if* 
 
*m 
 
The First New York 
 (Lincoln) Cavalry 
 
 From April 19, 1861 
 to July 7, 1865 : : : : 
 
 BY 
 
 William H. Beach, A. M. 
 
 First Lieutenant and Adjutant 
 
 Aid-de-Camp to Commander-in-Chief G. A. R. 95 
 Teacher of History and Civics, High School, Milwaukee 
 
 Published by 
 
 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 1902 
 

 
 Copyright, 1902 
 
 by 
 William H. Beach 
 
 Burdick & Allen 
 Printers 
 Milwaukee, Wis. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THE writing of the records of the first, and for a time 
 the only, volunteer cavalry authorized to be raised, 
 was undertaken at the request of the association of the sur 
 vivors of the regiment, expressed in a formal resolution. 
 The work has been done in intervals of leisure in an almost 
 constant occupation. 
 
 The material has been taken from the diary of the 
 writer, regularly kept during the entire four years; from 
 letters written home, and from diaries and communications 
 of comrades. For the details of related events all avail 
 able authorities have been freely consulted. 
 
 It is an attempt to do justice, no more and no less, to 
 worthy men and boys who promptly responded to the Presi 
 dent s first call for volunteers, or who rather anticipated a 
 call for volunteer cavalry. 
 
 It has not been the purpose to make a conventional or 
 pretentious book. The purpose has been to represent as 
 nearly as possible the men and conditions of the regiment as 
 they actually were, and to narrate events as they actually 
 took place. The career of the regiment was not an unbroken 
 succession of brilliant charges. Nor were the officers and 
 enlisted men all knights "without fear and without 
 reproach." But they did good service to the country, and 
 the record of what they did, though imperfectly made up, 
 deserves to be preserved. 
 
 The minor incidents may not be of historical import 
 ance. Some of them are given as showing the characters 
 of the men, and the nature of their experiences. 
 
 Acknowledgments are due to many comrades for their 
 assistance and encouragement, and especially to C. T. Will 
 iamson of Company F, and his daughter, Miss Kate B. 
 Williamson, for a vast amount of work in copying and 
 compiling. 
 
 There are undoubtedly many mistakes and important 
 omissions. A few blank pages are inserted at the end of 
 the book, on which comrades can correct mistakes and make 
 additional entries. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 The Beginning of the War, ... I 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 The Call for Cavalry, 9 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Mustered in, 19 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Elm Park and Bellevue Garden, 29 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Company C at the Front The First Fight, - - 34 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Off for Washington, ... 38 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 In and Around Washington, 44 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 Camp Kearney, ...... 64 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 The First Advance, - 84 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 The Peninsula, 98 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 Before Richmond, n 8 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Beaver Dam to Malvern Hill, 129 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 Harrison s Landing, 153 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Fredericksburg, 162 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 In Maryland, 167 
 
vi CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Among the Mountains, 177 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 North Mountain Station, 198 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 Winchester, 205 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 Berryville, 215 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 The Gettysburg Campaign : Fighting with the Advance 
 
 of Lee s Army, . 231 
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 The Gettysburg Campaign : The Wagon Train and 
 
 Captain Boyd, 246 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 Gettysburg: West of Lee s Army, 254 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 Gettysburg: East of Lee s Army, 267 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 Shepherdstown Ford : Martinsburg, 272 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 Charlestown, 286 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 The Fifteen Days Scout, 295 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 Charlestown Various Scouts, 303 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 On Veteran Furlough, 312 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 Advancing with Sigel, 3 1 ? 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 New Market Gap, 322 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 Charles R. Peterson s Prison Diary, ... 331 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 New Market, 343 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 Up the Valley: Piedmont, 353 
 
CONTENTS. vii 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 Lynchburg, 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 The Retreat Across the Mountains, . . . . 377 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 East of the Blue Ridge, ........ 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 The Lower Valley, ......... 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 The Pursuit of McCausland, ....... 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 The Lower Valley ......... 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 Winchester, .......... 
 
 CHAPTER XLI. 
 Fisher s Hill to Front Royal, ....... 40 j 
 
 CHAPTER XLII. 
 The Front Royal Road, ........ 4^7 
 
 CHAPTER XLIII. 
 Winter Camp Retrospects and Prospects, .... 456 
 
 CHAPTER XLIV. 
 To Grant s Army, ....... .. ,7^ 
 
 CHAPTER XLV. 
 The Last Raid up the Valley, ...... 479 
 
 CHAPTER XLVI. 
 The Fall of Richmond ......... 484 
 
 CHAPTER XLVIL 
 Appomattox: The Death of Lincoln, .... 494 
 
 CHAPTER XLVIII. 
 Annandale, ........ . . . 
 
 CHAPTER XLIX. 
 Mustered out, . . ....... 524 
 
LINCOLN IN FEBRUARY, i860, AT THE TIME OF THE COOPER INSTITUTE 
 
 SPEECH. 
 
 From photograph by Brady. The debate with Douglas in 1858 had given Lincoln a 
 national reputation, and the following year he received many invitations to lecture. One 
 came from a young men s Republican club in New York. Lincoln consented, and in Feb 
 ruary, 1860 (about three months before his nomination for the presidency), delivered what is 
 known, from the hall in which it was delivered, as the "Cooper Institute speech." While in 
 New York he was taken by the committee of entertainment to Brady s gallery, and sat for 
 the portrait reproduced above. It was a frequent remark with Lincoln that this portrait and 
 the Cooper Institute speech made him President. 
 
The Lincoln Cavalry. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR. 
 
 SEVERAL thousand militia, well-drilled and impa 
 tient to fight, had been brought together at Charles 
 ton. South Carolina, claiming to have seceded from 
 the Union, demanded the possession of Fort Sumter. Major 
 Anderson with a garrison of eighty-four men represented 
 the authority of the national government. Virginia had 
 not seceded. A large part of the people of that state were 
 loyal. A leader of the secession movement had said, 
 "We must sprinkle blood in the faces of the people." 
 
 For thirty-four hours had the little garrison in Fort 
 Sumter been subjected to a terrific bombardment. From 
 nineteen batteries more than three thousand shells and solid 
 shot had been hurled at the fort. The afternoon of Sun 
 day, April 14, according to terms that had been granted 
 him, Major Anderson taking with him his arms and his 
 flag which he saluted with fifty guns, evacuated the fort, 
 and embarking on the relief squadron, sailed for the North. 
 The inevitable crisis had come. 
 
 The morning of Monday, April 15, President Lin 
 coln issued his proclamation calling for seventy-five thou 
 sand militia, and appealing to all loyal citizens "to aid this 
 
2 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the. exist 
 ence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular 
 government; and to redress wrongs already long enough 
 endured." 
 
 The heartiness of the response was proof that the ex 
 amples and traditions of the fathers of the Republic had 
 not been forgotten. In every city, village and hamlet of 
 the North, young men, elderly men and boys came for 
 ward and enrolled themselves in military organizations. 
 
 The militia were quickly on their way toward the cap 
 ital. But sympathizers with secession in Maryland cut the 
 telegraph wires and obstructed the railroads. For a few 
 days Washington was cut off from all communication with 
 the North. The city was full of secessionists, but the loyal 
 residents, visitors, and applicants for office waiting for their 
 appointments, were vigilant. From among these were or 
 ganized the Clay Battalion, by Cassius M. Clay, and the 
 Frontier Guards by Senator Lane, of Indiana. These 
 were armed for the defence of the public buildings in case 
 of emergency. General Charles P. Stone quietly but effi 
 ciently had been organizing some militia companies. 
 
 The anxiety of Mr. Lincoln must have been intense, 
 but his self-possession was remarkable. Once, after some 
 busy hours with his private secretaries, he rose from his 
 desk and walked slowly to the window, saying to himself, 
 unconscious that anyone heard him, "Why don t they 
 come? Why don t they come?" But soon came the 
 Washington Artillery from Reading, Pa., and other com 
 panies from that state. Then came the Sixth Massachu 
 setts, and the news of the loyal uprising all over the North. 
 The immense meetings in the great cities were character 
 ized by the greatest enthusiasm and the most intense earn 
 estness. 
 
 As one of a thousand similar instances we mention the 
 
THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR. 3 
 
 City of Auburn, N. Y., the home of Senator Wm. H. 
 Seward. 
 
 Mr. Seward had been Mr. Lincoln s most formidable 
 competitor for the presidential nomination. While the 
 Chicago convention was balloting for its candidate the 
 population of Auburn was in the? streets. On the first 
 ballot Mr. Seward was in the lead with Mr. Lincoln second. 
 On the second ballot each had gained at the expense of the 
 other candidates, and the telegraph announced that Mr. 
 Seward would be nominated on the next ballot. All the 
 people of Auburn held Mr. Seward in high honor, and now 
 they were waiting in the highest pitch of excitement, with 
 cannon and cartridges in readiness to fire a "presidential 
 salute" of one hundred guns. In various places in the city 
 they had collected material for immense bonfires for a 
 night celebration. With eager expectation they waited to 
 hear the result of the third ballot. Soon the clicking of the 
 telegraph announced that the ballot had been taken and the 
 nominee was, Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois. Without a 
 cheer they sullenly wheeled their cannon back to the armory. 
 That afternoon was like a Sunday in Auburn. No busi 
 ness was done. In their grievous disappointment men did 
 not feel like talking. The darkness of the night was not 
 relieved by any bonfires. Mr. Seward in the afternoon of 
 the day of the nomination invited a number of his friends 
 to his house, and after a light lunch spoke freely of his and 
 their disappointment, but expressed his belief that in the 
 condition of the country and in the probability of a conflict 
 .over the slavery question, the nomination of Mr. Lincoln 
 was probably the best that could have been made. He pro 
 posed to do all he could to insure Mr. Lincoln s election 
 and to support him if elected, and he urged his friends to 
 do the same. In the campaign that followed Mr. Seward 
 made some of his ablest speeches. The evening before the 
 
4 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 election he made his final and greatest speech to his own 
 neighbors, whose enthusiasm attested their devotion to the 
 statesman and patriot who could forget his own disappoint 
 ment in his zeal to serve the best interests of his country. 
 And now, in April, 1861, these neighbors of Mr. 
 Seward answered the call of the President with the utmost 
 promptness. The Sunday following the issue of the proc 
 lamation was a memorable one. The professors in the 
 Theological Seminary assisted the pastors of the churches 
 in the services of the day. Some of them venerable, with 
 hoary heads, descended from New England ancestry, 
 seemed young again in the fervor of their loyalty. The 
 appeals of these ministers thrilled the hearts of the listeners. 
 One of them, recognizing the duty of fighting now as well 
 as in the times of David, the warrior king, prayed fervently 
 for the Lieutenant General of the United States. "Thou 
 hast given him victory in times past ; grant him victory now 
 in the cause of the Union." In the Catholic church the 
 priest had an enrollment paper already prepared. He ap 
 pealed to the men of his congregation to sign their names 
 before leaving the church. He reminded them of the op 
 pression they had endured in their native land, and of the 
 freedom they had enjoyed in this home of their adoption, 
 telling them they were not worthy of their privileges under 
 this free government unless they were willing to fight in 
 maintaining it. As he pronounced the benediction, stalwart 
 men, enough to form a company, stepped forward to the 
 altar and were enrolled. In the Protestant Episcopal 
 church the first lesson in the morning service was from Joel 
 III., 9, 10, "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Pre 
 pare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war 
 draw near; let them come up. Beat your plowshares into 
 swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak 
 say, I am strong." This passage from the Prophet occur- 
 
THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR. 5 
 
 ring in the lesson of the day was regarded as a significant 
 coincidence, pointing to the duty of the hour. 
 
 Public meetings were held at which liberal contribu 
 tions were made for the equipment of the volunteers and 
 for the support of families that might be left in need. Dur 
 ing the period of uncertainty there had been varying opin 
 ions and much discussion. 
 
 A young lawyer in Auburn, a man of some ability, 
 but no principle, had noisily declaimed against any attempt 
 on the part of the government to restrain by force the seced 
 ing states. But when he saw the unanimity of feeling in 
 the opposite direction he took advantage of a subsequent 
 meeting to have himself called for, and entirely ignoring 
 his previous utterances, harangued the people in a painful 
 effort to make himself one of them. 
 
 In Wisconsin was an honest and well-to-do business 
 man, whose sympathies had not been anti-slavery, but were 
 with the South. He had been in favor of the enforcement 
 of the fugitive slave law. Some fugitive slaves were in 
 town, cared for and concealed by friends. Their master 
 was also in town hunting for them. A friend of the slaves 
 went frankly to this sympathiser with the South, telling 
 him that there w r ere runaway slaves in town and their 
 master was there looking for them. "We want to get them 
 away; can you help us any?" Without a word he took out 
 his pocketbook and handed out a ten dollar bill. 
 
 He was shrewd in business, but was not learned in the 
 technical language of the professions. He had heard the 
 peace men of his party argue against "coercion." In a 
 warm discussion upon the President s call for men, he still 
 stoutly contended that we should not resort to "coercion." 
 He was asked, "Mr. B, what zvould you do with the seced 
 ing states?" "What would I do? I d whip them back in 
 to the Union !" 
 
6 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 There were great differences in opinion as to the nature 
 and duration of the struggle that was to come. Some 
 thought that a show of authority on the part of the govern 
 ment would effect the disbanding of the forces that had 
 been raised in the South and that the whole affair would 
 be over in ninety, perhaps in thirty days. President Lin 
 coln made no predictions publicly. But to a young friend 
 he said privately, "We shall beat them, my boy, we shall 
 beat them." 
 
 Most men in his position would have called congress to 
 meet in extra session at once. He named the time nearly 
 three months in the future. This would give time for the 
 people to form definite opinions. He never lost his faith in 
 the people, if only the time were given for frothy fermenta 
 tion to work itself off and public opinion to crystallize about 
 the axial principles involved. 
 
 A brief retrospect will help one to understand the situa 
 tion and the character of the marvelous man who was to 
 guide the affairs of the nation. 
 
 The presidential campaign of 1860 was conducted with 
 more than ordinary earnestness. The lines had been 
 clearly drawn. There were to be no more tem 
 porary compromises over the vexing question of slavery. 
 Compromises had served their purpose. Party leaders and 
 party followers were guided by settled convictions, and the 
 only remaining thing to do was to "meet at Philippi." 
 There were those who forsaw the coming crisis, and were 
 preparing to meet it. 
 
 Lincoln had made a brief and happy response to the 
 delegation from the Chicago convention that had come to 
 inform him of his nomination. He had published his letter 
 of acceptance pledging himself to support the principles of 
 the party that had chosen him as its standard bearer. Fur 
 ther than this he had made no public utterances. While at 
 
THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR. 7 
 
 all times accessible to his friends he remained quietly at his 
 home. Once indeed on the occasion of an immense out 
 door mass meeting at Springfield he was compelled to ap 
 pear before the assembled thousands. His presence ex 
 cited uncontrollable enthusiasm. Briefly expressing his 
 pleasure at seeing so many of his friends he endeavored 
 quietly to withdraw. But it was with the greatest diffi 
 culty, aided by strong friendly hands, that he escaped 
 through the cheering, surging multitudes. 
 
 One of the opposing candidates traversed the entire 
 country endeavoring to persuade the people to a policy 
 which he claimed was the only one that promised the peace 
 and safety of the Union. The other party leaders appeared 
 more or less in public, but Lincoln remained silent. His 
 opinions, carefully considered and candidly stated, had be 
 come the well understood principles of his supporters. 
 There were those who cherished serious apprehensions, but 
 with these there was a purpose to stand by what was be 
 lieved to be right. 
 
 The election over, Lincoln received the congratulations 
 of his friends, but refrained from saying anything of a pub 
 lic character. The government was to remain yet four 
 months in the hands of the outgoing administration. By 
 December 20, South Carolina, by the action of a conven 
 tion called for the purpose, seceded. Before the result of 
 the presidential election had been formally announced, other 
 southern states had followed the example of South Caro 
 lina. These acts of secession were boldly proclaimed and 
 approved by the southern representatives in congress. Dis 
 loyal members of the cabinet had planned for this move 
 ment. Government arms had been transferred to southern 
 states. Ships of the navy had been sent beyond the im 
 mediate call of the government. The President was per 
 plexed. He denied the right of secession, but could find in 
 
8 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the constitution no power to prevent it. There were dis 
 graceful scenes in congress. People began to wonder if Mr. 
 Lincoln fully comprehended the seriousness of the situa 
 tion. Fearful ones urged him to speak to give some as 
 surance that he would so act as to insure safety and peace. 
 Business interests were disturbed almost paralyzed, by 
 the uncertainty. Still he kept silent. His few words of 
 farewell to his friends and neighbors as he was leaving his 
 home for Washington, were telegraphed over the country 
 and convinced all that he understood the magnitude of the 
 work before him. Then followed the succession of remark 
 able speeches on his way to Washington. An anxious na 
 tion watched his every word and motion. The inaugura 
 tion came. There was no uncertainty of purpose in the 
 inaugural address. Though subjected to the severest or 
 deals he had thus far maintained his self-possession. He 
 asserted that the Union was intended to be perpetual. He 
 would not assail the South, but he would defend and main 
 tain the Union. In this he had no choice. His duty was 
 prescribed in the constitution. Insurgent forces were being 
 raised in the seceding states. There was impatience at the 
 delay of the government to act. But Lincoln bided his 
 time. The days for concessions and compromises were 
 past. 
 
GENERAL CARL SCHURZ. 
 
 COLONEL A. T. MCREYNOLDS. 
 
 LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK VON SCHICKFUSS. MAJOR 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 THE CALL FOR CAVALRY. 
 
 THE President s call for 75,000 men was issued April 
 1 5th. The next morning the New York Tribune 
 contained the following: 
 
 WANTED : A Captain of Cavalry. 
 
 The Cavalry department of the Northern army is, without a 
 doubt, the one most lacking in efficiency. To supply this flagrant need 
 is the desire of several gentlemen of this city, two of whom have in 
 their handsomest manner offered to supply horses and equipments for 
 the first fifty volunteers who shall be unable to mount and equip 
 themselves. All that is needed now to effect an organization is a com 
 petent leader, and to any one sufficiently well versed in tactics to com 
 mand such a troop, a superb horse, half brother of the celebrated 
 Patchen, and a full suit of regimentals will be guaranteed. Those 
 desirous of joining will please call upon G. W. Richardson, 21 Maiden 
 Lane. 
 
 So many responded to this call that it was decided to 
 publish a notice of a meeting to be held on the evening of the 
 1 9th, at 765 Broadway. At this meeting one hundred and 
 fifty were present. Mr. Richardson was chairman of this 
 meeting and Ezra H. Bailey secretary. Mr. Bailey was a 
 young man of much ability, quick to think and act, always 
 speaking to the point in few words, prepossessing in appear 
 ance and agreeable in manners, always self-possessed and 
 never losing heart. In the organization of the regiment 
 and through the war he was efficient and reliable. Rich- 
 
10 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ardson, Bailey and H. B. Todd were appointed a committee 
 to take general charge of the affairs of the organization. 
 Generous friends were found. Mr. De Forest, proprietor 
 of "Palace Garden", offered the free use of his hall. This 
 hall was made headquarters and recruiting was begun. Men 
 connected with wealthy and prominent families were active 
 in the movement. Men who had seen active service in the 
 armies of the United States or of Europe were anxious to 
 serve again. The success in recruiting was such that it was 
 deemed practicable to form four companies. Canvassing 
 for the offices became active. The American tendency to 
 push to the front manifested itself, and some disappointed 
 aspirants for office withdrew. 
 
 So far the movement had been without authority or 
 encouragement from the government at Washington. Ex 
 penses had been met by voluntary contributions. The offi 
 cers elected now took steps to secure acceptance. For this 
 purpose Bayard Clark, formerly a colonel in the U. S. Cav 
 alry, and later a member of Congress, went to Washington 
 in behalf of the organization, but met \vith no encourage 
 ment. Others were sent on the same mission with no better 
 success. The administration was new. Some of the de 
 partments under the late administration had been in con 
 fusion, if not quite paralyzed. The secretary of war was 
 not a military man, only a politician. It took time to bring 
 about a condition of order, and find the right man for each 
 kind of work. The President had many vexing questions 
 waiting for his decision. He had petitions for office in 
 numerable. He was obliged to assume responsibilities of 
 the gravest character. A prominent citizen who went to 
 see him on a special errand said that he seemed like a man 
 worn out with anxiety and want of rest, as one who had 
 watched day and night for weeks by the bedside of a sick 
 
THE CALL FOR CAVALRY. 11 
 
 friend. It is not to be wondered at that a matter of accept 
 ance of a voluntary military organization did not receive 
 special attention. While regiments of infantry wer being 
 raised all through the North, there were many young men, 
 farmers sons and others, who had been used to riding 
 horses and "breaking colts," who had a strong desire to 
 know something of the dash and excitement of the cavalry 
 service. And now many wrote, and some came from a dis 
 tance to make inquiries, and, if possible, to join one of these 
 cavalry companies. It was understood that only those 
 would be accepted who could furnish their own horses and 
 equipments. 
 
 In some places there had been mounted companies in 
 the uniformed militia, and efforts were made to organize 
 these for the volunteer service. The 75,000 men first called 
 for were from the militia of the several states, and these 
 were to serve for the period of three months. 
 
 This was the limit of the time for which the militia 
 of the states could be called into service of the General Gov 
 ernment. It was supposed by many that the designated 
 term of service indicated a belief on the part of the author 
 ities that the rebellion could be suppressed within that time. 
 In reply to those who asked for authority to raise cavalry 
 regiments, General Scott had expressed the hope that the 
 war would be over before a cavalry regiment could be equip 
 ped and properly drilled. Another objection was the great 
 expense of raising and supporting cavalry. Furthermore, 
 his plan for putting down the rebellion would not require 
 cavalry. 
 
 But the President, closely watching the course of events 
 and discerning clearly the spirit of the leaders of the seces 
 sion, soon called for additional forces of volunteers for three 
 years, or during the war, and of this force one regiment 
 was to be of cavalry. This regiment was to be made up 
 
12 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of volunteers from all the states, as shown by the following 
 
 circular : 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, 
 WASHINGTON, May i, 1861. 
 
 To the Governors of the several states, and all whom it may con 
 cern: I have authorized Colonel Carl Schurz to raise and organize 
 a volunteer regiment of cavalry. For the purpose of rendering it as 
 efficient as possible, he is instructed to enlist principally such men as 
 have served in the same arm before. The government will provide 
 the regiment with the arms, but cannot provide the horses and equip 
 ments. For these necessaries we rely upon the patriotism of the states 
 and the citizens, and for this purpose I take the liberty of requesting you 
 to afford Colonel Schurz your aid in the execution of this plan. 
 
 (Signed) SIMON CAMERON, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 In connection with this circular it is interesting to note 
 that during the war there were called into active service 
 about three hundred regiments of cavalry, and nearly three 
 thousand regiments of infantry. 
 
 Colonel Schurz for a man of thirty-two years had had 
 an eventful life. In his own land he had been a student, a 
 journalist, and an officer in the army. For his participa 
 tion in the attempted revolution of 1848 he had been forced 
 to flee from his country, but secretly had returned and 
 effected the escape of an associate who had been kept in 
 prison. He had come to America and had become a citi 
 zen of Wisconsin, first at Watertown and then at Milwau 
 kee. He was an able lawyer. His innate love of liberty 
 had led him into the ranks of the Republican party, that 
 was making its determined fight against the extension of 
 slavery. He had been a delegate to the Chicago convention 
 of 1860, and had led the Wisconsin delegation in the sup 
 port of Lincoln. He Avas a brilliant speaker, and by one 
 of his speeches had aroused the greatest enthusiasm in the 
 convention. 
 
 He had now been authorized to raise the one cavalry 
 
THE CALL FOR CAVALRY. 13 
 
 regiment included in the call for volunteers for three years, 
 or during the war. On his way to New York to begin the 
 work of recruiting he stopped at Philadelphia. Here he 
 found parts of several light horse companies that were try 
 ing to organize. He invited them to become part of his 
 regiment, assuring them that it was the only regiment that 
 would be called for. William H. Boyd who held the posi 
 tion of lieutenant in one of these partly formed companies, 
 was the only officer who was disposed to accept this invita 
 tion. He was requested to raise a company, and this, 
 known as Company C, was the first company of volunteer 
 cavalry that w r as duly authorized to be raised. 
 
 There were many other attempts to raise companies, 
 but the leaders in these efforts could get no encouragement, 
 and the attempts were abandoned. Later these rejected 
 men found abundant opportunities of doing good service to 
 the country and credit to themselves, many of them rising to 
 high positions. In a little more than a year the calls for 
 men were such that local authorities in order to fill their 
 quotas offered the inducement of bounties. One of the 
 earliest instances was that of a man who enlisted under the 
 special inducement of "one hundred and fifty dollars and a 
 cow !" 
 
 In Jersey City lived Frederick Von Schickfuss who had 
 an honorable record as a cavalry officer in the German army. 
 He was a genial man, of commanding personal presence, 
 well educated, and thoroughly acquainted with cavalry tac 
 tics. The colonel gave him authority to enlist the Germans 
 and he soon had four companies partly formed. Many in 
 these companies were capable men who had seen service and 
 had been prominent in their own land. They were edu 
 cated, hearty, fond of music, liberty-loving, and anxious 
 for service. There were some from other countries than 
 Germany. One was said to be closely connected with the 
 
14? THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 royal family of Russia. For some misdemeanor he had 
 been obliged to leave his own country. Under an assumed 
 name he enlisted as a private in Company E. 
 
 The colonel invited those who were meeting around 
 their headquarters at Palace Garden, to unite their forces 
 with his. They held a meeting to discuss this proposition. 
 Many were at first opposed to this uniting with the Ger 
 mans. But there had been so much delay that several who 
 had been active in the first efforts had decided to accept 
 commissions in infantry or artillery. One of these was J. 
 Howard Kitchen who became colonel of the Sixth N. Y. 
 Artillery, and was mortally wounded at Cedar Creek. After 
 fully considering the matter it seemed to these men that this 
 would be the quickest way of getting into the service, and 
 the proposition of Col. Schurz was accepted. 
 
 And now everything was progressing favorably. But 
 at this time Mr. Schurz was appointed Minister to Spain. 
 While accepting this commission, he wished to see the or 
 ganization of the regiment completed, and placed under a 
 competent commander. A man of excellent reputation was 
 Captain Bayard, an instructor at West Point. Mr. Bailey 
 was sent to see him, but Captain Bayard could not then ac 
 cept the proffered colonelcy. But he recommended another 
 instructor at the Academy, Captain Owen. This officer 
 was willing to accept, provided he could be relieved from 
 duty in the regular army. Mr. Bailey was sent to Wash 
 ington to obtain from the authorities this release for Cap 
 tain Owen. Mr. Schurz gave a letter of introduction to 
 Montgomery Blair. Mr. Blair interested himself in the 
 matter and went with Mr. Bailey to see Secretary Cameron. 
 
 The secretary could do nothing without the approval 
 of General Scott, or the adjutant general of the army. The 
 latter officer was too busy to be seen. So was General 
 Scott. But after office hours Mr. Bailey called at the gen- 
 
THE CALL FOR CAVALRY. 15 
 
 eral s residence. An armed sentinel would have turned him 
 away, but the general having noticed him, directed that he 
 come in. The general did not favor the plan of allowing 
 officers of the regular army to leave their positions for the 
 purpose of commanding volunteers. He had little faith in 
 volunteer cavalry. He repeated his belief that the war 
 would probably be over before cavalry could be raised and 
 drilled into a condition for efficient service. Mr. Bailey 
 took his leave and, somewhat depressed, walked away. He 
 had no very definite idea what he should do next. It did 
 not occur to him at first to appeal to the President, but after 
 a while he found himself in the vicinity of the White House. 
 It was a reception day. Being one of the people, Mr. Bailey 
 felt that he had as good a right as any one to join the demo 
 cratic multitude that was passing into the mansion. The 
 genial manner of the President, so free from repelling form 
 ality, as he greeted each one of the hundreds that came, one 
 after another, to speak to him, encouraged Mr. Bailey to 
 mention the case of his regiment. 
 
 "What can I do for you, General ?" 
 
 "Not General yet, Mr. President, but if the war lasts 
 long enough I hope to be." 
 
 The President referred him to the secretary of war 
 and General Scott. Mr. Bailey said he had seen both and 
 neither would give him any encouragement. The Presi 
 dent assured him that, while he did not like to interfere in 
 matters that particularly belonged to the war department, 
 yet he would give orders for the acceptance of the regiment 
 as soon as it was ready. Mr. Bailey returned to New York 
 and renewed the hopes of the men anxious to get into the 
 service as soon as possible. They continued their search for 
 a colonel. A Mr. Merrill had been an officer in the army, 
 but he had offered his services and his offer had been de 
 clined. 
 
16 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Philip Kearney was the nephew of Gen. Stephen W. 
 Kearney who had distinguished himself at Queenstown 
 Heights, in 1812, had made his famous overland march to 
 the South Pass in 1845, na d been military governor of Cali 
 fornia, had been with Gen. Scott on his campaign of 1847, 
 and governor of Mexico upon its occupation by the U. S. 
 forces. Philip was a native of New York, was a graduate 
 of Columbia College, a student of law and an officer in the 
 First dragoons. In 1839 he was sent by the war depart 
 ment to study the French cavalry tactics. He volunteered 
 with the French in the campaign in Algiers, and by his fear 
 lessness in every fight that he could get into, he attracted 
 the notice of all the French army. He returned to this 
 country, and after various services was appointed on the 
 staff of Gen. Scott. He went with his uncle on the expedi 
 tion to the South Pass. He operated with the cavalry along 
 the Rio Grande. In the campaign of 1847 fro m Vera Cruz 
 to the Mexican capital he was captain of a company of cav 
 alry, one company of the squadron that formed the body 
 guard of Gen. Scott. After the battle of Churubusco, Aug. 
 20, at the head of his cavalry he charged the retreating 
 enemy along the causeway into the very gate of the City 
 of Mexico. In this affair he received a wound whereby he 
 lost his left arm. A month later Scott with his army en 
 tered the capital. Kearney was brevetted major. He after 
 ward went to California, and on around the world and to 
 New York. In 1859 he again went to France and volun 
 teered in the campaign in Italy. At Solferino, "holding 
 his reins in his teeth," with reckless daring he charged in 
 the forefront of the massed cavalry that broke the Austrian 
 centre. He received from France the Cross of the Legion 
 of Honor. 
 
 In 1 86 1, seeing the signs of war, he returned to the 
 United States and offered his services to the war depart- 
 
THE CALL FOR CAVALRY. 17 
 
 ment. His offers were declined. He sought service of the 
 state of New York. Here, too, his offers were declined. 
 The man of whom Gen. Scott had said, "He was the bravest 
 man I ever knew, and the most perfect soldier," was at 
 length suggested as the right man to succeed Col. Schurz 
 in the command of the first volunteer cavalry. But the 
 suggestion came just too late. The governor of New Jersey 
 had found a place for him, and he was soon in command of 
 a brigade made up of New Jersey regiments. Both this 
 brigade and the First cavalry were in Franklin s division. 
 The cavalry never lost sight of Gen. Kearney. Some of its 
 best work was done under his direction. Its first winter 
 camp was Camp Kearney, next to the grounds of Fairfax 
 Seminary on the east, and the general s headquarters were 
 on the hill to the south. He was a conspicuous figure on 
 his iron gray horse, with his armless sleeve, his severe fea 
 tures, and prominent gray moustache and beard covering 
 his chin. He was given to emphatic speech as well in com 
 mending a daring deed, as in expressing his impatience at 
 delay. At Williamsburg arid all through the Peninsula 
 campaign he was an inspiration to his men. In strong 
 language he denounced McClellan s order to retreat after 
 the victory of Malvern Hill. At Chantilly, Sept. i, while 
 placing his division in the evening he rode forward to the 
 enemy s line. He was ordered to surrender. Seeing his 
 mistake he wheeled his horse and riding back was shot. 
 His body was sent by flag of truce into his own lines. 
 
 So that soldierly legend is still on its journey 
 
 That story of Kearney, who knew not to yield. 
 Twas a day when with Jameson, fierce Berry, and Birney, 
 
 Against twenty thousand he rallied the field, 
 Where the red volleys poured, where the clamor rose highest, 
 
 Where the dead lay in clumps through the dwarf oak and pine, 
 Where the aim from the thickets was surest and nighest 
 
 No charge like Phil Kearney s along the whole line. 
 
18 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 When the battle went ill, and the bravest were solemn, 
 
 Near the dark Seven Pines where we still held our ground, 
 He rode down the length of the withering column, 
 
 And his heart at our war cry leapt up with a bound. 
 He snuffed, like his charger, the wind of our powder 
 
 His sword waved us on and we answered his sign ; 
 Loud our cheer as we rushed, but his laugh rang the louder ! 
 
 "There s the devil s own fun, boys, along whole line." 
 
 How he strode his gray steed ! How we saw his blade brighten 
 In the one hand still left, and the reins in his teeth. 
 
 He laughed like a boy when the holidays heighten, 
 But a soldiers glance shot from his visor beneath ! 
 
 Up came the reserves to the mellay infernal, 
 
 Asking where to go in through the clearing or pine? 
 
 "Oh, anywhere ! Forward ! Tis all the same, colonel ! 
 "You ll find lovely fighting along the whole line." 
 
 O, evil the black shroud of night at Chantilly, 
 
 That hid him from sight of his brave men and tried. 
 Foul, foul sped the bullet that clipped the white lily, 
 
 The flower of our knighthood, the whole army s pride. 
 Yet we dream that he still in that shadowy region 
 
 Where the dead form the ranks of the war drummer s sign, 
 Rides on as of old, down the length of his legion, 
 
 And the word still is "Forward ! along the whole line." 
 
 E. C. STEDMAN. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 MUSTERED IN. 
 
 TO the delegation that waited upon Philip Kearney to 
 offer him the command of the regiment he stated 
 that the governor of New Jersey had called for his aid in 
 organizing the troops of that state. He recommended 
 Andrew T. McReynolds whom he had known as a captain 
 of cavalry in the Mexican war, whose company with his 
 own had formed the body guard of Gen. Scott. He had 
 participated in the charge at the gate of the city of Mexico 
 and for his gallantry had been brevetted major. His 
 bridle arm had been partially disabled by a wound received 
 at that time. He was now residing at Grand Rapids, Mich., 
 practicing law. The regiment was in haste to have a 
 colonel. In response to an invitation by telegraph, Mr. 
 McReynolds came at once to New York. 
 
 He was an Irishman by birth, and was now fifty-five 
 years of age. In early life he had come to this country 
 where relatives of his family had become prominent. 
 Andrew Jackson was his mother s cousin. He had become 
 a citizen of Michigan. He had become interested in poli 
 tics, and had been a member of the legislature. In the 
 Mexican war President Polk had given him a commission 
 as captain of cavalry. 
 
 He was a little below the medium stature, and solidly 
 built, with a broad, smooth face, and hair reaching to his 
 
20 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 coat collar. His appearance formed quite a contrast to that 
 of Col. Schurz with his spare form and quick, nervous 
 speech and manner. He did not impress one as having the 
 soldierly promptness of Philip Kearney, but his record was 
 good. At a meeting of the officers and many of the men, 
 Carl Schurz presiding, the command of the regiment was 
 formally tendered to Mr. McReynolds. But this action 
 must be sanctioned by the war department at Washington. 
 Thither proceeded a delegation of officers taking with them 
 the official appointment of Col. Schurz, on which he had 
 written the following endorsement : 
 
 NEW YORK, June 5, 1861. 
 Maj. A. T. McReynolds. 
 
 DEAR SIR: Being ordered by the President to leave for my dip 
 lomatic position at Madrid, I am obliged to dissolve my connection 
 with the cavalry regiment within referred to. Having satisfied my 
 self that you are eminently fit to stand at the head of this organization, 
 and having obtained the consent of the officers within my reach, I take 
 the liberty of respectfully requesting you to take my place in this 
 matter. I would invite you to see the authorities at Washington for 
 the purpose of inducing them to ratify this transfer of authority. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 (Signed CARL SCHURZ. 
 
 Arriving at Washington the officers called upon the 
 President. He referred them to the secretary of war. The 
 secretary was disposed to retain the paper, saying that the 
 authority to raise this regiment was given to Col. Schurz 
 as a political favor rather than as an indication of the need 
 of any regiment of cavalry, and now that he had received 
 the appointment as minister to Spain, there was no need 
 of proceeding further in the raising of a regiment, or of 
 raising any cavalry whatever, as the war would be over in 
 ninety days. Seeing that the secretary was intending to 
 keep the paper, one of the officers, for the reason that he 
 had a personal interest in Carl Schurz s indorsement, asked 
 
MUSTERED IN. 21 
 
 for the document. With this they went again to see the 
 President. He was more accessible than the head of the 
 war department had been, who had not realized that the 
 country was entering into a struggle in arms, and was most 
 interested in looking after the interests of his political 
 friends in his own state. 
 
 The officers on their way to see the President found a 
 friend in the person of ex-Governor Newell, of New Jersey, 
 who went with them and interceded in their behalf. The 
 President listened to the statement of their affairs and then 
 endorsed the papers : 
 
 Hon. Secretary of War: 
 
 Please say to Col. A. T. McReynolds that when he will present 
 the cavalry regiment according to the within authority, they will be 
 received under him as they would have been under Col. Schurz. 
 
 (Signed) A. LINCOLN. 
 
 June 13. 
 
 With this the delegation returned to the secretary. As 
 they showed it to him he lost his temper, and commented 
 severely on the manner in which they had induced him to 
 return the paper when he had proposed to retain it, and had 
 secured the endorsement of the President, and expressed 
 the wish that the latter would remember there was a war 
 department. He undoubtedly thought that he, and not Mr. 
 Lincoln, ought to be president. But, however much he 
 would have liked to ignore the President s action, he could 
 not quite do so. But he declined to do anything more in 
 the matter without the approval of General Scott. The 
 general was so pressed with business that it was difficult 
 to see him. But one of the delegation had been prominent 
 in New York politics, and in an emergency seemed full of 
 resources and had learned how to make use of them. He 
 always seemed to find an influential friend when he was in 
 special need. There were times when his own assurance, 
 
22 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 while it astonished those who knew him best, carried him 
 through. Just now the delegation were determined to get 
 the best of the reluctant secretary, and the politico-military 
 officer bethought himself that he knew Schuyler Hamilton, 
 one of the general s staff, and through his intercession he 
 obtained an audience long enough to secure a brief note 
 from the general approving the acceptance of this regiment. 
 Apparently the secretary had not expected this. But he 
 could not disregard it, and he gave a qualified approval. 
 
 "Approved, on the condition that the whole regiment be at Wash 
 ington, or wherever ordered to be, by the first day of August next, and 
 portions of it before the I5th of July next." 
 
 (Signed) SIMON CAMERON. 
 June 15. 
 
 "Of such difficulty was it to found the Roman nation," 
 wrote the poet Virgil, as he described the wanderings of 
 Aeneas, and the interference of the deities. And of such 
 difficulty was it to organize the first cavalry volunteers, 
 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY, for so was the regiment 
 now named out of respect to the President who had per 
 sonally interested himself in its behalf. 
 
 With full authority the officers now made every effort 
 to complete the organization of the Lincoln cavalry. Head 
 quarters were at Disbrow s Riding Academy, Fifth Avenue 
 and 59th street, on the ground now occupied by the Union 
 League Club building. The large circular riding room 
 with its floor covered with tan bark, became a drill room. 
 Recruiting stations were established at Palace Garden, at 
 600 Broadway, and at 43 Courtland street. Privates as 
 well as those who expected to be officers were active in look 
 ing for recruits. Captain Hayman of the regular army was 
 ready to muster in companies as soon as they had the regu 
 lation number of men. Young men and boys from the 
 
MUSTERED IN. 23 
 
 neighboring states came to the city to join this regiment. 
 There were young men of the best families, educated, and 
 of the highest social position, anxious to enter the ranks, 
 not seeking commissions until they could win them by 
 faithful service. Their first purpose was to serve the 
 country in its time of need. The consciousness of not hav 
 ing done their part would be a cause of regret to them in 
 after life. 
 
 A boy of nineteen, the son of a well-to-do farmer in 
 an interior county of the state, inherited the spirit of Rev 
 olutionary ancestors. The thought of staying home in 
 these stirring times was intolerable. But he could not get 
 his father s consent to enlist. His services in the army 
 were not needed yet, and there was too much work to be 
 done on the farm. He could not be spared. His father 
 was a positive man used to having his own way. His word 
 was law. There was no use in arguing the question. The 
 boy thought he knew a better way. He lost all interest in 
 the affairs of the farm. Sent to the field he would climb 
 the fence and sit perched on the top rail in a fit of abstrac 
 tion, forgetful of his team that stood meanwhile idle in the 
 furro\v. He would not work. His father gave up the 
 case, and told him he might as well go. He appeared at 
 headquarters, bringing a cousin with him. 
 
 In Philadelphia a light horse company under Captain 
 William R. Wister had started early and made strenuous 
 efforts to get into the service. In response to an applica 
 tion the captain received the following : 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, June 14, 1861. 
 Captain William Rotch Wister, Philadelphia. 
 
 DEAR SIR: This Department, I am instructed by the secretary 
 to say to you, will accept your light horse company, to be attached 
 to the regiment of cavalry being formed to serve for three years or 
 
24 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 during the war, if ready to be so mustered, and will, in that event, 
 furnish the holsters, pistols, and swords, but not the uniforms, horses 
 or equipments. Very respectfully, 
 
 (Signed) J. P. SANDERSON, 
 
 Chief Clerk. 
 
 It was understood that each man furnishing his own 
 horse and equipments was to be allowed forty cents a day 
 for their use. But the efforts to find enough men who 
 could provide themselves with these were not successful, and 
 Captain Wister s company disbanded. The most of the 
 men enrolled themselves with Captain Boyd. 
 
 It was no longer required that men should furnish their 
 own horses and equipments. 
 
 There were men who had passed the age limit, but they 
 put on their youngest looks as they presented themselves 
 for muster. Boys under age looked as mature as possible 
 and felt that they were not required to tell unnecessary 
 truths about their birthdays. There were odd characters 
 among the men in the ranks, and it will be interesting to 
 follow them in their later careers. 
 
 There was some political maneuvering for the offices. 
 One capable young man who had done good work in pro 
 moting enlistments was obliged to be absent at the time of 
 the mustering in of the company in which it was expected 
 that he would be an officer. An active little man with 
 nothing martial in his appearance, \vho was on hand, man 
 aged to wiggle into the second lieutenantcy. The capable 
 man was left out. But his ability was recognized else 
 where. He distinguished himself, and became a colonel 
 and brevet brigadier general. In the hurly burly of active 
 campaigns the little lieutenant was lost sight of. 
 
 One candidate was willing to sacrifice a friend in order 
 to save himself. The friend, though feeling keenly the 
 treatment he had received, quietly took his place in the 
 
MUSTERED IN. 25 
 
 ranks and was mustered in. But the wheel of fortune 
 turned. In a few months he was a lieutenant and officer 
 of the guard, while the other was in his charge, under arrest 
 for drunkenness and disgraceful conduct for which he was 
 compelled to resign. 
 
 There were generous acts, too. One, who for his work 
 in securing enlistments and organizing a company, was 
 thought to be entitled to be its captain, waived all claims and 
 insisted that a man who had served in the regular army, 
 and was competent to command, should be chosen, while 
 he himself went into the ranks. He rose to be a captain 
 and was brevetted major. 
 
 There were some who were dissatisfied because things 
 did not move fast enough. A few of these after they 
 were mustered in deserted, and under other names joined 
 other regiments where they served with distinction and 
 won positions. One capable but reckless fellow went to 
 the "Wild West where he organized a regiment of rough 
 riders, wild fellows who were known as "The Lost Souls." 
 He led them in some rough fighting. 
 
 Company D was the first to be mustered in, July 16. 
 The i Qth two were mustered, B in New York, and C in 
 Philadelphia ; two on the 2Oth, and others on different dates, 
 the last of the twelve companies, September 9. Delays 
 were occasioned on account of the rejection of men by the 
 examining surgeon. A company would be ready, as sup 
 posed, when, on calling the roll, a man or two would be 
 wanting, and there would be lively hunting for men to 
 make up the required number. There were instances 
 where a few men would be borrowed for the purpose of 
 standing in the ranks and answering to invented names until 
 the muster could be completed, when they would be allowed 
 to return to their own companies. It was reported that in 
 a few cases good wages were to be paid to out-siders for 
 
26 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 taking part in this brief service, when they would be per 
 mitted to go their ways. On the muster out of the three 
 months regiments, many of these men re-enlisted in the 
 cavalry, filling the companies to the maximum. 
 
 The four German companies formed one of the three 
 battalions. They were hearty, stalwart men, cheerful un 
 der almost all conditions. In one of Sheridan s mid 
 winter marches it was necessary for a body of cavalry to 
 cross a swollen stream full of floating ice and nearly up to 
 the horses backs ; possibly they would have to swim. Those 
 first selected for this work hesitated and shrank from the 
 cold bath. Some of these German companies were ordered 
 forward, when unhesitatingly, lustily singing a German 
 song, they plunged in. From that time on they were fav 
 orites with Sheridan. Most of their officers were experi 
 enced soldiers, capable, willing and efficient, some of them 
 titled men in their own country. 
 
 Company C, as has already been stated, was a Phila 
 delphia company. Company F was raised in and around 
 Syracuse, and K at Grand Rapids, Michigan, the home of 
 the colonel. 
 
 The expectant officers were objects of scrutiny and 
 speculation. There were those who had been in the regular 
 army, well-informed as to their duties and capable to com 
 mand, but whose unfortunate habits led them into difficul 
 ties. There were those who had served as enlisted men in the 
 regular cavalry, efficient in drill, quiet in speech and manner, 
 careful of their men, steady and unflinching in fight, in 
 whom their men had perfect confidence. There were those 
 who considered an enlisted man a proper subject for abuse 
 and profanity, and who were slow to learn that civility and 
 modesty were not inconsistent with courage and efficiency 
 in the heat of battle. There were boasters who never ful 
 filled their promises. At the muster in of one of the com- 
 
MUSTERED IN. 27 
 
 panics the excitable expectant captain made an eloquent 
 dramatic speech to his men, advising them to "elect as offi 
 cers those who would lead them to victory or death !" It did 
 not occur to them that in less than a year he would again ad 
 dress those same men, proposing that they go into hostile 
 lines and surrender, when as yet there was no enemy in 
 sight ! 
 
 There were differences among the officers. One man 
 of large physical proportions, given to talking about the 
 political influence that he could bring to his support and to 
 the aid of his fellow officers should they ever stand in need 
 of such aid, and of the valiant deeds that he would per 
 form with his command, if he should get one, had rendered 
 himself obnoxious. He was the victim of many a joke that 
 would have induced a sensitive man to return to private 
 life. But he was like a man of vulcanized rubber, of such 
 elasticity that the hardest blows were followed by an in 
 stant rebound, leaving no visible or permanent impression. 
 A paper numerously signed, and not expressed in the most 
 elegant and courteous phraseology, was presented to him, 
 informing him that his presence was a detriment, and citing 
 past words and actions that rendered him unfit to associate 
 with loyal officers and gentlemen. The chaplain was sup 
 posed to be, on all moral questions, adviser of all who were 
 in difficulties. He was a man after the style of Friar Tuck in 
 Scott s Ivanhoe, at times somewhat convivial and facetious. 
 By him the aggrieved officer was advised that the affront he 
 had received made it necessary for him to challenge to 
 mortal combat the one who had been foremost in offering 
 this insult; it was the only way in which he could maintain 
 his honor and standing in the regiment. But he argued 
 that he had entered the service to put down the rebellion, 
 and he must not let anything interfere with this purpose. 
 Clothing himself with his assurance, he ignored charges and 
 
28 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ridicule, and kept himself in the front. In later experiences 
 he was repeatedly under arrest, but he would always man 
 age to shake himself out of his predicaments. Placed in 
 conditions in which an exceedingly sensitive man would 
 think himself submerged, he would rise to the surface seem 
 ingly refreshed from his immersion. He would manage to 
 have frequent favorable notices of himself appear in the 
 public journals. But it is only justice to say that in some 
 severe encounters with the enemy, his assurance did not 
 even then fail him, but contributed to the winning of victory. 
 There were officers who could be on easy, familiar 
 terms with their men without losing their respect or im 
 pairing their own authority, gentlemen of highest honor, 
 irreproachable in every act. 
 
JOHN F. KENT. 
 
 ELIAS BURR. 
 
 
 
 WILLIAM VERRINDER. 
 
 JHROME -BEH,. - 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 ELM PARK AND BELLEVUE GARDEN. 
 
 ETWEEN what are now Columbus and Amsterdam 
 avenues, and between Seventy-eighth and Eightieth 
 streets, just west of the grounds of the Museum of Natural 
 History, was Elm Park. These spacious grounds, now oc 
 cupied by blocks of stately homes, were then in their natural 
 state, well shaded, a resort where the busy people from 
 down town would betake themselves to enjoy something of 
 the country. There were restaurants and halls for their 
 entertainment. In these grounds the Germans and four 
 American companies, as fast as mustered, went into camp. 
 Sleeping in a tent, on a little straw spread on the ground, 
 and covered with a blanket, was a new experience. At 
 long tables in the halls the men were fed, the work of feed 
 ing being let by contract. No uniforms or arms had yet 
 been provided. The drills were only in marching. This 
 manner of life in these shady grounds was not at all un 
 pleasant; it was a big picnic. The families and other 
 friends of officers and men were frequent visitors. 
 
 But one day a misunderstanding arose between some 
 of the Germans and Americans over a supposed discourte 
 ous remark said to have been made by one of the latter. 
 The supposed affront was magnified as the story was re 
 peated, until the matter grew exciting. As the Germans 
 could not understand much English, and the Americans 
 
 29 
 
30 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 could not readily speak or understand German, it was not 
 easy to make explanations. The excitement grew until the 
 tumult became a veritable babel of confused tongues. The 
 surging crowd would be moved toward one corner of the 
 grounds, and then would be swayed in some other direc 
 tion. It seemed for awhile as if it would become a serious 
 affair. But the colonel, aided by some of the other officers, 
 at last succeeded in securing partial quiet. Explanations 
 were made and all became peaceful. In one part of the 
 grounds was the camp of an organization of German rifle 
 men known as the "Lincoln Greens," so called from the 
 color of their uniform. Some disputes arose between these 
 and the cavalrymen as to which was first entitled to the 
 name Lincoln." Perhaps the too frequent drinking of 
 beer had something to do with these disputes. 
 
 It was deemed best that the English speaking com 
 panies should occupy another camp, and Bellevue Garden 
 was chosen. This was a semi-rural resort on East river 
 between Sixty-third and Sixty-fifth streets and opposite 
 BlackwelFs Island. It was a very favorable location. The 
 tents were pitched according to regulations, and the routine 
 of camp life, with the regular calls, guard mount and drill, 
 was begun. The drill soon show r ed progress in facing, 
 marching and wheeling. After a little some sabres were 
 furnished and drill with these was regular. The men, as at 
 Elm Park were fed at "public tables" furnished by contract. 
 
 There were many amusing incidents growing out of 
 ignorance of what the regulations required. Officers as 
 well as privates had much to learn. An Englishman, Cor 
 poral John Ferguson, who had served in the British army, 
 was the best authority in the camp on the proper way to 
 salute an officer. He also gave instructions as to what was 
 required while on guard. Sergeant John J. O Brien had 
 served in the regular infantry. A huge moustache was sup- 
 
ELM PARK AND BELLEVUE GARDEN. 31 
 
 posed to contribute to his soldierly appearance. He was 
 fluent and plausible in speech. He was detailed to drill the 
 awkward squads. He was conspicuous for insisting on the 
 rear rank observing the proper distance of exactly "thirteen 
 inches from back to breast." When off duty, with a little 
 encouragement he would entertain his tent mates with 
 stories and dialect songs. 
 
 Until those having authority had learned the best way 
 of exercising it over intelligent men, the "guard house," 
 was a frequent menace for minor offences against discipline, 
 and once when there was a little too much noise after "taps," 
 Sergeant McCormick, armed with a huge club, like a veri 
 table Hercules, strode down the line of Company F, threat 
 ening dire punishment unless there was instant silence. Ill 
 timed as it may seem, there was loud and irrepressible 
 laughter when Captain Harkins, attempting an exhibition 
 of superior horsemanship, rode a powerful charger full tilt 
 at a low hurdle, and in the act of leaping, fell off and rolled 
 in the dust almost beneath the horse s feet. 
 
 The man of large proportions and large assurance, 
 whom no company wanted as a lieutenant, had become a 
 major. He was not at first an expert in executing maneu 
 vers. But he supposed he could do it, as he thought he had 
 noticed how others did it. In aligning his battalion he com 
 manded, "Right dress. Front dress" ( !) It took time for 
 him to discriminate between proper orders and orders that 
 were impossible of execution. In time he became noted 
 for the stentorian voice in which he was accustomed to 
 give the prolonged command "M-a-a-a-r-c-h !" 
 
 To those who were not residents of the city, the time 
 spent in army camps of instruction was in many ways full of 
 interesting experiences. Some of them had been careful 
 students in history, and they were interested in looking up 
 localities where had taken place important events. One, 
 
32 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 while on his way from the central part of the state, had 
 stopped for a day at West Point. The story of the place 
 was familiar to him. He climbed the mountain to old Fort 
 Putnam. He went along the margin of the water batteries 
 where the river is narrowest. It was somewhere near here 
 that the great chain w r as stretched across to prevent the 
 British ships from ascending the river. A young woman 
 of eighteen or twenty years was gathering flowers along 
 the water s edge. Approaching and greeting her with re 
 spect, he asked her if she could tell him where the chain 
 was fastened here in the Revolutionary war. With an air 
 of perfect frankness she replied, "I don t know, sir; I was 
 not living here at that time." Such want of interest in 
 local history would not have been suspected. In the city it 
 was easy to find where Washington at different times had 
 his headquarters, and the site of the old Federal Hall where 
 he was inaugurated president. A horse-back ride to Har 
 lem, or up the Bloomingdale road, would take one over the 
 ground where the opposing armies confronted each other. 
 On the Harlem plains the American militia had fled in con 
 fusion, and Washington had recklessly exposed himself in 
 trying to rally them. Here and there, above and below 
 camp, batteries had been placed along the river bank to 
 prevent the British troops from landing. At the house of 
 Robert Murray, then his country seat, near the site of the 
 present Murray Hill hotel, Washington gave his instruc 
 tions to Captain Nathan Hale when the latter volunteered 
 to go into the enemy s camp for information. 
 
 It was at this same house that Lord Howe was detained 
 by the hospitality of Mrs. Murray, while Gen. Putnam on 
 the west side of the island was hurrying his command out 
 of danger up the Bloomingdale road. The son of this 
 hostess of Lord Howe became the author of the noted Mur 
 ray s English Grammar. On 52nd street just east of First 
 
ELM PARK AND BELLEVUE GARDEN. 33 
 
 avenue, at the Beekman- House, Howe had his headquarters, 
 and here in the garden house Hale was kept a prisoner for 
 a night. The next morning he \vas handed over to the 
 provost marshal, and hanged to the limb of an apple tree 
 in Rutgers orchard, near the intersection of East Broadway 
 and Market street. On the 9th of July, on the site of the 
 City Hall and the park in front, Washington had the Dec 
 laration of Independence read to the army. The reading 
 was followed by the most enthusiastic cheering. 
 
 As these historic places were visited and these scenes 
 recalled, the question suggested itself, "Are the best periods 
 in the Nation s history in the past, or are they yet to come?" 
 
 Daily there would pass down the river in front of the 
 camp, the great Sound steamers loaded with patriotic men 
 from New England bound for the seat of war, and the 
 cheers from the camp were answered from crowded 
 steamers. The kindly interest and encouragement of the 
 people of the city were manifested by frequent visits to the 
 camp and by the giving of many things for the comfort 
 and convenience of the men. 
 
 The cry of the newspapers "On to Richmond !" that 
 voiced the impatience of the people, stimulated the author 
 ities at the capital. McDowell s army was preparing to ad 
 vance. Lieutenant Tomkins with a small detachment of 
 regular cavalry had clashed out into the country between the 
 two armies. But there was felt the need of sufficient cavalry 
 to picket the outposts and scout along the whole front, and 
 orders were given to hurry forward the regiment. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 COMPANY C AT THE FRONT. THE FIRST FIGHT. 
 
 JULY 22nd Company C, Captain Wm. H. Boyd, left Phil 
 adelphia for Washington. When they arrived at the 
 capital the city was full of fugitives from the disastrous field 
 of Bull Run. Each of the fugitives had his story to tell of 
 the victory almost won, and the cause of the stampede. 
 There were stories of heroism and of hardship. It seemed 
 as if a little thing might turn the tide of battle. There were 
 those who thought that the stampede began when it was 
 reported that the Virginia Black Horse Cavalry were com 
 ing, prepared to charge, and the lack of cavalry on the 
 Union side was noted as a fatal defect. 
 
 There were multitudes of people, visitors in Washing 
 ton, civilians, members of congress, employes in the depart 
 ments, and even women who went out in carriages that Sun 
 day morning to witness the battle. The gay equipages 
 went out filled with occupants prepared for a holiday. They 
 came back in the confused rout of a defeated army. 
 
 Captain William H. Boyd, was a man of ability and 
 indomitable energy and perseverance. He and his Lieuten 
 ants, Wm. W. Hanson and James H. Stevenson, had made 
 every effort to get to the front as soon as possible. Reach 
 ing Washington on the afternoon of July 22nd, they were 
 quartered for the night in a building on E street, between 
 1 4th and I5th streets. The captain was in the habit of 
 
 84 
 
COMPANY C AT THE FRONT. THE FIRST FIGHT. 35 
 
 looking after things himself, and as soon as his men were 
 in quarters he set out to find rations and cooking utensils. 
 Lieutenant Stevenson had served in the First U. S. Dra 
 goons, and his experience proved valuable. He found 
 among the men two who had been, one a soldier, the other 
 a sailor, and were presumed to be competent to act as cooks. 
 They were detailed for that duty. The captain was prompt in 
 securing blankets and clothing. It can well be supposed- 
 that events of the past few days furnished abundant topics 
 for conversation among the men their first night in the 
 center of military operations. These events suggested, too, 
 what might be in store for them. But the quickly acquired 
 buoyancy of spirits, peculiar to the life of the soldier, was 
 manifest when the officers looked in upon them late in the 
 evening. Among them were young men from the best 
 families of Philadelphia, and their high personal character 
 had its influence on the entire company. The next day 
 camp equipage was procured, and Camp Meigs on the East 
 Capital Hill was established, in the neighborhood of a num 
 ber of infantry camps. The following day, the 24th, horses, 
 horse equipments and arms were provided. The work of 
 preparation proceeded rapidly. August 7th, in compliance 
 with orders, the company struck tents, crossed the Potomac 
 on Long Bridge, and marched to Alexandria, the first 
 volunteer cavalry in the field. 
 
 Gen. William B. Franklin was commanding here, and 
 to him the captain reported. In Peyton Grove, on the west 
 ern side of the town the company pitched their tents in 
 Camp Elizabeth. Details for orderlies at headquarters 
 were made daily, and those detailed took pains to make a 
 neat and soldierly appearance. A few men in charge of a 
 sergeant were frequently sent out to note the condition of 
 the country. 
 
 The army of McDowell, with frequent additions of 
 
36 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 fresh troops, extended from Arlington Heights to Alex 
 andria. The line of the pickets was not at that time very far 
 advanced. The Confederates wandered about in the vicin 
 ity of Falls Church and Bailey s Cross Roads, and for a 
 long time their flag could be seen from the capitol, raised 
 above their strong fort on Munson s Hill. 
 
 On Sunday morning, the i8th of August, the Captain 
 was directed to take out the entire company. Lieutenant 
 Gibson of Gen. Franklin s staff accompanied him and also 
 Dr. Herrick, a surgeon. The reconnoissance was in the 
 direction of Pohick Church, a few miles southwest of Mt. 
 Vernon. Three men as an advance guard preceded the 
 marching column, and small parties were thrown out on 
 either flank. The road led through a piece of thick woods. 
 As the advance reached a point where they could see the 
 open country beyond the woods, they caught sight of a num 
 ber of Confederates. 
 
 A little trepidation was natural, and one of the advance 
 came riding back in haste announcing in his excitement that 
 a whole regiment of rebels was waiting for them beyond 
 the woods. Suddenly, and probably without any word of 
 command, the company wheeled and began to move rapidly 
 and in some confusion in the backward direction. Another 
 of the advance came on, and his excited manner tended to 
 quicken the pace of the retreating men. The captain was 
 now riding in the rear of his company. The third one of 
 the advance was Oliver B. Knowles, who on many later 
 occasions proved himself cool, self-possessed and apparently 
 without fear. He overtook the captain and said he had been 
 near enough the rebels to see them all. There were no more 
 of them than there were in their own company, and he felt 
 sure that our men could whip them. The captain rode on 
 to the head of the retreating column, halted it, and repeated 
 what Knowles had told him, and declared his purpose to 
 
COMPANY C AT THE FRONT. THE FIRST FIGHT. 37 
 
 fight. His manner imparted courage to his men, and they 
 declared their willingness to obey orders and follow him. 
 He headed the column the other way and himself, with his 
 cousin, Sergeant W. H. Boyd, and Knowles at the head, 
 moved forward. The men drew their revolvers, and, 
 advancing until they caught sight of the enemy and heard 
 their challenge, at the captain s word dashed forward 
 with loud shouts and rapid firing of their revolvers. The 
 enemy fired one volley and fled. With the greatest eager 
 ness the captain and his men pursued the fleeing Confed 
 erates for a few miles when the recall was sounded. No 
 prisoners were taken, as the Confederates had fleet horses. 
 This was the first charge by Union volunteer cavalry. One 
 of the Union men was killed, Jacob Erwin, the first Union 
 volunteer cavalryman killed in the Army of the Potomac. 
 
 The men of this company never in the four years that 
 followed forgot the lesson of their first fight. In a fight 
 of cavalry against cavalry the advantage is with the party 
 that moves first. It is difficult to withstand the impetus and 
 momentum of a well-directed cavalry charge. There was 
 always a stimulus in a lusty and hearty cheer. The men of 
 the regiment learned that in a charge, the sabre was more 
 effective than the revolver or the carbine. The men of the 
 company were highly complimented by Gen. McClellan at a 
 review of Franklin s command on the 22nd. Oliver B. 
 Knowles, before the war was over, rose to the rank of brevet 
 brigadier general. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 OFF FOR WASHINGTON. 
 
 "VV 7HILE Captain Boyd s company was thus engaged in 
 *^ active service in Virginia, nine companies were in 
 New York. There had been delay in providing uniforms. 
 Then there were unsettled obligations on account of sub 
 sistence. The officers wished to have these accounts settled 
 before going to the front. The German officers absolutely 
 refused to go until these matters were adjusted. The cost 
 of raising and subsisting these companies had been about 
 $8,000. The Union Defense Committee had raised and dis 
 bursed large sums. Voluntary subscriptions had been lib 
 eral. The state had appropriated many thousands of dol 
 lars. But the calls had been large and continual, for many 
 regiments had been raised. Many of the officers of this 
 regiment had personally expended large sums. 
 
 In the latter part of Buchanan s administration it had 
 been necessary for the government to borrow largely. This 
 had been done by the sale of bonds. As an indication of the 
 credit of the government at this time, the bids for these 
 bonds ranged from 90 down to 75 cents on the dollar. The 
 government refused to accept less than 90. The money 
 thus raised had carried the late administration, with some 
 thing remaining in the treasury. Congress would not meet 
 in special session till July 4th. President Lincoln without 
 authority, but justified by the emergency, had taken more 
 
OFF FOR WASHINGTON. 39 
 
 than a million of dollars from the treasury, and sent it to 
 New York. This had been intrusted to a few reliable men, 
 one of whom was John A. Dix, to be used according to their 
 judgment in equipping the forces that were being raised. 
 But such had been the expenses incurred that there were no 
 available funds for meeting the obligations of this regiment. 
 Captain F. C. Adams, who later held a staff office 
 appointment, but was not connected with the regiment, was 
 sent to Washington to see what could be done in regard to 
 these unpaid bills. This was August iQth. Congress had 
 appropriated $20,000,000 for this work of equipment. Mr. 
 Adams carried a letter to Secretary Seward. The secretary 
 endorsed the letter and referred Mr. Adams to Quarter 
 master General Meigs. There was so much confusion in 
 the department owing to the increased amount of business, 
 and the inexperience of new appointees, that it was difficult 
 to get business promptly attended to. Mr. Adams thought, 
 that, to make a sure thing of the matter, he would go to the 
 President. In the midst of all the cares of his great office the 
 President gave his attention to the condition of the regiment, 
 and gave Mr. Adams a note to the Secretary of War : 
 
 EXECUTIVE MANSION, August iQth, 1861. 
 Will the Secretary of War see Mr. Adams, and take measure to 
 
 have the regiment come forward at once. 
 
 A. LINCOLN. 
 
 The secretary issued the order for the regiment to 
 come, but he did not see clearly how to dispose of the matter 
 of the indebtedness that had been incurred. Mr. Adams 
 went to see General Meigs, who at once wrote an order 
 directing that the bills for supplies furnished be presented to 
 him, certified by the quartermaster and colonel, promising to 
 see that they were paid. Mr. Adams who had thus acted 
 as negotiator returned at once to New York and reported. 
 
 The 25th of August was an eventful day. We were to 
 
40 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 start for Washington. The morning was bright and beauti 
 ful and everything was propitious. The men were in high 
 spirits as they struck and folded tents, and loaded the wagons 
 with equipage and baggage. Personal effects had accumu 
 lated, and many of the men chose to have their effects, even 
 their blankets, transported, rather than carry them. Finally, 
 all was ready and the command, "Fall in," was given. 
 From Elm Park the four German companies, and from 
 Bellevue Garden the five English companies marched to 
 Union Square. 
 
 Here the colonel was to be presented with a horse and 
 set of equipments. "Lightfoot" was a magnificent horse, 
 light, dappled gray, with a full flowing mane and tail, clean 
 limbed, perfectly formed, powerful, intelligent and gentle. 
 He was a conspicuous feature in every parade and on the 
 march. When the colonel left the service in 1864 ne left the 
 horse with his son, Lieutenant B. F. McReynolds. After 
 the war "Lightfoot" was bought for $1,000, it was said, by 
 a Philadelphia merchant as a riding horse for the ladies of 
 his family. 
 
 In and around Union Square a vast multitude had 
 assembled. In parading a regiment the adjutant is a con 
 spicuous officer. The adjutant at this time had been a cap 
 tain in the preliminary organization, but objections had been 
 made, and at the muster in another had been chosen in .his 
 place. But he had done what he could in raising the regi 
 ment, and was deemed entitled to a position, and had been 
 given the very responsible position of adjutant. He had 
 served in the English army, and it w r as supposed that his 
 experience would be valuable. He was a man of fine phy 
 sique, tall, with broad shoulders, small waist and hips, erect, 
 straight, dark, with a black moustache waxed and twisted to 
 sharp points reaching far out to either side, like the wings of 
 a flying sparrow. He wore cavalier-like boots, square toed, 
 
OFF FOR WASHINGTON. 41 
 
 with wide, funnel-shaped tops reaching to his thighs, and 
 large steel spurs with rowels the size of a silver dollar. He 
 wore a wide-bladed sabre, an heirloom in his family. He 
 was an accomplished horseman, and was not entirely uncon 
 scious of his good points. Consciousness of one s abilities 
 imparts confidence, and, mixed in proper proportions with 
 other qualities, is an element of military success. But the 
 adjutant was lacking in quickness of perception of oppor 
 tunities and facility in adapting himself to emergencies and 
 possibilities. Exert himself as he would, the lines of the 
 companies, squadrons and battalions that should have 
 swung around easily to their positions on the sides of a hol 
 low square, as at the motion of a magic hand, would get in 
 each other s way. Finally the lines were formed and Mr. 
 Richard Busteed, a prominent citizen, in behalf of several 
 liberal gentlemen, made a speech presenting the horse and 
 equipments to Col. McReynolds. To this speech the colonel 
 fittingly replied. The ceremonies over, the companies 
 formed in compact column marched down Broadway. They 
 presented a fine appearance, and were greeted with hearty 
 cheers by the mass of people that crowded the street and 
 waved their flags from every window. They had come to 
 know the regiment well, and sent it off with best wishes, 
 for in its ranks and among its officers were men well known 
 and esteemed in the best social life of the city. Sad leave- 
 takings were mingled with the high hopes that were 
 cherished. 
 
 The march down Broadway was an ovation. At the 
 foot of Courtland street the companies embarked on a 
 steamer for Perth Amboy, by the channel between Staten 
 Island and the Jersey shore. After the long standing in 
 line during the speech-making at Union Square, and the 
 march, which together had taken more than the forenoon, 
 the men were in condition to do full justice to an ample 
 
4-2 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 lunch of sandwiches dealt out by Quartermaster Bailey 
 himself, during the passage by boat. At Perth Amboy a 
 train was in readiness. Box cars had been fitted up with 
 plain board seats arranged to hold as many men as possible. 
 For ventilation big holes had been made in the sides and 
 ends of the cars. The train was a slow one. At every 
 house along the line of the road flags were displayed, and 
 everywhere groups of people cheered the passing train. A 
 night lunch was waiting in Philadelphia. There were then 
 no sleeping cars with luxurious berths provided for the all- 
 night ride, and the men made themselves as comfortable as 
 possible on the board seats. A bright morning followed. 
 While crossing the open country in the northern part of 
 Delaware there was an accident to the engine, and the train 
 stopped. Immediately the men were out of their close and 
 cramped quarters and spreading themselves in every direc 
 tion over the fields. The chance to exercise was a relief. 
 At some distance across the fields w r as a fine country man 
 sion, and soon four or five of the men were there for what 
 they had come they could hardly tell. It was a wealthy and 
 hospitable family, and they insisted on supplying their un 
 expected morning callers with a quickly prepared lunch of 
 bread, ham and coffee. Their sociable presence added to 
 the pleasure of the breakfast. Proffered payment was de 
 clined. Hearty thanks were returned for the generous 
 entertainment. But our friend O Brien could never be out 
 done in his sweeping and gracious bows and profusion of 
 compliments. This was our first acquaintance in a home 
 on the southern soil a home of culture, refinement and 
 hospitality. But the repeated and prolonged whistle of the 
 repaired engine sounded the recall, and soon the loaded train 
 
 moved on. 
 
 Engines were not allowed to pass through the city of 
 Baltimore. On the arrival of a passenger train at either 
 
OFF FOR WASHINGTON. 43 
 
 station, the engine was detached, then to each coach, one 
 after another, six powerful horses were hitched, tandem, 
 and quickly driven to the other station, on the opposite side 
 of the city. The box cars of our train were not transferred 
 in this way. The companies were unloaded, and forming 
 in column, marched across the city. The mob element had 
 remembered the lesson taught by the Sixth Massachusetts 
 regiment on the igth of April, and there were no open signs 
 of disloyalty. Boarding another train of box cars we were 
 on our way to Washington, noting along the way the 
 defences that had been made by the Seventh New York, dur 
 ing its month s service, for the protection of the road. 
 Early in the night we reached Washington, and stayed the 
 best we could in the depot and freight buildings, sleeping 
 on the floor with a newspaper for a blanket. 
 
 In the morning of August 27 the men awoke to look 
 upon the capitol. There the great building stood, with its 
 unfinished dome surrounded by a mass of scaffolding, a 
 type of the uncompleted condition of the Republic. The 
 doors were open and soon the men were w r andering through 
 its long halls and corridors. They were allowed the priv 
 ilege of resting in the chambers of congress, as the houses 
 were not in session. Many of the rooms in the basement 
 were used as bakeries for supplying the camps with bread. 
 Sight seeing had to be postponed, when, the arrival of the 
 regiment having been reported at the proper headquarters 
 and orders received, the companies formed and took up their 
 march on Pennsylvania avenue to Seventh street, and up 
 that street a mile and a half to a part of the city now known 
 as Le Droit Park. This section, now well built up, was 
 then open country, the farm of Mr. Moore. In a grove of 
 scattering scrub oaks near the present intersection of Fourth 
 and Wilson streets, the camp was established and named 
 Camp Meigs. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 
 
 \/l R. and Mrs. Moore and their two daughters, with two 
 L * or three colored servants, were well-to-do and hos 
 pitable people of Union sympathies. Some of the officers 
 messed in the house, and a few, averse to living in a tent, 
 had rooms here. On a recent visit the writer found Mrs. 
 Moore still living, about eighty-five years of age, and her 
 two daughters with her. Her mind was clear, and her 
 memory of the officers and some of the men very accurate, 
 and not unkind, although there were at that time many 
 things that were annoying to the family. 
 
 On the 3rd of September the Grand Rapids Company 
 (K) joined those encamped on Moore s farm. They were 
 mostly stalwart Western men. They had come direct from 
 home. With many of them it was their first experience 
 away from home, and soon there were cases of homesick 
 ness among them, stalwart and patriotic though they were. 
 It became a serious thing, until one of their number, Eras- 
 tus Noble, gifted with an ability to write rhymes, composed 
 a number of stanzas touching in a humorous way on the 
 traits of officers and men, and the peculiarities of their new 
 conditions, closing, with the refrain 
 
 "And every time you face about 
 You turn upon your heel." 
 
 He soon had the men heartily singing his stanzas and 
 making merry over their hardships. "Music hath charms." 
 This was better than a surgeon s prescription, and they soon 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 
 
 proved to be some of the best men in the regiment. On 
 the loth of September Company M, that had remained in 
 New York to fill up its ranks came on, and the regiment 
 with its twelve companies was complete. 
 The following were the officers : 
 
 FIELD AND STAFF. 
 Colonel ANDREW T. MCREYNOLDS. 
 Lieutenant Colonel FREDERICK VON SCHICKFUSS. 
 First Major CHARLES H. OGLE. 
 Second Major ALONZO W. ADAMS. 
 Third Major AUGUST HAURAND. 
 Adjutant JENYNS C. BATTERSBY. 
 Quartermaster EZRA H. BAILEY. 
 Surgeon FREDERICK ELLIOTT. 
 Assistant Surgeon GEORGE M. BEAKS. 
 Chaplain REV. CHARLES M. RIGHL.Y. 
 
 COMPANY OR LINE OFFICERS. 
 
 COMPANY A. 
 Captain Abram Jones. 
 First Lieut. Thomas R. Leavitt. 
 Second Lieut. Cliff. Thomson. 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 Captain Henry B. Todd. 
 First Lieut. John Ennis. 
 Second Lieut. Richard H. Lee. 
 
 COMPANY C. 
 Captain Wm. H. Boyd. 
 First Lieut. Wm. W. Hanson. 
 Second Lieut. Jas. H. Stevenson. 
 
 COMPANY D. 
 
 Captain Daniel H. Harkins. 
 First Lieut. Samuel C. Sprague. 
 Second Lieut. James A. Duffy. 
 
 COMPANY E. 
 
 Captain Lambert J. Simons. 
 First Lieut. J. D. Kryniski. 
 Second Lieut. Adolph Schmidt. 
 
 COMPANY F. 
 
 Captain David A. Bennett. 
 First Lieut. Richard P. Thomas. 
 Second Lieut. Charles Woodruff. 
 
 COMPANY G. 
 
 Captain Frederick Hendricks. 
 First Lieut. Emil Coenen. 
 Second Lieut. F. F. Schmidt. 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 Captain Joseph H. Stearns. 
 First Lieut. Harry B. Hidden. 
 Second Lieut. David R. Disbrow. 
 
 COMPANY I. 
 
 Captain Count Ferdinand Stosch. 
 First Lieut. Robert H. O. Hertzog. 
 Second Lieut. A. Von Lengerki. 
 
 COMPANY K. 
 
 Captain Anson N. Norton. 
 First Lieut. Henry W. Granger. 
 Second Lieut. Frank G. Martindale. 
 
 COMPANY L. 
 Captain Gustav Otto. 
 First Lieut. Franz Passegger. 
 Second Lieut. Frederick Daber. 
 
 COMPANY M. 
 
 Captain Thomas J. Lord. 
 First Lieut. Rich d G. Prendergast. 
 Second Lieut. Frederick A. Nims. 
 
46 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 E Pluribits Unum. 
 
 To all who shall see these presents greeting: 
 
 Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the patrio 
 tism, valor, fidelity and abilities of Andrew T. McReynolds, I do 
 appoint him Colonel of the First Regiment of Cavalry Volunteers in 
 the service of the United States; to rank as such from the thirteenth 
 day of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-one. He is therefore 
 carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Colonel by doing 
 and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And I do 
 strictly charge, and require all officers and soldiers under his command 
 to be obedient to his orders as Colonel, and he is to observe and follow 
 such orders and directions from time to time, as he shall receive from 
 me, or the future President of the United States of America, or of 
 the General, or other superior officers set over him, according to the 
 rules and discipline of war. This commission to continue in force 
 during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time 
 being. 
 
 Given under my hand at the city of Washington, this first day of 
 January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty- 
 two, and in the eighty-sixth year of the Independence of the United 
 
 States. 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 By the President, 
 
 SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. 
 
 This was the colonel s commission. 
 
 The raising of this regiment had been authorized di 
 rectly by the President, and was not under the authority 
 of any state. The colonel received his commission from 
 the President of the United States, and he was the only 
 colonel of volunteers so commissioned. When the subject 
 of commissioning the officers was brought before the secre 
 tary of war, it was decided that officers of the volunteers 
 must be commissioned by the governor of the state from 
 which they came. As ten companies were raised in New 
 York, the entire regiment was assigned to that state, 
 although Pennsylvania had furnished one company and 
 Michigan another. It was thereafter known as the First 
 New York (Lincoln) Cavalry. 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 47 
 
 General Storieman was chief of cavalry on the 
 staff of General McClellan. It was no easy work that he 
 had to do. Horses, horse equipments and arms were to be 
 supplied. These were not all readily obtainable. They 
 were furnished in installments. 
 
 The papers of the time were full of complaints as to 
 the quality of various supplies, and the way in which con 
 tracts were filled. Possibly a few contractors were influ 
 enced by the predictions that the war would be over in three 
 months, and were led to believe that it would answer all 
 purposes if the clothing furnished should wear that length 
 of time. Possibly some of those who purchased, and some 
 of the inspectors who "passed" inferior horses thought 
 these would do well enough for "breaking" purposes. Some 
 of the men as well as the horses had to be "broken in," for 
 it was suspected that a few of them had never mounted a 
 horse before. 
 
 .While there were few high bred horses among those 
 furnished, yet the most of them were good, serviceable ani 
 mals. Some of them well cared for were kept in the service 
 till near the close of the war. Quite a number of the men 
 preferred to own their horses. The proper care of his 
 horse is an important part of the cavalryman s duty, and 
 there were many in the ranks who needed instruction. The 
 officers who had seen service were of advantage, and while 
 there were occasional unpleasant experiences, the men made 
 good progress in mounted drill. 
 
 The ground first selected for the camp \vas not well 
 adapted for mounted drill, and on the iQth of September, 
 the camp was moved to Meridian Hill, high, wide grounds 
 in the neighborhood of Fifteenth street, and not far from 
 the present Zoological Park. Rock Creek afforded a con 
 venient watering place. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Von Schickfuss established schools 
 
4-8 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of instruction for the officers. He understood his business, 
 and he devoted himself to the promotion of thorough drill 
 and discipline throughout the regiment. 
 
 Occasionally a detail was ordered to cross the river and 
 take a ride out in Virginia beyond the pickets. To be 
 allowed to go was considered a privilege. Such a detail 
 one day was to be made up from Company K, all who 
 had received horses and arms. Some of the arms furnished 
 were old and out of order. 
 
 One of the company was Edwin F. Savacool, a slight- 
 built boy with sandy hair and complexion. He had lived at 
 Marshall, Mich. His widowed mother and the rest of the 
 family begged him not to enlist. It was not easy for him 
 to resist their entreaties, but it was harder to resist the 
 inclination to go. With others he found his way to Grand 
 Rapids where Captain Norton was raising his company of 
 cavalry. When he presented himself for enlistment the 
 captain is said to have laughed at him. It was ridiculous, 
 so young and slender a boy for a cavalryman. He was re 
 jected, too young and small. But he found friends, 
 Warren, Bentley, and Martindale, who interceded for him. 
 He was smuggled into the rear rank and mustered in, the 
 happiest fellow among them all. It did not occur to any 
 one that he would yet be captain of the company. 
 
 He made himself useful in every possible way. He 
 was quiet, cheerful, observing and modest as a girl of ten. 
 He wanted to go on this detail into Virginia. He tried to 
 get some one of those detailed to stay home and let him 
 go in his place. No one would change with him. He 
 managed to get a horse; now if he only could find some 
 arms. Among the discarded arms he found an empty scab 
 bard and improvised a belt. Then he found the rusty stub 
 end of an old broken sabre, the hilt and six or eight inches 
 of the blade. Now he could show a hilt, at least. As 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 49 
 
 happy as could be he reported himself mounted, armed and 
 equipped, and took his place in line with the rest. But he 
 had not counted on an inspection. Every detail must be in 
 spected before going on duty. The order was, "Draw, " 
 and "Present sabres." The "presented" stub provoked roars 
 of laughter. That poor fellow was almost overwhelmed. 
 But everybody begged that he might be allowed to go along, 
 and go he did. 
 
 While located here the men were allowed many priv 
 ileges in visiting the places of interest in the city. In the 
 two houses of congress were many eminent men, and it was 
 a privilege to look in upon the sessions. Important ques 
 tions were being considered. These questions were ably 
 debated. The machinery of government was observed. 
 Notice was taken of the gradual change of opinion among 
 the people throughout the country. A single utterance of 
 some clear, strong-minded statesman would exert wide in 
 fluence throughout the country, as it suggested discussion in 
 the journals of the day. And the army was not a mass of 
 unthinking men. Much correspondence from the camp 
 appeared in the newspapers. The New York Tribune gen 
 erously offered to send a number of copies of its semi-weekly 
 edition to the regiment, and these were passed along from 
 tent to tent, and closely read. It was something worth 
 recording when one had the opportunity to see the Presi 
 dent, perhaps to shake hands with him, and he greeted 
 everyone who came into his presence with unaffected 
 cordiality. 
 
 The defeat at Bull Run had a somewhat demoralizing 
 effect on McDowell s army. It was only temporary, how 
 ever. The men as individuals quickly recovered their spirit. 
 Horace Greeley who in the columns of the Tribune had 
 sounded the cry, "On to Richmond," more loudly than any 
 one else now wrote to President Lincoln, speaking of the 
 
50 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 hundreds of brave men who were "lying yet unburied on 
 the field of Bull Run," and urging him to make peace with 
 the rebels on the best terms obtainable. This was not the 
 feeling among the men, even in the defeated army. The 
 event seemed to strengthen the people in their purpose to 
 put down the rebellion. New forces of volunteers gathered 
 around Washington. They kept coming. The secretary 
 of war had evidently awakened from his belief that the war 
 would be over in ninety days, and while he was not at all 
 efficient himself, he was not interfering with others who 
 were trying to do effective service. 
 
 General McClellan was commander-in-chief. His suc 
 cess in his brief campaign in West Virginia, although a 
 large part of the credit was due to his subordinates, gave 
 him a prestige that was regarded as an assurance of victory 
 in the conflict that was to come. To make an organized 
 and disciplined army out of the zealous but untrained vol 
 unteers was the purpose of the new commander, and to 
 this object he devoted all his energies. Confidence in the 
 ability to win is an important element in winning. An 
 officer in one of the regiments had publicly expressed the 
 opinion that the government would not succeed in suppress 
 ing the rebellion. This came to the knowledge of Presi 
 dent Lincoln who promptly dismissed the officer in disgrace 
 from the service. There must be no doubting, half-hearted 
 way of doing the work that had to be done. The spirit of 
 the commander becomes the spirit of the army. 
 
 As a means of inspiring confidence among the men 
 General McClellan visited the camps, took notice of the 
 drills, and commended a thing well done. He held a suc 
 cession of great reviews. The first of these was held on the 
 8th of October in a wide level plain east of the capitol. 
 The forces reviewed were mostly artillery and cavalry. 
 These were arranged in long lines, and the general, followed 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 51 
 
 by his brilliant staff and a number of invited general offi 
 cers mounted on superb horses, and his body guard of cav 
 alry, rode rapidly along in front of each line. The general 
 with his quick, nervous, graceful manner, seeming to notice 
 each soldier as he rode past, recognizing the compliment of 
 a cheer by lifting his cap, excited the greatest enthusiasm. 
 Then after he had taken his place on one side of the field a 
 little in advance of the line of his staff and other attendants, 
 the batteries of artillery and squadrons of cavalry, wheeling 
 from the right of the lines, marched in review before him. 
 The batteries with their burnished guns, each gun carriage 
 and caisson drawn by six horses, the squadrons of cavalry 
 with bright sabres, fluttering guidons, and waving flags, 
 made an imposing appearance. A vast multitude in car 
 riages, on horseback and on foot had assembled to witness 
 the review. Each man felt that he was a part of a mighty 
 host, and that upon this host the eyes of the nation were 
 resting with high hopes and expectations. But even here 
 the inefficiency because of the want of thorough drill and 
 discipline could be observed. There was some lack of order 
 in wheeling and marching. In one instance there was so 
 much confusion and the officers were so wanting in the 
 ability to quietly restore order, that an aide on the general s 
 staff was sent to order the regiment off the field of review 
 and back to its camp. The men felt the humiliation deeply. 
 Every man had a feeling of pride in the discipline and good 
 name of the organization to which he belonged. Even the 
 horses seemed to understand the differences between strict 
 discipline and the lack of it. The presence of a master 
 made itself felt in promptness in speech and action, and in 
 the ability to see, without apparent effort, all that was going 
 on. It was not the blustering, threatening captain, but the 
 quiet, observing one that had the best company. 
 
