds had fallen, also Seminary Ridge, and the elevation whence the Eleventh Corps had been driven. They also occupied the ridge on which Sickles had commenced to fight. Sickles himself was hors de combat, with a shattered leg which had to be amputated, and not far from twenty thousand of our men had been killed, wounded, and captured ! The Rebels had also lost heavily ; but, as they themselves believed, they were the winners. General Lee, in his official report, says : " After a severe struggle, Longstreet succeeded in getting possession of and holding the desired ground. Ewell also carried some of the strong positions which he as- sailed ; and the result was such as to lead to the be- lief that he would ultimately be able to dislodge the enemy. The battle ceased at dark. These partial successes determined me to continue the assault next day." During these days of deadly strife and of unpre- cedented slaughter, our cavalry was by no means 254 Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. idle. On the morning of the first, Kilpatrick ad vanced his victorious squadrons to tlie vicinity of Abbottstown, where they struck a force of Rebel cavalry, which they scattered, capturing several pris- oners, and then rested. To the ears of the alert chieftain came the sound of battle at Gettysburg, accompanied with tlie intelligence, from prisoners mostl}', that Stuart's main Ibrce was bent on doing mischief on the right of our infantry lines, which were not far from the night's bivouac. He appeared instinctively to know where he was most needed ; so in the absence of orders, early the next morning he advanced to Ilunterstown. At this point were the extreme wings of the infantry lines, and as Kilpatrick expected, he encountered the Rebel cavalry, commanded by his old antagonists, Stuart, Lee, and Hampton. The early part of the day was spent mostly in reconnoitring ; but all the latter part of the day was occupied in hard, bold, and bloody work. Charges and counter-charges were made; the carbine, pistol, and sabre were used by turns, and tlie artillery thundered even late after the infantry around Gettysburg had sunk to rest, well-nigh ex- hausted with the bloody carnage of the weary day. I>ut Stuart, who had hoped to break in upon our flank and rear, and to pounce upon our trains, was not only foiled in his endeavor by the gallant Kil- |>u1i-ick, l)ut ;ds() driven back upon his infantry sup- ports, and badly beaten. Ill the night, Kilpatrick, after leaving a sufficient force to ])rev(!iit Stuart from doing any special dam- age on <^)ur right, swung around with the rest of his Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 255 troopers to tlie left of our line, near Kound Top, and was there prepared for any woiic whicli mio-ht be assigned liim. Friday^ July 3. — The sun rose bright and warm upon the blackened corpses of the dead, whicli were Btrewn over tlie bloody earth ; upon the wounded who had not been cared for, and upon long glistening lines of armed men ready to renev,' the conliict. Each an- tagonist, rousiDg every slumbering element of power, seemed to be resolved upon victory or deatli. THE LAST EFFORT. The fight commenced early by an attack of General Slocum's men, who, determined to regain the rifle-pits they had lost the evening before, descended like an avalanche upon the foe. The attack met with a prompt response from General Ewell. But after several hours of desperate fighting, victory perched upon the Union banners, and with great loss and slaughter the Kebels were driven out of the breastworks, and fell back upon their main lines near Benner's Hill. This successful move on the part of our boys in blue was followed by an ominous lull, or quiet, which contimied about three hours. Meanwhile the silence was fitfully broKcn by an occasional spit of fire, while every j)reparation was being made for a last, supreme eflort, which, it was expected, would decide the mighty contest. The scales were being poised for the last time, and upon the one side or the other was soon to be written the " Mene^ Mene, Tehel, TJpharsinP Hearts either trembled or waxed strong in the awful presence of this responsibility. 256 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. At length one o'clock arrived ; a signal-gun was fired, and then at least one hundred and twentj-iive guns from Hill and Longstreet concentrated and crossed their tires upon Cemetery Hill, the centre and key of onr position. Just behind this crest, though mnch exposed, were General Meade's headquarters. For nearly two honrs this hill was ploughed and torn by solid shot and bursting shell, while about one hundred guns on our side, mainly from this crest and Round Toj), made sharp response. The earth and the air shook for miles around with the terrific concussion, which came no longer in volleys, but in a continual roar. So long and feariul a cannonade was never before witnessed on this continent. As the range was short and the aim accurate, the destruction was terrible. But the advantage was decidedly in favor of the Rebels, whose guns were superior in number to ours, and of heavier calibre, and had been con- centrated for the attack. A spectator of the Union army thus describes the scene : " The storm broke upon us so suddenly, that sol- diers and officers — who leaped, as it began, from their tents, or from lazy siestas on the grass — were stricken in their rising with mortal wounds, and died, some with cigars between their teeth, some with pieces of food in their fingers, and one at least — a pale young German, from Pennsylvania — with a miniature of his sister in his hands. Horses fell, dliricking such awful cries as Cooper told of, and writhing themselves about in hopeless agony. The boards of fences, scattered by explosion, flew in splinters through the air. Tlie cartli, torn up in Three Years in the Federal Cavalnj. 257 clouds, blinded the eyes of hurrying men ; and tln'ough the branches of trees and among the grave- stones of the cemetery a shower of destruction crashed ceaselessly. As, with hundreds of others, I groped through this tempest of death for the shelter of the bluff, an old man, a private in a company belonging to the Twenty-fourth Michigan, was struck, scarcely ten feet away, by a cannon-ball, which tore through him, extorting such a low, intense cry of mortal pain as I pray God I may never again hear. The hill, which seemed alone devoted to this rain of death, was clear in nearly all its unsheltered places within five minutes after the fire began." A correspondent from the Confederate army thus describes this artillery contest : " I have never yet heard such tremendous artillery-firing. The enemy must have had over one hundred guns, which, in ad- dition to our one hundred and fifteen, made the air hideous with most discordant noise. The very earth shook beneath our feet, and the hills and rocks seemed to reel like a drunken man. For one hour and a half this most terrific fii-e was continued, during which time the shrieking of shell, the crash of fallen timbers, the fi*%ments of rocks flying through the air, shattered from the cliffs by solid shot, the heavy mutterings from the valley between the opposing armies, the splash of bursting shrapnell, and the fierce neighing of wounded artillery-horses, made a picture terribly grand and sublime, but which my pen utterly fails to describe." Gradually the fire on our side began to slacken, and General Meade, learning that our guns were 258 Three Years in the Federal Ckmalry. becoming liot, gave orders to cease firing and to let the guns cool, though the Rebel balls were making fearful liavoc among onr gunners, while our infantjy sought poor shelter behind every projection, anx- iously awaiting tlie expected charge. At length the enemy, supposing that our guns were silenced, deemed that the moment for an irresistible attack had come. Accordingly, as a lion emerges from his lair, he sallied forth, when strong lines of infantry, nearly three miles in length, with double lines of skirmishers in front, and heavy reserves in rear, ad- vanced with desperation to the final effort. They moved with steady, measured tread over the plain below, and began the ascent of the hills occupied by our forces, concentrating somewhat upon General Hancock, though stretching across our entire front. Says a correspondent of the Richmond Enquirer : " Just as Pickett was getting well under the enemy's fire, our batteries ceased firing. This was a fearliil moment for Pickett and his brave command. Why do not our guns reopen their fire ? is the inquiry that rises upon every lip. Still, our batteries are silent as death ! " And this undoubtedly decided the issue ■ — was God's liandwriting on the -y^pll. The Rebel guns liad been thundering so long and ceaselessly tliat they were now unfit for use, and ceased firing fi'om very necessity. " Agate," correspondent of The Cincinnati Ga- zette, gives the following graphic description of the struggle : " The grcji.t, desperate, final charge came at four. Thy Rebels seemed to have gathered up all their Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 259 strength and desperation for one fierce, convulsive elfort, tliat should sweep over and wash out our ob stinate resistance. They swept up as before : the flower of their ai-ray to the front, victory staked upon the issue. In some phices they literally lifted up and pushed back our lines ; but, that terrible ])osition of ours ! — wherever they entered it, enfilad- ing fires from half a score of crests swept away their columns like merest chafi*. Broken and hurled back, they easily fell into our hands ; and, on the centre and left, the last half hour brought more prisoners than all the rest. " So it was along the whole line ; but it was on the Second Corps that the flower of the Rebel army was concentrated ; it was there that the heaviest shock beat upon, and shook, and even sometimes crumbled, our lines. " We had some shallow rifle-pits, with barricades of rails from the fences. The Rebel line, stretching away miles to the left, in magnificent ari'a}', but sti-ongest here — Pickett's splendid division of Long- street's corps in front, the best of A. P. Hill's vet- erans in support — came steadily, and as it seemed resistlessly, sweeping up. Our skirmishers retired slowly from the Emmitsburg road, holding their ground tenaciously to the last. The Rebels reserved their fire till they reached this same Emmitsburg road, then opened with a terrific crash. From a hundred iron throats, meantime, their artillery had been thundering on our barricades. " Hancock was wounded ; Gibbon succeeded to the command — an approved soldier, and ready f u* the 260 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. crisis. As the tempest of fire approached its lieight, he walked along the line, and renewed his orders to the men to reserve their fire. The Rebels — three lines deep — came steadily up. They were in point- blank range. " At last the order came ! From thrice six thou- sand guns there came a sheet of smoky flame, a crash, a rush of leaden death. The line literally melted away ; but there came the second, resistless still. It had been our supreme effort ; on the mo- ment we were not equal to another. " Up to the rifle-pits, across them, over the barri- cades — the momentum of their charge, the mere machine-strength of their combined action, swept them on. Our thin line could fight, but it had not weight enough to oppose to this momentum. It was pushed behind the guns. Right on came the Rebels. They were upon our guns — were bayoneting the gun- ners — were waving their flags over our pieces. " But they had penetrated to the fatal ]:)oint. A storm of grape and canister tore its way from man to man, and marked its track with corpses straight down their lint; ! They had exposed themselves to the enfilading fire of the guns on the western slope of Cemetery Hill ; that exposure sealed their fate. " The line reeled back — disjointed already — in an instant in fragments. Our men were just behind the guns. They leaped forward upon the disordered mass ; but there was little need of fighting now. A regiment thi-cw down its arms, and, with colors at its head, rushed over and surrendered. All along the field smaller detachments did the same. Webb's Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 261 brigade brouglit in eiglit liimdred : taken in as little time as it requires to write the simple sentence that tells it. Gibbon's old division took fifteen stand of colors. " Over the fields the escaped fragments of thf charging line fell back — the battle there was over. A single brigade, Plarrow's (of which the Seventh Michigan is part), came out with fifty four less offi- cers, and seven hundred and ninety-three less men, than it took in ! So the whole corps fought ; so, too they fought farther down the line. " It was fruitless sacrifice. They gathered up their broken fragments, formed their lines, and slowly marched away. It was not a rout ; it was a bitter, crushing defeat. For once the Army of the Potomac had won a clean, honest, acknowledged victory." General Pickett's division was nearly annihilated. One of his officers recounted, that, as they were charging over the grassy plain, he threw himself down before a murderous discharge of grape and canister, which mowed the grass and men all around him, as though a scythe had been swung just above his pros- trate form. During the terrific cannonade and subsequent charges, our ammunition and other trains had been pai-ked in rear of Kound Top, which gave them si)lendid shelter. Partly to possess this train, but mainly to secure this commanding position. General Long?.treet sent two strong divisions of infantry, with heavy artillery, to turn our flank, and to drive us from this ground. Kilpatrick, with his division, which had been strengthened by Merritt's Regular 2G2 Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. brigade, was watching this point, and waiting for an opportunitj to strike the foe. It came at last. Emerging from the woods in front of him came a strong battle-line followed by others. DEATH OF GENERAL FARNSWORTH. To the yonng Farnsworth was committed the task* of meeting infantry with cavalry in an open field. Placing the Fifth New York in support of Elder's battery, which was exposed to a galling fire, but made reply with characteristic rapidity, pre- cision, and slaughter, Farnsworth qnickly ordered the First Virginia, First Vermont, and Eighteenth Pennsylvania in line of battle, and galloped away and charged upon the flank of the advancing col- umns. The attack was sharp, brief, and successful, though attended with great slaughter. But the Rebels were driven upon their main lines, and the flank movement was prevented. Thus the cavalry added another dearly-earned laurel to its chaplot of hoiU)r — dearly earned^ because many of their bravest cham])ions fell upon that bloody field. Kilpatrick, in his oflicial re[)ort of this sanguinary contest, says : " In this charge fell the brave Farns- woith. Short and brilliant was iiis career. On the twenty -ninth of June a general ; on the first of Jiily he bai)tized his star in blood ; and on the third, for the honor of his young brigade and the glory of his coi'ps, he yielded up his noble life." Thus ended the battle of Gettysburg— the bloody tui-ning-jtoint of the liebellion — the bloody baptism of the redeemed Kepublic. Nearly twenty thorsand Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 2G3 men from the Union ranks had been killed and wounded, and a larger number of the Rebels, mak ing the enormous aggregate of at least forty thou- sand, whose blood was shed to fertilize the Tree of Liberty. In the evening twilight of that eventful day Gen- eral Meade penned the following interesting despatch to the Government : Headquarters Army op the Potomac, ) Near Gettysburg, July 3, 8.30 p. m. ) To Mapr-Oeneral HallecTc^ General-in-Chief : The enemy opened at one o'clock p. M., from about one hundred and iifty guns. They concentrated upon my left cen- tre, continuing without intermission for about three hours, at the expiration of which time he assaulted my left centre twice, being, upon both occasions, handsomely repulsed with severe loss to them, leaving in our hands nearly three thousand pris- oners. Among the prisoners are Major-General Armistead, and many colonels and officers of lesser note. The enemy left many dead upon the field, and a large number of wounded in our hands. The loss upon our side has been considerable. Major-General Hancock and Brigadier-General Gibbon were wounded. After the repelling of the assault, indications leading to the belief that the enemy might be withdrawing, an armed reconnoissance was pushed forward from the left, and the enemy found to be in force. At the present hour all la quiet. The New York cavalry have been engaged all day on both flanks of the enemy, harassing and vigorously attacking him with great success, notwithstanding they encountered superior numbers, both of cavalry and artillery. The army is in fine spirits. Geoege G. Meade, Mu^or-Generd Comuianding 11* 264 Three Y ears in the Federal Cavalry. On the morning of the Fourth of July, General Meade issued an address to tlie army : Headquarters Army op the Potomac, ) ?S'ear Gettysburg, July 4. S The commanding general, in behalf of the country, thanka the Army of the Potomac for the glorious result of the recent operations. Our enemy, sui^erior in numbers and flushed with the pride of a successful invasion, attempted to overcome or destroy this army. Utterly baffled and defeated, he has now withdrawn from the contest. The privations and fatigues the army has endured, and the heroic courage and gallantry it has displayed, will be matters of history to be ever remembered. Our task is not yet accomplished, and the commanding general looks to the army for greater efforts, to drive from our soil every vestige of the presence of the invader. It is right and proper that we should, on suitable occasions, return our grateful thanks to the Almighty Disposer of events, that, in the goodness of His providence. He has thought fit to give victory to the cause of the just. By command of Major-General Meade. S. Williams, A. A.-Oeneral. It is fitting we sliould close this chapter with President Lincoln's brief yet comprehensive an- nouncement to tlie country : WASiiiNfiTON, D. C, July 4, 1803, 10 a. m. The President of the United States announces to the coun- try, that the news from the Army of the Potomac, up to ten o'clock p. M. of the third, is such as to cover the army with the highest honor — to promise great success to the cause of the Union — and to claim the condolence of all for the many gallant fallen ; and that for this he especially desires that on tiiis day, " He wliose Avill, not ours, sliould ever be done," be everywhere remembered and reverenced v^itli Ihe profoundcst gratitude. Ai^kauam Lincoln. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 265 CHAPTEE XIII. RETREAT OF THE REBELS FROM GETTYSBURG. If (8. — National Rejoicing. — Tlie Enemy Retreating. — Feebly Pursued.— Keconnoissances. — Kilpatrick Gives tlie Enemy a Fourth of July Entertainment at Monterey Fuss. — Storm and Terror. — Immense Train Destroyed, and Hosts of Prisoners Taken. — Pitiable Condi- , tion of Stuart's Cavalry. — Bittle of Ilugerstown. — Captains Penfleld nnd Dahigren Woundeii. — Wonderful Exploits of a Union Scout. — Kilpatrick and Buford at Williamsport. — Cavalry Fight at Boonshoro. — Stuart Defeated. — Hagerstowu Retaken. — Orders to Advance, One Day Too Lute. — Kilpatrick Chases the Flying Foe. — Fight at Falling Waters, Last Act in the DraiTKi. — Great Braverj' of Union Troops. — Last Vestige of the Invaders Wiped Out.— Bivouac and Rest. THE victoiy at Gettysburg, tlioiigli purchased at so dear a price, when announced to the people, produced a deep and widespread joy, whicii contrib- uted to make the Fourth of July doubly memorable. The gallant behavior of our men furnished a thome for general exultation, and the removal of the threat- ened disaster foreshadowed in the pompous and suc- cessful invasion, made every true American breathe more freely. But the work of the soldier was not yet done. The feet of the invaders were still upon free soil ; and though his ranks had been thinned by desertions, and by unprecedented casualties in battle, and he had been thwarted in all the important minutiiB of 266 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. his plan, he was still formidable, and compelled tc fight with desperation, if attacked, to prevent utter destruction. Some ai)preliension that the enemy was at least contem]>lating a speedy retreat was entertained dur- ing the night that followed the third bloody day. General Pleasonton, chief of cavalry, urged General Meade to advance in force upon the beaten foe, al- leging that they were not only greatly weakened by their losses, but undoubtedly demoralized, in conse- quence of repulse and probable scarcity of ammu- nition. To ascertain positively what could be of these probabilities, Pleasonton was directed to make a reconnoissance toward the Rebel rear. Accord- ingly, several detachments of cavalry \vcre thrust out on different roads, where they rode all night. General Gregg, on our right, went about twenty-two miles on the road to Chambersburg, and returning early on the morning of the fourth, reported that the road was strewn with wounded and stragglers, ambulances and caissons, and general debris, which indicated that the enemy was retreating as rapidly as possible, and was passing through a terrible season of demoralization. The testimony of the mute wit- nesses of disaster was corroborated by that of the many prisoners which easily fell into Gregg's hands. Other expeditions, returning later in the day, had similar reports to render of what they had seen and heard. And now came the time for energetic cav- il Iry movements. While onr inf;intry was resting, or engaged in burying our own and the Rebel dend within our lines, the cavalry was despatched to do Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 267 all possible damage to tbe retreating and deiiioi'alized Confederate columns. Kilpatrick, having assembled bis old nnd oft-tried division on tbe ])lain at tbe foot of Round Top, on tbe' morning of tbe fonrth, discoursed to tbera elo- quently for a few moments on tbe interests of tbe times. He assured bis men tbat tbeir noble deeds were not passing by unnoticed, nor would tbey be imrequitcd, and tbat tbey were already a part of a grand bistory. He trusted tbat tbeir future conduct would be a fair copy of tbe past. But bis patbetic and patriotic accents bad scarcely died upon tbe ear of bis brave command, wben tbe sbrill bugle- blast brougbt eager men and grazing borses in line of marcb. Orders bad been received by Kil- patrick to repair as swiftly as possible to tbe pass- es in the Catoctin Mountains, to intercept the enemy now known to be tiying southward at a rapid rate. Tbe command bad gone but a sbort distance when rain began to fall in torrents, as is usually tbe case after great battles, especially wben artillery of beavy calibre is used. But througb mud, in places to tbe borses' bodies, through brooks swollen enormously, and througb the falling floods, tbe troopers pi-essed forward to tbe accomplishment of their task. About five o'clock p. M. Kilpatrick reached Emmitsburg, where be was joined by portions of General Gregg's command, in- cluding tbe Harris Light, which bad been kept mostly in reserve during tbe conflicts of the past few day!-\ Thus rer'nforc(>d, this intrepid leader marched directly towards the Monterey Pass, arriving at the foot of tbid 268 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. rocky defile in the mountains in the midst of pitch;^ darkness. As was anticipated, a heavy Hebel train was then trj'ing to make its escape throngli the gorge, guarded by Stuart's Cavahy, with light artilleiy. This artil- lery* was planted in a position to rake the narrow road upon which Kilpatriek was advancing. Bnt the dark- ness was so intense that the guns could be of little use, except to make the night terribly hideous with their bellowings, the echoes of which reverberated in the mountain gorges in a most frightful manner. To add to the horrors of the scene and position, the rain fell in floods, accompanied with gi'oaning thunders, while lightnings flashed from cloud to cloud over our heads, and cleft the darkness only to leave friend and foe enveloped in greater darkness in the intervals of light. By these flashes, however, we gained a mo- mentary glimpse of each other's position, and as we dashed forward in the gloom, we were further direct- ed by the fire of the artillery and the desultory fire of the cavalry. Surgeon Moore gives the following account of this afiuir : " We do not hesitate in saying, and have good reason to know, that had any want of firmness on the l")art of the leader, or any indecision or vacillation a])peared, and a mischance occurred, this splendid command would then and there have been lost. "But with nnflinching and steady purpose, bold bearing, and a mind ecpial to the emergency, the gen- eral rode to tlie head of the column, reassui-ed hia frightened people, and, notwithstanding the intense darkness that hid iVicnd from foe, made such skilful Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 269 dispositions, and then attacked tlie Jiidden foe with sncli impetuosit)^ that he fled in wild dismay, leaving h:s guns, a battle-flag, and four hundred prisoners in the victor's hands. " The pass was gained, and Pennington's and El- der's guns were soon echoing and reechoing through the mountain defiles. The artillery opened thus on the flying columns of the routed foe, who, with wag- ons, ambulances, caissons, and the debris of a shat- tered army, were rushing in chaotic confusion down the narrow mountain road, and scattering through the fields and woods on the plains below." All night long Kilpatrick and his successful fol- lowers were gathering the spoils of their evening work. Wagon after wagon was overtaken, captured, and destroyed, while hundreds of prisoners were easily captured. This daring exploit placed Kilpat- rick in advance of the Rebel army, giving him a fine opportunity to obstruct their pathway of retreat, and to destroy whatever could be of any use to them. Had he not been cumbered with so many prisoners, it is not in the power of any one to estimate the damage he would have done. In his official report he says : *' On this day I captured eighteen hundred and sixty prisoners, including many officers of rank, and de- stroyed the Rebel General Ewell's immense wagon- train, nine miles long." It should be stated that these wagons were mostly laden with the ripened and gathered crops of Pennsyl- vania and Maryland, and with the plunder of private and public stores, including dry goods and groceries of every variety and quality. None who saw it will 270 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. ever forget the appearance of that mountain road the day following this night's foray. Stuart, who was inglorionsly defeated at Mon- terey, retired towards Emmitsbnrg with about fifty prisoners tliat he had captured during and after the fight. He then moved southward until he struck an unfrequented road which leads over the mountain md Wolfe's Tavern. By this turn he avoided immediate contact with our cavalry. But about five o'clock p. M., as he was about to debouch into the valley, Kil- patrick, who was watching for him as a cat does a mouse, attacked him with artillery and fought him till dark. This fight occurred near Smithburg, whence the prisoners in Kilpatrick's hands were sent to South Mountain, guarded by the Harris Light. Darkness having put an end to the contest, Kil- patrick marched through Cavetown to Boonsboro', where lie bivouacked for the night. Stuart, it was ascertained, marched till about midnight to the small town of Leitersburgh, where he rested his wa)rn and wearied command. His condition was really pitiable. A large number of his men were mounted on shoeless horses, whose leanness showed that they had made many a long march through and from Virginia. Or, as was the case with a large proportion of them, they had fat horses, which were stolen from the fields and stalls of the invaded States, but, being entirely un- used to such hard and cruel treatment as they were now receiving, were well-nigh unserviceable. Lame- ness and demoralization were prominent characteris- tics among animals and men. Juhj C— This morning, at an early honr, Tvil Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 271 Patrick's crowd of prisoners were turned over into the hands of General French, and then his command marclied to TIagerstown, taking possession of the phico in advance of Stuart, whose approach about eleven o'clock was met witli determined resistance, and, at first, with great success. A heavy battle was fought, in which Kilpatrick's men showed their usual prowess and strength. Had not Rebel infantry come to the aid of his cavalry, Stuart would have suffered a stunning blow. For several hours the contest was wholly between cavalry and light artillery. Charges of great daring and skill were made. Gne reporter says : " Elder gave them grape and canister, and the Fifth New York sabres, while the First Vermont used their carbines." In one of those charges, made in the face of a very superior force, Captain James A. Penfield, of the Fifth New York, at the head of his company, had his horse killed under him, and, while struggling to extricate himself from the animal, which lay upon him in part, he was struck a fearful blow of a sabre on the head, which came near severing it in twain. Tims wounded, with blood streaming down upon his long beard and clothes, he was made a prisoner. In a similar chai-ge the gallant Captain ITlric Dahlgren lost a leo", thouo'h not his valuable life. It appeared as though the Rebels were afforded an opportunity to avenge themselves in part for the shameful losses which they had sustained in this very place by the strategic operations of a Union scout, by the name of C. A. Phelps, during the incipient step of the invasion. "We will let the scout relate his own 272 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. storj, which is corroborated by a signal-officer, who, from one of the lofty peaks of the mountains, wit- nessed the exciting denouement. The scout procecda to saj : " I was very anxious to -learn all about General Stuart's force and contemplated movements, and re- solved to see the general himself or some of his staff- officers, soon after he entered Hagerstown. " Accordingly I procured of a Union man a suit of raglings, knocked off one boot-heel to make one leg appear shorter than the other, and put a gimblet, a tow-string, and an old broken jack-knife in my pockets. My jewelry corresponded with my clothes. I adopted the name of George Fry, a harvest-hand of Dr. Farney, from Wolfetown, on the north side of the mountain, and I was a cripple from rheumatism. Having completed arrangements with Dr. Farney, Mr. Landers, and other Union men, that they might be of service to me in case the Rebels should be sus- picious of my character, I hobbled away on my peril- ous journey, and entered the city by leaping the high stone wall which guards it on the north side near the depot. This occurred just as the town-clock struck one. " It was a clear, starlight night, and the glistening sabres of the sentries could be seen as they walked their lonely beat. Scarcely had I gained the side- walk leading to the centre of the town when the sen- ti-y neai-est me cried, ' Halt ! who goes there ? ' 'A friend,' I replied. " ' A iVinid to North or South ? ' " ' To the South, of course, and all right.* Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 273 " ' Advance, then,' was the response. On reaching him, he asked me wliat conhl be my business at this hour of the niglit. I told liim I had come in to see our brave boys, who could whip the Yankees so hand- somely, as they had done especially at Bull Run and Chancellorsville. We tell at once to the discussion of the war-questions of the day. In the midst of our colloquy up came the officer of the guard on his ' grand rounds,' who, after probing me thoroughly, as he thought, with many questions, finally said, ' Had you not better go with me to see General Stuart ? ' ■" ' I should reelly like ter git a sight of the gin'- ral,' I quickly replied, ' for I never seen a reel gin'- ral in all my life.' " I w^as soon in the presence of the general, M'ho received me very cordially. I found him to be a man !a little above the medium height, and fine looking. His features are veiy distinct in outline, his nose lung and sharp, his eye keen and restless. His com[)lexion is florid and his manners aiiable. I told him who I was and where I lived when at home. ' "Wolfetown ! ' exclaimed the general, ' have not the Yankees a large wagon-train there ? ' I told him they had ; and then, turning to one of his stafF-olEcers, he said, ' I must have it ; it would be a fine prize.' " I noted his words and determined, if I possessed any Yankee wit, to make use of it on this occasion, " ' Gin'ral,' said I, ' yoii all don't think of cap- terin' them are Yankee wagons, do you ? ' "'Why not? I have here five thousand cavalry and sixteen pieces of artillery, and I understand the train is lightly guarded.' 274 Three Tears in the Federal CoAmry. " I saw that he had been properly iLformed, and I told him they came there last evening with twelve big brass cannon and three regiments of foot-soldiers, and if he was to try to go through the gap of the mountain they wonld shoot all the cannon off right in the gap, and Idli all his horses and men. The gen- eral snjiled at my naive answer, and said I had a strange idea of war if I thonght so many men would be killed at once, and added that I would not be a very brave soldier, 1 replied that many times I had felt like going into the Confederate army, but my rheninatisn] kept me out. " After a while the general concluded not to try the train, and I was heartily glad, for he would have taken at least two hundred wagons easily, as they were guarded by not more than three hundred men. " He then gave orders to have the main body of his cavalry move towards Green Castle ; and I dis- tinctly heard him give orders to the Major to remain in town with fifty men as rearguard, and to send on the army mail, which was expected there about six the next evening. I made up my mind that it would be a small mail he would get, as I proposed to myself to be postmaster for once. " After seeing the general and his cavalry move out of town, I went directly for my horse, which I had concealed in a safe place some distance from the city, meanwhile surveying the ground to see which way I could best come in to capture the mail, and dcteruiined to charge the place on the pike from Boonslxtro', and made luy arrangements to that effect. J got a Union man, by the name of Thornburgh, to Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 275 g( into tlie town and notify the Union people tliat, when the town-clock struck six p. m., I would charge in and capture the Rehel mail, at the risk of losing my own life and every man with me. I had now but eiglit men, two having been sent to General Stahel with despatches. " I then returned to Boonsboro', and found my men waiting for me. I told them my intentions, and offered to send back to his regiment any man who feared to go with me. But every one bravely said he would not leave me, nor surrender without my order. I then ordered them to bring out their horses, and we were soon on the road. It was a moment of thrillino: interest to us all,- as we approached Ilagerstown, and lino-ered to hear the siarnal-strokes of that monitor in the old church-tower. At the appointed time (we had already entered into the edge of the town), with a wild shout we dashed into the streets, and the Major and his fifty braves fled without firing a shot. "We captured sixteen prisoners, twenty-six horses, several small-arms, and a heavy army mail, which coutained three important despatches from Jeff. Davis, and two from the Bebel Secretary of War to General Lee. All this substantial booty we safely carried within our own lines, without the loss of a man or a horse. " Many thanks are due to Dr. C. R. Doran and Mr. Robert Thornburgh, for their kind and timely assistance, and also to Misses Susie Carson and Addio Brenner, who did so much for the comfort of our brave men. I still have in my possession some choice flowers, preserved