 On the loth of October we broke camp, marched across 
 
52 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Long Bridge, and made a new camp in an open field near 
 Ball s Cross Roads, back of Arlington Heights. 
 
 That part of Virginia opposite Washington was a pleas 
 ant land to look upon. There were many creeks, tributaries 
 to larger streams that flowed into the Potomac. There 
 were prominent broad-topped, rounded hills, and wide open 
 fields. Portions were covered with heavy forests of oak, 
 chestnut and pine. The soil was generally a yellowish or 
 reddish clay, in places gravelly. This soil under good cul 
 tivation had once borne good crops. Many of the farms 
 that had once been parts of large estates, had become ex 
 hausted by the raising of tobacco, and on these neglected 
 lands there had grown up thickets of second growth pines, 
 so dense that a horseman could not ride through them, and 
 even men on foot could with difficulty work their way 
 through. One could not see beyond a short distance into 
 these young forests. Here and there was a fine residence, 
 but many of the houses were small and old, and their occu 
 pants poor people. 
 
 The location of the camp was four or five miles from 
 Washington, and in this direction the outmost camp. Some 
 strong earth forts had been built in a semi-circle from above 
 Arlington to a point south of Alexandria. How far away 
 the enemy was we did not know. But the Union picket line 
 was supposed to be two or three miles beyond, and from 
 some picket posts on high hills the posts of the enemy on 
 distant hills could be seen. No collision was considered 
 probable except between hostile scouting parties. But 
 hardly had the men made themselves comfortable for the 
 night in their new camp when it was reported that an attack 
 was expected; a body of Confederates was approaching. 
 The alarm spread quickly through the camp. Orders 
 were given to "turn out and saddle up." The orders were 
 promptly obeyed amid considerable excitement. The cause 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 53 
 
 of the alarm was afterward understood. One of the majors 
 was a man of large physical proportions, with an assurance 
 of at least equal proportions. On his large head was a mass 
 of thick bushy hair that he was in the habit of combing 
 upwards with his fingers, and he wore a moderately large 
 "bay window" in front. He had aspired to the captaincy of 
 Company A, but that company had preferred another. Dis 
 appointed elsewhere he had sought a lieutenantcy in one of 
 the German companies, but the proposition had been met 
 with a vehement "Nein! Nein!" from the ranks. By 
 plausible representations that he wanted the office only for 
 a short time and as a means of securing a higher position 
 elsewhere, the Germans were persuaded to consent to the 
 arrangement. On the announcement of the field and staff, 
 to the surprise of the officers and men he was named one 
 of the majors. This announcement was met by a vigorous 
 and formal protest from the other officers, but without avail. 
 An appeal was made to higher authorities, but he succeeded 
 in holding his position. He spoke often and much of his 
 acquaintance and influence with high officials, and seemed 
 to have some means of a political nature of advancing him 
 self, not generally known. He lacked judgment and com 
 mon sense, and was the object of many a joke and much 
 ridicule. 
 
 On the start from Meridian Hill he was not on hand, 
 and the senior captain commanded his battalion. Later, 
 followed by an orderly and a colored servant, he had over 
 taken the column and was greeted with loud laughter as 
 he rode forward and back trying to find his proper place. 
 Finally, the colonel, in order to stop these unseemly doings, 
 sent him forward to the camp to look after matters there. 
 But the major, disliking the idea of sleeping on the cold 
 ground, sought other quarters, and had found, some distance 
 beyond the camp, a lowly house occupied by a poor woman 
 
54 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 whose husband was in the Confederate army. Sometime 
 after nightfall some officers and men had gone out as a 
 patrol, and as an after thought, concluded to look for the 
 missing major. Seeing him through the lighted window 
 they planned a joke. While the main body remained in 
 the road, a few knocked vigorously at the door, representing 
 themselves as Confederates and demanding the surrender 
 of the Union officer who was hiding there, for the major 
 and his attendants had quickly concealed themselves. The 
 poor woman welcomed the supposed companions of her 
 husband. The major was compelled to come out of his un 
 comfortable hiding place, when, recognizing the members 
 of his own regiment he protested against such "disrespect 
 ful treatment of a superior officer." This was the supposed 
 Confederate party that was threatening an attack on the 
 camp. Like the Rumor of the Aeneid, the report had 
 traveled fast and had grown as it traveled. 
 
 The locality of this camp was found unfavorable, and 
 on the 2ist of October a new place was selected about two 
 miles to the northwest, in a wide meadow land on what was 
 known as Brown s farm. 
 
 A sergeant with an assistant was sent on in advance 
 to lay out the camp. He had set stakes to mark the com 
 pany lines and the tents of the field and staff, and had 
 roughly drawn on paper the plan of the camp. Major 
 Charles H. Ogle rode upon the ground at the head of his 
 battalion. He was a West Point graduate, a trained and 
 competent soldier, but given to drinking habits. As the 
 companies had arrived the sergeant had directed each to its 
 place, and had received a respectful "Thank you." especially 
 from the German officers. But Major Ogle was in no con 
 dition to be civil. In response to his question as to where 
 his companies were to go, the sergeant, referring to his plan 
 of the camp, pointed to a tree and some stakes that marked 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 55 
 
 the place for his companies. With a perfect torrent of oaths 
 and abuse, and with a violent motion of his arm that indi 
 cated the way in which he would have liked to take off the 
 sergeant s head if he had had his sabre in his hand, said, "I 
 don t want anything of your paper! Mount your horse 
 and show me where to go !" The sergeant mounted his 
 horse, and rode to the head of one of the lines and called to 
 the major that there was the line of his first company. After 
 another storm of abuse from the major the sergeant went 
 to locate the others. 
 
 With the camp well pitched there came a long, cold, 
 drizzling rain, and the men kept themselves in their small 
 A tents. The rain tightened up the canvas so that it made 
 a good shelter. But with only a little straw on the damp, 
 cold ground and a few blankets, the quarters were anything 
 but comfortable. There could be no drilling. Sufficient 
 supplies could not be had. The horses had to stand tied to 
 the picket ropes without shelter, shivering, and part of the 
 time without forage. Tlie camp became a field of mud. 
 
 October 24th orders w r ere received to move the camp to 
 some gravelly hill sides on Four Mile Run, near Arlington 
 Mills, the headquarters of General Palmer, chief of cavalry. 
 Again the engineer sergeant with his assistant was sent on 
 to lay out the camp. He made up his mind to take philo 
 sophically whatever abuse was offered him. 
 
 Captain Thomas J. Lord of Company M was a gentle 
 man whose appearance and manner would indicate that he 
 was a personage of very considerable importance, but not a 
 man of robust, martial vigor. He w r ore heavy, long, pend 
 ent side whiskers, with his lower middle face smooth 
 shaven. He seemed little inclined to hold familiar inter 
 course with enlisted men. After some months of service 
 he was discharged for disability. It fell to the lot of 
 Richard G. Prendergast to meet the men when necessary. 
 
56 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 He was a young Englishman, tall and slim, with sandy 
 complexion, hair and mustache. He had a peculiar obliq 
 uity of speech. He pronounced the letter d as g, and r as w. 
 He was much given to the use of expletives, and seemed to 
 think some distance should be observed between the officers 
 and men in the ranks. 
 
 The line of his company was pointed out to the lieu 
 tenant, but it did not quite suit him, and he changed it and 
 also the place for his own tent. The sergeant politely in 
 formed him that he was not pitching his tent in the right 
 place, and again pointed out the company line. As he was 
 moving away the lieutenant followed him with a number 
 of emphatic expressions, wishing that "that gam sergeant 
 would ming his own business." The sergeant understand 
 ing that it was "his business" to see that the camp was 
 properly arranged, soon returned and informed the lieu 
 tenant that according to the plan of a camp prescribed by the 
 army regulations his tent was to go there, and there was to 
 be the company line. One could afford to be good natured 
 when backed by such authority. The lieutenant was some 
 what surprised, but gracefully yielded, and even came after 
 ward to the sergeant to ask for some more specific direc 
 tions that he had not at first understood. He proved a 
 good fighter, and near the end of the war was killed while 
 leading a daring charge. 
 
 Company C, Captain Boyd, after crossing the Potomac 
 August 7th, had remained at Alexandria attached to the 
 command of Gen. Franklin. August iSth they had their 
 first fight, and won their first victory. Franklin s command 
 was made up of the I5th, i8th, 3ist and 32110! regiments 
 of N. Y. infantry, Arnold s battery of regular artillery, and 
 Boyd s company of cavalry. August 28th these forces 
 moved out about three miles from Alexandria and en 
 camped near Fairfax Seminary, an Episcopal theological 
 
HENRY B. HIDDEN. 
 
 ABRAM JONES. 
 
 CHARLES R. PETERSON. 
 
 PETERSON S SABRE CLASP. 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 57 
 
 school. In the vicinity were the brigades of Slocum, New 
 ton and Kearney. The four brigades were combined into 
 the Alexandria division with Franklin in command. The 
 cavalry company was attached to division headquarters, 
 with details reporting regularly as mounted orderlies to the 
 brigade commanders. 
 
 The Union out-post on the Leesburg turnpike was at 
 Bailey s Cross Roads. Mason s, Upton s, and Munson s 
 Hills were occupied by the; Confederates who had con 
 structed upon them earth works. The Confederate flag 
 over the fort on Munson s Hill was a conspicuous object 
 easily seen from the dome of the capitol. The opposing 
 picket lines were at no great distance apart. The pickets 
 could call to each other, and there was occasionally an ex 
 change of shots. A cannon ball shattered the corner of the 
 house at Bailey s Cross Roads. An entire brigade would 
 go out to the front for two or three days. The men were 
 becoming well drilled and accustomed to skirmish firing. 
 Gen. McClellan s frequent appearance was greeted with 
 enthusiasm, and inspired confidence. After awhile the 
 Confederates abandoned their line of forts, and our picket 
 line was advanced. 
 
 Thus far Company C had been detached from the rest 
 of the companies. But on the 28th of October the regiment 
 at Arlington Mills broke camp. Colonel McReynolds with 
 five companies joined Gen. Franklin, and with Company C, 
 established Camp Kearney. Lieut. Col. Von Schickfuss 
 with the other six, B, F, and the four German companies 
 reported to Gen. Heintzelman at Fort Lyon, below Alex 
 andria. 
 
 This fort was on the brow of a high table land. Be 
 tween the high bluff on which the fort was built and the city, 
 lay the wide valley of Hunter s Run into which flowed 
 Cameron Run. The fort was one of the largest and strong- 
 
58 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 est in the semi-circle of defences, and was equipped with 
 many heavy guns that commanded the valley and a wide 
 range of the country to the south and west. Beyond the 
 fort were lines of lower earthworks and rifle pits. 
 
 The new camp was on high, level meadow land on the 
 farm of Mr. Gillingham, a field s width west of the road 
 that led from Alexandria to Mt. Vernon. It was sheltered 
 on the south and west by heavily timbered woodlands. 
 
 We were in the neighborhood of old historic families. 
 Six miles to the south was Mt. Vernon, visited reverently by 
 soldiers of either army. At a less distance were the ruins 
 of an old home of Lord Fairfax, occupied by him before he 
 built his later home beyond the Blue Ridge. The Hunters, 
 Lewises, Grahams and Masons were other noted families 
 which had lived in the vicinity. While living on their fine 
 country estates members of these families had from time 
 immemorial held official positions under the government. 
 On the coming of the Union armies many prominent fam 
 ilies had abandoned their homes and gone farther south. 
 
 Not far from the camp was the fine farm of George 
 Mason who boasted that he was a descendant of the royal 
 house of the Stuarts. He owned many slaves and had been 
 a magistrate noted for the cruel punishments he had inflicted 
 on accused persons whom he had adjudged guilty. He was 
 a secessionist. When the Union army crossed into Virginia 
 he made ready to leave for Richmond with all the valuables 
 he could take with him. A detachment of Union troops 
 appeared on the scene just as his loaded carriages were 
 leaving the grounds. His grinning slaves could not repress 
 their signs of delight as they saw the cavalcade stopped and 
 their master placed under guard in his own house. After 
 ward he took the oath of allegiance as a loyal Unionist and 
 filed a claim for damages done by the soldiers who had 
 encamped on his estate $20,000 for trees cut down for 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 59 
 
 fuel, $10,000 for fences destroyed, and $80 an acre for 
 injuries done to the land itself. 
 
 Camp Schickfuss was one of the best ordered camps in 
 the history of the regiment. The lieutenant colonel com 
 manding was prompt, approachable and gentlemanly. He 
 was up and out on the grounds at reveille. He supervised 
 affairs. As often as practicable he called out the entire 
 available command and drilled it in person, and the various 
 evolutions skillfully performed were enjoyed by the men as 
 well as by the commander himself. His wife, a comely, 
 cheery woman, heartily respected, shared his life in the 
 camp. 
 
 For supplies of hay and straw we foraged around the 
 country, the quartermaster giving receipts for what was 
 taken. Rations of fresh and salt meat, hard and soft bread, 
 and beans were sufficient and good, although not always 
 properly cooked. It was customary for the sutler to 
 keep extras for sale, but some of these were not very 
 digestible. 
 
 A special sutler had been appointed by the lieutenant 
 colonel, but no sooner was the camp in order than Franklin, 
 the regimental sutler, appeared with his loaded wagons, pur 
 posing without asking leave, to pitch his tent and open up a 
 branch department stock of cheap stationery, tobacco, musty 
 ginger snaps and cheese, with some kegs of beer and cases 
 of whisky. He was a peculiar, dark-visaged man, who sup 
 posed that his appointment as regimental sutler was about 
 the same thing as a commission, giving him rank on an 
 equality with the staff officers. He was surprised therefore, 
 when he found that the lieutenant colonel did not recognize 
 the right and privileges that he claimed, but on the contrary 
 told him to take his wagons back whence he had brought 
 them. As sutler of the regiment he demanded the right to 
 sell goods wherever any part of the regiment might be. 
 
60 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 "You cannot be sutler here." 
 
 "Do I understand that you will not allow me to have 
 my tent here?" 
 
 "You understand that I order you off these grounds." 
 
 "Will you give me that order in writing?" 
 
 "It is not necessary." 
 
 And chafing with unavailing wrath over this want of 
 recognition, and the loss of profits from expected sales, he 
 drove his wagons back to Camp Kearney where greater 
 woes awaited him. 
 
 The Accotink creek flows into the Potomac below Mt. 
 Vernon. The Occoquan, of which Bull Run is a tributary, 
 is from two to three miles from the Accotink. The courses 
 of the two streams are nearly parallel. The Confederates 
 under Gen. Wigfall were beyond the Occoquan. The two 
 streams were the picket lines of the respective armies. The 
 region between was debatable ground. Scouting parties 
 from either side would enter this ground. Small parties 
 under cover of night would steal inside the opposing picket 
 line. A few skirmishes had taken place. On the nth of 
 November a detachment of the Fourth Maine infantry, Col. 
 Berry, was ordered out for a scout beyond the Accotink. 
 As a cavalry advance for this infantry the greater part of 
 Company B \vas ordered out. Captain Henry B. Todd and 
 Lieutenant John Ennis went w r ith the cavalry. They rested 
 that night at Olivet Chapel. The next day they crossed the 
 Accotink and went as far as Pohick Church, about six 
 miles west of Mt. Vernon, making their way leisurely. On 
 the 1 2th, returning, they recrossed the Accotink some dis 
 tance in the rear of the infantry. Captain Todd and a few 
 of his men had stopped at a house. Foraging for neces 
 saries was sometimes indulged in, and convenient things for 
 the camp found at abandoned houses were appropriated, 
 although contrary to general orders. Bugler William Den- 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 61 
 
 ton had appropriated a side saddle which he proposed to 
 take to camp presumably for the use of the wife of one of 
 the officers. Charles R. Peterson had found several num 
 bers of Harper s Magazine, which he had buckled inside 
 his belt. The road led through some very dense second- 
 growth woods. Here a party of Confederates had lain con 
 cealed while the infantry and the larger part of the cavalry 
 had passed. As the small party of cavalry came along the 
 Confederates rose from their ambush and fired at close 
 range. The captain s horse was killed. Sergeant O Brien s 
 horse was shot and he was thrown violently to the ground, 
 saying, as he was trying to rise, " Oh, Oi m hurted, Oi m 
 hurted!" The few others seeing no chance to accomplish 
 anything, dashed through thei line of Confederates who 
 had partially surrounded them and escaped. 
 
 The Confederates taking the captain and three or four 
 other prisoners, hurried away lest a force from the column 
 that had passed, hearing the firing, should return. Clark 
 Stanton, escaping from the skirmish, quickly overtook the 
 remainder of the cavalry under Lieutenant Ennis, and 
 begged the lieutenant to return, as there were but a few of 
 the enemy, and the company could easily defeat them and 
 rescue their captive comrades. The lieutenant refused. 
 Stanton asked that a dozen men might be allowed to go 
 back with him, but the lieutenant positively commanded that 
 not a man should leave the ranks, and gave orders to move 
 on after the infantry. The wounded Denton, still keeping 
 his side-saddle, rode on with the rest, until, reaching the 
 camp of the 38th N. Y. infantry, he t was left behind in the 
 hospital of that regiment where the next day he died. 
 
 There was consternation in the camp when, late in the 
 afternoon, Eldridge S. Mitchell galloped into the grounds 
 and down the company line, excitedly announcing that the 
 company had been in a fight and cut to pieces, the captain 
 
62 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 and several men were prisoners, some were wounded, and 
 Peterson was killed. Later Lieut. Ennis returned with 
 what remained, when the details of the unfortunate affair 
 were rehearsed. Peterson s loss was lamented, for he was 
 a good, self-possessed soldier, and a cheerful comrade. It was 
 a pleasant surprise, therefore, when the next morning he 
 came walking into camp, as unconcerned as if nothing seri 
 ous had happened, bringing his arms and a rebel bullet flat 
 tened on the clasp of his sabre belt. A Confederate stand 
 ing near the head of his horse, had fired straight at him, 
 and Peterson felt the shock. Another shot struck his horse 
 in the nose and maddened him. He reared and plunged 
 beyond control, and dashed sidewise against the rail fence 
 by the roadside with such force as to throw Peterson over 
 the fence. He was badly shaken up and stunned, but kept 
 his senses and lay perfectly still in the thick underbush, 
 watching events. 
 
 When the Confederates had got together their prisoners, 
 and departed, he rose from his shelter under the fence, took 
 a deliberate survey of the field of fight, and took up his line 
 of march on foot. At night he reached the camp of the 
 other part of the regiment where he was generously enter 
 tained, and the next morning came to his own camp. The 
 magazines within his belt had broken the force of the bullet 
 which had torn its way almost through the clasp. 
 
 The prisoners were relieved of all articles of value and 
 marched all night and next day to Manassas. The captain 
 tried to cheer up his fellow r prisoners, but before they 
 reached the end of their long, weary, hungry march, a few 
 tears w 7 ere observed to course down his cheeks as his 
 changed condition occurred to him. Although not one of 
 the most active officers, he had many excellent qualities and 
 was well thought of. His name was the maiden name of 
 President Lincoln s wife, and his captors gained the impres- 
 
IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 63 
 
 sion that he was a relative. He was exchanged some months 
 later and was made provost marshal of Washington, which 
 position he held until 1864, when for some reason, he was 
 dismissed from the service. Adjutant J. C. Battersby be 
 came captain of Company B. 
 
 This affair was announced in large head lines in the 
 next morning s papers. In a northern city the paper was 
 being scanned at the breakfast table when the flaming head 
 lines were noticed. It caused consternation. A brother 
 was in Captain Todd s company. As soon as the head of 
 the family could reach the telegraph office he wired an offi 
 cer whom he knew to be in Fort Lyon, asking if the brother 
 was safe. Time after time during the day and till late at 
 night he went to the telegraph office, but no message came. 
 After a night of anxiety he went early in the morning. The 
 operator said "No reply yet." Then as the instrument re 
 newed its clicking, Here it comes, now." 
 
 "He is all right." 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 CAMP KEARNEY. 
 
 T^TOVEMBER I /th the six companies at Camp Schickfuss 
 * J- struck tents, loaded their baggage wagons and joined 
 the rest of the regiment at Camp Kearney. This camp was 
 well located on a sloping field on the north side of the road 
 that ran in front of the extensive grounds of Fairfax Sem 
 inary. Among some large oak trees on the eastern and 
 higher part of the grounds was a long brick house of two 
 stories above a high brick basement, with a veranda the 
 length of the house. This was headquarters. The house 
 had been built in colonial days and had been the home of 
 prominent families. General Kearney of the New Jersey 
 brigade had his headquarters in a larger house near by. 
 Gen. Wm. B. Franklin commanding the Alexandria division, 
 occupied a tent pitched on the grounds of a stately mansion 
 that had been the home of one of the faculty of the seminary. 
 Early in the morning of Nov. 21, in compliance with 
 orders received the day before, provided with a few rounds 
 of ammunition and rations for the day, with rolled blankets 
 strapped to the saddles, the regiment was mounted and on 
 the march on the Leesburg turnpike. Soldiers were sup 
 posed to be prepared for the execution of whatever orders 
 might be given, and not to be surprised at anything that 
 might happen. But there was to be no fight this day. In 
 the neighborhood of Bailey s Cross Roads a large area had 
 been cleared of fences and other obstructions, and made 
 suitable for extensive military maneuvers. The whole army 
 
 64 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 65 
 
 of the Potomac was there. It was estimated that there were 
 present twenty-five thousand artillery and cavalry, and sev 
 enty-five thousand infantry. The men appeared in their 
 best condition. With their uniforms of dark or light blue 
 with varied distinguishing colors, the bright guns of the 
 artillery, the flashing sabres of the cavalry and the long 
 lines of infantry with their glittering bayonets, with num 
 berless bright flags and guidons, these gathered hosts pre 
 sented an appearance that for magnificence had never been 
 equaled on the American continent. They recalled the 
 pictures of the great armies of Napoleon. A battery on the 
 right fired all its guns. A battery in the center 
 fired its guns, and this was followed by a battery 
 on the left. Seven times was this done, the salute of 
 twenty-one guns fired by battery in honor of the President 
 of the United States. The salute was followed by mighty 
 volumes of cheers along the lines. Then from the military 
 bands came the notes of "Hail to the Chief," and soon Gen 
 eral McClellan and President Lincoln, followed by a brilliant 
 retinue, came riding along the lines. The men again broke 
 forth in cheers as proof of their devotion to him who repre 
 sented the nation. The men of the regiment felt that they 
 were specially honored in bearing his name. 
 
 The entire army by companies marched in review before 
 the President, the commanding general, and thousands of 
 visitors. 
 
 The spirit of the army was at its highest, and it was 
 felt that such a vast power properly wielded could crush any 
 force the rebellion could muster. The general-in-chief could 
 handle that power well on the field of review, and there were 
 high hopes that he could handle it equally well in an active 
 and aggressive campaign. The review from early in the 
 morning till night was a holiday. 
 
 And now the monotonous soldiering in camp was con- 
 
66 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 tinued, relieved by daily details for picket and patrol duty 
 and frequent scouts beyond the lines. On the 24th a bat 
 talion accompanied a force of artillery and infantry from 
 the New Jersey brigade to Burke s station on the Orange 
 and Alexandria railroad, and to Anandale, where a body of 
 Confederate cavalry had passed a short time before. For 
 the purpose of gaining reliable information from the inhabit 
 ants, scouting parties would frequently represent themselves 
 as Confederates. They would hear themselves abused, and 
 would sometimes gather in some stores that they had found 
 reason to suppose were intended for the use of the enemy. 
 
 On the 2/th Companies C and F, Captains Boyd and 
 Bennett, went almost to Fairfax Court House where they 
 were challenged by hostile shots from rifle pits. A body 
 of cavalry was seen beyond the rifle pits. Some shots 
 were exchanged, but there was no disposition on either side 
 to become engaged at close quarters. The purpose for 
 which the companies had been sent out was to ascertain the 
 location of the enemy. This having been accomplished, they 
 were willing to retire. But in doing this, if they could lead 
 on the enemy in pursuit and get him into a position where 
 they could take him at a disadvantage, they would like to 
 do it. But soon they became suspicious that the enemy 
 might be planning to get them into just such a situation, by 
 inducing them to delay their return until a force could be 
 sent around to intercept them. So strong did this suspicion 
 become that it was deemed best to return by the round-about 
 way of Falls Church, and thus spy out more of the country 
 while escaping the possible plots of the enemy. On the way, 
 in the edge of some woods beyond a clearing, there suddenly 
 confronted them a long line of infantry skirmishers prepared 
 for a hostile demonstration. Evidently the infantry looked 
 upon the cavalry as enemies, coming as they did from the 
 direction of the enemy s lines. Were the infantry enemies, 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 67 
 
 or friends? The cavalry had often practiced deception on 
 the Confederates. Might they be deceived themselves? 
 Captain Boyd rode forward to ascertain. Taking some risk 
 he rode near enough to ask who they were, and received 
 the reply: "The Twentieth New York. Who are you?" 
 Finally each was satisfied that the other was a friend. This 
 possibility of a mistake led to the adoption of signals for 
 identification. 
 
 An army in camp means occasional instances of demor 
 alization. In spite of orders to the contrary private property 
 was not always respected. Articles found in abandoned 
 houses were appropriated as much by officers as by enlisted 
 men. Valuable books found their way into the libraries of 
 officers. Gen. Franklin is to be credited with an honest 
 purpose to prevent all wanton plundering, and his appoint 
 ment of Captain Boyd as provost marshal of the division 
 had in view the better maintenance of good order and dis 
 cipline. December i his company was detached from the 
 regiment as provost guard, and they pitched their tents near 
 division headquarters. 
 
 Duty of an unpleasant nature awaited the provost 
 marshal. William H. Johnson of Company D, while on 
 picket duty at Benton s Tavern, went outside the lines and 
 was well on his way towards the enemy s lines when he met 
 a body of infantry that he supposed to be Confederates, but 
 which was a detachment of the New Jersey brigade under 
 Col. Taylor, returning from a scout. 
 
 He was not undeceived until he had announced his pur 
 pose of deserting from the Union army. He found that he 
 had betrayed himself, and was a prisoner. He was disarmed 
 and placed under guard. A court martial was convened, of 
 which Colonel N. J. Jackson of the 5th Maine infantry was 
 president. Before this court Johnson was brought to trial 
 on the charge of attempting to desert to the enemy. He here 
 
68 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 stated that he desired, not to desert, but to visit his mother 
 and sister who lived in New Orleans. But his statements 
 did not correspond with those he had made to the supposed 
 Confederates into whose hands he had fallen, far outside the 
 lines. He was a peculiar man whose actions at different 
 times had proved him unreliable. But he was not so irre 
 sponsible as not to understand the nature of desertion. He 
 was found guilty and condemned to be shot. The sentence 
 was approved by the general-in-chief, who added to his ap 
 proval : "For simple desertion the penalty is death. For 
 desertion coupled with such treachery there can be no 
 mercy." Friday, the I3th, at 3 p.m., was the time appointed 
 for the execution. This was the first military execution in 
 the army of the Potomac. That it might be made as im 
 pressive as possible, all the details specifically stated were 
 published in general orders. The entire division was ordered 
 to be present. The place designated was a wide plain north 
 of the seminary. The brigades of Slocum, Kearney and 
 Newton, each in two lines twenty paces apart, formed three 
 sides of a hollow square. The open side was on the north. 
 The cavalry and artillery, dismounted, were formed facing 
 each other, on the right and left, respectively, of the brigades 
 that formed the east and west sides of the square. The fir 
 ing party was a detail of one man from each of the com 
 panies of the cavalry regiment to which the prisoner be 
 longed. This detail was under the command of a sergeant. 
 The music of the cavalry regiment, the firing party on foot, 
 the open wagon containing the prisoner sitting on his rough 
 pine coffin and attended by the chaplain, an escort of one com 
 pany of cavalry mounted, made up the melancholy proces 
 sion at the head of which was the provost marshal. The 
 procession passed between the two lines of the entire division 
 from right to left, the front line facing to the rear while 
 the cortege was passing, when it faced again to the front. 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 69 
 
 The bands of each brigade, one after another, played a dirge 
 as the long and slow procession passed. After thus passing 
 between the lines on the three sides, the procession took its 
 position on the fourth side of the square. The prisoner, 
 blindfolded, sat on his coffin in front of the firing party of 
 twelve of his own comrades. The carbines had been loaded 
 out of sight of those who were to fire them, a single one 
 being loaded with a blank cartridge. The chaplain spoke 
 his last words to the condemned man. Amid the intense, 
 sickening heart-throbbings of more than ten thousand sol 
 diers, and many civilian spectators, who looked on in death 
 like silence, the marshal waved his signal. There was a 
 crash of fire arms, and the dying deserter was lying on the 
 ground beside his coffin. 
 
 Brigades, regiments, companies marched back to their 
 camps. The general orders had specified that there would 
 be "no other military exercises during the remainder of the 
 day." 
 
 Twas evening; on a tented field, and through the heated haze, 
 
 Flashed back from lines of burnished arms, the sun s effulgent blaze ; 
 
 While from a sombre prison-house seen slowly to emerge 
 
 A sad procession, o er the sward moved to a funeral dirge, 
 
 And in the midst, with faltering step, and pale and anxious lace, 
 
 In manacles, between two guards, a soldier had his place. 
 
 Still on before the marshalled ranks the train pursued its way, 
 
 Up to a designated place whereon a coffin lay, 
 
 His coffin ! And with reeling brain, despairing, desolate, 
 
 He took his station by its side, abandoned to his fate ! 
 
 Then came across his wavering sight strange pictures in the air; 
 
 He saw his distant southern home, he saw his mother there. 
 
 Yet once again, in double file, advancing then he saw 
 
 Twelve comrades sternly set apart to execute the law : 
 
 But saw no more; his senses swam, deep darkness settled round, 
 
 And shuddering, he waited now the fatal volley s sound ! 
 
 FRANCIS DE HAES JANVIER. 
 
 On the second of December congress met. Its proceed 
 ings were watched with interest, but it was evident that the 
 
70 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 rebellion was to be suppressed, not by legislation, but by 
 military force. There had been indications of a vigorous 
 movement against the enemy entrenched at Manassas. The 
 weather up to the last of December was mild. The roads 
 were dry and all things seemed favorable. Great pressure 
 was brought to bear upon McClellan to make an aggressive 
 movement, and he gave repeated assurances that a move 
 ment would soon be made. But as the weeks passed by, the 
 men became settled in the conviction that they would remain 
 here, and they began to make themselves comfortable for the 
 winter. 
 
 Camp Kearney, our long remembered first winter 
 camp, was named in honor of our colonel s associate captain 
 of cavalry in the Mexican war, now the one-armed, grizzled 
 veteran general of the New Jersey brigade. 
 
 The company lines were parallel. At the head of each 
 line of A tents were the wall tents of the company officers. 
 Back of these were the wall tents of the field and staff offi 
 cers. The brick house behind these was headquarters. 
 
 Usually in a cavalry camp the horses were tied to a rope 
 stretched on posts in the middle of the street in front of the 
 line of company tents. But here the stables were outside 
 the camp. Posts were set, and on these were placed poles 
 supporting a roof made from branches of trees, brush, pieces 
 of old canvas and whatever other sheltering material the 
 men could find. 
 
 Four men occupying a tent would build log foundations 
 two or three feet high, plastered with mud, and upon these 
 foundations stretch their tents. They would dig out the in 
 side, making the ground floor several inches lower than the 
 ground outside. On each side of this log-walled, canvas- 
 roofed house was space for two narrow bunks, an upper 
 and a lower, with the middle space for "sitting room." The 
 bunks were filled in with hay or straw if it could be had, 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 71 
 
 and over this were spread the heavy woolen blankets, mak 
 ing very comfortable resting places. Hanging to the tent 
 poles, or lying on the bunks were the arms sabres, re 
 volvers, carbines, sometimes the bridles and saddles, the 
 saddle often serving as a pillow. At the back of the tent 
 was a chimney built of sticks and mud, topped off with the 
 headless s-keleton of a barrel. The chimney was entirely 
 outside. Inside the tent was a little square fireplace of brick 
 or stone laid in mortar or mud. With only green wood to 
 burn, and the wind not always blowing the right way, often 
 more smoke came out of the fireplace than went up the 
 chimney. These quarters were comfortable and the winter 
 was not without its enjoyments. 
 
 Generally two men were detailed to cook for the com 
 pany. The cooks tent was at the lower end of the line, and 
 three times a day the company would fall in line and march 
 to the outdoor kitchen for the bean soup, stewed meat and 
 coffee. After a\vhile the men of each mess would prefer to 
 draw their o\vn rations and cook them as they pleased, sup 
 plementing them with such extras as they could get. Sup 
 plies were generally promptly furnished and adequate. 
 Sometimes the blamed quartermaster" was blamed more 
 than he deserved to be. The wonder is that the government 
 was able to furnish supplies as well as it did, with such a 
 multitude of men so suddenly called into service to be pro 
 vided for. 
 
 The winter of 1861-62 in Virginia was wet and cold, 
 with occasional snow falling on ground not frozen. There 
 was mud everywhere. The Virginia mud was peculiar. It 
 was yellowish, or light brown, in color. The roads most 
 used by wagon trains bringing supplies were like rivers of 
 mixed paint. Perhaps the muddiest place was the low level 
 road between the end of Long Bridge and the foot of the 
 hill on which stood Fort Runyan. One day a man of the 
 
72 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 regiment was on his way to Washington, riding a strong, 
 spirited horse that had become accustomed to the blasts of 
 the bugle and trumpet, but was not used to the rattling of 
 the drum. Near the end of the bridge was an old house 
 used as the quarters of an infantry guard. As the cavalry 
 man came directly in front of these quarters the drummer 
 came out on the porch, and began to beat a loud and lively 
 call to dinner. The horse became bewildered. Instead of 
 trying to run, which would have been a difficult thing in 
 that mud almost belly-deep, he began to dance to that lively 
 music, at first on four feet, then on two. The drummer 
 appeared to enjoy the sight, and quickened the time of his. 
 stirring music. The horse rose to the occasion on his 
 hind feet, gesticulating actively with his fore legs, until he 
 reached a little more than a vertical position. This position 
 he was not able long to maintain with a heavy man cling 
 ing to his back, and over the two went backward together, 
 the man encumbered with a heavy blue overcoat, beneath. 
 They rescued themselves from their half drowned condition, 
 and the place where they had half disappeared, as the mud 
 flowed back to its level, seemed none the less in quantity 
 for what was carried away on the backs of the cavalryman 
 and the horse, the latter seeming a little ashamed of his 
 part of the performance. 
 
 The winter was hard on foot-wear, and the wide- 
 bottomed, scow-like shoes with which we were expected to 
 navigate these seas of Virginia mud, would unexpectedly 
 "gape open in cracks," like the ships of the Trojans in the 
 Mediterranean storm, or the sides would fall out altogether. 
 
 The days in camp were filled with attending the regu 
 lar "calls" reveille, assembly, stable, breakfast, guard 
 mount, sick call, etc., and when the weather permitted, drill, 
 inspection and dress parades. An important part of the 
 camp was the guard house placed near the main entrance 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 73 
 
 to the camp, a substantial structure of logs, the contribu 
 tion of the woodmen of Company K. This was the head 
 quarters of the detailed guard and the temporary abode of 
 offenders. An imposing spectacle was the daily guard 
 mount. At eight o clock each morning, Walter, the ser 
 geant major, might be seen stalking up and down the parade 
 ground awaiting the coming of the details from the several 
 companies. His commanding presence, soldier-like appear 
 ance and faultless dress made him a model for all to copy 
 after. As he checked off the details he would order them 
 into line, and then commencing at the right he would inspect 
 the guard. Not a fault or blemish could escape his critical 
 eye. With a wealth of expletives that would exhaust the 
 resources of two languages he would berate the careless 
 and ridicule the slovenly until they would make up their 
 minds never again to report for duty unless their uniforms 
 and accoutrements were in perfect order. He would then 
 turn them over to the officer of the guard. The music \vould 
 "sound off," the musicians marching and counter march 
 ing in front of the line, and the guard would march to its 
 quarters and the old guard would be relieved. 
 
 There can be no doubt that much of the neat and sol 
 dierly appearance that afterward became a characteristic of 
 the regiment was the result of Walter s strictures at guard 
 mount at Camp Kearney. He was a typical German sol 
 dier. With all his severity when on duty, he was kind 
 hearted, genuine, true to his friends, and all who knew him 
 well were his friends. He served faithfully all through, and 
 received his death wound the night before Lee s surrender. 
 
 The frequent details for pickets and scouts broke up 
 the monotony. And there were other things. Captain 
 Batter sby was a superb horseman. He took the initiative 
 in the steeple chase. Mounted on his powerful "General 
 McClellan" he took "Troop B" on many a wild ride through 
 
74 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the country, jumping ditches, fences and hedges. He had 
 a peculiar way of "lifting" his horse over a hurdle, direct 
 ing his men to follow. Those at first timid became daring. 
 All through the regiment were men who became bold and 
 expert riders. There came many occasions where these 
 "horse tamers", possibly equal to those of ancient Troy, 
 found this training valuable. 
 
 The discipline was not at all times what it should have 
 been. There was intemperance among some of the officers, 
 and they neglected their duties. The percentage of intem- 
 perates among the enlisted men was less than that among the 
 officers. 
 
 A slovenly orderly sergeant would crawl out of his ill- 
 kept bunk after reveille had sounded. Then with clothes 
 half on he would go down the line, opening one tent after 
 another, and with scolding, bluster, threats and no little 
 profanity would tell the men to "get out, here," and "fall in 
 for roll-call." They cared little for his threats of extra 
 duty or the guard house, but w T ould take their time. He 
 spoke with an accent not purely American, and to any want 
 of respect or "talking back" his usual expression was, "Oi ll 
 fix oo !" 
 
 Another orderly was fully and neatly dressed and at the 
 head of the line waiting for the call, never going to a tent 
 to wake the men, or speaking a scolding word. His men 
 formed themselves in a well-dressed line by the last note of 
 the assembly call. 
 
 To a timid young soldier there was something awful in 
 the presence of the great officers in their resplendent uniforms 
 and clothed with so much dignity and authority. One such 
 timid fellow, a sergeant, a good scholar, systematic, and 
 always neat in appearance, was detailed as assistant in the 
 adjutant s office. The adjutant was sometimes gruff and 
 impatient over trifles. On a dress parade the sergeant was 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 75 
 
 in his place in the line, neat in appearance, but wearing his 
 undress blouse instead of his close-fitting, yellow-trimmed, 
 chevroned jacket. The adjutant passing along the line 
 noticed him, and savagely snarled, "Sergeant, where s 
 your jacket ? You look like the devil !" "I-I-know it," 
 timidly stammered the latter, when in fact he presented a 
 very respectable appearance. 
 
 The adjutant was not possessed of much learning, but 
 was unconscious of his deficiences. Noticing one day that 
 the sergeant had rewritten some document that he had 
 drawn up, he impatiently and uncivilly asked why he had 
 done so. The sergeant replied that it was because there 
 were so many misspelled words in the original. The ad 
 jutant dropped the subject. 
 
 A young lieutenant who possessed many of the ele 
 ments of a good officer, energy, and a positive manner, was 
 sometimes a little too positive, even arbitrary and unreason 
 able. At one time he grossly abused a sergeant of his com 
 pany. Later, when under the influence of some evil spirit, 
 he manifested the same disposition toward a major. He 
 apparently failed to notice, until too late, that the major 
 was a much larger man than he, and prompted by the same 
 spirit. For a number of days thereafter he did not appear 
 in public, but was reported "sick in quarters." One day 
 the sergeant had occasion to go to the lieutenant s quarters, 
 and found him renewing the ample bandage he had been 
 wearing diagonally about his head. He looked sick. His 
 left eye was closed, while around and under it was a swollen 
 area, the color of liver, perhaps a few shades darker, the 
 shape and size of a large man s hand doubled up. Under 
 the ancient strict military rule, for an enlisted man to strike 
 an officer was death to the enlisted man. The sergeant was 
 glad he had not struck the lieutenant, although he had suffi 
 cient provocation, and was very well satisfied that a more 
 
76 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 competent agent had done it for him. But as he saw his 
 superior officer thus laid up for repairs, with evident com 
 passion in his tone and manner, he kindly inquired, "Why, 
 lieutenant, what s the matter with your eye?" "I fell 
 down stairs," was the sick officer s reply. How a man 
 could accidentally fall down stairs with such visible effects 
 only in that part of his system was not quite apparent. Evi 
 dently the falling down stairs was "all in his eye." But the 
 sergeant did not care to ask too many questions, and again 
 expressing his sympathy he considerately withdrew. 
 
 There were now and then rumors of convivial times 
 in some of the officers quarters, and after one of these the 
 lieutenant resigned and went north. 
 
 With a few exceptions the officers were gentlemen, 
 temperate, honorable in every respect, and efficient in the 
 service. 
 
 The chaplain was a native of Ireland. In early life he 
 had been a chaplain in the regular army. He had resigned 
 to become rector of an Episcopal church. He had had a 
 varied experience as rector of churches and head master of 
 denominational schools. He was a man of extensive learn 
 ing, and on occasions a speaker of genuine eloquence. He 
 did not hesitate, when he felt like it, to take a little wine for 
 his stomach s sake, and if wine was not to be had he would 
 accept the nearest substitute obtainable. A guard walking 
 his beat in front of the field officers tents addressed the 
 chaplain familiarly as the latter came from the sutler s tent 
 carrying a bulky package under his coat. "What have we 
 there, Dominie? A bottle of whisky?" "It might be the 
 Hooly Boible," said the chaplain fondly tapping the hidden 
 package. "If that is so," said the guard, "I wouldn t mind 
 searching the Scriptures with you for a little while." A 
 little while after as the guard walking his beat came near 
 the chaplain s tent, the latter privately beckoned him to come 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. .. 77 
 
 nearer, and said as he handed him a glass of the liquid, 
 "Have something that will warm you on a cold day." He 
 would sometimes become engaged in an animated contro 
 versy. If the other party to the controversy happened to be 
 of his own temperament and habits, he would become heated 
 almost to a belligerent condition, when his generous impulses 
 would lead him to extend the hand of friendship, saying that 
 his vocation was one of peace. In such a controversy with 
 several companions around a refreshment table in a hotel at 
 Washington his spirited zeal, that could hardly be called 
 spiritual, got the better of his judgment and self-control, 
 and he was said to have knocked three men down before he 
 was arrested. Soon after this affair he was reported "hon 
 orably discharged," but he continued with the regiment as 
 an uncommissioned volunteer for association s sake until the 
 Peninsula campaign. 
 
 There were men from Christian homes, trying to live 
 consistent Christian lives. These had their little social 
 meetings for reading the Bible and prayer. The chaplain 
 by his intemperate ways forfeited the respect of these and 
 all others. 
 
 Like Thangbrand the missionary whom the Norse King 
 Olaf sent to Iceland, he doubtless reported that the people 
 to whom he was sent were hard to convert to his ways. 
 
 The sutler Franklin whom the lieutenant colonel or 
 dered off the grounds at Camp Schickfuss, was a man who 
 had been engaged in the brokerage business in New York. 
 He had a pleasant home on Long Island where he had hos 
 pitably entertained some of the men connected with the 
 regiment. Frank McReynolds, the colonel s son, then too 
 young to be accepted in the service, but desirous of seeing 
 what he could of life in the army, served him as clerk. The 
 sutler considered his post one of honor as well as profit. He 
 wore a suit much like that of the officers, with crossed sabres 
 
78 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 on the front of a military cap. General Kearney was par 
 ticular about officers wearing the signs of their rank. At 
 tended by an orderly one day, between the camp and Alex 
 andria, he met the sutler wearing his half-official dress and 
 riding a horse with military trappings. The general, a little 
 suspicious, stopped him and inquired his rank and command. 
 On being told that he was the sutler of the Lincoln Cavalry 
 the general, as the orderly afterward related, broke forth 
 in emphatic denunciation of his wearing the insignia to 
 which he was not entitled. The conclusion was that the 
 sutler came down from his high horse and footed it home in 
 the mud. He turned over his stock to other parties and 
 went home. 
 
 General Kearney was gruff and hearty, berating what 
 did not suit him, and with equal emphasis commending what 
 did. A bugler was one day on duty at Kearney s head 
 quarters. He was an observing man and had noted that a 
 fine turkey was being roasted for the general s dinner. Now 
 the bugler loved the general none the less, but he appreciated 
 roast turkey fully as much as any one that ever wore a star. 
 Seeing the turkey unwatched for a few moments, save by 
 himself, and he was watching it with interest intensified by 
 a keen appetite, the savory odor made the temptation too 
 strong to be resisted. When the cook returned the bird had, 
 as it were, retaken wings and disappeared. 
 
 "Crimine ab uno disce omnes," was in the general s 
 mind, and in his haste and towering rage he characterized 
 the entire cavalry regiment as a lot of "mounted robbers." 
 
 If there ever was a man who seemed really to enjoy a 
 fight it was he. He had with him a detachment of the same 
 "mounted robbers," and they acquitted themselves so mag 
 nificently in a charge upon a body of rebel infantry several 
 times larger than their own number, that he extolled them 
 as emphatically. as he had condemned them. 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 79 
 
 Perhaps his impetuous manner and example prompted 
 the fighting spirit in them. He never complained that they 
 failed him in a fight. 
 
 General Franklin was a man of fine soldierly appear 
 ance, full-faced, and an officer of ability, exacting, but not 
 always cool or judicious. He would lose his temper at 
 trifles. 
 
 It was a muddy spot around the gate, and it was no 
 small inconvenience for the guard to form in line for the 
 exchange of formal civilities every time an officer above the 
 rank of captain came in sight. The most of them would 
 reply to the sentry calls "Never mind the guard" which 
 would relieve them of all further trouble. 
 
 But one especially muddy day Gen. Franklin came rid 
 ing past. The man on post either did not recognize him, 
 or thought it unnecessary to call out the guard. The gen 
 eral reined up his horse for a few minutes ; gave the sentry 
 and the guard, and it would seem, the entire regiment, a 
 lecture in such vigorous and emphatic expressions that all 
 the atmosphere seemed charged with electricity and tinged 
 with blue. 
 
 General Slocum was one of those to whom frequent 
 details were ordered to report. He was a man unassuming, 
 even in his ways, undemonstrative and capable, considerate 
 toward those who had not yet learned all the formalities of 
 military etiquette. He was not over-exacting as to form 
 where he saw an honest purpose to do one s duty. He did 
 not get into a rage if the guard did not turn at once at his 
 approach to do him honor. Those of the regiment who 
 were with him most never heard from him an objectionable 
 word. His bravery and ability were proved in all the en 
 gagements in which he took part, from first Bull Run to 
 Bentonville. 
 
 The cool and rainy weather of the fall put many on 
 
80 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the sick list, and the winter sifted out the weak and infirm, 
 some seemingly robust were the first to become ill, while 
 striplings grew strong. Many were discharged for dis 
 ability. 
 
 A letter written at the time by an invalid to his home 
 paper gives some idea of the sick soldier s experience : 
 
 CLARENS HOUSE HOSPITAL, 
 NEAR ALEXANDRIA, VA., Feb., 1862. 
 
 You have had your correspondence from the camp of instruction, 
 from the tented field in Rebeldom, and from the field of skirmish, if 
 not of battle. The experience of one detailed by misfortune to occupy 
 the hospital may be less entertaining, but is no less real. 
 
 Those not very ill remain in quarters. The first hospital improvised 
 for a few seriously ill with fever was an old barn with a hay mow for 
 a common cot. 
 
 One at Camp Schickfuss was given a room in the house of Mr. 
 Gillingham and well cared for by Mrs. Gillingham, one of the kindest 
 of women. At Camp Kearney at first some wall tents were filled with 
 low, narrow cots, and these were soon filled. The tents were without 
 floors, cold and comfortless. 
 
 It was a strange experience to pass a restless, sleepless night in 
 the chilly tent, and find in the morning that my neighbor on the next 
 cot had died during the night, and no one knew when he died. 
 
 It was a stranger thing when a delirious patient, wearing only a 
 scant night shirt, escaped from the tent and ran barefooted over the 
 frozen snow-covered ground, with half a dozen hospital attendants pur 
 suing him up and down the company lines. 
 
 "Mother" Ferguson, the wife of John Ferguson of Company D, 
 and Mrs. Britton the wife of the wagoner of Company B, have done 
 many kind acts for the sick in camp, cooking many little things that are 
 more relished than the prescribed boiled rice. 
 
 Better arrangements have been made. A large old house standing 
 on a high ridge, about a quarter of a mile south of camp, abandoned 
 by its former occupants, has been appropriated. It has at different 
 times been the home of the Pinckneys, the Masons, and other noted 
 southern families. There are three or four acres of yard in front of 
 the house. From its high position we have a wide prospect far across 
 the Potomac. Toward the south and west we look over many a slope 
 and rounded hill full of the stumps of former woods, and covered with 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 81 
 
 wide camps. In front is a wide, open, gradual hill side, the drill ground 
 of the New Jersey brigade. We watch the drill by the hour. 
 
 Conspicuous in these drills is the one-armed general on a horse the 
 color of his own iron gray beard, and the fine white horse of Lt. Col. 
 Torbert, a good mark for the enemy in battle. 
 
 On a clear, frosty morning we can hear the bugles sounding reveille 
 in all the regiments around about, and can see numberless slender 
 columns of smoke rising from camp fires. 
 
 During the day we hear the monotonous sound of the practicing 
 of bugle and drum corps. 
 
 The hospital is an institution as necessary in war as a battery of 
 artillery, but there is little glory to write of here, unless the world will 
 consent to consider the heroism of suffering as great as that of action. 
 This it is unwilling to do. And yet, as long as the Crimean war is 
 remembered, the terrible suffering and mortality will be told of as often 
 as the brilliant deeds of arms of that campaign. Death has held no 
 such revels in our armies as he held then, where, only when compelled 
 by the most rigorous sanitary discipline, he sullenly gathered his black 
 skirts about him and stepped out of camp." 
 
 Florence Nightingale will be longer and better remembered than 
 Raglan and Pelissier. And we have our Dorothea L Dix who has done 
 so much to better the condition of the insane to bring those confined 
 in living tombs back into the clear daylight of reason and who is now 
 devoting her time and her resources to the care of the sick in our camps 
 and hospitals. And she has many helpers. 
 
 A strange funeral procession you would think it, when a soldier 
 dies of sickness. Instead of a black-plumed hearse, a gun carriage 
 bearing the plain pine coffin, followed by an escort of soldiers with arms 
 reversed, marching to the slow beating of muffled drums. Over the 
 grave they fire three volleys, the farewell tribute to the dead comrade 
 who has not been permitted to fall in battle. 
 
 Our surgeons, Doctors Elliott and Beakes, are skilful and faithful. 
 No small share of the responsibility rests upon the hospital stewards, 
 Garrison, Bowman and Roehrer. The last, familiarly called little 
 "Johnnie Rusher," a good natured young German, while busy filling 
 prescriptions is always singing, 
 
 "My father he has three ships at sa-a-a- 
 
 Two are loaded with coffee and ta-a- 
 And one with three-square gimlets." 
 
 We are well cared for. And yet it is a weary time while we are 
 trying with hospital diet, to tempt back the many good pounds that 
 were frightened away by racking pains or a raging fever. 
 
82 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The convalescent ward is a large room in the south wing, once 
 used for a private classical school. The room is filled with cots instead 
 of school desks. Many books were left behind by the former occupants. 
 We have found some entertainment in them. 
 
 There are good fellows here. My nearest neighbor is an honest, 
 middle-aged German sergeant, with blue eyes and a full, dark brown 
 beard flowing down upon his breast. With his broken English and my 
 halting German we have come to understand each other well. He is 
 an educated man, and often talks of the myths and traditions of the 
 fatherland. When he reads his letters from home there are sometimes 
 tears in his eyes. 
 
 "The bravest are the tenderest. 
 The loving are the daring." 
 
 On pleasant days we take a moderate walk down to camp for exer 
 cise and to see how things are going on. The other day they set up a 
 new flag staff and raised a new flag. They celebrated the occasion with 
 a sort of jollification. There was a flow of spirits and eloquence. The 
 chaplain retired early. One of the majors with much difficulty and con 
 siderable assistance succeeded in climbing up one side of his horse, 
 only to roll off on the other side and fall in the mud. 
 
 Some of the officers have their wives in camp, a sort of keeping 
 house for a little while before the army moves. It looks homelike to 
 see them. 
 
 It is said one young man has his "wife by brevet," and some of her 
 friends visiting him. 
 
 We while away the time with an occasional game of chess, and 
 compare the moves of the pieces to the strategic moves of the armies. 
 The pawns are now the skirmishers, and now an advancing line of 
 infantry. The knights are quick-moving cavalry on their raids. The 
 rooks are the artillery that sweep long straight avenues through the 
 ranks of the enemy. The castles are strong fortifications, the keys to 
 important positions, serving to hold long lines of defence. At Fort 
 Donelson Grant has taken one of the enemy s castles. We end our 
 game, and look up to see what moves are likely to be made on our side 
 of the great national board. 
 
 And so the long winter passed in those camps that for 
 many miles covered the Virginia hills. With their hundred 
 and fifty thousand men they presented the greatest spectacle 
 of the kind in our history, one that may not be seen again 
 
CLARENS HOUSE HOSPITAL. 
 
CAMP KEARNEY. 83 
 
 for a century. In the spirit that animated these hosts there 
 was a mighty significance. It was the early morning after 
 riding through these more than "a hundred circling camps" 
 that Julia Ward Howe wrote down the words that had 
 come to her as an inspiration in the silent watches of the 
 night, the Battle Hymn of the Republic : 
 
 Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; 
 He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored ; 
 He hath loosed the fateful lightnings of his terrible, swift sword : 
 His truth is marching on ! 
 
CHAPTER ix. 
 
 THE FIRST ADVANCE. 
 
 THE President had published an order directing a for 
 ward movement of the armies to be made by the 22nd 
 of February. 
 
 Before the date named the armies of the west had 
 moved. There was no advance in the army of the Potomac 
 until March 7. On that day General Kearney marched his 
 brigade out along the line of the Orange and Alexandria 
 railroad. He was accompanied by Companies A and H of 
 the cavalry, Captains Jones and Stearns. On Sunday, the 
 9th, a working party was building a bridge near Sangster s 
 station. It was noticed that a Confederate picket was 
 posted in the edge of a piece of woods some distance to the 
 front, on the farther side of a large open field. The gen 
 eral directed Captain Stearns to send a party of the cavalry 
 under a competent officer to find out what he could about 
 the enemy, and if possible, to drive them away. 
 
 Before leaving camp Lieutenant Hidden had said to 
 some of his fellow officers, that he felt that something seri 
 ous was to happen to him; either he would be wounded or 
 taken prisoner. So strong was this feeling that he decided 
 to leave his best horse, a high bred charger, in camp, not 
 wishing to expose him to any danger. Now he and seven 
 teen men from the two companies were selected. They de 
 ployed and rode forward until they had drawn the fire from 
 
 84 
 
THE FIRST ADVANCE. 85 
 
 the enemy, when the lieutenant ordered his men to charge 
 with the sabre. The horses of Corporal Eugene Lewis 
 and Hugh McSorley were killed, but the two men hurried 
 forward on foot. The Confederates hastened to get over 
 a fence. The lieutenant s horse did not succeed in leaping 
 the fence. He turned him in order to try again, when a 
 rebel bullet struck him in the left shoulder near the neck, 
 and passing into the neck cut the jugular vein. He fell 
 from his horse; Corporal Lewis caught and mounted the 
 horse. A part of the fence some of the men had torn down, 
 and the horsemen were over the fence and using their sabres 
 on the enemy. The fight was determined and sharp. The 
 Confederates, estimated at a hundred and fifty, fled. Thir 
 teen were taken prisoners, among them two commissioned 
 officers, one of whom was a graduate of West Point. 
 Three had been killed and a number had received severe 
 sabre cuts. 
 
 From a high hill General Kearney and a number of 
 other officers watched the affair. The general became ex 
 cited as he saw the bold charge, and when the men came 
 back he took each by the hand with hearty commendation. 
 
 Lieutenant William Alexander was among those who 
 saw Lieutenant Hidden preparing to charge. He could not 
 restrain himself, but galloped forward to have a hand in the 
 fight. He was but a short distance from Hidden when the 
 latter fell from his horse. He dismounted and bent over 
 the fallen officer and called him by name, but he was already 
 dead. He lifted the lifeless lieutenant in his arms, and 
 bore him from the field. 
 
 The young officer was from a wealthy New York fam 
 ily, related to William Webb, the noted ship builder. He 
 was of fine personal appearance, active, intelligent, a man 
 of the highest honor, in his duties strict yet considerate, 
 honored by officers and men. General Kearney in his re- 
 
86 
 
 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 port spoke in the highest terms of those who had taken part 
 in this action, "one of whom, Lieutenant Hidden, has illus 
 trated in the sacrifice of his life, the whole cavalry service; 
 he has introduced for it a new era." Resolutions express 
 ing the high appreciation and deep feeling of his fellow 
 officers were forwarded to the family. He was buried in 
 Greenwood Cemetery with military honors. The funeral 
 procession was escorted by a battalion of the Twenty-sec 
 ond N. Y. S. M., and a company of the Seventy-first as 
 a guard of honor. His favorite horse, wearing all the 
 trappings of war, followed his dead master. A costly 
 monument bearing a fitting representation stands over his 
 grave, and a painting representing the charge in which he 
 fell has been placed in the rooms of the Historical Society 
 in New York. 
 
 Lieutenant Hidden was the first cavalry officer killed 
 in action in the Army of the Potomac, and, it is believed, 
 the first officer of Union volunteer cavalry killed in the 
 war. The following lines suggested by his daring charge 
 appeared in the N. Y. Evening Post : 
 
 "Will you follow me now?" 
 
 Cried the gallant young chief, 
 On the eve of a life 
 
 That was mournfully brief; 
 "Will you follow me now 
 
 Through a tempest of lead 
 Through yon thicket of steel 
 
 And a wall of the dead, 
 And prove to you traitors, 
 
 Besotted and fell 
 That the clink of our sabres 
 
 Is slavery s knell?" 
 "To the death, to the death !" 
 
 Was the gallant reply; 
 "What boots a few hours 
 
 When all men must die?" 
 
 "Then charge!" was the mandate, 
 
 And coldly and grim, 
 Through the billowy smoke 
 
 His wild steed seemed to swim. 
 Twelve heroes they were 
 By a demi-god led, 
 At each sweep of whose sabre 
 
 A traitor lay dead. 
 All brief as a storm 
 
 In the summer s red heat, 
 Was their deadly onslaught, 
 
 And the rebel retreat; 
 When the foemen had fled, 
 
 And each hero had taken 
 A red-handed knave 
 
 By his comrades forsaken; 
 
UEBTEN ANT HENRY B HIDDEN 
 
 IMMIX IX \im 
 
 KILLED AT SAXGSTER S STATION, VIHGINIA. 
 MARCH 9th 1862. 
 
 AT THE AGE OF TWENTY-THREE YEARS, 
 
 .. : <> 
 
 HIDDEN S MONUMENT. 
 
THE FIRST ADVANCE. 87 
 
 While their glad shout of triumph No more in the van 
 
 Still shivered the air, Shall his bright sabre gleam, 
 
 Ere its last echo died Nor the soldierly grace 
 
 It was changed to despair. Of his figure be seen ; 
 
 "What, tears? my brave fellows, But oft at the shrine 
 
 I trust not for me; Where the young hero sleeps, 
 
 Never weep for a soldier While the sad whip-poor-will 
 
 Who dies for the free. Her lone ministry keeps, 
 
 Of my blood, hopes and fortune Shall the child of the free 
 
 Most freely I give. And the son of the slave 
 
 For tis glorious to die Yet mingle their tears 
 
 That the nation may live !" O er his idolized grave ! 
 
 A. WATERS. 
 
 Those who took part in this charge with Lieutenant 
 Hidden were Corporal Eugene Lewis, Privates John Bo- 
 gert, John Cameron, Herman Cameron, Robert C. Clark, 
 Chester C. Clark, Henry Higgins, Charles P. Ives, James 
 Lynch, Hugh McSorley, Martin Murray, John Nugent, 
 Michael O Neal, Cornelius Riley, William Simonson, 
 Albert H. Van Saun, John R. Wilson. 
 
 General Kearney highly commended the conduct of 
 Corporal Lew r is who led the men in the charge after the 
 death of the lieutenant, and urged his appointment as an 
 officer. 
 
 Hugh McSorley was endowed with a propensity for 
 fighting. This had frequently led him into difficulty. He 
 had often been in the guard house, and once had been con 
 demned to wear an iron ball attached to his ankle by a 
 heavy chain. He laid all his troubles to the rebels who had 
 brought on the war, and promised to pay them off if he 
 ever had a chance. In this first chance he redeemed his 
 promise. He rushed right in among the enemy and laid 
 about him right and left with all his might, till they fled 
 into the woods. 
 
 At one o clock in the morning of the loth orders were 
 
88 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 sent around to the companies remaining in camp to be in 
 readiness to move. It proved to be a rainy morning, and 
 the start was not made until eleven o clock. Then in a 
 cold, drizzling rain we moved out on the road that led past 
 the hospital, and striking the Little River road, turned to 
 the right toward Fairfax Court House. On different roads 
 could be seen large bodies of infantry, each waiting to take 
 its place in the long column that filled the Little River road. 
 It was soon evident that the whole army was on the march. 
 A detail of a sergeant and several men from the cavalry 
 was ordered to report to each of the brigade commanders 
 as orderlies. 
 
 In the afternoon the rain ceased and the rest of the 
 march to Fairfax Court House was not unpleasant. Bayard 
 Taylor, correspondent of the New York Tribune, rode with 
 General Slocum s staff, and that night was allotted sleep 
 ing room on the floor of an abandoned house occupied as 
 headquarters. Several copies of the Tribune had been sent 
 gratuitously to be circulated through the regiment. The 
 men, knowing that Mr. Taylor s letters would appear in 
 the paper, were watching all the features of the day s march 
 to see how clearly their impressions would agree with his. 
 When the papers were received and read it was observed 
 that the practiced eye of the eminent traveler had seen, and 
 his ready pen had recorded, many things that our untrained 
 eyes had failed to notice. 
 
 Before we had reached Fairfax Court House General 
 McClellan and his staff rode on to the front, and, as usual, 
 his appearance was greeted with hearty cheers all along 
 the column. 
 
 Tents had been left standing in the camps. Each man 
 had been provided with a house that he could carry with 
 him, a piece of light canvas about six by three and a half 
 or four feet, with means of fastening along the edges. 
 
THE FIRST ADVANCE. 89 
 
 Two or more men by uniting these could make a low but 
 comfortable tent. 
 
 A little before night we reached Fairfax Court House. 
 Many of the white people had abandoned their homes and 
 gone. Their houses made comfortable headquarters for 
 the commanders of divisions and brigades, as well as for 
 the general-in-chief. 
 
 The night was chilly and fires were a necessity for 
 comfort as well as cooking. A colonel sent to General Slo- 
 cum asking if it was necessary to protect an old fence that 
 stood by the side of the field where his regiment was to stay. 
 The reply was, "No; if you want it for fires take it." It 
 was not the general s idea of military propriety to have his 
 men suffer from cold, and at the same time keep guard over 
 such convenient material for fires that had been abandoned 
 by its owners. Some of the colonels gave orders that only 
 the top rail, or board, should be taken. Wanton destruc 
 tion of property was not allowed, and yet some of the first 
 comers broke into the court house and began to scatter 
 around the masses of documents that had been stored there 
 from early times. They were relic hunters in the army. 
 As soon as possible this destruction was stopped. 
 
 After the affair at Sangster s station General Kearney 
 had pushed forward. Colonel Taylor with the Third New 
 Jersey as an advance guard pushed on in two columns. 
 Captain Jones with the cavalry pressed on through Centre- 
 ville and reached Manassas late in the evening of the xoth. 
 They rested there for the night, and early in the morning of 
 the nth saw the flag of Colonel Taylor raised over the 
 enemy s works. On returning toward Centreville they met 
 Colonel Averell of the Third Pennsylvania advancing with 
 skirmishers thrown out, thinking that possibly the men 
 whom he had seen were Confederates. There were indica 
 tions that the enemv had abandoned their works in some 
 
90 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 haste. Provisions and cooking utensils had been left be 
 hind. From what was learned afterwards, it appeared that 
 the work of withdrawing had been decided upon, and the 
 greater part of the army had been withdrawn deliberately, 
 and it was the last, or rear guard, that had retired in some 
 haste. 
 
 The defences around Centreville and Manassas were 
 extensive, but not very formidable. They consisted mostly 
 of lines of rifle pits and low earthworks, over which horses 
 could be ridden without much difficulty. In some places 
 the works were higher and would have been difficult to 
 assail. 
 
 Some affirmed and others denied that "Quaker guns" 
 were found in the earthworks. General Johnston himself 
 admits that to conceal his want of artillery he had placed a 
 number of logs to represent cannons. 
 
 From the long line of log huts that had been used for 
 winter quarters estimates were made as to the numbers that 
 had been there. The average of these estimates was about 
 60,000. Confederate reports, it was learned afterward, 
 gave a little more than 50,000. 
 
 A ride at night among the various camps brought into 
 view square miles, it seemed, of camp fires that shone like 
 stars for multitude. We were favored with moonlight 
 nights, and the scenes presented cannot easily be forgotten 
 by those who beheld them. 
 
 It was a subject of conjecture why we had marched out 
 here after the Confederates had gone, and why we were 
 waiting now. The news of the Monitor s victory over the 
 Merrimac and the battle of Pea Ridge had reached us. 
 What were we going to do ? 
 
 General McClellan called a council of his corps com 
 manders and issued the following address to the army : 
 
THE FIRST ADVANCE. 91 
 
 HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 
 
 FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE, VA, 
 
 March I4th, 1862. 
 Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac: 
 
 For a long time I have kept you inactive, but not without a pur 
 pose. You were to be disciplined, armed and instructed. The formid 
 able artillery you have had to be created. Other armies were to move 
 and accomplish certain results. I have held you back that you might 
 give the death blow to the rebellion that has distracted our once happy 
 country. The patience you have shown, and the confidence in your 
 general, are worth a dozen victories. These preliminary results are 
 now accomplished. I feel that the patient labors of many months 
 have produced their fruit. The Army of the Potomac is now a real 
 army, magnificent in material, admirable in discipline and instruction, 
 and excellently equipped and armed. Your commanders are all that 
 I could wish. The moment for action has arrived, and I know that I 
 can trust in you to save our country. As I ride through your ranks I 
 see in your faces the sure prestige of victory. I feel that you will do 
 whatever I ask of you. The period of inaction has passed. I will 
 bring you now face to face with the rebels, and only pray that God may 
 defend the right. In whatever direction you may move, however 
 strange my actions may appear to you, ever bear in mind that my fate 
 is linked with yours, and that all I do is to bring you where I know 
 you wish to be, on the decisive battle field. It is my business to place 
 you there. I am to watch over you as a parent watches over his 
 children, and you know that your general loves you from the depths 
 of his heart. It shall be my care it has ever been to gain success 
 with the least possible loss. But I know that if it is necessary you 
 will willingly follow me to our graves for our righteous cause. God 
 smiles upon us. Yet I would not have you think that our aim is to be 
 obtained without a manly struggle. I will not disguise it from you 
 that you have brave foes to encounter foemen well worthy of the 
 steel you use so well. I shall demand of you great, heroic exertions, 
 rapid and long marches, desperate combats, privations perhaps. We 
 will share all these together, and when this sad war is over we will 
 return to our homes, and feel that we can ask no honor than the proud 
 consciousness that we belonged to the Army of the Potomac. 
 
 GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, 
 
 Major General Commanding." 
 
 On this same day we began our march back to our old 
 camps, with the expectation that we were to be transported 
 down the Potomac. 
 
92 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 General McClellair s address to his army was intended 
 to arouse the courage and enthusiasm of the men. The 
 army was not wanting in courage and devotion. It was 
 made up of men who had responded to the first call from 
 the sense of duty, and with no extra inducements. They 
 were ready for service. 
 
 Those who remembered McClellan s repeated promises 
 during the fall and winter, that a movement would soon be 
 made, were a little suspicious that he was not quite so sure 
 in his own mind as to the vigorous campaigns that he pro 
 posed to inaugurate as was indicated in his address. The 
 army had in one day marched to Fairfax Court House, sev 
 enteen miles, without special inconvenience. Detachments 
 had gone on to Centreville and Manassas after the enemy 
 had left. And now we were all ordered back. Why had 
 we come? The men were obedient to orders, but they 
 could not be deprived of the right to exercise their private 
 judgment. 
 
 The morning of the 9th of March the news of the Mer- 
 rimac s doings reached Washington, creating intense anxi 
 ety, and on the part of some, consternation. Late in the 
 afternoon came the news of the Monitor s victory. At the 
 same time came the news that the Confederate batteries on 
 the Potomac had been abandoned, and that the army at 
 Manassas had been withdrawn. McClellan was with the 
 President and secretary of war when these reports came. 
 He received the message "with incredulity, which at last 
 gave way to stupefaction." He started at once across the 
 river, ostensibly to verify the report, and issued an order 
 that night for an immediate advance of the army upon 
 Centreville and Manassas. 
 
 In his elaborate report made a year later McClellan 
 says that the retirement of the enemy toward Richmond had 
 been expected as the natural consequence of the movement 
 
THE FIRST ADVANCE. 93 
 
 to the Peninsula. The statement of General Johnston and 
 the official correspondence of the Confederate officers show 
 that nearly a month before, the Confederate government had 
 concluded that the position at Manassas was untenable, and 
 that Johnston, having the same opinion, had begun his pre 
 parations to withdraw on the 22nd of February. He had 
 not yet learned of McClellan s plan to go to the Peninsula, 
 but was expecting an attack direct from Washington, and 
 did not feel able to withstand such an attack. He did not 
 feel sure as to the destination of the movement down the 
 Chesapeake until he learned, on the 5th of April, that a 
 landing had been made below Yorktown. 
 
 The direct distance from Washington to Richmond 
 was about one hundred and twenty miles. Six days march 
 ing would have placed the army in front of Richmond, pro 
 vided the enemy continued to fall back. It was about 
 eighty miles from Fortress Monroe to Richmond. York- 
 town was more strongly fortified than any place between 
 Manassas and Richmond. The gathering of that great 
 fleet of transports, at an enormous expense, with all the 
 time consumed in delays and the transportation, could save 
 them three days foot marching, about forty miles. 
 
 McClellan s explanation of the march to Fairfax Court 
 House and back, after he knew that the enemy had gone, 
 was that he wished to give the army a little exercise in 
 marching, and to give the men a chance to get rid of their 
 surplus baggage, which had accumulated during the winter 
 in camp. 
 
 Lincoln urged a direct advance from Washington 
 toward Richmond. Frederick sburg, about half way, was 
 only thirteen miles from Acquia Creek, a convenient base 
 of supplies. In the light of later events it would seem that 
 Lincoln was a better general than McClellan. 
 
 The 1 5th the men made themselves comfortable in their 
 
94 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 old tents at Camp Kearney. Day after day troops were 
 marching to Alexandria and embarking on the transports. 
 All sorts of craft were collected; Sound steamers that we 
 had seen going up and down in front of our camps at Belle- 
 vue Garden ; schooners, barges and towing tugs. 
 
 On the 1 8th Heintzelman s division embarked. At 
 dress parade on this day there were read McClellan s ad 
 dress to the army and Kearney s report commending the 
 conduct of those engaged in the spirited charge of the gth. 
 News came of Union success at New Madrid. 
 
 The iQth McClellan reviewed McDowell s corps. He 
 was heartily cheered as he rode along the lines, the men 
 seeming to believe that the general was able to fulfill the 
 promises made in his address. 
 
 The 23rd a diary reads : 
 
 "Obtained a pass to go to Alexandria to church, the first day in 
 church since we men were encamped at Bellevue Garden in New York. 
 It was the church Washington attended. Looked at the square pew 
 in which he used to sit. It is marked by an inscribed plate on the 
 railing. Talked with an intelligent old colored woman who said that 
 she was one of Washington s slaves, set free at his death, then twelve 
 years old. She looks seventy-four. Not impossible." 
 
 The 25th another review by McClellan of McDowell s 
 corps, about forty regiments, an imposing sight. There 
 was a marked contrast between the two generals, the one 
 slight built, quick, nervous, whom the men could not for 
 bear to cheer; the other larger, slower, with little grace of 
 manner, but evidently an officer of ability, not withstanding 
 the accident at Bull Run, for he had planned the battle well. 
 
 At dress parade on the 26th there were read the pro 
 ceedings of a court martial sentencing two men of Com 
 pany M to be dishonorably discharged and to be confined 
 for ten years in the D. C. penitentiary, the one for striking, 
 and the other for aiming a carbine at Lieutenant Prender- 
 gast. 
 
THE FIRST ADVANCE. 95 
 
 News was received of a battle at Winchester fought by 
 some of Banks command. From 10,000 to 20,000 men 
 embarking daily at Alexandria, and the newspapers were 
 not allowed to publish anything about it. 
 
 On the 2/th was another review of McDowell s corps 
 by McClellan. Lord Lyons rode with McClellan s staff. 
 Some New Jersey troops brought a -number of prisoners, 
 Texan rangers, taken near Dumfries. 
 
 From March 3Oth to April 3rd was wet, snowy and 
 cold. At 2 o clock on the morning of April 4th orders were 
 given to be ready to march. The regiment was on the 
 way at nine and reached Centreville at five, and took pos 
 session of the comfortable huts within the Confederate 
 earthworks. Off to the west was a wide level plain reach 
 ing to Bull Run Mountains. The country around was deso 
 late. The morning of the 5th we started in a cold rain, 
 crossed Bull Run at Blackburn s ford, reached Manassas, 
 seven miles, about noon and made ourselves comfortable as 
 possible in the huts of the enemy. The next day parties of 
 men rode over the battlefield. Skeletons of horses and of 
 men that had been covered thinly with earth were here and 
 there to be seen. 
 
 General Franklin s division was part of McDowell s 
 corps. While McClellan s plan w r as to transport the main 
 part of the army to the Peninsula bet\veen the York and 
 James rivers, McDowell s corps was to remain in the vicinity 
 of Fredericksburg on the direct line between Washington 
 and Richmond. This was for the purpose of protecting 
 the capital. This corps was thus in a position where, in 
 case of special need, it could co-operate with the main army 
 in front of Richmond, or with that in the Shenandoah 
 valley. 
 
 The 7th of April it rained and snowed. The storm 
 continued all night. On the morning of the Qth it was still 
 
96 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 storming. Possibly in the hope that the storm would soon 
 cease, orders were given for the division to move forward. 
 The storm continued. The roads became almost impass 
 able for artillery. Creeks rose so that it was difficult to 
 ford them. The storm continued during the 9th, and the 
 men and horses suffered terribly from exposure and from 
 the difficulty of transporting supplies. 
 
 The loth the cavalry went on as far as Catlett s sta 
 tion. In trying to ford Broad Run, some of the officers 
 were carried down the stream and were rescued with diffi 
 culty. 
 
 At Catlett s station orders were received for Franklin s 
 division to return to Alexandria. The division was de 
 tached from McDowell s corps and was to join the main 
 army under McClellan on the Peninsula. The nth, 
 marched back to Manassas. 
 
 The old Confederate huts afforded a welcome resting 
 place. Each one would accommodate quite a number, and 
 the men made themselves comfortable. 
 
 One had confiscated somewhere what he thought might 
 be a prize, an unlabeled bottle of a brown colored liquid. 
 Williamson expressed his suspicions that the Confederates 
 had poisoned it and left it on purpose; he could tell by just 
 tasting it. He "just tasted," made a wry face, shuddered, 
 gave the wink to the rest and passed it around. Each in 
 turn "just tasted", and was suspicious. It came back to the 
 finder containing only the smell of the choicest brandy. 
 
 They talked over the probabilities. Haggens said he 
 thought there would be an "armystic." "Armystic ! What s 
 that?" "Why, when those carrying on war agree not to 
 do any fighting." "Oh, you mean an armistice, don t 
 you?" "Yes, I know people generally call it armistice, but 
 I pronounce it armystic." He generally knew what he was 
 talking about and may have had in mind the mystic mill- 
 
THE FIRST ADVANCE. 97 
 
 tary movements that were being made, and which the 
 papers were not allowed to publish. 
 
 The morning of the I2th the cavalry was early on the 
 march. After resting at Centreville and again at Fairfax 
 Court House, they reached Camp Kearney at dark. The 
 next day they rested in their quarters, and posted them 
 selves on the events that had transpired elsewhere while 
 they had been taking part in this "grand promenade," as 
 the Count of Paris called it, of the army of the Potomac. 
 
 The afternoon of the I4th they left Camp Kearney 
 finally, and pitched their little shelter tents of light canvas 
 and oil cloth along the side of a street in the outskirts of 
 Alexandria. 
 
 The following order w r as published : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, 
 
 April 13, 1862. 
 General Order, No. 37. 
 
 It is ordered that the artillery and cavalry will commence embark 
 ing from Alexandria to-morrow morning, 9 a.m. Colonel McReynolds 
 is directed to consult Lieutenant Ferguson about transportation. No 
 cavalrymen will be embarked who are not mounted, and no cavalry 
 horses that are not in good condition. Colonel McReyonlds will make 
 requisition for full sets of intrenching tools spades, picks, shovels and 
 axes. 
 
 By order of General Franklin. 
 
 E. SPARROWS PURDY, 
 
 Captain and Ass t Adjt. General. 
 
 It raised the question, "Was the cavalry to fight in in- 
 trenchments ?" 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 THE PENINSULA. 
 
 THE i Qth of April the fleet carrying Franklin s division, 
 without any special incident, moved steadily down 
 the Potomac and the Chesapeake. The convoy of gunboats 
 was under the command of Captain Amos P. Foster of the 
 Satellite. The day was pleasant and the ride enjoyable. 
 In the lower bay the light swell gave the schooners a slight 
 rocking motion that was a new experience to those who had 
 never before been on so wide a water. Some distance short 
 of its destination the fleet anchored for the night. The 2Oth 
 was windy, rainy and cold. A few hours brought us into 
 Poquosin river and all the craft came to anchor off Ship 
 Point. 
 
 The 2 ist was cold and rainv. It was uncomfortable 
 
 J 
 
 for both men and horses. The latter were arranged in long- 
 rows each side of the deck, facing inward, compelled to 
 stand constantly, and with no shelter from the storm. The 
 quarters of the men were in the close hold of the schooner, 
 lying around in the softest spots they could find, some on 
 piles of coal, or anywhere where they could lay their equip 
 ments and blankets. The roll was regularly called, the men 
 lying here and there answering to their names, and the ser 
 geant who, stationed at the hatchway, repeated the names 
 as they were called by the orderly, gave the usual command 
 as the last name was reached "Break ranks, march." 
 
THE PENINSULA. 99 
 
 The next day the weather brightened and the men had 
 a chance to look around. We were in historic waters. Off 
 the mouth of this Poqousin river the French fleet lay in the 
 fall of 1781, to keep the British fleet from carrying assist 
 ance to Cornwallis, who was besieged by the French and 
 Continental armies at Yorktown. 
 
 The land was generally sandy, level and low, with 
 many pleasant places and patches of good farming land. In 
 making explorations around the country it w r as found that 
 the white men were mostly in the southern army, while the 
 women with a few colored people were left to take care of 
 themselves as best they could. There was a mixture of in 
 telligent people with ignorant ones. The question was often 
 asked, "What have you uns come down to fight we uns 
 for?" 
 
 The occupation of many of the inhabitants had been 
 fishing. The men soon learned that they were among the 
 famous oyster waters of Virginia, and every little water 
 craft that could be found, the boats belonging to the 
 schooners, skiffs, and dugouts found along the shores, and 
 improvised rafts, were put to use by the enlisted men and 
 officers, who were busy all day "a rakin among the oyster 
 beds." 
 
 Some depredations among the pigs and chickens of the 
 people led to some restrictions of the privilege of going on 
 shore. Life became monotonous on these boats, and there 
 was general impatience at the delay in disembarking. 
 General Kearney, whose headquarters were on the steamer 
 "Elm City," was unrestricted in his expressions of impa 
 tience, and General Franklin went out to the front to see 
 what was the cause of the delay. The horses legs were 
 swollen and stiff from long standing, and they might be 
 come useless. Land was close by. It was rumored that 
 we were to go to Gloucester Point and disembark under 
 
100 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the protection of gunboats, and we were waiting for the 
 gunboats. It was rumored that McClellan had again 
 changed his plan, and we were to wait here until he could 
 get his new plan into shape. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel B. S. Alexander, an engineer offi 
 cer of the regular army, was assigned to the division staff, 
 and he began to collect material, mostly in the shape of the 
 old boats, for landing. Finally on the 26th and 2/th the 
 artillery and horses of the cavalry were put ashore at 
 Cheesman s landing, some distance above Ship Point. The 
 horses enjoyed being on land once more. As boys let loose 
 from a day s confinement in school, they manifested the ap 
 preciation of their freedom by rolling in the sand, capering 
 about and cutting up all the antics possible. Picket ropes 
 were stretched in the thickets of pine, and the men pitched 
 their tents along the banks of the creek. It was not until 
 the 2nd of May that all the companies with all their belong 
 ings were safe on shore. 
 
 Formidable earthworks had been constructed by the 
 Confederates. Ship Point was the left of their first line of 
 defence, which reached across the Peninsula to the James 
 river. Concluding that this would be untenable, they had 
 constructed a second line at Yorktown, and along the War 
 wick river to the James. McClellan had advanced his forces 
 until the opposing lines were only about a mile apart. He 
 had placed guns in position, and was preparing for a regu 
 lar siege. Ever since we had arrived off Ship Point we 
 had heard the occasional firing of these heavy guns. 
 
 In transporting the army from Alexandria to the Pen 
 insula there had been employed 13 steamers, 188 schooners, 
 and 88 barges. Besides the soldiers there had been con 
 veyed 44 batteries, 14,592 animals, 1,150 wagons, 74 ambu 
 lances, several pontoon bridges, material for telegraphs and 
 an immense amount of equipage. 
 
THE PENINSULA. 101 
 
 The country over which the army was to move was 
 generally low. Small bridges had to be built, and wet roads 
 corduroyed. The conditions for moving were worse than 
 in front of Manassas. The position at Manassas could have 
 been flanked. Here the left of the enemy s position rested 
 on the York river and the right upon the James. There 
 was no chance to get around either flank except by cross 
 ing one river or the other. What had been gained by this 
 great movement? 
 
 A British officer, Colonel Freemantle, who spent three 
 months with the Confederate army, says Magruder "told 
 him the different dodges he resorted to to blind and deceive 
 McClellan as to his strength, and was greatly amused and 
 relieved when he saw that general with his magnificent 
 army begin to break ground before miserable earthworks 
 defended by only 8,000 men." 
 
 On the 1 7th of April, General Joseph E. Johnston, who 
 had fallen back from the Rapidan, arrived at Yorktown 
 and took command. He had 53,000 men. McClellan at 
 this time had about 112,000 men, besides the 13,000 of 
 Franklin s division, yet on board the transports. 
 
 Johnston concluded that the position at Yorktown 
 could not be held, and on the 27th began preparations to 
 withdraw. 
 
 There was consternation in Richmond. A rebel war 
 clerk s diary reads : 
 
 "April 18, The President is thin and haggard; and it has been 
 whispered on the street that he will immediately be baptized and con 
 firmed. April 19, All believe we are near a crisis, involving the pos 
 session of the capital. April 26, General Lee is doing good service 
 in bringing forward reinforcements from the South against the day of 
 trial and an awful day awaits us. May 8, Norfolk and Portsmouth 
 are evacuated ! Our army is falling back ! The Merrimac is to be, or 
 has been, blown up! May g, No one, scarcely, supposes that Rich 
 mond will be defended. May 10, The President s family has departed 
 
102 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 for Raleigh, and the families of most of the cabinet to their respective 
 homes, or other places of refuge. The President has been baptized 
 (at home) and privately confirmed in St. Paul s Church. May 14, 
 Our army has fallen back to within four miles of the city. May 16, 
 McClellan is intrenching that is, at least, significant of a respite, and of 
 apprehension of attack. May 19, It is still believed that it is the intention 
 of the government and the generals to evacuate the city. The archives 
 have been sent to Columbia, S. C, and to Lynchburg. The tracks over 
 the bridges have been covered with plank, to facilitate the passage of 
 artillery. Mr. Randolph told his page, and cousin, You must go with 
 my wife into the country, for to-morrow the enemy will be here. 
 
 Trunks were packed in readiness for what? The secretary of the 
 treasury had a special locomotive and cars, constantly with steam up, 
 in readiness to fly with the treasure." 
 
 During the evening of May 3rd as we lay in camp at 
 Ship Point we heard heavy and continuous firing at York- 
 town. This continued until about half past ten. After 
 that time there was an ominous silence. The morning of 
 the 4th the report reached us that Yorktown had been 
 evacuated. 
 
 At two in the morning word was brought to McClellan 
 that the Confederates had abandoned their works. There 
 was a sudden and general waking up at headquarters. 
 "There was mounting in hot haste." Aides, orderlies and 
 special messengers were started off here and there on urgent 
 errands. The preparations indicated a feeling that there 
 was a necessity for doing something, but without a very 
 definite idea as to what was the best thing to do. In fact 
 the withdrawal of the Confederates was a surprise and 
 something of a disappointment. 
 
 Not far from our camp at Ship Point dwelt a woman 
 whom the soldiers named Mrs. Heavysides. She weighed 
 about two hundred and fifty pounds. She had three 
 daughters and a few old colored people who were supposed 
 
THE PENINSULA. 103 
 
 to look after matters on the farm. Pigs and chickens had 
 been taken, and in various ways the old lady had been 
 considerably annoyed. She would become talkative and 
 irrepressible. 
 
 "Want tew get Yorktown, deou yeou? Well, York- 
 town ain t much o nothin arter yeou deou get it. Ain t 
 a dozen good houses there. General Magruder s thar, an 
 he kin drink more whisky nor enny general yeou uns have 
 got, but he won t be thar when yeou git thar." 
 
 So now that we had reached Yorktown its possession 
 did not afford the highest satisfaction. The old lady was 
 right. It was an unsatisfying victory. The enemy was not 
 not beaten. He had held our army in check as long as it 
 suited his purpose, and then he had deliberately withdrawn. 
 Nevertheless McClellan sent to Washington a stirring 
 announcement of the stronghold and spoils of war that he 
 had captured, and added, "No time shall be lost; I shall push 
 the enemy to the wall." 
 
 The Confederates who retired from Yorktown were 
 about 50,000. McClellan s morning report of April 3Oth 
 showed a total of 130,378 on the Peninsula and on trans 
 ports near by: present for duty, 112,392. 
 
 The Confederates had constructed a third line of de 
 fences across the Peninsula at Williamsburg, twelve miles 
 from Yorktown. Cavalry and artillery were sent in pursuit 
 of the retiring enemy. About noon they overtook the rear 
 near this line of defences. Late in the afternoon the Fed 
 eral infantry arrived. There was some fighting, after which 
 the troops bivouacked for the night. The next day was 
 fought the battle of Williamsburg. There was no concert 
 of action among the Union forces. There \vas uncer 
 tainty as to who was chief in command on the field. Each 
 general was fighting as he thought best. McClellan was at 
 Yorktown, twelve miles away, attending to the embarka- 
 
104? THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 tion of a part of Franklin s division. This was work that 
 the quartermaster could have attended to. 
 
 At noon Governor Sprague and the Prince de Join- 
 ville, noticing that there was confusion in the movements of 
 the forces engaged in battle, rode in haste back to York- 
 town and urged McClellan to go immediately to the front. 
 His reply was, "I supposed there were enough there to 
 attend to that little matter." 
 
 At two o clock he was persuaded to mount his horse and 
 start for the front. He arrived on the field at five, when 
 the fighting was nearly over. Some determined fighting 
 had been done by the divisions and brigades acting inde 
 pendently. At ten o clock the enemy was retiring from 
 this third line of defences in such haste that he had left his 
 dead on the field, and 800 wounded were left behind as pris 
 oners of war. The enemy, instead of being "pushed to the 
 wall," had been allowed to get on the other side of it, with 
 an open field before him all the way to Richmond. 
 
 In the meantime during the 4th, the First cavalry had 
 lain quiet in camp at Ship Point. At dusk, orders were 
 received to break camp and saddle up. The regiment was 
 soon up and on the march. The men were in good spirits. 
 John Morris Kerr, who in stature rose head and shoulders 
 above many of the men, and whose voice was like the voice 
 of three, started the call, "Ho! Ho! The roaring river!" 
 and for miles that night 
 
 "The sounding aisles of the dim woods rang" 
 
 with that meaningless call repeated in chorus up and down 
 the length of the marching column. It kept the men awake. 
 Our destination was Yorktown. There was some mis 
 understanding about the marching orders, or else the guide 
 did not know the way, for we marched away beyond York- 
 town. We halted in a piece of woods and lay down to 
 
THE PENINSULA. 105 
 
 sleep the rest of the night. A gentle rain began to fall and 
 pattered on the dead leaves around us. It gradually be 
 came less and less gentle, and by morning it was a pouring 
 rain. We saddled up, mounted, and marched back to 
 Yorktown, where, fortunately for us, the enemy had left 
 some long and well built board structures. The horses had 
 a hard time of it out in the beating storm. But the men 
 built some rousing fires in the big stoves that had been left 
 standing in the huts. Here they leisurely dried their 
 drenched clothing and blankets. Ample stores of pro 
 visions were found and the men feasted on macaroni, bacon 
 and pancakes. 
 
 Like the Trojans, storm-driven on the coast of Carth 
 age, we thought, "Perhaps sometime hereafter it will afford 
 us some pleasure to remember these things." 
 
 The day and night of the 5th of May we stayed in these 
 comfortable quarters. The morning of the 6th the storm 
 was over, and we enjoyed a pleasant day looking around 
 the old town. The Confederates had constructed very 
 formidable works. In the largest one of these on the high 
 river bluff about seventy heavy guns were left, mounted, 
 but spiked. One of the largest had been broken either by an 
 explosion or by a heavy shot from a Union gunboat. Tor 
 pedoes had been planted in the roadways. A horse and 
 his rider had been killed by the explosion of one of these. 
 This planting of torpedoes was an objectionable way of 
 carrying on war. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had condemned 
 it, but it had been justified by General Magruder. 
 
 Some of the lines of earthworks that had been thrown 
 up by the besieged and besieging armies in 1/81 could still 
 be traced. Others had been covered up by the more ex 
 tensive recent works. 
 
 The spot on which General O Hara is said to have 
 stood when he surrendered to General Lincoln the sword 
 
106 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of Cornwallis, was marked by a block of granite. The 
 place which was said to have been occupied by Washington 
 and the commander of the allied French and their staffs at 
 the time of the surrender was marked by a monument and 
 enclosed by an iron fence. We looked over the Nelson 
 house venerable with associations, and were interested in 
 reading the inscriptions on the tombstones in the ancient 
 cemetery that marked the last resting places of men and 
 women eminent in Colonial times. 
 
 More than a month had passed since the army had 
 landed on the lower end of the Peninsula. And now it had 
 marched twenty-five miles and occupied these abandoned 
 works. Eighty-one years before, Washington had left 
 Philadelphia, on the 5th of September and, without the use 
 of steam, had brought his army before Yorktown and by 
 the 1 7th of October a month and twelve days had com 
 pelled the surrender of the British army. 
 
 The night of the 7th we embarked once more on trans 
 ports. The means for embarking were not adequate or 
 convenient. It was a tedious night s \vork, this loading of 
 horses and lugging equipments on board the schooners. 
 The historian tells us that "the army swore terribly in 
 Flanders." There was some of this same sort of thing in 
 this all night s loading. We wondered what was the emer 
 gency that called for it. The next day we lay idle in the 
 stream until afternoon when the fleet was taken in tow and 
 moved twenty-five miles up the river to West Point. We 
 could have made the march by land with a saving of time 
 and wear and tear, and it would have been easier both for 
 men and horses. 
 
 Nevertheless we enjoyed the ride up this historic water 
 way. On both sides could be seen fine farms with old 
 fashioned mansions surrounded by well laid out grounds, 
 and drives, and ancient groves. 
 
THE PENINSULA. 107 
 
 West Point is the land lying between the Pamunkey 
 and Mattapony rivers where the two unite to form the 
 York. This was the home of Opechancanough, the famous 
 Indian chieftan, brother of Powhatan. It was now the 
 terminus of the Richmond and York river railroad. 
 
 The Confederates falling back from Williamsburg had 
 left a considerable force on a high ridge of land extending 
 back from Brick House point, on the south side of the 
 Pamunkey, and opposite West Point. The transports 
 carrying part of Franklin s division arrived in front of this 
 position on the afternoon of the 6th. These transports 
 proved a good target for the enemy s batteries. 
 
 Preparations were at once made for landing a suffi 
 cient force to drive away the enemy. The Fifteenth N. 
 Y. engineers made ready some stagings and started their 
 pontoons for the shore. The batteries on the ridge con 
 cealed in the woods began to play upon the pontoons and 
 the fleet of transports. The engineers succeeded in land 
 ing in the midst of loud cheering. The Union gunboats 
 were soon in a position to shell the batteries in the woods, 
 and before night Newton s brigade and most of Slocum s, 
 with three batteries and Companies A and C of the First 
 cavalry were on land. 
 
 During the rebel cannonading of the fleet there was 
 excitement among the civilian seamen who managed the 
 transports and who had not enlisted for fighting. One 
 captain had climbed the rigging of the schooner, thinking, 
 the enemy would aim at the hull. But a shot passed so near 
 him that he came down from his perch, almost as if he were 
 dropping to the deck, and going over the side he got into 
 a small boat and pulled for dear life for the further shore. 
 Several of the transports were struck, but beyond causing 
 excitement and some amusement no great damage was 
 done. 
 
108 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 During the night some prisoners were brought in. 
 From one of these it was learned that the Confederate force 
 was considerable, and that it would begin an attack in the 
 morning. The morning of the 7th the firing began. The 
 great shells from the gunboats sent after the fleeing enemy 
 quickened their pace. 
 
 Two staff officers, while the fighting was going on, 
 rode out too far from the right of the line, and soon found 
 themselves prisoners. In the midst of some confusion 
 they saw a chance to make a dash for liberty and made it. 
 One who was yet mounted succeeded in getting back. The 
 other who had lost his horse, did not fare so well. Seeing 
 too many around him, he dropped upon his face and lay 
 there as if he were dead. Some Confederate officers see 
 ing him began a search for valuables. In rummaging his 
 pockets in no very gentle manner they happened to touch 
 a ticklish spot, and in spite of his efforts to appear dead, 
 he had to laugh outright. His captors saw nothing funny 
 in his trick to deceive them by "playing possum." But he 
 claimed treatment due a prisoner of war. During the 
 night he eluded them and found his way back to head 
 quarters. 
 
 The Union loss in this engagement on the south bank 
 of the Pamunkey opposite West Point, was about fifty killed 
 and one hundred and fifty wounded. The Confederate loss 
 was probably not so large, but they retired in some haste 
 towards Richmond. 
 
 About five miles from the scene of this fight was Elt- 
 ham. This was a fine estate of about 2,000 acres, a typical 
 home of the old Virginia planter. On the river front of 
 this estate was a convenient landing. In early times it was 
 the custom of planters having their estates on some of the 
 many navigable rivers of Virginia, to ship their products 
 direct to England. These products were mostly tobacco 
 
THE PENINSULA. 109 
 
 and wheat. At first tobacco was the chief product. It was 
 not only their chief product, but was a medium of exchange. 
 Salaried officers were often paid in this product. Salaries 
 of clergymen were paid entirely in tobacco. 
 
 It afterwards became- known that these rich lands 
 would raise the choicest wheat. The vessels taking these 
 products to England would bring back a year s supply of 
 merchandise of all sorts needed on the plantation. 
 
 A sufficient quantity of corn would be raised for the 
 feeding of hogs. Corn and bacon, with fish from the 
 rivers formed the largest part of the food of the families 
 of the planters as well as the little army of colored people 
 who tilled the soil. 
 
 There were such plantations that were the scene of 
 plenty and contentment. They were well managed. The 
 colored people were kindly treated and worked willingly. 
 Many of these were trained as skilled laborers in special 
 lines. Some were blacksmiths, others were carpenters, 
 others were apt and intelligent in the care of animals. These 
 were generally trusted and faithful. 
 
 They were allowed their holidays, their festivals and 
 seasons of enjoyment. But in time the soil became im 
 poverished through the raising of tobacco. The estates did 
 not yield their old time, generous incomes. It was found to 
 be profitable to raise slaves to sell for service on the cotton 
 plantations of the Gulf states. Other industries became 
 neglected. Greed of gain, idleness, immorality, discontent 
 took the place of the former thrift and contentment. Cases 
 of cruel treatment of the colored people were not infrequent. 
 Slaves began to run away. The papers were filled with 
 advertisements offering rewards for the arrest and return 
 of runaways. These runaways, if found, were mercilessly 
 sold for the markets of the extreme south. 
 
 The mansion of the Eltham estate, was a large, two 
 
110 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 storied building of red brick, with a wide central hall, large 
 rooms, well furnished with old fashioned, substantial fur 
 niture, high posted bedsteads, massive carved bureaus and 
 tables. The building was appropriated as headquarters by 
 Generals Franklin, Slocum and Newton. These officers 
 intended that no damage should be done the property. But 
 the pigs, chickens, turkeys and geese supplied the officers 
 mess tables. There were wide fields of ripening grain and 
 clover in full blossom. The horses and mules devoured 
 these crops. The owner of the estate had departed. 
 
 "He seed de smoke way down de riber, 
 
 Where de Linkum gunboats lay: 
 He took his hat and left berry sudden 
 
 And I spect he s runned away. 
 Ole massa s run, ha, ha ! 
 
 De darkeys stay, ho, ho !" 
 
 The colored people, some of them at least, were re 
 maining, not knowing what else to do. 
 
 The overseer had lost control of them. They refused 
 to obey his orders. He talked with some of the officers 
 about the condition of things and lamented that things on 
 "the place" were going to ruin. When he hinted of using 
 the whip to bring the slaves to obedience to his orders, he 
 was informed that such things would no longer be allowed. 
 The black people were doing about as they pleased, and the 
 poor, lean, dried up overseer could not help himself. 
 
 There were some interesting characters among them. 
 One man who seemed nearly a hundred years old could 
 remember when his former master used to keep open house 
 in the old mansion ; when all the many rooms were occupied 
 by guests, the "great people," statesmen, stately women, 
 and gay and fashionable young folks. They were enter 
 tained with almost royal hospitality, but now 
 "Old times were changed, 
 Old manners gone." 
 
THE PENINSULA. Ill 
 
 A new word was coined that struck the popular fancy. 
 In the west, since Grant s first heavy blows, the Confeder 
 ates had been compelled to fall back all along the line. In 
 the east they had fallen back from Manassas and now 
 were falling back as McClellan advanced up the Peninsula. 
 
 "The shades of night were falling fast, 
 
 When through a southern village passed 
 A youth who bore, not over nice, 
 A banner with this strange device 
 
 Skedaddle ! 
 His brow was sad ; each toe beneath 
 
 Peeped like an acorn from its sheath : 
 And with frightened voice he sung 
 
 His burden strange to Yankee tongue 
 
 Skedaddle ! 
 He saw no househould fire where he 
 
 Might warm his tod or hominy; 
 Afar, reflected campfires shone, 
 
 And from his lips escaped a groan 
 
 Skedaddle ! 
 
 "Oh stay," the southern maiden said, 
 "An on dis buzzom res yer head," 
 A tear stood in his glaring eye, 
 
 But still he answered with a sigh, 
 
 Skedaddle ! 
 "Beware the ford," the old man said, 
 
 "The road is awful there ahead, 
 There s quicksand, mudholes, everywhere," 
 "There s worse behind," he swore a swear 
 
 Skedaddle ! 
 "Look out for Grant and Buell, and Banks, 
 
 Beware McClellan s pursuing ranks," 
 This was the planter s last good night; 
 The chap replied, far out of sight 
 
 Skedaddle ! 
 Late next day as several boys 
 
 From Maine, New York and Illinois 
 Were moving southward, in the air 
 They heard in accents of despair 
 Skedaddle ! 
 
112 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 A chap was found, and at his side 
 
 A bottle, showing how he died; 
 Still grasping in the gathering gloom, 
 
 That flag that seemed the sign of doom 
 Skedaddle ! 
 
 There in the twilight thick and gray, 
 
 Considerably played out he lay, 
 And through the vapor gray and thick 
 
 A voice fell like a rocket stick, 
 Skedaddle ! 
 
 We were now in a very pleasant country, fine farming 
 land with fields of growing grain and flowering clover, with 
 blocks of woodland. The weather was delightful and out 
 door life enjoyable. 
 
 The different headquarters presented animated scenes. 
 Tents were pitched on the lawn in front of the Eltham 
 mansion, and the officers, when not busy, were sitting here 
 and there among the trees. It was May loth, that the 
 regiment disembarked at Eltham. 
 
 While some of the forces had been moving up along 
 the river, others had been moving up on inland lines a few 
 miles away from the river. The various headquarters 
 would be moved forward a few miles, and then 
 rest a few days. Communication \vould be opened 
 from one to the other and visits of courtesy ex 
 changed. And all the while the question was being asked, 
 "Why don t we push on and get into Richmond before the 
 enemy has time to fortify it?" But McClellan was received 
 with hearty cheers whenever he appeared, and there was a 
 hope that he had his plans well laid and would bring matters 
 out all right. 
 
 Two provisional corps had been organized, named the 
 Fifth and Sixth. Gen. Fitz John Porter had been placed 
 in command of the former and Gen. Franklin of the latter. 
 These were officers in whom Gen. McClellan seemed to have 
 
THE PENINSULA. 113 
 
 especial confidence. Franklin s old division was commanded 
 by Gen. Slocum. 
 
 May nth, the day after the landing at Eltham, was 
 Sunday. It was a warm, pleasant day, and the camps about 
 the landing were quiet. There were inspections and dress 
 parades. In some of the regiments the chaplains conducted 
 religious services. 
 
 The dress parade of the Fifth Wisconsin, Col. Amasa 
 Cobb, attracted special attention. There was something 
 peculiar in the appearance and manner of the colonel, quiet, 
 undemonstrative, reserved, yet having the most perfect con 
 trol over as fine a body of men as could be found in the. army. 
 
 The afternoon of the I2th we marched about four miles 
 and halted, with orders to be ready to resume the march at 
 four o clock the next morning. 
 
 At the hour named the regimental line was formed. The 
 night had been moonlight and beautiful, and the march in 
 the early morning of the I3th was enjoyable. The regiment 
 seemed to be the rear of the corps. By ten o clock we had 
 marched twelve miles or more. As we passed over a high, 
 sandy ridge we looked down on a wide plain. To the right 
 was the winding river filled with gunboats, tugs and trans 
 ports. So many masts and smoke stacks had never before 
 been seen on that stream. Beyond the river and a width of 
 farming land was a background of wooded heights. To 
 the left, bordering the plain and reaching far beyond, were 
 other gradual slopes and hillsides, cultivated fields and wood 
 lands. 
 
 The various army corps marching on different lines had 
 converged on this wide plain between the river and the 
 circling hills. Seen from the high ridge we were crossing, 
 it was an inspiring sight. Nearly, if not quite, 100,000 
 men, corps, divisions, brigades, artillery, cavalry, in 
 fantry, wagon trains, formed in compact masses, were 
 
114 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 making their encampments. This scene, sketched by an 
 artist on the spot, has been the subject of one of our great 
 historical paintings. 
 
 It was Cumberland, one of the great estates of Virginia. 
 
 In some of the fields colored women had been driving 
 a single horse or mule, cultivating corn. But regular labor 
 had now ceased. At the comfortable cabins officers and men 
 would order meals prepared. The mistress was a secession 
 ist, and had forbidden any favors to any one in the Union 
 army. To enforce discipline she had resorted to the free 
 use of the lash over the shoulders of one of her women. The 
 swollen marks of the lashing were shown to some of the 
 officers who warned the mistress that such things could not 
 be allowed. It was not easy for her to understand that the 
 army of the United States had any right or authority on her 
 possessions, and she insisted that the army should move away 
 from her estate at once, or they would be subjected to the 
 payment of heavy damages. Provisions taken were gener 
 ally paid for, but the pay went into the hands of the colored 
 people. 
 
 Gen, Stoneman with his cavalry had kept in the ad 
 vance in the slow movement of the main army, and occasion 
 ally had found some of the enemy and captured a few pris 
 oners. But, in obedience to orders, he had not pushed on 
 very far in advance. 
 
 From one who had lately been in Richmond it was 
 learned that there was universal dread of the coming of the 
 Union army, and that the authorities were preparing to leave 
 the city. 
 
 May 1 4th the army lay still at Cumberland. Early the 
 1 5th we were on the way. It was a rainy day. A march 
 of six miles brought us to the White House, and soon the 
 wide level land between the river and the hills was filled 
 with the camp arranged in compact order. 
 
THE PENINSULA. 115 
 
 The Richmond and York River railroad crossed the 
 Pamunkey at this place. The Confederates had partially 
 destroyed the bridge. The river was navigable to this point. 
 There was a good landing and it was made the base of 
 supplies. 
 
 The estate was valuable and was the property of the 
 wife of Gen. Robert E. Lee, a descendant of the Custis 
 family. It was here that Washington first met Mrs. Custis, 
 then a charming and wealthy young widow. 
 
 His marriage with Mrs. Custis took place Jan. 6th, 
 I 759> some authorities say at the White House, the residence 
 of Mrs. Custis, others say at the church near New Kent 
 Court House. 
 
 The Confederates had left the immediate vicinity. In 
 the main hall of the White House was a paper attached to 
 the wall, reading as follows : 
 
 "Northern soldiers, who prefer to revere Washington, forbear to 
 desecrate the home of his first married life the property of his wife 
 now owned by her descendant, 
 
 A GRANDDAUGHTER OF MRS. WASHINGTON." 
 
 A house had been recently occupied by a son of Robert 
 E. Lee. The paper would lead one to suppose that this was 
 the house that was standing here in Washington s time. It 
 was learned, however, that the original house had been 
 destroyed by fire thirty years before. This later house was 
 burned when the place was abandoned as a base of supplies. 
 It was an ideal location for a home. 
 
 The 1 6th, after the previous rainy day, the army lay 
 quiet, spread out to dry over the broad acres of the Custis 
 estate. There were frequent details for escorts. 
 
 Before sunrise on the I9th we were on the march. We 
 left the great, wide, level camping ground at the White 
 House, and followed the line of the railroad, keeping on the 
 right of the track. Large bodies of infantry and artillery 
 
116 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 were moving in the same direction. Halted near Tunstall s 
 station in a clover field. From the woods came during the 
 night the ceaseless notes of the whip-poor-will. The morn 
 ing of the 20th, Companies B and F were ordered out to 
 accompany Capt. Arnold of Franklin s staff. The way was up 
 the south bank of the Pamunkey. It was a long and pleasant 
 ride through a pleasant country. These were the first Union 
 soldiers whom the people here had seen. Crowds of colored 
 people came to the roadside to see. They were of all classes 
 and conditions the patriarch of more than four score, with 
 hair like sheep s wool, almost white; the dozen or two of 
 pickaninnies with faces of shining blackness, and eyes roll 
 ing in wonder ; women and men, some with regular features 
 and intelligent faces, and others with features not easy to 
 describe. 
 
 Many of the able-bodied slaves had been sent to the 
 lower Peninsula to work upon fortifications. Some of these 
 had never returned to the plantations. 
 
 The white people had no friendly greetings. Ladies 
 would stand in the doorways with features expressing bitter 
 hostility. 
 
 The colored women and children were demonstrative in 
 their welcome, in spite of the forbidding aspects and words 
 of master and mistress. They brought to the roadside, as 
 free gifts to the cavalrymen, an abundance of corn bread and 
 hoe cake, with jars of butter milk. These planters, like many 
 others, were raising slaves for the southern market. Some 
 of them would sell from ten to twenty a year, receiving for 
 them from five to fifteen hundred dollars a piece, according 
 to age and condition. 
 
 The return was on a road farther from the river and 
 nearer to Richmond. Columns of infantry were moving 
 toward the Confederate capital. In answer to many in 
 quiries, the answer was returned that it was a fruitful land 
 
THE PENINSULA. 117 
 
 a land of hoe cake and buttermilk, of fat pickaninnies, and 
 white enemies who would welcome them to hospitable graves. 
 
 Marched at one o clock the next morning in a drizzling 
 rain. The clay was warm. The country was high land 
 midway between the rivers, and was sandy and poor. 
 
 Here had been a resort for an occasional day s outing 
 by the people from the city. There was an old tavern where 
 entertainment had been provided. It was a well shaded 
 place and had received the name of Cool Arbor. This name 
 had been modified in spelling and pronunciation. It has been 
 called Coal Harbor, and Cold Harbor, but is difficult to see 
 any significance in these names. This place was now the 
 headquarters of the army. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 BEFORE RICHMOND. 
 
 nARLY in the morning of May 22nd as the regiment 
 stood in line, a staff officer rode up and called for 
 men well mounted, to act as advance guard for a regiment 
 of infantry. Twenty-five men from K were selected, with 
 Sergeant George W. Cummins in command. Orders were 
 to proceed ahead of the infantry toward Mechanicsville. It 
 was an old and unused road with thick woods on either 
 side. The men rode by twos at an easy gallop, jumping 
 their horses over logs that lay across the way. The morn 
 ing was bright and warm. Besides the men themselves 
 there was no sign of life save the singing of the many birds 
 among the trees. With feelings of exhilaration and security 
 the men rode on until it was suggested that they were getting 
 too far ahead of the infantry. Cummins said, "We will 
 ride forward to the hill and there wait." They passed down 
 a slight decline, crossed the bridge over a small stream and 
 turned to the right, following the road along the foot of the 
 thickly wooded hill. From among the bushes by the road 
 side suddenly arose a large number of armed men. They 
 poured their fire into the cavalry, broadside, and so close 
 that some of them could almost touch the horses with their 
 guns. Cummins fell to the ground, shot through the heart. 
 Corporal William Anderson fell, and was thought to be dead, 
 but he was only wounded. The men who were left mounted, 
 turned to get away, when the enemy in great numbers came 
 
 118 
 
BEFORE RICHMOND. 119 
 
 out into the road in the rear, and on both sides. The cav 
 alry did not stand on the order of their going. They went 
 at once and went rapidly, riding over or eluding the rebels 
 who tried to catch the horses by the bits as they dashed 
 past. The bullets followed them thick and fast. Upon 
 reaching the elevation on this side of the stream, Sergeant 
 E. C. Watkins rallied the men and took command. The 
 rebels contented themselves with firing at long range when 
 ever a man showed himself. Many of the horses had been 
 hit, but not disabled. Watkins horse had been wounded in 
 three places. 
 
 Watkins held his men here until the infantry came up, 
 when a battalion was quickly deployed on each side of the 
 road and advanced rapidly down the slope. The enemy 
 waited to fire but a few shots, then broke and ran. Our 
 men followed. In the place where they had been ambushed 
 they found the body of Cummins where he had fallen, 
 mutilated with bayonet thrusts and his ears cut off! A 
 prisoner taken later in the day stated that this was the act 
 of a South Carolina soldier who "proposed to take the 
 Yankee s ears to his best girl." 
 
 Watkins really commanded all the troops on the road 
 after the cavalry fight. He was wearing a blouse with no 
 chevrons and was easily mistaken for an officer. The in 
 fantry colonel asked him to take command of his men, as 
 he himself had no knowledge of military matters. Later 
 reinforcements also reported to Watkins. These forces fol 
 lowed up the Confederates and drove them through and be 
 yond Mechanicsville. That night Franklin s corps occupied 
 the place. The next morning a special order from General 
 Franklin was read before the regiment, in which he highly 
 complimented these cavalrymen for their meritorious con 
 duct, and recommended the promotion of Sergeant Watkins 
 to first lieutenant. 
 
120 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Anderson who had been wounded spent many months in 
 prison. Companies A and C went to Bottom s bridge across 
 the Chickahominy. It had been destroyed. Other details 
 had been made for various services. In one of these a Ger 
 man of L had fallen among a few of the enemy, but before 
 his arms had been taken from him he knocked over one of 
 his captors with his carbine and broke away. Several shots 
 were fired after him, and his horse was wounded, but he 
 escaped. 
 
 The 23rd, at sunset, the chaplain conducted an impress 
 ive service over the remains of Sergeant Cummins. He 
 was a brave, true, intelligent man, and a faithful soldier. In 
 the pine woods near the camp, which was now named Camp 
 Cummins, he was buried with military honors, his comrades 
 firing three farewell volleys over his grave. The realities of 
 war were brought home to them as they laid him to rest and 
 left him among the lonely pines at Cold Harbor. 
 
 At dress parade on the afternoon of the 24th an address 
 by McClellan was read in all the camps. It was inspiring 
 in its tone. It spoke of past successes, saying that "the 
 Army of the Potomac had never yet been checked," and 
 promising an immediate forward movement; wagons and 
 baggage were to be left behind, soldiers were encouraged to 
 be prompt, cool, steady, to "aim low and rely upon the 
 bayonet/ 
 
 Arms were carefully examined ; some of the men sharp 
 ened their sabres. Letters were they to be the last ? were 
 sent home. One of the captains, a soldier of the old school, 
 urged his men to be careful of their clothing and brush it 
 up, and polish their shoes, so that the company might make 
 a fine appearance on the expected triumphal entry into 
 Richmond. 
 
 The 24th was rainy and most of the regiment remained 
 in camp. The Fourth Michigan went out and engaged in a 
 
BEFORE RICHMOND. 121 
 
 skirmish and returned bringing in about twenty-five pris 
 oners. 
 
 Companies F and M under the command of Captain 
 Bennett were ordered to report to General Porter. They 
 remained at his headquarters until sometime in August, act 
 ing as escort and orderlies, and taking part in all the engage 
 ments of the corps. 
 
 One of the first duties assigned to these companies was 
 to accompany an officer to the residence of Mrs. R. E. Lee 
 and her daughter Mary at the White House, with instruc 
 tions to inform them that they would not be permitted to 
 remain longer within the lines. Word was sent to General 
 Lee, who called Captain Mason, saying, "I have some 
 property in the hands of the enemy, and General McClellan 
 has informed me that he would deliver it to me at any time 
 I would call for it." He desired Captain Mason to go with 
 a courier and a flag of truce to the Federal lines with a 
 sealed dispatch to General McClellan. The Union officer on 
 the picket line at Meadow bridge insisted on blindfolding 
 Captain Mason before taking him to headquarters. He 
 thought he was doing right in taking this precaution, but 
 for this McClellan was so indignant that he ordered the 
 officer under arrest. But he treated the Confederate officer 
 to the best he had, including the choicest liquors, and in due 
 time, and with the greatest courtesy, sent him and the family 
 of General Lee, with an escort back into the Confederate 
 lines. 
 
 Captain Harkins with D and H was ordered to report 
 to General Slocum. The 25th the other companies moved 
 about four miles up the north bank of the Chickahominy and 
 encamped on the farm of Mr. Sidney. The valley here was 
 hardly a mile wide and bordered by moderate bluffs. On 
 the southern bluff the enemy s pickets were plainly seen. 
 
 The 26th, with horses saddled ready to move at a mo- 
 
122 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ment s notice, we waited for orders, but no orders came. 
 The enemy threw a few shells across the valley. They 
 passed, shrieking and howling, over the camp. The noise 
 they made was not a pleasant one, but they did no damage. 
 
 The 27th there was heavy and continuous firing off to 
 the northwest. It was Porter at Hanover Court House. 
 At evening the report came that he had defeated the enemy 
 and taken a thousand prisoners. Companies F and M were 
 with him. 
 
 Low s balloon made an ascent just behind the camp, and 
 the enemy from across the valley threw several shells at it. 
 At the first shell, which came uncomfortably near, the man 
 in the balloon made considerable noise 
 
 "Sent forth a sharp and bitter cry, 
 As of a wild thing taken in a trap, 
 Which sees the trapper coming thro the wood." 
 
 Whether it was a shout of defiance or a cry of terror, 
 begging help, we could not quite make out. But the balloon 
 speedily came down and was moved back out of range, when 
 it went up again to take a safer survey of the country. The 
 shells fell in the camp and went rolling and ricocheting along 
 the ground. While they did do no harm, they were not 
 looked upon as desirable playthings. 
 
 The Confederates had retired across the Chickahominy 
 and destroyed the bridge. They had placed their batteries 
 on the bank. The camp of the cavalry which had been made 
 near the bank of Beaver Dam creek was in an exposed posi 
 tion. The solid shot and shells from these batteries had 
 fallen among the tents. 
 
 Some of the men were in the habit of going with their 
 horses to the creek, on their own notion, at such times as 
 were convenient for them. They had the appearance of 
 wandering aw r ay from camp without permission. General 
 Davidson was out with some attendants and, provoked at 
 
BEFORE RICHMOND. 123 
 
 seeing these men wandering outside regardless of discipline, 
 drew his weapons and charged upon them with a volley of 
 oaths more terrible than his display of arms. The men came 
 through the bushes surrounding the camp as if the enemy 
 in force was upon them. They excited commotion for a few 
 minutes, but general laughter afterwards. 
 
 The camp was withdrawn a mile or more to a sandy 
 field by the side of a grove in the edge of which was standing 
 a plain church. Heavy details were made for the guard and 
 picket duty. Patrols were out almost constantly to watch 
 the Confederates who could always be seen on the bank 
 across the valley. From high positions could be seen the 
 church spires of Richmond. 
 
 Batteries were placed to face those of the enemy. Shots 
 were exchanged often enough to remind one that a state of 
 war existed. Otherwise the situation w r as comparatively 
 quiet. And all were waiting to see what would be done. 
 
 Near by was the camp of the Eighth Illinois cavalry, a 
 well-officered, efficient regiment, attached to Porter s corps, 
 which was picketing a line of eight or ten miles, but leaving 
 an unguarded line of several miles between their right and 
 the Pamunkey river. The officers of the regiment reported 
 this to higher authorities, but the matter was not attended 
 to. A little later the Confederates took advantage of this, 
 and Stuart s cavalry made the circuit of the Federal army. 
 
 A part of the army had crossed the Chickahominy and 
 advanced beyond Savage s Station. But so far as we could 
 see no very important movements were being made. It was 
 understood that McClellan was waiting for McDowell, who 
 was at Fredericksburg, to join him. The weather was 
 warm, with occasional heavy thunder showers. Early in 
 the afternoon of the 3ist there was some musketry firing 
 across the river. It soon became continuous and heavy. It 
 was evident that contending lines were near each other and 
 
124? THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 hotly engaged. There were volleys of musketry and the 
 heavier firing of artillery. Now and then were plainly heard 
 the ringing Union cheers and the screeching rebel yells. 
 These were easily distinguished and indicated desperate fight 
 ing at close quarters. As the cheers or yells were louder 
 we could imagine one or the other of the lines pressing back 
 its opponent. Such fighting and so near by, and becoming 
 more and more intense, was too exciting to permit men to 
 remain quiet. They wanted to have a hand in the fray, and 
 when after a little while, orders were given to saddle up and 
 be ready, it took but a short time for the six companies not 
 detached, to be in line. The colonel reported to General 
 Franklin who directed that the regiment remain in readiness 
 and await further orders. 
 
 In the meantime a young Confederate officer had been 
 taken prisoner and was brought to headquarters. It was 
 Lieutenant Washington, an aide on the staff of Gen. Joseph 
 E. Johnston. He wore a fine uniform of gray trimmed with 
 gold lace. He was a gentlemanly and soldierly appearing 
 man, too full of energy to be content to be a captive when 
 he expected to take an active part in a battle that had been 
 planned to crush that part of the Union army that had 
 crossed the river. 
 
 Reports came that the fighting, though desperate, had 
 gone well with the Union army. The Confederate General 
 Huger had failed to do what was expected of him. General 
 Sumner, crossing the swollen river on floating logs of a 
 corduroy bridge, hastened to the assistance of the Union 
 forces. The well laid plans of Johnston were thwarted. He 
 himself was wounded. His forces were withdrawn toward 
 Richmond. There was more fighting on the morning of 
 June ist, and the Union army was in possession of the entire 
 field of Fair Oaks. 
 
 The falling back of the Confederate forces caused in- 
 
BEFORE RICHMOND. 125 
 
 tense anxiety in Richmond. Every available building in the 
 city was converted into a hospital for their wounded. 
 
 General Heintzelman thought the time favorable for 
 following the enemy and advancing directly upon Richmond. 
 On the morning of June 2nd he sent General Hooker with 
 a strong force to reconnoiter. Hooker went within four 
 miles of the capital, seeing only stragglers and a few pickets. 
 He sent back a report of the situation, expressing an opinion 
 that it was possible for a strong force to capture the city. 
 General McClellan sent a peremptory order, General 
 Hooker will return from his brilliant reconnoissance ; we 
 cannot afford to lose his division." 
 
 General McClellan was not near the field during the 
 battles of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines, nor did he give any 
 direct orders except that he sent word to Sumner to cross 
 the river with his corps, and Sumner had anticipated this 
 order and had begun to move. 
 
 On the 3rd of June, McClellan issued another brief and 
 stirring address which was read at evening parade in all the 
 camps. In this he announced the recent great victory, and 
 promised a speedy forward movement. He encouraged his 
 soldiers to bear themselves manfully, and predicted that the 
 coming conflict would be decisive. 
 
 In the meantime there came reports of Union successes 
 in the west. Halleck had compelled Beauregard to evacuate 
 Corinth. Colonel Elliott, with Iowa cavalry, had made a 
 daring raid in the rear of Corinth, breaking the enemy s 
 communications, destroying property and parolling 2,000 
 sick and convalescent soldiers. The whole North was exult 
 ing over these successes, and was watching with the greatest 
 interest the army before Richmond. The boastful proclama 
 tions of Beauregard had not saved him. 
 
 From the 4th to the I2th there were details for foraging. 
 Some deserters reported the Confederates to be tired and 
 
126 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 disheartened. The I3th, Confederate cavalry was around 
 our right and rear. Wagons on their way to the landing 
 for supplies were turned back. Horses were on short rations 
 of musty corn. Ordered to be on the alert during the night, 
 and to march early the next morning. Morning came. 
 Marched a mile and encamped. The new camp was near 
 McClellan s headquarters and was a short distance in the 
 rear of the ground on which, a fortnight later, was fought 
 the battle of Games Mill. 
 
 It was soon known what the Confederates had accomp 
 lished. Stuart, with 1,500 cavalry and some artillery, had 
 burned two schooners and fourteen wagons loaded with sup 
 plies, captured 165 prisoners, 265 horses and mules, had 
 leisurely passed around our entire army and returned to 
 Richmond by the James river road, suffering no loss himself. 
 
 From the I5th to the i8th remained in camp. It had 
 been announced that McClellan had been waiting for Mc- 
 Call s division of McDowell s corps to join him, when he 
 would move at once against the enemy. And now McCall s 
 division of 15,000 men was here. 
 
 A general forward movement along the whole line ex 
 pected, and the men were in good spirits. 
 
 The i Qth the regiment crossed the Chickahominy on 
 Woodbury s bridge, and on an open, sloping field, made a 
 new camp. A short half mile away, near some fine springs, 
 were pitched McClellan s headquarters tents. 
 
 Liberty was given to some of the men to ride out to 
 the front. The field of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks seemed 
 like a vast burial ground. Many bodies had evidently been 
 allowed to remain on the spot where they had fallen, and a 
 scant covering of earth had been thrown upon them. The 
 lines had been advanced beyond the field of the battle, and 
 long lines of earthworks had been thrown up. In these were 
 long ranks of men with arms in readiness, constantly on 
 
BEFORE RICHMOND. 127 
 
 the lookout for an advancing enemy. Behind these lines, 
 extending over a wide distance, the fields and woods were 
 full of camps, indicating the massing of the army for an 
 attack upon Richmond from this position. 
 
 The 25th the regiment went to the front as an escort 
 to McClellan. Went a little in advance of the position of 
 the Union lines at the time of the battle. A lively skirmish 
 was going on along a considerable length of the line. In 
 case it should develop into an attack in force, bodies of 
 troops were here and there massed in solid squares, with field 
 officers mounted, in readiness to be thrown forward. The 
 regiment waited in line hardly out of range of the Confed 
 erate skirmishers fire, and their shots would now and then 
 reach us. It seemed as though it would be a relief to those 
 men waiting in the solid squares if they were ordered at once 
 into action. 
 
 In the rear of an army in battle is the worst part of all 
 the field. Details with stretchers were bringing back the 
 wounded. As they were laid upon the ground the surgeons 
 would look at them, one after another, and quickly decide 
 what ones were beyond their help. There was one man 
 shot through the head, still alive and moaning piteously. It 
 seemed an hour before his moaning ceased. Another was 
 so battered about the face as to be almost unrecognizable. 
 He, too, was yet alive, but beyond the power of noticing 
 anything. The surgeon looked at him and passed on to the 
 next. Another with only a hand shattered had walked back 
 from the skirmish line. The surgeon began at once to am 
 putate some of the fingers. Under the effect of an insuffi 
 cient anaesthetic the wounded man became delirious and 
 talked incoherently and incessantly. Under other circum 
 stances, what he was saying would be amusing. The sur 
 geons in attending to their work had to keep back all signs 
 of sympathy and appear indifferent to human suffering. 
 
128 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 In returning to his headquarters McClellan paid a flat 
 tering compliment to the regiment, although it had not been 
 in action. Perhaps it had shown some degree of courage in 
 waiting and looking on. 
 
 The 26th there was sharp firing on the extreme right, 
 across the Chickahominy. It was the Confederate attack 
 on the Union position at Beaver Dam creek. At evening 
 roll call it was announced that the Confederates had been 
 repulsed with heavy loss, and that we had won another vic 
 tory, and there was hearty cheering in all the camps. 
 
A. CHALMERS HINTON. 
 
 R. G. PRENDERGAST. 
 
 DR. GEO. L. DOUGLAS. 
 
 JENYNS C. BATTERSBY. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 
 
 ^ I ^HE fight at Beaver Dam creek did not cease until after 
 night fall. The Union forces under Porter held their 
 position with a loss of a little more than four hundred. The 
 Confederates were repulsed with a loss, as Longstreet after 
 ward said to the historian Swinton, of between three and 
 four thousand. McClellan was not on the field, but he sent 
 orders to fall back during the night. Wagons and wounded 
 men were transferred across the river. 
 
 Notwithstanding the cheering over the victory, there 
 began to grow up among the men a feeling of uncertainty. 
 Since McClellan s promise of a speedy and decisive move 
 ment nearly a month before, nothing of importance had been 
 done except skirmishing along the front, and Stuart s raid 
 around the Union army. And now the enemy had taken the 
 initiative. Contrabands had brought the report that Stone 
 wall Jackson had come from the Shenandoah Valley and 
 joined Lee. 
 
 The forenoon of the 27th there seemed to be something 
 ominous in the air. It became known that Porter had fallen 
 back from the field of the previous day s fight to high, open 
 ground where he had formed a new line on the arc of a 
 circle, in a favorable position, but with no earthworks in 
 front. 
 
 The men had always liked the appearance of Porter; 
 erect, cool, watchful, with an expression of "business" and 
 determination. But he had only 27,000 men. Opposed to 
 
 129 
 
130 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 him were 70,000. Behind the advanced lines of works on 
 the south side were more than 60,000 Union men with many 
 more in reserve. Between these and Richmond was Mag- 
 ruder with 25,000. With these he kept up a constant skir 
 mishing, always threatening an attack as if with a superior 
 force. 
 
 On the 20th McClellan had reported a total of 156,838 
 with 115,000 present for duty. Lee had a force of 75,000 
 which, by the arrival of Jackson, was increased to 110,000. 
 
 McClellan had three courses open to him : i st, to cross 
 to the north side and risk all in a battle on Porter s ground : 
 2nd, withdraw Porter to the south side to hold the line of 
 the river, and with the rest of the army push directly into 
 Richmond : 3rd, move his entire army to the James. 
 
 Shortly after noon the enemy developed his superior 
 forces in front of Porter. He, realizing the work he had 
 before him, sent for reinforcements. Slocum s division was 
 sent. As it crossed Alexander s bridge it was met by hun 
 dreds of wounded. Arriving on the field it was divided into 
 detachments, and these were sent to strengthen different 
 parts of the line. 
 
 The roar of battle became terrific. The enemy was 
 pressing around Porter s right which was obliged to give 
 way. Before overwhelming forces the entire line began to 
 yield. In response to calls for further reinforcements the 
 brigades of French and Meagher had been sent. These 
 hurrying forward with loud cheers checked the retreating 
 lines, which reformed and advanced to the front. The Con 
 federates hearing and seeing these fresh forces, and not 
 knowing how many there were of them, ceased from their 
 attacks and rested on the ground they had won. 
 
 In this battle of Games Mill the Union loss was almost 
 8,000 men and 22 guns. The enemy s loss was about 5,000. 
 .In this day s doings six companies of the Lincoln cavalry, a 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 131 
 
 squadron each at the headquarters of Porter, Slocum and 
 Franklin, saw active service. The two companies under 
 Boyd at Franklin s headquarters were sent to Slocum when 
 the latter was sent across the river. The duties of mounted 
 orderlies on a field of battle are responsible and dangerous. 
 These cavalrymen were among the busiest of all the men on 
 the field. The remaining companies had acted as escorts to 
 generals examining the situation at the front on the south 
 
 side. 
 
 All night long, along the road just by the side of the 
 cavalry camp, were passing wagons, ambulances, horses, 
 wounded men and marching regiments. The steady, monot 
 onous tramp, the dust filling the air to suffocation, the men 
 marching in silence, too wearied to talk, some of them hardly 
 awake, the wounded in ambulances or borne on stretchers, 
 all these marked the all-night retreat of a defeated army. 
 
 It was said that a general shed tears as he saw his men 
 falling in such numbers and his line driven back. 
 
 "Talk not of grief till thou hast seen 
 The tears of warlike men." 
 
 The morning of the 28th we were up early. The night 
 had been a sleepless one. The disasters of the previous day 
 were known. Officers of high rank could be seen in groups 
 consulting in low tones, awaiting developments. Enlisted 
 men were watching their officers, trying to gather from the 
 expression of their faces some sign of what was to be ex 
 pected. There was no panic, no demoralization, but a deter 
 mination to meet without shrinking whatever might come. 
 
 Companies F and M had been with Porter at Beaver 
 Dam ; D, H, C and A had been with Slocum at Games Mills. 
 A number of the men had been wounded and a number more 
 had their horses shot under them. 
 
 The other six companies were ordered to the front be 
 yond the field of Fair Oaks. Again the persistent skirmish- 
 
132 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ing by the enemy indicated the probability of an attack in 
 force. The formidable earthworks were filled with men in 
 constant readiness to meet the attack. This continual threat 
 ening by Magruder was the carrying out of the plan of the 
 Confederates to prevent the sending of Union forces from 
 this part of the line to reinforce the right wing, against 
 which the main part of their army had been massed. 
 
 A paymaster was engaged in paying a regiment near 
 the front when the enemy s shells began to fall and burst 
 around him. He packed up his treasury in his iron-bound 
 trunk and sought a place of safety. 
 
 Late in the day the regiment returned to its camp. 
 Divisions and brigades were changing positions. Batteries 
 of artillery that had been guarding different points along the 
 river were coming in. We heard the noise of explosions. 
 Trains had been set to blow up the bridges. 
 
 The 29th was Sunday. Each man took what effects he 
 thought indispensable, what rations he could conveniently 
 carry, a new supply of ammunition, and the six companies 
 not detached took up the line of march towards Savage s 
 Station. The march was slow with frequent halts. Large 
 bodies of troops on different roads were moving toward the 
 station. The roads were obstructed by wagon trains. 
 Each of the more than five thousand wagons of the army 
 was drawn by a team of four or six horses or mules. The 
 long mule teams would get twisted around and tangled up, 
 and the dismal chorus of braying mules and the shouting 
 and swearing of the drivers added to the confusion. 
 
 General Lee seems to have expected that the Union 
 army would fall back. His mistake was in supposing that 
 the retreat would be down the north side of the Chicka- 
 hominy. General Stoneman, by the skilful maneuvering of 
 his cavalry, helped to convey the impression that this was 
 McClellan s plan. Because of this the retreat to the James 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 133 
 
 was in progress more than twelve hours before the enemy 
 knew with certainty what was being done. The time con 
 sumed in his marching back to the crossing places was well 
 used by the Union army. 
 
 In the meantime the wounded had been collected at 
 Savage s Station. After the battle of Games Mill many 
 of the wounded had not been able to get across the river 
 that day. These, one by one, or in small companies, after 
 much suffering, were now finding their way to the station. 
 Nearly twenty-five hundred were here. There were not 
 buildings nor tents enough for them. The trees fur 
 nished shelter for many. The rest were lying on the 
 ground under the open sky. The surgeons had been 
 busy. A little distance away was a mound of amputated 
 limbs. The regiment halted near by. Some of the men 
 passed among the wounded to see if they could find acquaint 
 ances. There were shallow trenches dug in the light, sandy 
 soil, and every little while a dead soldier was brought out, 
 laid in a trench, his blanket folded over him, and the earth 
 shoveled upon him. 
 
 These pale, battered, bandaged men would anxiously 
 ask "Are there any ambulances coming?" "Are they go 
 ing to leave us behind?" But McClellan had "ordered all 
 the ambulances to depart unincumbered ; four or five thou 
 sand sick men would so embarrass the army that escape 
 might be impossible ; and that, much as it had to be regretted, 
 it was a matter of stern necessity to leave our wounded in 
 the hands of the enemy." 
 
 It had been the purpose to send as many as possible to 
 the White House to be taken on transports to Northern 
 hospitals. A loaded train was ready to go, when suddenly 
 the telegraph ceased to work. The train was run down the 
 track a few miles, when it was learned that the Confederates 
 were in possession, and the train returned. 
 
134 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Those in charge of the White House had been in 
 structed, upon the appearance of danger, to send around to 
 the James river all the stores that could be transported, and 
 to burn the rest. Lieut. Wilson, one of those in charge, 
 wrote of this: "Such quantities of elegant new tents; nice 
 beds for the sick; of fine liquors and wines; cordials and 
 medicines; oranges, lemons, beef, corn, whisky; immense 
 quantities of hay; boxes on boxes of clothing, and every 
 thing conceivable for use and comfort were committed to 
 the flames." The White House itself was burned. 
 
 General Sumner with his own corps and parts of the 
 corps of Heintzelman and Franklin, was to hold the enemy 
 in check at Savage s Station while the rest of the army 
 was pushing on toward the James river. On high, open 
 ground batteries of artillery were placed, with guns un- 
 limbered and in position to resist an attack. 
 
 Companies C and A, Captains Boyd and Jones, were 
 on picket along the river. The enemy was delayed by the 
 necessity of rebuilding bridges that had been destroyed, and 
 it was not until late in the afternoon that they were cross 
 ing the river. Then the cavalry companies were deployed, 
 and as the enemy advanced, fell back skirmishing. 
 
 When the wounded learned that they were to be left 
 behind, hundreds of those who were not totally disabled 
 started on in the direction in which the army was moving. 
 Weak and faint, they followed along as best they could. 
 Some would give out by the way, but after a brief rest they 
 would feebly but persistently struggle on. Comrades 
 would support and help each other. 
 
 The Eighth Illinois cavalry had been ordered to escort 
 and guard the long train. Men of this regiment would dis 
 mount and help the wounded to the saddle, while they 
 themselves would walk. 
 
 It was pitiful to see the helpless when they found that 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 135 
 
 they were to be left behind. Many exclaimed that "they 
 would rather die than fall into the hands of the rebels. r 
 Their physical pains were less intense than their mental 
 agony. 
 
 Company E was ordered forward as a special guard to 
 Franklin s train, leaving only five companies not detached. 
 
 Orders had been given that all stores which could not 
 be carried along should be destroyed. About noon the 
 work of destruction was begun. Many of these stores 
 would be especially needed by the sick and wounded that 
 \vere to be left behind. But the orders were to burn. Bar 
 rels of meat, sugar, coffee, whisky, turpentine, cords of 
 boxes of crackers, were added to the burning piles. Great, 
 black volumes of smoke and cinders rolled upward and 
 floated away high on the winds. Frequent explosions of 
 ammunition added something of terror to the spectacle. 
 
 Standing on the track was a long train of cars loaded 
 with ammunition. It had been the intention to send this 
 train to the White House. But it was now too late. The 
 enemy was in possession there, and the railroad bridge 
 across the Chickahominy had been destroyed. The only 
 thing to do to prevent this ammunition falling into the 
 hands of the enemy was to destroy it. The train was to 
 be set on fire and run into the river. The engine was under 
 a full head of steam as the regiment moved on. 
 
 Rev. J. J. Marks, D.D., was chaplain of the Sixty- 
 third Pennsylvania volunteers. He chose to remain a vol 
 untary prisoner to minister to the sick and wounded. He 
 had opportunities to observe many things that a soldier in 
 the ranks could not see. His account is here given, 
 
 "The engine attached to the train was ready at any moment to 
 spring on the track, each of the cars was set on fire, and when the 
 flames began to wind around the wooden structures the train was put 
 in motion. Being a descending grade, it was soon rushing on with 
 
136 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the wildest fury, and every revolution of the wheels added to the 
 volume of the flames, until the eye ceased to see the structure of the 
 cars, and only beheld a terrific monster, which, like some huge serpent 
 of fire, had come forth to add a new feature of horror to the scene. 
 On and on it rushed, with a roar which caused the hills to tremble. I 
 could not think of anything as a suitable representation of a spectacle 
 so grand, but that of a thousand thunderbolts chained together, and 
 wreathed with lightning, rushing with scathing fury and the roar of 
 the tornado over the trembling earth. In a few seconds the engine, cars 
 and wheels were nothing but one long chain of fire, a frightful meteor 
 flashing past us. 
 
 The distance from Savage s Station to the Chickahominy is about 
 one and a half miles. I had placed myself on one of the eminences near 
 our hospital, from which I had a fine view of the railroad and the 
 coming train. I knew that the long bridge over the river was burned. 
 The train plunged past me like some vast monster from a sea of fire. 
 On it thundered until there was a stupendous crash, and far up in the 
 heavens were thrown burning fragments of the cars. This was suc 
 ceeded by the explosion of bombs and kegs of powder. Now a great 
 shell dashed into the air with a wild and angry shriek; this burst, and 
 left behind a flash of flame ; and again another darted forth and tore 
 with fury through the branches of the forest trees ; and bomb after 
 bomb sprang from the fiery mass, hissing and screaming like fiends in 
 agony, and coursing in every direction through the forests and clear 
 heavens. Such was the momentum of this train, that when it reached 
 the chasm it sprang out fully forty feet, and the engine and first car 
 leaped over the first pier in the stream, and there it hangs, one of the 
 most impressive monuments of the Peninsular disasters." 
 
 The work of the rear guard calls for peculiar heroism. 
 At Savage s Station, Sumner with his twenty thousand 
 men drawn up in the open field met all the re 
 quirements. All day the rest of the army, long 
 columns of infantry, batteries of artillery, wagon trains, 
 detachments of cavalry, generals with their staffs and 
 escorts, had been moving past the station towards 
 the James. The last was Heintzelman, who, with his staff, 
 left at four o clock. Through all this moving, the long 
 lines of the rear guard stayed on the field. They could 
 look for no support. They could only wait and look for the 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 137 
 
 enemy, and beat them back that the rest of the army might 
 be saved. 
 
 General Sumner had once been asked by some prom 
 inent civilians, what he thought of the prospects of putting 
 down the rebellion. His reply was, "It is a soldier s busi 
 ness to think only of his duty, and how best to perform it." 
 His presence and bearing now imparted to his men his own 
 spirit of determination and unflinching heroism. In Frank 
 lin he had an able and skillful lieutenant. The men of C 
 and A had here the opportunity of witnessing some of the 
 most heroic fighting of the civil war. 
 
 At five o clock a cloud of dust announced the coming 
 of the Confederates. In grim silence the rear guard waited 
 for them. Before the fire of artillery and infantry that 
 greeted them they fell back. In the center, and on the 
 right and left, in successive advances they tried to break 
 that line. The men of one command had been lying down 
 that the enemy s artillery fire might pass over them, when 
 orders came for them to charge the battery. Instantly they 
 arose, fixed bayonets and started forward. In a moment 
 they were among the guns. A line of infantry was falling 
 back where, in its weakest place, it had been hard pressed. 
 Sumner, placing himself in front of two regiments, waving 
 his hat, led them on, restoring the line and driving the 
 enemy back. 
 
 Until after dusk the Confederates with yells of despera 
 tion repeated their assaults. With cheers of defiance the 
 rear guard repelled every assault. 
 
 Two regimental lines were near each other, unable in 
 the dim light to tell friend from foe. Ten paces apart they 
 halted, and peering through the darkness, each challenged 
 the other. They were enemies, and simultaneously they 
 fired into each other s faces. 
 
 At half past eight the Confederates ceased from their 
 
138 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 attempts to break the line of that rear guard. Sumner,, 
 even at that hour, wished to take the aggressive, and spoke 
 of sending to McClellan for permission to drive the enemy 
 into the Chickahominy. But he was reminded that the 
 orders were to fall back. With an emphatic protest he set 
 his army in motion. A violent storm came on through 
 which the army continued its retreat. During the night 
 and the next morning all had crossed White Oak bridge. 
 The bridge was then destroyed. 
 
 A battery on the field was not notified of the with 
 drawal of the army. The next morning the captain was 
 awakened by reveille from camps where he knew our men 
 were not the night before. They were camps of the enemy. 
 He had been left behind. Quickly and quietly the horses 
 were hitched up. With two guns in the rear to fire upon 
 any pursuers, the battery was hurried on and crossed the 
 bridge in safety. 
 
 It is due to the Confederates to say that on the morn 
 ing of the 3Oth, when they took possession of Savage s Sta 
 tion, they assured the surgeons and Chaplain Marks that 
 they should be treated with all consideration possible. A 
 Confederate guard was placed about the hospital, and there 
 was no rudeness nor unkindness shown to anyone. After 
 the storm during the night, the morning of the 3Oth was 
 clear and fresh. White Oak swamp is about a hundred 
 rods wide, with a thick growth of trees and bushes. The 
 road through it was low and sandy, but passable. The 
 swamp was not inundated. The bridge over the stream 
 that ran through the center was but a few rods in length. 
 On either side of the swamp was high, open ground with 
 thick pine woods behind. On the high ground on the south 
 side Franklin had slight redoubts thrown up. In these he 
 placed his guns to sweep the crossing where the bridge had 
 been destroyed. Infantry was in supporting distance. Be- 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 139 
 
 hind the infantry was an immense mass of wagons parked, 
 with teams unhitched. During that forenoon we rested. 
 
 About one o clock a shell from the opposite side of the 
 swamp came over our heads and fell among the parked 
 wagons. Immediately there arose confusion. There was 
 hitching of teams "in hot haste. Many of the drivers in 
 their fright would have abandoned wagons and teams. 
 Quartermaster Bailey with promptness checked what would 
 have been a stampede. With revolver in hand he compelled 
 the drivers to go back to their teams. Under his manage 
 ment the train was soon beyond the reach of the enemy s 
 fire. 
 
 It has been stated that Jackson had thirty guns in posi 
 tion, with his infantry massed in the woods behind them, 
 ready to cross the swamp. For nearly an hour the fire from 
 these guns was rapid and severe. Franklin s guns replied 
 with equal rapidity. So suddenly had this fire opened 
 that some of the infantry were not prepared for it. One 
 regiment, following the example of its commander, broke 
 for the rear, but was halted by another regiment and or 
 dered back to its place. Its nervous and demoralized colonel 
 then strayed off a little way and sat down among some 
 privates of a neighboring regiment, where he thought he 
 would be less exposed. One of them in disgust asked 
 him, "Don t your own regiment need you? We have 
 officers enough of our own regiment here." The poor 
 colonel in his terror was to be pitied. It was necessary for 
 the cavalry to check some of the timid and send them back 
 to their lines. A few trees were pre-empted by officers as 
 sheltering places. 
 
 A call was made on Company B for a couple of special 
 orderlies. Kerr and Besley jumped at the chance, and for 
 the rest of the fight were at the front among the bullets of 
 sharpshooters as well as bursting shells. Besley had been 
 
140 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 under arrest for several days for presuming to "talk back" 
 to an abusive sergeant. The lieutenant of the company 
 released him from arrest and allowed him to go back into 
 the ranks. The sergeant showed some spite at this inter 
 ference with what he regarded as his prerogative, with a 
 threat, "Oi l fix oo yet." Besley preferred the freedom of 
 the open battlefield to such restraint, and both he and Kerr 
 did fearless service during that and the succeeding battles. 
 
 Franklin had made his headquarters on a hill from 
 which his cannon could sweep the road across the swamp. 
 Near by was a house in which lived an old man with a wife 
 and young child. Seeing the guns placed in position around 
 his house, the old man asked if there would probably be a 
 fight there, and if so, how long before it would begin. The 
 general replied that there surely would be a fight, and it 
 might begin in half an hour. The man said he would take 
 his wife and child to a place of safety at his brothers s, a 
 mile or so down the swamp, and then would come back. 
 "But why come back at all?" the general asked. He re 
 plied, "If I don t come back and take care of my chickens 
 and ducks your men will take them all." Soon after he 
 had returned a cannon ball took off one of his legs, and 
 in a few minutes he had bled to death. 
 
 Franklin speaks of this bombardment as one which, 
 for severity, he never heard equaled in the field. During 
 this heavy firing a body of Confederate cavalry appeared as 
 if intending to attempt a crossing, but they met such a 
 storm from the Federal guns that they quickly withdrew. 
 Jackson seemed to give up the idea of crossing, but the fire 
 from his batteries and from sharpshooters in the swamp 
 was kept up during the afternoon. 
 
 The wagons had been withdrawn to the rear, and out 
 of range. But so rapid had been the firing that the am 
 munition needed replenishing. Besley was sent to bring up 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 141 
 
 a wagon. The colored driver, whose reluctance to go into 
 the storm of shot and shell bullets at the extreme front could 
 be overcome only by the sight of a revolver and the orderly s 
 threat to shoot him if he did not hurry up, was, in his ter 
 ror that almost made him look pale, an illustration of a 
 man between two fires. 
 
 Under the hill by the side of the road through the 
 swamp was a flowing spring which furnished excellent 
 water until the Confederate sharpshooters in the swamp 
 stopped the canteen carriers from going there any more. 
 The thirst on the battlefield became intense. The men in 
 the rear of the batteries dug wells three or four feet deep in 
 the ground soaked by the last night s rain, and the muddy 
 water that slowly oozed through the wet soil was dipped 
 up as fast as it gathered in the bottom of the wells. 
 
 When it was found impossible to cross in front of 
 Franklin, the Confederates effected a crossing at Brackett s 
 ford, a mile or more to the left. Here, though at some 
 distance from the ford, was Slocum with his division. 
 While the fighting was heaviest at the bridge a brigade had 
 been sent from Slocum to aid Franklin. But now there 
 was pressing need in Slocum s front and the brigade was 
 recalled. The need became more urgent. Slocum, able, 
 alert and anxious, sent again, "Hurry up that brigade !" 
 and the brigade returned at a double quick. The day was 
 very warm, and the men, carrying all their accoutrements, 
 running as fast as possible to be in time to check the onset 
 of the enemy and prevent a break in the line, presented a 
 spectacle of one of the peculiar incidents of war. Strong 
 men, overcome by their exertions and the heat, dropped to 
 the ground and lay heavily panting in their distressing 
 effort to recover their breath. Wearied as the men of this 
 brigade were with their hurried marching and counter 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 marching, they hurled themselves, just in the nick of time, 
 against the elated enemy, and saved the imperiled line. 
 
 Companies D, H and K were with Slocum; C and A 
 were with Franklin; F and M were with Fitz John Porter, 
 who had gone in advance along the Quaker road; E had 
 gone with the wagon train. Colonel McReynolds with the 
 rest of the regiment was under the orders of Franklin, 
 
 A detachment had been sent to Slocum s part of the 
 field. On the south side of the open ground in which the 
 armies were contending were thick woods. 
 
 A sergeant was sent to recall the detachment, and at 
 the time he was riding in front of these woods the fire of 
 the enemy s artillery seemed to be concentrated there. The 
 shells went crashing through the timber, tearing limbs from 
 trees, the falling limbs adding to the noise of shrieking 
 missiles themselves. 
 
 A motley group of colored people of all ages had 
 gathered to follow the retreating army. They had become 
 bewildered as the line of battle had lengthened away to the 
 left, and now seemed to be swinging around to the rear 
 where McClellan s Pennsylvania reserves had been forced 
 back. They came out of the woods as this artillery fire was 
 especially severe. There was no safety for them here, and 
 they scampered back into the depths of the dark forest like 
 a flock of frightened black sheep and lambs. 
 
 So determined had been the attacks of the Confeder 
 ates that they had succeeded in forcing back portions of our 
 lines. At one time it was reported that somewhere off on 
 the left they had broken the line, and that Franklin s com 
 mand w y as entirely cut off and in danger of being sur 
 rounded. At Glendale Randol s battery, protected by a 
 light earthworks, was charged upon. Other attacks had 
 been repelled. And now the fire of the cannon cut long 
 lines through the enemy s ranks, but did not check them. 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 143 
 
 They came on, not in well-ordered ranks, but with a wild 
 rush, sweeping among, and over, and past the guns. 
 
 The fighting had receded far off to the left, and finally 
 ceased altogether on the right. The forces were gradually 
 and silently being withdrawn. Disabled horses had to be 
 killed, and abandoned wagons burned. A battery had lost 
 many men and horses, and some of the guns were dis 
 mounted. After dark Besley carried from a brigadier gen 
 eral an order that the remaining guns should be spiked and 
 abandoned. The surviving men of the battery indignantly 
 refused to obey the order, and where horses were wanting, 
 the men themselves drew the guns away. 
 
 It was aften ten o clock when the cavalry, that was to 
 be the rear guard, was mounted and in line waiting for a 
 detachment of the Fifth Wisconsin infantry to be called in 
 from the line that they had held as pickets. The night 
 was without moon or stars. So weary were the cavalry 
 men that they were fast asleep on their horses. The Wis 
 consin men came filing out of the dense darkness of the 
 woods, and without a word, formed a line in front of the 
 cavalry. At the command, "Halt," they stacked arms, 
 dropped to the ground and in an instant were asleep. All 
 but one. An officer walked out to the cavalry and asked, 
 "Has anyone a drink of water to spare?" "Will anyone 
 give Lieutenant Oliver a drink of water?" No one an 
 swered him. All were fast asleep on their horses. The 
 lieutenant went back to his own line, and in a moment was 
 fast asleep with his men. 
 
 After an hour, at the command, "Fall in," they 
 started to their feet, mechanically took their arms, formed 
 ranks, and silently marched away. The cavalry followed, 
 bringing up the rear of the retreat from the hard fought, 
 but maintained field. No words were spoken. Many slept 
 as they rode. Their way, after turning to the left from the 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Charles City road, was by a narrow road some distance to 
 the east of the Quaker road and parallel with it. Some 
 time after midnight they halted where the road seemed to 
 lead down a ravine. Dismounting, they lay down by the 
 side of the road, holding the bridle reins in their hands, and 
 went to sleep. Suddenly there was a great racket in the 
 rear. The thought came that the rear guard had been at 
 tacked. The worst thing they could do in case of a night 
 attack was to mount their horses. But this they did, with 
 such a startled quickness that it caused a feeling of faint- 
 ness. But there was no stampede. They were quickly re 
 covering themselves for the coming fight. 
 
 A night alarm in the camp of the Ten Thousand Greeks 
 was quieted by one proclaiming with a trumpet, offering a re 
 ward for the arrest of the man who had turned the ass loose 
 among the arms." And our tumult was soon over when it 
 was known that a horse, tied to a rail fence, probably asleep 
 and in troubled dreams, had given a sudden start and pulled 
 over a long line of the fence. The clattering of the rails, 
 and not an attack by the enemy, had been the cause of our 
 night alarm. At daylight we reached Haxall s on the bank 
 of the James. 
 
 The battle of the 3Oth of June was along a line nearly 
 four miles in length, from White Oak bridge on the right 
 to a position a mile beyond Willis Church on the left. Glen- 
 dale was about the middle of this line which was roughly 
 in the shape of a great bow. It has been known by various 
 names. Frayser s, or Nelson s farm was on the Union left. 
 
 Much has been said of what was expected of Stone 
 wall Jackson. Failing to cross where Franklin held the 
 bridge, it was expected that he would move up the creek 
 and cross, and add his force to that which at one time was 
 dealing such heavy blows on the Union center. It has been 
 said that Jackson was so worn out by his long continued 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 145 
 
 marching and fighting that he lay down to rest during the 
 fighting at White Oak bridge and fell asleep, sleeping 
 through a good part of the afternoon. 
 
 On the Union side a brigadier left his brigade to take 
 care of itself, himself staying around corps headquarters 
 until he had to be reminded that his place was with his com 
 mand. Afterward on the plea that he was not feeling well, 
 he had himself carried on a stretcher back among the trees, 
 saying he would return when he felt better. 
 
 In contrast with him was an artilleryman at Games 
 Mill. He was the only man left with one gun of a battery 
 that had suffered fearful loss. He had been shot through 
 the body and could not get away. A special effort was being 
 made to repel a Confederate attack. The wounded man, 
 taking hold of the spokes of a wheel of his cannon, raised 
 himself so that he could reach the lanyard, and fired his 
 last shot at the enemy. 
 
 General Kearney was endeavoring to restore a part of 
 the line that had been pressed back. His presence was an 
 inspiration to his men, as he led them forward with his en 
 couraging command, "Go in, my boys! Go in gayly! Go 
 in gayly, gayly, gayly!" And they "went in" for all they 
 were worth, and the line was restored. 
 
 A Confederate and a Federal became matched in fight. 
 With fixed gaze they watched each other as they thrust, 
 and parried, and strove with guns locked. Among and over 
 the dead they braced themselves and each nerved himself to 
 his utmost. Men on either side paused in their fighting to 
 watch these two men. The rush of the fight around them 
 for a second made the Southerner less watchful of his an 
 tagonist. The latter saw his chance, and quickly stepping 
 back, clubbed his gun and dealt his foe a blow that felled 
 him to the earth. 
 
 Protecting themselves around the corners of a negro 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 house near Glendale, two opposing color-bearers, reaching 
 out their flags, waved them in defiance at each other. On 
 one side of the house were the Confederates, on the other 
 the Federals. Which should get the other s flag? Finally 
 the Confederates were compelled to give way, and their flag 
 was borne away from the house into the open ground. In 
 the midst of the mass that surged around that flag, it was 
 seized and kept by a Pennsylvania!! who had become sepa 
 rated from his own regiment and had fallen into the ranks 
 of another. 
 
 In one of the early cavalry fights of this retreat two 
 mounted men became engaged with the sabre. With stroke, 
 and thrust, and parry, they contended until the others 
 ceased from fighting to watch this desperate sabre duel. At 
 length the Confederate, letting fall his sabre, drew his re 
 volver and shot his antagonist dead. 
 
 At one time during the fight at Glendale so determined 
 were the attacks of the Confederates that the issue seemed 
 doubtful. After nightfall some general officers were con 
 sulting together. They expressed their anxiety as to the 
 result of the next day s fighting if the enemy should bring 
 into the field additional forces. The possibility of a sur 
 render was suggested. A staff officer who was present re 
 ported to the captain commanding a detachment of the cav 
 alry this suggestion of a surrender. At the muster-in of 
 the company of which he expected to be elected captain, he 
 had made an eloquent speech, urging the men to choose as 
 officers those who w r ould lead them to victory or death! 
 But so many "sights of ugly death" on this 3Oth of June 
 had made him think of death as not the most desirable 
 alternative in case they could not gain the victory. After a 
 night s reflection, the next morning he called his command 
 to attention, and made another speech. He spoke of the 
 desperate character of the fighting, the uncertainty of the 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 147 
 
 result, and the possible necessity of a surrender as suggested 
 in the consultation of generals. He proposed that his com 
 mand be the first to surrender, as by so doing they would 
 obtain better terms than if they should wait until, after 
 much more hard fighting, they should be compelled to sur 
 render. For a second the men listened in silence. Then 
 Sergeant John S. McKinley rode out of the ranks. He 
 said the captain s proposition was equivalent to relinquish 
 ing his command. The sergeant did not propose to sur 
 render, and if any of the men were of his way of thinking 
 and would come with him they would try to avoid a sur 
 render, at least until there was an enemy in sight. The 
 other officers and men expressed themselves emphatically 
 against a surrender. The captain dropped the subject. The 
 colonel, when the affair was reported to him, gave the cap 
 tain a reprimand. He would never surrender a command 
 of cavalry. McKinley was reduced to the ranks for insub 
 ordination. Possibly, like some other unfortunates, he 
 talked too much. He was transferred to another company, 
 and served until the end of the war. He was a good fel 
 low, a good soldier, and an active participant in many an 
 exciting adventure. He possessed intellectual acuteness. 
 He was ready to push forward whenever the chance pre 
 sented itself. In the beginning of 1864 he did good work 
 while detailed on recruiting service. He was a persuasive 
 speaker. He had an excellent faculty in narrative, and his 
 experiences never lost anything in the telling. 
 
 Parallel with the general course of the James river, 
 and two miles from it, extends a bluff about one hundred 
 and fifty feet high. Back of this bluff is a high table land 
 cut here and there by ravines. On the brow of this bluff 
 in its highest part stands the ancient Malvern house, built 
 of dark red brick brought from England in early colonial 
 days. From the front of this house is spread out a view 
 
148 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of wide lowlands, open fields and forests, and beyond them 
 the winding river. 
 
 On the high, open plain extending back from the bluff 
 Cornwallis had rested his army in the summer of 1781. 
 From here he moved towards Richmond. As he advanced 
 Lafayette withdrew, crossing the Chickahominy, and camp 
 ing for a fe\v days at Cold Harbor. Later, as Cornwallis 
 retired with his army down the Peninsula toward York- 
 town, Lafayette followed him, and for a time had his head 
 quarters at this Malvern house, while his army was en 
 camped on the high grounds behind it. 
 
 On the ist of July this house was the headquarters of 
 Gen. Fitz John Porter, and the ground where the British 
 and Continental armies had in turn rested, was to be the 
 field of a desperate battle. The night before and the fore 
 noon the two armies had been moving to their positions. 
 On the left of the Union line was Porter. Franklin was 
 on the extreme right, ready to meet an anticipated assault. 
 But this assault was not made. The companies of cavalry 
 at the headquarters of Franklin and Slocum had a respite 
 this day. But F and M which were with Porter witnessed 
 desperate fighting which continued from early in the after 
 noon until after night fall. Everywhere the determined, 
 sometimes reckless, assaults of the Confederates were re 
 pulsed with fearful slaughter. 
 
 Near the Parsonage a Confederate sharpshooter found 
 by the roadside an old millstone, about four feet in diam 
 eter, with a hole in the center. He had been fighting with 
 out any protection. Here was a defence behind which he 
 could fight in perfect safety. With great exertion he set 
 the stone up on edge, and getting down behind it fired 
 through the hole in the center. He had fired but a single 
 shot when a Federal bullet came straight through the hole 
 
BEAVER- DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 149 
 
 in the stone, and, striking him in the forehead, killed him 
 instantly. 
 
 In the river was a fleet of gunboats. One of these was 
 the Delaware, commanded by Captain Foster who had con 
 voyed the transports down the bay. While the battle was 
 raging, directed by signals, he threw his enormous shells 
 clear over the Union army and among the Confederates. 
 The bursting of these shells created consternation. While 
 they cared little for ordinary artillery fire, they dreaded 
 these fiendish missiles. 
 
 In the command of the Confederate General John B. 
 Gordon, as he relates, a wide gap in his ranks was made 
 by the explosion of one of these shells. A cotton-tail rab 
 bit, startled from its hiding place in front of the line, darted 
 through the gap and away to the rear. A soldier stand 
 ing on one side of the gap shouted after it, "Go it ! cotton 
 tail! I wish I could go, too!" Another standing on the 
 opposite side of the gap responded, "Begorra, and I 
 would go with you, Mollie, if I hadn t a character to keep !" 
 
 In the morning after General Porter had arranged his 
 men around the Crew house, General McClellan rode over 
 the field and gave some general directions concerning the 
 placing of .corps and divisions. At nine o clock he went on 
 board one of the gunboats, the Galena, and went down the 
 river to find a suitable place to \vhich his army could retreat. 
 At noon he reached Harrison s landing. Having carefully 
 examined the locality he returned up the river. 
 
 In the meantime the battle had been raging with the 
 greatest fury. Sitting on the deck of the Galena, smoking 
 a cigar, McClellan listened to the terrific roar. The day 
 before, when the battle had raged from White Oak bridge 
 to Willis Church, McClellan had not been on the field. 
 
 He was not on the field at Malvern Hill, until Heintzet- 
 man, late in the afternoon, signalled to him that his absence 
 
150 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 was noticed, and was the subject of unfavorable comment 
 among the officers and men, and begged him to come to the 
 field. In response to this message he landed and rode to 
 the field, reaching it after most of the hardest fighting was 
 done. 
 
 From Savage s Station, late at night after the battle at 
 Games Mill, McClellan sent this message to the secretary 
 of war : "If I save this army now, I tell you plainly that I 
 owe no thanks to you or any other persons in Washington. 
 You have done your best to sacrifice this army." The 
 morning of the battle of Glendale the French Prince de 
 Joinville, a volunteer aide on McClellan s staff, said to 
 General Franklin : "Advise General McClellan to concen 
 trate his army at this point and fight a battle to-day; if he 
 does so, he will be in Richmond to-morrow." 
 
 After the repulse of the last Confederate assault at 
 Malvern Hill, General Porter and some of his division and 
 brigade commanders were at Malvern house, when orders 
 were received from McClellan for the army to retire during 
 the night to Harrison s landing. Dr. Marks says : "When 
 this order was received some refused to obey it." General 
 Kearney said in the presence of many officers : "I, 
 Philip Kearney, an old soldier, enter my solemn protest 
 against this order for retreat. We ought, instead of re 
 treating, to follow up the enemy and take Richmond. And 
 in full view of all the responsibility of such a declaration, 
 I say to you all, such an order can only be prompted by 
 cowardice or treason." 
 
 Sergeant Edward Lake of Company F was near this 
 group of officers and heard these words of General Kearney. 
 In repeating them he supplied the emphasis that the Rev. 
 Dr. Marks left out. 
 
 In every one of these battles, except Games Mill where 
 Porter with 35,000 men contended against 70,000, the Con- 
 
BEAVER DAM TO MALVERN HILL. 151 
 
 federates were repulsed. After each one of them the Union 
 army fell back in the skillfully executed change of base. 
 
 In 1898 the writer visited these fields of the "Seven Days battles." 
 The national cemeteries, which are neatly kept, are a proof of the char 
 acter of the fighting that was done. He was indebted to the keepers 
 of these cemeteries, especially to Mr. James, of Glendale, and to Con 
 federate veterans, for many courtesies while making inquiries. At 
 Glendale he made the acquaintance of the estimable family of Airs. 
 Jane Allanson Potter who, a girl of fourteen, the oldest of seven chil 
 dren, stood in the doorway of her widowed mother s cottage in the 
 dusk of the evening, and with indefinable dread listened to the muffled 
 tread of McClellan s first columns. Her reminiscences of those four 
 years would make an interesting and valuable contribution to the his 
 tory of the period. At Greenwood he made the valued acquaintance of 
 Mrs. M. V. Tantum, whose carriage was placed at his service for 
 visiting many localities. He met the original Nelson of Nelson s farm, 
 who was a guide to the Confederate generals, and attended a picnic 
 at the former home of General Pickett. 
 
 Many of the earthworks had never been disturbed. In places 
 people had picked up bullets like acorns. Imprints of them were thick 
 around and inside the Parsonage. Malvern house bore marks of can 
 non shots. A twelve pound ball that had been rusting peacefully in 
 the yard of the West house was brought away as a relic. A few of the 
 hundred pound Parrott shells that had been fired from the gunboats 
 were yet lying in the woods. They were too heavy to carry away, and 
 no one cared to meddle with them. But there came one who was pos 
 sessed of a fatal curiosity. It had not been his lot to take part in a 
 battle. As one of the features of a fight he wanted to see this thing 
 "go off". He attached a long fuse, and at a safe distance, as he sup 
 posed, placed himself behind a tree to watch. The engine was heavily 
 loaded ; the tree was shattered, and the man blown into fragments. 
 
 Northern men of wealth had purchased desirable estates. One had 
 bought 5.000 acres at Curl s Neck, had built a stately home on the 
 bank of the James, and was bringing his great farm into the highest 
 state of cultivation. Malvern and Westover were owned by northern 
 men. Good roads had been made and miles of roadside shade trees 
 had been planted. The pine forests will yet be valuable. Under the 
 Malvern bluffs are extensive beds of marl, the deposit of the sea in 
 past geological ages, a valuable fertilizer. In this marl are found fish 
 bones and sharks teeth. 
 
 On this peaceful visit there was leisure to look up historic localities. 
 Cold Harbor was one of the homes of Powhatan. It was up and down 
 
152 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the Chickahominy that Captain John Smith had his encounters with 
 the Indians, and it was here that he was taken captive by them. About 
 ten miles above Yorktown Queen s creek flows into the York river. 
 On the north side of the river and nearly opposite the mouth of this 
 creek was Werowocomoco, the favorite residence of Powhatan. It was 
 here, according to good authority, that Smith s life was saved by Poca- 
 hontas. Governor Page lived here, and he gave to the place the shorter 
 name, Shelly, from the great mounds of oyster shells that indicated 
 that it had been a favorite resort of the Indians. 
 
 These fields of the battles of 1862 were the scenes of other battles 
 in 1864. Sheridan s cavalry in their great raid in the beginning of 
 Grant s final campaign stayed around here for three days. They lived 
 partly on what they could find. It was said their orders were in no 
 case to take more than they could carry. What they took they con 
 sumed on the spot. When they went away there was so little left that 
 some of the residents picked up the scattered corn that the horses had 
 not eaten, washed, cooked and ate it. In the flight of birds the Roman 
 augurs were wont to foresee coming events. Here it was noticed that 
 a sudden flurry among domestic fowls indicated that they discerned 
 the coming of cavalry. In one instance, while the rest of the flock 
 flew to covert among the trees and bushes, a pet rooster ran through 
 the open door into the house. A young girl caught it up, and, running 
 upstairs shut it in a small closet, thinking that here in the dark it 
 would keep still and be safe. But the cavalrymen began to search the 
 house for arms. The clanking of scabbards and the rattling of spurs 
 startled the imprisoned rooster and he began to crow. The girl 
 thought he was gone now, sure. But she caught up a strip of mos 
 quito netting, and, running to the closet, wrapped it around his bill so 
 as to give him a chance to breathe and yet keep his mouth shut. When 
 Sheridan s men moved away this was the only rooster left for miles 
 around. 
 
 Grant fought again at Cold Harbor, and again at Glendale found 
 Lee confronting him. While Lee was building formidable earthworks, 
 Grant, leaving only a skirmish line for show, hurried his army across 
 the James and up the Appomattox, and suddenly appeared before 
 Petersburg. 
 
 Returning from Harrison s Landing to Richmond, the neat steamer 
 Pocahontas passed the scenes of memorable events along the now 
 unobstructed river. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 HARRISON S LANDING. 
 
 night after the battle of Malvern Hill the five com 
 panies of the regiment rested in an open field near 
 HaxalFs landing. Early the next morning we were ready 
 to march. The morning was misty ; the mist soon turning 
 to a light rain. After some delay we reached the main 
 road, where we found the whole army on the march. The 
 light rain became a steady downpour, and this continued 
 all day. 
 
 Little order was observed on the retreat. In the rain 
 and mud all branches of the service were crowding on. 
 The road was crowded from fence to fence. Ambulances 
 filled with wounded, jolted and pitched through the mud. 
 Drivers shouting and yelling were urging on their teams. 
 Streams with narrow bridges, broken down wagons, and 
 other obstructions would now and then delay the struggling 
 mass. 
 
 Toward night after this toilsome march of about eight 
 miles we reached Harrison s landing. The cavalry regi 
 ment arriving among the first, went into a fine clover field 
 some distance below the landing, and the men began to put 
 up their little shelter tents and make the best of the com 
 fortless situation, A sergeant of B expecting that there 
 would be delay in drawing rations, rode at once to a com 
 missary boat at the landing, and without any requisition, 
 
 153 
 
154 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 but the plea that he was hungry, asked for a box of crackers. 
 It was given to him without a question, and he carried it 
 on the pommel of his saddle back to camp. He was ob 
 served, and late at night the adjutant came to him and 
 asked for a few of his crackers, saying that the officers at 
 headquarters hadn t a thing to eat, and couldn t get any 
 thing. He was told to help himself. 
 
 The next morning the storm was over. To meet a 
 possible attack from the Confederates the army was ordered 
 out. After marching and counter marching, and waiting 
 for hours in ground trampled into the consistency of mortar 
 many inches deep, the men went back to their camps. 
 
 There was some firing during the day, mostly from 
 the gunboats shelling the woods in the distance. Just be 
 fore night the regiment moved about a mile and a half 
 away from the river. Because of the lack of forage, we 
 grazed our horses in an oat field until midnight. 
 
 There was anxiety to know what the enemy was doing. 
 Companies A and C, under Captain Jones, went out several 
 miles. They found a few Confederates, and were informed 
 by a colored man that Jackson s force was in the woods 
 about two miles beyond. The next day was the Fourth of 
 July. There was some firing in honor of the day. We 
 again moved our camp a short distance to accommodate 
 some infantry regiments. 
 