from a bouquet presented to me by Miss Carson the evening we captured the Rebel mail ; 276 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. and though the flowers have faded, the good deeds doDe by the giver will ever grow bright throiigli com ing time. All honor to the brave Union ladies." In these same streets, wdiere Captain Briggs with his telescope witnessed the successful charge of the scouting party, raged the battle hotlj on the sixth of July. But, as the Rebel infantry was advancing with heavy artillery to the aid of Stuart's cavalry, Kilpat- rick was sorely pressed, and, at length, compelled to retire. His ears were now saluted with the sound of artillery in the direction of AVi Hi am sport, and a mes- senger arrived with the intelligence that General John Buford, who had advanced through the South Moun- tain Pass, was now attempting to destroy Lee's im- mense supply train, which was packed near Williams- port, and not very heavily guarded. Kilpatrick desired no better work than to assist his brave comrade, and he at once hastened down the main road, and soon joined Buford in the work of destruction. These combined commands were making fearful havoc in the Rebel commissai-y and quarter- master stores. Many wagons were burned, and the whole train w^ould have shared the same fate had not the united ini'antry and cavalry of the enemy come down ui)on us in overwhelming force. But we were not to be driven away very suddenly nor cheaply. Long and desj^erately we contended with the accu- mulating forces, until daikness came on, wdicn we found ourselves comj>letely envelo])ed by the foe. Kotliing but splendid generalship and true bravery on the part of our otlicers and men saved us from capture and desti-uction. Some of our number were Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 279 made prisoners, but onr losses were very small con- sidering- the amount of de|»redations we liad commit- ted, and the great danger to which we were exposed. As it was, the commands were snccessfully withdrawn from their hazardous position, and tlirough the dark- ness of the night we crossed Antietarn Creek, and bivouacked in safety on the opposite bank. Several prisoners were captured from the Rebels during the fights of tlie day. They were mostly Irom Alabama and Louisiana regiments ; and they state that their army is all together, and well on its way to the river. They speak doubtfully of Lee's recrossing the Poto- mac. Jidy 7. — Our cavalry is in the vicinity of Boons- boro', and is acting mostly on the defensive. The enemy in force is in our front, and an attack is mo- mentarily expected. At six p. m. " to horse " was sounded throughout our camps ; and, after waiting two hours in rain, ready for a move, orders were re- ceived to return to our quarters. Rain is now falling in torrents, accompanied with fearful thunderings and lightnings. Unpleasant as it is, we welcome its pelt- ings, hoping that the storm will raise the Potomac above the fording mark, and thus give Meade an op- portunity to attack Lee before he has time to recross the river into Virginia. We know that his pontoons at Falling Waters have been totally destroyed by our cavalry and by the high water, and that the only ford available is at Williamsport, and hence we welcome the falling floods. Many of us have to lie down in water, which, however, is not very cold. But the night is very tedious 280 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. July 8. — The sun came out briglit and warm tliie morning, enabling us in a few moments to dry our drenched bhmkets and garments. The roads, how- ever, abound in nnid, and the streams are enormously swollen. Early in the day our pickets were driven in along the Antietam, and the enemy advanced with such force that by noon the plains around Boonsboro' were the scene of a furious cavalry engagement. CAVALRY BATTLE AT BOONSBORO'. Dr. Moore, from whose excellent reports we have before quoted, gives tlie following graphic description of this cavalry dnel : " Buford had the right and Kil- ]-»at)-ick the left. The movements of the cavalry lines in this battle were among the finest sights the author remembers ever to have seen. It was here he first saw the young general (Ivilpatrick), and little thought that one day the deeds he saw him perform he would transmit to paper and to posterity. Here, all day long, the Rebel and the Union cavalry-chiefs fought, mounted and dismounted, and striving in every man- ner possible to defeat and rout the other. The din and roar of battle that, from ten a. m. until long after dai'k, had rolled over tlie plains and back through the mountains, told to the most anxious generals of them all, Meade and Lee, how desperate was the struggle — Stuart and his men fighting for the safety of the Rebel army, Buford and Ivilpatrick for South Mountain's iiaiTow Pass. Just as the setting sun sent his last rays over that muddy battle-iiold, Buford and Kili)atrick were seen rapidly approaching each other from opposite direc- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 281 tions. They met ; a few hasty words were exchanged, and away dashed Buford far off to the right, and Kil- l^atrick straight to the centre; and in less than twenty minutes, from right to centre, and from centre to left, the clear notes of the bugles rang out the welcome charging, and with one long, wild shout, those glori- ous squadrons of Buford and Kilpatrick, ii'otn right to left, as far as the eye could see, in one unbroken line, charged upon the foe. The shock was irresistible ; the Rebel line was broken — the routed enemy confessed the superiority of our men as they "fled from the well- fought field, leaving their dead and dying behind them ; and our heroic chiefs led back their victorious S(|uadrons, and, while resting on their laurels, gave their brave, wearied troops a momentary repose." Thus far our cavalry had done much to obstruct the retreat of the Rebel army, and had inflicted in- calculable losses of men and materials. But the pur- suit of our main army was not correspondingly vig- orous. Two pretty good reasons may be assigned for this seeming incompetency or want of energy. The first reason is found in the fact that scarcely more than a brigade of infantry had been kept in reserve during the great and destructive battle of Gettysburg, while the three days of struggle had well-nigh ex- hausted our entire strength. Eest was therefore greatly needed, and a general engagement was to be guarded against. It should also be remembered that nearly one fourth of our entire army was Jiors de combat. The second reason may be found in the heavy rains which fell, '' impeding pursuers," as one writer says, " more than pursued, though they need 12 282 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. not." But tlie retreating army Las this advantage ; it usually chooses its own route, wliich it can gene- rally cover or liide by means of stratagem, so that It requires time as well as study to effectually pursue. Perhaps a third reason for our tardiness of pursuit should be presented. Does it not appear to be an overruling act of Providence? Had General Meade advanced, as it seems he might have doue with the resources at his command, against the demoralized, decimated, and flying army, with its ammunition quite exhausted, and a swollen river, unfordable and bridgeless, between it and safety, Lee could not have escaped annihilation. But the public sentiment of the country, though forming and improving rapidly, was not yet prepared for such a victory. "We needed to spend more treasure, spill more blood, sacrifice more precious lives, to lift us up to those heights of public and political virtue, where we could be safely entrusted with so dear a boon. We were not then prepared for peace, that sovereign balm for a nation's woes. The tardiness with which our movements were made enabled the enemy to reach a good position near Ilagerstown, which he began to fortify in such a manner as to cover his crossing. Meantime we un- derstood that successful efforts were made to rebuild the bridge at Falling Waters. General Meade, iu his official report, giv^es the fol- lowing account of his pursuit : " The fifth and sixth of July were employed in succoring the wounded and burying the dead. Major-General Sedgwick, com- mandijig the Sixth Coi'ps, having pushed the pursuit Three Years in tlie Federal Cavalry. 283 of the enemy as far as the Fairfield Pass and the mountains, and reporting that tlie pass was very strong — one in wliich a small force of the enemy could hold in check and delay for a considerable time any pursuing force — I determined to follow the enemy by a flank movement, and, accordingly, leaving Mc- intosh's brigade of cavalry and Neil's brigade of infantry to continue harassing the enemy, I put the army in motion for Middletown, and orders were im- mediately sent to Major-General French, at Frederick, to reoccupy Harper's Ferry, and send a force to occu- py Turner's Pass, in South Mountains. I subsequent- ly ascertained that Major-General French had not only anticipated these orders in part, but had pushed a cavalry force to Williamsport and Falling "Waters, where they destroyed the enemy's pontoon bridge, and captured its guard. Buford was at the same time sent to "Williamsport and Hagerstown. The duty above assigned to the cavalry was most successfully accomplished, the enemy being greatly harassed, his trains destroyed, and many ca]3tures of guns and prisoners made." July 10. — This morning, at five o'clock, the cav- alry advanced from Boonsboro', passed through Kee- dysville, and crossed the Antietam about ten o'clock. At twelve o'clock we engaged the enemy at Jones' Cross Roads. The Harris Light led the advance, dis- mounted. The Pebels were driven three consecutive times from as many positions which they had chosen. Their resistance was by no means strong nor deter- mined. Before night Buford moved his command to Sharpsburg, on the extreme left of our lines, and Kill 284: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. patrick advanced to a position on the extreme Hglit, in tlie vicinity of Hagerstown, where he covered tlie road to Gettysburg. On the eleventh only picket skirmishes occupied the time. But on the twelfth Kilpatrick, supjDorted by a brigade of infantry under the command of Brigadier-General Ames, of How- ard's Corps, advanced upon the enemy near Hagers- town, drove them from their works, and then out of the streets of the city, and took permanent possession. This successful movement greatly contracted our lines, and brought our forces into a better position. At the close of this enterprise, as we are informed. General Meade called a council of war, at which was discussed earnestly and long the propriety of attacking the enemy. Notwithstanding the anxiety of the chief commander to advance and reap fully the fruit of Get- tysburg, five of his corps commanders, out of eight, argued against the measure, and as Meade did not desire to assume the grave responsibility of a move- ment against such protests, no move was immediately attempted. This statement may modify the condemnatory judgments which were formed against General Meade, and may prepare our minds rightly to interpret Gen- eral A. P. Howe's report of the general pursuit. In narrating its S])irit and progress, he says : " On the fourth of July it seemed evident enough that the cneiny were retreating. How far they were gone we could not see from the front. We could see but a comparatively small force from the position where I M-as. On Sunday the Fifth and Sixth Corps moved ij) pursuit. As we moved, a small rearguard of the Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 285 enenij retreated. We followed them, with this small rearguard of the enemy before us, up to Fairfield, in a gorge of the mountains. There we again waited for them to go on. There seemed to be no disposition to push this rearguard when we got up to Fairfield. A lieutenant from the enemy came into our lines and gave himself up. He was a Northern Union man, in service in one of the Georgia regiments ; and, with- out being asked, he unhesitatingly told me, when I met him as he was being brought in, that he belonged to the artillery of the rearguaixl of the enemy, and that they had but two rounds of ammunition with the rearguard. But M^e waited there without receiving any orders to attack. It was a place where, as I in- formed General Sedgwick, we could easily attack the enemy with advantage. But no movement Avas made by us until the enemy went away. Then one bri- gade of my division, with some cavalry, was sent to follow after them, while the 7-emainder of the Sixth Corps moved to the left. We moved on through Boonsboro', and passed up on the pike-road leading to Hagerstown. " After passing Boonsboro' it became my turn to lead the Sixth Corps. That day, just before we start- ed. General Sedgwick ordered me to move on and take up the best position 1 could over a little stream on the Frederick side of Funkstown. As I moved on, it was suggested to me by him to move carefully. ' Don't come into contact with the enemy ; we don't want to bring on a general engagement.' It seemed to be the current impression that it was not desired to bring on a general engagement. I moved on until 286 Three J ears in the Federal Cavalry. we came near Fuiikstown. General Buford was along that waj with his ca\'alry. I had passed over the stream referred to, and found a strong position, which I concluded to take, and wait for the Sixth Corps to come up. In the mcantiine General Buford, who was in front, came back to me, and said, ' I am pretty- hardly engaged here ; I have used a great deal of my ammunition ; it is a strong place in front ; it is an excellent position.' It was a little farther out than I was — near Funkstown. He said, ' I have used a great deal of my ammunition, and I ought to go to the right ; suppose you move up there, or send up a brigade, or even a part of one, and hold that position.' Said I, ' I will do so at once, if I can just communi- cate w^ith General Sedgwick ; I am ordered to take up a position over here, and hold it, and the intima- tion conveyed to me was, that they did not want to get into a general engagement ; I wnll send for Gen- eral Sedgwick, and ask permission to hold that posi- tion, and relieve you.' I accordingly sent a staff-ofB- ccr to General Sedgwick with a request that I might go up at once and assist General Buford, stating that he had a strong position, but his ammunition was giving out. General Buford remained with me until I should get an answer. The answer was, ' No ; we do not want to bi-ing on a general engagement.' ' Well,' said I, 'Buford, what can I do?'^ He said, ' lliey expect me to go farther to the right ; my am- rniniilion is pretty much out. That position is a strong one, and we ought not to let it go.' I sent down again to General Sedgwick, stating the cc)ndi- tion of Genei'al Buford, and that he would have to Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 287 leave unless lie could get some assistance; that his position was not far in front, and that it seemed to nie that we should hold it, and 1 should like to send some force up to picket it at least. After a time I got a reply that, if General Buford left, I might oc- cupy the position. General Buford was still with me, and I said to him, ' If you go away from there I will have to hold it.' ' Tliat's all riglit,' said he, ' I will go away.' He did so, and I moved right up. It was a pretty good position when you cover your troops. Soon after relieving Buford, we saw some Rebel infantry advancing. I do not know whether they brought them from Ilagcrstown, or fi'om some other place. They made three dashes, not in heavy force, upon our line to drive us back. The troops tliat ha]ipened to be there on our line were what w^e considered, in the Army of the Potomac, unusually good ones. They quietly repulsed the Rebels twice, and the third time they came up they sent them fly- ing into Funkstown. " Yet there was no permission to move on and follow up the enemy. We remained there some time, until we had orders to move on and take a position a mile or more nearer Ilagerstown. As we moved up we saw that the Rebels had some light field-works — ■ liurriedly thrown up, apparently — to cover themselves while they recrossed the river. I think we remained there three days ; and the third night, I think, after sve got up into that position, it was said the Rebels re- crossed the river." Sunday, Jidy 12. — I had the misfortune to be Kicked oflt' my pins last night, just before we were re- 288 Three Years in the Federal Cavalnj. lieved at tlie front. Approaching my sorrel pony from the rear, in a careless manner — for he could not see me until I got within short range — he raised his heels very suddenly, and, without ceremony, plant- ed them in my breast, laying me, not in the most gentle manner, flat upon the ground. Medical aid is considered necessary to-day, as I am sutfei-ing not a little. But, as the accident was purely the result of my own folly, I hope to endure my pains with be coming patience. To-day I found the following despatches in some Northern paper, and I record them to show what con tradictory reports will often find their way into tlu public press concerning men and measures : '•'- Mountain-HoiLse^ near Boonsboro\ July 9.