 General McClellan published the following address : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 
 CAMP NEAR HARRISON S LANDING, 
 
 July 4, 1862. 
 Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac: 
 
 Your achievements of the last few days have illustrated the valor 
 and endurance of the American soldier. Attacked by superior forces, 
 and without hope of reinforcements, you have succeeded in changing 
 your base of operations by a flank movement, always regarded as the 
 most hazardous of military expedients. You have saved all your 
 
HARRISON S LANDING. 155 
 
 material, all your trains, and all your guns except a few lost in battle, 
 and have taken in return guns and colors from the enemy. Upon 
 your march you have been assailed day after day, with desperate fury, 
 by men of the same race and nation, skilfully massed and led. Under 
 every disadvantage of numbers, and necessarily of position also, you 
 have in every conflict beaten back your foes with enormous slaughter. 
 Your conduct ranks you among the celebrated armies of history. No 
 one will now question that each of you may always with pride say, 
 "I belonged to the Army of the Potomac." You have reached the 
 new base, complete in organization and unimpaired in spirit. The 
 enemy may at any time attack you. We are prepared to meet them. I 
 have personally established your lines. Let them come, and we will 
 convert their repulse into a final defeat. 
 
 Your government is strengthening you with the resources of a 
 great people. On this, our nation s birthday, we declare to our foes 
 who are rebels against the best interests of mankind, that this army 
 shall enter the capital of their so-called confederacy; that our national 
 constitution shall prevail, and that the Union which can alone insure 
 internal peace and external security to each state, "must and shall be 
 preserved," cost what it may in time, treasure and blood. 
 
 GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, 
 
 Major General Commanding. 
 
 The 8th, President Lincoln visited the camp and at 
 evening dress parade reviewed the different corps. The 
 failure of this campaign must have been a severe disappoint 
 ment to him after the promises made in McClellan s ad 
 dress of the 1 4th of March at Fairfax Court House. 
 
 There was now to succeed a period of inactivity. In 
 order to accomplish anything further McClellan asked for 
 100,000 more men. In some of his private correspondence 
 he said : "I have no faith in the administration." "I am 
 tired of serving fools." The officials at Washington were 
 "a mighty trifling set." The dolts at Washington It 
 would seem that he felt some chagrin over the result of the 
 campaign in which, against the better judgment of the Pres 
 ident, he had been allowed to have his own way. 
 
 The 9th the regiment moved camp to an open field 
 
156 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 sloping away from the river bank. It was near the river 
 and between the landing and Westower. 
 
 McClellan s headquarters were at Berkley. This place 
 was settled in 1619 by a colony that came from Bristol, 
 England. The large estate finally became the property of 
 Colonel Benjamin Harrison whose son of the same name 
 was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In this 
 house was born Wm. H. Harrison, who, in 1840, was elected 
 President of the United States. 
 
 Westover was an estate of eight thousand acres, set 
 tled in 1619 by the Wests, the family of Lord Delaware. 
 West Point was named from this family. 
 
 It was here that Cornwallis crossed to the north side 
 of the river in 1781 ; and here in 1864, Grant crossed to the 
 south side. Westover was now the headquarters of Gen 
 eral Porter, and many other officers occupied apartments 
 here. About five miles below was Sherwood, the home of 
 President John Tyler. Many other places of interest were 
 in the country round about, with which we became ac 
 quainted on our various scouts. 
 
 Westover passed into the hands of the Pawletts, and 
 afterward into the possession of the Byrds, who built the 
 stately, red brick mansion, long during colonial times known 
 for its hospitality. Here \vas gathered the finest library on 
 the continent. Here the most noted statesmen and scholars of 
 the times were guests. Here Benedict Arnold, command 
 ing a British brigade, while making his raid in Virginia, 
 made his headquarters. 
 
 The severe service through which they had passed con 
 vinced many of the officers that a military life was not quite 
 to their liking. They offered their resignations. Some 
 enlisted men feeling the same way, not having the privilege 
 of resigning, applied for their discharge. These applica 
 tions could only be granted on the surgeon s certificate of 
 
HARRISON^S LANDING. 157 
 
 disability. In a very few instances homesick boys would 
 inflict light wounds upon themselves, hoping thereby to get 
 a discharge. But generally the men had entered the service 
 with the honest purpose of helping to put down the rebel 
 lion, and they proposed to stay until the job should be 
 finished. 
 
 The vacancies made by the resignations of officers 
 were generally filled by promotions of worthy men from the 
 ranks. But in some instances young fellows from civil life 
 were appointed, whose friends had influence with those in 
 high positions. The style assumed by some of these fellows 
 was amusing. 
 
 Two of them, wishing to go outside the lines, directed 
 a cavalryman to go with them. He, supposing they had 
 authority, followed them. Their objective point proved to 
 be the house of a farmer. It happened to be the noon hour 
 and an abundant dinner of fricasseed chicken with potatoes, 
 bread and butter, and pitchers of milk, was on the ample 
 table. The hospitable man invited the young officers to 
 dinner, and then turning to the cavalryman, said : "You 
 come in, too." That dinner was such a change from hard 
 tack and salt pork, that the soldier accepted the invitation. 
 While he was in the act of taking a seat at the table one of 
 the young fellows said to him : "Orderly, you just stay 
 outside till we get through." The orderly rose from the 
 table and went outside and waited there. After leisurely 
 eating their dinner the officers came out, when one of them 
 said : "Orderly, you can come in and eat your dinner now." 
 Somewhat to their astonishment he replied : "Thank you, 
 but if I am not permitted to accept the invitation of the pro 
 prietor of the house, I don t think I shall accept yours. You 
 are taking too much upon yourself to decide who shall, and 
 who shall not, eat at your host s table." In a towering rage 
 the other replied: "It is against all regulations at West 
 
158 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Point for an officer to eat at the same table with a common 
 soldier, and if you give me any of your insolence I ll tie you 
 up by the thumbs." The soldier, who was larger and 
 stronger than either of the dapper little officers, retorted : 
 "Come on and begin tying me up by the thumbs. I am 
 just waiting to be tied up by the thumbs. Why don t you 
 begin to tie me up by the thumbs?" Finally concluding 
 that their dignity was hardly a match for his superior 
 strength, they told him he could go back to his reserve 
 picket. 
 
 Riding leisurely back he passed through the wide lawn 
 of a planter s spacious residence. The hospitable owner 
 was sitting on the broad veranda, and calling to the soldier, 
 invited him to come up and sit with him. The soldier did 
 as invited, when the planter directed some luncheon to be 
 brought out. While the two were sociably eating the lunch 
 the tw r o young officers came riding into the grounds as if 
 they intended to stop, but seeing the soldier on such friendly 
 terms with the proprietor they suddenly turned their horses 
 heads and rode away. 
 
 All through the country where we served on picket or 
 scouted, were pleasant, spring-watered farms and hospitable 
 homes. Many pleasant acquaintances were formed. 
 
 On the retreat fromMalvern Hill, Colonel Averell of the 
 Third Pennsylvania cavalry had command of the rear guard. 
 He was a graduate of West Point and a capable officer. 
 He was now placed in command of a brigade made up of 
 his own regiment, the First New York, and a regiment of 
 regulars. Colonel McReynolds whose commission ante 
 dated that of Averell, very properly wrote to McClellan, 
 protesting against this appointment of a junior officer over 
 him. McClellan replied that he had good reasons for his 
 action, and if McReynolds did not like it he could resign. 
 This was not a very courteous reply, and was somewhat 
 
HARRISON S LANDING. 159 
 
 of the character of his dispatch to the secretary of war after 
 Games Mill, and his remarks about the administration. 
 The colonel obtained leave of absence and went to Wash 
 ington. It was rumored that his errand was to secure a 
 transfer of his regiment to some other department. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Von Schickfuss was now in com 
 mand. His strict discipline immediately showed good 
 results. 
 
 The camp was thoroughly policed and in every way 
 kept in the best order. Drills, inspections and reviews were 
 held daily under the lieutenant colonel himself. These had 
 the best effect and were enjoyed by the men. With all his 
 strictness of discipline he was a genial gentleman as well as 
 a thoroughly trained soldier. 
 
 We were watching and waiting for news. General 
 Halleck had been placed in command of all the armies. 
 General Pope had been placed in command of the Union 
 forces in Northern Virginia. There were repeated rumors 
 of some corps of our army moving. 
 
 On the 3 ist of July Captain Foster of the gunboat 
 Delaware, noticed a number of people, apparently women, 
 on the south side of the river. Their actions seemed sus 
 picious. He watched them closely through his glass and 
 noticed that they were making observations and taking 
 notes. He became convinced they were Confederate men 
 in women s attire, and sent a few shells among them, when 
 they quickly withdrew. The captain was signalled to come 
 on board Captain McComb s flagship. "What do you 
 mean, sir," gruffly demanded the captain, "by firing on those 
 women, sir?" Foster mildly replied, "They are not wo 
 men, sir, but men in women s clothing, taking observations 
 on our camp." "I know better, sir, and don t let anything 
 of this sort happen again, sir." 
 
 That night the camp was surprised by a brisk cannon- 
 
160 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ading from some batteries that the enemy had placed on the 
 south bank of the river. Several shots passed through the 
 camp of the regiment. One man was wounded. One horse 
 was killed and several were injured. Chaplain Charles 
 Righly, who had been discharged March i, but who had 
 remained with the regiment during all its travels, was sleep 
 ing in the tent of Major Adams. A shell passed through 
 the tent, just above his head. There was some excitement, 
 but soon batteries were in position and returning the enemy s 
 fire. The gunboats made such a lively response, that the 
 hostile batteries w r ere quickly withdrawn. The next day 
 the buildings among which the enemy s batteries had been 
 placed were burned. 
 
 Captain Foster who had been so severely reprimanded 
 for firing upon a company of "ladies" was again summoned 
 on board the flagship of Captain McComb. That officer 
 said : "I wish to apologize, sir, for reprimanding you yes 
 terday, sir. You were right, sir, perfectly right, sir, and 
 I was wrong. Come into the cabin and have something, 
 
 sir." 
 
 August 3rd Colonel Averell with a considerable force 
 of cavalry and infantry crossed the river and searched the 
 country, bringing back several prisoners. 
 
 The afternoon of the 5th a large detail went out on 
 picket, on the Long Bridge road, twelve or fifteen miles, to 
 St. Mary s Church. We met Averell returning- with a 
 number of prisoners. We rode far into the moonlight 
 night. The place was a pleasant one, with patches of ripe 
 huckleberries, and cows in the pasture, as we found the next 
 morning. The conditions were appreciated. In the after 
 noon we were ordered to go to another part. We marched 
 a long way over a road new to us, and passed over a high, 
 wide, level region, strewn with wrecks of wagons and skele 
 tons of horses. It was Glendale and Malvern Hill. We 
 
HARRISON S LANDING. 161 
 
 moved back a mile and a half through the woods to a Con 
 federate farm house belonging to a quartermaster in the 
 Confederate army. This was made headquarters for the 
 night. The captain in command had a warm appreciation 
 of Southern hospitality. He had frequently expressed his 
 regret that when he first came to this country from his 
 native Ireland, he had not gone to the South instead of the 
 North. He now ingratiated himself into the favor of the 
 family, and secured for himself the best bed in the house, 
 and directed some of his men to keep guard over the prem 
 ises during the night. They flatly refused; not that they 
 wished to see the property injured, but they did not like 
 his way of seeking a soft couch and a well-cooked meal for 
 himself, free of cost, while they could put up with their 
 rough fare and stand guard during the night. 
 
 The 7th the detail returned to camp and saw many 
 relics of the late retreat along the line of march. 
 
 At one o clock the next morning four companies started 
 out with some topographical engineers. It was a moonlight 
 ride of many miles before daylight. We crossed the Chick- 
 ahominy at Jones bridge, made a wide detour through 
 Charles City Court House, and returned to camp at ten in 
 the evening, after an enjoyable ride of more than fifty 
 miles. 
 
 The companies that had been detached were ordered 
 back to the regiment, and on the i ith all were embarked on 
 board schooners to join Burnside at Fredericksburg. It was 
 surmised that this transfer was the purpose of the colonel s 
 visit to Washington, on account of the promotion of Colonel 
 Averell to the command of the brigade. The times came 
 when Colonel McReynolds commanded a brigade, and a 
 division, and proved himself competent in both positions. 
 Possibly he was better adapted to such a command than to 
 that of a regiment. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 FREDERICKSBURG. 
 
 f I ^HE afternoon of the I2th the schooners were taken in 
 tow. We watched with interest the fine old estates 
 along the banks of the river. We saw the old stone church 
 tower, all that was left of historic Jamestown. After an 
 choring for the night, early the next morning we passed 
 Newport News, and saw the wrecks of the Congress and 
 the Cumberland, the work of the Merrimac on the 8th of 
 March. During the day the fleet lay anchored off Fortress 
 Monroe. A fresh breeze over the salt water was enjoy 
 able. Those who wished w r ent ashore and had a closer look 
 at the fort. 
 
 We were again taken in tow and the afternoon of the 
 1 5th we landed at Acquia Creek, and were to report to Burn- 
 side, who had won fame on the Carolina coast, and was now 
 commanding at Fredericksburg. 
 
 After a night s rest in an old camp, the regiment early 
 began its march, about twelve miles, over a high and not 
 very fertile country. Midway in the day s march there was 
 a halt. The men quickly distributed themselves at their 
 ease along the sides of the road. All at once there arose 
 a great cheering in the rear, increasing as the cause moved 
 forward. The cause was the wagon master, A. J. Merritt, 
 familiarly called "George." Some one wondered once why 
 everybody called him "George" when his initials were A. J. 
 
 162 
 
FREDERICKSBURG. 163 
 
 A comrade offered the explanation that probably the full 
 name given him in his promising infancy was George 
 Washington Andrew Jackson. He was a good fellow. 
 He was riding an immense mule at a slow gallop. With 
 all the dignity of a major general reviewing his division, he 
 acknowledged the tumultuous applause that greeted him. 
 With his "chapeau" resting on his right forearm, he bowed 
 to right and left as he rode on between the roadside groups 
 shouting in recognition of his efficiency in being on hand 
 with his train of commissary supplies. 
 
 The James river after a heavy rain had been likened 
 to the "yellow Tiber." We found the Rappahannock ap 
 proaching a brick red. 
 
 The camp was on high ground about half a mile from 
 the river, on the north side, and partly overlooking the 
 city. Far off to the west could be seen the tops of 
 mountains. 
 
 Fredericksburg was one of the famed cities of Virginia. 
 It was laid out in 1727 and was named after Prince Fred 
 erick, the son of George II. In the country around gold 
 had been found in considerable quantities. Iron furnaces 
 had been built in early times, and it had been, in many ways, 
 a noted place. The country round about was a pleasant 
 one, with many fertile farms. 
 
 The camp of the regiment was on the Washington 
 farm. When George was ten years old his father had come 
 here to live, and here the son passed his boyhood under the 
 strict, but judicious training of his mother, a woman of 
 remarkable character. In the city was still standing the 
 house in which she lived. Here she died at the age of 
 eighty-five. Over her grave was an unfinished monument. 
 
 The white people were mostly women and children. 
 Very few white men were seen. Colored people of all ages 
 were numerous. 
 
164 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Heavy details were made for picket and scouting duty, 
 and for orderlies at headquarters, and for Colonel Kings- 
 bury of the Eleventh Connecticut, provost marshal. There 
 was much hard riding for these orderlies. Some of these 
 orderlies on duty in the city left their rations untouched 
 in their haversacks, and took their meals at a restaurant, 
 enjoying the luxury of eating at a table, using earthernware 
 dishes, something almost unknown since the regiment left 
 Camp Kearney. 
 
 Some more of the officers here took leave of the ser 
 vice. A strange thing it seemed, when one of the ablest 
 officers, a major, went on a spree, and had to be kept con 
 stantly under a strong guard, lest in his frenzy he should 
 become dangerous. 
 
 At times wild reports were flying around. One day 
 the Confederates were said to be in force only a few miles 
 away. 
 
 Sergeant Edward Lake, a stalwart man, and a soldier 
 who never flinched, was sent with the most of Company F 
 to learn what truth there was in these rumors. He went 
 out to find the enemy. He kept going until he came near 
 the ford at Rappahannock station. Here he learned that 
 a body of the enemy was across the river. He wanted to 
 see for himself. Between the road on which he had come 
 and the river was a high ridge. Leaving a few men to 
 hold the horses, he and the rest climbed the ridge, cau 
 tiously creeping up to the summit, and partially concealed 
 themselves behind some ruined chimneys; they had a good 
 view of what was going on on the other side. 
 
 On a wide plain across the river was the Confederate 
 army, apparently just arrived. They judged that they saw 
 at least sixty thousand men. The cavalry were riding into 
 the river to water the horses. The river was full of horses. 
 The distance from them to the horsemen in the river was 
 
FREDERICKSBURG. 165 
 
 so short that they could not resist the temptation to call out 
 to them. Quite an animated but good natured conversa 
 tion was kept up for a few minutes. They did not expect 
 to get much accurate information as to future movements, 
 and after a little they withdrew, not having disturbed the 
 enemy and not having been disturbed by them. 
 
 Soon came reports of the maneuvers of the two great 
 armies about Manassas. We were on the alert. The 3Oth 
 exciting reports of the coming of the enemy caused orders 
 to be issued for the calling in of the pickets on all the roads. 
 One post picked up effects and came so quickly that there 
 was not time to settle accounts with the colored people who 
 had brought an abundance of chickens to sell. 
 
 Some of the picket details were sent back to deploy 
 and skirmish with the approaching enemy and check them 
 as much as possible, but no enemy appeared. 
 
 The 3 ist there came reports of hard fighting and heavy 
 losses by Pope s army. Orders came to march to Acquia 
 Creek, there to take transports for Alexandria. There were 
 various delays. Finally the wagon train was on the way. 
 The railroad buildings were set on fire. At night we left 
 for awhile this "sacred city of the South." 
 
 It was a slow, all-night march. It was full daylight 
 of September ist when we reached the Potomac. All that 
 day and the next and till noon of the 3rd, the work of load 
 ing on the transports was going on. General Burnside 
 personally superintended the work. He evidently was an 
 official who considered it a part of his duty to attend to 
 details. On the march a wagon had got stuck in the road. 
 He dismounted, and calling others to do the same, he took 
 hold of the spokes of a wheel and lifted till the wagon 
 was started. 
 
 A private soldier reported to him that an officer had 
 appropriated a blanket that belonged to him. The gen- 
 
166 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 eral took time to investigate the matter, and finding the 
 charge of the private correct, promptly dismissed the offi 
 cer from the service. 
 
 Among the regimental baggage he chanced to notice a 
 large, easy rocking chair that one of the officers had ob 
 tained at Fredericksburg, and made a part of the furnishings 
 of his tent. The general promptly eliminated it from the 
 stores to be taken along, remarking with some emphasis, 
 that we were not going to carry on war in rocking chairs. 
 
 On board the propeller Ellen S. Terry we started about 
 noon of the 3rd. It was a pleasant ride up the Potomac. 
 At last we caught sight of the top of the dome of the cap- 
 itol, and watched it as it loomed up higher and higher. At 
 dusk we reached Alexandria and at once disembarked. 
 
 That night and the 4th we lay by the side of the road 
 just outside the city toward the north. 
 
 The news of the disasters at the second Bull Run was 
 talked over. There seemed to be uncertainty as to the exact 
 whereabouts of Lee s army. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 IN MARYLAND. 
 
 THE second battle of Bull Run had been fought and the 
 Union army had fallen back upon Washington. It 
 had been a disastrous campaign. General Pope had not met 
 the expectations of the country. There were fears that the 
 Confederates might advance upon the capital. Colonel 
 McReynolds had for years been acquainted with the Presi 
 dent. Now, notwithstanding he had a personal grievance 
 against McClellan, he felt that that general had the con 
 fidence of the army more than any one else. He took the 
 liberty to write to the President suggesting the reappoint- 
 ment of McClellan to the command of the army. His son 
 Frank took this letter to the White House. Whether it had 
 any influence or not, McClellan was, September 2, placed in 
 command. He was heartily cheered by the men as he rode 
 among them. 
 
 The morning of the 5th the regiment left Alexandria 
 and marched along the road that during the winter before 
 had been a familiar one. At Fort Albany there was a halt 
 for several hours, waiting for orders. Crossed Long Bridge 
 and marched past the White House. The stately mansion 
 was heavily draped with black ; in mourning for officers and 
 men who had been killed in recent battles. Among these 
 were Generals Kearney and Taylor of the New Jersey troops 
 generals who had distinguished themselves in many a field. 
 
 167 
 
168 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The line of march was through Georgetown and twenty 
 miles to the north through a pleasant country. Slept in the 
 open air in a clover field beside some woods near the pleasant 
 village of Rockville. Marched the next morning to the 
 vicinity of Clarksburg, reporting to General Pleasanton, 
 Large details for pickets and scouts were called for. The 
 Confederates seemed to be a few miles to the west and mov 
 ing northward. Some of their stragglers were picked up. 
 Sergeant Haggerty with a small party surprised one after 
 another and brought them in. The Confederates were not 
 inactive, and made some trouble for scouting parties. In 
 one of these affairs Decker and Dunn became mixed up in 
 the fray and joined the enemy. Covered with dust they es 
 caped particular notice. Watching their chance they rode 
 back to their own men. The Confederate flag floated for 
 a time on the top of Sugar Loaf mountain. 
 
 The 8th Major Adams with five companies went to 
 Hyattstown. There was a strong picket placed to guard 
 the flank of the column that was moving on a road a short 
 distance to the west. The major made a bold dash upon 
 the videttes, driving them back upon the reserve, and these 
 he drove through the little village and up the hill beyond. 
 It was not well to go too far without a larger force. In fall 
 ing back the major left some pickets on the high ground be 
 yond the town. About nine in the evening a detail was 
 sent out to relieve these. At the foot of the hill this relief 
 met Henry Wilson. He was hatless and somewhat excited. 
 He had been under a hot fire. He had used up all his am 
 munition and had barely succeeded in making his escape 
 from a perilous situation. He cautioned Sergeant Beach 
 of the relief not to go up the hill, for a large number of the 
 enemy were hiding in a cornfield by the side of the road, 
 and whoever should try to go up the road would be fired at 
 at close range. Westbrook, Besley and Burd were some- 
 
IN MARYLAND. 169 
 
 where up there in the shade of the woods, and could not get 
 away from their places of partial concealment without ex 
 posing themselves to the enemy s fire. 
 
 Wilson was a trusty fellow and not likely to overesti 
 mate any danger. The sergeant paid heed to his advice, at 
 the same time saying he must try to get those men out of 
 their peril. The moon, half way up the east, was throwing 
 the shadow of the \voods nearly to the middle of the road. 
 He told his men to go to the right in the shade of the woods. 
 He himself kept on watchfully in the road. When he was 
 half way up the hill there came spiteful bursts of fire from 
 under the rail fence along the standing corn on the left. 
 These were all aimed at the head of the sergeant riding alone 
 in the road. The zip, zip of a dozen or more of bullets 
 seemed like a swarm of bumble bees whizzing past his head. 
 But the aim had not been accurate and he was unhurt. He 
 and the others took advantage of the time before the enemy 
 could reload. By prompt and clever action they all got 
 safely away. The horses realized the situation, and while 
 their riders were intent on watching the movements of the 
 skulking enemy, some of them with their noses tossed off 
 the top rails and jumped the fence on the wooded side of 
 the road, the only way of escape. Some of the horses had 
 been hit in several places. There was no use in cavalry 
 trying to fight infantry by night in such a situation. 
 
 The Qth there was skirmishing at long range. The 
 enemy brought out some artillery while Major Adams had 
 none. During the night the enemy stole up through the 
 fields and along the fences and caused some annoyance. The 
 loth they appeared in force artillery, cavalry and infantry. 
 The major fell back and took shelter on a cross road behind 
 some woods. "Their cavalry is in the road just below," re 
 ported Stevenson. All were ready for a charge if that cav 
 alry would only come to the cross road. But it did not 
 
170 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 come. The major fell back to Clarksburg, and after a long- 
 moonlight ride joined the rest of the regiment at Barnes- 
 ville. The nth the entire regiment, accompanied by some 
 light artillery, scouted about the mouth of the Monocacy, 
 taking a few stragglers, but learning little of the movements 
 of Lee except that he was moving north. The I2th we were 
 on the march early. Recent rains had caused some discom 
 fort, but they had laid the dust and made more pleasant 
 marching. 
 
 Colonel McReynolds was now commanding a brigade 
 made up of his own regiment, the Eighth Pennsylvania cav 
 alry and a section of Battery M of the Fifth U. S. artillery. 
 The brigade passed through Hyattstown and on to Fred 
 erick, about fifteen miles, entering the town on one road at 
 the same time that the head of Burnside s column entered 
 on another. The Confederate army had passed on. A few 
 stragglers were picked up. 
 
 The Federal army had not before seen such a reception 
 as was here given it. In every doorway and at every win 
 dow were women and young girls waving the Union flag 
 and in every way manifesting the greatest joy. Barbara 
 Frietchie was here. Although the poet s story of her de 
 fiantly waving the flag over the heads of Stonewall Jackson s 
 men was not true, yet it represented the loyal spirit of the 
 women of the place as it appeared that day. 
 
 The 1 3th the brigade marched to Emmitsburg, twenty- 
 five miles, for the purpose of seeing if Lee was moving into 
 Pennsylvania. A few wandering Confederates w r ere found. 
 
 There were officers who, at times, were brave enough, 
 but who, at other times were a little nervous. One such, a 
 captain, had left the column and gone down a lane to a 
 farmhouse, partly hidden among trees, some distance from 
 the road. Soon he came riding back in great excitement. 
 His hat was gone. His bushy hair was standing out in all 
 
IN MARYLAND. 171 
 
 directions. One foot had lost its stirrup. As he rejoined 
 the column he excitedly shouted " There was a rebel down 
 there, but I got away from him !" Lieutenant Bailey, bor 
 rowing a carbine from a man in the ranks rode down the 
 lane, and he, too, quickly came back bringing the rebel with 
 him. The captain was one of those \vho, after the Penin 
 sular campaign, had sent in his resignation, and he had been 
 awaiting notice of its acceptance. 
 
 There was a secession sentiment in Emmitsburg. Some 
 of the officers entering the town in advance of the column 
 were taken for the foremost of Lee s army. They did not 
 correct the impression, and were well treated by the south 
 ern sympathizers. The choicest old liquors in the cellar 
 were placed before them. The entertainers were somewhat 
 chagrined when they saw the true colors of the column. 
 
 After a night s rest, early on the I4th, the brigade was 
 on the road. It was Sunday and a pleasant day. We had 
 passed Mason and Dixon s line and were in the free state of 
 Pennsylvania. Along the roadside people came greeting the 
 soldiers with baskets of fruit and pitchers of milk, as well 
 as with looks and words of good will. 
 
 Before noon the column was in sight of Gettysburg. 
 The report spread in the town that the advance of Lee s 
 army was coming. In some of the churches the preachers 
 dismissed their congregations, advising the people to go 
 quietly to their homes. It was a great relief to them when 
 they knew the truth. Old and young, matrons and girls, 
 made us welcome with substantial cheer. In a triangular 
 field in the edge of the village the men rested that afternoon. 
 In the evening many attended church for the first time in 
 many months. In the Presbyterian church the text was, 
 Many are called, but few are chosen." 
 
 The forenoon of the I5th horses were shod, and many 
 necessary repairs and mendings for which our continual 
 
172 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 moving had left no leisure, received attention. It did not 
 occur to any one that in less than a year the field and hills 
 around this peaceful town would be the scene of a desperate, 
 three days battle. The afternoon the brigade marched back 
 to Emmitsburg. The i6th, at Frederick again. Oh the 
 way we had met hundreds of the ten thousand who had been 
 surrendered at Harper s Ferry, and paroled, and who were 
 now walking homeward. The Eighth N. Y. cavalry had 
 refused to be surrendered and had cut its way out along the 
 Maryland side, and on its way had captured part of a Con 
 federate wagon train. 
 
 Late in the morning of the I7th the brigade was on the 
 road toward the mountains from beyond which there came 
 the continuous roar of battle. At Middletown, halted an 
 hour at noon. Here the churches and all other available 
 buildings were filled with the wounded from South Moun 
 tain. The battle had been fought on the I4th. 
 
 Wounded men and boys able to walk were wearily 
 working their way along the road toward Frederick. Trains 
 were going back for supplies. Dead horses and mules were 
 here and there lying by the roadside, as we passed along up 
 and over the mountain. 
 
 The roar of the distant battle was incessant; the low, 
 subdued, blended noise of mingled small arms, with the fre 
 quent heavier bursts of cannon. We had hurried along up 
 the ascent of the mountain, expecting from the top to look 
 down upon the field with its contending armies. But the 
 road wound down the mountain side in such a way that we 
 could not see the battle from which came that continual 
 muffled roar. 
 
 At dusk we reached Boonsboro. The fighting had 
 ceased. We slept soundly within three or four miles of the 
 field. The i8th the command lay still. There was no fight 
 ing. It was said that both armies were resting with white 
 
IN MARYLAND. 173 
 
 flags all along their lines while parties were burying the dead 
 and caring for the wounded. Some of the men rode out 
 over parts of the field. They saw the sunken road filled 
 with the slain. 
 
 The i Qth the entire regiment marched out on the field. 
 The dead men had been buried, but there were many dead 
 horses swollen to an immense size. Many troops were on 
 the field, massed in solid squares ready to renew the battle. 
 But Lee had crossed the river. 
 
 At night the regiment returned to Boonsboro. There 
 was intense disappointment over Lee s escape. There was 
 a general feeling that with his losses and our reinforcements, 
 McClellan s army was greatly superior to Lee s, and that 
 McClellan had not made the most of the situation. 
 
 Charles R. Peterson of Company B had a brother, Lieut. 
 Pierson B. Peterson, adjutant of the Seventy-eighth N. Y., 
 one of the new regiments that had just come to the front. 
 He learned that this regiment had been engaged in the battle. 
 In his search for the regiment he heard that his brother had 
 been wounded. Anxiously he continued his search. The 
 morning of the 2Oth the regiment began its march. In 
 some woods along the roadside near Keedysville many hos 
 pital tents had been set up. In front of one of these was a 
 hospital nurse inquiring for Peterson of Company B, saying 
 that his brother was lying in the tent, his leg having been 
 amputated. The younger Peterson was absent from the 
 ranks still engaged in his tireless search. A man of the 
 company was directed to remain here, to tell Peterson, when 
 he should find him, that he could stay and take care of his 
 brother. This was a considerate act on the part of Colonel 
 McReynolds. The wounded lieutenant was tenderly cared 
 for, but he slowly failed. Finally after a period of delirium 
 in which he seemed to be again in the front of the battle, 
 
174 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 giving orders for the line to stand firm, and then to move 
 forward, he passed away. 
 
 The Y. M. C. A. of Buffalo, where he had lived for a 
 few years, thoroughly respected for his active life and Chris 
 tian character, asked that he might be brought to that city. 
 After impressive services here he was taken to his parents 
 home at Canoga, N. Y., and laid to rest amid the scenes of 
 his early years. For the first time the dread realities of war 
 were brought home to this peaceful community. 
 
 This sad meeting of brothers after the battle was one 
 of many similar incidents of the war. 
 
 The regiment marched to Downsville. Lieutenant 
 Hinton was sent out with his company to ascertain if any 
 of the enemy were in Williamsport. As his advance came 
 to the top of a hill they were greeted with several shells 
 from a Confederate battery. He returned and reported, 
 when a section of artillery with a cavalry support went out 
 under Major Adams to learn the enemy s strength. It was 
 now near night. 
 
 There was some hesitation as to what should be done. 
 It was finally decided to throw in a few shells. The enemy 
 replied with vigor. The cavalry supports were left in the 
 narrow road directly behind the guns. The erfemy had the 
 range exactly, and their shells bursting in the darkness above 
 and around were trying to the nerves. The major was 
 perplexed. He finally asked Captain Jones what he had 
 better do. The latter replied, "Either charge upon them at 
 once or else withdraw. At least, don t keep the cavalry 
 under fire in the narrow road where they can t do anything." 
 The major had long been credited with having a vivid 
 imagination. He could imagine brilliant exploits with him 
 self in the fore front, but he did not know exactly how to do 
 the deeds. After an hour or so of this fighting in the dark 
 
IN MARYLAND. 175 
 
 the guns and the supports were withdrawn. The "brilliant 
 charge" that was reported had not been made. 
 
 Sergeant Charles Robinson of Company A, and Private 
 Hugh McLaughlin of C were wounded. The sergeant died 
 of his wounds. 
 
 During the night the enemy withdrew across the river, 
 and in the morning our cavalry entered the place without 
 opposition. The enemy had been ready to retire in haste 
 the night before if a vigorous advance had been made. The 
 "brilliant charge" had been among the possibilities not 
 realized. 
 
 The second battalion was sent to picket along the river 
 in the vicinity of Dam No. 4. The Confederate pickets 
 were along the opposite bank. The Eighth Pennsylvania 
 and the regular artillery were ordered back to the main 
 army. The Twelfth Pennsylvania and the First New York 
 were ordered to report to General Kelly at Cumberland. 
 
 Before sunrise of the 23rd they were well on their way. 
 For a distance the march was through a broken, but fertile 
 limestone region. Beyond this was a rougher, slaty one. 
 In crossing a ridge of the North Mountain at Fairview we 
 had a magnificent prospect over the great Valley of Virginia, 
 twenty-five miles wide from North Mountain on the west 
 to the Blue Ridge on the east, and to the south forty miles 
 or more to the bold front of the Massanutten Mountain. 
 This was the wide field of campaigns yet to be. By night 
 we reached Hancock, twenty-two miles. Much of the way 
 the road was along the bank of the Potomac, and the Chesa 
 peake and Ohio canal. After a good rain during the night 
 the next day s march was cool and pleasant. We were 
 among the mountains. Pine Grove, sixteen miles, was the 
 halting place for the night. Very early the next morning 
 we were on the road, the famous Cumberland turnpike, well 
 made, but through a rough country. Fourteen miles were 
 
176 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 made before breakfast. Then, at Flintstone we ate both 
 breakfast and dinner. A further march of twelve miles 
 brought us to Cumberland, a hospitable place of eight thou 
 sand, in a pocket of the mountains, the prosperous center of 
 an extensive coal region. 
 
 Horses had to be shod. In coming down so many hills 
 the wagon wheels had to be chained, and the tires had be 
 come so worn that the wheels had to be re-tired. 
 
 The work of the cavalry was to protect the Baltimore 
 and Ohio railroad from ranging bands of a somewhat irregu 
 lar soldiery among the mountains to the south under the 
 command of Colonel Imboden. 
 
 Company B was left in the town as a provost guard. 
 The rest of the brigade on the 27th crossed the river and 
 went south as far as Mill Creek Junction, and thence to 
 New Creek (now Keyser), a point on the river and railroad 
 a day s march west of Cumberland. 
 
Courtesy of D. B. Martin, B. & O. It. K. 
 THE HEART OF THE ALLEGHANIES. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 COLONEL McREYNOLDS was commanding the 
 V_ brigade with headquarters at Oldtown, on the Mary 
 land side of the river, twelve miles below Cumberland. Lieut. 
 Col. von Schickfuss, with headquarters at the same place, 
 was commanding the regiment. Stevenson was adjutant. 
 General Kelly had about three thousand infantry and artil- 
 lary distributed along the line of the B. & O. R. R. The 
 cavalry was to aid in the defense of this line by holding posi 
 tions about ten miles to the south. Springfield was to be one 
 of these posts. Here Captain Boyd was sent with four com 
 panies. Pickets were to be established on the roads leading 
 from the town, and scouts were to be sent out to keep watch 
 of Imboden s mounted rangers. 
 
 From here, October 2nd, Captain Battersby of B and 
 Lieutenant Lewis of F, with parts of their companies, went 
 out to look through the country. At Romney, eight miles, 
 Sergeant Baughan, whose knee had been injured by the 
 stumbling of his horse, and three others, were left to hold 
 the place. The rest went on beyond Burnt Mills, ten miles. 
 Here were two roads. The captain took the pike, which 
 led to the right, the lieutenant taking the left. It was ar 
 ranged that the party returning first should place some sticks 
 in the road to indicate the fact. Lewis returned first. From 
 the position of the sticks he concluded that the captain had 
 
 177 
 
178 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 preceded him, and he passed on to Romney, intending to stay 
 there that night. Horses were unsaddled, when some of 
 the captain s men were seen coming in haste as if fleeing 
 from an enemy. Horses were quickly saddled again. The 
 representations of these fugitives as to the force of the Con 
 federates behind them induced Lewis, after doing all he 
 could to aid such of the captain s men as might come in, to 
 move on toward Springfield. 
 
 The captain had taken the pike. Westbrook, Valentine 
 and the two Peaveys ( father and son ) and Dougherty, were 
 in the advance. Several miles from the fork in the road 
 they caught sight of some videttes and at once gave chase. 
 The advance was increased by some others who had come 
 forward, when they drove the enemy across a bridge and 
 into Blue Gap. The Confederates took shelter around a 
 spur of a mountain. 
 
 Each party was uncertain as to the strength of the 
 other. The advance hesitated; they had no orders. Word 
 was sent back to the captain, but he clicl not come forward 
 to take charge. Finally the men were called back, when the 
 captain led the entire party to what he considered a safe 
 distance, and stopped to eat lunch. 
 
 While they were leisurely eating their dinner some of 
 the Confederates were observed in the distance cautiously 
 coming on. The captain thinking it was too large a force 
 for him to fight, directed the men to fall back, himself tak 
 ing the lead. A bold attack would have driven the enemy 
 back as the advance had driven them in the first instance, and 
 secured time for a safe retreat. But the enemy gained 
 courage. It soon became a rapid retreat and a hot pursuit. 
 There was no halting at the fork of the road. Some of the 
 horses began to show signs of failing. Their riders left 
 them and took to the wooded hillsides. By crossing a ridge 
 they saved a mile or more, as the road doubled around the 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 179 
 
 end of the ridge. James I. Gleeson, seeing that his horse 
 was giving out, jumped off and made for the road side fence. 
 In his efforts to hurry over the fence his scabbard caught 
 between the rails and held him back. His pursuers were 
 abreast of him and called to him to surrender. He pluckily 
 shouted back, "I don t see it, just yet!" Unclasping his 
 sabre belt he jumped out of it, sprang into the woods and 
 escaped, amid a small shower of bullets sent after him. Of 
 fifteen who left their horses and took to the woods all but 
 five found their way back to Springfield. All of them, like 
 Gleeson, had narrow escapes. 
 
 A year before, from a lot of condemned animals, the 
 captain had picked out a large-framed, long-geared, steep- 
 rumped black horse. He thought he saw some good points 
 in him. He adopted him and nursed him up into an ap 
 parently fair condition. This horse he was riding on this 
 scout. But under the strain of the pursuit the revised edi 
 tion of the horse s strength was fast being exhausted. Fore 
 most at starting, the captain was now the hindmost of all 
 that remained. Reaching the top of a hill and seeing that 
 his horse was played out," he stopped in the middle of the 
 road and dismounted. Tall, erect as a mountain pine, he 
 waited by the side of his steed that stood with drooping head 
 and panting flanks. Captain McVeil, commanding the pur 
 suers, came on cautiously at first, but finally without fear. 
 The Federal captain asked him the date of his commission. 
 When informed he replied that as his own commission ante 
 dated that of his captor, he was the ranking officer and en 
 titled to take command. 
 
 The Confederates were delighted with their success. 
 The prisoners were taken to Winchester, nearly forty miles. 
 The captain s horse was taken from him and with the others 
 he was obliged to walk. He asked that he might be allowed 
 to keep his wide-bladed sabre that had seen service for gen- 
 
180 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 erations of his ancestors in the British army. Stonewall 
 Jackson, before whom he was taken at Winchester, granted 
 his request on condition that the sabre should not be used 
 again in this war. The prisoners were paroled, and a few 
 weeks later were exchanged. The affair was freely dis 
 cussed, of course. It was the general opinion, and the opin 
 ion was justified by what they did on many occasions after 
 ward, that any of the men who were on the advance could 
 have managed matters successfully. 
 
 Companies D and K were now added to those at Spring 
 field. These were under the command of Bailey, late quarter 
 master, now captain of K. October 3rd all these companies, 
 taking three days rations, went out, under Captain Boyd, to 
 look for the enemy who, naturally, would be more daring 
 after their recent success. The march over the steep moun 
 tain roads was a tedious one. On the second day they struck 
 the trail of a force that had been moving toward Spring 
 field, but had changed its course. With Sergeant E. C. 
 W r atkins of K and fifteen men in the advance the command 
 moved rapidly on. Captain Bailey with a detachment fol 
 lowed the advance closely. Some distance ahead of the main 
 body, on a mountain ridge overlooking the Capon river, 
 Watkins came upon three mounted videttes. These fired 
 their carbines and fled. Watkins knew the character of the 
 men just behind him, and without an instant s hesitation 
 dashed on after the fleeing Confederates. Bailey and his 
 men, hearing the firing, hurried forward as fast as their 
 horses could carry them. Other Confederates who had been 
 stationed at intervals along the way joined their comrades, 
 with their pursuers after them at breakneck speed down the 
 mountain road. At the foot of the mountain they found 
 themselves close to the river. Across the river in plain sight, 
 on a narrow stretch of bottom land, was the camp of Im- 
 boden s men. The river \vas spanned by a covered wooden 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 181 
 
 bridge. Through this the rebel pickets fled with Watkins 
 and his men right upon them and Bailey s men doing their 
 best to get to the front. Every man was striving to be fore 
 most, and although ordered to "steady up/ they all rushed 
 at the top of their speed through the bridge, that swayed 
 and rocked till it seemed as if it would go down under them. 
 On coming out at the farther end they noticed two small 
 cannons placed in the road so as to sweep the bridge. The 
 gunners were standing ready to fire, but they had waited 
 until their own men could get across. They were now seen 
 trying to apply the match; before they could do anything 
 more the Union cavalrymen with ringing shouts had ridden 
 over and past the guns and gunners and were in posession 
 of the camp. 
 
 Such had been the suddenness and vigor of the charge 
 that the Confederates had fired but few shots. They threw 
 down their arms and surrendered. Before Captain Boyd 
 and the other companies had reached the bridge the Con 
 federates, a forlorn looking lot of men, were rounded up 
 and huddled together, ready to be marched northward as 
 prisoners of war. Three or four had been killed and several 
 wounded. Quite a number had slipped into the woods on the 
 hillsides and got away. The loss in the regiment was one 
 man wounded and one horse killed. The spoils were a dozen 
 wagons loaded with new supplies clothing, blankets, quilts, 
 camp equipage, many horses and mules, and the two guns, 
 mountain howitzers, made to be carried on pack saddles on 
 the backs of mules "jackass artillery" as Jack Baughan 
 named them. The prisoners numbered about thirty. Among 
 them were a major and two lieutenants. 
 
 Capon bridge, the place where this occurred, was about 
 twenty- four miles from Romney. It confirmed the conviction 
 felt at Pohick Church and Sangster s station, that in cavalry 
 fighting the party that could "get on the move" first had 
 
182 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 greatly the advantage, and that the most effective weapon 
 in such a charge was the sabre. Many a time in later cam 
 paigns did the men remember this, and they won the fight by 
 the very recklessness of their attack, and their losses were, 
 in consequence, comparatively small. Several of those in 
 this charge won distinction afterwards. One of the fore 
 most in the advance was Edwin F. Savacool, whose daring 
 deeds will make a large part of this story. 
 
 At the time of this attack Imboden, with a large party, 
 elated by the success at Blue Gap, had gone on an expedition 
 looking for more captures. From papers captured it was 
 found that he had authority from Richmond to recruit a 
 force for service among the mountains. It was, in fact, to 
 be a guerrilla warfare. His men could remain at home as 
 non-combatants, and he could call them out at any time for 
 any enterprise that he might plan. They would roam 
 through the country singly or in small bands, watching for 
 a chance to make captures. They would keep well informed 
 on all the movements of the Union forces. 
 
 One of the papers captured read : 
 
 "My purpose is to wage the most active warfare against our brutal 
 invaders and their domestic allies ; to hang about their camps and shoot 
 down every sentinel, picket, courier and wagon driver we can find ; to 
 watch opportunities for attacking convoys and forage trains. * * * * 
 Our own Virginia traitors men of the Pierpont and Carlisle stamp 
 will receive our special regards. * * * * It is only men I want ; men 
 who will pull trigger on a Yankee with as much alacrity as they would 
 on a mad dog; men whose consciences won t be disturbed by the sight 
 of a vandal carcass. I don t want nervous, squeamish individuals to 
 join me they will be safer at home." 
 
 From other papers captured it was learned that he then 
 had 916 officers and enlisted men, part of them mounted, the 
 rest to act on foot. 
 
 A facetious young woman handed to Captain Bailey, 
 when he was starting out, a letter to Imboden, requesting 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 183 
 
 him to treat her friend kindly when he should hold him a 
 prisoner, as "he was not as bad as the most of them." It 
 was something of a disappointment to her when the captain 
 brought back from the captured camp a mass of papers and 
 a silk flag that she had presented to the guerrilla chief. Im- 
 boden s private papers were returned to him. 
 
 The First New York was to guard the railroad from 
 Oldtown to Cherry Run; the Twelfth Pennsylvania from 
 Cherry Run eastward. About five miles below Oldtown the 
 South Branch flows into the Potomac. Here was a strong 
 post to guard the railroad bridge. Several miles farther 
 down was Paw Paw tunnel. Here was another post. At 
 Springfield, ten miles south of Green Spring, across the river 
 from Oldtown, Companies B, F and M were stationed. Cap 
 tain Bennett was in command. Hinton was adjutant and 
 Beach was sergeant major. It was an old, quiet town, most 
 ly of log houses, but having two good churches. The 
 churches were appropriated as quarters. 
 
 A picket post was at a mill on the South Branch, east 
 of the town; another was south of the town at the chain 
 bridge, and others were on the roads west and north. The 
 enemy were at home in the country. They knew all the 
 paths over the mountains, and could creep up close to the 
 pickets, unobserved, make their attack and get away safely. 
 Several times they captured sentinels, took their horses and 
 arms, and let the men go free. 
 
 The night of the 2Qth the post at the mill was attacked 
 and James Gaddis of F was killed. One of the enemy also 
 was killed. Several men were held a short time as pris 
 oners. The leader of the attacking party expressed his re 
 gret at having killed any one. He did not want to do it, but 
 our men were to blame; they should not have offered any 
 resistance ! All he wanted was their horses and arms. He 
 released his prisoners and retired with his booty. 
 
184 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Hardly was there a night when there was not some post 
 attacked. The report would quickly reach headquarters 
 when the command, "Saddle up" would ring out and half 
 the reserve would be out on a wild ride over the mountain 
 roads. Such skulking attacks were so common that con 
 stant vigilance was necessary. Early one evening some men 
 came to the stables only a few rods from one of the churches 
 and succeeded in getting away with a couple of horses. 
 They were seen as they were almost across a field and close 
 to the woods. It was too late to overtake them. 
 
 It was thought best to strike Imboden in his camp. 
 After the fight at Capon bridge he had withdrawn farther 
 south. General Kelly desired Colonel McReynolds to learn, 
 if possible, the location of his camp. Volunteers were 
 called for. Four men of B, the two Peaveys, Valentine and 
 Dorman, offered themselves for the dangerous attempt. 
 They were trusty fellows, full of resources. The 3Oth of 
 October, without any disguise, they set out. Beyond Rom- 
 ney they crossed the mountain to the west into the valley of 
 Patterson creek and took the road toward Petersburg. Five 
 miles beyond Burlington they stopped for the night in an 
 old barn. They barricaded the doors and made themselves 
 as safe as possible. They were not disturbed. The next 
 afternoon they rode along within sight of a body of mounted 
 men. If they were noticed at all they were probably taken 
 for fellow Confederates. They did not seek a close ac 
 quaintance and were soon out of reach. They watched the 
 enemy, but were not followed. That night they stopped at 
 a Mr. Seymour s, five miles from Petersburg. Cavalry had 
 recently passed. They were told that a Confederate force 
 was in Petersburg. Later they learned that this force had 
 left the day before for Moorefield. 
 
 The work of these scouts was risky. Mr. Seymour 
 suspected that they were Federals, and asked what they were 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 185 
 
 doing there. They replied that they were the advance of a 
 large force that was coming behind them. It was a long 
 way behind them. They were now seventy miles from any 
 support. 
 
 A disabled horse was exchanged for a better one. The 
 next day they crossed the mountain and kept on their way 
 toward Moorefield. Several times they caught sight of 
 parties of mounted men, but they kept themselves in by 
 ways and in the woods. At night they found a safe place 
 among the thick pines on the mountain. They had to forage 
 the best they could for their horses and themselves. 
 
 Here in their place of concealment the younger Peavey 
 and Dorman remained with the horses while the elder 
 Peavey and Valentine started out on foot on their perilous 
 night reconnoissance. Through the thick woods, over and 
 among rugged ledges of rock, up and down the sides of 
 mountains, fording swift, cold streams, they came at last to 
 the ridge of a precipitous mountain. From this position 
 they looked down into a deep valley. Here was Imboden s 
 camp. The camp fires were brightly burning. They could 
 hear the men talking in the camp hundreds of feet below. 
 They counted the huts and made an estimate of the numbers. 
 
 Chilled, tired, and foot sore, in the deep darkness they 
 retraced their rough and dangerous way, five miles or more, 
 to where the others were waiting with the horses. After 
 many adventures and narrow escapes the four daring men 
 reached their own lines in safety on the 2nd of November. 
 
 Sergeant Peavey reported to General Kelly at Cumber 
 land, and an attack on the discovered camp was planned. 
 The morning of the 8th Colonel McReynolds set out with 
 three hundred and fifty of his own regiment. It was cold 
 and snow was falling. At Mill Creek Junction near night 
 this column was joined by another that had come from New 
 Creek. This force consisted of two hundred of Ringgold s 
 
186 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Pennsylvania cavalry, as many more of the Twenty-third 
 Illinois infantry riding in ambulances and light wagons, and 
 a section of artillery. 
 
 The entire force moved on as rapidly as possible and 
 shortly after midnight reached Moorefield. After a short 
 halt the march was continued. The way was up the South 
 Fork. Sometimes it was in the rocky bed of the stream, or 
 crossing it time after time. By daybreak the advance struck 
 the enemy s pickets and soon the command was in front of 
 the camp. But Imboden had received a brief notice of our 
 coming and had hastily withdrawn with such of his com 
 mand as he could get away. 
 
 The place was known as Lockwood s Gap, a deep, nar 
 row valley of the South Fork. On either side was a pre 
 cipitous mountain ridge, each parallel to, and facing the 
 other. The mountain faces were so steep that it would be 
 very difficult for one using hands as well as feet, to climb 
 them. The valley was three or four hundred feet wide and 
 perhaps half a mile long. Here was the very comfortable 
 winter camp of log huts. 
 
 Skirmishing parties were quickly thrown forward and 
 detachments were charging through the camp and up the 
 ravines by which the enemy had escaped from the farther 
 end of the valley. The artillery was placed on high ground 
 from which there was a descent into this end of the valley. 
 From this position it shelled the faces of the mountains and 
 the hills and woods beyond the farther end. At each firing 
 of the cannon the sound was echoed and re-echoed from one 
 mountain face to the other until it rolled away in a con 
 tinual roar in the distance. 
 
 One of the charging parties observed a staff officer 
 safely sheltered behind a projecting rock, himself protected 
 from stray bullets, lustily cheering them as they swept past 
 him, and shouting, "Go for them !" 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 187 
 
 A lucky man in one of the charging parties was Wil 
 liamson of F. Up one of the ravines he overtook a cannon 
 that the enemy were trying to get away. This was cap 
 tured, and about forty prisoners were taken. Several dead 
 or badly wounded were left. The comfortable huts were 
 burned. A small herd of beef cattle and four hundred hogs 
 that had been collected near the camp were brought away. 
 Our loss was two men wounded and two horses killed. 
 
 This camp was eighteen miles south of Moorefield. To 
 that place the expedition returned that day. The weather 
 had become very cold and it was a comfortless night. An 
 other day s march, cold and tedious, because the slow-travel 
 ing hogs had to be driven along. Many of these furnished 
 abundant rations of fresh pork on the way. Another cold 
 night was passed in the valley of Patterson s creek. Then 
 another weary day s march and late at night the men were 
 in their own lines and prepared to appreciate comfortable 
 quarters. 
 
 From the morning of the 8th to daybreak of the 9th 
 this expedition had marched eighty miles over rough moun 
 tain roads and along the rocky beds of streams which had 
 to be forded many times, and in the coldest weather that 
 we had yet experienced. 
 
 We now learned the recent news. McClellan had been 
 relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, 
 and Burnside appointed in his place. In New York Horatio 
 Seymour who was opposed to the administration had been 
 elected governor. 
 
 November 5, Captain Harkins had led a squadron 
 toward Winchester. At Pughtown he captured a picket 
 post of seven men of Stuart s cavalry, and a negro who 
 claimed to be Stonewall Jackson s servant. This negro 
 said of his master, "When de ole gineral gits up in de night 
 
188 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 to pray, den we knows dar s gwine to be hot work de nex 
 day; an foh God, we goes to packin hav sacks right off." 
 
 Again Captain Bailey went out in the direction of Win 
 chester and captured several of Stuart s men. There was 
 activity on both sides. November 14, Company B s wagon 
 was on its way to Oldtown for supplies, in care of Hiram 
 Peers and John R. Burd. A dozen or more Confederates 
 had been watching and as the wagon came along they seized 
 the horses and, leaving the wagon, hurried away into the 
 mountains, taking Peers and Burd with them. The two 
 were taken prisoners to Richmond and paroled. As soon 
 as the report of the capture reached Springfield, Lieutenant 
 Lewis started with a quickly-mustered detail in pursuit. 
 They rode fast, but the captors had the advantage among 
 the mountain paths and escaped. 
 
 The evening of this same day John Stuart was on post 
 at a turn in the road that led to the chain bridge and in hail 
 ing distance of the battalion quarters in Springfield. Near 
 where he was stationed a rail fence ran across the fields from 
 the road fence to the woods. His horse became nervous. 
 He seemed to detect something wrong. Stuart was watch 
 ful, but he could neither see nor hear anything suspicious. 
 However, he cautiously withdrew to a safe distance and 
 waited for the relief. George Peavey soon came. Stuart 
 asked him to remain right there a few minutes while he 
 himself could ride down the road a little way. As he rode 
 past the intersection, both going and returning, the actions 
 of his horse indicated that there was "something in the 
 fence." Without mentioning his suspicions he asked Pea 
 vey to ride down the road and back. Neither of the men 
 was subject to idle fears. But Peavey s horse also detected 
 something wrong at the cross fence. After talking the 
 matter over, Peavey withdrew a little distance while Stuart 
 returned to quarters for help. Just as he reached the church 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 189 
 
 door a shot was heard. "Boys, turn out!" and quickly a 
 party was on the road. As Peavey sat on his horse watch 
 ing, several men rose from their hiding place under the 
 fence, and, seeing no one, came out into the road. Peavey 
 fired, but by the time the party from the quarters was on the 
 ground the Confederates had escaped to the woods. 
 
 A few days later the lieutenant colonel who was com 
 manding the regiment, came out to visit the posts. With 
 several officers and a small escort, he rode to Thomson s 
 ford, and from there along by the side of the river all the 
 way around to the chain bridge. Soon after, the post at the 
 bridge was attacked by a considerable force, but the attack 
 ing party was driven off. Two of the post were wounded. 
 One of the assailants was killed and another captured. This 
 prisoner said that his party had seen the officers pass along 
 the road, and would have attacked them, but they were not 
 quite ready, and the officers passed so quickly they did not 
 have time to make their attack. 
 
 The post at French s store was attacked and two men 
 and a team of mules were captured and hurried away. 
 
 November 19 the younger Peavey and a dozen more 
 went out early in the morning on foot. They crossed the 
 South Branch and went on through the woods toward the 
 southeast. At evening they reached Little Capon river. 
 While they were eating supper in a house the man on guard 
 reported cavalry coming from the south. Here was a 
 chance for a fight. But it proved to be Captain Boyd who 
 had been scouring the country for those who had attacked 
 his post at French s store. The timely recognition of the 
 challenger s voice averted a possible fight, for both parties 
 were looking for the enemy in earnest. 
 
 Returning the next day Peavey s men were within a 
 mile of Thomson s ford, when suddenly ten or more Con 
 federates appeared in front of the advance, McCarty and 
 
190 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Parker, and ordered them to surrender. Peavey and the 
 others a little in the rear, whom the enemy had not seen, 
 fired and rushed forward. The enemy, surprised, fired and 
 took to the roadside woods. McCarty was wounded. One 
 who had remained in the road took deliberate aim and fired. 
 His shot lodged in Peavey s ankle. Although wounded, 
 Peavey kept on his feet and returned the fellow s fire, hitting 
 him in the thigh, breaking the bone and bringing him to the 
 ground. All was quickly done. The captured man said 
 that two of his comrades were wounded. The wounded 
 were brought into Springfield and .attended by Dr. Moore, 
 a resident physician. So snugly had the bullet been lodged 
 among the bones in Peavey s ankle that it was with the 
 greatest difficulty that it was extracted. The two wounded 
 foemen lay for weeks on adjacent cots in the hospital at 
 Oldtown, and became personal friends. 
 
 The nights became noisy from the repeated attacks on 
 the pickets. It was evident that the citizens of Springfield 
 were constantly giving their friends information as to every 
 new move that was made. There was need of constant 
 vigilance. Various ruses were devised and more effective 
 scouting planned. But war is a game at which two can 
 play, and these mountaineers were in it for all they could 
 make. 
 
 Bill Wills was a suspected citizen living out in the 
 country. Some of the men learned that there was to be an 
 apple butter party at the house of Mathi Mallison, Bill s 
 girl. The elder Peavey went with men to surround the 
 house. 
 
 The man sought for was not there. But Peavey and 
 his men joined the party socially and had a good time. Boyd 
 caught Wills under circumstances that convinced him that 
 the man had not only given information, but had acted as 
 guide to an attacking party. There was no proof, but the 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 191 
 
 impatient captain, it was said, gave him a flogging and let 
 him go, that he might report that as a warning to his fellows. 
 
 The elder Peavey, who had found Imboden s camp, 
 was summoned to Oldtown. Returning he passed through 
 Springfield so perfectly disguised as a citizen of Penn 
 sylvania on important private business that none of his com 
 rades recognized him. 
 
 He went on boldly into the enemy s country. He 
 was prepared to tell a plausible story. He was ar 
 rested by a Confederate patrol. He told his story, but it 
 failed to convince his captors who proposed to hang him on 
 the spot. But they finally concluded to wait till the next 
 day, and take him to a higher officer. He was to be kept 
 under close guard in a house during the night. He was 
 .allowed to rest on a bunk that was next a window. His 
 guard kept post in front of the bunk. Peavey did not sleep, 
 but his guard did. To remove all suspicion of his honesty 
 he wakened the guard and asked permission to go out for 
 a few minutes. The guard accompanied him. On his re 
 turn to his bunk the guard resumed his post, and, lulled into 
 restful security as to his honest prisoner, he was soon asleep 
 in his chair. Peavey noiselessly raised the window and 
 slipped through, and favored by the darkness of the night, 
 made for the nearest woods. Thanking the kindly stars, 
 and disposed to take no more such risks, he worked his way 
 by unfrequented mountain sides back to his own lines. 
 
 The 22nd Captain Harkins and Bailey went out with 
 four companies. A few miles from Winchester they fell 
 upon a picket post, and without loss to themselves, captured 
 twenty men and forty horses, and left one foeman and his 
 horse dead. 
 
 The Confederates had fine horses, and these improved 
 the mounting of our men. 
 
 With all its activity and necessary vigilance this cam- 
 
192 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 paign was full of enjoyment. A glorious Indian summer 
 lingered long with us. The woods on the mountain were 
 gorgeous in all bright colors. The scenery along the South 
 Branch and tributary streams was beautiful beyond descrip 
 tion. The bottom lands along the rivers were fertile and 
 forage was abundant. And the country had its history. A 
 few miles away was Hanging Rock, a wild ledge jutting 
 out and over the road beside the river. Here the Catawba 
 and Delaware Indians once fought a desperate battle in 
 which several hundred of the latter were killed, very few 
 escaping. A mound sixty or seventy yards in length, still 
 to be seen, is supposed to be the grave of the dead. 
 
 There were deer, wild turkeys and other game on the 
 mountains. One day a deer came within range of a sentry s 
 carbine and was converted into venison. It suggested the 
 idea that fresh meat would, for a change, be preferable to 
 the regular rations of salt pork. But deer did not appear 
 in sufficient numbers. A wagon going out for hay or straw 
 would return with a pig or a sheep or a calf covered up in 
 the load. It was reported that these animals when chal 
 lenged had not responded satisfactorily, and the guards had 
 no option but to shoot. There were good shots among the 
 men. One of them would with his revolver hit a quail at 
 several rods. They were not always careful to distinguish 
 between wild and domestic turkeys, and between quail and 
 spring chicken. 
 
 It was taken for granted that the bushwhackers who 
 were nightly stealing upon the picket posts were kept in 
 formed by the citizens of all that was going on. To return 
 good for evil the men kindly milked the cows for the people 
 in the little town. They would get up early in the morning 
 to do the milking. They soon found that the milk maids 
 were getting ahead of them. The men would get up earlier 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 193 
 
 yet, and it came to pass that about midnight was milking 
 time, and the milkmaids gave it up. 
 
 One day Mrs. Grace came over to quarters with a 
 pitcher, and in accents that were evidently intended to crush 
 the men said : "I came over to see if I could not borrow a 
 little milk for my coffee." John Clark of F cheerfully re 
 sponded, "Certinly, Madame, certinly, yeez kin have all yeez 
 want. We have that much milk we don t know phwat tew 
 dew wid it. Oi wuz jist comin over tew see if yeez wud 
 lind us the loan av yer chur-r-n." Filling her pitcher he 
 handed it back to her. Surplus rations were exchanged with 
 families for butter until the output of butter fell short of the 
 needs of the families themselves. 
 
 The men complained that the pigs were too aggressive. 
 They would flock about the stables every time the horses 
 were fed, and unless the men stood by, the pigs would eat 
 the corn away from the horses. The first pig was shot be 
 cause of its refusal to be clubbed away. The process of 
 disposing of its remains was not disagreeable, and one pig 
 after another disappeared, no one could tell how. 
 
 The men, unwilling to annoy the good people by killing 
 their pets in plain sight, would decoy them back of the church 
 in which they were quartered, by scattering corn along the 
 ground. After shooting them they would pass them through 
 a window and hoist them into the choir gallery, and into a 
 loft above, and keep them there until the owner had searched 
 the church thoroughly and satisfied himself that it was not 
 there. After this there would be a hurried dissection which 
 transformed the animal into a condition impossible to be 
 identified. 
 
 Finally some one of F shot a large hog which they 
 whipped into the church and up to the gallery. Just then the 
 owner accompanied by Captain Bennett, was seen coming 
 toward the church. The men attempted to thrust it up into 
 
194 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the loft, as usual, but the opening was too small. Throwing 
 some benches over the hog they hurried down stairs, and 
 were seemingly much astonished at being accused of shoot 
 ing the hog, and they invited the captain and the owner to 
 search the building so that their innocence might be -estab 
 lished. A careful search was made, and at last the corpus 
 delicti was found. Captain Bennett ordered the men, as a 
 partial reparation, to dress the hog and take it to the house 
 of the owner. After dressing it in fine style they placed 
 it on the company wagon, and, falling in two and t\vo be 
 hind the wagon, preceded by John McArthy, the bugler, 
 playing the Dead March, the long and slow procession 
 moved to the owner s house where they delivered up the 
 corpse. Then they marched back to quarters to the tune of 
 " Haste to the Wedding." 
 
 In the barns and granaries were found bins of high 
 grade winter wheat that looked as if it had been left there 
 on purpose, with sacks convenient. Grists were taken to 
 the mill at Thomson s ford on the South Branch. Good toll 
 was allowed the miller. Wheat pancakes baked in the 
 spiders and served with fresh pork gravy were greatly pre 
 ferred to hard tack. There were in those days no kitchens 
 in the churches. If the men desired fresh bread or hot bis 
 cuit they would take the flour to families to be baked on 
 shares. Literally, they were "eating their white bread." 
 
 A literary society was organized free for all. Military 
 and political questions were vigorously debated. There 
 were educated men in the ranks of these companies. Sev 
 eral were regular correspondents not only of their home 
 papers, but of leading city papers. Among many who were 
 active in these debates and literary meetings were C. T. 
 Williamson, a student of Rutgers College, a good scholar 
 and a fearless soldier; Hoagland, full of classical allusions; 
 Stanton, Kerr, Beach, the Peaveys, O Brien and many more. 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 195 
 
 There were good times, too, around headquarters at 
 Oldtown. The little village of Springfield had no large sup 
 plies of merchandise for sale. It was sometimes necessary 
 to go to the sutler s at Oldtown for needed articles. Such 
 as had occasion to go there found a night s shelter at the 
 quarters of the wagon master, Merritt, or "George," as he 
 was generally called. 
 
 A Sibley tent is like an inverted morning glory. In 
 such quarters Merritt in the evening would keep open house 
 for his friends. An iron socket holding a tallow candle 
 stuck in the center pole. On the ground floor were straw> 
 saddles, blankets and arms. Among these, resting in all 
 postures, were men who on some errand had come back from 
 the front. They had entertained their host with doubtful 
 stories of scouts beyond the outposts. To vary the enter 
 tainment, Merritt finally arose and with full voice and im 
 passioned manner began to recite a selection that he had 
 learned to "speak" when a school boy. He had talent in 
 this direction. Once he surprised his audience. First one, 
 then all, turning upon the speaker a startled, frightened look, 
 began to creep stealthily toward the outer parts of the tent 
 and to crawl under it, as if in speechless terror. In their 
 frantic endeavors to escape they succeeded in getting their 
 heads outside, while their wriggling remainders were inside 
 the tent. The speaker stood alone, the center of a zodiac 
 of vanishing constellations. 
 
 The field and staff officers were not without their in 
 teresting little affairs. Some fine horses had been captured 
 from Imboden. These possessed speed. A race course 
 was laid out for trials in speed. There were hurdles and 
 ditches for practice in jumping and rough riding. 
 
 The lieutenant colonel had his school of practice for 
 the officers. On every occasion when in command he 
 
196 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 showed himself a thorough disciplinarian, and in every way 
 an efficient officer. 
 
 But things occurred that were not down in the regula 
 tions. The major of the first battalion was soldierly in ap 
 pearance, trained at West Point, and capable. But he was 
 intemperate, sometimes uncontrollable, and even dangerous. 
 It had been deemed best that he should ask for his discharge. 
 He was waiting for the acceptance of his resignation. One 
 day he was using his revolver too freely. One of the cap 
 tains proposed that they all go out and shoot at a mark. 
 When it was supposed that the major had emptied his re 
 volver the captain said: "Now let s go in." But he had 
 not kept count correctly. "No, you don t," replied the 
 major, as he fired his last shot at the captain. But his hand 
 was unsteady, and he missed his mark. 
 
 The major of the second battalion was sometimes the 
 object of jokes and ridicule. His abounding assurance en 
 abled him to bear this treatment with astonishing equa 
 nimity. The first major had no use for him, nor friendship. 
 He was occupying a room in an old house in which doors 
 and windows were shrunken with age. There was a fire 
 place in which the embers burning low gave a dim light. 
 The first major was making his midnight rounds on private 
 account. He had lost his directions, and was trying all the 
 doors and windows of the first major s apartments, mutter 
 ing, "I m cold. Let me in. I m very cold." The second 
 major was suspicious that the other was trying, by putting 
 lighted papers under the door, to burn him out. He had 
 invited the colonel s son, who had been made lieutenant and 
 commissary, to occupy another bed in a corner of the room. 
 
 The latter, awakened from his sleep, by the light of the 
 smouldering fire, saw the major in his night robes, sitting 
 upright in bed, the shock of hair on his great bushy head 
 
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 197 
 
 standing out in all directions, with revolver in hand, in 
 mortal dread lest his fellow major should gain access. 
 
 After all the incidents peculiar to a state of war the 
 relations between the men and the residents of Springfield 
 were very friendly, and it was with regret on both sides 
 that orders were received for these companies to move. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 NORTH MOUNTAIN STATION. 
 
 DECEMBER 9 the companies at Springfield vacated 
 their comfortable quarters in the churches. There 
 was snow on the ground. After a march of thirty-five miles 
 by the way of Bloomery they halted for the night at some 
 large farm buildings. It had become very cold. In the 
 barnyard was a large stack of straw built inside a rail pen. 
 The cattle had reached over the rails and eaten great holes 
 in the stack. Some of the men crawled into these holes to 
 sleep. But it was too cold. The best way was to build fires 
 and lie around them, heads outward, like the spokes around 
 the hub of a wheel. If the feet could be kept warm one 
 could sleep comfortably. The loth was mild and bright. 
 Late in the afternoon they crossed the last mountain ridge 
 at Hedgesville and before them lay the broad valley. They 
 stopped that night in the basement of Dr. Hammond s great 
 brick barn near North Mountain station on the B. & O. R. R. 
 
 The nth was pleasant. Twenty-five men from B and 
 M under Lieutenants Prendergast and Lewis were ordered 
 to Martinsburg, seven miles, to learn the situation. When a 
 mile from the place they drew sabres and at a rapid rate 
 galloped into and through the town. There were no armed 
 enemies there. Most of the people were Union in their sym 
 pathies, and were glad to see northern soldiers once more. 
 
 Prendergast s orders were to go only to Martinsburg. 
 
 198 
 
NORTH MOUNTAIN STATION. 199 
 
 But he learned that five miles out on the Winchester pike 
 there was a Confederate picket post of forty men. He pro 
 posed to the men that they go and see. All agreed. An ad 
 vance was sent ahead. Four miles out the advance caught 
 sight of two videttes and immediately went forward at full 
 speed, the rest following. They soon were in sight of the 
 reserve around an old brick house at cross roads on a hill. 
 They could be seen hastily picking up things, putting on 
 overcoats, tightening girths, untying horses, mounting, get 
 ting into the road, and heading the other way. They all 
 were wearing blue overcoats. This was the cause of a few 
 mistakes that happened. 
 
 Prendergast was a young Englishman, tall and spare, 
 with florid complexion, sandy hair, side whiskers, and a 
 large mustache that projected over some rather prominent 
 front teeth. Mention has before been made of an obliquity 
 in his speech. He could not sound d and r correctly. His 
 d was like g and his r like zv. When he became excited his 
 voice was shrill, and he was given to the use of expletives. 
 There was no discount on his fighting qualities. Lewis was 
 recklessly brave, as was proved at Sangster s station. 
 
 The men had learned that shouting helped things along 
 in matters of this kind. They were doing their best both 
 in speed and noise. Foremost among them, like the hungri 
 est and fiercest of a pack of yelping wolves after a flock of 
 sheep, rode the two officers. One after another of the fugi 
 tives was overhauled, gave up his arms, and was passed to 
 the rear. Prendergast was after a particular enemy who 
 was exerting himself to the utmost to get away. For a 
 distance he was close upon his left flank. Then gaining a 
 little he was almost neck and neck with him. Several times 
 he shouted, "Suh-weng-guh !" But the Confederate leaning 
 forward kept digging his spurs into his horse. At last the 
 lieutenant, out of all patience with the fellow s desperate 
 
200 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 efforts to get away, with a fearful sweep brought his sabre 
 around broadside against his face, with a force that brought 
 him sitting upright in his saddle. He surrendered. 
 
 The chase was kept up for five miles, and thirteen had 
 been captured. We were getting a good way from home. 
 The lieutenant called a halt. As soon as he slowed up some 
 of the fugitives stopped and faced about. One of these who 
 was wearing a blue overcoat, challenged the lieutenant who 
 was slowly riding forward, "Halt! Who comes there?" as 
 if he had not yet found out. "Fwengs !" was the reply. But 
 the challenger doubted it, and fired his revolver, when the 
 lieutenant rode full tilt at him, firing and calling him to 
 "Suh-weng-guh!" The chase was renewed for another 
 mile when again a halt was called. 
 
 Some of the fugitives, hard pressed in the highway, had 
 darted through gaps in the fences and were scattering 
 through the fields. Some of the Federals became excited in 
 the pursuit of these and were slow to heed the call to halt. 
 Sergeant Beach was directed to call these back. 
 
 John Casey was an Irishman in Company B. He had 
 a thin, high-keyed voice and a peculiarly adroit way of get 
 ting around without attracting attention, especially if he saw 
 - something that he wanted. He was a good soldier and cared 
 well for his horse, generally managing to get extra feed for 
 him. He often volunteered to go with a detail to "draw" 
 oats. On one occasion the grain was stored on the first and 
 second floors of an old stone warehouse. The wagon was 
 backed up to the lower door. Some of the men in the 
 wagon boosted Casey through the upper doorway which was 
 directly above the lower one. Watching his chance he 
 would toss out a sack of oats into the wagon. The quarter 
 master s clerk went up-stairs ; Casey was diligently reading 
 an old book that he picked up from a shelf. The clerk went 
 down-stairs and out went another sack of oats. 
 
NORTH MOUNTAIN STATION. 201 
 
 On this chase Casey was far to the front. By some 
 woods on the farther side of a field were two horsemen in 
 blue. Casey rode up to them. He was surprised when he 
 was told to dismount and give up his horse and arms. He 
 slyly glanced over his shoulder to see if any help was near. 
 Seeing none, he did as he was told. He was then allowed 
 to go his way on foot. As soon as he was near enough to 
 make himself heard he called to the sergeant, who was try 
 ing to get the scattered men together, as loud as his thin 
 voice would let him, "Sergeant Beach! Sergeant Beach! 
 Those blamed rebels have got me horse !" He was almost 
 crying over the loss of his horse, which was a fine one. The 
 sergeant looked and saw that the Confederates had come 
 back into the pike and were getting away with the led horse. 
 Notwithstanding the orders to fall back he called to two or 
 three men, "Let s get Casey s horse back," and the chase 
 was again renewed. The Confederates were forced to let 
 go the horse, which was easily caught. The sergeant and 
 his few men were returning, Skerry leading the horse, when 
 Lieutenant Lewis came riding rapidly to the front calling 
 everybody to "Come back." 
 
 A short distance farther on a stream a foot or more in 
 depth was flowing across the road. Beyond this was a rise 
 of ground. Here was a group of Confederates, a dozen or 
 so, who had halted and faced about. All were wearing blue 
 overcoats. 
 
 As Lewis, calling to the men to "Come back," was rid 
 ing past the sergeant the latter said to him, "Those men are 
 all rebels." "I want to bring those men back !" "I tell you 
 they are all rebels!" Lewis did not understand and rode 
 on, while the sergeant sat still, looked on, and wondered. 
 Lewis rode on through the stream and up the hill to the 
 group of men in blue, all the while shouting, "Come back!" 
 He was halted by the lieutenant in command, who said to 
 
202 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 him: "Do you wish to surrender?" No reply coming 
 from Lewis, one of the men said : "Lieutenant, if he 
 doesn t surrender, shoot him!" Lewis did not reply at 
 once in order to gain a little time and give his horse a 
 breathing spell. Again the Confederate asked him to sur 
 render, at the same time making a tierce point with his sabre 
 at Lewis back, which was cleverly met by a rear moulinet. 
 Putting both spurs to his horse, Lewis dashed down the 
 hill and through the stream, followed by a shower of bullets, 
 but he escaped unharmed. As he "came back" the sergeant 
 said to him : "I told you those were all rebels." "So 
 I found," was his indifferent reply. The Confederates be 
 longed to Turner Ashby s cavalry which was made up from 
 the best of the Confederacy." 
 
 Late in the evening the party reached Hammond s barn, 
 not a man injured, and with their prisoners all safe, some of 
 whom had received severe sabre wounds. 
 
 The elder Peavey had seen more years than were al 
 lowed an ordinary soldier. But he w T as so robust that at 
 muster-in no notice had been taken of several extra years. 
 Perhaps he felt that his experience as the Nestor of the 
 camp entitled him to the privilege of commenting freely on 
 whatever was done that he did not have a part in. He 
 would criticize everything, from the administration down to 
 the latest drawing of rations. It was not easy to check him. 
 He had been equal to any service, but one little experience 
 was a tender point. He had not been on this little raid. 
 The day after, he was reading a rather favorable published 
 account of it, and was punctuating his reading with an occa 
 sional derisive, "Big thing!" "Big thing!" Beach quietly 
 and good naturedly remarked, "Not quite so big a thing, 
 though, as the charge on General Davidson at Mechanics- 
 ville last May." The old gentleman grated his teeth in his 
 
NORTH MOUNTAIN STATION. 203 
 
 effort to repress his wrath and burst out, "Beach, you are 
 devilish mean!" 
 
 The 1 2th the companies moved to North Mountain 
 station and made temporary quarters out of fence rails and 
 straw. The track of the railroad had been torn up by the 
 enemy. It was now being relaid. The I4th all the com 
 panies were here. Some artillery and infantry also came, 
 the 1 26th Ohio and First West Virginia, Colonel McRey- 
 nolds commanding. 
 
 The captain and five men captured October 2nd had 
 been exchanged and returned. Scouting parties were going 
 out daily. 
 
 The report came of Burnside s unfortunate attack at 
 Fredericksburg. 
 
 The 1 8th a new camp was laid out. Some companies 
 were detached. At one o clock the morning of the igth an 
 alarm came from Captain Harkins at Martinsburg. An at 
 tack was feared. All available men were turned out. The 
 night was clear and cold. A long ride miles beyond 
 Martinsburg. No enemy found. 
 
 The 2 ist a battalion was ordered out with two days 
 rations. Reinforced at Martinsburg. To Shepherdstown, 
 Kearneysville, Leetown and to the southeast. Roads muddy. 
 A long, cold, hard ride. Ten miles southeast of Martins 
 burg lived a prominent old secessionist. To gain informa 
 tion from him the officers stated that they were Confederates. 
 The old gentleman opened his mind freely, causing much 
 amusement. Returned to Martinsburg for the night. After 
 midnight all were ordered out in haste. Large force of 
 the enemy coming this way!" A young woman in the 
 neighborhood of the old secessionist had heard the officers 
 say they were rebel cavalry on their way to attack the post, 
 and she had come to give warning. The strategy of the 
 officers had only worked their own discomfort. 
 
204 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 January 3rd the greater part of the regiment was or 
 dered out at 4 a.m. It was a frosty morning. To Martins- 
 burg, Bunker Hill, Smithfield, Leetown, and back to Mar- 
 tinsburg, forty-five miles. It was then, at n p.m., directed 
 to proceed immediately to Winchester, twenty miles more. 
 All that clear, cold night the march was continued. Men 
 slept on their horses. The sun was rising over the distant 
 Blue Ridge as the regiment rode into Winchester. 
 
CEDAR CREEK. 
 
 WINCHESTER TWENTY MILES AWAY. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 WINCHESTER. 
 
 TV 7INCHESTER was the most important place in the 
 ^^ Valley of Virginia. This great valley is a continua 
 tion of what, in Pennsylvania and Maryland, is known as the 
 Cumberland Valley. It is twenty to twenty-five miles wide 
 and is a country of beauty and fertility. There are out- 
 croppings of limestone and copious springs on almost every 
 farm. Early settlers of eastern Virginia visited the region 
 and carried back the most favorable reports. It was part of 
 the great tract granted by Charles II. to the ancestors of Lord 
 Fairfax. In 1748 George Washington, then sixteen years 
 old, began the survey of parts of this tract. Several years 
 before this time Fairfax, who, after coming from England, 
 had lived at Belvoir, had made his home near Millwood, 
 fifteen miles southeast of Winchester. White Post was so 
 named from a guide board attached to a white post direct 
 ing the way to Greenway Court, a mile from the road. 
 
 Winchester was incorporated by a special act of the 
 General Assembly in 1752. In Indian wars and wars 
 against the French it was a frontier rallying point and a 
 depot of supplies. On high ground just outside the town 
 to the north, and on the west side of Loudon street Wash 
 ington had Fort Loudon built, an earthwork enclosing half 
 an acre. Within the fort a well was sunk to a depth of more 
 than a hundred feet, most of the way through solid lime- 
 
 206 
 
206 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 stone, the water rising nearly to the surface. Four miles 
 to the west barracks were built for the Hessian prisoners 
 taken at Saratoga. 
 
 Lord Fairfax passed his last years in Winchester. He 
 died in 1782 at the age of 92. He was buried under the 
 altar in the Episcopal Church. He was a tory and was 
 greatly chagrined that the stripling who had surveyed his 
 lands should have finally defeated the armies of England. 
 
 Winchester was the last home of General Daniel Mor 
 gan. A modest monument in the cemetery marks his grave. 
 
 Around here had been a favorite abode of the Shawnees, 
 a powerful tribe of Indians. 
 
 Through the valley were excellent stone pikes. One of 
 these extended continuously from central Pennsylvania to 
 the James river. This had been a line of extensive migra 
 tions from Pennsylvania, whose sturdy farmers appreciated 
 the fertile limestone lands of this valley. Abraham Lin 
 coln s ancestors moved from New England to Pennsylvania. 
 Here they intermarried with the Quakers. Later they moved 
 up this valley to Rockingham county. From here Lincoln s 
 grandfather moved to Kentucky. 
 
 Just west of the town was the home of James M. Mason 
 who had been sent as Confederate minister to England. The 
 sympathies of most of the people were with the South. They 
 seemed generally intelligent, of high social character, and 
 well to do. 
 
 The region was early the scene of active operations. 
 April 17, 1 86 1 , hastily levied forces hurried down the valley 
 and the next morning took possession of Harper s Ferry. 
 When they withdrew they broke up the B. & O. R. R. run 
 ning across the northern part, and the branch running to 
 Winchester. A number of locomotives were taken from the 
 track at Martinsburg, drawn by teams along the pike to 
 Strasburg and there replaced on the track, to be used in the 
 
WINCHESTER. 207 
 
 South. The ground had been the scenes of alternate ad 
 vances and retreats. 
 
 A mile south of the town was Mill creek, a strong- 
 stream flowing from large springs. On this were some 
 flour mills. Here the regiment halted. After breakfast 
 horses and men lay down together to rest. It was a pleas 
 ant forenoon, but in the afternoon a sudden storm drove the 
 men to shelter in the mills and barns. Pickets were posted 
 and scouts sent out. 
 
 The 6th all serviceable horses and men were ordered to 
 start out very early the next morning. Those who were to 
 remain sought less scattered quarters. There were indica 
 tions of cold weather and snow. One man thought himself 
 fortunate in getting into a corn crib, with sides of horizontal 
 strips an inch or more apart. He slept soundly till mid 
 night when he awoke to find himself covered up in a snow 
 drift. He pulled his blanket up over his face, thought of 
 home and feather beds and went to sleep again. 
 
 The 7th was intensely cold. Long before day Von 
 Schickfuss was on the road. The same day those who had 
 been left at North Mountain came. Colonel McReynolds 
 commanding the brigade had his headquarters at Martins- 
 burg. 
 
 The lieutenant colonel took the Back road along the 
 eastern base of North Mountain. He passed beyond Wood 
 stock, thirty-two miles, and came into the place by night from 
 the south. He captured part of the force that was stationed 
 here. In the darkness probably many eluded capture, but 
 their horses were found. Considerable mail was taken, and 
 information of the forces farther south was obtained. On 
 the return the videttes that had been posted along the road 
 were brought along. The lieutenant colonel had managed 
 his raid well. Before daylight of the 8th he returned after 
 a ride of more than seventy-five miles, bringing a dozen 
 
208 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 prisoners and thirty horses. Among the horses was one 
 that Valentine had lost on the Romney road, October 2. 
 There were some fine horses in the regiment. One of the 
 best was the magnificent, high stepping black of Lieutenant 
 Hinton, who with his extra riding as adjutant, had probably 
 ridden nearly ninety miles, but the animal seemed as fresh 
 and free as at the start. 
 
 The 8th Lieutenant Knowles went out with twenty men 
 and at Newtown, eight miles, found a large quantity of gray 
 cloth intended for the southern army. 
 
 The 9th all the companies made a camp on the high open 
 ground north of the town and west of the pike. The site of 
 Fort Loudon was within the limits of the camp. 
 
 A tedious storm of snow and rain came on and horses 
 and men suffered severely. From railroad and other old 
 buildings material was obtained, and before long there were 
 comfortable quarters for both. 
 
 General Milroy was commanding the division. A large 
 part of his force was from West Virginia. This state had 
 seceded from the Old Dominion, and had been admitted as 
 one of the states of the Union. In honor of this event there 
 was a military review on the loth. 
 
 The nth some wagons were sent out among the hills 
 to the west for hay. It was reported that a suspicious look 
 ing man had been seen up a mountain road. A sergeant 
 and one man went to see. They caught sight of a man in 
 gray who, seeing them, started to run. They hailed him 
 and gave chase. He was tall and quick on the run, and was 
 making for a piece of woods. His pursuers, making a cir 
 cuit, headed him off. He made for a house. He had time 
 to reach the yard where, with drawn revolver, he stood face 
 to face with the sergeant who had outridden his comrade. 
 He had a determined look indicating that he would not be 
 taken. The sergeant was equally determined to take him. 
 
WINCHESTER. 209 
 
 An injudicious move on the part of either would have led 
 to a duel at one pace, and the chances were with the one 
 who should get the first shot. Each watched the eye of the 
 other. A few questions and answers, and all was satis 
 factory. The man was Hyatt Brown, from Westchester, 
 and was serving as a scout. He had suffered at the hands 
 of the Confederates, and supposing that his pursuers were 
 his enemies he was determined not to fall into their hands 
 alive. He was a clear-headed, sharp man, and an efficient 
 scout. 
 