- There has been no fighting this morning. The light of ye>terday, near Boonsboro,' was between Generals Buford and Ivilpatrick's cavalry and Eebel infantry, principally on the bushwhacking style. Our troops fell back early in the day, but subsequently reoccu- pied the ground. Artillery was most eifectually used on both sides in this engagement. " There is no truth in the I'eported death of Gen- eral Kilpatrick." " Boonsboro' . Julij 9, 8 p. jr. — There have been no active operations on our front to-day. After the cav- alry fight of yesterday tin; enemy drew in their forces towards liagerstown, and f )i;med a line on elevated croiind from Funkstown on the riuht to the bend of the river below AVilliamsport on the left, thus un- covering the Shepherdstown crossing. Scouts and reconnoitring parties report that Lee is entrenching TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 289 his front and drawing from his train on the Yirginia Bide, and making general preparations for another battle. It is contradicted, to-night, that we have a force on General Lee's line of retreat in Yirginia." July 13. — All has been qniet along our lines to- day. The army, being pretty Avell rested by tliis time, is waiting impatiently for the command to ad- vance. Our position is also a good one, though not better than that of the enemy. We have every rea- son to believe that the Rebel army is still on the north bank of the Potomac. The recent rains have raised the river above the fording mark. However, Lee will undoubtedly fall back into Yirginia if he finds a good op})ortunity. During the latter part of the day Gen- eral Meade finally decided to assault the position of the invaders. FALLING WATEES. Yery much to the delight of the rank and file of the ai-my, orders were promulgated to the eifect that a strong and simultaneous advance must be made early on the morning of the fourteenth. Prepara- tions were immediately begun. Kilpatrick and his cavalry were sent out on picket, and advanced as near the enemy's lines as it was pru- dent. ]l!Tot many hours of the night had passed away when Kilpatrick discovered certain movements which indicated that the enemy was leaving his front. Prepared as he was to attack them by the morning light, he was ready to follow np any move- ment which they might make. Llence, at three o'clock on the morning of the fourteenth, his advance- guard moved forward upon the retiring enemy. While 12* 290 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. information of this nnexpected movement of the ene- my was despatclied to General Meade, Kilpatriek ad- vanced towards Williamsport with his usual rapidity and power, driving and capturing every thing before him. Informed by citizens that the rearguard of tlie retreating army had but a few moments before started from the river, he followed closely in their tracks, and struck them at Falling Waters, where, after a bril- liant and sharp conflict, he bagged' a large number of prisoners. Many a poor fellow never reached the long-looked-for Virginia shore. General Meade then sent the following despatch to Washington : Headquarteks Armt of the Potomac, \ J uly 14, 3 p. M. J H. W. Hallech^ Oeneral-in- Chief : My cavalry now occupy Falling "Waters, having overtaken and captured a brigade of infantry, fifteen hundred strong, two guns, two caissons, two battle-flags, and a large number of small-arms. The enemy are all across the Potomac. George G. Meade, Major- Oeneral. Later in the day he sent the following : Headquarters Army of the Potomac, ) July 14, 8.80 p. M. ) Mdjor-Oevcro.l HaUccl-^ O our al-in- Chief : My cavalry have cajstured five hundred prisoners, in addi- tion to those previously reported. General Pettigrew, of the Confederate army, was killed this morning in the attack on the enemy's rearguard. His body is in our hands. G. G. Meade, Major-Omeral. Tluise despat'clies were afterward denied by Gen- oral Lee in a letter to his authorities, as follows : lliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 201 Headquarters Ahmv of Northern Virginia, ) July ,1803. \ Oeneral 8. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector- General C. S. A. : General : I have seen iu the JSTorthern papers what pur- ports to be an official despatch from General Meade, stating that he had captm-ed a brigade of infantry, two pieces of artillery, two caissons, and a large number of small-arms, as this army retired to the south bank of the Potomac on the thirteenth and fourteenth instant. This despatch has been coi)ied into the Richmond papers ; and, as its official character may cause it to be believed, I desire to state that it is incor- rect. The enemy did not capture any organized body of men on that occasion, but only stragglers, and such as were left asleej) on the road, exhausted by the fatigue and exposure of one of the most inclement nights I have ever known at this season of the year. It rained without cessation, rendering the road by whicli our troojjs marched toward the bridge at Fall- ing Waters very difficult to pass, and causing so much delay that the last of the troops did not cross the river at the bridge until one a. m. on the morning of the fourteenth. "While the column was thus detained on the road a number of men, worn down with fatigue, laid down in bams and by the roadside, and though officers were sent back to arouse them as the troops moved on, the darkness and rain prevented them from finding all, and many were in this way left behind. Two guns were left on the road ; the horses that drew them became exhausted, and the officers went back to procure others. When they returned, the rear of the column had passed the guns so far that it was deemed unsafe to send back for them, and they were thus lost. No arms, cannon, or prisoners were taken by the enemy in battle, but only such as were left behind, as I have described, under the circumstances. The number of stragglers thus lost I am unable to state with accuracy, but it is greatly exaggerated in the despatch referred to. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, R. E. Lee, Oeneral. This was evideutlj an attempt, on the part of the 292 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Kebel leader, to dispara2;e our victories and to wipe out of his record, with a sort of legerdemain, the dis- graceful and disastrous denouement of his invasion. In the following important statement General Meade confirms his position by incontestable facts, and shows how the matter stood : Headquartehs Army of the Potomac, | Aug. , 1863. j Major- Oeneral HaUeclc; Oeneral-in-Cliief : My attention has been called to what purports to be an official despatch of General K. E. Lee, commanding the Rebel army, to General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector- General, denying the accuracy of my telegram to you, of July four- teenth, announcing the result of the cavalry affair at Falling Waters. I have delayed taking any notice of Lee's report iratil the return of Brigadier-General Kilpatrick, absent on leave, "who commanded the cavalry on the (occasion referred to, and on whose report from the field my telegram was leased. I now en- close the official report of Brigadier-General Kilpatrick, made after his attention had been called to Lee's report. You will see that he reiterates and confirms all that my despatch averred, and proves most conclusively that General Lee has been de- ceived by his subordinates, or he would never, in the face of the facts now alleged, have made the assertion his report claims. It appears that I was in error in stating tliat the body of General Pettigrew was left in oiu* hands, although I did not communicate that fact until an officer from the field reported to me he had seen the body. It is now ascertained, from the Richmond papers, that General Pettigrew, though mortally wounded in the affair, was taken to Winchester, where he sub- sequently died. The three battle-flags cajitured on this occa- sion, and sent to Washington, belonged to the Fortieth, Forty- seventh, and Fifty-fifth Virginia regiments of infantry. General Lee will surely acknowledge these were not left in the hands of stragglers asleep in barns. Geouge Q, Meade, Major-Qencral Commanding Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 293 Kilpatrick, in his letter of explanation, referred to in the above despatch, gives the following graphic account of this last scene in the great drama of the invasion : Headqdaktees Third Division Cavalry Corps, ) Wiirrentou Junction, Va., Aug. . f To Colonel A. J. Alexander^ Chief of Staff of Cavalry Corps : Colonel : In compliance with a letter just received from the headquarters of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, directing me to give the facts connected with the fight at Falling Waters, I have the honor to state that, at three A. M. of the fourteenth ultimo, I learned that the enemy's pick- ets were retiring in my front. Having been previously ordered to attack at seven a. m., I was ready to move at once. At daylight I had reached the crest of hills occujsied by the enemy an hour before, and, a few minutes before six, Gen- eral Custer drove the rearguard of the enemy into the river at Williamsport. Learning from citizens that a portion of the enemy had retreated in the direction of Falling Waters, I at once moved rapidly for that point, and came uj^ with this rearguard of the enemy at seven-thirty A. m., at a jDoint two miles distant from Falling Waters. We pressed on, driving them before us, capturing many prisoners and one gun. When within a mile and a half of Falling Waters, the enemy was found in large force, drawn up in line of battle on the crest of a hill, commanding the road on which I was advancing. His left was protected by earthworks, and his right extended to the woods on our left. The enemy was, when first seen, in two lines of battle, with arras stacked within less than one thousand yards of the large force. A second piece of artillery, with its support, consisting of infantry, was captured while attemjiting to get into posi- tion. The gun was taken to the rear, A portion of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, seeing only that portion of the enemy be- hind the earthworks, charged. This charge was led by Major Webber, and was the most gallant ever mnde. At a trot he passed up the hill, received the fire from the whole line, and 294: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. the next moment rode through and over the earthworks, and passed to the right, sabring the Rebels along the entire line, and returned with a loss of thirty killed, wounded, and miss- ing, including the gallant Major Webber, killed. I directed General Custer to send forward one regiment as skirmishers. They were repulsed before support could be sent them, and driven back, closely followed by the Rebels, until checked by the First Michigan and a squadron of the Eighth New York. The Second brigade having come up, it was quickly thrown into position, and, after a fight of two hours and thirty minutes, routed the enemy at all points and drove him toward the river. When within a short distance of the bridge. General Buford's command came uj) and took the advance. We lost twenty- nine killed, thirty-six wounded, and forty missing. We found upon the field one hundred and twenty-five dead Rebels, and brought away upward of fifty wounded. A large number of the enemy's wounded were left upon the field in charge of their own surgeons. We captured two guns, tliree battle-flags, and upward of fifteen hundred prisoners. To General Custer and his brigade. Lieutenant Pennington and his battery, and one squadron of the Eighth New York Cavalry, of General Buford's command, all praise is due. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. KiLPATRiCK, Brigadlei'- General. In his official report of operations from the twenty- eighth of Jnne, wlien he assumed command of the Third division, Kilpatrick says : " In this campaign )ny command has captured forty- five hundred prison- ers, nine guns, and eleven hattle-fLags." Never be- fore, in the history of warfare, has it been permitted to any man commanding a division to include, in a ro])ort of about forty-five days' operations, such mag- nilifcnt i-esults. As tli(! la^l fitol of tlic invaders disappeared from Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 295 the soil where they had never been successful, our gallant boys built their bivouac fires and rested them- selves and their weary animals near the scene of their recent victory. The telegraph lines, which had so often been bur- dened with news of disaster, now sang with joyful intelligence from all departments of our vast armies. Gettysburg was soon followed by Yicksburg, then Port Hudson, the names being emblazoned upon many a glowing transparency, to the honor of the heroes who had planned, and the braves who had fought, so successfully and well. The news was wel- comed with salutes of artillery and bonfires in most of the I^orthern cities and villages, while the whole mass of our people was jubilant and rejoicing. On the fifteenth the President issued a proclama- tion of Thanksgiving, in which he recognized the hand of God in our victories, and called upon the people to "render the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the wonderful things He has done in the nation's behalf, and to invoke the influence of His Holy Spirit to subdue the anger which has produced, and so long sustained, a needless and cruel rebellion." In the midst of these rejoicings we end our chapter. 296 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, CHAPTEE XIY. KILPATRICK'S GUNBOAT EXPEDITION. 1863. — Escape of Lee into Virginia. — Reasons. — Cavalry Advance into tlie Valley via Harper's Ferry, and Fight. — Eiot in New York and other Northern Cities. — Again Across the Potomac on "Sacred Soil." — Blackberries and Discipline. — Mails. — Battle of Manassas Gap. — Moa- by Again, and His Bands. — Author's Birthday. — Kilpatrick's Gunboat Expedition on the Kappahanuock. — Cavalry Captures Navy. — Compli- mented by Superiors. — General Advance of the Army. — Third Caval- ry Battle at Brandy Station.— Stuart's Cavalry Worsted at Culpepper Court House. — Sharp Artillery Practice at Raccoon Ford, on the Eapi- dan.— Special Duties and Special Dangers. — Good Living Along the Hazel and Robertson Elvers. — Iinportant Recounoissance and Raid. — Hard Fighting and Narrow Escape. — Needed Rest Eeceived. — The Paymaster. — Eebel Plan of Attack Foiled by a Citizen Informer. — Suspicious Activity on Our Front. THIS sudden and masterly movement of the Eebela was a cutting surprise to General Meade, and a source of mortification and chagrin to all. Glori- ously successful as we had been, it was evident that hesitation and indecision had greatly detracted from onr laurels. We liad won a world-renowned victory, but we liad failed to reaj) all the legitimate fruits which our situation placed within onr reach. General Lee had been tt^rribly punished, but his escape was quite marvellous. One writer says: " When his sha,tt(!red cohiiniis commenced their re- treat from Gettysburg, few of his ollicors can have Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 297 imagined tliat they would ever reach Virginia M'ith their artillery and most of their trains." And though their trains were severely handled and greatly injured, yet the old Rebel army of ]^orthern Virginia, with neai'ly all its artillery, made its exit from soil too sacred to freedom for a Rebel victory. Their losses, however, had been immense, and they were only too glad to escape in a manner very unlike the audacious way in which tliey had advanced but a few weeks previous into the Northern States. It now became the policy of our leader to follow the fugitives as closely as the changed circumstances of affairs would permit, and to give the Rebels no rest, while he endeavored to press them determin- edly, and watched them by means of scouts and signal-stations with a jealous eye. " There is, how- ever, a limit to the endurance which men and horses are capable of, and, beyond this, the overtaxed pow- ers give way, and exhausted nature claims her rights. Few there are, except those who have had experi- ence, who know how much privation the brave sol- dier and his general suffer in the toils of the field, on the rapid march, the hasty bivouac, the broken slum- bers, the wakeful watchings, and the scanty fare." It must be remembered, also, that our army had made many forced marches, describing in its route a line somewhat resembling the circumference of a great circle, as a careful survey of the mnp of jnove- ments will show ; while the route of the enemy, who had several days the start of us, was more like the diameter of that circle. Our cavalry had not only fought and defeated the Rebel cavalry on many san- 298 Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. guinaiy fields, but it bad met tbe serried lines of tbeir infantry also, as at Gettysburg, wbere tbe brave Farnswortli fell. Owing to tbis fatigue of our forces, our pursuit of tbe enemy was not as vigorous, it would seem at a cursory glance, as it sbould bave been. As so m as it was ascertained tbat tbe Rebel aiTaj was in full retreat, a force of our cavalry was sent across tbe Po-toinac at Harper's Ferry, bivouacking, tbe nigbt of tbe fourteentb of July, on Bolivar Heights. Early tbe next morning we advanced on tbe Wincbester Turnpike as far as Halltown, wbere we deflected to tbe rigbt on tbe road to Sbepberds- town. We had not proceeded far before we encoun- tered tbe enemy's cavalry under Fitzbugb Lee, with which we were soon involved in a spirited contest. At first our troopers were worsted and driven back a !>bort distance. But, having found a good position, we rallied, and repulsed several desperate charges, in- flicting heavy losses, until tbe Eebels were glad to give up tbe game, and consequently retired. Colo- nel Drake (First Virginia) and Colonel Gregg were among the Kebel slain, while on our side tbe highest officer killed was Captain Fisher, of tbe Sixteenth Pennsylvania. The fighting was done principally on foot. AVbilc these things were transpiring, Ivilpatrick moved his division from Falling Waters to Boonsboro' hy way of Williamsport and Hagerstown. Sad evi- deiHtes of the recent battles and marches, in dead animals and general drhrlf*, were seen all along tbe way. Having reached our bivouac near Boonsboro', Three Y^eaf's in the Federal Cavalry. 