 The 1 7th there was an alarm. A large detail rode 
 hard from noon till midnight. At McCoy s on the Front 
 Royal road was found where the enemy had stopped the 
 night before. After the raid to Woodstock General Jones 
 had come down to investigate. He had come down east of 
 the Blue Ridge, crossed the Ridge and the Shenandoah, come 
 within a few miles of Winchester, then moved to the south 
 west and crossed the Front Royal road. While our detail 
 was looking at his tracks here, he had moved over to New- 
 town on the main pike south. From here he sent a party 
 down the Back road inside our outmost pickets on the road 
 west and captured them. The report of this soon came, and 
 Company K was sent in pursuit. The captured men de 
 layed, in every way they could, the progress of their captors, 
 hoping that a rescuing party would follow. Company K 
 soon overtook them and pressed them so hard that the cap 
 tors were glad to leave their prisoners behind in order to 
 save themselves. 
 
 Early the iQth there was another sharp call to "saddle 
 up." The force ordered out rode from early in the morn 
 ing till eleven at night, to Strasburg and across to the Front 
 Royal road and home, but no enemy was found. 
 
 The 25th a large body went to White Post. The 26th 
 another went to look along the other side of North Moun- 
 
210 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 tain. They found some cattle, sheep and horses collected in 
 a retired valley in the charge of some suspicious looking 
 men. On the reasonable supposition that these were in 
 tended for the enemy they were all brought in. 
 
 Their experience was teaching the men the value of a 
 good horse. They had built comfortable stables and gen 
 erally took good care of their horses. A captain, himself a 
 good horseman, was disposed in some ways to be too exact 
 ing. At least so the men thought. He gave orders one 
 day that they should thoroughly wash their horses tails. 
 It was cold weather, and they thought the order unreason 
 able. They either evaded the order or obeyed it unwillingly. 
 
 The captain had impressed into his possession a fine, 
 brown, pony-like horse, Nip, on which he was wont to dis 
 play his dashing horsemanship, flourishing meanwhile a 
 light, braided leather whip. The morning after the un 
 popular order Nip s tail was found to be badly haggled. The 
 captain was furious. It was in vain that the stable guard 
 suggested that Nip must have backed around so that some 
 neighboring horse, given to cribbing, had eaten off the tail. 
 The captain mustered his men, and with fists clenched and 
 fierceness bristling all over his face, declared he would "bring 
 them down to the bull ring!" It was never publicly known 
 how Nip s tail became so haggled, nor did the "bull ring," 
 whatever the captain s idea at the time might have been, 
 ever materialize. 
 
 News came that Fitz John Porter had been dismissed 
 from the army, and that Burnside had been relieved, and 
 Hooker placed in command. The men were looking for 
 indications of the coming leader. They were watching their 
 own immediate officers, too. In the present conditions there 
 were opportunities for officers and men to prove their fight 
 ing qualities. The prospect of a lively fight and chase added 
 
WINCHESTER. 211 
 
 interest to the service. The men were becoming indifferent 
 to danger. 
 
 February 4, the Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry came 
 from their camp of instruction at Baltimore. 
 
 The 6th the report came that the stage from Martins- 
 burg bringing the mail and several officers as passengers, 
 had been captured. Companies A and K under Captain 
 Jones, with Lieutenants Watkins and Laverty, went in 
 pursuit. 
 
 Captain Jones had served in the cavalry of the regular 
 army. He was a quiet man, but capable, and never failed 
 to take advantage of an opportunity. Watkins had led the 
 advance at Capon bridge. Laverty was a tall, spare, boyish 
 looking fellow who had been promoted from corporal of D 
 to second lieutenant of K, and was familiarly spoken of as 
 "ninth corporal of that company. 
 
 The pursuing party was well officered and the men 
 were of the best. The ground was frozen and covered with 
 snow, so that they were soon on the track of the coach. 
 They rode into the night and they rode hard. Near Mill 
 wood they overtook the coach which was making the best 
 time possible. Some of the officers captured had been made 
 to ride the horses before the coach. The pursuing party 
 in firing had to be careful for fear they should shoot these 
 officers. Jones ordered his men to use their sabres. The 
 fight was a running one, all on a keen gallop, sabres against 
 carbines and pistols, but it was soon over. The captured 
 officers were retaken with the stage and teams. The guer 
 rillas suffered the loss of several, killed or badly wounded, 
 but in the darkness it was impossible to tell what their exact 
 loss was. Lieutenant Laverty was severely wounded in the 
 ankle. This wound proved so troublesome that it rendered 
 him incapable of efficient service, and two months later he 
 resigned. He had shown himself a brave and capable officer. 
 
212 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The 9th Captain Hertzog went out and encountered the 
 enemy. He attacked promptly, capturing a lieutenant and 
 a few men and horses. Foraging and scouting parties were 
 out constantly. 
 
 The 25th a force of the enemy came down the Back 
 road and crossed to the pike near Kernstown. Our pickets 
 were beyond this junction of the cross road with the pike. 
 The Confederates came upon the pickets from the rear and 
 surprised them, wounding two and capturing eight. It 
 was near night when this occurred. As soon as the report 
 reached camp, Captain Passegger with G and L went in 
 pursuit. He overtook the Confederates beyond Fisher s 
 Hill. They were in some woods eating breakfast. With a 
 startling yell he burst in upon them, scattering them through 
 the woods. He rescued the prisoners and helped himself 
 to what was left of their breakfast. He then took the road 
 to the north and routed a picket post, then returned by the 
 Back road, reaching camp the next morning. 
 
 After Passegger had gone, two battalions of the Thir 
 teenth Pennsylvania were sent to aid him if necessary, one 
 some time in advance of the other. When the foremost of 
 these reached Fisher s Hill, Passegger was on his return. 
 But the battalion went on toward Woodstock, picking up a 
 few prisoners. With these they had come back to Strasburg 
 where they met the other battalion, and both halted. A large 
 force of the Confederates had followed. Now they drove 
 the rear guard in confusion upon the main body. This 
 threw them all into confusion. The enemy made a bold 
 attack and most of the Thirteenth fell back rapidly toward 
 Winchester. A few of the officers did their best to rally 
 their men, but the most of the men had become panic 
 stricken. They lost twelve killed and nearly a hundred 
 wounded and captured. 
 
 This was soon reported at Winchester and the greater 
 
WINCHESTER. 213 
 
 part of the First New York was sent out. They were told 
 that Passegger and his men had all been captured. The 
 enemy, fearing that a large force would be sent against them, 
 had hastily withdrawn to Woodstock. 
 
 While these events were taking place on the Valley pike, 
 Company B had made a long scout among the mountains to 
 Capon springs, capturing a noted spy. They learned that 
 Monroe Edwards, a bold horse thief who had been trouble 
 some while they were at Springfield, had been hanged at 
 Romney. The 28th the Thirteenth Pennsylvania and a bat 
 talion of the First New York went beyond Strasburg, but 
 found no enemy. 
 
 March 2, B and F went up the pike to Middletown, 
 then across to the Front Royal road, and nearly to that place. 
 They w^ere getting the lay of the land. From a high hill 
 they looked down on the "meeting of the waters," the unit 
 ing of the Forks of the Shenandoah. Beyond was Front 
 Royal, and off to the left Manassas Gap. Mountain ranges 
 extended away to the south. To the north was a new view 
 of the wide expanse of the great Valley. Riding back along 
 the river they were exposed to the fire of some sharp shooters 
 among the rocks of the Blue Ridge on the opposite side of 
 the river, but no harm was done. 
 
 At ii the night of the 4th the regiment started out. 
 It was clear with a full moon and very cold. Took the 
 road on the other side of North Mountain. At sunrise 
 crossed the mountain west of Strasburg, expecting to get 
 in the rear of a body of Confederates and drive them this 
 way, where the Thirteenth Pennsylvania with some artillery 
 and infantry would be waiting for them. Found only some 
 pickets. The enemy had received warning and disappeared. 
 
 The loth Colonel McReyonlds came from Martinsburg 
 with the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry and some artillery 
 and infantry. The I3th General Elliott assumed command 
 
214 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of the cavalry, and issued some strict orders. He came from 
 the west where he had done good service. The i6th more 
 reinforcements came. The 24th the regiment set out for 
 Wardensville, returning the next day. Imboden was sup 
 posed to be there, but he was not to be found. 
 
 The 27th at morning roll call orders were read to move 
 to Berryville, eleven miles east of Winchester. The com 
 fortable huts and stables that the men had taken so much 
 pains to build were to be turned over to the Twelfth Penn 
 sylvania cavalry. 
 
 We had found Winchester an interesting place. Offi 
 cers and men had made some pleasant acquaintances among 
 the people, who were generally high toned and honorable, 
 notwithstanding their sympathies were with the South. 
 
 Many of the men often attended the Presbyterian 
 Church. The pastor was the Rev. Mr. Graham, a northern 
 man, thoroughly loyal and so highly respected that he was 
 never disturbed on account of his opinions. 
 
 Here was a colored church that some of the men occa 
 sionally attended. The colored pastor was a man of much 
 ability, and much respected. 
 
 It was with regret that the regiment packed up and took 
 up the line of march for a new location. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 BERRYVILLE. 
 
 BLRRYVILLE was in Clarke county, named after Gen 
 eral George Rogers Clarke who took possession of 
 the northwest territory in the Revolutionary war. It is one 
 of the best counties in the state. The town was laid out in 
 1798 on land belonging in part to William Berry. One of 
 the first trustees was General Daniel Morgan, whose home 
 for a time was half a mile north of the town. He named 
 it "Soldier s Rest." Later he made his residence near 
 White Post. This was built for him by Hessian prisoners 
 who after the war preferred to remain in this country. 
 
 General Morgan was not always a man of peace after 
 the war was fought through. He had so many fights with 
 his neighbors that the place was given the name Battle- 
 town. 
 
 Half a mile from Soldier s Rest, by a large spring flow 
 ing out of the rock, used to stand a log hut, twelve feet 
 square, in which Washington stayed while surveying the 
 land of Lord Fairfax, whose home was Greenway Court 
 a few miles to the south. Here, it was said, he kept more 
 than a hundred slaves to work his lands. He was fond of 
 hunting parties, that would range the country for many 
 miles. Game at that time was abundant. Washington 
 often was one of those hunting parties, and it was said that 
 in Powell s Fort valley he had his first boyish love affair. 
 It was said that the girl was killed in an Indian raid. 
 
 215 
 
216 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The force at Berryville was made up of the First New 
 York cavalry, Alexander s Baltimore battery, the Sixty- 
 seventh Pennsylvania, Twelfth West Virginia, and the 
 Sixth Maryland volunteer infantry. All these made up the 
 Third brigade of the Second division of the Eighth corps. 
 General Schenck at Baltimore commanded the corps; Gen 
 eral Milroy at Winchester, the division; Colonel McRey- 
 nolds the brigade; and Lieutenant Colonel Schickfuss the 
 regiment. Hinton was adjutant of the regiment and Ste 
 venson A. A. A. G. of the brigade. 
 
 We were to be on the lookout for raids through the 
 gaps of the Blue Ridge. East of the Ridge was the cam 
 paigning ground of Major John S. Mosby. His partisan 
 rangers stayed at their homes when it suited their con 
 venience, but would gather at their leader s call whenever 
 there seemed to be an opportunity to carry out some daring 
 enterprise. 
 
 Supplies had to be brought from Harper s Ferry about 
 twenty-five miles by wagons. For hay and straw the men 
 foraged around among the fine farms of the county. 
 
 The night of the 3Oth there was an alarm and a call 
 to "saddle up." There was a prompt response, but nothing 
 serious. Scouting parties scoured the country. So anxi 
 ous were the men to go on these expeditions that they would 
 go to the orderly sergeant days in advance and ask to be 
 placed on the next detail. 
 
 April 4, many of the officers and men went to Win 
 chester to witness a general review of the troops there. 
 
 The night of the 8th the pickets on the Millwood road 
 were attacked. Two men were captured, but released on 
 parole. The night of the I2th Lieutenant Woodruff with 
 Company F encountered the enemy on the road toward 
 Snicker s ferry. He drove them, but lost Charles Young 
 killed and Clark D. Reynolds captured. The I4th a part 
 
BERRYVILLE. 217 
 
 of H under Lieutenant Martindale went to the river at 
 Berry s ferry. Some of the men crossed the river and rode 
 on a short distance. They met more than their own num 
 ber and retired. The enemy followed to the river when 
 those who had remained on this side fired upon them, kill 
 ing one. The rest withdrew. 
 
 The 1 4th all the regiment in camp was ordered out for 
 drill by the lieutenant colonel. It was one of the finest 
 drills the regiment ever had. The evolutions by battalion, 
 squadron and company, under this skilled officer, were per 
 fect. Returning to camp the men were dismayed to learn 
 that an order had been received dismissing the lieutenant 
 colonel from the service. It was understood that this was 
 because of charges of some irregularity connected with the 
 expense incurred in organizing the regiment in New York 
 in the summer of 1861. It was generally believed by the 
 men throughout the regiment that he was not guilty of any 
 intentional irregularity. He was regarded as a thoroughly 
 honest man. He had been asked with others to sign a 
 statement that was presented to him by persons who knew 
 more about the matter than he did. In reply to some care 
 ful questions he was assured that it was "all right" and that 
 his signing was only a necessary formality. There were 
 ambitious officers who were slightly jealous of him, and he 
 had some enemies not immediately connected with the 
 regiment. 
 
 He appealed to the war department and to the Presi 
 dent. The matter was investigated. His evident frankness 
 was in his favor, and he was assured that he was regarded 
 as innocent of any intentional wrong doing. But this in 
 vestigation had taken time. 
 
 In the meantime, as soon as the order of dismissal had 
 been made public, the senior major, who had never yet done 
 anything to the credit of the service, except to lead a harm- 
 
218 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 less charge, instead of generously allowing time for his 
 superior to have a chance to be reinstated, telegraphed to 
 political friends at Washington to have him ordered there 
 at once. This was done. What influence he had both here 
 and at Albany he used for all he could get out of it. And 
 when the lieutenant colonel was exonerated and would have 
 been restored, the position was filled. 
 
 It was sometimes customary for the officers of the line 
 to express a preference for an appointment of a field officer, 
 and a movement of this kind was made. But the governor 
 of the state had a chance to give a reward for a former 
 political favor, and the appointment was made regardless 
 of the interests of the service. 
 
 There had been several promotions in the line that were 
 recognized as having been deserved. The appointment as 
 major of one who had never belonged to the regiment at all 
 created some dissatisfaction. This was Timothy Quinn, of 
 Troy, N. Y., vice Ogle discharged. But he soon proved 
 himself so competent that he possessed the confidence of the 
 entire regiment. 
 
 The colonel had appointed his son, who had "entered 
 the service" as clerk to the sutler Franklin, as second lieu 
 tenant, and then to first lieutenant and regimental commis 
 sary. This appointment was the subject of criticism, but 
 "Frank" was a good fellow and did his work well and it 
 was not an easy position. He afterward served as commis 
 sary on the staff of the brigade and the division, and made 
 hosts of friends. 
 
 On the afternoon of April 21, a scouting party went 
 out with Captain Bailey in command. There were forty 
 men detailed from several companies. Lieutenant Wyckoff 
 was in the lead. The route was toward Millwood ferry; 
 then around toward the right; then the party followed the 
 narrow roads until it became dark and they were near to 
 
BERRYVILLE. 219 
 
 the river again. Here was a brief halt and the men were 
 told to eat anything they had. As they had not expected 
 to be out long and had not brought anything with them, 
 this part of the service was omitted. 
 
 After a short rest they moved on up the river road, 
 being told to make as little noise as possible. A short ride 
 and another halt. WyckofT came to the front and asked for 
 a volunteer to cross the river with him in a small row boat. 
 Corporal Anthony Fiala of Company E responded. The 
 night was very dark. The two went down to the boat. The 
 lieutenant told Fiala to go into the front of the boat and 
 lie down with his carbine ready to fire at a moment s no 
 tice, he himself taking the oars. Nearing the opposite side, 
 Fiala was told to catch hold of a limb of a tree that hung 
 over the water. 
 
 WyckofT asked in a low voice : "Are you there, Sam ?" 
 And Sam answered: "Yes, massa, I se here. Everything 
 is all right, and I want to see you." A few minutes low 
 talk and the boat recrossed the river. The men mounted 
 their horses, and dividing into two parties, forded the river 
 and crossed the Blue Ridge. Precaution had been taken to 
 avoid any surprise in case the colored man proved unreli 
 able, or his scheme was discovered by the enemy. Artillery 
 and infantry were to protect the crossing. The two parties, 
 making a detour, surrounded the house to which they had 
 been directed by the colored man. They Strapped at the door. 
 There was some commotion within. The inmates were di 
 rected to open the door, and warned that the house 
 would be burned if any shots were fired. The notorious 
 Captain Leopold and seven of his partisan rangers who were 
 staying there for the night, were taken captives. 
 
 The morning of the 25th orders were received by 
 signals from Winchester for a large detail to be ready with 
 four days rations. The detail was soon ready. Specific 
 
220 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 instructions were soon received by mounted orderlies. 
 While waiting in line there arose a question as to who was 
 to command. The lieutenant colonel, in whom all had en 
 tire confidence, was gone. Adams was the ranking major, 
 but the men had little confidence in him. Quinn was new 
 in his office, and the men did not yet know him well. Hark- 
 ins was the senior captain, and recommended for major, 
 but others had been promoted over him. It was suspected 
 through the line that there was an unseemly dispute among 
 the officers. Finally the column was on the road toward 
 Winchester. Harkins claimed that he had received orders 
 to take command, with the majors going along as volunteers. 
 But Adams, who was in favor with General Milroy, sent 
 word to him asking that he would order Harkins to report 
 to him under arrest. Harkins soon received the order and 
 went to the general s headquarters to report. 
 
 General Milroy was a tall, somewhat spare man, with 
 a high, sloping forehead, sharp features, bristling sandy 
 hair and beard just tinged with gray. He had energy 
 enough, but it was of the extremely nervous, excitable kind. 
 He was generally out of patience with something or other, 
 and when in such a mood it seemed difficult for him to treat 
 one civilly. In a towering rage he abused Harkins for 
 presuming to report to him under arrest, having his arms 
 on! The captain mildly replied, "Excuse me, general. 
 Being under arrest is a new experience to me," at the same 
 time unclasping his belt and laying aside his arms. He 
 was ordered back to camp to remain under arrest, with the 
 pleasant assurance that he would be court-martialed. In 
 the stirring times that followed the court-martial was not 
 called. 
 
 Stayed that night in the old camp at Winchester now 
 occupied by the Twelfth Pennsylvania, that regiment being 
 absent on a scout. At daybreak the march was resumed. 
 
BERRYVILLE. 221 
 
 Sunday dinner was eaten at Pembroke Springs. Reached 
 Wardensville at night, twenty-seven miles. Here was Gen 
 eral Elliott with his brigade. It \vas an expedition in force 
 against a large number of Confederates, but they had fallen 
 back. 
 
 Forded Lost river and pushed on to Moorefield, thirty- 
 one miles. The enemy had left a little while before. At 
 ten p.m. the homeward march was begun and was con 
 tinued all night. At Strasburg the next day. Some Penn 
 sylvania cavalry had had a fight, losing twenty men. But 
 the enemy were beyond successful pursuit. Reached 
 Berryville late at night of the 29th, after a march of one 
 hundred and sixty miles a tedious march over rough moun 
 tain roads. The retiring enemy had given no opportunity 
 to win a victory. 
 
 Up to the early part of April there had been snow 
 storms. But now it was spring. Fruit trees were in 
 bloom, and all the country was a pleasant land. Hooker 
 was moving, and there were signs of activity in all depart 
 ments. 
 
 May 3 was a quiet Sunday. Many officers and men 
 when in camp and off duty were in the habit of attending 
 church. There were four churches and some excellent 
 preachers in Berryville. They were not Union men, but 
 they were faithful in their ministry, and did many acts of 
 kindness to the soldiers or any one in need. 
 
 A quite regular feature at morning church service was 
 the attendance of one of the captains. He always came 
 after the service was well begun. With his tall form ar 
 rayed in his well brushed uniform; his leg-long boots as 
 shining as his boy Jack s face; his mustache waxed into 
 two long horizontal points; his crimson sash around his 
 slender waist; his Mexican spurs rattling at his heels, he 
 strode up the aisle to a front pew and took his seat with an 
 
222 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ill-concealed consciousness that, equally with the minister, 
 he was an object of respectful observation. 
 
 The morning of May 4 a part of the regiment went 
 out with five days rations to Romney and Moorefield. The 
 5th a strong force went out from Winchester. 
 
 The night of the same day a party went out with Lieu 
 tenants Boyd and Wyckoff. With them went several com 
 panies of the 6/th Pennsylvania infantry. Boats had been 
 captured and brought to Snickers ferry. In these the in 
 fantry crossed the river. Mosby s men were numerous be 
 yond the Blue Ridge in London county, and a plan was laid 
 to capture some of them. The next day the cavalry went 
 toward Upperville before they succeeded in finding the men 
 they wanted. The infantry were to remain concealed along 
 the roadside, and the cavalry were to provoke Mosby s men 
 into a pursuit, when they would be taken care of by the in 
 fantry. Mosby s men were not prompt in pursuing. In 
 some long range skirmishing Charles Glossop of C was 
 wounded. Lieutenant Hawkins of the 6th Maryland, who 
 had gone along as a volunteer, was also wounded. 
 Finally the enemy mustered force and courage, and 
 came on in a headlong charge, our cavalry falling back. 
 Corporal Snyder of C had his horse wounded, so that he 
 could not keep up with his comrades. As the enemy came 
 upon him he slid off his horse, and lay still by the roadside 
 until they had passed, when he sprang over the fence and 
 escaped, slightly wounded. 
 
 The plan was working well. One had come back to 
 notify the infantry that the Confederates were coming on 
 after our fleeing cavalrymen. The infantry were nervous 
 with excitement and instead of waiting till our cavalrymen 
 had passed, they fired a full volley at them while passing. 
 The fire intended for the enemy was directed against our 
 own men. It was a fearful blunder. Robert C. Vorhies 
 
BERRYVILLE. 223 
 
 of H was killed; James I. Gleeson of B, Lieutenants Boyd 
 and Wyckoff were wounded. That more were not killed 
 was due to the wild, excited firing of the infantry. The 
 pursuers wheeled and retired, escaping the fate intended for 
 them. 
 
 Gleeson died the next morning. Glossop died a few 
 weeks later. They were good men, cheerful and ready for 
 any duty. Gleeson \vas a general favorite. He was buried 
 two days later, with impressive services. His good mare 
 Bess followed her dead master to his grave, seeming to 
 mourn as sincerely as his comrades. 
 
 The high hopes that had been entertained of Hooker s 
 movements had been dispelled, and the men were wonder 
 ing What next ?" 
 
 There was a representative of the regiment at Chan- 
 cellorsville. Lieutenant Clifford Thomson had been de 
 tached as an aide-de-camp on the staff of General Pleasan- 
 ton, and was engaged in the fight at Hazel Grove the even 
 ing of May 2nd. After the Eleventh corps had been driven 
 back Pleasanton had twenty-two guns in position to meet 
 Jackson s attack. 
 
 It was dusk when his men swarmed out of the woods for a 
 quarter of a mile in our front (our rear ten minutes before). They 
 came on in line five and six deep, with but one flag a Union flag 
 dropped by the Eleventh corps. I suspected deception and was ready 
 for it. They called out not to shoot, they were friends. 
 
 Pleasanton rode from gun to gun directing the gunners to aim 
 low, not to get excited, to make every shot tell. Recovering from 
 the disorder into which Keenan s charge had thrown them, the enemy 
 could be seen forming line of battle in the edge of woods now in our 
 front. They were scarcely two hundred yards distant ; yet such was 
 the gloom that they could not be clearly distinguished. General Plea 
 santon was about to give the order to fire, when a sergeant at one of 
 the guns said : "General, aren t those our troops ? I see our colors 
 in the line." This was true, for where he pointed our colors could 
 be seen trophies picked up on the field. Pleasanton turned to Lieuten 
 ant Thomson and said : "Mr. Thomson, ride out there and see who 
 
224 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 those people are." Thomson rode out between the guns and galloped 
 to within thirty or forty yards of them. All along the line they called 
 out to him: "Come on, we are friends." It was quite dark and he 
 could not make out their uniforms, but he could see three Union flags. 
 These caused him to .hesitate. He came to a halt, peering into the 
 darkness to make sure, when a bullet whistled by him, and then came 
 the rebel yell. The line charged up the hill toward the guns and 
 Thomson led it. Lying down upon his horse s neck he gave him the 
 spur, and the yells of the Johnnies behind further stimulated him so 
 that horse and man got over the ground in a lively manner. But 
 with the report of the first shot fired at Thomson, Pleasanton had 
 opened fire and those twenty-two guns belched forth destruction at 
 a fearfully rapid rate. Thomson kept his eye on the guns, guiding his 
 horse between the flashes, and was soon on the safe side of them. It 
 was load and fire at will for some minutes ; the enemy was mowed 
 down in heaps. After it was all over Thomson rode up to Pleasanton 
 and said, "General, those people out there are rebels." Pleasanton 
 replied, as he held out his hand, "Thomson, I never expected to see 
 you again. I thought if they didn t kill you I should, but that was 
 no time to stop for one man." Battles and Leaders. 
 
 Thomson finally became a major on Pleasanton s staff. 
 
 The 1 2th Captain Boyd with a hundred men went to 
 Leesburg, picking up a few prisoners. The next day he 
 saw a number at safe distances. Near Upperville fifty or 
 more seemed ready to dispute his way. He planned to 
 capture them by sending half his men around to their rear. 
 But the plan did not work. He charged upon them and 
 they fled. He pursued them several miles. They were 
 Mosby s men. One of them, supposed to be Mosby him 
 self, would stay behind to get a few shots at his pursuers, 
 then unconcernedly ride on to overtake the rest. Several 
 times he did this. One of his shots killed the horse of Mc- 
 Kinley of B. Another wounded Patrick Donnelly of C, 
 who had to be left at the house of a Mr. Fletcher. Here 
 he was well cared for. The family at times sent into camp 
 for medicines for him. Mosby himself called several times 
 to see him and treated him with the greatest kindness. After 
 the war Donnelly made his home in this neighborhood. 
 
BERRYVILLE. 225 
 
 Mosby was a dangerous man in the field. More than 
 twenty years after the war the writer met him as an invited 
 guest at a banquet of the Wisconsin Commandery of the 
 Loyal Legion, and found him a quiet, mild-mannered 
 gentleman. 
 
 The night of the I5th a large party of the enemy 
 crossed the mountain and the river, and leaving their horses 
 at some distance, flanked the pickets and came into Charles- 
 town. They surprised and captured Captain Dyck s com 
 pany of Maryland cavalry stationed there, and hurried their 
 captives away. The report of this soon reached Berryville. 
 Major Adams was at once sent out with a strong force to 
 intercept the enemy. This force was to cross the river at 
 Berry s ferry and pass through Ashby s Gap. Lieutenant 
 Vermilya was in charge of the advance. Near the ferry 
 the advance was attacked in the rear. A patrol had been 
 sent every day from Berryville down to the fords. Some of 
 Mosby s men had learned of this, and had crossed the river 
 and concealed themselves in the woods. Supposing Ver- 
 milya s advance to be this patrol they fell in behind it. They 
 were superior to Vermilya s men in numbers, but he faced 
 about and fought them. 
 
 The noise of the fighting reached the main body, who 
 began to press forward to take a hand in the fight. They 
 were held back by at least one of the captains who did not 
 seem in a hurry to get any nearer the fighting than he then 
 ,was. The individuality of the men in the ranks asserted 
 itself. Williamson of F pulled out of the column and pushed 
 ahead, followed by a large part of the company. All of 
 them were at the front in short order. 
 
 Goubleman of the advance did some heroic fighting. 
 The rebels fought desperately, but finding themselves be 
 tween two fires, many started to get away. Goubleman and 
 others with him were after them. Williamson and his men 
 
226 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 hurried along the road up stream, passing Goubleman and 
 taking a few more of the fugitives. 
 
 Coming back they saw a horse standing on the other 
 side of the river. A Confederate officer, supposed to be 
 Captain Meade of Early s staff, had been killed with the 
 sabre by Ed Goubleman while crossing the river. This 
 might be his horse. The men halted opposite the horse. 
 Verrinder of H took off his clothes, swam the river, and 
 brought the horse back. 
 
 There were twenty-three rebels killed or captured. 
 Among the prisoners was one who was fearfully slashed 
 across the face w r ith a sabre. After a hand-to-hand fight 
 with Corporal Tone of Company D, he had thrown up his 
 hands in token of surrender. A few minutes later, seeing 
 Tone off his guard, he drew his revolver and shot Tone 
 in the side, but inflicting only a surface wound. Tone went 
 at him again, making a ghastly wound. "I surrender !" he 
 cried again. Tone who had become warmed up with in 
 dignation replied with some emphasis, " ! I don t 
 want you to surrender!" 
 
 A few of our men and several horses were wounded. 
 Major Quinn in all this affair proved himself a capable and 
 fearless officer. 
 
 The prisoners were sent back to Berryville, while the 
 column went on across the mountain. At Paris they met a 
 detachment that had been sent out from Winchester on the 
 same errand as that on which they had gone. This detach 
 ment was made up of men from the Third West Virginia 
 and the Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry. They had en 
 countered the body that had made the raid into Charles- 
 town; had retaken more than fifty of those who had been 
 captured, and some of the raiders. Adams party returned 
 with a few more prisoners picked up near Upperville. 
 
 The 2Oth several detachments were ordered out in 
 
BERRYVILLE. 227 
 
 different directions. Notwithstanding the danger, volun 
 teers freely offered themselves, and men who were not de 
 tailed begged that they might be allowed to go along. But 
 none of these detachments fell in with any enemy. 
 
 The 22nd Peers and Burd, Company B, who had been 
 captured with a wagon near Springfield the fall before, re 
 turned to the company, exchanged. 
 
 The 23rd was devoted to horse racing. A fine race 
 course had been laid out, and hurdles arranged for exercises 
 in jumping. The exercises had been widely advertised. 
 Prominent citizens from the country had been invited. Gen 
 eral Elliott and his staff and many other officers from Win 
 chester, Harper s Ferry and Martinsburg were present. 
 
 Some fleet horses were entered and the competition 
 was spirited. There was some good riding. Favorites 
 were tumultuously cheered. The exercises in the field con 
 cluded with an amusing affair, an "Irish race," in which the 
 prize was for slowness. Only the slowest horses in the 
 command were allowed to compete, and no man was per 
 mitted to ride his own horse. It took a long time for these 
 old, lame, and halt chargers to get around the course. The 
 interest grew into intense excitement when all but two had 
 passed the goal. The great multitude filled up the width of 
 the course. Around each horse was a surging mass of men, 
 interested in having the other horse win. Those around 
 each horse pulled, pushed, crowded, almost lifted him from 
 his feet in their zeal that the other might be hindmost. A 
 long time it took to get over the last few rods of the course. 
 The distance was finally reduced to a few feet, and at last 
 amid uproarious cheering, one horse was declared the win 
 ner by a few inches. 
 
 Of course there was a banquet in the evening, that was 
 continued far into the night, at which there were speeches 
 
228 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 and songs, and toasts were drunk. It was said that some of 
 the officers had some difficulty in finding their way home. 
 
 The 5th of June Davis and James of C were fired upon 
 from men in ambush, scarcely two miles out of town. 
 Davis was killed, and James taken prisoner. After several 
 days he escaped, and after a weary time found his way back. 
 
 The 6th a train of six wagons of an infantry regiment 
 coming from Winchester was attacked near the crossing of 
 the Opequon, by seventy-five men. The wagons were left 
 in the road, but the teams and guard of fifteen men were 
 taken. Major Quinn went after the capturing party, but 
 they had too much of a start and were beyond reach. 
 
 The loth Boyd and Bailey with a hundred or more men 
 went across the river and the mountain. They thought 
 they had reliable information that might lead to the capture 
 of some of Mosby s men perhaps Mosby himself. It was 
 after midnight when they conducted their operations. They 
 would surround a house and then demand admission. They 
 succeeded in getting a few suspected persons. Mosby was 
 supposed to be at the house of a Mr. Hathaway. This 
 house was surrounded, and after some delay and consider 
 able talk with an inmate at an upper window, entrance was 
 allowed. No objections were made to a search. Mrs. 
 Mosby was there, and there were indications that Mosby 
 himself had been there. But he was not to be found. There 
 were horses in the barns, both here and at other places, with 
 accoutrements that indicated military service. These were 
 appropriated as lawful spoils. Mosby s own sorrel mare 
 was taken by Sergeant Forkey. She was one of the best 
 bred and fleetest animals in the regiment. Forkey named 
 her "Lady Mosby." He was an aggressive, pushing fellow, 
 and he needed a fast horse as much as anyone. More than 
 twenty of these horses with their equipments were brought 
 in. 
 
BERRYVILLE. 229 
 
 It was afterward reported that Mosby was in the house 
 when it was surrounded, and in the darkness escaped from 
 a window, and was concealed among the branches of a large 
 tree standing close to the house. 
 
 A hundred men under these same officers rode all the 
 way through the regions over which Mosby and his men 
 roamed, all the way to Fairfax Court House. Mosby had 
 the spring before taken possession of this place by night and 
 taken General Stoughton from his quarters and carried him 
 off a prisoner. Boyd s sudden appearing before the place 
 recalled the visit of the Confederate chief and caused some 
 excitement. 
 
 On one of these rides the men were resting at noon at 
 four corners. A squad of Confederates had been roaming 
 around. Supposing these men lounging at ease along the 
 roadsides were their friends, they carelessly rode in among 
 them. Our men gathered around their visitors, and pre 
 sumed as if on their long acquaintance to treat them with 
 freedom and familiarity. They pulled them off their horses ; 
 they took hold of their feet and tipped them out of their 
 saddles and over the other side; helped themselves to their 
 arms; examined them jocosely, pulling their beards and 
 punching them in the ribs. One of them who had not come 
 so far into the circle, undertook to get away. But the enter 
 tainers were not disposed to excuse him in that way, and he 
 was brought back, and treated to the best they had to offer. 
 
 The colonel had occasion to send a courier to Win 
 chester. It was not safe to ride about the country singly. 
 Several were selected to go with the courier. The colonel 
 called them into his quarters to give them instructions. He 
 was not an intemperate man, but he offered these men a 
 little stimulant to keep their courage up. They went on 
 their errand in good spirits. One of them had provided 
 himself with a little extra in case the courage of the others 
 
230 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 should fail by the way. Getting near the pickets of Penn 
 sylvania cavalry it occurred to them to see whether these 
 pickets had grown in courage since Feb. 26. The courier 
 escort moved on with a bold front, all abreast. The pickets 
 fell back upon the infantry reserve, and all together fled, 
 raising the alarm that Mosby with all his command was 
 upon the town. The alarm was sounded and the "long roll" 
 beat. The courier and his escort were called to account. 
 They insisted that they were ready to give a peaceable re 
 sponse to a challenge, but they were not challenged, and 
 they had tried their best to overtake the pickets in order to 
 be challenged. They were requested not to do so any more, 
 and were allowed to go. 
 
 There were signs of increasing activity on the part of 
 the Confederacy. There was a necessity for correspond 
 ing activity on this side. Scouting parties were out con 
 tinually. Word was received from Milroy to be on the 
 lookout. He had been warned from Washington that Lee s 
 army might be moving this way. At the signal of two 
 guns fired at Winchester, McReynolds was to fall back there. 
 The afternoon of the I2th Captain Hendricks encountered 
 a number of the enemy out on the Front Royal road, and in 
 a skirmish with them lost two men. There was a getting 
 ready for anything that might happen. 
 
THOMAS CARMAN. 
 
 CHARLES N. WARREN. 
 
 THE STAR FORT WINCHESTER. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN; FIGHTING WITH 
 THE ADVANCE OF LEE S ARMY. 
 
 morning of Saturday, the I3th of June, was bright 
 A and warm. Scouting parties had been out all night. 
 Others were sent out at daybreak. One of these, far out on 
 the Front Royal road, met the cavalry advance of Ewell s 
 corps coming rapidly on. Henry C. H. Wilson of B, an 
 intelligent and trusty man, was sent back in haste to give 
 warning, while the others by skirmishing tried to delay the 
 advance. At Wilson s warning everybody in camp pre 
 pared to move. Wilson took time to pack a few of the 
 most necessary of his effects, then hurried on with his re 
 port to Winchester. Videttes came in to report that the 
 signal guns at that place had been fired. 
 
 Men hurriedly gathered up what few belongings they 
 could carry. Tents were left standing. The sutler had an 
 extensive stock. He threw open his quarters and told the 
 men to help themselves. A force of infantry with some 
 artillery was formed in some light defences south of the 
 town to check the enemy as long as possible. It was not 
 thought safe to take the direct road to Winchester. Major 
 Quinn had part of the regiment as an advance. The wag 
 ons under Quartermaster Boyd and Commissary Frank Mc- 
 Reynolds, with Company H under Lieutenant Martindale 
 as a guard, were started toward Bunker Hill on the way 
 
 231 
 
232 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 to Martinsburg. After the infantry and artillery followed 
 Captain Boyd with several companies as a rear guard. 
 
 A few of the cavalrymen were without horses, but 
 taking their bridles they walked on, hoping that some loose 
 horses might come their way. Some of the well mounted 
 caught some horses that were in the fields, to prevent their 
 falling into the hands of the enemy, and turned them over 
 to these dismounted men. W. H. Carroll of A did good 
 service in this way. 
 
 A short distance out of Berryville the column took the 
 road to the left, making a detour toward Winchester. 
 Flanking parties were out to guard against a surprise on 
 any cross road. 
 
 The most of the brigade had crossed the Opequon at 
 Brucetown. From high ground west of the crossing there 
 was seen a long cloud of dust rising from the road far to 
 the rear. It was moving this way. Colonel McReynolds 
 formed the infantry in line facing the rear, and made all 
 preparations for repelling an attack. Quinn who had gone 
 on in advance with part of the regiment, was recalled. A 
 few parties were sent in different directions to be on the 
 lookout. 
 
 During the night Bailey had gone out with his com 
 pany to watch between the Front Royal and Strasburg 
 pikes. He found himself in the rear of a body of Confed 
 erate cavalry, and captured one man. He soon learned that 
 the brigade had left Berryville and he rejoined it at the 
 Opequon. For greater safety he told his color bearer to 
 furl the guidon. When he reached the regiment he asked 
 where was the guidon, and received the reply : "Sure, and 
 yeez tould me to twirl the thing and so Oi twirled it over 
 the fince." 
 
 The part of the regiment at the crossing was under 
 Major Adams. It was afterward learned that the Con- 
 
GETTYSBURG FIGHTING LEE S ADVANCE. 233 
 
 federate advance numbered two thousand. Captain Boyd 
 with the rear guard delayed their coming as much as pos 
 sible, but was obliged to fall back. A portion of the enemy 
 charged. Company E was the extreme rear. In this 
 charge the men of both sides became so mixed up that in 
 the dust that was raised it was for a little while difficult for 
 one to recognize his own comrades. Philip Pross of E was 
 killed and several received bad wounds. But these Ger 
 mans dealt sturdy blows with the sabre, and the enemy was 
 somewhat checked. 
 
 A part of the regiment had been placed on the right of 
 the road. These used their carbines with good effect as 
 soon as the enemy came within range, giving them a fur 
 ther check. A counter charge was ordered and two com 
 panies started, but did not go on. Some of the men hear 
 ing the order to charge rushed forward. Among these was 
 C. T. Williamson who followed the retreating enemy some 
 distance. He supposed that most of the regiment was right 
 behind him. But seeing the enemy rallying and coming on 
 again, he looked around and found himself alone. He also 
 found that his horse was wounded and himself was bleed 
 ing profusely from his right shoulder and neck. The en 
 emy coming on took him prisoner, and he was taken back 
 to the main body. Lieut. Prendergast, in this attempt at a 
 charge, also fell into the hands of the enemy and was dis 
 armed, but he escaped. 
 
 Two officers who had proved themselves efficient were 
 reported by Major Adams for disobedience of orders in the 
 face of the enemy. The fact was, officers and men had 
 very little confidence in him. He was not wanting in cour 
 age, but his effusive and pompous manner and his much 
 talking did not indicate judgment and discretion. He was 
 more apt to think of gaining some credit for himself than 
 of gaining success with the least loss among his men. Some 
 
234 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of the officers ventured to make some criticisms and sug 
 gestions as to his arrangements. With immense assurance 
 he warned them that he should not tolerate any criticism 
 by his subordinates in the presence of the men. 
 
 The situation was reported to the colonel who at once 
 sent Lieut. Watkins with orders to Adams to turn over the 
 command of the regiment to Major Quinn, and consider 
 himself under arrest. Adams refused to recognize this or 
 der, claiming it was irregular. Captain Stevenson, A. A. 
 A. G. then gave him the order. This Adams could not help 
 regarding as official and regular. He afterward published 
 a voluminous report, which, ignoring the colonel, he sub 
 mitted to General Milroy. In this he attributed this action 
 to the jealousy and envy of the officers. 
 
 After the first, and not very formidable Confederate 
 attack, the regiment was all withdrawn this side of the Ope- 
 quon, and placed behind a turn in the road. One of Alex 
 ander s guns was placed by the side of the road at a con 
 venient distance, so as to command the ford. The Con 
 federates, not seeing the dispositions that had been made, 
 felt encouraged to try again, and came on in force. As the 
 head of their column crossed the creek and came to the turn 
 in the road the cavalry, led by their captains, sprang for 
 ward and made a fearful onslaught with their sabres. It 
 was a terrific collision. Adversaries were mingled together, 
 and the fighting was hand to hand. The enemy was checked. 
 The Sixth Maryland poured in a volley. The cavalry was 
 called back that the artillery might have a chance, and 
 charges of grape and canister swept the crossing. 
 
 The cavalry lost two killed, and several men and many 
 horses wounded. The enemy lost about thirty killed and an 
 unknown number wounded. One stalwart German meeting 
 an antagonist face to face, brought down his sabre with such 
 tremendous force that he cleaved his foeman from the neck 
 
GETTYSBURG FIGHTING LEE S ADVANCE. 235 
 
 almost to his sabre belt, muttering, as he withdrew his 
 weapon, "Gott fur damn !" 
 
 Williamson, held as prisoner, had seen with anxiety 
 this large force start forward on their charge. But soon 
 he saw them coming back faster than they had gone, and 
 observed the unusual number with sabre cuts about the 
 head, shoulders and arms. He had been so interested an 
 observer that he had not paid much attention to his own 
 condition. But now he became faint from loss of blood. 
 But soon a heavy shower came on and the rain revived him, 
 and checked the flow of blood. A woman from a house 
 near by gave him some refreshments. He was paroled at 
 City Point, July 3, exchanged in November, and returned 
 to the regiment. 
 
 The Confederates made no further attempt at the Ope- 
 quon. But they learned the course the wagon train had 
 taken and followed it. They overtook it at Bunker Hill 
 and had a lively skirmish with Martindale s train guard, 
 Company H. They were checked in their pursuit, while 
 whip and spur were freely used on the teams, and the wag 
 ons were whirled along over the stone pike toward Martins- 
 burg. Captain Boyd s wife, son, and daughter were riding 
 in a buggy with the wagons. In the fight their horse be 
 came frightened, and ran away, overturning the vehicle. 
 Mrs. Boyd had her ankle sprained, and all were captured. 
 
 From Summit Point the brigade moved on to Win 
 chester. A very heavy thunder storm came up. The rain 
 fell in torrents. The men had no shelter except as some of 
 them had brought along their rubber blankets. Fifty or 
 more, in looking for a resting place for the night, found an 
 old hall that might once have been a school room. In this 
 they lay down in their drenched clothes, as thick as they 
 could crowd in, on the bare floor. They were tired after the 
 exciting events of the day, and in spite of their uncomfort- 
 
236 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 able condition, slept soundly. Shortly after midnight Cap 
 tain Bailey, who was always looking after the welfare of 
 the men, whether of his own company or not, came into the 
 hall. "Men, get up. We have got to get out of here. The 
 rebels are all around the town and may come in here at any 
 time. We must go up into the forts." It was difficult to 
 awake some of them, but finally all were out of the town. 
 It had cleared off after the shower and the air was very 
 chilly, and the men shivered until daylight. 
 
 On the highest hill some distance northwest of the 
 town was the Star Fort. This overlooked the lower hills 
 and ridges, on all of which earthworks had been thrown up. 
 The most of these had been made by Banks the year before. 
 
 The 1 4th was Sunday, and a perfect June day. From 
 the Star Fort there was a wide and beautiful prospect over 
 the town; over the fields and woodlands to the north, east 
 and south, with the mountains in the distance, and over the 
 successive ranges of hills to the west. There was a fresh 
 ness in all the scene and in it the silent shimmering of the 
 summer heat. But from morning till night the holy calm 
 of that sabbath day was broken by the crackling fire of 
 skirmishes on every side. The enemy was gathering around 
 in force. In the afternoon they began to bombard the forts. 
 The large wagon train of the division had not been sent 
 away. As the occasional shells fell among the wagons they 
 would be moved to some other supposed less exposed place 
 between the hills. The infantry stood ready to defend the 
 forts if an assault should be made. The artillery would 
 now and then respond to some shot that revealed the loca 
 tion of the enemy s guns. Detachments of cavalry were 
 out in every direction, and in all directions they met detach 
 ments of the enemy. The rest of the cavalry was held in 
 reserve, the men standing by their horses ready for any 
 call. 
 
GETTYSBURG FIGHTING LEE S ADVANCE. 237 
 
 At one time a part of the regiment was resting beside 
 the train. Among the others was a sutler with his loaded 
 wagon. There was no drawing of rations that day, nor 
 had there been the day before. Every man was boarding 
 himself on what he could get. The sutler was asked to open 
 his stock that the men might buy. He thought the time was 
 too critical and he declined. They thought this unfair as 
 they were guarding his wagon with the rest, and they were 
 hungry. They opened his wagon and helped themselves. 
 In the stock was a large lot of candies, each small piece with 
 a rhyming couplet wrapped in fringed tissue paper. They 
 read their mottoes and joked and ate the candy, interrupted 
 now and then as they looked up to watch the course of a shell 
 coming their way. A few shells burst close to them. They 
 knew they w r ere surrounded, but they kept their equanimity, 
 and made the best of the situation. 
 
 In the disposition of his brigade, Colonel McReynolds 
 showed coolness, bravery and judgment. The division 
 numbered about six thousand. This day the President tele 
 graphed General Schenck at Baltimore : 
 
 Get Milroy from Winchester to Harper s Ferry if possible. He 
 will be "gobbled up" if he remains, if he is not already past salvation. 
 
 A. LINCOLN. 
 
 Communication by wire was cut off. Milroy wanted 
 to send a message to Martinsburg. Captain Boyd asked to 
 go, as his family was with the wagons and he was anxious. 
 Taking his company and looking out for open roads he suc 
 ceeded in getting through the lines that were being drawn 
 around the town, and reached Martinsburg. The message 
 was forwarded to General Schenck. It was necessary, if 
 possible, to get the reply to Winchester. Three of Boyd s 
 sergeants, Harvey, Pitman and Humphry, daring and reli 
 able men, volunteered to make the attempt. After dark 
 they set out, one a few rods behind another, the last one 
 
238 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 carrying the message. They succeeded in reaching Win 
 chester late in the night. 
 
 In the meantime the enemy was shelling the forts. Late 
 in the afternoon it was observed that a strong force was pre 
 paring to make an assault on the fortifications on the lower 
 hill to the west. It would be impossible for the garrison 
 in these works to withstand this assault. The garrison was 
 withdrawn, and none too soon. An overwhelming force 
 came rushing on. Some pieces of artillery came into the 
 works, wheeling and unlimbering in gallant style. The 
 guns in the Star Fort greeted them with shell after shell 
 planted among them with astonishing precision, and each 
 one as it burst in the ranks of the enemy was followed by 
 exulting cheers from the Union troops in the larger forts. 
 A gallant officer on a spirited horse came riding out in front 
 of the works that had been taken. A shell from one of 
 Alexander s guns seemed to strike directly beneath the horse, 
 bursting, and raising a cloud of smoke and dust that en 
 veloped the horse and the rider. Loud and long were the 
 cheers that again broke from the Union men. Standing to 
 arms in the Star Fort they still presented a formidable ar 
 ray, and no attempt at a further assault was made that day. 
 
 It was Ewell s corps, the advance of Lee s army, that 
 was working its way around Winchester. It was Rodes 
 cavalry that had attacked McReynolds brigade as it was 
 falling back from Berryville. The brigade of General John 
 B. Gordon, mostly made up of Georgia regiments, of Early s 
 division, had taken possession of the works on the lower hills 
 to the west. Gordon was one of the ablest of the Con 
 federate generals. That night he received orders, as soon 
 as it was light enough in the morning, to carry the main fort 
 by assault. In a lecture after the war, he related the inci 
 dents of the taking of the outer works, and of receiving or 
 ders to advance on the larger forts at daybreak. He was 
 
GETTYSBURG FIGHTING LEE S ADVANCE. 239 
 
 not given to superstition, or to premonitions. But as he 
 made his preparations he had a feeling that the assault on 
 that fort would prove the most serious affair that he had yet 
 been called upon to undertake, and for the only time in the 
 war he felt a nervous apprehension for himself. But he 
 carefully made his preparations. It was a mighty relief, 
 when, in the morning he saw that the fort had been vacated. 
 After the lecture the writer greeted the general and re 
 marked that he was one of those in Milroy s fort. The 
 general returned a hearty greeting, saying: "I am very 
 much obliged to you for the relief you gave me by getting 
 out of that fort." 
 
 C. N. Warren of K had been afflicted with a carbuncle 
 on the lower part of his thigh. It had been with the greatest 
 difficulty that he had ridden from Berryville, being obliged 
 to ride standing in his stirrups. His captain told him to go 
 to the house of a family with which he had become 
 acquainted. If any thing serious should happen an ambu 
 lance would be sent for him. During all the cannonading 
 of Sunday he kept quiet. In the evening he \vas assured 
 that it was all right. Monday morning he was surprised to 
 see soldiers in gray all about. Some of the family were in 
 Early s division. One of them gave Warren a gray jacket, 
 hoping that this would save him from detection. But he 
 was suspected and taken by a file of soldiers to Early s head 
 quarters. Early said to an officer : Tut him down Taken 
 in gray. Warren thought now that his time had come. 
 Mr. Chapman was called upon to explain why the Union 
 soldier had been allowed to stay at his house. He explained 
 that Warren had befriended the family, that he himself was 
 serving in the general s division, and had just that morning 
 reached his home. Chapman was allowed to go, but War 
 ren was turned into the court house yard with many other 
 prisoners. One of the Chapman family brought him his 
 
240 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 own Union jacket, passing it to him through the fence, and 
 taking away the gray one. An opportunity presented it 
 self while his guard was looking the other way, and War 
 ren slipped through an open gate and out into the street. 
 So many of the southern soldiers were wearing parts of 
 captured Union clothing that he did not attract attention, 
 and he walked on to the Chapman house. Plans were 
 quickly made to hurry him out to Pughtown, eight miles, to 
 stay with friends of the family, until the army moved out. 
 But he was again arrested and taken to Belle Isle. July 8, 
 the names of eighteen hundred who were to be paroled were 
 being called. To one name there was no immediate re 
 sponse. Warren took his chances, answered to the name, 
 stepped into the line, and the next day at City Point went on 
 board the New York, the flag of truce boat, on his way 
 north. ! !;>.i!i!l 
 
 The casualties during the skirmishing and cannonad 
 ing of the 1 4th had not been many. A good many men had 
 been wounded, but only a few had been killed. Many 
 horses had been killed or disabled. 
 
 It was a moonless, intensely dark night that came down 
 upon Winchester. Those not on guard or picket took what 
 rest they could. The artillery and infantry were in the fort. 
 The cavalry were on the slopes of the hills. If any slept it 
 was by their horses, keeping hold of the reins. No one 
 felt like predicting what the next day would bring forth. 
 All knew that they were surrounded by superior numbers, 
 but hoped that there might be found some opening by which 
 they could break through the lines drawn around them. 
 
 An artillery horse with his throat cut by a piece of shell, 
 bleeding with a gurgling noise, as he was wandering around 
 stopped at Captain Stevenson s little tent, seeming to try 
 to gain entrance as if seeking human sympathy and help, and 
 
GETTYSBURG FIGHTING LEE S ADVANCE. 241 
 
 by his moaning trying to make his wants known. Soon he 
 staggered off a little way, fell, and was dead. 
 
 The three sergeants of Company C, who had been sent 
 from Martinsburg, had eluded the Confederates, and about 
 midnight arrived with their message. This was an order 
 from General Schenck, directing Milroy to fall back to 
 Harper s Ferry. 
 
 The brigade commanders were called together. Should 
 they remain and fight, surrendering if compelled to, or cut 
 their way out? The decision was to cut their way out. 
 Silently as possible orders were passed along to spike the 
 cannons, and leave them and all the wagons behind. The 
 teams and their harness were to be taken along. The in 
 fantry, as far as possible, were to be mounted upon the team 
 horses and mules. 
 
 Captain Alexander, whose guns had been so splendidly 
 served, begged that he might be allowed to wrap his can 
 non wheels with blankets and take his battery along. But 
 it was deemed not best. The retreat must be made as 
 silently as possible. 
 
 The pickets, some of which were within hearing dis 
 tance of the enemy, were quietly called in where it could be 
 done without the knowledge of the enemy. Where this 
 could not be done the pickets had to be left to their fate. 
 An hour after midnight the column began to move down 
 the hill side. It was a weird procession passing in silence, 
 without a spoken word, through the midnight darkness. 
 After reaching the pike the march was toward the north, 
 General Elliott s brigade first. Lieutenant F. S. Nims was 
 Elliott s adjutant general. Then Colonel Ely s, and last 
 that of Colonel McReynolds. Major Adams who had been 
 placed under arrest at the Opequon, upon reaching Win 
 chester, ignoring Colonel McReynolds, had appealed directly 
 to General Milroy. This was an entirely irregular thing to 
 
242 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 do. Upon his representations Milroy released him from ar 
 rest, and he was now in command of the regiment. The 
 regiment brought up the rear of the division. This was 
 supposed to be the position of the greatest responsibility and 
 danger for the enemy would soon learn of the retreat and 
 follow in pursuit. It was a disadvantage to the regiment 
 that immediately in front was a heterogeneous multitude of 
 artillerymen, wagon drivers and infantry mounted on horses 
 and mules. 
 
 The danger on this retreat proved to be in front. A 
 large part of Ewell s corps had moved around and taken 
 position in a piece of woods on high ground about four miles 
 from Winchester. A strong line had been formed across 
 the pike, at right angles to it, and extending far out on either 
 side. Elliott s advance encountered this in the darkness, and 
 his infantry soon became hotly engaged. 
 
 McReynolds, with Stevenson and New of his staff, rid 
 ing on ahead of his brigade, found Milroy and his staff on 
 their horses by the roadside. There seemed to be in Milroy s 
 mind no very definite plan of proceeding. Now was felt 
 the need of the artillery that had been left behind. Mc 
 Reynolds hurried up his infantry with the purpose of form 
 ing it on the right of the road. But the enemy s artillery 
 was working havoc here. The Thirteenth Pennsylvania 
 cavalry was ordered forward. McReynolds made an at 
 tempt to lead this regiment in a charge around the enemy s 
 left, and, if possible, capture their artillery. But their fir 
 ing was so rapid and severe that the cavalry did not readily 
 respond. Perhaps the attempt would have failed with heavy 
 loss. The entire command fell into confusion. Perhaps no 
 one in the darkness could have restored order. Every one 
 began to look out for himself. It was now get 
 ting light. In squads, larger or smaller, officers 
 and men moved off to the right, and, evading and 
 
GETTYSBURG FIGHTING LEE S ADVANCE. 243 
 
 dodging between parties of the Confederates, after many 
 narrow escapes, made their way to Charlestown and Har 
 per s Ferry. Here, coming one after another, Milroy and 
 his brigade commanders and their staffs finally found each 
 other. Most of the men on the right of the pike escaped 
 in this direction. 
 
 The First New York cavalry that had been the extreme 
 rear of the division hurried forward to the fighting in front. 
 It was yet too dark to see exactly what the situation was. 
 The artillery firing was severe. Even in the perils of that 
 cannonading one could not help admiring the brilliant bursts 
 of spiteful red fire, as the shells in quick succession exploded 
 in the darkness overhead. It was magnificent as well as 
 terrific. But something had to be done, and quickly. There 
 was no use in staying there. For the moment the only 
 thing seemed to be to make a grand crash through the blaz 
 ing line in front. The order rang out, "Draw sabres ! For 
 ward! Trot!" The men gathered their reins, grasped 
 firm hold of their sabres, fixed themselves firmly in their sad 
 dles, clenched their teeth, and spurred their horses into a 
 gallop. The horses seemed to catch the spirit of the occasion 
 and nerved themselves for the desperate event. They came 
 within range of the infantry firing. But that line was too 
 strongly posted. It would have been a grand charge, like 
 that of the Light Brigade at Balaklava, but at a fearful 
 sacrifice of life, with nothing to gain but the name. The 
 men would have made the charge, and Major Adams would 
 have led them in it. But just then some one with some 
 sense, either a staff officer or some junior officer of the regi 
 ment, appeared at the head of the column and ordered it off 
 to the left. The column moved rapidly across the fields with 
 the enemy s firing on its right flank, but was soon out of 
 range of the infantry, but not of the artillery. It was get 
 ting light and Adams here halted the regiment, as if he 
 
244 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 wanted to see all that was to be seen. Some one urged him 
 to go on instead of waiting longer where nothing could be 
 done. But he replied, "I am in no hurry to get out of here. 
 Quinn retorted, "I noticed you were in a hurry to get out of 
 where you were a few minutes ago." "Hurrah for Major 
 Quinn!" "Bully for Tim Quinn!" "Quinn take command 
 and lead us out, and let the other major stay if he wants to !" 
 The men had no confidence in the commanding major s 
 strategy. Reckless bravado was not always the courage that 
 won. The loud protests against waiting there for nothing 
 induced the self-important major to move on. In a little 
 while we might run into another superior force. 
 
 What our losses had been we could not tell. Captain 
 Bailey had been slightly wounded in the shoulder by the 
 fragment of a shell. Another piece of a shell had struck 
 Fiala in the foot. Horses had been killed or disabled and 
 their riders captured. All that the enemy had to do now 
 was to gather in their harvest of prisoners. About two 
 thousand, one-third of the division, fell into the hands of the 
 Confederates. 
 
 The division was for the time being broken up. Gen 
 eral Milroy was relieved from his command. He asked for 
 a court of inquiry. He tried to lay part of the blame for 
 his disaster on Colonel McReynolds. But the colonel had 
 proved himself capable and had done all that any one in his 
 position could have done. His management of the affair at 
 the crossing of the Opequon had been admirable, showing 
 coolness, self-possession, courage and the highest judgment. 
 
 In reply to Milroy s request to be restored to his com 
 mand, the President wrote the following letter : 
 
 EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 29. 
 Major General Milroy. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR : Your letters to Mr. Blair and to myself are handed 
 to me by him. I have never doubted your courage and devotion to 
 
GETTYSBURG FIGHTING LEE S ADVANCE. 245 
 
 the cause. But you have just lost a division and, prima facie, the 
 fault is upon you. And while that remains unchanged, for me to put 
 you in command again, is justly to subject me to a charge of having 
 put you there on purpose to have you lose another. If I knew facts 
 sufficient to satisfy me that you were not in fault or error, the case 
 would be different. But the facts I do know, while they are not at all 
 conclusive (and I hope they may never prove so), tend the other way. 
 
 First, I have scarcely seen anything from you at any time that did 
 not contain imputations against your superiors and a chafing against 
 acting the part they have assigned you. You have constantly urged 
 the idea that you were persecuted because you did not come from 
 West Point, and you repeat it in these letters. This, my dear general, 
 is, I fear, the rock on which you have split. 
 
 In the Winchester case you were under General Schenck, and he 
 under General Halleck. I know by General Halleck s order book that 
 he, on the nth of June, advised General Schenck to call you in from 
 Winchester to Harper s Ferry, and I have been told, but do not know, 
 that General Schenck gave you the order on the same day; and I 
 have been told, but do not know, that on receiving it, instead of obeying 
 it, you sent by mail a written protest against obeying it, which did not 
 reach him until you were actually beleaguered at Winchester. 
 
 I say I do not know this. You hate West Point generally and 
 General Halleck particularly, but I do know that it was not his fault 
 that you were at Winchester on the i3th, I4th and morning of the I5th, 
 the days of your disaster. If General Schenck gave you the order on 
 the nth, as General Halleck advised, it was an easy matter for you to 
 have been off at least on the I2th. The case is inevitably between 
 General Schenck and you. 
 
 Neither General Halleck nor anyone else, as far as I know, re 
 quired you to stay and fight 60,000 with 6,000, as you insinuate. I 
 know General Halleck, through General Schenck, required you to get 
 away, and that in abundant time for you to have done it. General 
 Schenck is not a West Pointer, and has no prejudice against you on 
 that score. Very truly yours, 
 
 A. LINCOLN. 
 
CHAPTER XXL 
 
 THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN : THE WAGON 
 TRAIN AND CAPTAIN BOYD. 
 
 IT was sound judgment on the part of Colonel McReynolds 
 in leading his brigade from Berryville to Winchester, 
 June 13, to send the brigade and regimental trains with all 
 speed toward the Potomac. At Bunker Hill these trains 
 struck the pike on their way to Martinsburg. They were 
 in charge of Lieutenants Wm. H. Boyd, Jr., quartermaster, 
 and B. F. McReyonlds, commissary. It was no easy work 
 these young officers had before them. They had capable 
 assistants in A. J. Merritt, regimental wagon master, a prac 
 tical man of business; and Abram Bruce in charge of the 
 headquarters train. The latter was familiarly known as 
 "Buck." He had been in various kinds of business : an 
 omnibus driver in New York, and a driver in Dan Rice s cir 
 cus. He had traveled all over the country. He was a man 
 of wonderful resources, and seemed equal to any emergency. 
 If he was ever in special need of anything, horses, wagons, 
 forage, he would find some way to supply his wants. He 
 always managed to secure for his train "the right of way," 
 other orders to the contrary notwithstanding. Lieutenant 
 Martindale with Company H went with the train. 
 
 As has already been stated, Jenkins cavalry made an 
 attack on the rear of the brigade at the crossing of the Ope- 
 quon. Being repulsed here, they followed the train, over- 
 
 246 
 
GETTYSBURG WAGON TRAIN AND BOYD. 247 
 
 taking it at Bunker Hill. Martindale was on the alert, and 
 met the attack on the train guard with such spirit and deter 
 mination that the attacking party was checked, while the 
 wagons with all possible speed were hurried along the stone 
 pike toward Martinsburg. Here the enemy attacked again. 
 Lieutenant Boyd, the quartermaster, with what men he 
 could get together, repulsed this attack. In the fight he 
 was wounded, and Commissary McReynolds had to assume 
 added responsibilities. General Tyler was in command at 
 Martinsburg. He made preparations to repel an attack, at 
 the same time preparing to move his stores and his small 
 force to Harper s Ferry. 
 
 The night of the I4th Captain Boyd with Company C 
 had left Winchester for Martinsburg. Martindale with 
 Company H went with Tyler to Harper s Ferry. Boyd 
 with C kept with the Berryville train that was hurried along 
 to Williamsport The advance of Jenkins cavalry followed, 
 attacking repeatedly until the train reached Harrisburg, Pa., 
 on the 1 7th. It was then thought that the train needed no 
 farther protection, and it kept on its way to Philadelphia 
 where a place was found for it in Fairmount Park. It had 
 made remarkably good time. 
 
 Boyd, having escorted the train until it was out of dan 
 ger, proposed now to turn back and have a hand in the fight 
 ing that was to be done. 
 
 Lieutenant Oliver B. Knowles, who had shown such 
 coolness and daring in the first fight of the company at Po- 
 hick Church, August 18, 1861, and who had shown himself 
 cool, intelligent, and fearless on every occasion since then, 
 had been home on leave of absence. But the reports of the 
 fighting had hurried him to the front. He first reported to 
 the part of the regiment that had crossed from Harper s 
 Ferry to Maryland Heights. Here he learned that Boyd 
 and his company were at Harrisburg, and he hastened there. 
 
248 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Boyd was impatient. Instead of consuming- time in 
 marching, he put his command on board the cars and hurried 
 back to Shippensburg. Beyond this place the track had 
 been torn up. Here he took his company off the cars and 
 marched to Chambersburg. The enemy had been there and 
 withdrawn. The 2Oth he moved on to Mercersburg. While 
 waiting here a body of the enemy marched past not far dis 
 tant, but was not seen by Boyd. He moved on to the vic 
 inity of Greencastle. The 2ist he was busy watching 
 developments. 
 
 He was out early in the morning of the 22nd. An 
 advance party of Jenkins cavalry had been riding around in 
 Franklin county. Boyd was looking for this party. Cap 
 tain J. A. Wilson of Company I, Fourteenth Virginia cav 
 alry (now, 1902, living at Taranta, Augusta county, Va., a 
 firm believer in the "Union forever"), had been sent on 
 ahead by Jenkins, with instructions, if he should meet any 
 Federal cavalry to fall back and tempt them to follow in 
 pursuit, when they were expected to fall into a trap that 
 would be prepared for them. Near Greencastle he caught 
 sight of Boyd s company on a hill in the timber. Wilson 
 and his troop came on to the neighborhood of a small black 
 smith shop. Out of this shop ran two of Boyd s men who 
 had been having their horses shoes tightened. They 
 mounted their horses, and endeavored to rejoin their own 
 troop, but both were overtaken by Wilson s men and were 
 sent back to the main body as prisoners. Wilson now saw 
 the Federal cavalry coming upon him at a "swinging gal 
 lop." The advance was led by Sergeant Wm. D. Hall. 
 According to his orders, Wilson fell back until he came in 
 sight of the main command, whose horses were all turned 
 loose to graze. He ordered his own men to dismount and 
 turn their horses loose. At a sharp turn in the road he 
 quickly formed his men along the fences. 
 
GETTYSBURG WAGON TRAIN AND BOYD. 249 
 
 Boyd had but thirty-five men with him and was now 
 in front of Jenkins entire command of infantry, cavalry and 
 artillery, four thousand strong. When he ran into this 
 party in ambush he did not know the enemy s exact posi 
 tion, although he knew they were not far away. He halted 
 for a moment at the Flemming homestead, which is repre 
 sented in the background of the accompanying picture, to 
 take some observations. Corporal William H. Rihl came 
 riding out from behind the house and stopped his horse just 
 on the spot where the monument stands. At this instant 
 Wilson s men from their places of hiding fired a volley di 
 rectly into the faces of Boyd s men. A bullet struck Cor 
 poral Rihl in the jaw and passed through the base of the 
 brain. His death was instantaneous. He was the first 
 Union soldier killed in action in Pennsylvania in the war of 
 the rebellion, and, it is believed, the first one killed on free 
 soil. 
 
 Sergeant Milton Cafferty was wounded in the lower 
 part of the leg and taken prisoner. He was placed in the 
 house of Mr. Card to remain there until his captors should 
 call for him. He was well cared for here, and the enemy 
 never called for him. 
 
 This action took place about five and a half miles north 
 of Mason and Dixon s line. Boyd, having learned the force 
 and position of the enemy, fell back to Shippensburg. 
 
 Corporal Wm. H. Rihl was born in Philadelphia, in 1843. He 
 was 5 ft. 6 1-4 in. tall, with light complexion, blue eyes, and dark 
 hair ; by occupation a gardener. Mustered in as private in Company 
 C, July 19, 1861. He was buried near where he fell. A few days 
 afterward the citizens removed the remains to the Lutheran church 
 yard. After twenty-one years his body was again exhumed and buried 
 with imposing ceremonies on the exact spot where he was killed. The 
 G. A. R. Post at Greencastle was named in honor of him, "The Wm. 
 H. Rihl Post." Through the efforts of a committee of this Post Dr. 
 F. A. Bushey, J. R. Davis. B. F. Winger, J. H. Shirey, S. H. Eley, 
 Wm. Snyder, and M. W. Kissecker a beautiful granite monument was 
 
250 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 erected over the grave, and this was protected by a substantial iron 
 fence. 
 
 The inscriptions on the four sides are: "To the Memory of Cor 
 poral William H. Rihl, Co. C, First N. Y. Lincoln Cavalry, who was 
 killed on this spot, June 22, 1863." 
 
 "Erected by Corporal Rihl Post, G. A. R., of Greencastle, Pa." 
 
 "The first Union soldier killed in action in Pennsylvania." 
 
 "An humble but brave defender of the Union." 
 
 The monument stands 21 feet high, on a base 4^ feet square. It 
 is of Quincy granite and weighs eight tons. It was erected by Jos. N. 
 Forbes, of Chambersburg. 
 
 The willow tree in the rear of the monument was grown from a 
 twig taken from a tree which grew on the Island of St. Helena, near 
 the grave of Napoleon Bonaparte. Extremes meet. Here is a memo 
 rial of the selfish conqueror who in his ambitious career wasted nations, 
 and one to the memory of the humble soldier who unselfishly gave his 
 life in the defence of the Union. 
 
 To the courtesy of Mr. James H. Shirey, proprietor of the Crowell 
 House, seen in the engraving, we are indebted for this picture. For 
 accounts of this action we are indebted to Dr. F. A. Bushey, of Cor 
 poral Rihl Post, and to Mr. E. D. Card. 
 
 It was a generous deed on the part of the citizens of the place, 
 this building a monument to a soldier who was a stranger to them, 
 testifying their respect for the memory of one who gave his life in 
 defence of his country. 
 
 The 24th, Boyd was forced back to Cashtown and then 
 to Mount Rock. In falling- back he was never out of sight 
 of the Confederate advance, with whom he kept up a con 
 tinual skirmishing. The 26th he was at Carlisle. He sent 
 Lieutenant Knowles with all the men he could spare to save, 
 if possible, the stores in the barracks. But the enemy was 
 too strong to be opposed, and the barracks and stores were 
 burned. 
 
 The 27th, Boyd was compelled to fall back to Kingston. 
 The 28th, he found the enemy was between him and Har- 
 risburg, and he had to make a hasty detour through the 
 country to reach that place. 
 
 The militia that had been called out to meet the emer- 
 
WM. H. RIHL S MONUMENT. 
 
GETTYSBURG WAGON TRAIN AND BOYD. 251 
 
 gency had responded promptly, not only from Pennsylvania, 
 but from other states, and especially from New York, whose 
 governor was not in sympathy with the administration, but 
 who had acted efficiently in this crisis. The Confederate 
 advance had reached its limit, and now began to retire. 
 
 Boyd, always on the alert, followed. The 29th, the 
 daring Lieut. Knowles with less than a dozen men dashed 
 upon more than three times his number and captured them 
 with their horses. But, a larger force coming upon him, he 
 let his prisoners go to save his own men. 
 
 The 3Oth, the company captured a foraging party with 
 their wagons and plunder. The 3ist, Corporal Emerick 
 Knowles was out looking for something to satisfy his hun 
 ger, and came upon three Confederates hungrier than him 
 self, and used his empty revolver to persuade them to come 
 with him to camp. 
 
 Lieutenant Oliver B. Knowles was a man of reckless 
 daring. He seemed utterly devoid of fear. Near Arendts- 
 ville he had gone out alone to look around, not supposing 
 that any force of the enemy was in the immediate neighbor 
 hood. All at once he found himself directly in front of sev 
 enteen Confederates. "The only safety to the conquered is 
 to hope for no safety/ said Aeneas in the last night of Troy. 
 Drawing his revolver, he rushed upon them, calling to them 
 to surrender. There was a grim humor in his demand. He 
 was surprised to see the haste with which they complied. 
 They crowded around him and handed over their revolvers 
 faster than he could take them. He had to let them fall to 
 the ground all around him. He could not understand it him 
 self, until, looking back, he saw part of his men, who by some 
 chance had come out in that direction and were now hurry 
 ing toward him. The seventeen had seen these, and sup 
 posed a large force was coming, and thought that if all 
 
252 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 these were like their leader they themselves would stand a 
 poor chance in a fight. 
 
 July ist, the company came upon a foraging party that 
 had taken from farmers nearly a hundred horses and mules 
 and a number of wagons. Boyd s men captured them all. 
 The captain, not wishing to be encumbered, turned the cap 
 tured property and prisoners over to General W. F. Smith 
 who had been short of transportation. To him the animals 
 answered a needed purpose. 
 
 The two great armies were drawing nearer to each 
 other. Outriding detachments were being called in. All 
 the while Boyd was watching for some chance to strike. 
 He was even laying plans to capture Lee himself. That gen 
 eral was reported to be at Cashtown, and Boyd was willing 
 to take his chances in making a dash through the lines to the 
 Confederate headquarters and out again. 
 
 In drawing near Fayetteville in the early morning, he 
 came upon a party of cavalry that had been plundering near 
 Chambersburg. He attacked with such vigor that they 
 fled, leaving their plunder behind and causing such an alarm 
 that the enemy became so vigilant that, with only a part of 
 his company with him, he did not deem it prudent to attempt 
 too much. 
 
 The rest of the company was with Knowles. The rebel 
 General Stuart had made a raid around the Union army. 
 A detachment of his force had captured a train of wagons. 
 This train was moving toward the main Confederate army, 
 guarded by a part of Fitz Hugh Lee s brigade. Knowles 
 with his few men made a dash upon the rear of this train, 
 and for a brief time held possession of a section of it. But 
 the heavy guard of the train came to the rescue, and Knowles 
 was compelled to abandon his prize. He succeeded, how 
 ever, in bringing away a number of prisoners. 
 
 The 3rd, two small foraging parties were run down and 
 
GETTYSBURG WAGON TRAIN AND BOYD. 253 
 
 captured by Boyd s men. The 4th, a larger party that had 
 gathered horses and wagons, was taken with all its booty. 
 The 6th, there was another skirmish, the enemy being driven, 
 and losing a few prisoners. The Qth, was another fight 
 near Hagerstown. The nth, the company reached Hagers- 
 town. The I3th, it joined the rest of the regiment near 
 Chambersburg. 
 
 These men had had a campaign of ceaseless activity, 
 but they seemed to have thrived through it all. Many of 
 them were soon afterward rewarded with promotions in 
 other Pennsylvania regiments. It was the Pennsylvania 
 company of the First New York. They had been fighting 
 on the soil of their own state, and near their own homes. 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 GETTYSBURG: WEST OF LEE S ARMY. 
 
 f I ^HE larger part of the regiment and part of the I2th 
 Pennsylvania that, on the morning of the I5th, suc 
 ceeded in escaping around the right of the Confederate line, 
 marched toward the northwest. The day was hot, and the 
 roads rough. Some of the infantry had escaped in the 
 same way. For a time these tried to keep up with the cav 
 alry, and the cavalry were unwilling to leave them behind. 
 The foot sore men were given a rest by an occasional ride. 
 Past Berkley Springs and across the Potomac to Hancock 
 was a weary day s march of forty miles. Here the cav 
 alry rested for the night. The next morning the infantry 
 came, and soon afterward came a few Confederate cavalry. 
 A captain with about a dozen men was sent to see if the 
 enemy was appearing in force below the town. He crossed 
 the canal bridge and went a few miles down the tow path. 
 At a distance were seen two men on the turnpike on the 
 Maryland side. The captain sent Valentine to see who 
 these were. Valentine suspected that these were Evans and 
 Peterson, and that they were not likely to stop short of 
 Clear Spring. They had been here before, and knew the 
 country well. (After the war Evans married a Clear 
 Spring girl.) Two Confederates had forded the river and 
 were on the tow path. Valentine returned and reported to 
 the captain. The latter, perhaps, thought that these were 
 
 254 
 
GETTYSBURG WEST OF LEE S ARMY. 255 
 
 the advance of a large number. Perhaps he thought of the 
 chase at Blue Gap the fall before when he was run down 
 and captured. Perhaps he thought the state of Maryland 
 afforded a wider field for military operations than that nar 
 row tow path. It was a long distance back to the bridge 
 by which he had crossed. There was a woman on the 
 opposite side, and he called to her. "How deep is this 
 canal?" She answered: "Well, you will have to take 
 more than three jumps in one or else swim, if you want to 
 get across." Beyond those two men he seemed to see a 
 host in the Virginia hills just ready to swarm across the 
 river. He was wearing his usual leg-long, funnel-top boots, 
 and perhaps he thought these were higher than the water 
 was deep. Telling his men to follow him, he spurred his 
 horse into the canal. Not one of them followed him. In 
 spite of their respect for authority they laughed as they 
 saw him working his way across and floundering up the 
 farther bank. Still they laughed as they saw him, drenched, 
 trying to invert, first one, then the other, side of himself in 
 his efforts to pour the water out of his boots. 
 
 The two Confederates were too well mounted to be 
 taken. Undisturbed by them the captain s men leisurely 
 but hilariously kept along the tow path until, coming to a 
 culvert, they passed under the canal on dry ground. 
 
 John Stuart was a young Irishman with an unlimited 
 fund of dry humor. George Peavey was almost his equal, 
 with a little of the sarcastic. Both were irrepressible. 
 Occasionally on the next day s march they would make 
 allusions in a variety of forms of speech that never failed 
 to appeal to their comrades sense of the ludicrous, to "some 
 body that tried to bail out the canal with his boots." 
 
 Peterson and Evans on their return encountered the 
 two Confederates. A lively skirmish at once began be 
 tween the two equal parties on opposite sides of the canal. 
 
256 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Each stood his ground and continued the fight until the 
 two Federals had used all their ammunition. Peterson s 
 horse was wounded and himself received a bullet in his left 
 thigh. This he carried the rest of his life. He rode his 
 wounded horse back to Hancock. 
 
 The evening was lurid with the fire and smoke of burn 
 ing bridges. 
 
 Beach and McKinley had been detailed to issue forage, 
 plenty of which had been found in a canal warehouse. The 
 regiment was in an open field outside the town. The two 
 men had been busy all day. At night they deliberated "It 
 is more comfortable to sleep here on this hay under a roof 
 than shelterless on the bare ground. Let s stay here." "All 
 right; let s stay." An hour of comfortable rest, when a 
 discomforting thought came: "McKinley, what if the 
 regiment should move before daylight? We might be 
 caught napping." "Guess we might." "Let s go to camp." 
 "All right; guess we had better go." It was fortunate for 
 them that they went. Before midnight the entire com 
 mand was on the road, and before daylight the enemy was 
 in Hancock. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Pierce of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cav 
 alry was the ranking officer of all these detachments, and 
 assumed command. In the absence of any controlling or 
 ders it seemed best to go to Cumberland. Before reaching 
 Flintstone it was learned that the enemy was in Cumber 
 land. After a halt and a consultation it was deemed best 
 to take a road toward the north into Pennsylvania. The 
 day was hot and the road rough and dusty. The force 
 reached Chaneyville at night, after a march of forty miles. 
 The 1 8th the march was continued through Rainsburg, 
 Charlesville, and past Bedford Springs to Bedford, nearly 
 twenty miles. Along the way the most hospitable treatment 
 was given by the people to the tired and hungry soldiers. 
 
GETTYSBURG WEST OF LEE S ARMY. 257 
 
 In some houses abundant dinners were prepared, the tables 
 being repeatedly set, and all offers of payment declined. 
 Along the wayside people, old and young, boys and girls, 
 would stand handing refreshments to the men in the pass 
 ing column. 
 
 Bedford was one of the pleasantest places in the state, 
 a place of wealth and culture. In 1775 two companies had 
 marched from here to Boston. The people had not degen 
 erated. Now their homes were opened to enlisted men and 
 officers alike. The I9th, the command moved to Everett, 
 then called Bloody Run. Fiala, Peterson and others who 
 had been wounded had kept along on horseback thus far. 
 No ambulances had been brought from Winchester. Now 
 the people of Bedford offered their best family carriages to 
 carry these wounded men to the next camp. Here some of 
 them were given furloughs. 
 
 The hospitality of the people of Bedford was grate 
 fully remembered. Out of it grew many warm friendships 
 and a few post bellum marriages. 
 
 The 2Oth, General Milroy found his way back to this 
 remnant of his division. He stayed but a day or two, being 
 summoned to the court of inquiry called to examine his con 
 duct of affairs. 
 
 There was much confusion and disorder among the 
 militia that had been called out. Gradually they were be 
 ing mustered and armed. 
 
 The quartermaster and commissary had gone with the 
 train. The majors were called elsewhere. Captain Jones 
 was the ranking officer. Hinton was acting adjutant and 
 quartermaster. There was no organized department 
 through which supplies could be procured. Several men 
 were detailed to go out in different directions to buy forage. 
 Vouchers were given to the farmers who brought in these 
 supplies. Hon. John Cessna of Bedford was an able law- 
 
258 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 yer and president of the bank. He was a man of strong 
 character, sterling integrity and intense patriotism. His 
 patriotism was shown in a practical and substantial way. 
 He rendered all the assistance he could to the foragers, and 
 cashed all vouchers for supplies purchased. After the war 
 was over he was repaid by the government, and then with 
 out interest. 
 
 The foragers had a variety of experiences. One of 
 them met a funeral procession. The procession halted and 
 the sergeant was asked many questions as to whether it was 
 likely to be interfered with by the enemy, rumors of whose 
 coming had reached the people. He was hospitably enter 
 tained by Mr. Trout of Mill Spring. The 26th, he was re 
 turning after three days continual riding. Just at night 
 he reached Mr. Charles Stuckey s, two miles west of Bed 
 ford. Not knowing whether the regiment had moved dur 
 ing his absence, he accepted the invitation of the hospitable 
 farmer to stay all night. He was tired and slept soundly. 
 Long before day he became half conscious of a continuous 
 rumbling as of wagons on the stone pike. He continued 
 half asleep until he heard one calling loudly, "Mr. Stuckey ! 
 Mr. Stuckey ! Get up and get away with your horses ! 
 The rebels are in Bedford, fifteen thousand strong ! !" The 
 sergeant was quickly awake, dressed, and at the barn with 
 his horse saddled. Vehicles of every description, loaded 
 with household goods and other things of every sort, were 
 being driven along, the drivers plying the whip and. shout 
 ing to their teams as if a host of furies were pursuing them. 
 The sergeant, being well mounted and armed, felt no need 
 to join in this mad flight. He turned his horse and rode 
 slowly toward Bedford. To his inquiry, "What s the news?" 
 a driver briefly said, "Rebels in Bedford, fifteen thousand 
 strong!" and hurried on. After a little another replied, 
 "Ten thousand rebels in Bedford!" A half mile farther, 
 
GETTYSBURG WEST OF LEE S ARMY. 259 
 
 there were only five thousand. Before sunrise he rode into 
 Bedford. There were groups of excited people in the 
 streets. They had heard that the advance of a column was 
 at Bedford Springs, two miles from the town. Later it 
 was learned that a few Federal scouts had been seen and 
 these had been taken for Confederates, and in the telling, in 
 the excited condition of those who told and those who 
 heard, they had grown into an army "fifteen thousand 
 strong!" 
 
 The regiment remained at Everett until the 2Qth when 
 it moved back to Bedford. 
 
 There were continual rumors of the coming of the 
 enemy. Scouting parties were all the while on the alert. 
 
 Some of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry had been 
 sent out and had not returned. The 29th, Lieut. Col. 
 Pierce sent Captain Jones to see, if he could, what had be 
 come of the missing men. With a detail of thirty-one 
 men he went to McConnellsburg. Mr. J. W. Greathead, a 
 merchant of the place, gave the following account of what 
 happened : 
 
 At 8:30 a.m. the citizens were very much cheered by the sight of 
 a company of cavalry coming from the direction of Everett. 
 
 The company stopped in front of the Fulton House. A newly re 
 cruited company of cavalry that had not yet received their equipments 
 came in from Mount Union and also stopped. The captain of the 
 latter asked me whose company the other was. I replied: "I don t 
 know." He said : "Tell the captain I wish to see him." "What name 
 shall I give?" "Captain Morrow." I found the officer and said: 
 "Captain Morrow wishes to see you." Just then his picket came in. 
 The captain said : "What s the matter, sergeant?" He replied: "They 
 are coming down the mountain!" "How many?" "Don t know; not 
 over two hundred." 
 