299 onr men and horses came to their rations and rest with a wonderful relisli. During: the dav Ave have been readino- of the mnrderous riots made in Northern cities, especially in New York, where men in mobs have ostensibly leagued against the authority ot the Government. The bloody accounts are stirring the rank and tile of our aimy terribly. A feeling of intense indignation exists against traitorous demagogues, who are un- dou])tedly at the bottom of all this anarchy. De- tachments from many of the old regiments are now l)eing sent North to look after Northern traitors. Tliis depletion of our ranks we cannot well afford, for every available man is needed in the field. Many of our regiments are much reduced. The Harris Light now musters but one hundred men fit for duty, scarcely one tenth the number with which we entered upon the camj^aign. Our horses are also much used up. Hundreds of them have been killed and wound- ed in battle, and not a few have " played out," so that they are utterly unserviceable. The author of these records has worn out completely two horses since lie had a second horse shot under him in the cavalry fight near Upperville. Upon the sixteenth of July, just as that peculiar tint of sky and atmosphere which mark it to l)e al)ont fonr o'clock of a summer morning in the South, had begun to disturb the lighter sleepers in our camp, a command most welcome to tlie trooper, that of *' boots and saddles," rang out clearly on the air, and the response coming with mmsual alacrity, befoi-e day- light had fully dawned we were fairly on our way to 300 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Harper's Ferry. Eevisiting Rhorersville, and crossing Crampton's Gap upon the way, we struck tlie Potomac at Berlin, where the divisicm was subdivided, a por- ti(jn of it moving on Harper's Ferry to bivouac for the night, which it did amid the ruins of the de- stroyed Government Hospital. By this time pontoons had been laid at both Berlin and Harper's Ferry, and the important w^ork of crossing a large force was in progress of successful accomplishment. The pas- sage of a stream of any magnitude by a force of this size is always a matter of great difficulty, impeded as it must be, even under the most favorable circum- stances, by many obstacles, and occupj'ing a great deal of time ; yet, when the movement is one on the advance, its very boldness lends it attractiveness, and inspires the men with rene\ved confidence, and it is at such a time they most keenly feel, that, " To every man uiion tMs earth Death cometh soon or late — And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers And the Temples of his Gods ; And for the tender mother Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife who nurses His Vmby at her breast ? " AV^fh llio ('xc('iition of tlie l)ustlc and a(;tivity inci- dent lo Ibis traiisporfjitioii, everything is quiet, and the '' l)UHy note of preparation," liowever warlike may be lis purpose, assumes a pacific aspect now. We are receiving a new issue of clothing, too; and our ranks, Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 301 while losing somewhat of their veteraiily api:)ear- aiice, have certainly gained much in cleanliness and comfort by the change. The fact is, that many of lis, like the followers of Falstaff, began to look almost as " ragged as Lazarns," and without the chance the fat knight promised his men, of " finding new linen on every hedge." Their re-equipment, therefore, could not fail to be popular. This agreeable surprise was followed by another. The first sergeants were com- manded to make out the pay-rolls of the Harris Light, and, with the exce]:>tion of a report that Lee was fall- ing back on the liappahannock, nothing farther of note occurred until Sunday, the 19th inst. On the afternoon of that day, while gentle hearts in many a great city and quiet hamlet were sending up to the throne of the Great Creator prayers for the safety of the soldier and the success of the cause, our cavalry crossed the river at Sandy Hook and advanced into the interior of Virginia. Our progress at first was far from rapid, for scai'ce a breath of air was stirring, and the red glare of a Southern sun made the march M'eary and oppressive. We were therefore glad when the day came to an end, and it was ten o'clock on the following morning before we resumed our march and advanced to Leesburg, where man and horse enjoyed for a time both rations and rest, enabling the regi- ment towards the decline of the day to resume its journey and bivouac at night upon the grassy banks of a stream which, notwithstanding its homely name, Goose Creek, possessed many substantial attractions for the weary troopers and their tired steeds. Day- light brought with it renewed activity, for by this 302 Three Years hi the Federal Cavalry. time our entire cavalry force was being rapidly ad- vanced towards the Kappaliannock, and by way of Gum Spring and Centre ville we that day reached Manassas Jnnction. The marcli ■s\^as not altogether nn accompanied with some evidences of insnbordination, thongh the canse that called this dangerous sj)irit forth was one of a very trivial character. All along the line of march, blackberries were discovered to be growing in great abundance, and our " children of a larger growth " " went for them " (to use their own expression) with- out permission from their officers, and with true military vim. For this breach of discipline, General Gregg was compelled to dismount several of the men, and ordered them to trudge along on foot. To the civilian this punishment may seem disproportioned to the offence ; but in an army, in time of war, the slightest infraction of discipline may become a prece- dent, dangerous in the extreme. A command would soon be totally demoralized, unless the first tendency to unsoldierly conduct was not checked ; and though at times discipline may seem severe, yet, especially with a force recruited to meet the exigencies of a particular conflict, and made up of all ranks and races of people, it is absolutely ne- cessary. '' I am surprised," said Con(lor{;et to Lafayette, se(Miig him cuter a room in the uniform of a private (»r llu! Xiitioiial (Jiiiird, (if wliicli lie had so recently bc(!ii the cominniHlcr; '■'' i am sui"i)rised, General, to mn) _t/(jif, ill 1 hat dress." " Not at all," re[)Hcd Lafay- ette, " / VMS tired of oheijlng, and wished to com- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 303 mand. In the Gardes J^ationale, tlie men dii-ect and tlio oflicers obey." This spirit led the celebrated body referred to, to exerciser a right of individual judgment in tlie matter of obeying or disobeying their leaders, and it was not until it withered into blind obedience beneath the iron vv'ill of the Great Na- poleon, that victory once more perched upon the eagles of France. A similar dcmoi'alization in the Praatorian Guard brought about tlie decline of Rome, and so it must always be, for discipline makes an army — the want of it constitutes a mob. The advent of another day found us near Gaines- ville, and in crossing the old battle-field of Bull Hun we fell in with Scott's "nine hundred," among whom were several old acquaintances. A number of these were personal friends of my own, and from my na- tive State and county, St. Lawrence, New York, and of course these were warmly welcomed. The meet- ing was recognized by us all as a happy event, but, as it turned out, it was very near being the proximate cause of my capture by the enemy. Even in the midst of the endearments of home it is by no means an easy task to separate from those who have been the schoolmates and companions of our boyhood ; even then scenes and incidents of " the happy days of yore" come trooping up before the im- agination, peopling the dim arches of the memory with bright reminiscences of the past, until we hate to separate from the friendly magicians, the sight of wliom has evoked their presence. TIow doubly diffi- cult, then, does the parting seem, wdien the meeting takes place in one of those intervals of a soldier's life 804 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. wliicli show him the dull monotony of a camj) behind and tlie red glare of battle before him — intervals which ma}", for aught he knows, be, both for his friends and himself, but a bridge of moments at the end of which lie their open graves. In the present case it was indeed difficult, and for a time tlie Author lived again among the " soft humanities " of his boy- hood, to the utter exclusion of the sterner obligations and responsibilities of the hour. The position of my- self and friends was upon the flank of Scott's Regiment, so that until we reached Catlett Station I did not dis- cover the important fact that my command, debouch- ing from the main column at Manassas Junction, had gone on towards Gainesville, that being their destina- tion. I therefore found myself cut off from the regi- ment, and in anything but an enviable position, and the sudden realization of the unpleasantness of my position at once brought me to myself. How to ex- tricate myself, was the important question. To reach my regiment by the usual road via Manassas would compel me to ride twenty-five good miles ; but by de- scribing the arc of a circle, I could cross the country, economize considerable time, and save my already tired horse some weary miles of travel. I determin- ed, therefore, upon taking the latter course ; so making warm but hasty adieux to my com])anions, I turned my liorse's head towards, and rode as rapidly as pos- sible in the direction of, Gainesville. Over hill and dale, for about eight miles, my good horse carried me in right gallant style, and I was congratulating myself on the ]-apidity with which I was lessening the dis- tance I had U) travel in this, CJ. 1*. II. James' "soli- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 305 tarj horseman " sort of style, wlien I thought I per- ceived still further cause of self-gratulatiou in the ap- proach of what seemed, to all appearance, a detach- ment of Federal Cavalry. The reader may therefore judge of my chagrin, M'lien I found, as I did in a very few moments, such a preponderance of gray uni form in the advancing force, as to convince me tliat 1 was within rifle-range of a bodj^ of Mosby's Guerillas. Til is was falling out of the frying-pan into the fire, with a vengeance. The slightest effort to reverse my course would inevitably draw the enemy's fire, and to advance was ecpially sure to produce a similar result, but the lattter course at least held out one advantage ; namely, that if I did escape their bullets I would have at least a chance to push on to my regiment and reach it before being reported as absent. A single instant's reflection, therefore, convinced me that of the two in- evitable evils I nmst encounter, the latter was the least, and I determined at once to encounter it. Without, therefore, paying the slightest attention to the Confederate leader's mandate to "halt," I dug the spurs into my faithful horse, and dashed straight through that portion of the partisan band which seemed to my eye least compactly massed, exchang- ing shots with them in my passage, but not of course stopping to mark the result. A loud yell announced their disappointment, and half a dozen of the bush- wackers started after me in hot pursuit, amusing them- selves meanwhile by discharging as close to my per- son as the speed of the chase permitted the contents of a most heterogeneous assortment of carbines, shot- guns, and old-fashioned horse-pistols, 306 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. "With such odds against me, and concluding that in this case discretion was the better part of valor, I used mj spurs to the best possible advantage. At the ex- piration of probably ten minutes, however, I ascer- tained that one of my pursuers had considerably out- distanced his companions, and was rapidly gaining upon me. I therefore suddeidy wheeled round in my saddle, and ere he had recovered from his astonish- ment at the movement, gave him the contents of my revolver, thereby bringing him to the ground. Tlie others by this time - seemed either discouraged by the now evident superior speed of my horse, or else they thought the game not worth so long a chase, or pos- sibly they were afraid of not being able to rejoin their main body ; at all events they gathered round the body of their fallen comrade, and followed me no further, so that after all my mishaps I was lucky enough to quietly drop into my proper position in my regiment, and nothing being said about my absence, was soon jogging along with my companions in arms, in the or- dinary routine way. When in camp or on the march even trivial circum- stances are welcomed as breaking the monotony of the days, but the twenty-third of the month brought tons that most welcome of all events, the arrival of a jai'ge mail, Avhich contained letters for nearly all. In the Imrry and rush of an active campaign like that I which we had just passed through in Pennsylvania and Mai'ylaiid, postal regularity is almost impossible of attaimnent, and even the most vigorous and well- directed efforts of the Government to secure it fail, 80 that army mails are greatly delayed, sometimes Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 307 even for weeks together. The result is that, when the post does arrive, it is hailed ^^"ith a de- light that is almost frantic. The post-boys are cheered as soon as seen, in wending their way from camp to camp, and in the present instance the ple- thoric condition of the bnrdens they bore made the Imrrahs londer and longer, until the very welkin rang again. "Who shall write the romance of an army mail ? How the magic pen of him who but the other day, as now it seems, "^vas laid away to sleep with the other mighty dead in the Abbey Chnrch of Westminster, conld have quickened such a theme ! What an ara- besque of wonders he could have spun, and yet not o'erdrawn the simple truth a single jot ! Why, the very faces of the men, as each receives his special parcel, are instinct with suggestion. Here a veteran, upon whose bronzed features the " shadowed livery of the burning sun " glows lurid as a picture of Mu- rillo's — telling the story of many a M^eary march and murderous battle — trembles like a puny girl at the sight of a letter, the black border of M'liich is Ijut a foresliadowing of the blacker news witliin ; there a stripling draws himself up with the pride of all the Csesars, to hide the blush that mantles his cheek when his gaze falls upon a tiny missive, bearing his name in tracery so fine tliat only a woman's hand could have inscribed it there ; while within a stone's throw of these another hurtles curses forth, at some Avritteu news of wrong or shame, and still others laugh or cry, or move silently away to sorrow or rejoice accord- iuir to their several messaires and natures. 808 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Upon the morning following mail-day, that is to say, on the 24th of July, in the year of grace a.d. 1863, heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of White Plains, and this lasted thronghont the day. In explanation of the fact, we snbsequently learned that General Meade, being misled by the erroneous reports of certain of his scouts, expected to bring on a general engagement with the enemy at Manassas Gap, at wliich place General Buford found the Eebels apparently in force. The commander-in-chief there- fore directed the army to be massed upon that point. The Third Corps, under General French, which had occupied Ashby's Gap, was sent forward to support Buford, and the whole of the First Division, com- manded by General Ilobart AVard, pushed through the Gap, driving the enemy before it, a movement which was attended by about equal loss to both parties. In this advance the celebrated Excelsior Brigade, under the leadership of General F.B. Spinola, added new brilHancy to its already splendid record, by making three heroic cliarges up the frowning steeps wliere the Rebels were strongly posted. In these charges General Spinola was twice wounded, but seemed to lose siglit of his personal injuries iu tlie joy inspired by his successful achievement. The next day, the 25th, the army puslied forward as far as Front Royal, bnt found no enemy. They then, for the first tiine, discovered that they had been en- gaging on!)' a portion of Lee's rearguard, and not, as they liad imagined, liis main body, and that, having ac- complished the object of that astute general, their late Oi)ponents had slipped away in the trail of their main Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 309 army southward. lu consequence of this erroneous movement, General Meade's army lost full two days in time, and when we again reached the banks of the Rappahannock, we once more found our wily foe, facing us in a threatening attitude npon the opposite shore. The hour of noon brought orders to the Harris Light to proceed upon a recognizance to Thorough- fare Gaj), so off we dashed, reaching our objective point in good time, and without accident to man or beast. From the heights beyond the Gaj^, creeping along like a hugh serpent, in the direction of War- renton, we saw the wagon train of the Eleventh Army Corps, that being a portion of the force which had moved on Manassas Gap in expectation of a bat- tle. After this we saw nothing more that is worthy of record, and ere the j)assage of another day the whole body of Cavalry (the second squadron of our regiment under Captain O. J. Downing having joined ns at Gainesville), went into hivoiiao at Warrenton. The first duty to which we were assigned was to re- lieve the First Virginia Calvary, which had been pre- viously detailed to picket Catlett's Station. An in- spection of horses followed in the morning, resulting in the condemnation of a large number, as being utterly unserviceable, and these veterans were started off towards Washington to be rej)laced by bet- ter ones. Such changes are of frequent occun-ence, for raids and forced marches tell terribly upon the poor quadru^jeds, and, to be effective, troopers need thoroughly efficient mounts. The twenty-seventh of July, were I a Greek, shoidd 810 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. be marked with a white stone, for upon that daj I was honored by being placed in command of a com- pany. Owing to the great loss in officers sustained by the army in our late campaigns, that day found many of the companies of our regiment without com- missioned officers, and their places had to be filled from the enlisted men. The company to whi(;h I was assigned had not felt the direct influence of shoulder-straps for over three months. Upon the afternoon 1 assumed command, a detachment was sent out upon a foraging expedition with instructions to patrol near Bristersburg. Our duties for the most part, since the battle of Gettysburg, have been of a similar nature ; picketing, scouting and recruiting, filling up the measure of our diurnal operations. This kind of work is very wearing, on account of its sameness, but it is not for a soldier to choose his duties but to perform them. On the 29 th, the entire brigade to which my regi- ment was attached was moved to within three miles of Warrenton, and then countermarched to the old camp, and upon the l-ast day of the month it advanced quite up to Warrenton, at which point General Meade for that day established his headquarters, but the next moved them still further to Rappahaimock Station. 13y this time, the Dog Star, which, in the month of July, begins to rage in the Southern States, was carry- ing that i-age to an almost intolerable height, and several of our men had been sun-struck, so that when we left Warrenton we moved very slowly, hivouack- iiirj at night not far from New Baltimore. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 311 The next clay the Harris Light had more picket duty to perform, but at this place found it neither difHcult nor dangerous ; and so we pursued the " even tenor of our way " until the third of this, the last of the summer months, a day that found the Harris Light at Thoroughfare Gap, encamped in an orchard like l>arl)ara Freitche's, with " apple and peach-tree fruited deep," and the long lines of our infantry stretched out in full view away down the Ilappa- liannock to Fredericksburg, now held by the Federal troops. As far as the eye could reach, our cavalry pick- ets, too, were to be seen, and vast as seemed the expanse of country they had to guard, their great numbers made the duty comparatively light. My own regi- ment, of course, had to take its turn in the patrol, :!t times being placed along the Manassas Gap II . 1- road, and again, moving from the camp to the picket reserve. In this way the hours wem alowly but sure- ly by, to " join the unrecorded syllables of time before the Flood," until Sunday, the third instant, upon which day Major E. F. Cook, a deservedly popular officer, who had for some time been absent from the regi- ment, returned and took command. No officer in the regiment had a greater number of warm personal friends than he, and his return was the occasion of general rejoicing. This quiet Sabbath having passed away, and Mon- day having come, we struck tents, and separating into several detachments, moved upon White Plains and Middleburg from different directions. These points had been occupied for some time prior to this by Mosby's Guerillas, but they studiously kept them- 312 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. selves beyond the reacli of our carbines, and we failed to bring them to an engagement. It is true tliat now and then tliey attacked our pickets, and some lively skirmishing was the result, but they did not seem disposed to come to close quarters with our main body. The thirteenth brought me another change of position, the Adjutant having detailed me to act as Sergeant-Major in place of Sergeant Temple, assigned to the command of a company. This was the result, again, of the scarcity of commissioned officers with the regiment. A few of the absent were out on detached service, while many others during the lull of army operations had asked and obtained leave of absence, and were visiting their friends in the North. As far as military movements were concerned at that time, we experienced a dead calm, and might have easily imagined ourselves a huge pic-nic party, rusticating for the benefit of our several healths, had not the pleasing delusion been rendered impossible by the fact that marauding bands every now and then attacked our outposts, occasionally disturbed our lines of communication, and even at times severed temporarily the links which connected us with our bases of supply. Up to the fourteenth, not an event occurred out of the usual course of camp and picket duty ; but on that day we had a modest sort of sensation 'in flic fact that a dctaclimentof the regiment command- ed by Captain Gi-iggs, taking advantage of an oppor- tunity with wliicli fortune favored him, made a gal- lant dash uj)on a portion of Mosby's band, capturing Three Tears in the Federal Cavalry. 313 thereby three men and twenty-seven horses. Most of the latter bore the familiar brand, U. S., and the saddles were evidently of Northern make, facts which indicated that in their seizure we were simply tak- ing our own again. The day following this skirmish, at ten o'clock, A.M., the regiment moved from Thoroughfare Gap, and taking New Baltimore and Greenwich in the way, reached ITartwood Church at eight o'clock that night. At "Warrenton Junction a considerable halt was made, for the purpose of drawing rations and forage, and while we were there, Henry E. Davies, newly promoted to the coloncey of the regiment, joined us, and took command. His promotion and his arrival among us were subjects of equal satisfac- tion to both officers and men. There was not a man in the regiment who did not appreciate his worth and admire his daring, and his warmest friends were those who had the good sense to value courage and recognize the advantages of thorough discipline in fitting men for the art of war. Our camp at Hart- wood Church was in the immediate vicinity of Gen- eral Kilpatrick's headquarters, audit so remained all that day, and the next, and the latter proving an eventful day to me, for it brought me an order made by our new colonel, appointing me second lieutenant. This promotion was not less gratifying to my feelings than was my first upward step in the i-anks, for, after being promoted to the position of corporal, it became my ardent ambition to be deemed worthy of a place in front of the line ; and now, having passed through 314 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. the various grades of non-commission, I conld not but feel gratified that my elevation was due to no extrinsic influence, but had been fairly earned by earnest effort while serving in the old Troy company in which I first enlisted as a private. Before I had time to grow warm in my new lieutenancy, I Avas assigned to the command of Company "M," the captain and first lieutenant of which were both absent upon detached service. Late in the evening I received orders to report, with my company, at an early hour next day, to Captain Meade, Division Quartermaster. At five o'clock on the morning of the eighteenth we made our bow to the captain, who despatched us as an es- cort or guard to a train from Ilartwood to Warrenton Junction. During the march we made an exciting clash upon a band of guerillas who were in ambush for us, expecting to make some cajDtures. Eut they were disa|)pointed, for we were not only prepared to resist them, but would have captured them but for the su- perior fieetness of their horses. After accomplishing the work we were sent out to do, and resting one night, ^ve returned to the regiment. August 22. — This is my natal day. I find myself twenty-two years of age. I am not surrounded on this anniversary, as in former years, by the friends of my childhood. But memoiies of the past couie trooping up in such vi\id lines, as to make the day one of deep interest. August 28. — My company, which forms a part of Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 315 Captain MitclielFs battalion, is doing picket-duty at present with the battalion on the Rappahannock be- tween Banks and United States Fords. W.^ com- pany is at the captain's headquarters, and acts as grand guard. Sunday^ August 30. — To-day I accompanied the division and brigade officers of the day in their visit to and inspection of the pickets along the Rappahan- nock. Our ride was very pleasant. Captain Barker, of the Fifth New York Cavalry, dined with Captain Mitchell and myself. He is a lively companion; was in the hands of Mosby last S[)ring ; and has a fund of amnsing and interesting incidents of army-life with which to enliven his conversation. On the last day of August, Captain Mitchell was ordered to report to the regiment at Hart wood Church, with his reserves. The pickets are to remain on the river until attacked by tlie enemy or recalled by orders from division headquarters. CAVALRY GUNBOAT EXPEDITION. September 4. — To break the monotony of picket- ing and to subserve tlie cause of freedom, a most novel scheme was lately undertaken, known as Kil- patrick's Gunboat Expedition. The object was to destroy a portion of the Rebel navy anchored in the Rappahannock, near Port Conway, opposite Port Royal. This peculiar kind of warfare, which re- quired genius and dash, was waged by the troopers with complete success, and they returned to their bivouac fires to enliven the weary hours with stories of their Iods: march down the river, and their de* 316 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. structive charge upon tlie gunboats of the enemy. The expedition set out about two o'clock on the morn« ing of September first. Doctor Lucius P. Woods, Surgeon-in-Chief of the First Brigade, Third Division, gives the following interesting description of the above raid in ai, letter to Mrs. Woods : "I returned yesterday after a three days' expedi- tion after gunboats ! We all lano-hed at the order eending cavalry after such craft, but I am happy to say that the object of the expedition was acconiplished. AVe left camp at two o'clock a. m., marched all day and all the following night, till three o'clock next morning, when we made a furious charge upon Kebel infantry. They ran so fast as to disarrange the general's plan of attack. The morning was so dark that we could not eee oriC rod in advance. " We captured twelve or fifteen prisoners, and Gen- eral KDpatrick gave orders in their hearing to have the whole command fall back, stating that the gun- boats would be alarmed and the expedition be a failui'o. The general took particular pains to allow half the prisoners to escape and to get across the Rappahan- nock. After falling back two miles, w^e were counter- marched toward the liver, near which we were formed in line of battle. We sat there on our horses waitingr for daylight. Then the flying artillery of ten guns, supported by the old Fifth New York and First Michigan, dashed at a full run down to the river-bank, wheeled into position, and gave the Rebels a small car- go of hissing cast-iron, which waked them up more effectually than their ordinary morning-call. They Three Years in the Federal Can;alry. 317 soon came to their senses, and for half an hour sent over to lis what I should think to be, hy the noise they made, tea-kettles, cooking-stoves, hirge cast-iron hats, etc. But our smaller and more active guns soon silenced theirs, and drove the gunners away, when we turned our attention to the boring of holes in their boats with conical pieces of iron, vulgarly called solid shot. I am sure I can recommend them as tirst-class augers, for they sank the boats in time for all hands to sit down to breakfast at half-past nine o'clock. The repast consisted of muddy water, rusty salt-pork, and half a hard cracker, termed by us " an-iron clad break- fast." We were absent from camp three days, and had only nine hours' sleep." Further interesting particulars were given in a New York daily, as follows : " Tlie expedition under General Kilpatrick, sent out a few days since to recapture, in conjunction with the navy, the gunboats Satellite and Keliance, which recently fell into the hands of the Rebels, was, so far as the cavalry is concerned, successful. " On Tuesday evening General Kilpatrick arrived on this side the river, at Port Conway, and brilliantly dashed upon the enemy's pickets under Colonel Low. The Rebels did not even make a show of resistance, but rushed into a number of flat-boats in the wildest confusion, and landed safely on the opposite bank. If they had made a show of light, they would have most likely been captm*ed. " After the escape of the enemy. General Kil- patrick waited two hours for the cooperation of the navy, which is understood to have been agreed upon. 318 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. The vessels did not arrive, and General Kilpatrick ordered a battery to open lire upon the gunboats Re- liance and Satellite. This was done at the distance of six hundred and fifty yards. The enemy imme- diately abandoned the gunboats — very fortunately for themselves, for only a few moments elapsed be- fore the Satellite w^as in a sinking condition, and the Eeliance rendered useless. Both boats were com- pletely riddled by shot and shell. The force under Kilpatrick consisted of cavalry and two batteries of artillery. The Satellite is sunk, and the Reliance so completely disabled as to be beyond hope of being repaired by the Rebels." On our return from Port Conway we passed, through Falmoutli, where we halted a short time. It was pleasant to survey the scenes of former labors and conflicts. Much alarm appears to have been created among the Rebels by our gunboat disturb- ance. A large force of Rebel cavalry can be dis- tinctly seen approaching Fredericksburg on the Tele- graph Road, and more or less commotion prevails across the river. From Falmouth we marched di- rectly to Ilartwood Church. On arriving here. Cap- tain Mitcliell's battalion w^as ordered back to its old position on picket, to relieve the infantry which took our places before the expedition to Port Conway. Septerriber 5. — We continue on picket near United States Ford. This morning the regiment was mus- tered in for pay by Major Mclrvin, M-ho is tempora- rily in command, Colonel Davies having been placed in command of a brigade. At ten o'clock a. m. I received my commission of Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 319 Becond lieutenant. It was brought from the head- quarters of the regiment by tlie bugler of Company " II." It dates from the cavalry fight at Aldie, which occurred on the seventeenth of June. On this line of j^ickets we have continued un- interruptedly for a week. On the seventh, CoIougI Davies, wdth his assistant adjutant-general, visited our post. It was very gratifying to Captain Mitchell and myself to receive the colonel's compliments for promptness and vigilance in our work, especially as he has the reputation of never bestowing praise where it is not deserved. I rode down to Lieutenant Temple's picket-reserve, at Richard's Ferry, on the eighth. I found the lieu- tenant in excellent humor, but decidedly opposed to picketing as a permanent occupation. We were, however, consoled with the hope of relief ere long. In the afternoon the brigade officer of the day called at the bivouac of the " grand guard," and expressed himself as being highly pleased with the disposition and management of the pickets. The enemy's pickets confront ours at all the fords of the river, and appear in heavy force. For some time past we have understood that Gen- eral Lee's headquarters are at Orange Court House, while his infantry occupies the south banks and blufl's of the Rapidan. Stuart occupies Culpepper Court House, and pickets and patrols the territory between the Rapidan and the Ra2)pahannock, a region shaped much like an old-fashioned harrow. September 13. — An advance of the Union army was ordered yesterday by its Chief, in which the S20 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, cavalry was to take a prominent part. Orders were issued accordingly last evening, and every needed preparation made for onr work. At an early hour this morning the entire cavalry corps was on the march. In order that the enemy might not be pre- maturely warned of our design, the several com- mands were ordered to make as little noise as possi- ble. Consequently the bugle-calls were dispensed with, and cominanders made use of their voices, and in some instances the orders were conveyed from rank to rank in a whisper. The three great divi- sions of the corps were to cross the river as follows : Gregg's, at Sulphur Springs ; Buford's, at Rappa- hannock Bridge ; and Kilpatrick's, at Kelly's Ford. BRANDT STATION NO. 3. At six o'clock the Harris Light plunged into the river at Kelly's Ford, leading the advance. A strong detachment of Stuart's cavalry, consisting of pickets and reserves, 0])posed our crossing with dogged per- tinacity, but finally, yielding to our superior num- bers and to the deadly accuracy of our carbines, gave way. lie then advanced in the direction of Brandy Station. The farther we advanced the stronger grew the cver-accumuiating force of the enemy, who dis- puted every inch of ground with great stubbornness. On arriving near the Station we found the enemy in strong force, with artillery posted on the surrounding hills. We saw clearly that a third cavalry fight waa destined to be fouglit on this historic field, and we began to make ])reparation8 for the onset. It waa my fortune to lead the advance company in tlip ftrst Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 321 charge. Three men and four horses were killed and wounded in this company by the first discharge of the enemy's artillery, whose fire was terribly accu rate. But we had not been fighting long before the other divisions joined us. At their approach great enthusiasm among our boys jDrcvailed. Before our combined force the enemy was swept from those plains like chaff before the whirlwind. They fled in the direction of Cnlpepper, a naturally strong and now fortified position, where we knew we must soon encounter the Bebel chivalry en masse upon their chosen field. FIGHT AT CULPEPPER COURT HOUSE. From Brandy Station General Pleasonton di- rected Kilpatrick to make a detour via Stevensburg, in order to operate as a flanking column upon the enemy at the proper time. With the First and Sec- ond divisions Pleasonton pushed straight on to Cul- pepper, driving the enemy before him without much resistance until within about a mile of the town. Here our advance was eff'ectually checked. A fear- ful duel now took place with varying fortunes. For some time the enemy baffled all oiir efforts to dis.odge him from his strong position, and our men began to look wishfully for the flankers, when lo ! Kilpatrick's flasis were seen advancing- from the direction of Ste- vensburg, and his artillery was soon thundering in the enemy's flank and rear. Under this unexpected and w'e'l-directed fire, that portion of the enemy which had kept our main column at bay fell back in 13* 322 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. confusion into tlie town ; and, before they had time to re-forni their broken lines, the