 We all followed the captain out of the house, and as he was 
 descending the steps he said, in ordinary conversational tone, to his 
 men: "Get on your horses and get to your places; I ll fight them." 
 In a moment they were in line on a slow trot toward the west, the 
 direction from which they had come. Captain Morrow with his com- 
 
260 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 pany was hurrying northward toward Mount Union. The rebel cav 
 alry could be heard coming in from the east. In a few minutes they 
 came up the hill on a smart gallop, but slackened at sight of Captain 
 Jones and his trim command, not more than three hundred yards off, 
 whose every motion was a step toward business. The Confederates 
 came to a dead halt just as the head of the company reached the alley 
 between the Fulton House and Greathead s store. Not more than 
 thirty seconds before this Captain Jones had wheeled by file, and as 
 the sabres went up it seemed as if a bright sheet of steel, about two and 
 a half feet wide by one hundred long, had been suddenly turned up 
 on its edge, the sight of which struck the rebels with fear and con 
 fusion. Just then a fresh lot of six or eight came over the hill, the 
 commander crying at the top of his voice, "Charge em, Captain, charge 
 em !" On seeing Captain Morrow leaving toward the north he pointed 
 in that direction with his revolver and said something we could not 
 hear distinctly, at which the whole company broke up in a wild dash 
 in retreat, with Captain Jones leading in pursuit. When the top of the 
 hill was reached the Captain s file comrade fired his carbine at the flee 
 ing rebels, and, looking to see the effect, we saw a man, two blocks 
 ahead, come down on his horses s neck. The horse frantically wheeled 
 around the next horse to his left and into the crowd again with all the 
 energy and speed he possessed. Following up as closely as discretion 
 would dictate, at the forks of the pike we met twelve or fifteen pris 
 oners under guard of four soldiers coming down the Mercersburg pike; 
 going on up, meeting prisoners under guard every few rods, we came to 
 a man lying on the roadside in the agony of a mortal wound. Without 
 an utterance he looked up in such supplicating despair that must melt 
 the human heart to grace. I asked: "Where are you hurt?" He 
 rolled over on his side. The ball had pierced near the spine about three 
 inches below the shoulder blade. "Did this ball pass through you?" I 
 asked. He turned on his back again, and opening his clothes from the 
 neck down, we found the ball had raised the skin its full size and 
 shape, a little below the base of the breast bone. I said to him : "You 
 are very badly hurt; if you have any word to send to your friends I 
 will make a memorandum and see that they get it." He said : "Send 
 me to my wife." I told him we could not. "You cannot live more 
 than an hour or two at most." He said : "I want my wife to have all 
 my property." I asked for his name and residence. "William Shelton, 
 Warm Springs, Bath County, Virginia." "Whom do you belong to?" 
 "Imboden." "What company and regiment?" I understood him 
 "Company I." He gave no regiment. During this time he continu 
 ally begged for water. We saturated a handkerchief and wet his lips 
 and cooled his forehead. He begged to have water poured on his fore- 
 
GETTYSBURG WEST OF LEE S ARMY. 261 
 
 head. I told him the shock would be too great; he could not stand it. 
 Several citizens had come up, among them Mr. Conrad Orth, who, in 
 response to his entreaty, took up the canteen and poured water on his 
 forehead. With a shudder and quivering moan he ceased to breathe. 
 
 Going on up perhaps fifty or sixty paces, we found another Con 
 federate lying obliquely on the road, dead. 
 
 A few of Captain Jones men came down the pike and said to us : 
 "It is all over, you had better return." Mounting a captured horse we 
 came to town and counted thirty-two prisoners and thirty-four horses 
 the award of cruel war s arbitrament to Captain Jones and his thirty-one 
 brave and true men, for their courage, discipline and undaunted will. 
 
 Aunt M gave me a sharp thrust from the point of her tongue 
 
 for cheering Captain Jones and his men when passing, and wound up 
 by saying: "You might a got the town burnt down." 
 
 About 3 p.m. we were again alarmed by companies of Confederate 
 cavalry coming in from the south, east and west. They at once com 
 menced searching for soldiers and arms. I was hunted up and ordered 
 to open the store. After a hasty search I asked the officer if that was 
 all he wished. He replied in the affirmative. I then asked: "Will you 
 kindly give me a guard to prevent annoyance?" He said "Yes, sir," 
 and called three of his men, instructing the first to "see that this man 
 and his property are not molested." I thought of him as a gentleman 
 out of place. 
 
 One of the guard and myself sat down on the door step and en 
 tered into friendly conversation. He asked whether we had "heard the 
 news from Vicksburg." I said "No." He said:"The siege has been 
 raised and we have taken Chattanooga." He then mentioned York, 
 Pa., as having been taken. I said : "You have spoiled it all now. 
 There are no fortifications at York worth naming. Your officers evi 
 dently are cheering you up with stories of victories not won." The 
 guard and I went into a discussion of the war, when an officer rode up 
 and asked: "How many of the Yankees was killed, sah?" "There 
 were none killed." "How many wounded, sah?" "One slightly." 
 "Whose company was it, sah?" "Captain Jones company." "Was it 
 of the First New York cavalry, sah?" Although I had not learned 
 to what regiment Jones belonged, I felt convinced from his tenor that 
 the name of the First New York had something of terror to him in it, 
 and promptly replied, "Yes, sir." He made some very strong asser 
 tions as to how pleased they would be to meet Captain Jones. I asked 
 how many there were of them. He replied : "About three hundred 
 and forty." I said: "The telegraph line runs to Everett. No doubt, 
 if you send your compliments to Captain Jones he will respond to your 
 liking." He said: "You talk like a fool." I replied: "Well, 
 
262 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Captain Jones and his men don t fight like fools." By that he wheeled 
 his horse and bade me go to a place noted for its heat. Perhaps the 
 reader may think it very bold in me to talk thus under the circum 
 stances. It was easy enough with the guard beside me inspiring me 
 by nudging me with his elbow at every answer, who with his comrades 
 broke into laughter when the officer left. They told me one trouble 
 was, their officers were generally from the wealthy families and not 
 liked by the men on account of their pompous presence at drills and 
 parades and safe absence from the dangers of the battlefield. 
 
 The party appropriated a wagon or two and left. It was supposed 
 they took the wagons to remove the comrades that had been wounded 
 above the first acute angle on the pike, above which Captain Jones did 
 not follow, his men emptying their pieces across the hollow into the 
 pell mell of the retreating rebels. 
 
 The day was very warm, and for greater comfort dur 
 ing the return ride of twenty-five miles the men took off 
 their blue jackets and, strapping them to their saddles, rode 
 in something of undress. On coming in sight of the pick 
 ets at Everett, their appearance and that of the prisoners in 
 gray, gave the impression that they were all Confederates. 
 The pickets of recent levies retired in haste and gave the 
 alarm that a large body of Confederates was coming. The 
 captain told one of his men to put on his jacket and ride 
 on rapidly and report the facts. But the rumor had the 
 start and traveled faster than the blue-clad messenger of 
 truth. The entire force fled a good way toward Bedford 
 before the mistake could be corrected. This afforded great 
 amusement to the prisoners. They enjoyed it more than 
 anything else that they had seen that day. 
 
 The 3Oth, Captain Bailey with a part of Co. K went out 
 in the direction of Hancock. He came upon a foraging 
 party of about his own number. He attacked promptly and 
 there was a lively fight. Several men and horses on each 
 side were wounded. A lieutenant and ten men were cap 
 tured. The lieutenant took the matter good naturedly, say 
 ing that Lee s plan was to take all the large cities, conquer 
 
GETTYSBURG WEST OF LEE S ARMY. 263 
 
 a peace, and let his men pass the rest of the summer in 
 northern pleasure resorts. 
 
 Now came the news that Hooker had been relieved, and 
 that Meade was in command. All were anxiously watch 
 ing for the collision between the two great armies, and were 
 impatient to be near the scene of the conflict. July 2, Major 
 Quinn with a battalion went to McConnellsburg. He fol 
 lowed up a column of Imboden s men. He attacked their 
 rear with vigor, taking a few prisoners and giving a quick 
 ening impulse to the speed of the retiring column, 
 
 The 3rd, the command left Bedford. The day was 
 warm and the way rough, twenty miles to MTvaine s. The 
 4th, the march \vas begun early. The morning was foggy 
 and sultry. The day was intensely warm. Halted the 
 afternoon and night at McConnellsburg, the scene of Cap 
 tain Jones recent fight. The Confederates had been in and 
 out of the place repeatedly. In the afternoon there were 
 severe storms. The lightning and thunder were terrific, 
 and the rain came down in sheets. 
 
 The cavalry of the brigade was at McConnellsburg, 
 with Lieut. Col. Pierce of the Twelfth Pennsylvania in com 
 mand. Only uncertain rumors had come concerning the 
 movements of the armies. Pierce hesitated to act without 
 orders. He was unwilling to assume too much responsi 
 bility. Captain Jones and Bailey were talking over the situ 
 ation, and the lack of definite news. They \vere impatient 
 to do something. Bailey proposed that Jones take the regi 
 ment, pass to the rear of Lee s army, and then join the army 
 of the Potomac or return, as might seem best. Pierce was 
 persuaded to consent to such a movement on condition that 
 part of his regiment should go along. The order was given 
 detailing one hundred men from each regiment. The morn 
 ing of the 5th Captain Jones set out. At Mercersburg he 
 halted for refreshments. The people fed both men and 
 
264 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 horses liberally. On sending for the reports of the orderly 
 sergeants, the captain found that there were only eighty 
 men of the Twelfth Pennsylvania, and there were more than 
 one hundred of the First New York. On passing the picket 
 line, a number of men of the latter regiment had deserted 
 the picket posts in order to go along. The captain here 
 learned that a wagon train was moving toward the Potomac. 
 He secured a guide and moved on. 
 
 At Cunningham s cross roads he found a good place 
 for a surprise. A bluff ran parallel to the turnpike about 
 two hundred yards from it. Halting his command under 
 the shelter of this bluff, and taking a few men with him he 
 went cautiously to the top. As far as he could see, the train 
 was moving along. He could not see either end. 
 
 This train had left the field at Gettysburg the afternoon 
 of the 4th. It was seventeen miles long. Imboden was in 
 charge of it, with about 2,100 men and a few pieces of 
 artillery. This force was distributed along the train, at in 
 tervals of less than half a mile. Many stragglers and 
 wounded men who were able to walk were keeping along 
 with the train. Many wounded men were riding in the 
 wagons. 
 
 Without a particle of excitement in his manner the cap 
 tain rode along his column, telling the men to do their best. 
 "If you get into close quarters, use your sabres. Don t 
 strike, but thrust!" 
 
 Leaving fifty men of the Twelfth as a reserve, and 
 waiting till a detachment of the guarding force had passed 
 the cross road, he quietly gave his orders. 
 
 Lieutenants Passegger and Woodruff, each with 
 their detachments, sprang to their work. The former 
 led his men toward the rear to attack and hold 
 back the next section of the train guard. Wood 
 ruff led his men as with a loud cheer they distributed them- 
 
GETTYSBURG WEST OF LEE S ARMY. 265 
 
 selves along the train. They directed the drivers to "Turn 
 off there !" pointing to the cross road and through the fields. 
 As these orders were given with emphasis, and reinforced 
 with uplifted sabres or cocked revolvers, they were promptly 
 obeyed. 
 
 Captain Irwin of the reserves was told to distribute his 
 men along the line of wagons and keep them moving as fast 
 as possible toward Mercersburg. 
 
 Prisoners were hurried into the wagons, keeping their 
 muskets with them. The captain then arranged his men so 
 as to make as large a show of force as possible facing toward 
 the rear of the train, and waited for the guard to attack, his 
 object being to give as much time as possible for the cap 
 tured wagons to get away. 
 
 It seemed a long time before the enemy could make up 
 their mind what to do. Finally they got together a large 
 force in line and throwing out skirmishers, began to move 
 forward. The captain waited as long as he thought pru 
 dent, when he wheeled his command and galloped away. 
 
 While the men were busy turning the teams out of the 
 pike, the captain saw a large covered wagon filled with 
 prisoners, drawn by six mules, standing partly across the 
 road, with no driver. Seeing a young negro standing near 
 he said to him : "Can you drive that team ?" "Yes, Massa, 
 I drive um." Then jumping on the box he put his head in 
 side the wagon cover and yelled to the prisoners : "By 
 golly, you toted me off. Now I tote you off!" Then 
 jumping from the box to the back of the saddle mule, with 
 a loud laugh and a yell at the team, he soon had the road 
 clear. 
 
 Wet, hungry and weary, the command arrived about 
 midnight at Mercersburg. 
 
 One hundred thirty-four wagons, more than six hun 
 dred horses and mules, six hundred forty-five prisoners and 
 
266 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 two pieces of artillery were the trophies of this spirited 
 affair. Three hundred of the prisoners had been wounded 
 at Gettysburg. The wagons contained much plunder that 
 the Confederates had gathered from stores and houses they 
 had passed. Of the captain s men three were killed, a few 
 slightly wounded and several had their horses disabled. 
 
 One man having lost his horse, and seeing the train 
 guard coming, was looking for some place where he might 
 hide until the guard should pass by. He dodged into an 
 old barn. To his surprise he found the barn occupied by a 
 lot of Confederates who had taken refuge there during the 
 attack on the train. They all threw up their hands, crying 
 out: "We surrender!" "All right," said the cavalryman, 
 "Just stay right here till I can take care of you." Getting 
 out of the barn he sought another place of safety. 
 
 Bernard Dougherty, one of those dismounted, in wan 
 dering back to the regiment picked up, one after another, 
 thirteen weary Confederates who were entirely willing to 
 come with him as prisoners. 
 
 The force at McConnellsburg moved at noon of the 5th, 
 over a mountain range and through Loudon to Chambers- 
 burg, twenty-five miles. "Glad to see you," was the greet 
 ing they received. At 2 o clock the morning of the 6th, the 
 march was resumed for Mercersburg, sixteen miles, and 
 then back to Loudon. Valentine and three others, delayed 
 on the march, followed hard on the track of some strolling 
 Confederates, capturing one and quickening the speed of the 
 
 rest. 
 
 The full story of the great battle was now known and 
 
 the report of the surrender of Vicksburg was confirmed. 
 The detachments that had been separated at Berryville and 
 Winchester were drawing together, and all in high hope that 
 they would have a hand in again defeating the Confed 
 erates before they could recross the Potomac. 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 GETTYSBURG : EAST OF LEE S ARMY. 
 
 THE morning of June 15, while the train with Com 
 panies C and H was hurrying northward, and other 
 detachments were on the way to Hancock, Milroy and most 
 of the officers and men of the division were making for 
 Harper s Ferry. General Tyler from Martinsburg took 
 command and moved all the forces across the river to Mary 
 land Heights. 
 
 In the temporary organization of this force, Col. Mc- 
 Reynolds was placed in command of the cavalry, parts of 
 broken organizations forming a somewhat irregular brigade. 
 Of his own regiment only Lieut. Martindale with Co. H 
 was with him. Lieut. J. H. Stevenson of Co. C. was his 
 A. A. A. G. and Lieut. E. A. New was an aide. 
 
 Here on Maryland Heights they awaited developments. 
 Pleasanton and Stuart were fighting east of the Blue Ridge 
 and their guns could be distinctly heard. The Union cav 
 alry was skirmishing with the Confederate advance. The 
 forces on Maryland Heights were held in readiness. A 
 portion of the Confederates was crossing the Potomac east 
 of the Blue Ridge, and Hooker was leading his army north 
 ward between these Confederates and Washington. Stuart 
 was taking his cavalry around the rear, or rather through the 
 Union army, moving not far from Washington. But it was 
 
268 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 not easy for those on the Heights to know all that was go 
 ing on. Lieutenant Martindale and his company were kept 
 busy scouting for information. June 23rd, he captured 
 fifteen Confederates, one of whom was the son of General 
 Wight. The 24th, Hooker s army was crossing at Ed 
 wards Ferry. The 27th, Hooker himself looked over the 
 position and gave orders for the disabling of the heavy guns 
 and abandoning the Heights. A courier bearing dispatches 
 from Lee to one of his generals was taken. The informa 
 tion gained led to a postponement of this movement. A 
 number of straggling Confederates were taken. They were 
 wandering around freely in Maryland. An ambulance train 
 with its guard was captured. 
 
 The 3Oth, these forces moved to Frederick and became 
 a part of French s corps. Both armies were moving toward 
 their "Philippi" in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The first of July a scouting party went up along the 
 Potomac to see how Lee had crossed and what were his 
 means of recrossing, and what guards he had left there. 
 The scout returned the night of the 2nd. They reported 
 finding a pontoon bridge at Falling Waters guarded by two 
 hundred cavalry. At the Williamsport ford was a guard of 
 a few hundred men. 
 
 Colonel McReynolds thereupon wrote to General 
 French : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, 
 
 FREDERICK, MD., July 3, 1863. 
 
 LIEUTENANT: I beg to submit for the consideration of the Major 
 General commanding, that I have information, which I deem reliable, 
 that the rebel force in the vicinity of Williamsport is very small; that 
 a force of cavalry about one hundred and fifty strong, could, in my 
 opinion, successfully approach to that point, and, by a prompt move 
 ment, at break of day to-morrow, destroy the pontoon bridge at that 
 place, which is the only reliance of the rebels for a retreat for their 
 infantry, artillery and wagons in that direction. I sincerely hope the 
 
GETTYSBURG EAST OF LEE S ARMY. 269 
 
 General will permit me to make this movement, as I deem it not only 
 quite practicable, but of vast importance. 
 I have the honor to be, Lieutenant, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 ANDREW T. MCREYNOLDS, 
 
 Col. ist N. Y. Cav., Com d Cav. Brig. 
 To LIEUT. W. F. A. TORBUT, 
 
 A. A. G. French s Corps. 
 
 This received the approval of General French. The 
 communication was endorsed : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, July 3, 1863. 
 
 COLONEL : I am directed by General French to say that he approves 
 of the within, and that you will use your discretion in effecting the 
 purpose. Respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. F. A. TORBUT, 
 
 Lieut. A. D. C and A. A. A. G. 
 To COLONEL MCREYNOLDS, 
 
 Commanding Brigade. 
 
 Colonel McReynolds intrusted this matter to Major 
 Shadrack Foley of the I4th Pennsylvania cavalry. With 
 about three hundred men from his own regiment, from the 
 ist New York, I3th Pennsylvania, and 6th Michigan, he 
 started on the night of the 3rd. The men went fully pre 
 pared for their bold undertaking. They proceeded as 
 quickly as possible and cautiously to the Potomac at Fall 
 ing Waters. The pontoon bridge had been loosened on the 
 Maryland side, and had swung over to the other bank. The 
 guard was on the Virginia side. John Hetz, a bugler of 
 the 6th Michigan, volunteered to swim across the river and 
 cut the upper end of the bridge loose. This he accom 
 plished. The current carried this end out into the stream. 
 When the bridge lay athwart the river, the end was made 
 fast to the Maryland bank. The major and his men then 
 crossed the bridge and attacked the guard, capturing sev 
 enteen and dispersing the rest. Then recrossing, they de- 
 
270 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 stroyed the bridge. After sending the prisoners under 
 guard toward headquarters, the major proceeded to Will- 
 iamsport. He routed the guard there, taking a few pris 
 oners, and returned in safety. It was a daring act well 
 done. 
 
 The 4th, Martindale had a fight with some cavalry that 
 had taken captive some Union citizens near Frederick. 
 After a hot pursuit he rescued the captives and took a few 
 of the enemy. 
 
 After the recent heavy rains the Potomac rose so that 
 it could not be forded. It seemed an auspicious occurrence. 
 Lee was retiring with diminished forces and ammunition 
 probably mostly expended. Now was the opportunity for 
 the victorious army, strengthened by reinforcements, to 
 make its work complete. The condition of the river and 
 the destruction of the pontoon were reported to General 
 Meade. But the pursuit of the enemy was delayed. Lee 
 guarded his position well, and prepared to defend himself. 
 Hostile parties encountered each other daily. The 5th, 
 General Buford with his cavalry reached Frederick. The 
 6th, he marched toward Williamsport, but he found the 
 enemy so strongly posted that it was useless to attack. 
 
 The Qth, Colonel McReynolds was directed to get to 
 gether the scattered parts of his brigade. He went to 
 Chambersburg where he found Boyd. The I3th, he 
 reached Greencastle where Adams was waiting with the 
 rest of the regiment. The men with the train came back 
 from their far wanderings. 
 
 The reunited detachments of the regiment were glad to 
 be together once more. They congratulated one another 
 on what they had done during their active campaign. With 
 the loss of but few men they had taken about three hundred 
 wagons with their teams, two cannon and nearly a thousand 
 prisoners. Though no part of the regiment had been en- 
 
GETTYSBURG EAST OF LEE S ARMY. 271 
 
 gaged in the battle itself, detachments had been busy on all 
 sides and in the rear of Lee s army. 
 
 The 1 4th, the re-collected brigade, now in Gregg s di 
 vision, moved from Chambersburg through Leitersburg to 
 Greencastle. There had been high hopes that between the 
 swollen Potomac behind, and Meade s army gathering close 
 around in front, Lee s army might be defeated, perhaps 
 captured. It was a severe disappointment now to learn 
 that the Confederates were all safely across the river. But 
 the southern confederacy, too, was disappointed. The des 
 perate effort to win a victory on northern ground had failed. 
 The rebel war clerk recorded in his diary : "The news from 
 Lee s army is appalling." 
 
 The 1 5th, large bodies of troops were in motion toward 
 Boonsboro on their way back to Virginia. There were 
 hard campaigns yet before them. The enemy that had won 
 so many victories, from the first Bull Run to Chancellors- 
 ville, had at last met a decisive check. But the riots in 
 New York indicated an enemy in the rear. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 SHEPHERDSTOWN FORD; MARTINSBURG. 
 
 THE afternoon of the i6th, the regiment moved from 
 Hagerstown, for a distance along the entrenchments 
 of fence rails and earth with which the Confederates had 
 encircled themselves while waiting about Williamsport for 
 the river to fall. The march was continued below Shep- 
 herdstown ford, over Antietam battle field. The men were 
 interested in identifying the places over which they had 
 moved on the I9th of September of the year before. Com 
 fortable quarters were found in Blackford s barn. The 
 night was rainy, and the I7th was rainy. The i8th was 
 clear. The men studied the situation of Antietam, the 
 sunken road, the cornfield, Miller s barn, the Burnside 
 bridge. 
 
 The Confederate pickets were on the other bank. There 
 were frequent friendly conversations with them. They 
 kindly expressed a very favorable opinion of the First New 
 York cavalry. They belonged to Major Gilmore s battalion. 
 Men would meet in midstream to exchange coffee and to 
 bacco. Gilmore himself came across the river and visited 
 an hour with some of the I2th Pennsylvania. 
 
 Many of our wounded were in the hands of the enemy 
 at Shepherdstown. Colonel McReynolds was anxious about 
 their condition. He sent Captain Stevenson with a flag of 
 truce. He gave an account of his visit: 
 
 272 
 
SHEPHERDSTOWN FORD; MARTINSBURG. 273 
 
 I dressed in full uniform with sash, side arms and spurs, and had 
 two men row me across. A sentinel halted us and demanded our 
 business. I replied that I had a message for the officer in command. 
 He pointed to a horseman approaching, saying, "That is the officer in 
 command here." "Who is he?" "That is Major Gilmore." The 
 major dismounted and beckoned me to approach. There was such a 
 contrast between our respective "get up," that I wished I had not 
 been so particular about my personal appearance. I informed him that 
 my errand was to inquire after our wounded in his hands. He ex 
 pressed himself well pleased at meeting one of the gallant First New 
 York (Lincoln) cavalry; said our regiment had a good name in the 
 Valley; and that he would be pleased to do us any favor in his power. 
 We might send a surgeon and some nurses, with medicines, food, etc., 
 for the wounded, but they would not be permitted to return until his 
 troops should leave the place. I assented, as I felt that would not be 
 very long. 
 
 He was standing by his spirited and powerful gray horse. He was 
 dressed in gray, with a light felt hat on which there was a black, droop 
 ing feather. He had a pleasant expression, but his face had rather a 
 German look with large blue eyes. He expressed a desire to see the 
 war at an end, and in a manner satisfactory to all. 
 
 Dr. Elliott and several nurses with all needed supplies went to the 
 relief of the wounded. 
 
 The 2Oth, Peterson, who had been wounded at Han 
 cock, returned. He had gone home on furlough. He had 
 not fully recovered, and his furlough had not expired. He 
 could have had it extended, but the news from the armies 
 had made him impatient to return. In New York he came 
 near falling into the hands of the rioters to whom a Union 
 soldier was an object of special hatred. He was a good 
 soldier and was heartily welcomed. 
 
 For the first time in many weeks the regiment was in 
 camp in clean woods near Bunker church, the little shelter 
 tents pitched in order. The brigade was picketing the river 
 for thirty miles, from Williamsport to Harper s Ferry. 
 
 Good news came from the armies in the West. 
 Meade s army was east of the Blue Ridge, and Lee was sup- 
 
274 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 posed to be falling back to his old position on the Rappa- 
 hannock. 
 
 The 23rd, Major Quinn with two hundred men went 
 across to learn the situation. He went to Martinsburg, 
 picked up a few wanderers, and returned, having found no 
 organized force. 
 
 The 29th, a force went out with two days rations, mak 
 ing a circuit by Winchester and Berryville, finding no enemy. 
 August 2nd, another party went out with a like result. 
 
 The 4th, the entire brigade moved by way of Harper s 
 Ferry to Martinsburg. The lame and tired horses crossed 
 the ford and took the shortest way. Here new camps were 
 made. That of the regiment was in a piece of thin woods 
 on a broad hill a short distance southeast of the town. It 
 was a comfortable camp. 
 
 The 6th had been appointed by the President as a day 
 of special thanksgiving for recent victories. 
 
 With a few exceptions, the people of Martinsburg were 
 loyal. One of the exceptions was "Colonel" Faulkner. He 
 owned a farm near the town and lived in a fine, large man 
 sion. He had been prominent in politics, and had been 
 minister to France. Since the war began he had found it 
 convenient to remain within the Confederate lines. His 
 wife and daughters remained at home. They had the ap 
 pearance of cultivated ladies. They possessed the art of 
 diplomacy. They were very hospitable, and managed to 
 secure a guard for their premises. "Faulkner s woods" 
 were a favorite camping ground, and in spite of diplomacy 
 and guards, many of the fine old oaks in time disappeared. 
 
 Prominent among the loyal men was Edmund Pendle- 
 ton who had used all his influence on the side of the Union. 
 His sons were doing good service in the Federal army and 
 navy. 
 
 There were places where the sympathies of the people 
 
SHEPHERDSTOWN FORD; MARTINSBURG. 275 
 
 were with the party that was, for the time being, in pos 
 session. An elegant home in Maryland was brilliant with 
 Union colors while a Federal column was passing north 
 ward. A Union officer captured at Gettysburg, passing the 
 same house as he was taken southward, noticed that it was 
 gay with Confederate banners. A part of the regiment was 
 once greeted by a group of children on a porch with lusty 
 cheers for "Jeff Davis." A word of warning from their 
 mother checked them, when they began to "hurrah for the 
 Union !" 
 
 In our previous sojourning in the Valley some very 
 pleasant acquaintances had been made. On the Shenandoah 
 near Berryville, on a fine, large estate lived Mr. Ware. His 
 sympathies were with the South, but he was a high-minded, 
 honorable man. Between him and some of the officers 
 many courtesies were exchanged. He had some especially 
 good horses. He was invited to attend the races at Berry 
 ville. When the brigade was obliged to leave that place, the 
 private baggage of the officers was appropriated with other 
 stores. Mr. Ware procured from General Lee an order 
 directing that the officers baggage be delivered to him. 
 When a convenient time came he returned it to the owners. 
 
 Near Martinsburg lived Herman Bodha, a discreet and 
 honest Union man who more than once did favors to the 
 men of the regiment. 
 
 Here lived Belle Boyd who gained much notoriety as 
 a rebel spy. After the war was over she kept herself before 
 the public, sometimes an actress, sometimes a lecturer on 
 her experiences as a spy. She had been engaged to a young 
 captain in Jackson s corps. He had been killed in a skir 
 mish and she "vowed vengeance." She related astonishing 
 experiences in all sorts of disguises. She had been com 
 missioned captain, and had ridden with Stuart at the head 
 of his column; had been sent by Jefferson Davis with im- 
 
276 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 portant dispatches and three kegs of gold to England; had 
 been captured on a blockade runner and had captivated her 
 captors. 
 
 A guard was placed about her mother s house. She 
 had the assurance to send a request to Colonel McReynolds 
 to call and see her. He sent Captain Stevenson. Him she 
 entertained by appearing clad in a gold-bespangled uniform 
 of a captain of Confederate cavalry, with revolver in belt. 
 She was not favorably regarded by the better class of people 
 in the Valley. Probably she was not so dangerous as a 
 spy as her notoriety would lead one to think. The most 
 efficient spies did not advertise what they were doing. 
 Belle s later matrimonial affairs were neither creditable nor 
 happy, according to her own admission. 
 
 The government did not furnish rations of cream or 
 milk for coffee. But a bright little girl, Katie, brought 
 regularly her pail of milk. She was a great favorite with 
 the men. Her memory is a pleasant feature in the picture 
 of camp life. 
 
 Before daybreak of the 7th two hundred men set out. 
 They passed through Leetown, named after General Charles 
 Lee, for a time next in command to Washington. He was 
 dismissed from the service and came here to live. He 
 shunned the companionship of men and stayed here in a 
 rude hut with only a pack of dogs and a few books for com 
 pany. Generals Alex. Stephens and Horatio Gates also 
 lived near by. The line of march led to Charlestown. The 
 beauty and fertility of the country were early known. 
 Members of the Washington family located here. The 
 place was named after Charles, a brother, of the general. 
 Southeast of the town was a noted cave. Five miles away 
 were the Shenandoah Springs, a place beautiful in its pros 
 pect of river and mountain. In an open field were the ruins 
 of an ancient church built, no one could tell when. Brad- 
 
SHEPHERDSTOWN FORD; MARTINSBURG. 277 
 
 dock s army had marched through here. The story of John 
 Brown had made the place famous. Shepherdstown was the 
 home of James Rumsey who, in 1786 built a steamboat that 
 moved five miles an hour. 
 
 Here were several prominent related families, honorable 
 people Aglionby, Yates and Beall, who traced their ances 
 try to the time of the Conqueror. Among their ancestors 
 was "Belted Will," the hero of the "Lay of the Last Min 
 strel." The Beall farm had taken the first premium in 
 Virginia. Some of the Beall sons had lived at Dubuque, 
 Iowa, but they came home when the war began, to go with 
 their state. John Y. Beall was an active leader in many 
 daring enterprises. He served on the lakes. In the garb 
 of a citizen he was arrested at Niagara Falls. He might 
 have avoided an arrest, but he felt in honor bound to save a 
 friend and ran too much risk. He was condemned under 
 General Dix. A large delegation of Union people begged 
 the President to spare his life. But the laws of war de 
 manded the penalty, and he was executed. He met his fate 
 like a brave man. 
 
 The party from Martinsburg went on to Berryville, 
 forded the river and stopped for the night in Snicker s Gap, 
 fifty miles. An early start was made the next morning. 
 At noon stopped at Leesburg. This place was settled by 
 the Lees. A few miles away was the home of President 
 Monroe. This was also the home of John Champe of Lee s 
 Legion, who, at the request of Washington, deserted to the 
 British army in order to take captive Benedict Arnold and 
 bring him a prisoner into the American lines. After the 
 war an English traveler sought a stopping place for a 
 stormy night in Champe s house. It was the British cap 
 tain in whose company Champe had been placed. 
 
 A detachment of the Sixth Michigan was to have joined 
 the New York men. But it had fallen in with a superior 
 
278 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 force under Mosby and White, and had been driven out of 
 its course. 
 
 Forded the Potomac at White s ferry and marched up 
 the canal tow path to Point of Rocks. The infantry sta 
 tioned here, seeing the cavalry coming from Virginia, pre 
 pared to receive them as enemies, but their mistake was 
 corrected. Here a lot of goods in readiness to be smuggled 
 into Virginia was captured. 
 
 Returned to Martinsburg on the loth, a hundred and 
 twenty miles. 
 
 The 1 2th, a scout to Winchester, bringing home a 
 single prisoner. The I4th, one to Smithfield and another 
 to Winchester, having a little skirmish. The i6th, a single 
 captive taken at Winchester. 
 
 The 2Oth, the paymaster paid the installments for 
 March and April. It had been a long interval between in 
 stallments, but the men had managed to subsist. 
 
 Scouts were out every day. Orderly and quartermaster 
 sergeants were busy on muster rolls, and were trying to ac 
 count for property lost since June 13. The 2ist, Captain 
 Stevenson made a wide circuit to the west and around to 
 Winchester, fifty miles in twelve hours, picking up five men 
 and horses. Company K went to Berryville and lost four 
 men captured. 
 
 The brigade was again in the Department of West Vir 
 ginia, General Kelly commanding. 
 
 The 29th, a scout found part of Swell s corps at Front 
 Royal. September 2nd, chased some strollers out of Win 
 chester. The 5th, exchanged shots at Middleburg ; explored 
 the mountains near to Romney ; the 6th, almost to Strasburg. 
 The night of the 7th, the pickets of the 2Oth Pennsylvania 
 at Bath were driven in ; the 8th, went hunting for those that 
 did it. The i ith, Orderly Sergeant Ellis of C was accident- 
 
SHEPHERDSTOWN FORD; MARTINSBURG. 279 
 
 ally killed in practice firing. He was a fine soldier, and 
 deeply lamented. 
 
 The 1 2th, an alarm: "The rebels are coming; two 
 thousand at Charlestown !" Ordered out to meet them, but 
 they had gone. 
 
 A splendid new national flag had been sent to the regi 
 ment by the authorities of New York city. The afternoon 
 of the 1 4th was set apart for the presentation. All the 
 forces at the post were ordered out for review on a level 
 field west of the town. Many from the town and country 
 came to see. Colonel McReynolds presented the flag. 
 Major Harkins, on behalf of the regiment, accepted it in 
 an eloquent speech, in which he expressed the wish that one 
 of the stars on the flag might descend and leave its impress 
 on the colonel s shoulder, a wish that was heartily seconded 
 by all the brigade. 
 
 The 1 5th, Quartermaster General Meigs, a gray and 
 grizzled soldier, visited the post. The customary salutes 
 were fired, and a review was held in his honor. 
 
 The afternoon of the Hth, Captain Jones went out with 
 a hundred men fifty from the First and the same number 
 from the I2th, the latter under Lieut. Irwin. They halted 
 for the night in a piece of woods near Charlestown. A 
 party of rebels was in the farther end of the same woods. 
 Both parties were cautious. There were no fires, no talk 
 ing, no challenging of sentries. Both were waiting for the 
 morning before troubling each other. In the morning 
 both were on the move the rebels moving away. Jones 
 sent twenty-five to follow them up leisurely, while with 
 twenty-five more he cut across the country to head them off. 
 The enemy seemed increasing in numbers and courage, and 
 were soon seen returning. The captain formed the I2th 
 in line across the road, with orders to advance, when the 
 other detachment would join in. But the I2th did not stand 
 
280 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 their ground. Seeing this, the enemy came on with a yell. 
 Bailey and Poindexter checked the retreat. The first 
 twenty-five now charged in the rear of the rebels. It seemed 
 to the captain that he had the enemy all secure, but the fail 
 ure of the 1 2th to do what he expected of them spoiled his 
 plans. He was left alone. In disgust he returned his 
 sabre, and drawing a revolver, began firing among the en 
 emy. It seemed that he could not miss that crowd. But 
 at the fourth shot a ball struck his pistol guard, breaking 
 it, and paralyzing his hand. Two of his fingers were partly 
 shattered. He concluded he could not accomplish any more 
 there, and looked to see how he could get away. It was too 
 late for him to get into the road. He made for a gate in a 
 high board fence, less than a hundred yards away. Five 
 men followed him, one of them shouting, "You are my 
 mutton!" "Old fellow, not yet!" the captain replied, and 
 turning in his saddle fired at him. He succeeded in getting 
 through the gate. Two of the five stopped. The other 
 three followed him. He was delayed in trying to get his 
 horse across a brook. His pursuers were not more than a 
 rod or two behind him calling upon him to surrender. But 
 they were delayed at the brook and he now increased the 
 distance between them. But he found himself in a fenced 
 cornfield. He tried to jump the fence, but his horse had 
 been wounded and was failing. He dismounted, and tak 
 ing his other revolver from the holster he climbed over, first 
 one fence, and then a second, his pursuers still firing at him. 
 They stopped to let down the fences, while he ran to a tree, 
 and taking refuge behind it exchanged shots with them, 
 keeping them at a safe distance. His ammunition was soon 
 gone, and there was nothing to do then but to surrender. 
 They were disposed to be rough with him until they learned 
 to what regiment he belonged. Then they offered to go 
 back with him to get his horse. But his horse was dying. 
 
SHEPHERDSTOWN FORD; MARTINSBURG. 281 
 
 In passing through the opening in the fence the horse of one 
 of them fell. Just then the captain heard a halloo, and 
 looking upj saw one of his sergeants coming over a hill. 
 Seeing three rebels the sergeant halted. The captain took 
 off his hat and waving it, shouted : "Come on, sergeant, 
 don t you know me?" The sergeant, flourishing his re 
 volver, came on with a yell. The captain said to his two 
 captors who were mounted, "If you want to get away, now 
 is your time. The whole company is right behind him." 
 They started off and the sergeant started after them. He 
 brought back one of them, a prisoner. The dismounted 
 man surrendered, handing back to the captain the revolver 
 he had lately received from him, and his own arms as well. 
 
 In the meantime Bailey, Poindexter and Irwin, after 
 repeated charges and counter charges, had got the enemy on 
 the run, and after a chase of several miles had captured ten 
 of them. Three of their own men were wounded. 
 
 The i Qth, a large force with Captain Bailey in command 
 went out for two days. At Strasburg eleven of Gilmore s 
 men and some conscript officers were captured without much 
 fighting. Philip Burke of D was accidentally shot. He 
 died the next day at Martinsburg. 
 
 The 2ist, news came of a battle by Rosecrans army. 
 
 The 22nd, a scouting party was sent out for two days. 
 It went to Gerardstown, Pughtown, and came into Win 
 chester from the west. No armed enemies. 
 
 It was now known that the battle of Chickamauga 
 came near being a disastrous defeat. For several days 
 troops from the Army of the Potomac were passing over 
 the B. & O. R. R. to reinforce the army at Chattanooga. 
 These were the corps of Slocum and Howard, all under the 
 command of Hooker. The picket lines were strengthened 
 along the line of the road to prevent, as much as possible, 
 news of this movement getting outside the lines. 
 
282 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The 27th, a scout went out for two days. 
 
 For a few days the men were busy moving the camp 
 from the thin woods on the hill to an open field to the south. 
 
 October ist, there was an alarm: "Saddle up, all 
 hands !" A strong force was ordered to Bunker Hill. Im- 
 boden with several hundred men had come down the valley 
 and gone back, without waiting for a fight. 
 
 The 4th, paid for four months, from May to Aug. 31. 
 As usual a portion of this was due to the sutler. David 
 A. Bennett had been captain of Co. F from its organization. 
 He had always been interested in the welfare of his men. 
 For some reason he had resigned his captaincy and re-en 
 tered the service as sutler. It looked as if the new camp 
 was to be permanent, and the late captain had provided an 
 abundant supply of all things that the men in camp would 
 be likely to need. But just after "taps" on the evening of 
 this pay day, there was a sudden rush in the darkness. Tent 
 pins were pulled up, and in a few. minutes the sutler s stock 
 had disappeared. The next morning the officer of the 
 guard, attended by a detail, passed through all the company 
 streets and in front of every tent, but found none of the 
 missing goods. 
 
 The Germans in the regiment built for themselves a 
 "music hall," and here in the evenings they would meet for 
 social enjoyment. It was always a pleasure to attend their 
 concerts of songs and stories. 
 
 The 7th, Major Quinn went out to Berry ville, White 
 Post and Newtown, returning on the loth with a few 
 prisoners. 
 
 The 1 2th, two hundred were ordered by a roundabout 
 way to Berryville. Here they rested till after midnight 
 when they continued their way nearly to Front Royal and 
 across to Winchester, and home. They heard rumors that 
 
SHEPHERDSTOWN FORD; MARTINSBURG. 283 
 
 a large force was preparing to come down the valley, and 
 orders in camp were to keep saddled and prepared. 
 
 This kind of service, interesting and exciting with its 
 many adventures, brought out some daring young fellows 
 who became expert in scouting. Citizens sometimes had 
 been pressed into the service as guides. Among the moun 
 tains a Mr. Moss, who had been obliged to leave his home 
 and family because of his opinions, had served the Union 
 forces well. He had been captured by the Confederates and 
 condemned, but had escaped. At Martinsburg a man called 
 Noakes had done efficient service, who made his trips into 
 the enemy s country pay him well in horses. Hyatt Brown 
 had long been a trusted scout. 
 
 But now the men of the regiment had become well ac 
 quainted with every part of the Valley. They had come to 
 know every road and byway. 
 
 Among these were Edwin F. Savacool and Charles D. 
 Vosburg of Co. K ; Napoleon Valentine, George S. Peavey, 
 R. S. Dorman and Henry C. H. Wilson of Co. B ; and James 
 Dunn, Edward J. and Henry J. Goubleman of Co. D. 
 
 Some one of these men, in varying attire, as circum 
 stances seemed to make necessary, would go on far in ad 
 vance of a scouting party. He would assume a character 
 that seemed at the time best adapted to his purpose. He 
 would be all things to all men, if so he could pick up inform 
 ation, or capture a Confederate off duty and visiting his 
 friends. His information, or his prisoner, he would hand 
 over to the advance of the party following him. They 
 would go out alone and be gone several days. Savacool 
 acted the part of a mail carrier, collecting and delivering 
 letters and packages along his route. 
 
 October I4th, he encountered Gilmore with his battal 
 ion near Newtown. It was too late to evade him. He had 
 picked up some of Gilmore s men from time to time. He 
 
284 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 was afraid some one in the troop might recognize him. The 
 only thing to do was to put on a bold front, tell as straight 
 a story as he could, and take his chances. It so happened 
 that a lady in Winchester had handed him a letter to be left 
 at some point for Gilmore himself. This letter he now took 
 from his pouch and handed to Gilmore. The major s sus 
 picions were quieted. The letter evidently contained good 
 news. The two men became friends. "They drank from 
 the same canteen," and that was the major s. He became 
 communicative and imparted to his new friend a secret. He 
 was on his way down Back creek to burn the railroad bridge. 
 Savacool had important errands and could not delay. Leav 
 ing Gilmore he resumed his way toward the south. Then 
 making a circuit he rode rapidly back to Martinsburg and 
 reported to Colonel McReynolds. 
 
 A hundred men were at once detailed from the First 
 and Twelfth, and sent out under Captain Prendergast of 
 the former, and Captain Henry of the latter. The infantry 
 at North Mountain station was notified to look out for the 
 bridge. 
 
 Gilmore stopped to visit the writer of his letter, send 
 ing Captain Blackford on with his men. These had halted 
 in a retired spot surrounded by woods, to wait until night 
 fall, and "Then darkling try their dangerous way." 
 
 Prendergast was fortunate in learning the situation. 
 He sent Captain Henry around to the farther side to cut 
 off the retreat. Some of Blackford s men were sleeping, 
 some fishing, and some bathing in the creek when Prender 
 gast and his men burst in upon them, capturing Blackford 
 and his lieutenant, thirty men and thirty-six horses. 
 
 The 1 6th, another detail went to Smithfield, Berry ville 
 and Charlestown. Here six men from Co. B with a 
 few of Somers men were sent back to Berryville for some 
 purpose. A number of the enemy appeared and disputed 
 
SHEPHERDSTOWN FORD; MARTINSBURG. 285 
 
 the right of way. Sergeant Westbrook attacked them. 
 There was a lively skirmish with what proved to be a su 
 perior force. Westbrook did his best, but had to retire, 
 losing Jerome Bell and John Stuart, two good men, captured, 
 but who, after several months in prison, returned to do good 
 service. 
 
 At midnight of the i/th, another force set out under 
 Captain Leavitt to investigate. At sunrise this force dashed 
 into Winchester, taking three prisoners who were visiting 
 friends. More were probably in hiding in the town. On to 
 wards Berryville. Before entering the place it was seen that 
 the Confederates were there in too large force to be assailed. 
 Back to Martinsburg by way of Jordan Springs and Bunker 
 Hill. 
 
 Cannonading and musketry had been heard in the di 
 rection of Charlestown, and infantry and artillery were hur 
 ried off for assistance. 
 
 It was Imboden s force that had been seen in Berry 
 ville. From there he moved quickly to Charlestown where 
 the Ninth Maryland volunteers, Colonel Simpson, were en 
 camped. By a well-planned and vigorous attack, Imboden 
 captured almost the entire regiment. He then quickly with 
 drew. General Sullivan from Harper s Ferry sent a force 
 in pursuit, but Imboden was at a safe distance with all his 
 400, or more, prisoners. It was a bold thing cleverly done, 
 and more than balanced all of our smaller successes. A few 
 of the prisoners escaped and found their way back. They 
 reported Imboden s force at two thousand. 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 CHARLESTOWN. 
 
 TOWARD night, October 19, all available men of the 
 regiment were ordered to Charlestown. It was a 
 cold night. The mud was deep, with a frozen crust. They 
 reached the town about 2 o clock. Companies and messes 
 looked for comfortable quarters, and as a general thing 
 found them, for it had been a thrifty, prosperous town. 
 Company B was fortunate in finding a large livery barn. 
 There was a long dirt floor from front to rear, with stalls 
 on either side. The loft was well filled with hay. The 
 men were chilled with their long night ride, and now they 
 built fires on the ground floor, and making thick beds of 
 hay, lay around the fires like the spokes of a wheel, and 
 slept as peacefully as if they had no memories of evil deeds 
 to trouble them. The morning was clear and bright. The 
 men were up early, foraging for breakfast. 
 
 By a fire of fence pickets at the edge of the sidewalk 
 immediately in front of the barn, sat Charles R. Peterson 
 leaning back against a tree. He had found some chickens 
 which he had skinned, fried and eaten. His face was aglow 
 with chicken grease and contentment. A .tall, stern Vir 
 ginian, with an anxious look on his dark features, came 
 along. He stopped by Peterson and expressed some fear 
 of danger from the fire so near his barn. Peterson with a 
 grunt expressive of fullness and unconcern, replied: "Huh, 
 
CHARLESTOWN. 287 
 
 we have had fires inside all night. Look in there and see 
 them, and you won t worry about this out here." 
 
 The 2ist and 22nd Pennsylvania and Major Cole s 
 battalion of Maryland cavalry had been ordered here, with 
 Colonel Boyd, lately our Captain Boyd, of the first named 
 regiment in command. The morning of the 2Oth, with all 
 these forces Boyd set out for Winchester. Here several 
 Confederate officers were found and taken. It was learned 
 that Imboden with all his force was at Strasburg. The 
 wagon train came with all the equipage, and the regiment 
 made a new camp in a fine piece of woods just outside the 
 town. Some of the men found cook stoves which they put 
 up in their tents. Other articles of furniture were found 
 that added to comfort in quarters. The court house in 
 which John Brown was tried was explored. A table at 
 which attorneys probably sat, made a very convenient writ 
 ing desk for the orderly sergeant of B. Some things were 
 done by a few lawless soldiers that were severely condemned 
 by the better ones. 
 
 The 26th, all available men were ordered out with two 
 days rations. A part of this force went by way of Win 
 chester, and a part by way of Berryville and Front Royal 
 to Strasburg. Captain Stevenson with the advance picked 
 up about twenty captives, some of them staff officers of im 
 portance. There was some skirmishing at long range with 
 small bands. 
 
 Savacool, dressed in gray, as was his way, went on 
 far in advance alone. Near Millwood he found a horse, 
 fully equipped, tied by the roadside. His Confederate 
 rider was overhead in a tree top picking persimmons. Sava 
 cool called to him to come down quickly, for a force of 
 Yankees was coming. The Confederate "made haste and 
 came down," when he found himself a prisoner. He sub 
 mitted with as good grace as possible. Waiting till the ad- 
 
288 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 vance came up, Savacool turned over his prisoner and again 
 went on alone. 
 
 Between the forks of the Shenandoah lived Mr. Rich 
 ards. Mrs. Richards former husband was a Mr. Baylor. 
 Her son was in Mosby s troop, and had become known as 
 a bold and dangerous fellow in a fight. Savacool had been 
 told by a colored man in the neighborhood, that young Bay 
 lor was then at his mother s. He determined to capture 
 him. He fearlessly but civilly entered the house. Baylor 
 was there, having laid aside his arms, visiting with his 
 mother. Savacool, saying that he was a Confederate cav 
 alryman, entered into a friendly conversation, hoping to 
 entertain them until the advance should come up. After a 
 while he noticed that Baylor began to be suspicious and 
 restless. He noticed a gun resting on some brackets by the 
 side of the room. Finally, rising from his chair, Baylor re 
 marked to his mother that he had noticed some ducks out on 
 the river, and he believed he would take his gun and go out 
 and see if he couldn t get a few. Before he could reach the 
 gun Savacool was on his feet with his revolver drawn, 
 threatening to fire if Baylor moved another step. Baylor 
 grasped hold of the revolver, but found his thumb caught 
 under the hammer as Savacool pulled the trigger. He 
 drew his hand away and endeavored to clinch with Sava 
 cool, but the latter was too quick for him. He held him 
 at the muzzle of his cocked pistol, steadily watching him 
 in the eye, and in this manner compelled him to follow him 
 out of the room. His mother, hiding a small revolver be 
 hind her, endeavored to slip it into her son s hands, but 
 Savacool s threat to fire if she attempted it, caused her to 
 cease. He held his prisoner at the end of his revolver 
 until the advance came up. The mother begged that her 
 son might be treated kindly. But that same night the fel 
 low got away from the guard and escaped. 
 
CHARLESTOWN. 289 
 
 It was learned that Imboden had gone back as far as 
 Mt. Jackson. Some more of the prisoners he had taken at 
 Charlestown had escaped, and were finding their way back. 
 
 The 29th, a scout to Winchester. The 3Oth, Captain 
 Jones with A again went out, and after a lively skirmish 
 and a quick pursuit, brought in ten captives, with no casu 
 alties in his own ranks. 
 
 Charlestown was a cultured, high toned community, a 
 place of churches and schools. At an excellent school for 
 young ladies here, Harriet Lane, the niece of President 
 Buchanan, and mistress of the White House during his ad 
 ministration, had attended school. Many of the people 
 were in intimate social relations with the most prominent 
 families in the country. 
 
 The writer frequently received letters from an attorney 
 in Dubuque, Iowa, relating to the business interests of the 
 Beall family in that place, that have been mentioned. In 
 delivering these letters he made the valued acquaintance of 
 one of the most honorable families to be found either in 
 the South or the North. 
 
 At midnight of November 3 a hundred men set out 
 under Captain Bailey. By rough and crooked roads at 
 daylight they reached Brucetown on the Opequon, the 
 scene of the fight of June I3th. Here, dividing into sev 
 eral parties, they went in different directions with the pur 
 pose of closing in upon some Confederates, but they had 
 disappeared. Five foolhardy fellows were found visiting 
 their homes. They were torn away from their hearthstones 
 and compelled to come along. 
 
 The 6th, Bailey took part of his company to Win 
 chester. While waiting in the main street, a squad of Gil- 
 more s men appeared at the farther end of the street and 
 made a bold dash at them. Bailey retired a little, turned 
 
290 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 a corner, rode around a block, and came in on the enemy s 
 rear, killing one, wounding a few, and capturing five. 
 
 The same day there came rumors that Imboden was 
 again coming down the Valley. A large detail was ordered 
 out for four days under Col. Boyd. Started at sunset. 
 Passed through Berryville and at midnight halted in the 
 woods near Millwood. Started again at sunrise. Passed 
 through White Post, ran down and captured five Confed 
 erates, forded the river, and at noon stopped in Front Royal. 
 Again forded the river and went to Newtown, there halt 
 ing for the night in the road by a cornfield that furnished 
 supper and breakfast for horses and men. Joined in the 
 morning of the 8th by Cole s battalion that on the way had 
 killed one Confederate and taken two. The forces sep 
 arated and went on in different ways to Strasburg, and 
 reached Woodstock at dark. Captured twenty men and a 
 number of horses and some stores. Returned to Strasburg 
 and at midnight halted for the rest of the night around the 
 former headquarters of Banks, Fremont and McDowell. 
 
 Marched at 9 in the morning of the 9th. Took dinner 
 in Winchester, reached Berryville at dark in a blinding snow 
 storm, and arrived at Charlestown at midnight, hungry, 
 cold and tired, to find that General Sullivan, fearing an 
 attack by Imboden, had ordered the tents taken down and 
 removed to Harper s Ferry for safety! The night was 
 very cold, and the situation was not conducive to cheerful 
 ness or moderate speech. 
 
 The next day the camp equipage was brought back 
 and the tents were pitched again in Tait s woods, the "Fair 
 ground." 
 
 Sergeant Westbrook was out in charge of the picket 
 post on the Berryille road. His tent mate was Besley, and 
 both were good at foraging. Besley asked leave at night to 
 visit the pickets. He rode a magnificent private Black 
 
CHARLESTOWN. 291 
 
 Hawk horse, coal black, well suited for scouting on a moon 
 less night. He returned with eleven full grown turkeys 
 hanging about his saddle. It was getting near Thanks 
 giving. Friends at home were remembering the boys with 
 occasional boxes of good things. The new quarters were 
 built for the winter, and were made to seem quite comfort 
 able and homelike. 
 
 The 1 5th, the tireless Boyd went out again with seven 
 hundred, and three pieces of artillery. Reached Strasburg 
 and stopped for the night. The next morning at Wood 
 stock the advance, A and C, under Captain Stevenson, found 
 in their front a squadron of cavalry. These they drove 
 before them, capturing an officer and a few men including 
 a -mail carrier. At Edenburg they encountered a larger 
 force which attempted to check them. This force, too, was 
 routed. Again near Mount Jackson the enemy made a de 
 termined stand. The men of the advance became excited 
 over their success, and charged again, routing the enemy 
 and pursuing them. But they went too far, and now found 
 themselves in the midst of a large force, infantry, artillery 
 and cavalry. Daniel Black of C was killed. Sergeant 
 McGuckin of the same company and Ethan A. Taylor of K 
 were captured. McGuckin died in prison. These were all 
 brave men, as proved by their last reckless charge. They 
 had captured an officer and several men. 
 
 Colonel Boyd now came up, formed line of battle and 
 brought his artillery into action. The enemy replied, and 
 the fighting continued for some time with vigor on both 
 sides. 
 
 Corporal John H. Hoagland of F was struck by a shell 
 which tore away the right side of his head. As he fell to 
 the ground his horse ran forward into the enemy s lines. 
 
 Hoagland was a classically educated, intelligent, bright 
 man. At the discussions in the old church at Springfield, 
 
292 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 in the fall of 1862 he was a frequent and entertaining 
 speaker. He had written regularly for the newspapers 
 over the name of "Grape Shot." His letters were excellent 
 descriptions of army life and operations. At the time he 
 was killed he was at the front, not because he had been or 
 dered there, but because he wanted to see all that was going 
 on, that he might write an account of it. It was not an un 
 usual thing to see correspondents out on the skirmish line 
 and even in front of it, looking for news. Hoagland was 
 a brave and efficient soldier, and his death was sincerely 
 lamented. 
 
 At the beginning of this fight a skirmish line had been 
 thrown out. Lieutenant O. B. Knowles in charge of this 
 line pressed forward until he could see that the main body 
 of the enemy had been withdrawn. Boyd then pushed for 
 ward. A body of cavalry taking the lead dashed forward, 
 capturing a number of men and part of their wagon train. 
 The rest had fallen back across the river, and were prepared 
 to defend the bridge. 
 
 It might cost too much to attempt anything further. 
 Imboden had been driven from his camp, with a loss of 
 more than thirty officers and men as prisoners, ten wagons 
 loaded with various supplies, more than a hundred horses, 
 fifty tents and a considerable drove of cattle. Other prop 
 erty that could not be brought away was destroyed. Im- 
 boden s loss in killed and wounded could not be learned. 
 
 The enemy, at home among the mountains and through 
 the valleys, always had the advantage. Different parties 
 followed Boyd on his return. During a brief halt at Eden- 
 burg, and again at the night s bivouac a few miles farther 
 on, these parties stole near and made several attacks with 
 out accomplishing anything except to teach the men vigi 
 lance. They reached camp the i8th, having marched one 
 hundred and fifty miles. 
 
CHARLESTOWN. 293 
 
 The 1 9th, paid for the months of September and 
 October. The same day Lieutenants Hinton and Poindex- 
 ter, with six enlisted men, went home to recruit for all the 
 companies. The detail had been well-selected. Hinton 
 was a man well informed on all military subjects, and pos 
 sessed excellent judgment in presenting matters to all ask 
 ing for information. He had not been especially popular 
 when first made a second lieutenant, but he came to be 
 highly respected. Some of the men detailed could tell 
 marvelous stories to arouse the enthusiasm of new recruits. 
 One of them was known as the "boss liar of the regiment." 
 
 In the meantime the men were making their quarters 
 comfortable for the winter. Unused lumber found any 
 where around the country, even from old vacant buildings, 
 was appropriated for sheds for the horses. 
 
 Scouts were all the while out, but nothing of special in 
 terest occurred. 
 
 The lieutenant colonel, the majors, and some of the 
 captains were absent on scouts or on leave. Some were 
 under arrest. One captain had been in Harper s Ferry for 
 weeks under arrest, and his company got along very well 
 without him. This was not his first experience of the kind, 
 nor was it his last. 
 
 Captain Bailey, commanding the regiment for the time 
 being, issued an order for the observance of Thanksgiving 
 the 26th. He was a good man everywhere, and univer 
 sally liked. 
 
 The good news from Grant at Chattanooga was a new 
 cause for thanksgiving. The day was quietly observed, but 
 there was sincere gratitude for progress made and for the 
 hopeful prospect. 
 
 As had been done in every place where a permanent 
 camp had been made, a race course was laid out. 
 
 There were companies without a single commissioned 
 
294 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 officer present. To one of these a German lieutenant had 
 been temporarily assigned. A former sergeant, who had 
 received a commission three months before, but had not 
 been mustered because the company was below the mini 
 mum, had indulged in apple jack for relief in his disappoint 
 ment. He looked upon the German as an intruder in his 
 company. He showed fight. A crowd formed a big ring 
 around the two. Neither one was a favorite. "Let them 
 fight." Like the affair of the captain and his men over 
 Nip s haggled tail, it might have been a case of "Nip and 
 Tuck." By main force a few men kept the two apart. The 
 German asked to be relieved from his temporary assign 
 ment, and the orderly sergeant remained for a long time the 
 commanding officer of the company. 
 
 A scout brought in the report that Imboden s men had 
 been seen around Millwood. The 5th, a large force went 
 to see, but the enemy had crossed the river at Berry s ferry. 
 Two prisoners were brought back. 
 
 General Sullivan seemed determined to protect the B. 
 & O. R. R. and to suffer no more surprises, and he had the 
 cavalry scouring the Valley and the region beyond the Blue 
 Ridge continually. 
 
HARPER S FERRY. 
 
 JOHN BROWN S FORT. 
 
 JOHN BROWN S MONUMENT AND TABLETS. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
 THE FIFTEEN DAYS SCOUT. 
 
 / *X T noon, December 10, Boyd set out with a formidable 
 -L ^- force, a thousand infantry, nearly the same number 
 of cavalry and a battery of artillery. A long train of wag 
 ons followed as if for a long campaign. The infantry took 
 the most direct way, but the cavalry were busy on both sides 
 of the direct line of march. The First halted at night in 
 woods near Millwood, 25 miles. Cold. A few rebels 
 about, and a few shots exchanged. The nth, joined by a 
 party that had gone through Loudon county. A rainy day. 
 Marched to Newtown, seeing an occasional enemy at a 
 distance. Stopped for the night in Chrisman s woods. 
 
 The forenoon of the I2th, waited for the infantry to 
 come up. At 2 p.m. moved on to Strasburg, ten miles. A 
 rainy day and night. Rested in the woods on Fisher s Hill. 
 
 The 1 3th was clear. The sergeant and men of Co. B 
 voted to go with Bailey and Co. K. Across fields, through 
 woods, over fences, after scattering Confederates, up the 
 Back road. One party going up the pike found there were 
 some Confederate cavalry just outside of Woodstock. Sav- 
 acool and Warren were in the advance, but there were sev 
 eral others close behind. When the enemy saw these com 
 ing they commenced to scatter, some going toward the 
 river and others to the west toward the mountain, while a 
 single one kept right on up the pike. The two in advance 
 
 295 
 
296 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 kept their eyes on this one, and were going at a rapid rate. 
 The women in the houses cheered them on, supposing from 
 their gray suits that they were Southerners, calling to them, 
 "Run, run, the Yankees are coming!" The one whom they 
 were after had a very fine horse. He turned in his saddle 
 and called, "Come on, boys, I ll wait for you." The two 
 came on as fast as they could, and ran up on opposite sides 
 of him. Savacool said, "You are a prisoner; please dis 
 mount and I will change horses with you." He was very 
 angry, as with his very fast mare he could easily have out 
 run his pursuers. The prisoner was Lieutenant H. H. Rid- 
 dleberger, afterward United States senator from Virginia. 
 The same day these two men, reinforced by William 
 Parker of Co. F, a capital fellow and soldier, were moving 
 along a few miles beyond Woostock. A quarter of a mile 
 ahead they saw four mounted men coming toward them. 
 The three halted and waited for the four. They had their 
 revolvers in hand, hanging down back of their legs. They 
 waited until the four were within twenty feet of them, when 
 they raised their pistols and called to them to surrender. 
 The four were a captain, two lieutenants, and an orderly 
 sergeant. The last named was a little behind the others and 
 turned and fled. The captain threw up his hands and cried, 
 "What is the matter with you? We are all right." Sava 
 cool replied, "We are Yanks, and we want your arms. Un 
 buckle your belts and hand them over, and be quick !" The 
 captain said, "I did not think there was a Yankee within a 
 hundred miles of here. You fellows sat there so uncon 
 cerned that I took you for some of our own men. But, 
 young men, if I ever get away, and get a chance at any of 
 you, I will hang you on the highest tree I can find." They 
 gave up their arms, and Parker, with drawn pistol, stood 
 guard over them until the regiment should come up, while 
 Savacool and Warren took after the sergeant. They chased 
 
THE FIFTEEN DAYS SCOUT. 297 
 
 him a mile or more, when Warren saw soldiers in various 
 directions and told Savacool to hold up. But the latter saw 
 only that sergeant and he could not rest till he had him. 
 Warren had to ride up along side and catch hold of Sava- 
 cool s bridle and stop him, for fear those scattered soldiers 
 would close in upon them. On the return some Confeder 
 ates followed. Captain Jones with Companies A and C had 
 scouted east of the pike. A trap was set for the enemy and 
 fourteen more belonging to O Farrell were taken. After a 
 busy day and about thirty miles, returned to Mrs. Kind- 
 rick s farm near Strasburg. 
 
 The 1 4th, there were some scouts, but the command 
 rested near Strasburg. The 1 5th was cold. Another party 
 went out among the mountains to the west, coming into the 
 pike two miles beyond Woodstock, bringing a number of 
 horses and two prisoners, leaving some wounded enemies 
 behind. Reached camp at Mrs. Kindrick s after dark and 
 a ride of over thirty miles. The i6th, there was no im 
 portant movement. Parties were on the lookout. 
 
 The morning of the i/th it was raining hard and freez 
 ing. The main force moved up the pike. The First cav 
 alry went up the Back road, halting near Columbia Furnace 
 among the foot hills west of Woodstock. It was raining 
 still and the trees were loaded with ice. The companies be 
 came scattered, each looking for shelter where it could find 
 it. Bailey sent Savacool to a house to ask the owner to al 
 low the use of his barn for the horses, and his kitchen and 
 dining room for the men. Savacool tied his horse at the 
 gate and went in. A minute afterward some one came out, 
 mounted the horse, and rode toward the barn. It was sup 
 posed to be Savacool. But he soon came from the house 
 and his horse was gone. With the farmer s lantern War 
 ren led in a search, following the tracks which led past the 
 barn, down through the field, out into the road and away. 
 
298 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 There had been a rebel in the house, and in the dusk he had 
 tried the only thing that would have prevented his capture, 
 and he succeeded. 
 
 Boyd was on the pike and Bailey wished to send him 
 word as to where he was. He selected the fearless, trusty 
 Savacool to take the word. Borrowing- a horse of one of 
 the other men, he started. He had to feel his way, as the 
 night was very dark. He did not know where Boyd was. 
 As he was riding along, ruminating on his chances, a pine 
 limb, overloaded with ice, snapped in two with a report that 
 in the stillness sounded like two or three guns. He thought 
 he had run into a picket post of the enemy. He stopped 
 and listened, and it was a minute or more before he realized 
 what had happened. He admitted that for an instant he 
 was a little scared. He found Boyd near Woodstock, and 
 by morning was back with the company. 
 
 He then had to find a horse. There was none to be 
 found but a large clumsy mare that belonged to the farmer. 
 He had to take her or walk. 
 
 The morning of the i8th, the companies got together 
 and started on up the Back road. Savacool, Andrew White 
 and Warren were the extreme advance. They were on the 
 lookout for another horse. On a ridge road parallel with 
 that on which they were riding were two horsemen which, 
 they were sure, were Confederates. Just here was a cross 
 road, and Savacool and White started for the two men. 
 The rebels turned to meet them, supposing they were friends. 
 They met in a small piece of woods in a hollow. The rebels, 
 coming near, suspected something was wrong and turned to 
 go back. The rest of the advance heard two pistol shots, 
 and in a few minutes Savacool and White appeared with one 
 prisoner, and Savacool was mounted on a spirited white 
 horse. When fired upon, the one who had been riding the 
 
THE FIFTEEN DAYS SCOUT. 299 
 
 white horse rolled off and darted into the woods. The 
 woods were so thick that he escaped. 
 
 Warren said : "You never saw a happier boy than Ed 
 was when he rode up on his white horse. He was a regu 
 lar peacock, his head and tail up in the air, and looked like 
 a trained race horse." 
 
 A few more wandering Confederates were taken that 
 day. The companies continued up the Back road, turning 
 back to the pike at Mount Jackson, and then going on to 
 New Market, a march of thirty-five miles. 
 
 Captain Stearns and Lieut. Weiss with Companies H 
 and E were left to guard the bridge at Mount Jackson. 
 
 The i Qth, the companies again started out on the Back 
 road, the rest of the force following the pike. It was a 
 rough, poor country. The late storm had been a severe one, 
 and many trees had been broken down by the ice formed 
 by the freezing rain. Again the intrepid advance, Sava- 
 cool, White, Warren, the Goublemans and a few others had 
 their usual satisfaction in running down Confederates who 
 were wandering loose about the country. Halted at night, 
 after a march of twenty miles, on Kratzen s farm, about 
 five miles from Harrisonburg. The weather was intensely 
 cold. The men found shelter in barns where there was 
 plenty of hay. 
 
 The people, of course, were Southern in their sym 
 pathies. Many of them did not really know what the war 
 was about. Some of the women were bitter in speech. Nearly 
 all of them had the habit of "dipping snuff". But they 
 could talk. There were men who would find it more agree 
 able to get inside of a warm house, as a shelter from the 
 cold, than to stay in a barn, though most of them were thank 
 ful enough for that. Valentine and McKinley found such 
 a comfortable house. Naturally they got into an argument 
 with the women. These fellows were good in an argument. 
 
300 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The last resort of the out-argued women was: "You are 
 no gentlemen." To which the gallant McKinley responded : 
 "Madam, I have no ambition to be a gentleman. My high 
 est aspiration is to be a man!" 
 
 Companies H and E under Captain Stearns and Lieu 
 tenant Weiss had been left at the bridge near Mount Jack 
 son. Gilmore s men had followed the column, and had cir 
 cled all day around these two companies. When night came 
 the men were on the lookout. It was very cold and they 
 had built fires along the road. After midnight those who 
 had been relieved lay down to rest, when they were sud 
 denly fired on by about eighty men. The night was very 
 dark. The bright fires were a hindrance rather than a help 
 to the assailants. Their shots fell short. One bullet went 
 through the heel of Fiala s right boot. He was asleep. The 
 thick leather prevented the bullet from doing much damage, 
 and only a little flesh was taken off. "They mixed right 
 among us and yelled like Indians for us to surrender. But 
 we gave them a good reception and soon drove them off." 
 
 Stearns and his men fought determinedly. An old 
 house close by, in case of extremity would have afforded a 
 defence. The enemy tried to burn this, but did not succeed. 
 The most of the fighting was in the open air and at close 
 quarters, some of it hand to hand. Gilmore and his men 
 finally withdrew. It was supposed that some of his men 
 were killed or wounded. None were to be seen in the morn 
 ing. They succeeded in taking with them Gleich, Ruhkolph, 
 Foerster and Schultz of Company E, and three or four of 
 Company H, and several horses. Stearns and his men held 
 the position and "kept the bridge" the important thing. 
 
 Four of the men of Company E were excellent musi 
 cians, and had formed a quartette. The evening before they 
 had been invited to the house where some of the officers were 
 staying, to sing and play for the entertainment of the family 
 
THE FIFTEEN DAYS SCOUT. 301 
 
 and the officers. This affair broke up the quartette. Ruh- 
 kolph, Foerster and Gleich died in Andersonville. 
 
 The 2Oth, the forces marched into Harrisonburg. This 
 expedition had been for the purpose of attracting the atten 
 tion of the Confederate authorities while Averell had been 
 marching from west of the mountains for the purpose of 
 destroying the bridges on the Virginia and East Tennessee 
 railroad. It was now learned by a captured dispatch that he 
 had accomplished his purpose and that he was at Salem, 
 having "marched, climbed, slid and swam" nearly three 
 hundred miles. 
 
 But now Early was coming toward us, and Rosser was 
 on his way down the Luray valley to cut us off at Strasburg. 
 
 The afternoon of the 2Oth, the command marched out 
 of Harrisonburg, the First New York again taking the Back 
 road, reaching New Market, twenty miles, before midnight. 
 
 On the march the next morning Savacool, White, the 
 Goublemans and Warren were again in the advance. These 
 daring fellows were never satisfied to be anywhere else. 
 Warren related : 
 
 "We caught sight of three or four rebels and were after them with 
 a rush, when a turn in the road just before we got into Mount Jack 
 son, showed us a company of about fifty drawn up in line awaiting us. 
 We immediately checked our horses all but Ed. His white horse 
 would not stop, but took him sailing past the rebels down the pike. 
 They were a little disconcerted at first, but finally took after him. 
 He dropped his pistol and took both hands to try to stop the horse, but 
 he would not stop. He finally headed him toward a fence. He 
 jumped the fence and took through the fields toward a barn. Then the 
 rebels stopped and opened the barnyard gate and were coming up after 
 him, when he started the horse across the field in our direction, hop 
 ing that the regiment would come up in time to save him. He made 
 for a very high fence. The horse for a wonder refused to jump this 
 time. He stopped so suddenly that Ed went over his head on the 
 other side of the fence. He was not hurt at all, but, fortunately for 
 him, the regiment came dashing up at this time and the rebels had to 
 run for it themselves. Ed had broken one stirrup in the run, lost his 
 
302 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 hat and his revolver. But in less than an hour afterward he captured 
 a rebel further down the pike, took his hat, which was not a very good 
 one, and replaced his revolver. He gave that horse away after getting 
 back to camp, as he could not manage him at all. The same horse ran 
 away with Sergeant Diamond at Luray, the day that we captured the 
 two men that were hanged for spies. He carried him right past the 
 rebels, and one of them shot him in the arm. 
 
 In 1864, when General Sheridan had come into the valley, the 
 Confederates were supposed to be in Charlestown. We made a charge 
 into the town and found them in force, and had to check up, but this 
 same horse with Sergeant Diamond on his back determined that he 
 would go ahead. The sergeant saw no way of stopping him, and 
 steered him for that old stone blacksmith shop in the edge of town, and 
 ran his head against the wall before he would stop. That was the only 
 thing that saved Diamond. After that he. too, gave him up." 
 
 The 2 ist, the advance caught several of the enemy. At 
 Woodstock they found Captain Logan, of Stuart s staff, 
 wounded. Stopped for the night in "Bushwhackers Hol 
 low," near Woodstock. 
 
 The 22nd, reached Mrs. Kindrick s farm, near Stras- 
 burg. Rosser was reported to be at Front Royal, but after 
 the recent rains the Shenandoah was too high to ford. 
 
 It snowed during the night, and the next morning was 
 very cold. The command started early, passed through 
 Winchester and Berryville, and at 9 that night was in the 
 camp at Charlestown, forty miles. 
 
 The most direct way to Harrisonburg was eighty-seven 
 miles. The side marches and out of the way scouts by the 
 different companies of the regiment would add many miles 
 to twice the direct distance on this fifteen days expedition. 
 
 The loss in these fifteen days was two men wounded and 
 six captured. 
 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
 CHARLESTOWN VARIOUS SCOUTS. 
 
 THE 28th, another scout went out for three days, but 
 no enemy was seen. 
 
 A company of Confederate cavalry had been raised in 
 and around Charlestown, known as Baylor s Company, and 
 some of the members frequently came home to see their 
 people. Savacool, on a detail under Vermilya, had word 
 of this and proposed to see if some of them could not be 
 caught, and hence a special trip, the date of which is not 
 remembered. Savacool and his few comrades caught sight 
 of two or three horsemen, and there began a lively chase to 
 see who would get them. They caught only one of them, 
 however, young Wilson, a likely fellow. This was Will 
 iam L. Wilson, afterward member of congress, who won a 
 national reputation as the author of the "Wilson Tariff 
 Bill," and later a member of President Cleveland s second 
 cabinet. 
 
 The 3 ist, the regiment was mustered for pay for the 
 months of November and December. 
 
 The subject of re-enlisting for another term of "three 
 years or during the war" was being considered. The gov 
 ernment was offering a large bounty and a furlough of thirty 
 days with free transportation home and back, to all who 
 would re-enlist. The offer was very generally accepted. 
 In some of the companies whose officers had proved effi- 
 
 303 
 
304 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 cient, almost every man determined to remain in the service 
 until they could see the end of the war. In others there was 
 dissatisfaction. One of the captains had been under arrest 
 in Harper s Ferry for weeks. He was now informed that 
 there was charged against him the sum of $2,500 for 
 ordnance and other property for which he had not accounted, 
 and his pay would be withheld until he should make a sat 
 isfactory return. He seemed incapable of doing work of 
 this kind. It was the work of weeks for the recently ap 
 pointed orderly sergeant to make out these reports. There 
 were many things besides scouting and making dashing 
 charges that had to be attended to by an efficient cavalry 
 officer. 
 
 The first of January, 1864, was bright and mild. It 
 was reported that the enemy was in force near Bunker Hill. 
 "Saddle up!" Wagons were ordered back to Harper s 
 Ferry for safety. All available men of the regiment and a 
 battery of artillery went out through Smithfield, and with 
 in eight miles of Winchester. The weather had suddenly 
 changed, and it became intensely cold. It was too cold to 
 fight. It was decided to let the rebels go this time. Re 
 turned to Bunker Hill, and stopped to make coffee. Just as 
 it began to be dark, started for home. The cold became 
 intense, and the wind blew so hard that the bugler could 
 not sound the call to mount. The men had to walk and run 
 to keep from freezing. As it was, many had their ears, 
 faces and feet frozen before reaching camp at midnight. 
 
 The night of the 2nd, another scout went out, and re 
 turning reported Imboden with a brigade in Winchester. 
 The 3rd, a large force of cavalry with some artillery reached 
 Winchester early in the morning. Imboden had left an 
 hour before. A number of his men who had lingered were 
 coming from the houses, mounting their horses and hasten- 
 
CHARLESTOWN VARIOUS SCOUTS. 305 
 
 ing away. Several of these were caught, and there was 
 some sharp exchanges with the rear guard. 
 
 Most of the men had signed the re-enlistment rolls, and 
 on the 5th they were mustered in by Captain James H. 
 Stevenson of Co. C, who had been appointed mustering 
 officer. 
 
 Captain Stevenson on this occasion made a general 
 statement of what had been done by the regiment. His 
 estimate was more than 2,000 prisoners, 1,000 horses, 400 
 wagons, 4 cannon, 1,000 muskets, 1,000 revolvers, and 700 
 sabres captured. 
 
 January 6, Quinn set out. At night he was near 
 Newtown. Warren and John Hogan, dressed in gray, were 
 a mile ahead. They stopped at a house to ask for some 
 thing to eat, saying that they were Captain Blackford s men. 
 The frightened woman who answered their knock said that 
 the captain and some of his men were getting their supper 
 at Aunt Mary s. Aunt Mary kept a boarding house. Per 
 haps they could get their supper there, too. They rode 
 past Aunt Mary s slowly, and then turned back to meet the 
 regiment. Meeting the column at the toll gate, Warren 
 reported to Savacool who was commanding his company, 
 suggesting that they take three or four and try to capture 
 these men. But Savacool replied, "Don t say anything to 
 anyone. Come on and we will try it alone." The two 
 started ahead at a fast trot. In front of the house they 
 threw the reins over the pickets of the fence, and entered 
 the house without knocking, pistols in hand. No men were 
 in the room. In reply to a question, the landlady said that 
 Captain Blackford was not there. They went through the 
 back door into the garden. No one was visible. It was 
 getting dark, but tracks could be seen in the fresh snow. 
 There were many bushes in the garden. They looked among 
 these, and were about to give up the search when suddenly 
 
306 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 four men sprang out of the bushes and ran. The two men 
 fired. Two of the four jumped over the fence and es 
 caped; a third was on the fence. He cried out, "Don t fire; 
 I m shot. I ll surrender." Thinking that he was going to 
 do as he said, the two men lowered their weapons, when he 
 slipped off the fence and ran. Savacool immediately 
 jumped over the fence and followed him. Warren took the 
 arms from the fourth man and hurried him back to the 
 street, opened the gate and pushed him through, calling to 
 men in the regiment, which had just come up, to take care 
 of him. Warren then ran back through the garden, 
 jumped the fence and hurried after Savacool, who was hav 
 ing a running fight with the man he was pursuing, the two 
 firing at each other as rapidly as they could. Warren was 
 a hundred yards from them when they both stopped, facing 
 each other. Both fired at the same instant, the two shots 
 seeming as one report. Both fell. Warren hastened to his 
 comrade, who had been shot in the thigh and could not get 
 tip. Blackford called for help. Savacool said, "Go and 
 -see what he wants. I am not suffering. I am pretty sure 
 that he is wounded this time." Warren went, watching him 
 closely lest he should try his trick again. "Where are you 
 hit?" "Here in my breast. I am badly wounded this 
 time. I am not playing off." "Where is your pistol?" 
 "Here it is lying on the ground." Warren unbuckled the 
 captain s belt and pulled it out from under him, when he 
 noticed another holster, and it was empty. This led him 
 to ask, "Where is your other pistol?" "It is under me. I 
 dropped it and fell on it." He had fired six loads out of 
 one and had just drawn the other when he was wounded. 
 He was given the drink of water that he asked for, and ex 
 pired almost immediately. 
 
 Warren went back to Savacool and tried to carry him 
 to the house. They heard voices in the direction toward 
 
CHARLESTOWN VARIOUS SCOUTS. 307 
 
 which the first two had escaped. If more of Blackford s 
 men were coming it would go hard with these two dressed in 
 Confederate gray. But they recognized the voice of Ser 
 geant Smith of Co. K saying to those with him, "Don t 
 shoot until we find out who they are." Warren called to 
 him to come and help. Savacool was taken to the house 
 of Mr. Hull, a Union man. 
 
 A few months before Blackford and some of his men 
 had been captured by Prendergast. He had been taken to 
 Fort McHenry, but had escaped. He was now taken into 
 the room where he had eaten his supper. The women and 
 children lamented loudly saying "he was worth the whole 
 Yankee army," and berating those who had killed him. As 
 one said, "He would have been a worse plague to us than 
 Mosby." 
 
 The loth, another party went out for an all night ride 
 to look for an enemy, but found none. 
 
 The 1 3th, the Twenty-first and Twenty-second Penn 
 sylvania regiments went home on their furlough, having 
 re-enlisted. The former was Boyd s regiment that had 
 been raised for six months service. On the reorganiza 
 tion of this regiment for three years Oliver B. Knowles was 
 made a major. By the time the war closed he had become 
 lieutenant colonel, and brevetted colonel and brigadier gen 
 eral. The younger W. H. Boyd became a captain, and in 
 the final campaign commanded the escort of General Wright 
 of the Sixth corps. 
 
 The time for re-enlisting had been extended and some 
 who had hesitated at first were signing the rolls. As a con- 
 seqence of some of the inducements offered by some of the 
 officers, there was an occasional disorder in the camp, but 
 "the work went bravely on." 
 
 The 1 6th, two parties went out, returning the next day 
 
308 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 with a Confederate lieutenant, and the report that three hun 
 dred of Imboden s men were on Fisher s Hill. 
 
 The 1 7th, the Twenty-first New York cavalry arrived 
 to take the place of the regiments that were going home on 
 furlough. 
 
 The 1 8th, a disorderly man of this regiment had been 
 tied to a tree by his officers. Beer had been flowing too 
 freely. A few of the First had been asked by his comrades 
 to cut the tied man loose. They indiscreetly did so. He 
 was tied up again, and a guard placed over him. This 
 guard fired upon a few who tried again to cut him loose. 
 The fire was returned. The new regiment turned out" 
 and formed a line. It was nine men against a regiment. 
 A force of infantry was sent for. Several men and some 
 horses had been wounded, when the disturbers were ar 
 rested and quiet was restored. But for the coolness and 
 good judgment of some of the officers of the First, this 
 might have proved a more serious affair than some of our 
 affairs with the Confederates. 
 
 Outriders from the camp now and then would catch 
 sight of small parties of the enemy riding carelessly around 
 the country. These careless outriders on both sides were 
 taking risks. 
 
 The 22nd, orders were given for a scout to start early 
 the next morning. It was a large force and an early start. 
 Quinn was in command, and Jones and Bailey went along. 
 A part of the force was from the Twenty-first. Went to 
 Woodstock, fifty miles, and found a small body of the en 
 emy, taking twelve of them. Rosser was reported to be 
 at New Market. One of the prisoners was recognized as 
 one who had been taken before, but had escaped by snatch 
 ing his captor s pistol out of his hand and dismounting him. 
 
 On the return Bailey had the rear guard. A force of 
 cavalry followed, frequently firing upon him, but falling 
 
CHARLESTOWN VARIOUS SCOUTS. 309 
 
 back whenever he turned to fight them. At Bailey s sug 
 gestion, Captain Jones with Co. A turned aside from the 
 column and waited out of sight until the rear guard and the 
 pursuing Confederates had passed, when he turned into the 
 pike and attacked the pursuers in the rear while Bailey faced 
 about and fought them in front. They surrendered; the 
 lieutenant in command remarking : "O Farrell might have 
 known better than to pirouette around after the First New 
 York cavalry. You are the worst men to fool with in this 
 Valley." 
 
 The 26th, a small party went out to Col. Morgan s and 
 almost succeeded in taking several Confederate officers vis 
 iting there on some special occasion. The same day a party 
 of sixteen picked men of the Twenty-first ventured out. 
 They had not yet the necessary acquaintance with the ways 
 of the country, and all but four went on with their captors. 
 
 The 28th, a scout went to Kernstown, seeing some en 
 emies, but not within reach. 
 
 The 29th, was another mustering of re-enlisting men. 
 
 The 3 ist, it was learned that Rosser was riding about 
 among the mountains west of the Valley, gathering up cattle 
 and whatever else could be found that would be of use to 
 him. Nearly all the First and Twenty-first were ordered 
 out with rations for five days. Quinn was in command. 
 That night they stopped at Winchester, the next at Capon 
 Bridge, the third at Romney. Rosser was getting away 
 with his stolen cattle and horses and many wagons loaded 
 with plunder. Colonel Marshall with some cavalry was 
 guarding his flank and rear. In a skirmish with this guard 
 at Mechanicsburg Gap, the First had a man and several 
 horses wounded, the enemy losing one killed, several 
 wounded, and five captured. Quinn led his force back to 
 Romney. Here he learned that Colonel Mulligan had gone 
 from Cumberland with about four thousand cavalry and in- 
 
310 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 fantry, and two batteries. He was expected to be at Moor- 
 field the next day. Quinn, after an all night march, joined 
 Mulligan the next morning. He took the advance and 
 drove Marshall s force several miles. He thought with an 
 additional force he could capture the entire train. He con 
 tinued his pursuit and skirmishing, sending back word ask 
 ing for reinforcements. But for some reason the additional 
 force was not sent. The long train was winding its way 
 in plain sight up the mountain road. There were not a few 
 imprecations as the men saw the train moving away from 
 them, feeling sure that with proper support they could cap 
 ture it. 
 
 On a little side scout Savacool, dressed in gray, was 
 on the advance. He came upon a Confederate who suspect 
 ing that all was not right, turned and fled, with Savacool in 
 hot pursuit and firing. A stream, knee deep to the horses, ran 
 across the road. This checked the Confederate s horse, and, 
 coming out of the water on the other side so suddenly, he 
 stumbled and fell across his rider in such a way that the 
 latter could not rise. Savacool s horse coming out of the 
 stream fell in the same manner, and he was lying helpless 
 with his leg under the horse. But he had his pistol in his 
 hand and pointed it at the other who cried : "I ll surrender; 
 don t shoot." Those behind had heard the firing, and came 
 dashing up, and helped both out of their predicament. 
 
 Quinn reached Green Spring Feb. 3, and Charlestown 
 the 7th. It had been a tedious midwinter march of nearly 
 two hundred miles, especially severe on the horses, and with 
 out any results to compensate. 
 
 In the meantime the camp at Charlestown was thought 
 to be exposed to an attack, the infantry having been with 
 drawn from the town and so large a part of the cavalry being 
 away. All stores, tents, unarmed men and lame horses 
 were moved to Halltown. The serviceable men and horses 
 
CHARLESTOWN VARIOUS SCOUTS. 311 
 
 were to remain with what shelter they could find and be 
 ready for an attack. 
 
 The 4th, a party of fifteen encountered twice their 
 number at Berryville. One of the Twenty-first was killed, 
 several wounded and captured. Captain Bailey set out* at 
 once, and at White Post found several companies too many 
 for his small party. The 5th, Captain Prendergast routed 
 a small force at Smithfield. The 7th, the entire regiment 
 went into a new camp at Halltown. 
 