Harris Light, Fifth Kew York, First Vermont, and First Michigan, led by General Custer, dashed upon the " Johnnies " in tlie streets, throwing the boast of the chivalry into a perfect rout. Many prisoners were captured, more or less material of war, and thi-ee Blakely guns. The liebels retreated hastily in the direction of Pony Mountain and Rapidan Bridge, whither they were closely pursued by our victorious squadrons. The day following this brilliant advance Pleasonton oc- cupied all the fords of the Papidau^ extending his pickets on our right as far forward as the Pobertson and Hazel Rivers. The way having been thus prepared by his heroic a/vant-couriers^ General Meade advanced the Army of the Potomac across the Rappahannock, and took his temporary residence in Culpepper. On the iifteenth, Kilpatrick's division advanced from Culpepper to Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan. Colonel Davies' brigade supported a battery of artil- lery a short distance from the ford from one till four p. M. The shelling from the enemy's batteries was terrific. Their position was admirable on the high blufl' south of the ford, and the range was just right for execution. Their artillery was of a heavy cali- bre, and supported by infantry. They were finely ecreened by earthworks, while our forces were almost entirely exposed, and ])rotccted only here and there by a little knoll. In the unequal duel which took place, two of our guns were dismounted and dis- abled, while several artillerymen and horses were Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 323 killed. It was not at all practicable for us to at* tempt a crossing. Before night we retired from the ford, and the ilivisions took up their headquarters, Gregg's, at Rau- pahannock Bridge ; Buford's, at Stevensburg ; and Kilpatrick's, on the extreme right, at James Citj. September 16. — To-day we are picketing the fords of the Robertson Bi'ver, a branch of the Rapidan. At five o'clock p. m. tlie Fifth New York pickets were attacked and driven to within a few rods of their re- serve ; but being reenlbrced by ourselves, who were ordered to relieve them, the enemy was compelled to retire liastily, and we reoccupied the line which was taken up by the Fifth in the morning. At ten o'clock in the night I received orders to take four men and communicate with Major Mclrvin at Newman's Ford, two miles above our post on the Robertson. This was by no means an easy task, as the wilderness country was almost wholly unknown to ns, and the Rebel pickets in tliis quarter had not been sounded. Through the darkness, however, I advanced with my men as cautiously as possible, and yet at several points along our line of march we drew the fire of the Rebel pickets. At length we espied a force of cavalry approaching us, which proved to be a detachment under Major Mclrvin on their way to the ford. We challenged one another simultaneously, each supposing the other to be an enemy. The major was on the point of ordering his command to fire upon me, when I recognized his voice and quickly gave him my name. The discov- ery was timely, and mutually enjoyable. 324 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Septerriber 17. — The enemy advanced his picket lines this morning across the river, pushed ours back with considerable precipitancy, when a general skir- misli occurred along the lines for a distance of about two miles. Captain Hasty was chief in command of our skirmishers. I assisted him, riding my sorrel i>ony, the only horse on the skirmish line, as all the men fought dismounted. At nine o'clock Colonel Davies arrived with his brigade and took command. The Rebels were not able to withstand our accumu- lated power, and rapidly retreated across the river, enabling us to reestablish our lines where they were before the onset. Picket-firing is very common. "Give and take" is the game we play, and sometimes the blows are as severe as they are unexpected. The cavalry is almost constantly on duty, scouting, patrolling, and very often fighting. Thus we are kept ever in motion. The only relief for our excessive labors is our good living. Seldom are soldiers permitted to live in a country of which it may be said as emphatically as of this, that it " flows with milk and honey." The numerous flocks of sheep and herds of cattle in the neighborhood are made to contribute the basis of our rations, while the ])oultry-yards, larders, and orchards are made to yield the delicacies of the season. The (country abounds with sorghum, apple-butter, milk, lioncy, sweet potatoes, peaches, apj^les, etc. ; so that kings are not much better fed than are the cavaliers of til is command. Sej)ternber 19. — The weather is becoming cold and wet. Yesterday this brigade retired from the Hob- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 325 ertson to the vJcinitj of Stevensburg, where we biv- ouacked in the pine woods. Henry E. Davies, Jr., formerly Colonel of the Harris Light, and for some time past in command of the First brigade of Kilpatrick's division, was con- gratnlated to-day by his friends upon his promotion to brigadier-general. I^o promotion was ever, more fitly made, and the " star " never graced a more per- fect o;entleman or more o-allant soldier. The c;eneral o o o feeling in the command is, long may he live in the service of his country and for the honor of her flag. Sunday, Septemher 20. — This morning very ap- propriate and solemn funeral services were held, con- ducted by Chaplain Edward P. Koe, in honor of the officers and soldiers of the Harris Light, wdio were killed in our recent advance to, and skirmishes along, the Kapidan and Kobertson Rivers. IMPORTANT RECOXNOISSANCE AND RAID. On the morning of the twenty-iirst, at day -break, an important movement was commenced by Generals Kilpatrick and Buford, while General Gregg remained on the picket lines. The object of the advance was mainly to reconnoitre the position and strength of the enemy, and at the same time to do all the mischief we could. We made a forced march directly upon JMadison Court House, meeting but little opposition. The tired troopers rested themselves and their animals at night, preparatory to another early advance. September 22. — We were early in the saddle, with our steps turned southward in the direction of Orange Court House. The two divisions advanced upon dif- 326 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. ferent but nearly parallel roads. We liad not pro- ceeded far before messengers from General Buford in- formed us that, by a rapid movement across the coun- try between the two roads, Kilpatrick might intercept a brigade of the enemy's cavaby, which Buford was engaging and pursuing. The Harris Light had the advance of the division, and we soon came in contact with the retreating Rebel force in a dense oak forest, through which we were compelled to approach the pike by a wood road, which was so narrow as to ne- cessitate our moving in columns of twos. Upon gaining the main road we found the entire force of the enemy advancing with skirmisliers deployed, and A battery of light artillery in position, which instan- taneously opened upon us with grape and canister. The situation of our regiment was extremely critical and embarrassing. EXGAGEMENT AT LIBERTY MILLS. Generals Kilpatrick and Davies were at the head of the column, and by them we were ordered and en- couraged to pi'esent a bold front and make a desperate resistance, in order to give tlie division time to file out of the forest and to get into a fighting position along the road. At this juncture I was in command of the first company of the first squadron, and conse- quently was ordered to cross the pike, and to check the advance of the enemy in that quarter, while the balance of the regiment was to hold the pike and a small oi)ening to the left. We had barely time to deploy as Kkirniishcrs, when the llebel commander, Bceing that his only hope of escape from the trap we Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 327 were laying for him lay in a quick and decisive charge, came down upon us like an avalanche, crush- ing through the force that was on the road, and sweeping a clean path for his escape. The resistance of the regiment, however, was so desperate that the killed and wounded from both sides strewed the hotlj- contestcd ground in every direction. Not more than twenty minutes elapsed from the time we first saw the enemy before the contest was decided ; and yet, in this brief period of time, the Harris Light lost sev- eral of its most gallant officers and many of its brav- est men. Our loss was principally in wounded and prisoners, while that of the enemy was in killed and wounded. By this sudden and unexpected charge of the enemy upon the force on the pike, m^'self and com- pany were completely cut off from our main column. Tor one whole hour we were entirely enclosed within the lines of the Rebel cavalry. It is true that they had about all they could do to take care of them- selves, and yet they might have bagged and gobbled our small force. But by swift and careful movements we succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the liehels, and finally made our exit from their lines nnhurt, and with much valuable information wdiich we had obtained. As soon as possible I reported to General Kilpatrick, who was much surprised at seeing me, •having come to the conclusion that myself and men were already on our way to " Richmond ! " The forces of Stuart were ultimately routed and fell back from Liberty Ford, near which the fight oc- curred, upon their infantry reserves at Gordonsville. 328 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. My escape from the toils of the enemy was re* gaidcd as almost miraculous. General Davies sent an aid to me with his compliments, inviting me to his headquarters, where he expressed his surprise at my safe return, and comj^limented me for the dexterity, M'isdom, and success of my movements. The day following this engagement and adven- ture our forces returned to the vicinity of Culpepper, where we spent a few days in comparative rest — rest which we all needed and greatly enjoyed. September 25. — I received an order this afternoon from Major Mclrvin, commanding the regiment, di- recting me to take command of Company " H," which is without a commander. On the twenty-sixth the paymaster made his ap- pearance among us, much to the satisiaction of the counnand. Owing to the continuous movements of the Cavalry Corps, and its generally exposed condi tion, no opportunity has been afforded the Govern- ment to pay us for the last six months. Yery little money was in the I'cgiment, even officers as well as men being pretty well reduced. The paymaster's "stamps'' were more than usually acceptable. September 28. — Four companies, namely, B, F, H, and M, commanded by Captain G]-inton, were ordered on picket to-day along the Hazel liiver. One ])alf of this force occupies the picket line, the other half i)atrols the country. The captain connnands the post, and I have the special charge of the pickets. AVe do not want, at present, for fresh meat and vege- tables. We live almost entirely I'rom the country, and we live well. Our bill of fare is varied and rich Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 329 Foraii'e for our horses is also abundant on all tlie neiirliborino; plantations. Picketino; under tlicsc cir- O O JL C? cuinstances is more like a picnic than any thing else which we can remember. October 8. — We are still in statu quo^ picketing on the Hazel River. However, yesterday Captain Mitch- ell relieved Captain Orinton in command of the post. The reserve companies fell in line to hear the orders of the War Department, concerning veteran volun- teers. They produced quite an excitement among us. The three years' enlistment of a large portion of the army is nearly expired, and the Government, in its anxiety to avail itself of the experience of the vet- eran troops to the end of the conflict, is now offering extra inducements, in the way of furloughs and boun- ties, to secure the reenlistment of these men to the end of the war. The orders propounded to us meet with universal favor, and the cry runs like wild-fire from rank to rank, " let us go in, boys ! " This will be an element of great power. A citizen-youth, of manly bearing, who professes loyalty to our cause, came to our pickets to-day, and from thence to headquarters, bringing informa- tion of a Rebel plan to surprise our picket lines to-night. We will give them a warm reception if they undertake the execution of their scheme. A regiment of infantry, and one squadron of cavalr}'- arrived before dai'k, and are in readiness for the niglit's entertainment. The pickets are doubly strong, and are under special orders to be vigilant, October 9. — The enemy did not venture an attack last night, but doubtless contented themselves v ith 330 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. tLe maxim that "discretion is tlie better part of valor." Possibly they were informed of our prepa- ration for them. Spies and informants are numerous and active on both sides. Lieutenant Houston and privates Donahue and Pugh were captured this morning while scouting just beyond the pickets. Much activity is manifested on our front. Indeed, it is quite generally understood among us that General Lee is taking the initiatory Bteps of a flank movement upon us. Our scouts so report, and the suspicious movements of the pickets and forces before us corroborate the information. Three Yca/rs m the Federal Ca/oalry. 333 CHAPTEE XV. CAPTUKE OF THE AUTHOR. 1863.- Fight at James City.— Music of Kelreat.— Fourth Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station. — Critical Situation. — Kilpatrick Undaunted. — Davics and Custer.— The Grand Charge. — The Escape. — The Scene. — Subsequent Charges and Counter-charges. — The Cavalry Eouted. — The Kappahannock Kecrossed in Safety.— Infantry Eeconnoissance to Brandy Station. — Comical Affair at Bealeton Station. — Thrilling Adventure of Stuart. — His Escape. — Battle of Bristoe. — Casualties. — Retreat Continued.— Destruction of Railroad by the Rebels. — Kilp.it- rick at Buckland Mills. — Unpleasant Surroundings. — Sagacity and Daring. — The Author's Capture. — Fall, Insensibility, Change of Scene. — The End. — Introduced to Prison Life. Early in the morning of October tenth the enemy, m heavy force, came down upon our pickets along the Robertson River, driving us back in haste and occu- pying the fords. The flank movement of General Lee was fully understood. He had crossed the Rapi- dan, advanced to Madison Court House, and was lap- ping around our right wing, threatening it with de- struction. Quick work on our part was now neces- sary. Swift messengers from officers high in com- mand brought orders to retire with promptness, but in good order, if possible. Our boys, in many in- stances, were compelled to leave uneaten and even imtasted their palatable preparations for breakfast of roast la nb, sweet potatoes, fine wheat bread, milk 334 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. honey, etc., etc., to attend to the stern and always unpleasant duties of a retreat, with the enemy press- ing very closely upon lis. Sharp skirmishing took place at the river, and the successive crack of carbines afforded the music of our march to James City, where the conflict deepened into a battle, which raged with fury and slaughter. The enemy, conscious of having outgeneraled us in this instance, and having at least a temporary advantage, was bold and defiant. He was met, however, with corresponding vigor. Those contesting legions, which had so often measured sabres in the fearful charge and hand-to-hand encounter, again appealed to the God of battle, and wrestled with Herculean strength for the mastery. Night came on at length to hush the strife, and the weary men and horses sought repose from the bloody fray. October 11. — With the first pencilings of the morn- ing light we took up our line of march toward the Rappahannock. Skirmishing continued nearly every step of the way. On the Sperryville pike to Culpep- per we were closely pursued and heavily pressed. At Culpepper the corps separated. Gregg, who had come by way of Cedar Mountain, passed out on the road to Sulphur Springs. Buford moved in the direc- tion of Stcvcnsburg, leaving Kilpatrick alone on the main thoroughfare along the railroad line. Kilpatrick, accom]>anicd by Pleasonton, had scarce- ly left Cul])cpper, when Hampton's Legions made a furious attack upon his rearguard, with the hope of breaking through upon the main column to scatter it, or of so retarding its progress that a flanking column Three Years in the Fed&i\d Cavalry. 335 nn'glit fall upon him ere lie could reach tlie safe shore of the Ilaj)pahannock. Our infantry, which yester- day occupied this ground, had retired, leaving the cavalry to struggle out of the toils of the enemy as best it could. Gallantly repelling every attack of the enemy, our cuminand moved on, without expending mnch of its time and material, until opposite the residence of Hon. John Minor Botts, where a few regiments suddenly wheeled about, and, facing the pursuing foe, charged upon them with pistols and sabres, giving them a severe check and an unexpected repulse. On arriving at Brandy Station Kilpatrick found himself in a most critical situation, with an accumulation of formidable difficulties on every hand, which threatened his anni- hilation. Buford, who had been sharply pursued by Fitz- hugh Lee's division over the plains of Stevensburg, had retired more rapidly than Kilpatrick, and, un- aware of his comrade's danger, had suffered Lee to plant his batteries on the high hills which commanded Kilpatrick's right, while the Rebel troopers, in three heavy lines of battle, held the only route by which Kilpatrick could retreat. Lee's sharpshooters also occupied the woods in the immediate vicinity of Kil- patrick's columns, where they were making them- selves a source of damage and great annoyance. To increase the danger of the situation, Stuart, by hard marching, had swung around to Kilpatrick's left, and had taken possession of a range of hills, planted bat- teries, and was preparing to charge down upon the surrounded division below. 