 Muster-out and muster-in rolls had been made out, and 
 all were waiting for the paymaster. 
 
 There was dissatisfaction with one of the captains who 
 had been unfortunate in every affair in which he had un 
 dertaken to lead. There was a general protest against re- 
 enlisting under him. But it was the best job he had ever 
 had, and he proposed to keep it. 
 
 The Thirty-third New York infantry had re-enlisted as 
 cavalry. It was properly the Seventeenth cavalry, but as it 
 was the first to re-enlist, it assumed the name of the First 
 New York Veteran Cavalry. The Thirty-third had done 
 good service on the Peninsula and in all the campaigns 
 since. But the names might lead to some confusion. 
 
 At 4 o clock the morning of the I2th there was a sud 
 den awakening. "Officers call," followed immediately by 
 "saddle up." A railroad train had been captured at Duf- 
 fields. A Confederate lieutenant and four men came in 
 with a flag of truce bringing the bodies of some Federal 
 soldiers who had been killed. 
 
 There was a friendly feeling among the regiments. 
 The evening of the I2th, the First was the recipient of a 
 serenade by the band of the Twenty-first. 
 
 The 1 3th, Major Keatly paid for the months of Novem 
 ber and December, a month s pay in advance, and an install 
 ment of the bounty offered for re-enlistment. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 ON VETERAN FURLOUGH. 
 
 THE men who had not re-enlisted were to remain at 
 Halltown. These were to be under the command of 
 Liuet. Colonel Adams. 
 
 February 14, 1864, the regiment marched to Frederick, 
 Md. The horses were placed in stables to be cared for by 
 a detail of the men who had not re-enlisted. At 9 p.m. a 
 train of cattle cars loaded with the veterans left for Balti 
 more, arriving there at 4 a.m. The men, released from dis 
 cipline and long service, were jubilant. Some of them, dis 
 trusting their ability to keep safely the generous amount of 
 money they had received, intrusted it to their officers. An 
 orderly sergeant carried several thousand dollars for his 
 men until they should reach New York. At night reached 
 Philadelphia. Entertained at the Volunteer Refreshment 
 Rooms. Reached New York via C. & A. R. R. and steamer 
 at night. The regiment was dismissed subject to call in the 
 papers. 
 
 The recruiting office, 600 Broadway, was headquarters 
 for making out furloughs and reports. Called together the 
 afternoon of the i8th. Formed line in front of the City 
 Hall. The day was bright and pleasant, though cool. The 
 regiment was the guest ol the city. A banquet had been 
 provided by the Common Council in the Jefferson Market 
 drill rooms. To that place the regiment was escorted by 
 
 312 
 
ON VETERAN FURLOUGH. 313 
 
 the Seventh Regiment New York National Guards under 
 Colonel Lefferts. The streets were brilliant and crowded. 
 The reception was demonstrative and enthusiastic. Mayor 
 Gunther welcomed the regiment. The procession passed up 
 Broadway to Eighth street, on Eighth to Sixth avenue, and 
 thence to the drill rooms. Alderman Hardy, Chairman of 
 the Committee on National Affairs, made an appropriate 
 speech of welcome in which he alluded in complimentary 
 terms to the services of the regiment, and proposed the 
 "Health of the First New York Cavalry." Colonel Mc- 
 Reynolds responded, saying, that of those who went out with 
 him only a third were now returning, and expressed his 
 thanks for the welcome and the hospitality extended by the 
 authorities of the city. Major Quinn replied to a toast 
 offered to "The Officers of the Regiment." Alderman Hardy 
 read a letter from General Sullivan, when General McClellan 
 was announced. He was greeted with cheer after cheer. 
 Crowds surged around him in their desire to shake hands 
 with him. After tumults of applause order was restored, 
 and the general addressed the men : 
 
 "My friends and comrades : I came here, not to make a speech to 
 you, but to welcome you home, and to express the pride I have always 
 felt in your career, not only when you were with me, but since I left 
 the Army of the Potomac. You have been righting battles under others 
 than your late commander. I can tell you now, conscientiously and 
 truly, I am proud of you in every respect. You have not one stain 
 on your career, not a line of it of which you, your state, and your 
 country may not be proud. I congratulate you on the resolution that 
 so many of you have formed to re-enter the service. I hope and I 
 know that your future career will be as glorious as your past. I have 
 one other hope, and that is, that we may yet serve together sometime 
 again." 
 
 There was the greatest enthusiasm over the general s 
 presence. It was with difficulty that he was able to get 
 away. 
 
 Mr. Philander Reed, a prominent citizen who had done, 
 
314 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 and was yet to do, many things in the interest of the regi 
 ment, was called upon, and responded happily, concluding 
 by saying that Mrs. McClellan had remarked that she was 
 sorry that she could not be present to take every man of the 
 regiment by the hand. Finally the enthusiasm subsided and 
 the men departed to their various homes. 
 
 Company C went to Philadelphia where an ovation 
 awaited them. On their re-enlistment the men of this com 
 pany had been credited to the quota of the Twentieth ward 
 of that city. Rev. Mr. Hall, pastor of the North Baptist 
 Church, whose son, Sergeant Wm. D. Hall, was a member 
 of the company, welcomed the men home. There were 
 feasts and speeches and songs. A new silk guidon was pre 
 sented to the company, and a sword, sash and belt were pre 
 sented to Captain Stevenson by the ladies of the church. 
 
 The men of Company K presented Captain Bailey with 
 a sword, belt and sash. Other honors were conferred on 
 deserving men. Warren was made a non-commissioned offi 
 cer, and Colonel McReynolds presented to Savacool a pair 
 of splendid shoulder straps of a second lieutenant. The 
 brave fellow had recovered from his wound received in his 
 fight with Captain Blackford, sufficiently to enable him to 
 go with his comrades on their furlough. He was more 
 embarrassed as the recipient of his well-earned honors than 
 if he had been facing an enemy in the field. 
 
 Company K went to Grand Rapids, Mich., and F to 
 Syracuse, N. Y. The men of other companies separated to 
 their homes in and around the city. There were some good 
 fellows who had no homes. Some of these clubbed to 
 gether at convenient places where they made themselves at 
 home. Some of the Germans enjoyed themselves in musical 
 societies. 
 
 In the meantime those who had been detached on re 
 cruiting service were busy, with all the inducements they 
 
ON VETERAN FURLOUGH. 315 
 
 could offer, in persuading able-bodied young men to enter 
 the ranks of the regiment. Men who had nothing else to 
 do volunteered as recruiting agents. Some of the compa 
 nies had fallen below the minimum that entitled them to a 
 captain and two lieutenants. Several sergeants had been for 
 several months commissioned as lieutenants, but not mus 
 tered because their companies were below the required num 
 bers. The recruiting force had done well and when it was 
 time to take the field again the companies were entitled to 
 their full quotas of officers. 
 
 $45O CASH IN HAND. 
 
 ENLIST AT ONCE, AND AVOID A DRAFT. 
 
 TOIK *f VETERAN REGIMENT. 
 
 THE IST NEW YORK CAVALRY 
 
 The oldest Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in the U.S. Service, 
 and whose reputation is excelled by none. 
 
 TOTAL BOUNTY: 
 TO VETERANS, $777; TO ALL OTHERS, $677. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS : 
 
 Lieutenants A, 0. HINTON and G, S, POINDEXTEB, 
 
316 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The 1st New York Cavalry. 
 
 This regiment has re-enlisted for the war, and only requires 
 about 200 men to fill it up to the maximum standard. 
 
 The men of this regiment are allowed 40 cents per day extra 
 for their private horse, thereby making the pay of an enlisted 
 man from $26 to $34 per month, according to grade. Read the 
 following letter from BRIG. GEN. SULLIVAN, under whose command 
 the regiment has been serving for the last year. 
 
 Headquarters First Division, Dept. of West Va. 
 Harper s Ferry, Va., February 14, 1864 
 
 MAJOR T. QUINN. 
 
 Commanding 1st regiment New York Cavalry. 
 
 I desire to acknowledge the valuable services you have rendered 
 during the time you have been attached to the First Division. 
 
 The gallantry and zeal displayed by the officers and men on all 
 occasions, and the promptitude with which you have discharged 
 your arduous duties, have been excelled by no other cavalry in 
 the United States service. 
 
 I trust you will meet with that hearty welcome you so well 
 deserve, and that, at the expiration of your furlough, you will 
 join my command. 
 
 I am, Major, 
 
 Very Respectfully, 
 
 J. D. SULLIVAN, 
 
 Brigadier General. 
 (THE TWO SIDES OF RECRUITING CARD.) 
 
 The furloughs expired the 24th of March, and the men 
 of the different companies re-assembled ready to return to 
 the scene of war.. The 26th, they reached Frederick, and 
 the 28th, the regiment was again at Halltown in the com 
 fortable quarters of an infantry regiment that had been or 
 dered elsewhere. A few men were yet at Frederick. In 
 Pleasant Valley, four miles from Sandy Hook, was Camp 
 Davis, a camp of unmounted men of different regiments 
 waiting for horses. Those on recruiting service were still 
 gathering in, and occasionally sending on recruits. 
 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
 ADVANCING WITH SIGEL. 
 
 TIEUTENANT General U. S. Grant was in command of 
 -I/ all the armies. There was to be a forward move 
 ment all along the line. And there was to be a plan in all 
 the movements. Sherman in the West was to move toward 
 Atlanta. The armies in Eastern Virginia were to move up 
 on Richmond. Those in West Virginia and the Shenan- 
 doah Valley coming from different directions were to unite 
 at or near Lynchburg, where they were to be joined by 
 Sheridan with the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac. 
 
 Crook and Averell were to march from the Kanawha, 
 while Sigel was to go up the Shenandoah Valley. 
 
 The regiment had won a good name for its operations 
 and for its being so well acquainted with every part of this 
 region. Averell asked for the regiment to go with him. 
 Sullivan wished to retain it as part of the force under Sigel. 
 Finally it was determined that Major Stearns battalion of 
 four companies should go w r ith Averell, and the other eight 
 companies remain. 
 
 April Qth and loth, a scout went out on the Berryville 
 road to White Post, crossed over to Newtown and came 
 back through Winchester, but saw no enemy. 
 
 The 1 2th, Captain Stevenson set out with a hundred 
 men among the mountains to the west. For several days 
 he roamed up and down the narrow valleys, but he, too, 
 
 317 
 
318 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 found no armed force. General Averell sent an order to 
 him to report at Clarksburg. But on reaching Cumberland 
 he was ordered by General Sigel to return to Martinsburg. 
 The battalion that had been sent to Averell, after some of 
 the men had watered their horses in the Ohio river, was 
 also ordered back by railroad to the rest of the regiment. 
 
 The regiment was now under the command of Lieut. 
 Col. Adams, and the brigade under Colonel McReynolds. 
 General Julius Stahel commanded the cavalry, and General 
 Franz Sigel the division. By an order of the secretary of 
 war, Colonel Boyd of the Twenty-first Pennsylvania cav 
 alry, whose regiment was at Chambersburg, was directed, 
 without his regiment, to report to General Sigel for special 
 service. This was supposed to have been done at Sigel s 
 request because of Boyd s acquaintance with the region, 
 and his uniform success. 
 
 April i Qth and 2Oth, a detachment had a skirmish near 
 Cedar creek, and was forced to retire. Captain Robert H. 
 O. Hertzog, on the retreat, was obliged to abandon his fail 
 ing horse. He tried to avoid capture by taking refuge in a 
 wayside house. But his pursuers found him and compelled 
 him to come forth from his hiding place. He was a very 
 large man, genial and genuine, but his proportions rendered 
 him not quite adapted to the quick movements expected of 
 light cavalry. 
 
 The 24th, another party went to Woodstock and ex 
 changed shots with a small force that fled. 
 
 The 29th, Sigel started on his march, reaching Bunker 
 Hill. Company F was detached as his special escort. May 
 ist, marched to Winchester. The 3rd, a scout went to 
 Woodstock, finding no enemy. 
 
 In the meantime Captain Stevenson had been scouting 
 along the Shenandoah river, and watching the gaps through 
 the Blue Ridge. No one could tell when or where to ex- 
 
ADVANCING WITH SIGEL. 319 
 
 pect Mosby, Gilmore and McNeil with their atcive parti 
 san rangers. They were quick in their movements, and it 
 required unceasing vigilance to guard against their sudden 
 attacks. 
 
 Captain Stevenson s force joined the main body at 
 Winchester the 6th. The 7th, Captains Battersby and 
 Leavitt with their companies were sent to Berryville. The 
 night of the 8th, Colonel Boyd with Cole s battalion, a bat 
 talion from the First Veterans, some companies of the 
 Twenty-first New York and Company C of the First, went 
 with a wagon train to Bunker Hill. The next morning the 
 train went on to Martinsburg while the cavalry proceeded 
 through Summit Point to Berryville. 
 
 A detail of several men had been sent from Winchester 
 with a dispatch. On the way to Berryville these men were 
 suddenly attacked by some of Mosby s rangers. One of 
 them was killed. The rest succeeded in getting away in 
 different directions. Collins of Company D succeeded in 
 reaching Berryville alone with the dispatch, and reported 
 what had happened. 
 
 Several detachments immediately set out to capture, if 
 possible, this party. Battersby with Co. B took the Win 
 chester road; Lieutenant Vermilya with Co. H started for 
 Millwood ; Captain Leavitt took a route between these two. 
 Leavitt s advance first caught sight of the enemy and gave 
 chase. The main body followed rapidly. 
 
 As Stevenson relates it : 
 
 "They found an old darkey throwing his arms about in wild con 
 fusion, shouting, Fo God s sake, gemmin, some ob you go down dat 
 road. Mosby and fifteen men done gone dat ah way, and only free of 
 you all s men after dem! The two Peaveys, father and son, and 
 Bernard Dougherty of Company B, started down the road at a gallop, 
 and soon came upon the three men who had pursued the enemy. 
 Young Peavey dashed on, calling upon the others to follow, and as he 
 
320 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ascended a little hill in the road, he was confronted by the whole party 
 of graybacks. 
 
 He looked around to see where his supports were, and found he 
 was a hundred yards ahead of the nearest, while the others were scat 
 tered along in single file at about the same intervals. He rose in his 
 stirrups and yelled for the company to charge, at the same time giving 
 the "Johnnies" the contents of his carbine, then drew his revolver. At 
 that moment they opened on him with revolvers, being only about fifty 
 yards distant. Just then a few of our men hove in sight and the gray- 
 backs began to waver. Mosby called on them to "charge," and dashed 
 forward himself, making straight for Peavey, but not one of his men 
 followed him. They had nearly all emptied their revolvers, and two of 
 them had been struck by Peavey in this unequal duel. The brave fellow 
 reserved his fire until Mosby was within three yards of him, and then 
 pulled trigger, expecting to send him into eternity, but his pistol missed 
 fire. He says : I thought I was gone then. I still see the ugly smile that 
 came over Mosby s face, which was as pale as death, his hat gone and his 
 hair blown back, as he took deliberate aim and fired, the muzzle of 
 his pistol almost touching me, the bullet passing through my right 
 hand, striking me in the right breast, doubling me up in the saddle. 
 He then dashed on, exchanging shots with Charley Clark who was 
 coming toward us, and the next moment he met father and exchanged 
 shots with him, the bullet passing through the rubber coat and shelter 
 tent strapped on the pommel of father s saddle. He next met Dough 
 erty, and they also exchanged shots, but without effect on either side. 
 Mosby seemed to think his men were following him, and that every 
 one of us he passed was a prisoner. On passing Dougherty he pulled 
 up and, as he did so, father, who had been pursuing him, and had 
 emptied his pistol in the chase, dashed past him. Mosby s pistol was 
 now empty and he returned it and drew a fresh one. While he was 
 doing this Dougherty got into the field close to the fence and fired, 
 causing Mosby to crouch low in his saddle, and I thought he was 
 gone ; but he was unhurt. He then made for me, pistol in hand, 
 shouting, Surrender! My pistol was empty; I thought I had my death 
 wound; and, my horse being much heavier than his, I charged right 
 on to him in order to ride him down. He jerked his horse aside, 
 however, and our boots just touched as I shot past him like a rocket. 
 He then fired at Dark who was in rear of me, killing his horse. Then, 
 seeing the rest of our boys coming on a run, he rode for his life and 
 escaped." 
 
 This George G. Peavey had on every occasion shown 
 a bravery that bordered on recklessness. It was a great 
 
ADVANCING WITH SIGEL. 321 
 
 disappointment to him and his comrades that now he was 
 unable to go on with the rest. He was taken back in an 
 impressed carriage to Charlestown. An estimable family, 
 with which he had become well acquainted, living several 
 miles from Charlestown toward the Shenandoah, insisted 
 upon his staying with them until he should recover from his 
 wounds. He had taken risks in visiting this family. On 
 one visit some Confederate cavalry stopped in front of the 
 house. He was hurried up stairs. From a window he 
 looked out upon them. They were in some excitement. 
 They had captured two or three Federals and were evidently 
 in fear of pursuit. One of their number sat on his horse at 
 ease and unconcerned. This was Mosby. Peavey had pur 
 chased for himself a splendid rifle, a more reliable weapon 
 than the carbines furnished by the government. For a mo 
 ment he could not resist the temptation to take deliberate 
 aim at the head of the dreaded Confederate leader for whose 
 capture a major s commission had been offered. But this 
 would not be the honorable warfare such as Peavey had al 
 ways waged giving his enemy an equal chance with him 
 self in an open field. He could not take such a mean ad 
 vantage, even of an enemy, and he dropped his rifle by his 
 side. And it is only justice to Mosby to say that, active as 
 he was in his partisan fighting, he was an honorable and 
 magnanimous warrior. After the surrender of Lee he dis 
 banded his rangers and accepted the situation. President 
 Grant was attracted to him and gave him a consular 
 appointment. 
 
 This family cared for Peavey until he had recovered 
 from his wounds. Some Confederates learned of his being 
 here, and planned to take him. The family had notice of their 
 intentions and Peavey spent the night in the adjoining 
 woods. It was not long before he was again ready for 
 active service. 
 
CHAPTER XXX. 
 NEW MARKET GAP. 
 
 FTER Mosby had been beaten off the Union force was 
 J- Y- divided. Lieutenant Vermilya went on to Front 
 Royal. Boyd with the rest, the next day, crossed the Blue 
 Ridge through Ashby s Gap and moved southward, en 
 countering Mosby s men at Paris, Upperville and Rector- 
 town. They were not in sufficient numbers to make a stand, 
 but they were continually skirmishing around. From time 
 to time parties would start out to run down these rangers. 
 They succeeded in killing one and capturing a few. 
 
 The 1 2th, Boyd passed through Manassas Gap to Front 
 Royal where Vermilya was waiting. Detachments from the 
 First Veteran and the Twenty-first were sent to Winchester 
 with the prisoners. Companies F and M of the First were 
 with Sigel. Details from all the other companies of the 
 First were with Boyd. This force of about two hundred 
 and fifty on the morning of the I3th, moved on toward 
 Luray Gap, with the purpose of crossing the Fort Valley, 
 and the Massanutten Mountain and joining Sigel at New 
 Market. This Fort Valley was named from "Powell s 
 Fort." Powell, an Englishman, in very early times found 
 silver mines here. He coined the silver into money. He 
 secured himself against annoyance or arrest in the fastnesses 
 of the mountain. 
 
 Several Confederates started up in front of the column, 
 
NEW MARKET GAP. 323 
 
 and on account of the superior condition of their horses kept 
 within a tantalizing distance ahead of the advance guard, 
 defying every effort made to run them down. Lieut. E. A. 
 New who was acting as Boyd s adjutant, was with the ad 
 vance. Boyd rode to the head of the column and asked 
 why these men had not been captured. Boyd had been 
 remarkably successful ever since his first gallant charge at 
 Pohick Church. He now manifested a little impatience. 
 When told that these Confederates had not been captured 
 because they were too well mounted he sneeringly remarked : 
 "It is very strange." A little nettled at this, Lieut. New 
 said : "You have a race horse, colonel, suppose you and I 
 try it." Boyd acquiesced and they at once started, New 
 taking the lead, and in less than a mile succeeded in running 
 down two, who made no resistance. Leaving these to be 
 taken care of by Boyd, New kept on after another who was 
 now only a short distance ahead. This man was a brave fel 
 low who made a desperate resistance and did not surrender 
 until he had been shot through the body and New was about 
 to sabre him. Sergeant McClellan of Co. C had previously 
 run down one of the rangers. 
 
 Several wagons loaded with flour and salt were taken 
 and destroyed. At Luray other stores were destroyed. 
 
 Late in the afternoon they reached the top of Massanut- 
 ten Mountain, and from a height of a thousand feet looked 
 down upon a magnificent scene. The valley, with New 
 Market in the foreground, lay spread out before them. Just 
 above New Market they could see troops encamped, and 
 farther up the valley toward Staunton they could see a bag 
 gage train and a herd of beef cattle. 
 
 Here a halt was made and a conference of the officers 
 was held. Every one except Colonel Boyd expressed the 
 opinion that the army they saw was the enemy. He alone 
 insisted that they were our men, even when it was repre- 
 
324 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 sented to him how absurd it would be for Sigel to place his 
 wagon train between his army and the enemy. His atten 
 tion was also called to the fact that our army had no herd 
 of cattle. 
 
 To settle the question New volunteered to take a couple 
 of men and find out. He rode down the mountain and 
 toward New Market until he came to the bridge over 
 Smith s creek. Here he was fired upon by the pickets who, 
 after firing, fell back. Going a little farther he saw Confed 
 erate troops in position in his front and near the bank of 
 Smith s creek on his right. He then started back to inform 
 Boyd, but he had not gone a hundred yards before he met 
 him at the head of his entire force. He was stunned and 
 bewildered by the unexpected news. After a short consulta 
 tion it was decided to make their way down along the foot 
 of the mountain. They turned to the right and recrossed 
 the creek below the bridge. This creek flows along about 
 half-way between the foot of the mountain and the Valley 
 pike. At the bridge it turns to the left; farther down it 
 flows to the right. The left bank at this point is high, 
 while the opposite one is low. 
 
 The column had gone but a few hundred yards when 
 a body of cavalry was seen crossing the creek on the left, 
 with the evident purpose of intercepting the retreat. New 
 turned to Boyd and said : "We ll have to fight now." Boyd 
 said: "Yes." New gave the order: "Left into line." 
 This brought the men into line facing the creek and the 
 enemy, who were about a third of a mile distant. 
 
 Back of our line, probably a little more distant, was 
 the mountain. The side of the mountain was very steep 
 and covered with timber and huge bowlders, and scored 
 with ravines. The timber extended with varying distances 
 from the base of the mountain out into the plain. 
 
 New proposed to take a detachment and drive the en- 
 
NEW MARKET GAP. 325 
 
 emy back. To this Boyd assented, promising to give him 
 efficient support in case he should be driven back. Taking 
 about eighty men he gave the order to unsling carbines, 
 and advanced rapidly to meet the approaching enemy. See 
 ing that the fire of his men was ineffective, when about a 
 hundred yards from the opposing line he ordered his men 
 to sling carbines and draw sabres. The rebels evidently did 
 not relish the prospect of contact with the cold steel, for they 
 fell back in confusion across the creek. New then ordered 
 his men to fall back. They fell back slowly, continuing to 
 fire upon the rebel cavalry on the other side of the creek. 
 They had got about half way to the woods when a large 
 force of infantry reached the bank of the creek and opened 
 a galling fire upon them. 
 
 At the same time, looking around to their right, they 
 found that Boyd and the force with him had disappeared, 
 and in their place was a heavy column of rebel cavalry mov 
 ing rapidly along the foot of the mountain, threatening to 
 cut them off from the woods. 
 
 The men, realizing that their only hope of escape from 
 capture was to reach the woods before the rebel cavalry 
 could cut them off, now pressed their horses to their utmost 
 speed, and passed into the woods and part way up the 
 mountain, almost side by side with the rebels. 
 
 In the meanwhile Boyd, who should have moved his 
 men to the right oblique, appears to have held them in line 
 where New had left him, until the rebels brought up their 
 artillery to the bank of the creek in front and opened on his 
 men with grape and canister. They almost immediately 
 got the range, and men and horses were struck down. Boyd, 
 seeing that his position was untenable, ordered his men to 
 move toward the woods. Before entering the woods the line 
 was thrown into some confusion by a rail fence through 
 which the men had to pass under heavy fire, and after get- 
 
326 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ting into the woods, the rough nature of the ground sepa 
 rated and scattered them so that organized resistance was 
 impossible. 
 
 As the trap was now sprung, the Confederates proceeded 
 to block every way by which escape might be effected. 
 With a force many times more numerous than that of 
 Boyd s, they were able to surround our men on all sides. 
 Even the crest of Massanutten Mountain was carefully 
 picketed and patrolled, as was found by some of our men, 
 who, after exhausting efforts, reached the top, and were 
 compelled to seek escape in other directions. 
 
 The open ground between Smith s creek was carefully 
 guarded for miles toward Woodstock, and large parties in 
 every direction scoured the woods where our men lay hid 
 den in thickets, awaiting the coming darkness to help them 
 to escape. 
 
 Owing to the steep and rough surface of the ground, 
 and because the girths were slackened by the day s march, 
 many saddles slipped, the riders were thrown to the ground 
 and the excited horses could not be caught. Other riders 
 were swept off their horses by limbs of trees and other ob 
 structions. The horses of many gave out. All these had 
 to make their way on foot. 
 
 Desperate as was the situation, the men did not despair, 
 but with a resolution hardened by a knowledge of the im 
 pending horrors of Andersonville, they set themselves to 
 work to escape from the perilous predicament in which, in 
 consequence of Boyd s blind obstinacy, they found them 
 selves. 
 
 Welcome darkness came to their relief, and enabled 
 them to slip unseen past the enemy s scouts. Singly, by twos, 
 by threes, or in larger parties, they pressed northward. The 
 mountain on their right, a sure guide as to direction, kept 
 many from getting confused and losing their way. Through 
 
NEW MARKET GAP. 327 
 
 the whole night they pressed forward, bruised by the rocks 
 and other obstacles, oppressed with fatigue, hungry and 
 desperate, sometimes overcome by sleep, the allurements of 
 which were most difficult to resist. The night, too, was 
 rainy. 
 
 By daylight they had made good progress toward 
 Sigel s army. Those who were mounted were compara 
 tively safe from pursuit. The foremost of these reached 
 the Shenandoah about noon, and crossed, some by swim 
 ming their horses, others in boats or on hastily built rafts, 
 and Sigel was informed of the disaster. Those who had 
 lost their horses were straggling into our lines for several 
 days. Why a force was not thrown across the river to 
 cover the retreat of the fugitives was never explained. 
 
 But all did not escape. About one hundred men of 
 the First New York, nearly half the number engaged, were 
 either killed or captured. The dead, including those who 
 died in rebel prisons, amounted to at least forty of the First. 
 Of those who survived the horrors of the prisons nearly all 
 died prematurely, their vitality destroyed by starvation. 
 
 Cole s battalion lost proportionally. 
 
 Gilmore and Mosby had observed the movements of 
 Boyd s force east of the Blue Ridge and up the Luray valley, 
 and had reported them to Imboden, and all three had laid the 
 plan to capture the entire force. If Boyd had turned back 
 from the top of the mountain he would probably have had 
 to fight in the Fort valley. 
 
 As an illustration of the severity of the firing from the 
 infantry, in a very short space of time a bullet passed through 
 the cap of Lieutenant New; another cut a button off his 
 coat; a third cut his stirrup strap, and a fourth passed 
 through the blanket roll on his saddle. 
 
 Bartholomew Besley had dismounted to tighten his 
 saddle girth when a bullet struck him in the calf of his leg. 
 
328 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 E. L. Mitchell was riding past when, seeing Besley wounded, 
 he stopped and dismounted to assist him on his horse. While 
 he was doing this three Confederates rushed past. A shot 
 from one of these broke his horse s knee. He darted into 
 the woods on foot, and finally, through the help of an old 
 negro, reached camp in safety. Besley s fine, private Black 
 Hawk, one of the best horses in the regiment, was killed, 
 and Besley was a prisoner. Charles R. Peterson was in 
 tent on doing the enemy some damage while trying to get 
 away from them. While urging his horse to the utmost 
 along the mountain side, he would now and then turn in his 
 saddle and, giving a loud and peculiar war whoop, give his 
 pursuers shot after shot from his carbine. He, too, was 
 a prisoner. 
 
 One bullet struck Captain Stevenson s scabbard; an 
 other passed through his blanket strapped in a roll on the 
 cantle of his saddle. Sergeant J. J. Snyder and several 
 others wandered together on the mountain all night in the 
 heavy rain. In the morning they came in sight of a house, 
 Snyder proposed to go to the house. The others thought 
 best to avoid houses. Snyder went alone. On entering he 
 found several Confederates there eating breakfast. Seeing 
 no chance of escape, and thinking he might as w^ell make the 
 best of it, he deliberately sat down at the table to eat with 
 them. He was their prisoner. Soon some shots were 
 heard. Snyder told his captors that they had better get 
 away, as a body of Federal cavalry was scouting along the 
 river. They hurriedly left, taking him with them. But he 
 took advantage of their excited condition and soon got away 
 from them. He returned to the house, finished eating his 
 breakfast, compelled his unwilling host to row him across 
 the river, and he was soon among his friends. 
 
 The heaviest company losses were in D, I, and L 
 fifteen, sixteen and sixteen respectively. C lost six, and B 
 
NEW MARKET GAP. 329 
 
 seven. Other company losses were between six and six 
 teen. The wonder was that the whole of Boyd s command 
 was not captured. Hemmed in between mountain and river, 
 with superior forces on all sides, it was individual deter 
 mination that saved those who escaped. 
 
 Charles B. Evarts, son of Hon. William M. Evarts, 
 U. S. senator, and secretary of state to President Hayes, 
 was a student in Yale College. He was nineteen years of 
 age. His father was in Europe. Impulse and a sense of 
 duty to the country led him to leave college. He went to 
 New York, and, February I5th, enlisted in this regiment, 
 and was assigned to Company K. This affair at New 
 Market Gap was his first experience in active service. He 
 bore himself well. He was among those who escaped on 
 foot. He served through the subsequent campaigns of 
 Hunter and Sheridan. He was discharged for disability, 
 January 23, 1865, at United States hospital, New York. 
 
 He was a young man of sterling character, greatly, 
 esteemed by his comrades in the service and after the war. 
 
 Although anticipating somewhat, the following letter 
 and resolutions seem a fitting conclusion to this chapter : 
 
 HARRISONBURG, VA., Nov. 9, 1885. 
 Mr. Charles B. Evarts. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR: By express to-day I forward to you the carved 
 cane which I promised you at the period of your visit to the Valley of 
 Virginia with Sheridan s Veterans. You will permit me to add the 
 following account of the cane and its symbolism : 
 
 The wood is Haw, grown in the most historic part of the South, 
 the Valley of Virginia, the scene of the charges and marches of Jack 
 son s "Foot Cavalry." Upon the handle of the cane is carved almost 
 the full equipment of a cavalryman. Here is the trenchant sabre, but 
 sheathed, as Heaven grant it may ever be, except against a foreign foe. 
 Here is the "Colt s", but pointed harmlessly to the ground; here the 
 steed, "the steed of matchless speed;" here the canteen, uncorked and 
 free to every thirsty lip; here the field glass, which shall sweep the 
 South and find everywhere loyalty to the Union, and friendship for 
 
330 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 her Veteran Soldiery; here the National Eagle, with wings outspread; 
 finally, here is the Historic Haversack, carried by the Crow that in 
 1864 was in need to bear his provisions when flying over the Valley 
 behind Sheridan s army, a little empty, as you see, for now smiling 
 peace has resumed her quiet sway, and the sturdy farmer hoards his 
 grain for the nourishment of his own, and the willing entertainment 
 of his brethren from the North. 
 
 The spurs, only, are omitted. The gallantry with which Boyd s 
 cavalry extricated themselves from the cul de sac in New Market Gap 
 would indicate that such splendid horsemen did not need to wear, such 
 mettled steeds to feel, a spur. 
 
 I am neither artist nor artisan, but the work, such as it is, was 
 executed by my own hand with a pocket knife as its only tool. 
 
 May the years be many before you need the aid of a stouter 
 support. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 (Signed) JAS. H. DWYER. 
 
 To the family of the late Charles B. Evarts: 
 
 At the Regular Annual meeting of the First New York (Lincoln) 
 Cavalry Association, held at Turn Verein Hall, East 6;th street, New 
 York City, April igth, 1892, Robert I. Wallace presiding, it was 
 unanimously 
 
 "Resolved, That we, the surviving members of the First New York 
 (Lincoln) Cavalry, tender our heartfelt sympathy to the family of 
 our late comrade-in-arms, Lieut. Charles B. Evarts, in their sorrow 
 at the untimely removal from this life of a dutiful son and loving 
 brother. During the many years, amid the imminent dangers of war 
 and in the more pleasant scenes of peace, he became endeared to us 
 as a true soldier, a faithful friend a man "without fear, without 
 reproach," ever courteous, and considerate to those with whom he 
 came in contact. While in the home circle he will be more sadly 
 missed and his loss more deeply felt, we desire to testify that their 
 loss is ours, less only in degree, and not in kind, and that we shall 
 cherish his memory as long as one member of the organization shall 
 survive." 
 
 GEO. G. PEAVEY, 
 LEMOYNE BURLEIGH, 
 WM. VERRINDER, JR., 
 
 Committee. 
 
CHAPTER XXXI. 
 CHARLES R. PETERSON S PRISON DIARY. 
 
 DIARY of Charles R. Peterson, taken prisoner at New 
 Market Gap.. 
 
 May 13, reached the little village of Luray at dinner time. Stopped 
 and fed, then continued our march westward. Pass over a spur of the 
 mountain toward New Market, expecting to meet there the forces of 
 General Sigel whose instructions to Colonel Boyd were to enter the 
 town. From the top of the mountain forces could be seen about the 
 village. These were supposed by some to be our own. When the 
 pickets were reached they were found to be rebels. It was then too 
 late to retreat. In less than ten minutes two heavy columns of cavalry 
 were charging down on us, one in our front and another in our rear. 
 Two pieces of artillery began to send grape and canister at short range 
 through our ranks. Our three hundred men stood firm, awaiting their 
 attack until they were close upon us. Then drawing sabres we charged 
 the column in front driving it before us. But owing to the nature of 
 the ground it was impossible to break through. The only alternative 
 was to turn about and charge those in the rear, break through their 
 lines and take to the mountain which was close at hand. This was 
 done. Our loss proves the hardest kind of fighting. I am one of 
 seven of Company B taken. Kept at New Market that night without 
 any kind of shelter, the rain pouring down on us in torrents, and we 
 had nothing to keep it off. The villains took the blankets, rubbers, 
 overcoats, and in many cases the hats and coats of the prisoners. 
 
 May 14 They started us off this morning toward Staunton. Pro 
 gress very slow owing to the continued rain, and the condition of many 
 of the men who seemed to be giving out Stopped for the night in an 
 old house near General Breckinridge s headquarters. Drenched to the 
 skin, so sleep but little. Seven miles. 
 
 May 15, marched to Harrisonburg, eight miles. Rested and went 
 on. Roads very wet. Fine sand getting into our shoes and boots makes 
 
 331 
 
332 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 bad walking. Walk nine miles this afternoon and stop at a church. 
 Received rations of blue bread and fat bacon, very small pieces. 
 
 May 16, marched to Staunton, eighteen miles. A hard tramp. Re 
 ceived rations of hard bread and bacon five crackers and a half pound 
 of bacon per day. Not U. S. rations. Lodged in the guard house. 
 Slept soundly. All tired out. 
 
 May 17, stepped into the cars this morning. Pleasant ride to 
 Charlottesville. Bought a few pies at $2.00 a pie. Very poor ones at 
 that. Could eat six of them at once. Reached Lynchburg at 6 p.m., 
 130 miles. 
 
 May 18, Lynchburg. Encamped in a small valley called Yankee 
 Hollow. High hills all around us. A small brook near the camp, 
 which is a great blessing this hot weather. 
 
 May 19, eighteen hundred more prisoners came in to-day from the 
 Army of the Potomac. They report hard fighting between Lee and 
 Grant, with no decisive results. We are all anxious to hear how the 
 battle is going. Expect to be moved to-morrow. 
 
 May 20, left camp and took the cars. Busied myself looking out 
 of the car door at different objects, and comparing this section of 
 Virginia with the Valley. Soil appears poor and the timber light. 
 The Valley is ahead of this part of Virginia. 
 
 May 21, reached Danville this morning, 180 miles: Spent a very 
 uncomfortable night in the cars. Could neither lie nor sit down on 
 account of being so crowded. At times could hardly get my feet to 
 the floor. Marched from the cars to prison and closely confined. Given 
 rations of corn bread, very coarse, ground cob and all, and one-half 
 pound of bacon. Not enough to make one fat, but enough to keep 
 alive on. Many of the men are sick and seem to be discouraged. 
 Some of us were singing "The Star Spangled Banner," when the guard 
 below fired at us. The ball passed through the floor and lodged in 
 the ceiling above. No one hit. 
 
 May 22, started this morning for Andersonville, Georgia, 400 miles. 
 It will be a tiresome journey, as we have to ride in freight cars crowded 
 so full that no one can lie or sit down with any comfort. This is 
 worse than fighting. 
 
 May 23, still in the cars. Not allowed as much water as we want 
 to drink. This is horrible this hot, dusty weather. Passed through 
 Columbia, the capital of South Carolina. Suffered intensely from 
 thirst. Curses of the boys, too numerous and bad to mention, rest on 
 this city and those in charge of us. 
 
 May 24, slept but little last night. Hope to reach our destination 
 soon, as this is hard business. Passed through Augusta this morning. 
 
CHARLES R. PETERSON S PRISON DIARY. 333 
 
 Appears to be a fine place. Changed cars and guards. From the looks 
 of the new guard, I think we will receive better treatment. 
 
 May 25, one night more in the cars and we have at last reached our 
 destination. Some delay occasioned by counting the men off into com 
 panies of 270 men. Then each company was marched into the stock 
 ade prison. Here the scene beggars description. Within the space of 
 sixteen acres are confined sixteen thousand (16,000) Union prisoners. 
 There is a small brook running through the center of the plat. The 
 ground rises on either side, but in the center is a pestilent swamp of 
 four acres, so that the remaining ground is thickly covered. In fact 
 there is hardly room to place a small tent. The sun is very hot. The 
 heat will cause the death of many who have no shelter. Five of us 
 have erected a slight shelter consisting of one woolen and one rubber 
 blanket. This comprises our whole stock of covering, so that we have 
 nothing to lie on, and nothing to cover us with at night. This will be 
 inconvenient on cold, rainy nights. 
 
 This is the third day without anything to eat. One day s rations 
 for four days make slim living. Can t expect much here, but don t like 
 starving. Rations have come at last. Will soon be chewing more 
 corn bread and bacon. 
 
 Retiring is a very simple thing, simply lie down on the sand and 
 sleep the best you can or lie awake. 
 
 May 27, nothing special to-day. The camp is filled with rumors of 
 release. Reported that Sherman s cavalry is at Macon, fifty miles 
 distant, and that we will be free in three days. Also, that Atlanta is 
 in our possession, only rumors, of course. 
 
 May 28, more prisoners have come in to-day. They were captured 
 fourteen days ago, and bring us nothing in regard to what the army 
 is doing. This is a miserable place, but it will not do to get dis 
 couraged. 
 
 May 29, this is the Sabbath with little to remind one that it is a 
 day set apart from all others. On the small space of unoccupied 
 ground at the brook, are many engaged in card playing and gambling, 
 while near them are men unable to help themselves. They are on the 
 verge of the grave, beyond human help, in a dying condition. 
 
 May 30, seven hundred more prisoners come in to-day from the 
 Army of the Potomac. The space is all occupied and very much 
 crowded. The rations have been cut down to a slice of corn bread 
 per day, and meat in proportion. Not enough for one meal. 
 
 June i, many are sick and unable to move. The condition is 
 horrible. Language cannot describe it. The hospital is little better 
 than the camp. No blankets and none of the comforts of life. 
 
334 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 June 2, the air was cooled to-day by a refreshing shower. It 
 seemed so nice and cool, but it drenched those who have no shelter. 
 
 June 3, another fine shower. Five hundred more prisoners from 
 Grant s army. No news, as they were taken some days since. One 
 man was shot and instantly killed yesterday by the guard. His offense 
 was leaning against the dead line. Another was killed to-day. A 
 just retribution will sometime come for such deeds. 
 
 June 4, steady rain all day. 
 
 June 5, the rebels have done another great thing. They have 
 ceased to give us cooked rations. They give us dry corn meal, one- 
 half pint per day. We have almost no cooking utensils, and they do 
 not give us wood enough to cook with. 
 
 June 6, another shower. Feel a little weak from the heat and im 
 proper food. The mortality is ninety per day. The average for some 
 time has been fifty a day. 
 
 June 7, 20,000 prisoners here now. Many sick. A negro soldier 
 died to-day. He had been wounded, and had suffered intensely. The 
 surgeon said with an oath, "Good enough for him." 
 
 Our day s rations are not half enough for one meal. 
 
 June 9, this morning as the sick men were being taken out in blankets 
 to see the doctor, one poor fellow wanted to be taken to the hospital. 
 He was told to await his turn. When they reached him it was too 
 late. The heat of the sun had killed him. Another man shot by the 
 guard and instantly killed. 
 
 June 10, to-day eighteen men went out in the woods with six 
 guards. They overpowered the guards, taking their guns, and com 
 pelling them to go along, and made their escape. Hope they will get 
 to our lines. 
 
 June 13, rain all last night. A cold, stormy day. Very bad for 
 the sick. One hundred and two died last night. 
 
 June 14, still raining. Very cold. It is terrible to see the suffer 
 ing of the men in this camp. Numbers are without shelter of any 
 kind coatless, bootless, friendless and forsaken. Some of them have 
 nothing on but a shirt or a pair of drawers. 
 
 June 15, cold and stormy. Our rations for the past few days 
 have been a half pint of rice and a quarter pound of bacon per day 
 just enough to keep life in the body. The chronic diarrhea seems to 
 be killing off the old prisoners very fast. Two brothers tenting a few 
 steps from us have both died of it the last one last night. A poor 
 fellow lay in front of our tent all night in convulsions. Nothing could 
 be done for him. I am thankful there are none of my relations or 
 dear friends in this prison. 
 
 June 16, many are affected with the scurvy, mostly those who have 
 
CHARLES R. PETERSON S PRISON DIARY. 335 
 
 no money with which to buy vegetables. Everything is so high: $1.00 
 for an onion; $1.00 for a quart of beans; $5.00 for a bar of soap; $1.00 
 for a pound of salt. 
 
 June 18, more prisoners came in to-day from Hunter s command. 
 Saw some of our boys. Sorry to see them here. Hardships change 
 some men into villains. There are those here who would rob and 
 murder our own men for their possessions. 
 
 June 20, cleared off. The sun came out scorching hot. Then 
 came up a heavy thunder storm. Such a rain I never saw before. It 
 was astonishing, the quantity of water that fell in so short a time. Wish 
 it would wash down the stockade and give us a chance to get away. 
 
 June 22, met some old friends to-day. Hardly knew them. Had 
 not seen them for three years. They belong to Company A, I48th 
 N. Y. Sorry to see them here. 
 
 June 24, the hottest day I ever experienced. There are now 25,- 
 380 men in this pen, divided into 94 detachments of 270 each. 
 
 June 25, rumors of exchange. They say it will begin the 7th of 
 next month. Don t much believe it. 
 
 June 26, attended a religious meeting this afternoon, the first of 
 the kind I have seen since entering the stockade. Some of the men 
 seem very earnest in their purposes. Some consolation and hope are 
 needed in this valley of sin and suffering. 
 
 ***##*#**#*#** 
 
 June 28, a few more prisoners came to-day, among them fifty 
 Indians. They are very stout, athletic men. The raiders have been 
 at work again to-day. They robbed a man of $180, and beat him so 
 severely that his life is despaired of. 
 
 June 29, last night one of the raiders tried to rob an Indian. It 
 was a costly undertaking. The Indian struck him with a knife, killing 
 him instantly. 
 
 June 30, the guards, assisted by some of our own men, who have 
 been robbed, are going through the camp arresting raiders. They are 
 succeeding well. 
 
 July i, the raiders are under trial by a judge and jury of our own 
 men. All the detachments from the forty-fifth up moved into the new 
 stockade to-day. Ours, the fifty-ninth, was, of course, one of them. 
 Our new position is too far from water. 
 
 July 2, commenced a well to-day by the side of our tent. Not 
 very hard digging. Lowered it twelve feet. Red sand. 
 
 July 3, Sunday morning. The people at home are preparing for 
 church. I will try not to feel downhearted. If it were possible for 
 
336 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 them to get one glimpse of us in this place they would feel worse than 
 we do. 
 
 July 4, nothing going on to remind us that it is the anniversary of 
 the Declaration of Independence no salutes or anything of the kind. 
 The heaviest thunder shower I ever saw. It was grand. 
 
 ************** 
 
 July 6, there seems to be less sickness than there was a few days 
 ago. Our well is thirty feet deep. No signs of water. There is one 
 near us sixty feet, and no water. 
 
 ************** 
 
 July 9, our well is going down finely. Fifty-five feet deep. Hope 
 we will get water soon. The walls stand firm. Some wells have caved 
 in work all in vain. 
 
 July n, six of the raiders were hanged this afternoon stretched 
 up by the neck until they were dead. One of them broke the rope. 
 He begged for his life, but was put up again and dropped the second 
 time. There was no excitement over it ; all quiet. The execution took 
 place inside the stockade near the south gate. It was an impressive 
 scene, one not easily to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The 
 men were, without doubt, guilty and met a deserved fate. May God 
 pity them. 
 
 July 12, how hardened human nature can become, lost to all feel 
 ings of humanity. Four prisoners were shot by the guard for being 
 over the dead line. Shot without a word of warning, and with no 
 chance of trying to get on safe ground. Every guard that shoots a 
 man, they say, gets thirty days furlough or $30; and the guards watch 
 for an opportunity. Our well is sixty feet deep. No water yet. Will 
 find it to-morrow. 
 
 July 14, cannot finish our well to-day on account of having no 
 rope. The captain in command sent for the sergeants of the com 
 panies and ordered them to warn the men not to try to make a break 
 or he would open on them with artillery, and not leave a man standing 
 in the camp. In view of this it was thought best not to try this time, 
 but wait until our tunnels are finished and then go in the night. The 
 rebs may get their eyes open some day. They have been looking for 
 tunnels to-day, but did not succeed in finding any. 
 
 ************** 
 
 July 16, to-day they succeeded in finding our main tunnel, and 
 have been busy in filling it up. Too bad. There must be traitors in 
 camp. Our well is finished, seventy feet deep and plenty of good water. 
 
 July 17, two men shot by the guard. No wonder that men will 
 dig deep under ground to get out of this slaughter pen. 
 
CHARLES R. PETERSON S PRISON DIARY. 337 
 
 Quite an excitement this morning as the man who disclosed the 
 secret of the tunnel was found out. He was taken in hand, one-half 
 of his head shaved, a large letter "T" branded on his forehead in 
 India ink, and then marched through camp with a huge placard pinned 
 to his back, and the word "Traitor" on it in large letters. The boys 
 threw sand and mud at him, kicked him and made all sorts of fun 
 of him. The reward of his treason was half a plug of tobacco. 
 
 July 18, another poor fellow shot in the night. The guard said it 
 was accidental. No rations to-day on account of yesterday s proceedings. 
 
 July 20, the rebels, are throwing up breastworks. This looks 
 suspicious and indicates that something is up. It is possible that some 
 of our forces are trying to get to us. 
 
 July 22, three men shot to-day by one of the sentries. This I saw. 
 
 July 23, one of the rebel sergeants was shot to-day. He was wear 
 ing blue clothes ; some that he had taken from our men. He stepped 
 into the dead line for something and was shot instantly. 
 
 July 24, the Sabbath. Have spent most of the day in reading the 
 Bible, and have tried to be contented. The nights are getting cold. 
 Hot days and cold nights are hard on those who have no shelter at all. 
 We must keep our courage up and take good care of ourselves. They 
 give us cooked rice now, but not enough to do us much good. Hungry 
 
 times. 
 
 ************** 
 
 July 27, four hundred and ninety-six prisoners came in to-day, 
 and among them are two more of Company B. Nine of the company 
 here now. 
 
 July 28, 1,900 from Sherman s army, taken near Atlanta. Sixteen 
 of the sick died at the gate this morning in a very short time. They 
 were carried up to see the doctor. Between sixty and seventy die 
 daily. They get homesick and give up to discouragement. 
 
 ************** 
 
 July 30, excitement runs high. Rumors that Stoneman s cavalry 
 is at Macon. Rebel earthworks are completed and guns mounted. 
 They have been at work all day. They are afraid of something. 
 
 August 2, more men brought in. They were taken near Macon. 
 They were under Stoneman. They were making for Andersonville, but 
 they were repulsed. 
 
 ************** 
 
 August 9, a very heavy shower this afternoon. It washed away 
 a part of the stockade, but there was no chance to escape, as they had 
 
338 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 their men out at once and artillery in position, and actually fired two 
 shots over the camp to let us know they were out and ready for us. 
 
 August 10, they have been repairing the stockade, but their labor 
 was in vain. Another shower undid it all, and a little more. 
 
 They have issued beans to-day, the first in a long time. But as we 
 have no wood to cook with, we have to eat them raw. 
 
 ************** 
 
 August 12, within the last eight days one thousand men have died. 
 Three hundred sixty were lying dead outside the gate this morning. 
 Saw one poor man so covered with vermin that one could scarcely 
 see his clothes. 
 
 August 18, lumber brought in for barracks; each detachment is to 
 build its own. 
 
 ************** 
 
 September 6, all the detachments from i up to 18 ordered to be 
 in readiness to move out. 
 
 September 7, five detachments have gone, and all the sick who 
 were able to move from the hospital. Some think they are going to 
 our lines, and some to another prison. It is rumored that Hood s army 
 is beaten, and that Atlanta is in our possession. 
 
 September 8, several detachments went in the night. They may 
 .go to many better places, but it is hardly possible for them to get 
 
 into a worse one. 
 
 ************** 
 
 September n, under orders to go 9 p.m. Find myself on the cars 
 going toward Macon. 
 
 September 12, reached the junction of the Savannah and Charles 
 ton railroad this morning. Reached Charleston at 3 p.m. Marched 
 to the Fair Grounds just outside the city. The sea breeze is refreshing. 
 
 September 14, no rations to-day, as they are trying to get men to 
 go out and work for them by offering them all they want to eat and 
 plenty of tobacco. 
 
 September 15, only two crackers to-day. They mean to starve us 
 out and then offer us the oath. 
 
 September 16, they give us raw rations, and very scanty at that. 
 
 September 17, our guns on the gunboats were at work all night. 
 It is sport to see those large shells burst over the city. 
 
 September 18, Sunday morning. How nice it would seem to be at 
 home and going to church. Looks like storming and our shelters are 
 
 of the poorest kind, in fact useless. 
 
 ************** 
 
 September 23, our gunboats continue to throw their shells into the 
 
CHARLES R. PETERSON S PRISON DIARY. 339 
 
 city. Can hear them crash through the buildings and then burst. They 
 must make sad havoc. 
 
 ************** 
 
 September 26, heavy firing all night. Would not be a resident of 
 Charleston for anything. Must be hard for the women. 
 
 ************** 
 
 October I, fifteen hundred men left camp this morning; report 
 says to Florence, and that all will go soon. 
 
 October 6, two thousand more go this morning. Find myself in 
 the lot. Bring up at Florence, a hundred miles north of Charleston. 
 Cold. Kept out in the rain all night without shelter. 
 
 October 7, our eyes are greeted this morning by the sight of an 
 other stockade. However, some of our boys are here who have suffi 
 cient shelter for us all in the shape of a shanty built of boughs and mud. 
 
 October 10, very cold and frosty. Terrible for those who have no 
 shelter, and there are many such. Don t see how men can endure it. 
 ************** 
 
 October 12, raw rations, meal, beans, sometimes molasses; no 
 meat. 
 
 October 16, no rations, and, of course, nothing to eat. 
 October 17, half rations. 
 
 ************** 
 October 22, they are giving out sanitary clothing, shirts, drawers, 
 stockings, to those who are the most destitute. 
 
 ************** 
 November 7, many are going out on the oath of allegiance to the 
 C. S. They do this to save their lives. They would die if they stayed 
 in this pen, as they have no shelter, no clothes, or boots or hats, and 
 the wind blowing hard from the northwest every night, as it is at 
 the present time. 
 
 ************** 
 
 November 8, quite an excitement in camp to-day, holding elec 
 tion. Lincoln seems to be the choice. The rebels go for McClellan, 
 as they seem to think he would give them all they want. The votes 
 have been counted about 3,500 for Lincoln and 1,600 for McClellan. 
 ************** 
 
 November 18, they are sending in some of those who took the 
 oath of allegiance. This is a hard piece of business. Some of Com 
 pany B men were asked to take the oath of allegiance. Their answer 
 was : "We ll die first." 
 
340 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 November 20, raining all day and no rations. They say they will 
 give us no more rations until some one tells where the tunnels are. It 
 is not right to starve us all for the doings of, may be, two or three men. 
 
 November 21, storm still continues and no rations. Begin to feel 
 faint. 
 
 November 22, cold and freezing. The wind cuts terribly, with 
 nothing in you to produce warmth. Twenty-two men froze to death 
 last night. 
 
 November 23-26, Scanty rations. Very cold. They are parolling 
 the sick. 
 
 November 29, the sick of the first, second and third thousands have 
 been picked out and sent away. 
 
 December 5, eight hundred more taken out to-day. Could not 
 get away with them. May be I will in the next lot. 
 
 December 9, they have taken out all the sick, and I am left be 
 hind. Received a letter from home to-day. It did me good. It was 
 four months on the way. 
 
 December 14, one thousand more taken out to-day. They are the 
 last no more to go at present. This makes us feel bad. We were 
 in hopes it was a general exchange. 
 
 December 21, cold and stormy. Very hard work to keep life in 
 the body this severe weather. Well, it can t last forever. 
 
 December 25, Christmas. What a place to observe it in. Not 
 much like home. Very cold and frosty this morning. Had a fine 
 breakfast of mush and dumplings. Will have the same for supper. 
 It was the best we could get. There is no good in murmuring. That 
 would only make matters worse. It is best to feel contented as pos 
 sible, and not fret over it. Some of those who have taken the oath 
 and have been sent in are the most abject looking of men. 
 
 December 26 to January I, cold and clear. Many are sick with a 
 species of fever. The doctors pronounce it typhoid. In many cases it 
 assumes a malignant form, and then the patient lives but a short time 
 not more than three days. No doubt the cause is the locality and 
 the poor water that the men are compelled to use. The guards have 
 filled up all the wells and we have nothing to use but brook water 
 
CHARLES R. PETERSON S PRISON DIARY. 341 
 
 which is not fit to use. My health is not good. I am troubled with 
 pains in my bones and other symptoms of fever. 
 
 ************** 
 February 15, my symptoms grew worse until I was sick enough. 
 My appetite left me so that I could eat nothing. My case began to 
 look desperate, but I did not despair. I was in this condition about 
 fourteen days when a change for the better took place. My appetite 
 returned and very slowly my strength and flesh came back to me, but 
 it was a long time before I could move around with anything like my 
 usual vigor. I am thankful to God that my life has been spared. 
 Many of my acquaintances and friends have died. One of my com 
 pany and an old tent mate has died. Another is very sick and not 
 likely to recover. I have been doing all I could for them since getting 
 well enough to walk. If one gets too far gone there is little use in 
 trying to bring him up again. We have nothing but corn meal to live 
 on, and that is not very palatable to a sick man. We do the best we 
 can and try not to get discouraged. The number of sick men in this 
 camp is beyond belief. There is not a healthy looking man in the 
 camp. Some are only walking skeletons. There is a general look 
 of fear on the faces of all. It is a reign of terror. If my life is 
 spared through this I hope I may never be obliged to witness such 
 scenes again. Many of the sick get no help from the rebel doctors. 
 The doctors don t seem to care for the Yankees. In fact, their design 
 seems to be to kill off as many of us as they can. One of the doctors, 
 a Scotchman, told one of the boys that they were going to move us 
 soon to some better place, and that if they did not there would not 
 be a man alive by the ist of April. Our old mess of twenty-five now 
 numbers only eleven. 
 
 ************** 
 
 February 17, they have been moving some of the men. Those who 
 are able to walk are compelled to go. The sick are left behind. Warm 
 and pleasant. It would be pleasant riding on the cars, only we are 
 too crowded. Reach Wilmington in the night. Do not stop, but pass 
 on to Goldsborough. Then started back toward Wilmington. 
 ************** 
 
 February 19, they ran us out ten miles and left us in the woods. 
 We can hear the big guns at Wilmington. Our men have taken Wil 
 mington, and the rebels are moving us up toward Goldsborough, out 
 of the way. 
 
 ************** 
 
 February 27, we were delivered this morning to our officers at 
 N. E. station, ten miles above Wilmington. Our joy at being once 
 
342 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 more in the realm of civilization and humanity was unbounded. The 
 men gave cheers and expressed themselves in every way they could 
 think of. * * * After marching two miles we were formed in com 
 panies, and rations of hard bread, cooked fresh beef and a cup of coffee 
 given to each man. With gusto those half- famished men devoured the 
 rations given them. You should have seen the smiles of contentment 
 on their faces, as if all trouble was past and they were once more in 
 God s country. But how about the sick left at Florence? 
 
 ************** 
 
 March 2, shipped to-day for Annapolis. The ride down the bay, 
 some twenty miles, was pleasant, but when the boat got out on the 
 ocean the men began to get sea sick, and such a time you never saw. I 
 was sick only a short time, and then felt better than ever. 
 
 ************** 
 
 March 5, landed at Annapolis this morning. Met some old friends. 
 Soon had on clean, whole clothes, and felt like a new man Like a tran 
 sition from a living death to life ! 
 
 Sergeant Peterson died at East Lake, Lake County, 
 California, of pneumonia, March 25, 1880. He had three 
 brothers in the army. Lieutenant Pierson B. Peterson of 
 the 78th New York was mortally wounded at Antietam. 
 Doctors Orton W., and Wilson Peterson were field and 
 hospital surgeons. 
 
CHAPTER XXXII. ; 
 
 NEW MARKET. 
 
 IN BoycTs force were details from all the companies ex 
 cept F and M. These had been detached for special 
 service at Sigel s headquarters. Boyd himself, after his 
 disaster at New Market Gap, went back to his own regi 
 ment, the Twenty-first Pennsylvania, at Chambersburg. 
 A detachment made up from the rest of the regiment 
 under Captain Martindale was on its way from Winchester 
 toward Berryville. The Goublemans, White and Warren 
 were the advance. At the toll gate at the Opequon three 
 of them stopped to get a drink of milk. Warren went on 
 alone on foot leading his horse. Here there was a hollow 
 in the road, and half a mile farther on was a hill. A 
 mounted man in blue suddenly appeared on the hill and 
 called to Warren: "Come up here and surrender!" The 
 challenger was pointing his pistol at Warren. The latter, 
 thinking he might be shot in the act of mounting his horse, 
 delayed until his comrades could come up. Each took the 
 other for a rebel. Warren called out: "What command 
 do you belong to? I belong to the First New York." The 
 other said : "It makes no difference what you belong to, 
 you come up here and surrender." Warren replied: "If 
 you want me come and get me." Seeing that the stranger 
 was getting excited and was waving his hand to some one 
 behind him to come up, he took advantage of this mo- 
 
 343 
 
344 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 mentary diversion of his adversary s attention, and mounted 
 his horse. Just then the other three of the advance joined 
 him, and all four went up the hill on the run, while the 
 stranger turned and fled down the other side of the hill. For 
 a few seconds they saw only the one mounted man. Then 
 such a sight struck them as they had not expected. Five 
 or six hundred uniformed men were throwing their knap 
 sacks over the fence, and two companies had formed line 
 across the pike. Just at this moment they noticed the 
 mounted man fall off his horse, the girth having broken, as 
 was afterward learned. The two companies opened fire on 
 the four men who were coming down the hill at a rapid rate. 
 There was a fence on each side of the road. They could 
 not turn off nor turn back. The bullets were pouring 
 around them like hail. They had to keep on until they were 
 close to the others, where the fence on the right ended. 
 Here they turned into a small piece of woods, ran through 
 and around it, jumped the fence, and came back to the top 
 of the hill. When entering the woods Harry Goubleman 
 said: "I believe they are our own men." Ed said: "I 
 don t care who they are. I am not going to let them fire at 
 me for nothing," and let go at them. He hit one of them 
 under the eye. After getting back on the hill the four men 
 waited until the detachment came up, with Martindale in 
 command. He saw what the matter was. The strange 
 men were colored troops. Our men had never seen any be 
 fore, and were puzzled by their appearance. Martindale 
 sent a messenger with a handkerchief on a sabre. When 
 the major commanding them saw that he was safe, he be 
 gan to abuse Warren for not coming up and surrendering. 
 Warren said: T told you what command I belonged to, 
 and asked you the same question. As you refused to an 
 swer, I supposed you were one of Mosby s men, as there 
 are so many of them around with our uniform on." This 
 
NEW MARKET. 345 
 
 did not quiet him. He continued to abuse Warren, when 
 Martindale asked: "What rank do you hold?" He re 
 plied that he was a major in command of the colored de 
 tachment. Martindale replied: "Well, if you don t shut 
 up I will turn my regiment on you and kill every nigger you 
 have here." He "shut up" instantly. The white major 
 showed less discretion than his colored troops. 
 
 It was while waiting at Winchester that Sigel had sent 
 Boyd east of the Blue Ridge and up the Luray valley, for 
 the purpose of guarding against an attack on his left flank. 
 At about the same time he sent Col. Jacob Higgins with 500 
 cavalry among the mountains to guard against an attack on 
 his right. May Qth, this force was met and defeated be 
 tween Moorefield and Wardensville by a detachment of Im- 
 boden s brigade, and driven back to Romney. 
 
 Sigel moved the greater part of his army to Cedar 
 Creek, eighteen miles from Winchester. His cavalry re 
 ported no force in the upper Valley except about 3,000 men 
 under Imboden. and these in scattered detachments. Sigel 
 had in all about 6,500. 
 
 The loth, the cavalry advanced to Woodstock, fourteen 
 miles, driving some Confederates out of the place, and cap 
 turing some telegraphic dispatches. From these it was 
 learned that General Breckinridge was at Dublin station the 
 5th, preparing to move with 4,000 men. In another dis 
 patch he was anxiously inquiring if there was any move 
 ment from this direction toward Grant s army. On the 
 1 2th, he was at Staunton. When Sigel reached Woodstock 
 Imboden was a short distance south of New Market, wait 
 ing for Sigel from the north and for Breckinridge from 
 the south. 
 
 New Market was then a place of about 1,000 people. 
 It was about twenty miles south of Woodstock. Eleven 
 miles from Woodstock was Mt. Jackson. Four miles south 
 
346 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of Mt. Jackson the North Fork flows east at the base of 
 quite a prominent bluff. Here was a bridge. Beyond the 
 bridge the pike for a mile or more crossed the Meem bot 
 toms, a wide, low plain. Beyond these bottoms was Rude s 
 Hill, about eighty feet high, presenting a bold front extend 
 ing east and west on both sides of the pike for a consider 
 able distance. Four miles from Rude s Hill, beyond a high 
 and gently rolling country, was New Market, about midway 
 between the river on the west and Smith s creek on the east 
 and about a mile from each. 
 
 The 1 3th, parts of Troops F and M, twenty-eight men 
 in all, under Lieutenants Lewis and O Brien, were sent from 
 Woodstock to Columbia Furnace, ten miles to the south 
 west, reported to be occupied in force by the enemy. They 
 moved carefully, and for the purpose of better concealing 
 their approach, they abandoned the road and moved through 
 the fields along the river bank. So successful were they 
 that the advance, C. T. Williamson of F, and John. Trevor 
 of M, unwittingly passed the enemy s videttes on the road 
 before they were noticed and fired on. These two men im 
 mediately spurred their horses in the direction of the road 
 in order to cut off the retreat of the fleeing videttes. In 
 this attempt they were foiled by the precipitous descent from 
 the field to the road, which was so steep at that point that 
 it was necessary to dismount in order to get down into the 
 road. The check caused by reining in the horses enabled the 
 videttes to get past our advance and escape for the time. 
 One of the advance now dismounted and led his horse down 
 the bank. The other, noticing that the descent was much 
 easier a few rods back on the road, and realizing that the 
 charge of the main body would be checked by that steep 
 bank, rode quickly back along the road until he came to an 
 easy descent. Here he directed the main body, now com 
 ing on a full gallop, jumped his horse over the fence into 
 
NEW MARKET. 347 
 
 the road, and reached his comrade who had dismounted just 
 as he swung himself into the saddle again, and together 
 they raced pell mell after the fleeing videttes to the ford at 
 Columbia Furnace, not much more than one hundred yards 
 away, which they reached before the others had succeeded 
 in crossing to the other side. Directly across the river they 
 noticed a long line of horses tied to a fence in front of a 
 house out of which which were rushing a number of the 
 enemy, about equal to our party. Some of them were shoot 
 ing, but the most of them were intent only on getting away. 
 
 The water was about belly deep, but Lewis and his men 
 pushed their horses into it, and succeeded in getting across 
 before more than half a dozen of the enemy had been able 
 to mount. In emphatic terms they were calling upon the 
 enemy to surrender. The best mounted, without stopping, 
 kept on after those who had succeeded in getting mounted, 
 the most of whom were captured. 
 
 Among those who kept on after the fugitives was Will 
 iamson. A quarter of a mile from the Furnace the road 
 divided. Williamson took the left fork where only one of 
 the fugitives had gone, leaving the other road to be taken 
 care of by the rest as they should come up. Before he had 
 gone a mile the Confederate s horse gave out. Seeing that 
 he would soon be overtaken, he reined his horse aside, 
 jumped off, and left him. He climbed over the fence into 
 some woods that skirted the road. His pursuer followed 
 him, but was delayed a little in getting over the fence, and so 
 lost sight of him. He rode rapidly through the woods until 
 he came to a farm house surrounded by cleared fields. He 
 knew that his man had not had time to cross the fields, and 
 as there was no other shelter than the house, he was sure 
 that the enemy must have hidden here. The farmer and 
 his wife both stoutly denied that he was in the house. Will 
 iamson was all alone, and naturally hesitated about getting 
 
348 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 off his horse to search the house. While he was consider 
 ing what to do, Sergeant John Cummings of Co. F rode 
 up. After deliberating a few seconds, the sergeant, per 
 haps as a moral support to the other, shouted in a loud voice : 
 "I order you to search the house." Williamson went 
 through the house carefully, but could see no sign of the 
 man he was after. Finally he noticed, up stairs, a covered 
 square opening into the attic. He stood on the railing 
 around the stairway, pushed aside the board and was able, 
 standing on tip toe, to lift his head through the opening. 
 There in the attic was the man he had been searching for. 
 To add emphasis to his demand he covered him with his 
 revolver and commanded: "Come down out of there!" 
 He came down willingly. He was Lieutenant Reilly of a 
 battalion of Maryland cavalry, who had commanded the 
 outpost. 
 
 On the way back to the Furnace he deplored his bad 
 luck, and expressed the opinion that if he only could get a 
 good drink of whisky he would be better able to bear up 
 under his misfortunes. His captor told him that if he would 
 only direct him where to find it he would get him some. 
 
 At the Furnace they found that Lewis men had rounded 
 up almost as many prisoners as there were men in their 
 own number. There were twenty-two of them. These 
 they had shut up in a corncrib where there was standing 
 room only for them, while the captors were making coffee 
 for themselves. The lieutenant was put into the corncrib 
 with the rest, while his captor, provided with a written order 
 and explicit directions as to the house, started out with the 
 lieutenant s canteen to get the whisky. The man to whom 
 he had been directed, when asked for whisky, denied having 
 any. But when shown the written order of Reilly he 
 brought out a large jug and funnel, and filled Reilly s can 
 teen. When asked to fill a second canteen he refused to 
 
NEW MARKET. 349 
 
 do so, although offered pay for it. Whereupon the Union 
 soldier, on the ground that it had never paid any revenue 
 tax, confiscated the whisky and the jug. Friend and foe 
 shared alike. Reilly was a good fellow, and he and his 
 men expressed their appreciation of their captors mag 
 nanimity. A more friendly lot of enemies was never seen 
 than these captors and their hilarious captives on the way 
 back to Woodstock, where long after dark they arrived in 
 safety. 
 
 The 1 3th, Sigel sent from Woodstock two regiments 
 of infantry under Col. Moor, and 500 of the First cavalry 
 under Major Quinn. The I4th, these forces encountered 
 the enemy at Mt. Jackson, and drove them across the bridge, 
 across the Meem bottoms, and beyond Rude s Hill even to 
 New Market. 
 
 Encouraged by the report of this success, Sigel decided 
 to move forward at five o clock the next morning. But 
 there was some delay, and it was ten when the column 
 reached Mt. Jackson. Here was a good defensive position, 
 and it occurred to Sigel to wait here and receive the attack 
 of the enemy. But good reports came from General Stahel 
 and Colonel Moor who were on the high ground near New 
 Market. With Companies F and M of the First cavalry 
 as his escort, Sigel rode forward to examine the ground. 
 He rode all the way to New Market. From what informa 
 tion he could gain he estimated the enemy s force about equal 
 to his own, but not all on the ground. The action of the 
 day before had been in his favor. His men were in good 
 spirits. He thought the chances were favorable if he 
 should risk a general engagement. 
 
 He ordered the forces at Mt. Jackson to move for 
 ward. But thinking the position of Col. Moor, just out 
 side the village, not the most advantageous, he directed that 
 officer to fall back to higher ground about three-fourths of 
 
350 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 a mile farther north. Here Sigel formed his line with ex 
 cellent judgment. But he was deceived in that two regi 
 ments did not come up to the position in time. 
 
 In the withdrawal the enemy was ready to follow. 
 Captain Battersby with a detachment deployed covered the 
 withdrawal. His falling back encouraged the enemy, who 
 formed their advanced line with skill. As Imboden says, 
 they worked their guns u for all they were worth." The 
 village lay in a slight depression so that the shots from the 
 opposing lines passed over the place. 
 
 On his way Breckinridge had called on all the forces 
 within reach. The "reserves" from Augusta and Rocking- 
 ham counties, peaceable, non-combatant citizens, staying at 
 their homes except in an emergency such as this, were called 
 out. The cadets in Lexington Military Institute, boys from 
 sixteen to eighteen years of age, to the number of two hun 
 dred and twenty-five, commanded by Colonel Ship, one of the 
 professors, were brought along. They readily responded 
 and were assigned a place in the fore front, west of the pike. 
 
 The battle was well fought on both sides. Imboden 
 himself reached a favorable position in advance of the ex 
 treme right of the Confederate line, and with well-man 
 aged guns disturbed the cavalry massed in the rear of Sigel s 
 extreme left. The enemy also advanced with courage upon 
 Sigel s right. One of the Union batteries west of the pike 
 was doing such execution that Breckinridge determined to 
 dislodge or capture it. It was directly in front of Col. 
 Smith s Sixty-second Virginia and the cadet corps. To Col. 
 Smith and Col. Ship, Breckinridge gave the order to charge 
 for those guns. They started at once. About three hun 
 dred yards in front of the battery was a gulch, full of scrub 
 trees, stumps and rocks. The men suffered from the fire of 
 the battery before reaching the gulch. Here they were par 
 tially protected. But their business was to take that battery. 
 
NEW MARKET. 351 
 
 The boys were a little quicker than the men of the Sixty- 
 second in getting out of the gulch. They kept their forma 
 tion on the bank until the Sixty-second was ready. Then 
 all together they started on the "double quick" for the guns, 
 and captured them and the gunners. "A wild yell went up 
 when a cadet mounted a caisson and waved the Institute flag 
 in triumph over it." Of the cadets eight were killed and 
 forty-six wounded. Of the five hundred and fifty of the 
 Sixty-second, two hundred and forty-one were killed or 
 wounded. 
 
 Lieut. Col. W. S. Lincoln, of the Thirty- fourth Massa 
 chusetts, who was supporting the battery, was severely 
 wounded and caught under his horse, which was killed. Even 
 in that condition, Imboden states, Lincoln tried to use his 
 pistol, and desisted only when a cadet threatened to bayonet 
 him. 
 
 It has been stated that one of the gunners, watching 
 those young cadets coming up so gallantly on the charge, 
 had not the heart to fire upon them. But the fearful losses 
 in the charging lines prove that the guns were well served. 
 
 Sigel trieid to maintain his position by a counter charge. 
 But this was received with a destructive fire, and the line 
 forced back. The left had given way and the whole line 
 became untenable. 
 
 The Union forces engaged numbered 5,150 and 22 
 guns. The losses were 93 killed, 552 wounded, and 186 
 captured 831. The Confederates engaged were about 
 5,000. Their losses were 42 killed, 522 wounded and 13 
 missing 577. 
 
 On the whole, in this battle Sigel was out-generaled 
 and out-fought. He retired to Rude s Hill where the regi 
 ments that had not come to the battle, had formed line. The 
 entire force then fell back in the rain to Mt. Jackson, Cap 
 tain Battersby covering the rear. Here the men halted for 
 
352 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 a couple of hours, looked to the wounded as well as they 
 could, counted the missing, and resuming their night march, 
 reached Edinburg at seven the morning of the i6th. At 
 five in the evening they reached Strasburg. The morning 
 of the 1 7th, the army crossed Cedar Creek and rested in its 
 former camp. 
 
 The 2 ist, General Sigel was removed from command, 
 and General David Hunter appointed in his place. Lt. 
 Col. Adams had acted as chief of staff to Sigel during this 
 unfortunate campaign. The 23rd, with a part of the regi 
 ment as escort, he accompanied the deposed general to 
 Martinsburg. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 UP THE VALLEY : PIEDMONT. 
 
 GENERAL Hunter was a man of dark, stern appear 
 ance, and prompt manner. Prominent families of 
 the name, relatives, were living here and there in the Valley. 
 But he spared no rebels "for relation s sake." 
 
 His chief of staff was Colonel David Hunter Strother, 
 of Bath, the "Porte Crayon" of so many illustrated sketches 
 of Virginia; a very genial man. His A. A. A. G. was 
 Charles G. Halpine, "Private Miles O Reilly," who in the 
 busiest campaigns found time to write his entertaining 
 poems. 
 
 The First cavalry, under Major Quinn, was kept near 
 headquarters ready for special service. Company F was 
 detached as the general s escort. Major Harkins was made 
 provost marshal of the entire command. Captain Alexan 
 der was made chief quartermaster. 
 
 At dress parade on the 25th, various orders were read. 
 Some officers were dismissed from the service for allowing 
 a picket post to be surprised. The command would march 
 at 8 130 the next morning. 
 
 At 8 130 the next morning the march began. The en 
 tire force was about fifteen thousand. An empty wagon 
 train was started back. Some houses from which a wagon 
 train had been fired upon were burned. Notice was given 
 that if wagon trains should be attacked, the town nearest the 
 scene of such attack would be burned. 
 
 358 
 
354 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 There was a short halt on Fisher s Hill. A few Con 
 federates were ahead, keeping at a safe distance. 
 
 In a carriage Mrs. Henry with some children and an 
 attendant was on her way north. A gallant captain with 
 the advance detailed a trusty cavalry sergeant to act as guard 
 and protector to the lady and her party until General Hunter 
 should come along, and then report to him. The lady was 
 sure that General Hunter, being a Virginian, and therefore 
 a chivalrous gentleman, would give her a special escort as 
 far as his "outmost guard." The sergeant reported to the 
 adjutant who reported to the general who simply said, "Let 
 her remain where she is till we get past. Then let her go 
 on her way. He had no time for special gallantry on this 
 campaign. 
 
 The camping place for the night was at Pugh s creek, 
 near Woodstock, in the vicinity of an unfinished house, a 
 night s resting place during the fifteen days scout of the 
 previous December. 
 
 The 27th and 28th, the army lay still. Scouting parties 
 were out in all directions. It was convenient for scouts to 
 go out in Confederate gray convenient, but dangerous. 
 It was easier for a scout going thus to get information, but 
 his life was forfeited if he should be taken. But Savacool, 
 Warren, the Goublemans, Forkey and Valentine had become 
 experts. There was plenty for them to do. They ran 
 great risks without seeming to mind it. Valentine was cut 
 off from all the rest and so closely pressed that he could 
 only escape by abandoning his horse and springing into the 
 woods. 
 
 The work of these scouts was rendered all the more 
 risky because of orders read at dress parade on the 28th, to 
 appropriate horses and other needful things on the way. 
 Foraging was necessary. For a hearty man to carry ten 
 days rations was an impossibility. 
 
UP THE VALLEY: PIEDMONT. 355 
 
 This morning a captain of the regiment was put un 
 der arrest for not being out with his company at roll call, 
 and there was no sympathy expressed for him. 
 
 The 29th, the march began at four o clock, the First 
 cavalry having the advance. Bridges had been torn up. 
 There was a prospect of a fight at Mt. Jackson. But the 
 enemy fled on to New Market, the scene of the battle of 
 the 1 5th. There were the graves of the dead. The Union 
 wounded left behind had been well cared for by the people. 
 
 The 30th, the regiment was ordered back to head- 
 headquarters at Mt. Jackson. 
 
 The 3 ist, two hundred of the regiment under Major 
 Stearns started early on the road back. Marched steadily, 
 halting for short rests at Edenburg, Woodstock and Stras- 
 burg. At one of these halts a man of Co. L was shot. A 
 supposed bushwhacker was arrested and charged with the 
 act. It almost came to the point of hanging him. But on 
 further examination there was found a reasonable doubt. 
 The man was probably shot accidentally, and the arrested 
 man who had protested his innocence, but faced his threat 
 ened fate bravely, was released. 
 
 Bivouacked on StickeFs farm near Newtown. A 
 wagon train had been captured and destroyed by Gilmore at 
 Newtown. It began to be suspected that the purpose of 
 this expedition was to burn the town. There were mur- 
 murings of disapproval. Burning houses of citizens was 
 not the business of soldiers. 
 
 On the march early the next morning. The "appre 
 hensions of the object of this move were confirmed when 
 silently, and more like a funeral procession than a march 
 ing army, the column moved into the one long street of the 
 town and halted. The old people and children were stand 
 ing in the doorways with an expression of mute helplessness 
 on their faces. The hearts of the men beat with more 
 
356 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 trepidation than when going into battle. Those who spoke 
 did so to express their purpose to obey no orders to burn. 
 
 But the officers had consulted together and decided to 
 disobey the order of General Hunter. 
 
 Some conferences with the citizens were held. It was 
 found that Union men wounded in the attack on the train 
 had been carefully nursed in these homes. It seemed best 
 to have the people take the oath of allegiance to the Union, 
 and spare the town. The officers agreed to stand by Major 
 Stearns if he should incur the wrath of General Hunter. 
 
 It was a relief to all when the column headed toward 
 the south and the houses in the town still standing. 
 
 Gilmore, in his "Four Years in the Saddle," states that 
 he sent word to Hunter, that he had a number of prisoners 
 in his hands, and that for every house burned a prisoner 
 would be hanged. He attributes the saving of Newtown to 
 this threat of his. But Major Stearns and his officers knew 
 nothing of this threat of Gilmore s. They had made up 
 their minds before reaching Newtown, that they would not 
 obey the orders to burn. 
 
 On the return march, the command stopped for the 
 night at Bushong s, near Woodstock. There were some ap 
 prehensions of a night attack from Gilmore. The disaster 
 to Boyd s command and the defeat at New Market had their 
 effect on the men. They were preparing to sleep with their 
 arms at hand, and were discussing plans if Gilmore should 
 come upon them in the night. But Captain Jones moved 
 quietly around among the men, assuring them that there 
 was no likelihood of Gilmore s coming. If such a thing 
 should happen they were to keep cool, and no man should 
 mount his horse. The captain did a good service here in 
 allaying fears, as often he had done by inspiring courage in 
 a fight. He was an officer to be depended on at all times. 
 
 The 2nd, the detachment hurried on to overtake the 
 
UP THE VALLEY: PIEDMONT. 357 
 
 army. McNeil with a hundred men had been hanging on 
 around the rear of Hunter. It would be a fine thing if this 
 detachment could capture some of these fellows. Hunter 
 might accept them as an atonement for not burning New- 
 town. The captain who, a few days before, had shown 
 such conspicuous gallantry to a Virginia lady, and who, 
 another day was under arrest for not being out with his 
 company at morning roll call, started out in charge of the 
 advance. It was considered an honor and a privilege to 
 be on the advance, especially at such a time. But the cap 
 tain was lacking in the skill and sharpness necessary to catch 
 those lively rebels, and the company was recalled from the 
 advance. 
 
 In the boat race in Virgil s Trojan games an unskillful 
 pilot lost the race. The crew were angry, and the un 
 fortunate pilot was hurled from the -boat into the sea. The 
 men of that company were so incensed at their losing the 
 advance that they could have thrown their captain in the 
 river for his self-satisfied inefficiency. None of McNeil s 
 men were caught that day. Stopped for the night at Mr. 
 Cowan s, six miles from New Market. 
 
 The 3rd, the detachment started early and toward even 
 ing overtook the rest of the regiment and the army near 
 Harrisonburg, from which place Imboden had been driven 
 with some loss. The advance to-day captured two of Mc 
 Neil s men. 
 
 Major Stearns was uncertain as to the way in which 
 his report would be received. Possibly he and all his offi 
 cers would be dismissed from the service. But, putting on 
 as bold a manner as possible, he approached the general, 
 saluted and reported, "General Hunter, I am the officer that 
 was ordered to burn Newtown and didn t do it!" Hunter 
 seemed somewhat pleased to find some one who could be 
 almost as gruff as himself, gave a good-natured grunt, and 
 
358 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 let the matter pass without even ordering the major under 
 arrest. 
 
 This was Rockingham county, a most interesting 
 region. The soil is very fertile with outcrops of limestone. 
 This part of the Valley was settled a few years before the 
 French and Indian war, mostly by Germans from Penn 
 sylvania. There were Quakers among those that came. 
 Their simple, primitive, industrious, honest ways made them 
 a prosperous, highly respected people, and the country be 
 came known for its abundant harvests and growing wealth. 
 
 It has been mentioned that Lincoln s ancestors had 
 migrated from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, and then to 
 this part of Virginia. There was pointed out the fine resi 
 dence of a substantial farmer named Lincoln, said to be a 
 relative of the President. 
 
 Cyrus McCormick was a resident of this county, and 
 here, with very little to encourage him, he labored for sev 
 eral years in perfecting his reaping machine. The farmers 
 in the vicinity had no faith in his invention the greatest 
 labor-saving invention of modern times. 
 
 It was necessary from this time on for Hunter s men 
 to live largely on the country. But with this foraging, it is 
 believed there was no wanton wasting of private property, 
 and no act of cruelty toward the people. 
 
 One of the conservative officers whose policy seemed 
 always to be to cultivate friendly relations with the enemy, 
 had always tried to be very strict in restraining his men 
 from foraging. There were times on this trip when he 
 was allowed to suffer. One morning it was supposed that 
 the command was drawing near to the enemy. It was hur 
 ried forward tow r ard the supposed position of the hostile 
 forces. The enemy had retired and the regiment was al 
 lowed to halt. The men were allowed to dismount, but 
 were ordered to stand to horse, ready to mount and go into 
 
UP THE VALLEY: PIEDMONT. 359 
 
 the fight at an instant s notice. It was the first leisure the 
 men had had to pick up a breakfast from what was left in 
 their haversacks from the night before. The most of them, 
 while standing there, had made out a very comfortable 
 breakfast. But there was not much left. 
 
 The captain strolled among the men, his tall, gaunt 
 form more "caved in" than usual, and a look of intense 
 unsatisfiedness on his dark face. He had evidently gone 
 supperless to bed the night before, and certainly he had had 
 no breakfast that morning. Literally he had no "stomach 
 for a fight." "Sergeant," he said in his most melancholy 
 tones, "haven t the men something they can give me to 
 eat?" "Captain, I don t believe they have much left for 
 themselves." "Can t you detail a man to go and find some 
 thing for me? Egad, I m most starved." 
 
 Daniel Dailey offered to go out and try to get some 
 thing for him, and Dan was good at foraging. 
 
 Later, when a woman complained to the captain of 
 one of the boys whom she caught milking her cow, he simply 
 said : "Never mind, your cow r will give more milk by and 
 
 by." 
 
 Some of the men became expert in locating stored- 
 away provender of which they stood in need. A few min 
 utes halt on the pike, in front of a spacious farm house, 
 and the men were busy as ants, bringing sacks full of shelled 
 corn that had been stored in the attic. The horses at such 
 times were not unaware of what was going on. They 
 were watchful and appreciative. 
 
 The afternoon of the 3rd, Lieutenants Vermilya and 
 Savacool went out with a hundred men, and after a long, 
 hard ride over rough and rocky roads, brought in twenty- 
 five horses. They had better help us than help the enemy. 
 
 Moved early the morning of the 4th toward Port Re 
 public. The enemy was ahead, but withdrew as our forces 
 
360 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 advanced. Forded the South Fork. A rainy day and 
 night. Stopped an hour after midnight with orders to move 
 again at four o clock. 
 