836 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Tliis was a situation to try the stoutest hearts. Nothing daunted, however, by this terrific array of the enemy, Kil23atrick displayed that decision and daring which have ever characterized him as a great cavalry leader, and he proved himself worthy of the brave men who compose his command. His prepara- tion for the grand charge was soon completed. Form- ing his division into three lines of battle, he assigned the right to Davies, the left to Custer, and, placing himself with Pleasonton in the centre, he advanced with unwavering determination to the contest. Hav- ing approached to within a few yards of the ene- my's lines on his front, he ordered his band to strike up a national air, to whose spirit-stirring strains was joined the blast of scores of bugles ringing forth the charge. With his usual daring Davies was foremost in the fray, leading his command for the fourth time on this memorable field. To his men he had addressed these sthring words : " Soldiers of the First Brigade ! I know you have not forgotten the example of your brave comrades, who, in past engagements here, were not afraid to die in defence of the ' old flag.' " Custer, the daring, terrible demon that he is in battle, ])ulled off his cap and handed it to his orderly, then dashed madly forward in the charge, while his yellow locks floated like pennants on the breeze. Pcnnincton and Elder handled their batteries with great agility and success, at times opening huge gaps in the serried lines of the enemy. Fired to an almost divine potency, and with a majestic madness, this band of heroic troopers shook Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 337 the air with their battle-cry, and dashed forward to meet the hitherto exultant foe. Ambulances, forges, and cannon, with pack-horses and mules, non-combat- ants and others, all joined to swell the mighty tide. Brave hearts grew braver, and faltering ones waxed warmer and stronger, until pride of country had touched this raging sea of thought and emotion, kin- dling an unconquerable principle, which emphatically affirmed every man a hero unto death. So swiftly swept forward this tide of animated power, that the Rebel lines broke in wild dismay before the uplifted and firmly-grasped sabres of these unflinching vet- erans, who, feeling that life and country were at stake, risked them both upon the fearful issue. Kilpatrick thus escaped disaster, defeated his pur- suers, captured several pieces of the enemy's artillery, and presented to the beholders one of the grandest scenes ever witnessed in the New "World. " By Heaven ! it was a splendid sight to see, For cue who had no friend or brother there." No one who looked upon that wonderful panorama can ever forget it. On the great field were riderless horses and dying men ; clouds of dust from solid shot and bursting shell occasionally obscured the sky ; broken caissons and upturned ambulances obstructed the way, while long lines of cavalry were pressing forward in the charge, with their drawn sabres, glis- tening in the bright sunlight. Far beyond the scene of tumult were the quiet, dark green forests M'hich skirt the banks of the Rappahannock. The poet llavard, in his " Scauderberg," has well described the scene : 338 Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry, "Hark ! the death-denoxincing trumpet souuds The latal charge, aud shouts proclaim the ouset. Destruction rushes dreadful to the field And bathes itselt it: blood : havoc let loose, Now undistinguish'd, rages all around ; "While Euin, seated on her dreary throne, Sees the plain strewed with subjects, truly hers, Breathless and cold." Tlie Rebel cavalry, tindoubtedlj ashamed of their own conduct and defeat, reorganized their broken ranks, and again advanced upon Kilpatrick and Bu ford, whose divisions had united to repel the attack For at least two long hours of slaughter these oppos- ing squadrons dashed upon one another over these historic fields. Charges and counter-cliaro;es followed in quick succession, and at times the " gray " and the " blue " were so confusedly commingled together, that it w^as difficult to conjecture how they could regain their appropriate places. Quite a number of prison- ers were made on both sides. It was a scene of wild commotion and blood. This carnival continued until late at night, when the exhausted and beaten foe sank back upon safer grounds to rest, while our victorious braves, crowned with undying Jaurels, gathered up their wounded and dead companions, and, unmolest- ed, recrossed the Rappahannock. October 12. — To-day a portion of our infantry was thrown across the Rappahannock. They advanced by a forced march to reconnoitre as far as Brandy Station, where they met the enemy in force and en- gaged him in a sharp contest. They returned, how- ever, without serious loss. Oui* main army is retreat- ing toward "Washington. On the evening of the thirteenth, while bivouack- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 330 ing near Bealeton Station, a serio-comical scene di- verted for a time the attention of our officers and men. By a strange accident an ammunition wagon took fii'e, which caused the rapid explosion of its con- tents. Shells flew and burst in every direction, and the apparent musketry was terrible. The conse- quence was a wide-spread alarm, which brought every trooper to his horse ready to engage the foe, who was supposed to have made a furious onset. Great merri- ment and relished refet followed tbe discovery of the cause of disturbance, especially as no one was serious- ly hurt. Since our last reconnoissance to Brandy Station, Stuart has been very active, following our rear very closely, and committing all the depredations possible. In his hands have fallen many .stragglers, who, it is true, were of very little use to us, but who would count as well as true men in the Rebel lists of ex- changes of prisoners. Some of Stuart's performances were exceedingly hazardous, as the following well- described narrative from a well-known pen will clear- ly show : " Stuart, with two thousand of his cavalry, presided our rear so eagerly that, when near Catlett's Station, he had inadvertently got ahead, by a flank movement of our Second Corps, General Warren acting as rear- guard, and was hemmed in, where his whole com- mand must have been destroyed or captured had lie not succeeded in hiding it in a thicket of old field- ])ines, close by the road whereon our men marched by : the rear of the corps encamping close beside the enemy, utterly unsuspicious of thcij- neighborhood, 14 340 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. though every word uttered in onr lines, as they passed, was distinctly heard by the lurking foe. StU' art at first resolved to abandon his guns and attempt to escape with moderate loss, but linally picked three of his men, gave tlieni muskets, made them up so as to look as much as possible like our soldiers, and thus drop silently into our ranks as they passed, march awhile, then slip out on the other side of the column, and make all haste to General Lee, at Warrenton, in quest of help. During the night two of our officers, who ste]>ped into th6 thicket, were quietly captured. " At daylight the crack of skirmishers' muskets in the distance gave token that Lee had received and re- sponded to the prayer for help, when Stuart promptly opened with grape and canister on the rear of our astounded column, which had bivouacked just in his front, throwing it into such confusion that he easily dashed by and rejoined his chief, having iniiicted some loss and suffered little or none." BATTLE OF BRISTOE. The above manoeuvre was. a great and unexpected or unsought risk, which, however, did not prove dis- astrous to the authors, but which might not again be ventui-ed with similar results. A perfoi'mance resem- bling it somewhat was enacted by the Rebels, but witli very different issue. Early in the morning of the fourteenth A. P. Hill's corps left AVai-renton, with orders to strike our rear at Bristoe Station. They moved u]) the Alexandria Turnpike to Broad llun Church, Avhore they deflected on the road to Greenwich, and soon after stru«k oni- trull just behind Three Years in the Federal Ctcvalry. 341 the Third Corps, and eagerly pursued it. They were busy picking up stragglers and making some prepara- tion for an attack upon our unsuspecting corps, when about noon General Warren's Second Corps, which was still behind, and bringing up the rear, made its appearance on the tapis, and materially changed the programme of the scene. Hill, finding himself nice- ly sandwiched or trapped by his own indiscretion, turned away from the retreating Third Corps, to fight, and, if possible, drive back the advancing Sec- ond. Warren's surprise in finding an enemy in force before him was not less than Hill's in finding one be- hind liim ; but it took Warren only about ten minutes to adjust himself to this unexpected position of aflairs, when his batteries opened with such precision and eflfect, aided by the musketry of his infantry, that the Kebels fell back in much greater haste than they had advanced, leaving six of their guns in our hands and multitudes of dead, wounded, and prisoners. Five of the captured guns, still serviceable, were at once seized and used against the disappointed foe with tell- ing power. One historian says, " Our loss in killed and wounded was about two hundred, including Colo- nel James E. Mallon, Forty-second New York, killed, and General Tile, of Pennsylvania, wounded ; that of the enemy was probably four hundred (besides prisoners), including Generals Posey (mortally). Kirk- land, and Cooke, wounded, and Colonels Ruflin, First North Carolina, and Thompson, Fifth North Carolina Cavalry, killed." This Bristoe fiasco was a stunning blow to the Rebel pursuit, and greatly checked their incursions. 342 Three Years m the Federal Cavalry. Bat our soldiers held the field so lately won only nutil dark, and " tlien followed the rest of the army, whos€ retreat they had so effectually covered." General Meade continued his retreat to Centre- ville, and then, seemingly ashamed — as well he might be — of his flight, would have retraced his steps and pushed back the insolent foe, but he was prevented from executing his plans by a heavy rain-storm, which began on the sixteenth. While he was awaiting the arrival of pontoons to enable him to recross Bull Run, which was enormously swollen, the enemy, after some daring skirmishes along his front, and some feints of attack, retreated quite rapidly, completelj' destroy- ing the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from Manas- sas Junction to the Rajipahannock. A more thor- ough work of destruction was never witnessed. Scarcely a tie even remained. The ties were gen- erally heaped together, and set on fire, and the rails were laid upon the heaps cross-wise. As the middle of the rails became heated, the ends lopped down, forming a graceful bow. They were thiis effectually ruined. In many instances the rails thus heated were twisted aronnd the trees. The road and the telegraph lines and posts were utterly demolished. For a few days the Hariis Light was bivouack- ing near Sudley Church, and the cavalry was pick- eting, scouting, and patrolling on either side of Bull Run ; and, on one occasion, while endeavoring to ford the swollen stream, several men and horses were drowned. Octoher 18. — To-day Kilpatrick advanced with hia divibioiJ, whioli consists of Custer's and Duvies' bri- Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 343 gades, to within a half-mile of Gainesville, where we bivouacked for the night. A to'ritic rain-storm raged nearly all night, making our condition very uucom- fortable, and rendering the going impracticable, ex- cept upon the turnpikes. At this time of the year thsse night-storms in Virginia are very cold, and the sufierings of men mostly unsheltered, as w^e were, are beyond description. On such a night one will natu- rally recall such passages as the following, from By- ron's " Childe Harold : " " The sky is changed, and such a change ! oh, night, And storm, and darkness, ye are wondrous strong, Yet lovely in your strength, as is tlie light Of a dark eye in woman 1 far along From peak to peak, the rattling crags among. Leaps tlie live thunder ! not from one lone cloud, But every mountain now hath found a tongue, And Jura answers through her misty sliroud. Back to the joyous Alps, who call to her aloud ! And this is in the night : most glorious night 1 Thou wet not sent for alumber I let me be A sharer in thy fierce and far delight, — A portion of the tempest and of thee ! " It is true that the poet, looking out upon the storm and listening to its mutterings from his comfortable studio, may call such a night " glorious," and may find in it depths of inspiration and delight ; but to us poor soldiers it seemed more appropriate to take up Shakespeare's lines : " The tyranny of th' open night's too rough For nature to endure," while every one felt to say, " The gathering clouds, like meeting armies, Come on apace." — Lee's " Mithridaies." 15 344: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. All niglit long our pickets along Cedar Run were confronted bj Stuart's pickets, though no disposition to light us was manifest in the morning. Dripping with wet and somewhat stiffened with cold, we were ordered in battl» array early in the morning, and the command, about two thousand strong, advanced tow- ard Buckland Mills. The Rebel pickets were quickly withdrawn, and their whole force slowly and without resistance retired before us. With some degree of hesitation, yet unconscious of immin.ent danger, we advanced on the main turnpike toward Warrenton. Our advance-brigade had just j^assed New Baltimore, when Fitz-Hugh Lee, who had surprised and cut his way through a small detachment of our infantry at Thoroughfare Gap, then had swiftly swung around our right by an unpicketcd road, fell upon our rearguard at Buckland Mills, and opened upon our unsuspecting column with a battery of flying artillery. At this signal Stuart, who had hitherto retired before us qui- etly, now turned about and advanced upon us in front with terrible determination. Thus unexj>ected trou- bles were multi})lying around us. Scarcely had we time to recover our senses from the first shock of at- tack upon our rear and front, when General Gordon, with a third division of cavalry, until now concealed behind a low range of hills and woods on our left, appeared upon the scene, and advanced upon our flank with a furious attack, which threatened to sever our two small brigades and to annihilate the entire command. We were now conq^lctely snri'ounded by a force which greatly oiitmiinbered our own. This was a critical situation ; but " Kil " (as the Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 345 general is familiarly styled among lis) seemed to coro? prehend it in a moment. All tlionght and effort now centralized into a plan of escape from the snares which the enemy had laid for us, and into which we had too easily thrown ourselves. Kilpatrick is supposed by some to have unnecessarily exposed himself, in which he suffered his first defeat, though escaping with a remark al)ly small loss. Quickly ordering his force to wheel about, he led them back in a determined charge upon Lee's columns and artillery, now planted on the banks along Cedar Run. This timely order, executed with masterly skill, saved his command from utter disaster, and justi- fied his course. As it was, however, he lost nearly three hundred men,'including quite a number who were drowned in the creek while endeavoring to escape. The scene was one of great confusion and distress. THE AUTHOR'S CAPTURE. By the sudden evolution of the command, when the order was first executed, the Harris Light, which was in front, while advancing, was thrown in the rear, and was thus compelled to meet the desperate charges of the enemy in pursuit, and to defend itself as best it could from fire on the flank. Having reached a slight elevation of ground in the road, we made a stand, and for sometime checked the advancing columns of the Rebels by pouring into their ranks rapid and deadly volleys from our carbines and revol- vers. Stuart, who commanded in person, saw clearly that the quickest and almost only way to dislodge us was by charging upon us, and, consequently ordering the 846 TlircG Years in the Federal Cavalry. charge, he came with a whole brigade amid deafening yells. Our men stood iirmly, almost like rocks before the surging sea. We were soon engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand conflict with the advancing columns. In Byron's " Corsair " we find a description of the Boene : " Within a narrow ring compressed, beset, Hopeless, not heartless, strive and struggle yet, — Ah ! now they fight in firmest file no more, Hemmed in — cut off— cleft down — and trampled o'er, But each strikes singly, silently, and home, And sinks outwearied rather than o'ercome, His last faint quittance rendering with his breath, Till the blade glimmers in the grasp of death." At this important juncture my faithful horse was shot under me, and we both fell to the ground. Meanwhile our little party, outnumbered ten to one, was hurled back by the overpowering shock of the Rebels, who rode directly over me. Injured somewhat by the falling of my horse, and nearly killed by the charging squadrons, which one after an- other trod upon me, I lay in the mud for some time quite insensible. How long I lay there I cannot tell ; but when I returned to consciousness the scene had changed. I was in the hands of a Kebel guard, who w^ere carrying me hastily from the hard-fought field. My arms had been taken from me, and my pockets rifled of all their valuables, including my watch. I was unceremoniously borne to the vicinity of an old building, where I met a number of my comrades, wdio with m(i had sliai'cd the misfortunes of the day. And thus ended thi-ee ycai-s and more of camping and cam* puiguing with the Harris Light. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 347 What I saw and endured, thought and experi- enced, during a little more than a year among the Rebels, in several of their loathsome prisons, may be found recorded in a volume I published in 1865, en- titled " The Capture, Prison- Pen, and Escape." FISI8