 At four o clock the morning of the 5th, the regiment 
 was moving. It was a rainy morning. After a two hours 
 march the scouts came back reporting the enemy in force. 
 The First cavalry was in the advance. Skirmishers were 
 thrown out in front and flankers to the right and left. 
 Major Quinn was prompt in his movements. Company C 
 was formed in line in the woods to the right of the column, 
 and A to the left, with instructions to go forward in line 
 abreast with the head of the column. There was some delay 
 on the right, the men having to dismount and tear away 
 some fences. The remaining companies in column moved 
 forward until the first squadron was out of the woods. 
 Through some mistake the men were not deployed as fast 
 as they emerged from the woods. Perhaps they were a 
 little surprised to see immediately in front of them a broad, 
 rounded hill filled with the enemy. After going forward 
 a little they halted and became a mark for all the Confed 
 erates on the hill. They were taken at a disadvantage. 
 But they held their ground and promptly and continuously 
 returned the enemy s fire. Lieutenant Vermilya at the head 
 of the column was shot and fell from his horse. There 
 seemed to be no one just there to give the command to de 
 ploy and charge. Such a movement would have been safer 
 than to wait in column receiving that murderous fire. The 
 supports on the right were delayed by obstructions. A 
 Confederate officer with uplifted sabre led a charge down 
 the slope of the hill with such vigor that these companies 
 were forced back into the woods. 
 
 In the first forward movement Lieutenant Savacool s 
 horse got beyond his control and carried him into the ranks 
 of the Confederates. It had been raining, and he was wear- 
 
UP THE VALLEY: PIEDMONT. 361 
 
 ing a light-colored rubber coat. He mingled among them 
 unobserved in the excitement, and in the counter charge he 
 came back among his own men. 
 
 Sergeant Buss, George Mason and several others of 
 Company M, and twenty or more of other companies were 
 wounded, and a number of horses killed or wounded in prob 
 ably less than five minutes. Lieutenant Clark Stanton was 
 shot in the thigh. Thomas Gorman of M, in falling back 
 tried to jump the fence. The fence fell and his horse with 
 it, falling upon him. Two Confederates coming up helped 
 him out from under his horse, and held him prisoner. By 
 this time Major Quinn and the other officers had rallied 
 the men and were moving forward again. Gorman said to 
 his two captors, "Now you are my prisoners." 
 
 As has been stated, the regiment quickly rallied and 
 made a prompt and determined advance. Behind it came 
 the long, compact line of the Twenty-first New York cav 
 alry, and the enemy gave way. 
 
 Dr. Douglas and other friends hastened to the assist 
 ance of Lieutenant Vermilya. But he had been mortally 
 wounded, and in a few minutes was dead. He had been 
 the first orderly sergeant of Company D, and was univer 
 sally respected as an honest, faithful soldier. 
 
 Those who had been sent out on the extreme right of 
 the skirmish line, from a high hill looked down on all that 
 was taking place the round-topped hill covered with 
 mounted Confederates waiting for their assailants to come 
 out of the \voods ; the column that had dashed ahead of the 
 companies deployed in the woods, receiving the fire of the 
 enemy at such a disadvantage; the spiteful shots on one 
 side and on the other ; the first recoiling of the Confederates ; 
 their leader, with uplifted sabre, calling upon his men to 
 follow him in a headlong charge down the hill; Vermilya 
 shot from his horse; the column falling back; the advance 
 
362 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of the rallied lines; the determined charge up the sides of 
 the hill; riderless horses running wild over the dead and 
 wounded, and among the living; the enemy driven in con 
 fusion before their assailants. 
 
 These mounted Confederates were the advance of the 
 forces of Imboden, Vaughn and Jones, which, to the num 
 ber of 5,000 or 6,000 were a mile or more farther on. These 
 were strongly posted in the edge of some woods, behind 
 hastily thrown up defences of rails and earth. On their left 
 was a stream with a high bluff. General W. E. Jones was 
 in command. 
 
 The Federal cavalry advanced within artillery distance 
 of these entrenchments, and waited for the artillery and in 
 fantry to come up. Several of the officers were lounging 
 under some trees, taking their ease, in front of the regiment, 
 when a shell passed in and out among them, exploding a 
 little farther on. It seemed best to move the regiment to 
 the left to a less exposed position. In the moving it passed 
 across a field in the range, it would seem, of all the big guns 
 the enemy had, and the guns were well aimed. 
 
 The battle line of infantry went at those Confederate 
 defences with a coolness and steadiness that could not be 
 surpassed. The artillery hammered away at them unceas 
 ingly. Dismounted cavalry went in on the flanks. Gen 
 eral Stahel commanding the cavalry, watching for a chance 
 to use his men to the best advantage, conspicuous by his 
 wide-brimmed straw hat that he was wearing that day, was 
 wounded in an arm, but remained on the field. 
 
 The artillery made some breaches in the defences; the 
 infantry was ready to charge through these breaches. The 
 First cavalry was to charge around on the right of the en 
 emy s position. 
 
 To get under good headway Ala j or Quinn led the regi 
 ment off somewhat to the left, then wheeled to the right and 
 
UP THE VALLEY : PIEDMONT. 363 
 
 bore across a clover field toward the woods. To the Con 
 federates in the woods, that long line of horsemen with 
 drawn sabres bearing down upon them, must have been a 
 formidable sight. The woods were full of Confederates. 
 But between the clover field and the woods was a high rail 
 fence, staked and riclered. Before getting into the woods 
 it would be necessary to dismount and take down the fence, 
 for it was impossible to jump it. The enemy fired some 
 lively volleys at the cavalry as it came near the fence, then 
 broke and fled. But in their excitement their firing was 
 wild and high. Captain Jones riding in front of his squad 
 ron, had his horse killed. The horse falling upon the cap 
 tain s leg, held him fast to the ground. To get free, he had 
 to pull his foot out of his boot and leave the boot there, and 
 he came back from the field with one foot bootless. Cor 
 poral Oliver Lumphrey had his horse shot. 
 
 There were cheers for Tim Quinn as he led this charge. 
 But one lieutenant, thinking it impossible to jump the fence, 
 and thinking it useless to sit still on his horse on one side 
 of the fence with the woods full of the enemy on the other, 
 chose to exercise the right of private judgment, and sheered 
 off to the right, without orders, and though loudly called 
 upon to come back, rode away as fast as his horse could 
 carry him. 
 
 It has been related that on another field a soldier hurry 
 ing to the rear was stopped by an officer, who asked why 
 he was running away "You are not wounded." "No, but 
 I am fearfully demoralized!" 
 
 Another lieutenant felt something strike him behind the 
 left shoulder as he was turning about. He broke from the 
 ranks and rode rapidly to the rear, lustily shouting, "Dr. 
 Douglas! Dr. Douglas!!" Often men would be severely 
 wounded and not know it at the time. In this case a spent 
 ball, probably, had hit the lieutenant, but it had not so much 
 
364 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 as left a mark, as was found by the doctor s examination. 
 It can be supposed that spent balls could be felt. 
 
 Behind the rail* and earth entrenchments was a long 
 line of dead men lying two, three and four deep. In places 
 this line had been set on fire, and bodies were partly con 
 sumed. All through the woods the dead and wounded were 
 lying. Among the killed was General W. E. Jones, shot 
 through the center of the forehead. He had the appearance 
 of having been an intellectual and cultured gentleman. 
 
 A wounded man lying by the side of a tree wished to 
 change his position so that he could partly sit up, leaning 
 against the tree. A Union soldier helping him observed 
 that the wounded man s leg did not turn as the man him 
 self turned. The leg, broken at the thigh, was limp and 
 helpless. "Oh, I am so sick," were his words as a faint- 
 ness all but death came over him. He was helped to the 
 desired position, but nothing more could be done for him. 
 
 One was lying on his back with a bullet hole in his fore 
 head. That poor fellow never knew what hurt him," said 
 one standing by him. The supposed dead man opened his 
 eyes and looked at the speaker, as if he had heard the re 
 mark, and was conscious of his condition, but could not 
 speak. The woods were full of such sights. 
 
 About fifteen hundred prisoners, three cannon, and 
 three thousand stand of small arms were taken. 
 
 The Confederates fled. The cavalry followed in swift 
 pursuit, gathering in prisoners and capturing the guns that 
 some determined men had placed in position to repel the 
 pursuers and cover the retreat. These guns they persist 
 ently continued to fight until the cavalry were right upon 
 them. 
 
 The republican national convention was in session at 
 Baltimore for the purpose of renominating President Lin- 
 
UP THE VALLEY: PIEDMONT. 365 
 
 coin, when the news of this victory was published. It added 
 greatly to the enthusiasm of the occasion. 
 
 The 6th, after burying the dead and burning the cap 
 tured arms, the cavalry moved on to Staunton, twelve miles. 
 The Confederates had withdrawn. 
 
 The following account of this affair from the Confed 
 erate point of view, a little too highly colored in some par 
 ticulars, is taken from Peyton s History of Augusta County : 
 
 When the Confederates reached Piedmont, a hamlet two miles 
 north of New Hope, General Jones halted, and formed his troops in 
 line of battle. The Augusta officers in the force, knowing the country 
 better than the general did, urged a further retreat to Mowry s Hill. 
 This was a short distance south of New Hope, and a very strong posi 
 tion, where, it was believed, a successful defence might be made. The 
 general, however, declined this advice and kept his ground. The 
 Federal force was soon in the Confederate front, advancing in that 
 cool, dogged and deliberate manner so characteristic of the Yankee, 
 and this force was composed almost entirely of native troops. The 
 Confederate cavalry was ordered to advance, and did so at a gallop, the 
 blooded horses bounding lightly over ditches, fences and every ob 
 struction. They rushed upon the Federal cavalry like an avalanche, 
 sabering the officers and men and driving them from the field like 
 chaff before the angry winds. As the enemy s cavalry broke and fled 
 the Confederate troopers found temselves confronted by long un 
 broken lines of Federal infantry, and retired. The Federals continued 
 their dogged advance in line of battle. When a short distance from 
 the Confederate lines, they halted to gather breath, and after a little 
 rest, during which many were shot down, they advanced in the face 
 of a destructive fire, and made a fierce attack on our lines. The Con 
 federates behaved like veterans the boys emulating the example of 
 their sires, those old heroes who had been so hewed and hacked to 
 pieces during the war that there was now nothing whole about them 
 but their hearts. Incredible as it may seem, this force repelled the 
 enemy s attack, driving them back broken and confused, like the 
 waves which dash impotently against the rocks. The Yankees halted 
 at the point from which they made their last advance, stunned and 
 astounded. Not dispirited, however, they closed up their ranks and 
 moved forward a second time not with Confederate impetuosity, but 
 with the same deliberate, sullen determination which belongs to that 
 eminently bull-dog race. They were again driven back with much 
 
366 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 slaughter. Once more they formed in close order, and a third time 
 advanced to the attack. This time they brought up their reserves. 
 These fresh troops were directed to the weak points in the Confederate 
 lines the left wing which was decimated by a withering fire kept up 
 by these cold-blooded Federals, whose guns seemed never empty, 
 however frequently fired. Many were armed with Winchester rifles 
 which fire thirty times before it is necessary to reload. The Con 
 federates, finding longer resistance impossible, began a retreat gray- 
 headed cripples, one-armed convalescents and young boys, retiring 
 slowly, loading and firing as they fell back, and thus preventing a 
 panic and rout. The retreat was continued to Fishersville. * * * * 
 Lieutenants Carter Berkeley and H. H. Fults commanded two 
 sections of McClenechan s horse artillery. When they saw the left 
 wing of Jones force fall back, heard of the death of Jones himself, and 
 saw the right give way in confusion, they advanced without orders to 
 the front. Here they took up a position with their guns on either 
 side of the highway, opposite the center of that imperturbable mass 
 of phlegmatic Yankees, which was still advancing with a slow pace 
 and determined air. Acting on their own impulses, Berkeley and 
 Fults now opened fire on the host in, their front, cutting wide gaps in 
 the Federal ranks and retarding their advance. The enemy, seeing 
 the desperate conduct of these batteries unsupported by infantry, 
 ordered the First New York cavalry to spike the Rebel guns. This 
 fine regiment of knickerbockers advanced at full speed. As they 
 galloped up the guns plowed wide gaps in their ranks, hurling riders 
 and horses to the ground. This did not stop them. On the troopers 
 came, sabering men right and left. Reaching the batteries, a free fight 
 occurred over the cannon. * * * The Confederate fragments of an 
 army made good its retreat without confusion or panic. 
 
WM. B. FRANKLIN. 
 
 DAVID HUNTER. 
 
 ROBERT MILROY, 
 
 Wrt.;V. \VSRELL. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 LYNCHBURG. 
 
 ^?S S the cavalry entered Staunton they received no loyal 
 J. \ greeting. Only a few colored people seemed glad to 
 see the old flag. Before leaving the place there were some 
 pleasant acquaintances made that were kept up long after 
 the war was over. There were many prominent families 
 living here, some of them well known throughout the coun 
 try. There was the appearance of refinement about the peo 
 ple and the place. 
 
 Staunton was an important town in a pleasant valley 
 between the Blue Ridge and the eastern range of the 
 Alleghanies. It was surrounded by moderate hills. It was 
 the seat of several state asylums and some noted institutions 
 of learning. It had its history, too. When Cornwallis 
 bold cavalry leader, Tarleton, was raiding about Charlottes- 
 ville, the temporary seat of the state government in 1781, 
 the legislature moved to Staunton to finish its session. The 
 asylums, located in beautiful grounds, had been converted 
 into hospitals. 
 
 Rockets had been seen by night off toward the south 
 west. These were signals indicating that Crook and Averell 
 were coming. They had done their work on their way from 
 the Kanawha Valley. They had moved in two columns. 
 Averell had struck the Virginia and East Tennesse railroad 
 and destroyed many miles of it. The 7th, Hunter sent out 
 
 367 
 
368 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 a large force to meet them. The forces were united as 
 originally planned. Railroad and other public property was 
 destroyed. 
 
 The same day a detachment was sent back to the battle 
 field to escort to Staunton the long train of ambulances 
 loaded with the wounded. Mounted Confederates, singly 
 or in small squads, were riding about, ready to pick up any 
 one so unfortunate as to wander a little way from his com 
 mand. Two men seeing a corn crib thirty or forty rods 
 from their detachment which had halted in the road, went 
 there to get a feed for their horses. While they were busy 
 filling their sacks a Confederate rode across a field and from 
 a distance of a couple of rods rapidly fired two revolvers at 
 the crib. To the men inside, the shots seemed to strike 
 against the side of the corn house with a peculiar vindictive- 
 ness. As soon as they were ready to respond, the Confed 
 erate coolly rode away. The 8th, a detachment went toward 
 Waynesborough and found the enemy in considerable force. 
 In a fight with them William Mulligan of Co. H was killed. 
 The Qth, a foraging party encountered about thirty of the 
 enemy, gave them a lively chase, and returned. 
 
 At dress parade the farewell orders of Colonel Mc- 
 Reynolds, who had for so long a time commanded the 
 brigade, were read. A force was to escort a train and the 
 prisoners back to Martinsburg. The colonel s term of serv 
 ice was about to expire, and he was to return and be mus 
 tered out. General Stahel was to command the escort, and 
 Captain Bailey was to go with him as one of his staff. 
 
 There was a general feeling of regret at the separation 
 of the colonel from his command. While a younger man 
 would naturally possess more of the dash expected in a 
 leader of cavalry, yet, in the command of a brigade and at 
 times in that of a division, he had shown bravery and judg 
 ment. His patriotism no one ever questioned. 
 
LYNCHBURG. 369 
 
 Orders were to be in line at three the next morning, but 
 these orders were anticipated at eleven by an alarm. A 
 picket post had been attacked in force and driven in. Re 
 mained in the street, around headquarters, until morning, 
 armed and ready to mount. 
 
 The loth, the train with prisoners and escort started 
 back. General Alfred V. Duffie assumed command of the 
 brigade. Hunter s army, now increased to about 18,000, 
 was advancing in three columns. Himself with the infantry 
 and trains kept the pike, with Averell s cavalry to the right, 
 while Duffie on the left moved toward Waynesborough. 
 The left followed a narrow, crooked road through a rough 
 and poor country. Entered Rockfish Gap, burning Mt. 
 Tenney iron furnace. Th night was cold, and it was 
 necessary to be on the watch. Early on the morning of 
 the nth, the march was continued up a steep and stony 
 road and along the bed of a swift mountain stream. Upon 
 reaching the mountain top a magnificent view was spread 
 out to the east, a limitless plain sloping down to the horizon, 
 seemingly almost to the ocean. The descent of the moun 
 tain was a fearful road. After reaching the bottom the 
 column moved out over a pleasant country toward Char- 
 lottesville, finding good foraging, and capturing a few wag 
 ons of a train. In these were found a paymaster s supply 
 of Confederate money and other stores of some value. The 
 railroad track was torn up and telegraph wires were cut. 
 
 Stopped for the night on the bank of the Tye river, 
 keeping horses saddled. There was probably some Confed 
 erate force in front. If this should prove to be the case, 
 the position in which the command would find itself would 
 be something like a pocket. 
 
 The morning of the I2th, there was waiting for the 
 return of some fast riders who had been sent to Hunter. 
 They had ridden forty miles and back in ten hours. The 
 
370 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 command marched for a few miles along the pleasant bank 
 of the Tye, then turned to the right and entered upon a road 
 that skirted the eastern base of the mountain. It was one 
 of the worst roads the regiment had ever traveled rocks, 
 ravines, steep pitches up and down, and sidling places where 
 it was difficult to keep the wagons from tipping over. All 
 day and all night the slow and toilsome march was kept up. 
 More than a hundred horses gave out. As the team horses 
 gave out some of the few wagons that had been brought 
 along could be taken no farther. These were burned. The 
 moon in its first quarter had early gone behind the moun 
 tain ridge that rose, steep and high, on our right hand. The 
 night was intensely dark. Only now and then a faint star 
 could be seen through the openings among the tops of the tall 
 trees that hung over the pass. On the left was down into 
 deep blackness. There was only the light from the aban 
 doned wagons that were burning at intervals along the steep 
 road. The march was kept up until almost daybreak, 
 twenty-four miles. 
 
 After a brief rest the march began again at seven 
 o clock. Crossed the summit of the Blue Ridge again 
 through White s Gap, by a reasonably good road, and came 
 down into the Valley. Rested and fed on the banks of the 
 pleasant South river, a tributary of the James. Near by 
 were the smoking ruins of Jordan s furnace, just burned. 
 Marched on to Lexington, seventeen miles. Found Gen 
 eral Hunter here. He had had a fight with Imboden before 
 taking possession of the place, but he had driven the enemy 
 in haste before him. 
 
 Here Hunter more than made up for the non-burning 
 of Newtown. The young cadets of the Lexington Military 
 Institute had borne a part in the battle of New Market. 
 From a professorship in this Institute Stonewall Jackson had 
 entered the Confederate service. Hunter ordered the In- 
 
LYNCHBURG. 371 
 
 stitute to be burned. He stood looking at the burning build 
 ing, saying as he rubbed his hands and chuckled with de 
 light, "Doesn t that burn beautifully?" 
 
 The burning of this Institute was a legitimate act of 
 war. It had been a school for the training of soldiers. 
 Hunter also burned the house of Governor Letcher. In a 
 printing office at Lexington were found copies of a hand 
 bill issued and signed by Letcher, that had been posted 
 through the country, calling on the people to "bushwhack" 
 Hunter s men, murder them by shooting them from con 
 cealed places. This was not open warfare. At the time of 
 the burning of the house the governor s daughter, it was 
 said, expressed herself in vigorous terms. Notwithstand 
 ing Letcher s proclamation, the men of the regiment could 
 not be made to look upon the burning of private residences 
 as a proper act of war. Nothing was gained by it, as was 
 proved when, a few weeks later, Early entered Maryland. 
 
 Hunter proposed also to burn Washington College that 
 had been endowed by President Washington. But so many 
 of his officers protested so vigorously that it was spared. 
 This college was begun as a school in a log house, in 1776. 
 It soon grew into Liberty Hall Academy. Its first rector 
 was Rev. William Graham. In 1781, when Tarleton 
 reached Charlottesville, the legislature barely escaping cap 
 ture, the men of all this region came together without a 
 leader. Mr. Graham was chosen leader, and the whole band 
 was determined that no foreign soldiers should enter this 
 Valley. In 1796, Washington was presented by the legis 
 lature with some shares in the James River Improvement 
 Company. These he turned over to this institution. His 
 name was given to the college. After the civil war it was 
 named the Washington and Lee University. As president 
 of this college, Robert E. Lee passed his last years. 
 
 This county was named Rockbridge from the Natural 
 
372 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Bridge, fourteen miles southwest from Lexington. The 
 county is full of traditions and reminiscences of the greatest 
 historic interest and value. The early settlers were people 
 of the strictest religious principles, and very many eminent 
 men have gone out from here among them Dr. Alexander, 
 of Princeton, and Sam Houston, of Texas. 
 
 The country, too, was exceedingly beautiful with its 
 variety of scenery mountains, valleys and streams. The 
 soil was fertile. Mineral springs poured forth from the 
 bases of the hills copious streams of healing. 
 
 The night of the I3th, after a march of seventeen miles, 
 the regiment stopped on Tutweiler s place. The I4th, the 
 command marched slowly till near night, then rapidly till 
 midnight, twenty-four miles, to Buchanan. The Natural 
 Bridge was within three miles of the pike. A party of for 
 agers went that way, and stopped to visit it. 
 
 Captain Martindale was out a few miles from the line 
 of march. His party, made up of details from several com 
 panies, was about passing a dense thicket when some strange 
 actions of a "negro in the woods" attracted their attention. 
 They stopped to investigate. A shot was fired. This in 
 tensified their interest. It was soon found that several wag 
 ons were hidden away in these thickets, and there were 
 people there to defend them. Captain Martindale and his 
 men proposed to know all about it. There was some lively 
 skirmishing in which several were wounded. 
 
 Colonel McDonald, a venerable, white-haired man, 
 the recent commandant of the Military Institute, had loaded 
 his most valuable records and possessions on these wagons, 
 and hoped to remain unnoticed in his place of concealment 
 until the army had passed by; or, if discovered, with some 
 few trusted servants and friends, well armed, he hoped to 
 defend himself. It was the very anxiety of one of his party 
 to escape notice that awakened suspicion and led to the dis- 
 
LYNCHBURG. 373 
 
 covery. The colonel said he would rather have died than 
 been taken. Nevertheless, he was soon on very friendly 
 terms with the officers of the regiment. He had not fallen 
 into such very bad hands. Some of them had been on 
 friendly terms with the McDonalds and other related fam 
 ilies in Winchester. 
 
 The morning of the I5th, the command forded the 
 James river at the pleasant town of Buchanan. A few of 
 the people here were courageous enough to say they were 
 glad to see the old flag again. The column now entered 
 upon a very rough road that led up the mountain, where, 
 after a march of seventeen miles, the cavalry stopped for 
 the night. The i6th was an easy march of only nine miles 
 down the mountains between the Peaks of Otter, and over 
 old Indian battle plains. 
 
 The Peaks of Otter were the highest mountains that 
 many of the regiment had ever seen. They were nearly 
 conical in shape. The higher one stood 4,200 feet above the 
 plain, and 5,300 feet above the level of the sea. Down at 
 the base of the mountains was the pleasant village of Liberty. 
 It seemed almost an ideal situation with its mountain back 
 ground, while before it lay the broad, rich plains watered by 
 the James and the tributaries of the Roanoke. 
 
 Here were comfortable hospitals. Many miles of the 
 Virginia and East Tennessee railroad were torn up, and 
 public stores were destroyed. 
 
 The 1 7th, the cavalry marched toward New London, 
 forded the Otter, a branch of the Roanoke, and bivouacked 
 early in a piece of woods. An old barn-like building was 
 pointed out, once the court house of Lunenburg county. It 
 was in this court house that Patrick Henry made one of 
 his famous speeches. He was defending a commissary who 
 had taken, for the use of the Revolutionary army in its last 
 campaign, some cattle from a wealthy Scotch farmer, John 
 
374 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Hook. The farmer brought suit to recover the value of 
 the cattle. Henry eloquently described the general rejoic 
 ing of the people and the army over the victory at York- 
 town, and the promise of independence and of peace ; "and 
 this rejoicing was rudely disturbed by the voice of John 
 Hook hoarsely bawling through the American camp, Beef! 
 Beef!! The plaintiff had to contribute his cattle for the 
 public good. There were similar conditions in the same 
 locality now. Contributions had to be taken for the public 
 good. 
 
 There was considerable skirmishing around New Lon 
 don. But the enemy retired and the cavalry, after a march 
 of seventeen miles, bivouacked in the woods near Hunter s 
 headquarters, three miles from Lynchburg. 
 
 Ordered out early on the morning of the i8th. There 
 was marching and counter marching in making disposition 
 for attacking the town. The infantry and artillery were 
 arranged on the south side; Averell s cavalry was on the 
 right, and Duffie s on the left. There was a scattering 
 firing at long range all along the line the greater part of the 
 day. It became evident that the place was well defended, 
 and no direct assault at close quarters was made. Railroad 
 trains had been coming from the east the night before, and 
 they were coming all day. Breckinridge s division and 
 Early s entire corps were being hurried here from Richmond. 
 
 Parties of cavalry were out. One accompanied Lieut. 
 Meigs, engineer, to a bridge over the Otter. The bridge 
 was to be burned. Williamson went across to start a fire 
 at the farther end. Another was kindling a blaze at this end. 
 Each was so intent on his work that neither watched what 
 the other was doing, until Williamson found himself in the 
 middle of the bridge between two fires. He had to climb 
 down to the river and work his way ashore. 
 
 A company was sent to the left of the entire line to 
 
LYNCHBURG. 375 
 
 guard against a surprise from that direction. The sergeant 
 in charge placed his men, in squads of four or five, on posts 
 that made a wide semicircle. One man he kept with him 
 self in the center. For a couple of hours all was quiet here, 
 and the sergeant, fastening the bridle reins to the pommel 
 of the saddle, dismounted and allowed his mare to graze. 
 He had wandered off nearly thirty rods, when he observed 
 that a shell had started from a Confederate gun and was 
 coming his way at a high rate of speed. He calculated that 
 it would pass very nearly over his mare. There w r as not 
 time for him to reach her. He had reason to have a good 
 deal of confidence in her good sense, natural and acquired. 
 But how she would behave if that shell should burst near her, 
 he did not feel sure. He had seen riderless horses running 
 wild, uncontrollable, on the battle-field, and he felt a little 
 nervous. The shell came on, tearing its way through the 
 air, and exploded less than twenty feet directly over her. 
 She was a well-bred, intelligent mare. As, startled by the 
 explosion, she stood for an instant, black as coal, clean 
 limbed, deep-chested, with arching neck, waving mane and 
 tail, small head and ears erect, dilated nostrils, flashing eyes, 
 quivering with excitement, she was as fine an embodiment 
 of equine spirit as one ever saw. But what was she going 
 to do? The sergeant called to her loudly. In another in 
 stant she had recovered herself and trotted directly to him, 
 seemingly conscious that she had done the sensible thing. It 
 was a good exhibition of "horse sense." 
 
 One came in from one of the posts loaded with empty 
 canteens. The men had become thirsty out there. Some 
 distance in front, below a wooded bluff, it looked as if there 
 might be a creek. The sergeant went with him to see. Fol 
 lowing a wagon path down a ravine and below the bluff 
 they found an abundantly flowing spring. While the ser 
 geant held his horse the other dismounted and plunged the 
 
376 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 canteens into that deliciously cool water. But across the 
 creek at a short distance was a farm house, and just beyond 
 this on a hill was a picket post. There were some suspici 
 ous signals from the house and hurrying up and down. 
 "Hurry up, Dick," said the sergeant. "Hurry up." But 
 the water would run into the narrow necks of those canteens 
 only just so fast. It could not be hurried. Finallythe canteens 
 were filled and the two men were quickly riding up back 
 of the bluff. No sooner were they there than a shot came 
 over the bluff. The man who was waiting there dismounted, 
 fell full length forward. The two rode quickly to the fallen 
 man expecting to find him dead. But he jumped up un 
 hurt. "What did you fall for, if you were not hurt?" 
 "Why, I thought if they saw me fall they would think I was 
 killed, and they wouldn t shoot again." Some carbine shots 
 from the bushes that fringed the bluff, aimed at the puffs 
 of smoke that indicated the location of the enemy, served as 
 a better check on further shooting from that direction. 
 
 Just before dark the cavalry fell back to a road in the 
 rear. It was observed that Hunter and his chief officers 
 were consulting together, and that all the army was falling 
 back. Lynchburg was too well defended, and ammunition 
 was giving out. Sheridan had been checked at Trevilian 
 station, and was unable to make the junction that had been 
 planned. 
 
CHAPTER XXXV. 
 THE RETREAT ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 THE retreat was silent as possible and rapid along the 
 crowded, dusty road. The cavalry marched till two 
 o clock, and stopped in some thick woods near New London. 
 Part of the regiment under Major Quinn had been on picket. 
 Quinn had received no word of the proposed retreat, but he 
 soon learned of it, and by flanking the column of the enemy 
 that had already set out in pursuit, he overtook the part that 
 had moved on. Sergeant Hall in carrying orders found 
 himself in the neighborhood of the enemy, but evaded them. 
 
 Aroused at daylight of the igth. Though the men 
 were tired and hungry, the march was at once begun, back 
 along the hot and dusty road. There was a brief halt in the 
 camp of the i6th. Rested and fed at Liberty, and moved 
 on. The Confederates were following closely and attacking 
 the rear. The fighting was kept up till after dark. After 
 a weary day of marching back and forth, more than twenty 
 miles, and continually fighting off the pursuing enemy, the 
 regiment halted at midnight a few miles from Liberty. 
 
 June 20, move at daybreak toward Salem. At noon 
 halt in a restful place, hoping to stay all night. The enemy 
 again and persistently attacking the rear. The best 
 mounted men are sent on ahead up the mountain to look out 
 a road and look out for the enemy. Wait till dark, and 
 then move on. A bad road filled and choked with wagons, 
 artillery, pack horses and mules, and weary men hardly able 
 to walk on, many apparently sleeping as they walk. Keep 
 
 877 
 
378 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 on the move till just before daybreak, twenty-eight miles, 
 and stop near Bonsack station in Buford s Gap. " 
 
 June 21, burn the station, tear up the railroad,, destroy 
 public stores and move on. Pass through Salem, and three 
 miles beyond. Halt, intending to rest and feed. But word 
 comes that the Confederate cavalry have made a dash down 
 a by-road and struck the artillery moving along in the 
 column some distance ahead. Hunter is angry. The regi 
 ment is ordered out of its hoped-for resting place, and for 
 ward after the enemy that have captured the guns. The 
 road is blocked. Turn out to one side and get on ahead. 
 Start up an open hill too steep for horses to climb at any 
 other time. Move up! Move up lively there!" orders 
 Hunter. The horses dig their toe corks into the hill side, 
 climbing almost like cats, and pushing on past and over 
 everything in the way, reach the place of the attack on the 
 artillery. 
 
 The Confederates have made quick work. Horses are 
 lying dead in their harness. Harnesses are cut. Spokes of 
 the wheels are hacked to pieces. Gun carriages and cais 
 sons are demolished. The enemy have gone all but one 
 who is sitting on his horse, a prisoner. The recaptured guns 
 are lying dismounted on the ground, spiked. 
 
 After a march of twenty-two miles halt at seasonable 
 bedtime, for once, and expect a whole night s sleep, but we 
 are scared out of most of it. An alarm, but no attack. In 
 the Catawba valley. 
 
 At four in the morning of the 22nd a squadron was 
 sent on in advance about three miles to picket. 
 Here was good foraging. Plenty of corn for the 
 horses. There was a house near by Avhose owner 
 was said to have cut down trees to block the way. 
 He needed to be taught a lesson. In his house were found 
 flour, bacon, lard, in abundance. In his yard were long 
 rows of beehives. Till noon the squadron stayed there. For 
 
THE RETREAT ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS. 379 
 
 days they had suffered from hunger. Now they satisfied 
 their present wants. They cooked pancakes, or "flapjacks," 
 in their spiders, and ate them with a generous dressing of 
 honey. They made provision for the future. From some 
 convenient piles of lumber they arranged long benches on 
 which they laid out great slabs of bacon. These they cut 
 into blocks two inches square, convenient for carrying. Still 
 there was an abundance left. Some of the men, for no 
 assignable reason, had brought out into the road several 
 five- and ten-gallon cans of lard. What they expected to 
 do with so much lard no one could tell. 
 
 But the head of the column of infantry was coming, a 
 West Virginia regiment, tall, brown-haired, stalwart moun 
 taineers. You could tell, as far as you could see them, that 
 they were hungry. * Let s divide the rest of this among 
 those men." The benches were moved up toward the 
 traveled way. The foremost of the infantry, seeing the 
 benches covered with the squares of bacon, stepped out of 
 the ranks and, holding out a silver half-dollar, said : "Party, 
 I ll give you half a dollar for a piece of that bacon." The 
 pieces were handed out "without money and without price," 
 a piece to a man so long as they lasted. When there was no 
 bacon left, those men would dip their tin cups into the cans 
 of lard, each taking a cup full and eating it as he plodded 
 wearily along. The lard cans were left clean. 
 
 Late in the afternoon the rest of the regiment came on, 
 bringing up the rear of the entire army. After a march of 
 twelve miles, halted on a poor, brier-covered farm. 
 
 At daylight of the 23rd, the men were aroused by skir 
 mish firing. A party of Early s cavalry had been following, 
 but here they were checked. 
 
 So many horses had given out from hard service and 
 little to eat, that horse power was getting valuable. Com 
 pany F had impressed a convenient light wagon for carry- 
 
380 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ing many of the effects of the men. But the team failed on 
 the road, and wagon and effects were left behind. 
 
 From Winchester some of the men had brought along 
 a heavy city omnibus. It was a good thing in itself, but it 
 required horse power. The time came when horse power 
 was no longer available and the omnibus had to be given up. 
 Its last appearance before all the regiment was on a wide, 
 high, open hill top. There was a long, clear, steep descent 
 from the hill top toward the setting sun. From the bottom 
 of this descent there was a corresponding ascent. Geo 
 logically, the situation was a synclinal axis, and the angle at 
 the bottom, between the two slopes was about a right angle. 
 The omnibus, with its supported pole sticking out in front, 
 was started straight down the hill. With every increment 
 of its velocity the men of the regiment cheered. Down the 
 hill it sped, faster and faster, until the end of the pole 
 struck squarely against the opposite incline. The momen 
 tum carried the cumbersome body of the vehicle in the plane 
 of a vertical circle, in a complete summersault over the end 
 of the pole as a center of revolution. As it lay on its back, 
 its four wheels rapidly rotating in the air like the pawing 
 feet of a huge turtle flopped on its back, it presented an in 
 stance of the ludicrous in the inanimate. 
 
 June 23 The regiment makes a detour to the right and 
 follows up Barbour s creek, a wild and pleasant ravine, in 
 order to get ahead of the slow-moving train. Climb an 
 other mountain, and long after nightfall tie up in a field 
 beside the road, near Sweet Springs, twenty-three miles. 
 
 June 24, stay in a fine meadow near the Springs until 
 the wagon train has passed by. Move on behind the slow 
 train. A weary, all-night march. Halt just before morn 
 ing in an orchard near White Sulphur Springs. A beauti 
 ful moonlight night, if one s condition had been favorable 
 for enjoying it. No forage; seventeen miles. 
 
THE RETREAT ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS. 381 
 
 June 25, move into the ample grounds of this famous 
 watering place. Drink from all the springs. Bathe in 
 Howard creek. Very warm. March late in the afternoon. 
 Keep moving slowly all night behind the laboring wagons. 
 Sleep on our horses. Halt just at daylight, four miles from 
 Lewisburg. No rations. No forage. Eleven miles. 
 
 June 26 As soon as we halt, the men unsaddle their 
 horses, and at once horses and men lie down to sleep. Some 
 are too hungry to sleep. Start out on foot to find some 
 thing to eat. Find a man who has just been milking. Try 
 to buy his milk. He can spare only half a pint. Buy this. 
 Raise a couple of quarts of corn. Give part of this to my 
 mare. Roast and eat part, and save the rest for perhaps 
 greater need. March late in the afternoon. Break off 
 birch branches as we ride along, and gnaw off the bark. A 
 messmate, whose name is Rufus, but whom everybody calls 
 Dick, says if he can have only one of the two, bread or 
 tobacco, in such a time as this, he will take the tobacco. He 
 has been in the mines and seen harder fare than this. He 
 is long in the body and short in the legs. He rides high on 
 his horse June Bug he calls him and jokes without ceas 
 ing. Make only eight miles, and halt after dark on a briery, 
 stumpy hill side. Go to bed supperless and dream of a 
 splendid dinner at home. 
 
 June 27, roused at four. Nothing for breakfast. Get 
 ready to move. Men returning from picket drive in a poor 
 old cow. Word is sent to the general asking permission to 
 wait till the cow can be killed and the beef divided. He 
 gives permission and wants a piece of the liver. The old 
 cow doesn t go far, in very small pieces. March steadily. 
 Dick is not so facetious as yesterday. He still chews his 
 tobacco. He has tightened his belt a notch or two, and rides 
 in grim silence, with lips so tight pressed that not a joke 
 escapes. Halt by a brook and start some fires. A tall offi- 
 
382 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 cer, almost starved, has succeeded in capturing a frog, and 
 has dressed it. As he is roasting the legs on the point of 
 his sabre over a fire, his dog sits by watching him. Some 
 one asks, "Captain, why don t you kill your dog and eat 
 him ?" The captain looks up disgusted. His usual solem 
 nity is intensified. "I d die first!" Pass Meadow Bluff 
 where supplies were expected. Those in charge of the 
 train were turned back by a rebel scare. Cross ranges of 
 hills and Big Sewell Mountain. A hard thunder storm. At 
 last meet a train with rations. Halt in a stumpy, bushy 
 field on the mountain side. Twenty-eight miles. 
 
 June 28, graze the horses. March before noon. A 
 rough country. Pass Camp Lookout, Spy Rock, and old 
 Indian trails. Halt at dark in a good pasture. Eleven 
 miles. 
 
 June 29, march at seven. The country all hills. 
 March slowly behind the wagons. At noon, halt on the 
 smooth top of a bluff high above the New river, four miles 
 from Gauley bridge. Seven miles. 
 
 June 30, start early. Ford Gauley river on a ledge of 
 rocks above the site of the old bridge. Wagons are ferried 
 across. A wild, rocky place. All sounds echoed from the 
 rocky bluffs. Stop eight miles below the bridge in a level 
 field beside the river. Loup creek. Mustered on mem 
 orandum rolls. Twelve miles. 
 
 July i, get an early start. Good road along the river. 
 Very warm. Mulberry trees. Go into camp early beside 
 the river. Flatboat impressed by dismounted cavalry. Salt 
 works. Camp Piatt, at the head of navigation on the 
 Kanawha, a permanent post, twenty miles. 
 
 July 2, leave Camp Piatt early. Very warm. An in 
 teresting march with river on one side and mountains on 
 the other. Fertile land. Salt works. Coal mines. 
 "Guide left" on entering the city of Charleston. At noon 
 
THE RETREAT ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS. 383 
 
 tie up around a field and pitch our little shelter tents. Ten 
 miles. 
 
 July 3 Sunday. All quiet. Get horses shod. Do 
 some mending. 
 
 July 4, the infantry and part of the cavalry leave on 
 transports. At high noon a salute in honor of the day is 
 fired from the fort across the river. At night some rockets 
 are sent up. 
 
 July 5, dress parade at 5 130. Colonel Wincoop com 
 manding the brigade. See the first northern papers for a 
 month. Severe criticisms on Hunter. President Lincoln 
 renominated. The Alabama sunk by the Kearsarge. Sigel 
 has been driven out of Martinsburg. The Confederates in 
 the lower Valley and in Maryland. 
 
 July 7, rainy. On the march at seven. A rough coun 
 try, but good roads. Sissonville. Thirteen miles. 
 
 July 8 Sandyville, thirty-eight miles. 
 
 July 9 Bucher s, twenty-one miles. 
 
 July 10 Sunday. Reach Parkersburg, ten miles, at 
 noon. Water our horses in the Ohio river. Get aboard a 
 train of box cars on the B. & O. R. R. Train starts at 4 p.m. 
 Go through nineteen tunnels before dark. Horses ride in 
 the cars and men on top. A tedious all-night ride. 
 
 July n, at Graf ton this morning. Interesting scenery 
 along the railroad among and through the mountains. 
 Reach Cumberland at 3 p.m. The train stops at Cherry 
 Run. 
 
 During all this retreat with its all-night marches, and 
 suffering from hunger, the men had made light of all their 
 hardships. The harder their experiences the more they 
 were inclined to joke. Many horses had to be left behind. 
 Some men were unable to go farther and stopped. Whether 
 they fell into the enemy s hands was not known. 
 
CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE. 
 
 WHEN it was learned at Richmond that Hunter was 
 on his way to Lynchburg, Breckinridge s division 
 was sent to meet him. After Grant s repulse at Cold Har 
 bor, Lee felt that he was able to send all of Early s corps 
 on the same errand. When Hunter retired into the moun 
 tains the way was open for these Confederates all the way 
 down the Valley. Sigel was at Martinsburg, but he re 
 tired from that place July 3. That night he crossed the 
 Potomac at Sheperdstown. The Confederates tore up once 
 more the track of the B. & O. R. R., and burned bridges, 
 from Cherry Run to Harper s Ferry. They had now been 
 roaming about in Maryland, gathering supplies and levy 
 ing contributions on the towns. 
 
 As soon as possible after reaching Cherry Run, the 
 horses were taken from the cars. After a good square 
 breakfast, the regiment began its march over a hot and dusty 
 road, up hill and down, through Hedgesville to Martins- 
 burg, seventeen miles. Rested in Faulkner s woods. 
 
 A detachment under Major Quinn was sent to Harper s 
 Ferry. Other detachments were sent in other directions. 
 
 Early had moved around the Federal forces on Mary 
 land Heights, passed through the gaps in the mountains, 
 levied a heavy contribution on Frederick City, and marched 
 toward Washington. He had nearly 10,000 men. He 
 
 S84 
 
EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE. 385 
 
 would capture the capital if he could, and release the pris 
 oners at Point Lookout. He was checked for a day at the 
 Monocacy by Wallace who had marched from Baltimore 
 with an inferior force, with no expectation of doing more 
 than to delay the invader until the Sixth corps, from Peters 
 burg, and part of the Nineteenth just returned from New 
 Orleans, could reach Washington. 
 
 The battle of Monocacy was on Saturday, the 9th. The 
 nth, Early was in front of the fortifications north of the 
 capital. He found these very strong, but they did not seem 
 fully manned. His men were tired out with their continu 
 ous marching in the extreme heat. He delayed making an 
 attack until the next morning. There was anxiety in Wash 
 ington. Clerks from the departments, convalescents from 
 the hospitals, all available men and boys, with what arms 
 they could get, were hurried out to Fort Stevens. It was 
 a critical time. There was need of a telegraph operator 
 who could be relied on to stay at his instrument and report 
 what was transpiring. H. H. Atwater, who had been on 
 duty at the Navy yard, was sent. His work called for the 
 same courage as that required of a picket on a threatened 
 outpost. 
 
 The stately home of the Blairs in plain sight was in 
 flames. Skirmishers were flitting about at skirmishing dis 
 tance. A sharpshooter, in some place of seeming security, 
 not easy to locate, had leisurely been counting off his vic 
 tims. Early s lines seemed to be getting into position to 
 make an assault on the scantily manned works. The Presi 
 dent had been out to see the situation. He had encouraged 
 the men, assuring them that help was coming. 
 
 There were delays in the expected movements. The 
 situation was being reported by Atwater to the authorities 
 in the departments. He kept at his key board, not know- 
 
386 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ing but that at any moment the Confederates would be 
 .swarming over the works. 
 
 The authorities were anxiously watching for the com 
 ing of the Sixth corps, two divisions of which, and a part 
 of the Nineteenth, had been hurried up from the army be 
 fore Petersburg. On a high lookout midway the signal 
 flags were fluttering. Signal officers at the front were spell 
 ing out their messages. 
 
 The steamers bringing the Sixth corps were at the 
 Seventh street landing. The troops had disembarked. The 
 head of the column was in Georgetown, and marching 
 rapidly to the front. 
 
 Early had had some intimations of the coming of these 
 forces. His signal officers were supposed to have read, or 
 guessed at, these messages. These forces would be too 
 strong for him and he hesitated to attack. He might gain 
 the works, but it would be only to be driven out. 
 
 Another thing happened. A large quantity of confis 
 cated whisky had been sold by government officials to the 
 highest bidder. It had been bought as an investment, and 
 stored in one of these Maryland cellars. The Confederates 
 found it, and thought themselves justified in appropriating 
 it. Many of them, both officers and enlisted men, became, 
 for the time being, unfitted for service. This was another 
 cause of delay in making an assault. Washington w r as safe. 
 
 Early withdrew his army. Lodged among the 
 large branches of a great tree, where doubtless he had 
 thought himself safe, was found the dead body of the Con 
 federate sharpshooter. A Federal bullet, whether aimed, or 
 fired at random, had reached him. 
 
 The 1 4th, Early crossed the Potomac at White s Ford 
 near Leesburg. The First cavalry had been broken up into 
 detachments. Each detachment was acting with whatever 
 command was nearest. The largest detachment under 
 
EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE. 387 
 
 Major Quinn was a part of Mulligan s brigade which had 
 crossed into Loudon county and was now following Early. 
 Quinn with his detachment was at the head of the column. 
 Lieutenant Savacool with an advance guard of twenty men 
 was a mile ahead. At noon orders were to halt for a rest. 
 But the orders reached the advance guard too late. They 
 had just run into a wagon train, and were having a tussel 
 with the escort. They soon got the better of the escort, and 
 chased it in a running fight until they were led up against 
 the Twenty-first Virginia cavalry, to which the escort be 
 longed. Here the tables were turned, and the Virginians 
 became the pursuers. In the chase Savacool was taken pris 
 oner. But now Quinn with his detachment appeared and 
 the conditions were reversed. The Virginians were hotly 
 pursued. Savacool escaped from them and got back to his 
 own men. Several of the men were wounded. 
 
 While being pursued some of the horses of the Federals 
 were giving out, and the men jumped off and took to the 
 woods by the roadside. Carman and another had been far 
 to the front. Their horses were in good condition. Seeing 
 the situation they thought it best to turn back. Just then 
 the horse of his comrade was shot dead, and Carman was 
 left alone. He tried to return, but his horse would not go 
 back, and he could not control him. The horse reared upon 
 his hind feet, took a desperate plunge and ran right up to 
 a Confederate picket post of a captain and four men. Here 
 both horse and rider were taken in. They were in a piece 
 of woods. To the captain in command Carman handed his 
 revolver which he had in his hand, but which was empty. 
 He had another in his belt over which his blouse was but 
 toned. This was loaded, and this he proposed to keep for 
 an emergency, should he see a chance to escape. The odds 
 were heavy against him. But soon some of his regiment 
 came riding within range. These drew the attention of the 
 
388 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 four men who, to get a better chance to fire, had gone a few 
 rods away. The captain, too, was intent on getting a shot. 
 Carman felt under obligations to save his friends. 
 Watching his opportunity he drew his loaded revolver from 
 under his blouse and shot the captain. "This wouldn t have 
 happened to you if you had surrendered when I first rode 
 up here," he said. "That is so," said the wounded captain. 
 "Get a surgeon for me if you can." Carman promised to 
 do so if possible. Then mounting the captain s fine horse, 
 taking his own and the captain s revolvers, he rode quickly 
 back to his own lines. Major Quinn hailed him "Hello, 
 Carman, where did you get all those revolvers?" He bor 
 rowed one, as he had lost his own. 
 
 A few weeks later one of this Virginia regiment was 
 captured. He was the only one of his company engaged 
 in this fight, that was living. The captain had died from 
 his wound. This affair was at Lovettsville. 
 
 Kitchens of Company C, and a few others, on account 
 of the condition of their horses, had been obliged to fall be 
 hind when their company was hurrying on. They were 
 carrying a guidon. They encountered a squad of Confed 
 erates who hailed them. "Where did you get that Yankee 
 flag?" "Up the road a ways." "You had better not go 
 that way much farther. The Yankees are down there in 
 force." "Oh, we are not afraid of them." The Confed 
 erates now began to suspect that the others were Federals, 
 and called upon them to surrender. They gave the enemy 
 the contents of their carbines and revolvers, and rode away 
 with shouts of derision. The enemy returned their fire, 
 but did no harm. 
 
 The 1 5th, this force made a vigorous attack on a de 
 tached body of Early s cavalry, driving them, and inflicting 
 some casualties. 
 
 The next day, at Purcellville, another attack was made 
 
EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE. 389 
 
 and a part of Early s wagons were taken. The attacking 
 party followed him to Snicker s Gap. The next morning it 
 followed him through the gap and fired a few shots at his 
 rear as it was crossing the river. 
 
 The 1 8th, this force went through Upperville and Paris 
 toward Ashby s Gap. Mosby was still active, and that night 
 attacked a picket post of the Twentieth Pennsylvania cavalry. 
 
 The 1 9th, General DufHe marched through Ashby s 
 Gap expecting to cross the river. Captain Stevenson s 
 squadron was ordered across in advance, followed by part 
 of the 2Oth Pennsylvania. While crossing they were met 
 by a volley of musketry. Lieut. Evans horse was shot. 
 It was a difficult crossing, but the men succeeded in accomp 
 lishing it, but they had to move along down the river under 
 the shelter of the bank, in order to find a place where they 
 could do something. Reaching high ground they charged 
 upon the skirmish line, making all the noise they could. The 
 enemy broke, and the party, thinking they had gained time 
 to get back across the river, made haste to do so. But an 
 other squad concealed among some bushes, gave them a 
 volley, killing Hugh McLaughlin of Co. C, a brave fellow, 
 and killing or disabling several horses. 
 
 General Duffie s force in the gap had been forced back 
 by the enemy s artillery. But now he had brought up his 
 own guns and compelled the enemy to retire somewhat, 
 while the men who had first crossed the stream and had 
 been scattered in their desperate situation, got back to their 
 regiment. Sergeants Lumphrey, Hall and Pitman, as well 
 as Captain Stevenson, had been in close quarters, and had 
 shown remarkable alertness as well as courage before supe 
 rior numbers. 
 
 A squadron of the Twenty-first New York was sent 
 across the river. It ran against the enemy, and in a sharp 
 fight lost a number of men. 
 
390 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The 2 ist, the detachment of the regiment that had been 
 moving around east of the Blue Ridge returned to Snicker s 
 Gap and became a part of the forces under General Crook. 
 The 22nd, this army marched through the gap and across 
 the Valley to Winchester, and rested a mile or so south of 
 the town. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Adams had not accompanied the regiment 
 on Hunter s expedition. He had now been commissioned 
 colonel in the place of Colonel McReynolds who had been 
 mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, and 
 was in command of the regiment. 
 
CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 THE LOWER VALLEY. 
 
 BEFORE going up the Valley Mrs. Britain, wife of the 
 wagoner of Co. B, was intrusted with the care of 
 various things belonging to the men of the company. These 
 she had saved by burying them. 
 
 Sigel in withdrawing took with him all those in the 
 hospital who could travel. But there were about fifty 
 wounded men who could not be taken. These were moved 
 into one of the churches, and were in the care of a surgeon 
 of the 2 ist New York, La Peltier e. The nurses who 
 should have stayed with him left. He could not help say 
 ing, "Look at all those cowards. They leave me here alone 
 with these dying men. Fiala of Co. E had been in the 
 hospital for some weeks, from a serious swelling on one of 
 his legs, but he was now recovered. His character was al 
 ways to be faithful to the duty that was nearest at hand, 
 and he volunteered to remain and help the doctor. 
 
 Soon after noon General Breckinridge entered the town, 
 and with some of his staff came into the church. As he 
 entered he took off his hat and looked around. He paroled 
 all that were here. His ways were those of a gentleman. 
 Soon after he left some of his men looked through the cellar 
 and took all the supplies they could find. Only some medi 
 cines that had been hidden under the altar were left. The 
 matter was reported to Breckinridge who compelled the mis- 
 
 391 
 
392 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 creants to bring back what they had taken. But as Breckin- 
 ridge passed on, another command came, and the robbery 
 was repeated. The ladies of the place saw what was done, 
 and as soon as the last of the Confederates had passed on, 
 they came to ask what they could do. Learning the situa 
 tion, they immediately brought bread, biscuits, coffee and 
 tea. For six weeks and more, until the enemy had left for 
 good, did these women of Martinsburg continue to supply 
 necessaries and delicacies, so far as they could, to these fifty 
 wounded men. Their devotion should be recorded in the 
 brightest pages of the history of the war. 
 
 Scouting parties were every day passing through. 
 Some of them treated the hospital attendants cruelly ; others 
 protected them. When finally they fell back they had with 
 them a large number of one hundred-days men as prisoners, 
 .a forlorn multitude. They marched continuously and 
 rapidly. Many deserted by hiding in the town. 
 
 When the regiment finally entered the place Fiala re 
 joined his company. 
 
 The Confederates were supposed to be about Win 
 chester. The night of the I2th, a scout went out under 
 Captain Jones, with Valentine in charge of the advance. 
 Night scouting required nerve and promptness. The cap 
 tain s instructions to Valentine were brief : "When you are 
 challenged, don t answer, but fire and rush upon them." 
 The instructions were obeyed, and at Bunker Hill Valentine 
 .and his advance came upon Lieut. Cathcart and four others 
 who were prisoners before they were hardly aware of what 
 had happened. 
 
 It had come to pass that there were no exemptions on 
 account of profession. Blacksmith Tom Casey was one of 
 the advance. In this night melee he could not help observ 
 ing, "This is a loikly position for a mechanic." 
 
 Day after day parties were out in all directions. The 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 393 
 
 railroad was repaired so that cars from the west ran into 
 Martinsburg. Forces came, and moved on. Men of the 
 regiment had been captured and escaped with all kinds of 
 adventures. One had escaped in woman s clothing. While 
 a part of the regiment was in Martinsburg other detach 
 ments were about Harper s Ferry and in Maryland. There 
 had been great activity in the movements of detachments of 
 both armies, and these were constantly coming into collision. 
 For some depredations by the enemy, retaliation was threat 
 ened. Orders were given for the burning of the Faulkner 
 residence in the belief that from here information and aid 
 had been furnished to the enemy. Through some interces 
 sion the execution of the order was postponed. 
 
 Captain Martindale had been busy about Charlestown. 
 By the direct and positive orders of General Hunter, he, on 
 the 1 7th, set fire to the elegant residence of Andrew Hunter, 
 the general s own cousin, a prominent citizen and lawyer, 
 who had been one of the attorneys for the prosecution in 
 the trial of John Brown. The house of a Mrs. Lee, another 
 relative, at Sheperdstown, and that of A. R. Boteler were 
 also burned. It might be a legitimate act of war to destroy 
 supplies that would support an enemy. But Hunter s burn 
 ing of residences was condemned in the strongest terms by 
 the men of his command. 
 
 A few weeks later the Liverpool (England) Courier 
 published the following letter addressed to the Federal com 
 mander by the wife of the gentleman whose house was 
 burned. The letter was republished in the New York Ex 
 press of November 8, 1864. 
 
 Shepherdstown, Va., July 18, 1864. 
 
 General Hunter: Yesterday your underling, Captain Martindale, 
 of the First N. Y. Cavalry, executed your infamous order and burned 
 my house. You have had the satisfaction ere this of receiving from 
 him the information that your orders were fulfilled to the letter, the 
 dwelling and every outbuilding, with their contents, being burned. I, 
 
394 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 therefore, a helpless woman, whom you have cruelly wronged, ad 
 dress you, a major general of the U. S. Army, and demand why this 
 was done. 
 
 My husband was absent, an exile. He has never been a politician, 
 or in any way engaged in the struggle now going on, his age pre 
 venting. This fact David Strother, your chief of staff, could have told 
 you. The house was built by my father, a Revolutionary soldier, who 
 served the whole seven years for your independence. Here was I 
 born; there the sacred dead repose; it was my house and my home; 
 and there has your niece, who lived with us all this horrid war, 
 up to this present moment, met with all kindness and hospitality at 
 my hands. 
 
 Was it for this that you have turned me, my young daughter and 
 little son out upon the world without a shelter? Or was it because 
 my husband is the grandson of the Revolutionary patriot and rebel, 
 Richard Henry Lee, and the near kinsman of the noblest of Christian 
 warriors, the greatest of generals, Robert E. Lee? Heaven s blessing 
 be upon his head forever! You and your government have failed to 
 conquer, subdue, or match him; and disappointed rage and malice 
 find vent upon the helpless and inoffensive. 
 
 Hyena-like, you have torn my heart to pieces; for all hallowed 
 memories clustered around that homestead and, demon-like, you 
 have done it without even the pretext of revenge; for I never saw 
 or harmed you. Your office is not to lead, like a brave man and 
 soldier, your men to fight in the ranks of war; but your work has 
 been to separate yourself from all danger, and, with your incendiary 
 band, steal unawares upon helpless women and children, to insult and 
 to destroy. Two fair homes did you yesterday lay in ashes, giving not 
 a moment s warning to the startled inmates of your wicked purpose; 
 turning mothers and children out of doors; your name execrated by 
 your own men for the cruel work you have given them to do. 
 
 In the case of A. R. Boteler, both father and mother were far 
 away. Any heart but that of Captain Martindale (and yours) would 
 have been touched by that little circle, comprising a widowed daughter 
 just risen from her bed of illness, her three little fatherless babes the 
 eldest not five years old and her heroic sister. I repeat, any man 
 would have been touched at that sight. But Captain Martindale 
 one might as well hope to find mercy and feeling in the heart of a 
 wolf bent on its prey of young lambs, as to search for such qualities 
 in his bosom. You have chosen well your man for such deeds; doubt 
 less you will promote him. 
 
 A colonel of the Federal army has stated that you deprived forty 
 of your officers of their commands because they refused to carry out 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 395 
 
 your malignant mischief. All honor to their names for this, at least. 
 They are men; they have human hearts, and blush for such a com 
 mander. 
 
 I ask, who that does not wish infamy and disgrace attached to 
 him would serve under you? Your name will stand on history s page 
 as the Hunter of weak women and innocent children; the Hunter to 
 destroy defenceless villages and refined and beautiful homes; to tor 
 ture afresh the agonized hearts of suffering widows; the Hunter of 
 Africa s poor sons and daughters; to lure them on to ruin of soul and 
 body; the Hunter with the relentless heart of a wild beast, the face of 
 a fiend, and the form of a man. Oh, Earth, behold the monster! 
 
 Can I say, "God forgive you?" No prayer can be offered for you. 
 Were it possible for human lips to raise your name heavenward, angels 
 would thrust it back again and demons claim their own. The curses 
 of thousands, the scorn of the manly and upright, and the hatred of 
 the true and honorable, will follow you and yours through all time 
 and brand your name Infamy ! Infamy ! 
 
 Again I demand, why have you burned my house? Answer, as 
 you must answer before the Searcher of all hearts, why have you 
 added this cruel, wicked deed to your many crimes? 
 
 The i Qth, there was a reconnoissance in force from 
 Martinsburg toward Winchester. Crook was fighting near 
 Berryville. 
 
 The 2Oth, just before night, Averell with cavalry and 
 infantry, fought Ramseur three miles this side of Win 
 chester, losing two hundred, but taking four cannon and in 
 flicting a loss of four hundred. 
 
 The 2 ist, a hundred men went from Martinsburg, pass 
 ing over the battlefield of the day before, halting to watch 
 the burying of the dead, and were posted as an advanced 
 lookout several miles out on the Romney road. The 22nd, 
 Averell was fighting at Newtown. The post on the Rom 
 ney road was withdrawn. After breakfast in a meadow at 
 the Hayfield house, twenty men went back with a train. 
 The rest went out on the Romney road as a picket, keeping 
 their horses saddled and themselves on the alert. 
 
 The 23rd, there was fighting at Kernstown. A long 
 
396 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 line of battle was formed. Colonel Adams with a part of 
 the regiment made a bold dash at the enemy, driving them. 
 McGinness of Company B had his fine mare shot, but he 
 captured a splendid stallion from the enemy. 
 
 Toward night all became quiet. Captain Jones with his 
 squadron, Companies A and C, went out to reinforce the 
 men on picket and patrol on the roads west of the town. 
 
 The 24th, there was continual skirmishing at Kerns- 
 town. Pickets and patrols were vigilant. All day long 
 was that incessant, scattering fire along the whole front. 
 Toward night the enemy came on in force. Our lines were 
 compelled to fall back. Breckinridge had got around the 
 left, and making a vigorous attack, doubled up that end of 
 the line and forced it back toward the center. The enemy s 
 skirmishers a long line of them were pressing forward. 
 Captain Jones sent a sergeant off to the hills to the west to 
 bring in a patrol on the Pughtown road. The sergeant had 
 to be quick. He reached the patrol, but could not get back 
 to rejoin the captain. The Confederate skirmish line was 
 already sweeping across the road. He moved along the 
 ridge from which he could look down upon the plain. All 
 across the wide fields were streams of men, on foot, on 
 horseback, hurrying to the rear. There was the tumult of 
 wagons and artillery driven rapidly along the stone pike. 
 Fences were thrown down to make room. There were the 
 shouting and swearing of drivers and the braying of mules. 
 The enemy was hurrying on in pursuit. Clouds of dust 
 were rising, and the darkness was fast coming on. Wagons 
 were abandoned, drivers cutting the traces of the harness in 
 their haste to escape. The retreat became a stampede. At 
 Bunker Hill the retreat was checked. 
 
 During some of the active operations of the last few 
 days, some one, a friend of Savacool s, had been captured. 
 Savacool with a small party was pushing away ahead trying 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 397 
 
 to see a chance to recapture his friend. But he became 
 separated from the rest of his party, and was himself cap 
 tured. His arms were taken from him, but he gave his 
 captors considerable trouble. Some of the regiment were 
 making strenuous efforts to recapture him. These crowded 
 the Confederates so closely that the latter, in order to save 
 themselves, had to let Savacool go, and three of their own 
 number were taken. 
 
 This last day at Winchester Savacool was carrying an 
 order from Crook to Averell when a solid shot took off a 
 hind leg of his horse. He was riding so fast that the horse 
 kept right on a considerable distance on three legs before 
 Savacool became aware of what had happened. He had 
 three horses shot under him that day. 
 
 July 25 At Bunker Hill. A cold, rainy morning. 
 Make a kettle of strong coffee and drink heartily. The 
 army falling back again. To Martinsburg. A hard rain. 
 Get drenched. Find most of the regiment in Faulkner s 
 woods. Clears off very warm. Confederates coming on. 
 Skirmishing. Captain Jones leads us around watching for 
 a chance to strike a blow. Check the Confederates for 
 awhile and drive them back a little. Wait in line in a corn 
 field just north of the town. Some artillery hidden in the 
 woods gets the* range and fires shot after shot. Captain 
 Jones sits on his horse in front, cool and unconcerned. With 
 out giving an order, or even looking around, he holds the 
 line as steady as if there were no shells or solid shot passing 
 over our heads, or throwing up showers of dirt as they 
 strike the earth before and behind us. Still he sits there 
 almost motionless, griping his sabre with his right hand, but 
 letting it rest across his left forearm, ready for instant use. 
 It is suspected that he wants a chance at those guns. The 
 men, too, sit quiet, watching now the captain, and now the 
 bursts of flame and blue smoke, that are instantly followed 
 
398 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 by the infernal whir-r-r and shriek of shot and shell. At a 
 sign from him they are ready to spring for those cannon. 
 It is an exhibition of indefinable power this holding men 
 silent, almost motionless, without a visible tremor, watching 
 without flinching those messengers of death that every in 
 stant are being hurled at them. A conical shell strikes the 
 front rank of Company B obliquely. It bores a hole through 
 the head of one horse just below the eyes, passes through 
 the neck of another, and explodes right behind the shoulder 
 of the third, tearing its side all open. Pearl, Garland and 
 Winans are wounded. Three horses drop dead, and others 
 are struck by fragments of the shell. But the line, a little dis 
 turbed for a minute in the ranks of Company B, remains 
 firm. 
 
 But the battery in the woods on the hill is strongly 
 posted and well supported. The risk is too great, the chance 
 too small. With evident reluctance the captain gives up 
 the hope of making a successful charge, and withdraws the 
 regiment out of range.* 
 
 Fall back during the night, halting near morning near 
 Williamsport ford. 
 
 July 26, ford the Potomac at Williamsport. March 
 down the Maryland side. Over Antietam battle ground 
 once more. Rest in the woods where we encamped last fall. 
 Confederates across the river. 
 
 *The situation recalls a story told of General "Pap" Thomas. He 
 was riding along a part of his line upon which some artillery was play 
 ing. To a colonel whose regiment was in line he said: "Colonel, I 
 want those guns, and I want them bad." The colonel turned to his 
 regiment and said: "Men, the old man says he wants those guns, and 
 wants them bad." A tall, awkward man spoke out from the ranks: 
 "Wa-a-1, if the ol man wants them guns, an wants em bad, he orter 
 to have em. I move we chip in an buy em for him, for it looks 
 mighty dangerous up there." 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 399 
 
 July 27, wait till the wagon train is well on its way. 
 March slowly to the Ferry and a mile past Sandy Hook. 
 Stop in Pleasant Valley. Horses getting worn out. 
 
 July 28, stay quietly in camp. Efforts to muster out 
 the men who did not re-enlist. Busy drawing stores till late 
 at night. 
 
 General Duffie was a Frenchman, somewhat impulsive 
 and excitable, possibly a little too much so to plan coolly. 
 He was brave enough as a fighter, but at times became im 
 patient when things were not done to his liking. Once, in 
 preparing to make a charge where the situation looked a 
 little desperate, he encouraged (?) his men, who were mostly 
 little more than boys, by saying: "You all have got to die 
 sometime anyway. If you die now you won t have to die 
 again. Forward !" His charge was successful. 
 
 In taking a new command he would say : You no like 
 me now. You like me bye and bye." The American 
 volunteers were not exactly adapted to the strict, precise 
 drill of the French army. Dufrie was exacting, at times 
 irritable. He did not take kindly to the men of the First 
 cavalry. He scolded. They retorted by calling him a frog- 
 eater, and other names more pertinent than respectful. He 
 gave orders that the regiment be dismounted, and their 
 horses turned over to other regiments, but General Hunter 
 did not approve the order. The regiment soon came under 
 the command of the more genial, and just as successful, 
 Averell. 
 
 Early on the 29th, the regiment crossed the Potomac, 
 and beyond Halltown halted in a hot, weedy, shadeless field. 
 While waiting here one man started across lots to call upon 
 a family whose acquaintance he had made through errands 
 for an attorney \vho had charge of their interests in the 
 North. Beyond some heavy woods was a low meadow 
 land. Beyond this, along a road were a number of men, 
 
400 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 whether Federals or Confederates he could not tell. They 
 seemed to increase in number and activity. It seemed 
 hardly probable that they could be enemies, so many and so 
 near our forces. Riding cautiously down a lane in the edge 
 of the woods the horseman came to the cottage of the over 
 seer of the farm. Fifteen or twenty rods farther on, in a 
 thick grove of walnut trees was the family residence. The 
 wife of the overseer was busy about the door. Bidding her 
 "Good morning," calling her by name, he asked : "Are there 
 any southern soldiers around here?" "None that I know 
 of," was the reply. It was sometimes convenient for people 
 not to know anything that was not at that instant in the 
 field of vision. They would look another way, and not 
 know 7 . The answer was not satisfactory. Glancing over 
 his shoulder at those strange men, he asked again : "How 
 are the people up at the house?" "Why, they are pretty 
 well. Who are you?" "A friend of the family, but it is 
 some time since I have been here." "Are you Mr. B ?" 
 "Yes." "Are you, truly?" "Yes, truly." "Then I ll tell 
 you the truth. There were a dozen or more right here just 
 a bit ago, and they are in the grove up around the house 
 now." "Thank you." Not Harvey Birch, the "Spy of the 
 Neutral Ground," guiding the disguised British officer away 
 from the guard house where he had been held under sentence 
 of death as a spy, moved more carefully than did this cav 
 alryman to avoid attracting the notice of the enemy who 
 were in plain sight of him. Trying to make himself in 
 visible, with seeming carelessness he slowly guided his mare 
 over the softest parts of the grassy lane until he was around 
 the corner of those woods. There might be some credit in 
 being captured while acting under orders ; but while scout 
 ing on private account, none whatever. 
 
 July 30, all men with serviceable horses go out with 
 Duffie on a wide circuit, coming back in the rear of Charles- 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 401 
 
 town, bringing in two captives. Find the entire force mov 
 ing. Back to Harper s Ferry. Cross the river on the pon 
 toon bridge. March till late at night and halt at Knoxville. 
 July 31 Sunday. On the march early, following the 
 infantry and wagons. Major Stearns commanding the regi 
 ment. The warmest day of the summer. Slow marching. 
 Tired and sun-struck infantry. Have heard church bells all 
 along the day s march. Through Middletown, where we 
 rested at noon on the day of Antietam. Halt late in the 
 afternoon in a clean meadow beside running water, near 
 Bellsville. 
 
CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 THE PURSUIT OF McCAUSLAND. 
 
 THE detachments that had been carrying on their active 
 campaigns separately were together at Winchester, 
 July 24; at Martinsburg the 25th, and across the Potomac, 
 at Knoxville, the 3Oth. Early followed. In retaliation for 
 Hunter s burning he sent McCausland to Chambersburg. 
 Under his instructions that general arrested the leading men 
 of the place and required that they raise $500,000 in U. S. 
 paper money, or $100,000 in gold. As it was not possible 
 for them to raise this amount, the place was burned, July 
 30, after the soldiers had helped themselves to whatever they 
 could find in the stores. The report of this reached the 
 regiment at Bellsville the 3ist. 
 
 August i, marched without breakfast to Wolfsville. 
 Very warm. Halt till 6 p.m., then march rapidly till long 
 after dark. Smithsburg. 
 
 August 2, through Hagerstown to Clear Spring, eigh 
 teen miles. 
 
 August 3, an early start. Look over the Valley again 
 from Fair View. Within five miles of Hancock, then back 
 to Licking creek. McCausland proposed to burn some more 
 towns, but his Maryland men objected. Rest at Cherry Run 
 ford. Pickets ordered to be on the alert. 
 
 August 4, pickets called in at 2 130. Very dark morn 
 ing. Unserviceable horses sent back. March without 
 
 402 
 
THE PURSUIT OF MCCAUSLAND. 403 
 
 breakfast. A minute s halt in front of a house with door to 
 the breakfast room open. Table set for breakfast. Mess 
 mate, Dick, slips off his horse and into the house; in a mo 
 ment he is back in the ranks with a huge loaf of bread, and 
 there was no one there whom he could ask for it. Can t 
 wait. Time as well as bread is valuable. We imagine the 
 family s surprise, but enjoy the bread none the less. March 
 till II p.m., thirty-five miles, and stop on North Fork of 
 Sleepy creek. 
 
 August 5, march at daylight. Through the Bloomery. 
 Halt an hour between Great Capon and North rivers. Get 
 ting on familiar ground that we scouted over nearly two 
 years ago. Stop on Conrad Long s farm on the South 
 Branch. Good foraging, twenty-nine miles. 
 
 August 6 Saturday. Up early. Draw rations. Halt 
 a little while in Springfield. People seem glad to see us. 
 Move on. Find the wire bridge destroyed. Ford the river. 
 Two of the boys go for a fine stallion. They have some 
 thing of a skirmish with the women of the farm, but they 
 get the horse. General Averell sends an orderly to demand 
 the horse. "Catch him, then," says one of the boys, as he 
 slips the bridle off and turns the horse loose. Halt an hour 
 at Romney. Through the gap to Mill Creek Junction, and 
 up the creek till late at night To rest two hours. Thir 
 teen miles beyond Romney; twenty-three miles. 
 
 August 7 Sunday. Up and on the march an hour 
 after midnight. The regiment having had the advance yes 
 terday, takes the rear to-day. Sorry, for we expect to be up 
 with McCausland to-day, and his men are loaded with booty. 
 The enemy s pickets captured before daylight. Hurry on. 
 The advance takes the camp by surprise, and routs the en 
 emy completely. Other regiments hurried off to right and 
 left. The First hurried across the river and up the road 
 a mile or more. A small party of rebels ahead of us. 
 
4-04 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Major Gibson of the i^th Pennsylvania orders us forward. 
 Find a whole brigade in line of battle. Too late to go back. 
 Go forward in a wild charge. The enemy break and flee. 
 We follow them until they are out of reach. On picket till 
 late in the afternoon. Move back within twelve miles of 
 Moorefield, and halt at dark; twenty-eight miles. 
 
 These entries in a diary, made at the time, could not 
 give all the details of this affair. 
 
 July 30, the regiment was at Knoxville, Md. The 
 Confederates were in Maryland and Pennsylvania. This 
 day McCausland burned Chambersburg. The regiment had 
 marched and counter marched until horses and men were 
 well-nigh worn out. There was confusion, and uncertainty 
 as to what the real situation was. General Grant asked 
 Hunter where the enemy was, and Hunter replied that he 
 did not know. 
 
 McCausland at Chambersburg had his own brigade and 
 that of General Bradley T. Johnson, in all about 2,600 men. 
 General Averell now received orders direct from Washing 
 ton, it was said, to follow and fight McCausland. So severe 
 had been the service that, leaving out disabled horses, he 
 could muster only about 1,300 men, a brigade of 900 under 
 Col. W. H. Powell, of West Virginia, and one of 400 under 
 Major Gibson of the I4th Pennsylvania. With part of this 
 force he was in Chambersburg three hours after McCaus 
 land had left. The pursuit was prompt. There was a fight 
 with the rear guard at Hancock. McCausland moved on 
 toward Cumberland where General Kelly had a strong force. 
 He turned back and crossed the Potomac at Oldtown. 
 Averell crossed near Hancock and, sending back more worn 
 out horses, hastened on through Springfield and Romney. 
 The weather was very warm, but the march was kept up 
 day and night, with brief halts for feeding and rest. The 
 
THE PURSUIT OF MCCAUSLAND. 405 
 
 evening of August 6th, the command halted on Mill Creek, 
 thirteen miles south of Romney. Captain William Rumsey, 
 A. A. A. G., later Judge Rumsey, of the New York Supreme 
 Court, a gallant soldier, prompt in action, and emphatic in 
 speech, was posting the pickets when an elderly citizen rode 
 into the lines and asked to see General Averell, saying he had 
 a message for him from General McCausland. Being taken 
 to Averell, he said : "Gen. McCausland sends you his com 
 pliments, and says if you will come on to Moorefield he will 
 lick you out of your boots." Averell replied: "He won t 
 do anything of the kind. 
 
 The men went to rest as if for the night, but were up 
 and ready to start shortly after midnight. Few generals 
 had more active and reliable scouts than had Averell. Call 
 ing his leading officers together he informed them about 
 where the two brigades of the enemy were encamped, and 
 gave minute instructions. The column moved forward sev 
 eral miles and halted. The general himself, taking Captain 
 T. R. Kerr of the I4th Pennsylvania cavalry, and a few 
 picked men, went forward stealthily on foot and captured 
 the two mounted videttes. From these they learned where 
 the reserve picket was, and that it was in charge of Lieut. 
 Carter. Captain Kerr, taking fifteen mounted men, made 
 a wide detour, striking the road beyond the picket and ap 
 proaching it from the direction of Moorefield. When near 
 the picket he was challenged, and answered : "Relief." 
 Then dismounting his men, Kerr asked: "Where is your 
 picket, Mr. Carter?" "Under a tree here in the field," was 
 the reply. "Any straw?" "Plenty." Keeping up a con 
 versation Kerr and his men moved around the tree under 
 which the men were sleeping, and taking their arms which 
 were leaning against the tree, passed them out of the way. 
 "Any news, Mr. Carter?" "No; none of our scouts have 
 come in lately. The last we heard of Averell he was com- 
 
406 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ing on this side of Romney." Then, noticing Kerr s move 
 ments he asked: What s your hurry? What do you 
 want? Who are you?" Kerr replied: "We re Yanks, 
 and want you !" Carter exclaimed, "My God ! Averell s 
 here!" After a little demonstration he surrendered. In 
 the meantime the column had moved forward, and Averell 
 himself coming forward said : "Mr. Carter, I am General 
 Averell, and I think you are not to blame for this. General 
 McCausland ought not to have placed you five or six miles 
 out here when he knew I was coming near at hand." Carter, 
 blaming himself instead of McCausland, said: "Oh, it is 
 not so far as that not more than two or three miles." 
 "Well," said Averell, "then he ought to have sent out patrols 
 once in a while to see if you were all right." "He has done 
 that, and I thought this was a patrol when I heard it 
 coming." 
 
 Leaving the prisoners under guard, and moving in 
 toward the camp, they met the unsuspecting patrol coming 
 out, and captured it entire. The road was now clear, and 
 the entire command moved rapidly forward. It was now 
 near daylight. A heavy fog had befriended Averell, inter 
 fering with the enemy s hearing as well as seeing. 
 
 The command in three columns, one in the road and 
 one on each side, Powell leading one and Averell another, 
 was riding over the camp before the Confederates, some of 
 whom were lazily beginning to get up, could know what was 
 being done. Captain Rumsey, riding at the head of one of 
 the columns, came upon a vidette, one oi a line of videttes 
 posted some distance in front of the camp. He was sitting 
 on his horse, holding the reins in his left hand, his cocked 
 revolver in his right, a slouch hat on his head, a blanket 
 pinned with a thorn over his shoulders, with both mouth 
 and eyes wide open. He sat there without moving a mus 
 cle until our men were right upon him. Even then he did 
 
THE PURSUIT OF MCCAUSLAND. 407 
 
 not stir, but looked at the men and said : "Good mawnin ." 
 The captain did not have time to stop and exchange greet 
 ings with him. He was a very civil enemy, and did not in 
 the least try to hinder the column, which got into the camp 
 long before he did. 
 
 The three columns made quick and thorough work in 
 the camp, but in the fog many of the enemy escaped to the 
 woods and mountains. This was the camp of Bradley T. 
 Johnson s brigade. McCausland s own brigade was on the 
 other side of the South Branch of the Potomac. This river 
 was about one hundred feet wide, the water above the horses 
 knees, very rapid, with a bottom of rolling cobble stones. 
 
 About one hundred and twenty of the First New York, 
 and less than a hundred of the Third West Virginia, were 
 ordered to cross the river and see what was there. Captain 
 Abram Jones of the First was in the lead, both detachments 
 being under Major Gibson of the I4th Pennsylvania. 
 They went about a mile in a flat, muddy road. On the left 
 was a large field of corn, the corn standing so high that the 
 men, although on horseback, could not see what was be 
 yond. A few Confederates in front kept firing at the 
 column, and falling back. Thomas Coyle s horse was killed. 
 Valentine s was shot in the shoulder, but Valentine kept 
 him going. 
 
 They came to the limit of the cornfield, and found on 
 the left of the road a wide, level meadow land, and to their 
 amazement, on the farther side of this field was the rest of 
 McCausland s division, mounted and in line of battle, with 
 a strong skirmish line out in front, and a strong flanking 
 force off to the left. There seemed to be from 1,200 to 
 1,500 of them, and against them were about 200. But it 
 flashed into the mind of every one of the 200, that if they 
 were to fall back or hesitate, the enemy would run them 
 down before they could get over that mile of muddy road 
 
408 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 and across that wide, rapid, stony river. There was a prob 
 ability that the enemy would not suspect the smallness of 
 their numbers, and the surprise and rout of Johnson s camp 
 had probably had its demoralizing effect. 
 
 Major Gibson, quietly riding out into the meadow, took 
 in the situation. Captain Jones was quick to think and 
 act, and, waving his sabre instantly called out : "Forward ! 
 Forward ! ! Yell! men, YELL ! !" 
 
 The men poured out of the road and into the meadow 
 as confidently as if there had been 5,000 of them; and firing, 
 swinging their sabres and yelling to the full extent of their 
 united capacity, charged straight for the center of the Con 
 federate line. The enemy did not wait to receive the charge, 
 but broke and fled. There was a hot pursuit for a few 
 miles. These men were worth overhauling. Their spa 
 cious saddle bags and blanket rolls contained many valuable 
 goods taken from the Chambersburg stores. 
 
 A brave young fellow was captured because he had dis 
 mounted to open a gate and let their color-bearer escape. 
 
 Dr. Douglas, assistant surgeon, sometimes seemed to 
 want to see how wounds were made as well as healed. He 
 was in the pursuit, and overtook a Confederate who, while 
 about to surrender, observed the doctor s slender weapon in 
 contrast with his own heavy sabre, and changed his mind 
 about surrendering. What might have been an unequal 
 fight was interrupted by a few of the men appearing and 
 taking the doctor s antagonist prisoner. 
 
 In this entire affair the Union loss was thirty-six killed 
 and wounded, nearly half of whom were officers. The en 
 emy lost about one hundred and fifty killed and wounded, 
 four hundred and fifty prisoners, four cannon and their 
 wagons. Averell leisurely retired to New Creek. From 
 July 3Oth, the day Chambersburg was burned, to the even- 
 
THE PURSUIT OF MCCAUSLAND. 409 
 
 ing of August 8th, he had marched two hundred and four 
 teen miles. He returned by the B. & O. R. R. to Hancock. 
 
 Early reported that after this affair at Moorefield he 
 had no cavalry that he could depend on. 
 
 General Bradley T. Johnson kindly responded to a re 
 quest for an account of this affair from his side of it : 
 
 BALTIMORE, MD., May 7, 1895. 
 MY DEAR LIEUTENANT BEACH : 
 
 Your letter brings back to me scenes and feelings of a third of a 
 century ago, and I long for "one hour of Bonnie Dundee." Said King 
 Hal, on the eve of Agincourt : 
 
 "Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot; 
 But he ll remember with advantages 
 What feats he did that day." 
 
 It seems to me an honest human feeling that old soldiers should 
 recount their adventures, their achievements, their victories and their 
 defeats. I do not envy the people who grudge them their indulgence 
 in this natural pleasure. 
 
 In August, 1864, I was i n command of a brigade of cavalry in the 
 Army of Northern Virginia, and with Gen. McCausland and his brigade, 
 was sent to exact tribute from Chambersburg, Pa., or, in default of 
 payment, to burn that town in retaliation for the burning by Gen. 
 Hunter, of the homes of R. W. Lee, A. R. Boteler and Gov. Letcher, 
 and of the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington. Early s intention 
 was to make Chambersburg pay Lee, Boteler and Letcher. We, Mc 
 Causland being senior, crossed the Potomac, went to Chambersburg and 
 demanded $100,000 in gold, or $500,000 in greenbacks, and in failure of 
 payment promptly burned the town. On our return Averell, with a 
 brigade of Union cavalry, in which was the First New York, over 
 took us at Hancock, two marches from Chambersburg, and attacked 
 our rear guard, which was from my brigade. He made no impression, 
 and when we got ready we moved leisurely up the National pike to 
 Cumberland, where Kelley had a lot of infantry and blocked our way. 
 Turning back, we crossed the Potomac at Oldtown, where we cap 
 tured a block house held by Col. Stough of the iS4th Ohio one hun 
 dred days men I think, 150 of them. We pushed on to Romney, and 
 next to New Creek, which place we attacked, but failed to carry. 
 Thence we went to Moorefield, where we camped the evening of the 
 6th of August. We had been marching day and night since August 
 ist. We had not camped nor taken off our clothes, so we were rea 
 sonably tired. I was sound asleep at daylight, August 7th, when my 
 
410 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 adjutant jumped into my room. I was on the second floor of the Mc 
 Neil House with my jacket and boots off, lying on the floor with my 
 head on my saddle. "General, the Yankees are in, the camp!!" In one 
 twist I was in boots, jacket and hat. I am thus particular, for I 
 heard a fellow once tell a very interesting yarn, how "General Bradley 
 Johnson was playing poker one night, when Averell ran him out, and 
 he swam the South Branch of the Potomac in his night shirt." The 
 story elicited great applause, for the auditors knew me and the narrator 
 didn t. But the climax came when Wade Hampton said, "Let me in 
 troduce you to General Bradley Johnson !" Said the man, "Great God ! 
 I thought I knew him." "I was sure you didn t," said Hampton, "for 
 to my certain knowledge he never had a night shirt the whole war, and 
 never played a game of cards." Anyhow, I reached the ground floor 
 in two jumps, and was out of the front door. But along the road, ten 
 steps off, was a column of horsemen in blue, at carry sabre, moving at 
 a trot. I turned for the back entrance. Five or six gentlemen in blue 
 came bouncing up the steps and into the hall, pumping their Spencer 
 carbines at every jump. 
 
 Well, there are many gymnastic exercises and many plans of get 
 ting men into condition for speed, but my observation then was that 
 five Spencer carbines ten yards behind a man, pouring five continual 
 streams of bullets around and over him, are the most exhilarating tonic 
 that was ever invented. I went down the steps in one jump, over a 
 four and a half foot fence in another. As I got into the open, a man 
 fell from his horse. I was on the horse in a breath, galloping to get 
 ahead of the Yankee column to my command, yet untouched. I reached 
 the 8th and the 2ist Virginia, crossing the South Branch of the Potomac. 
 I formed the 8th and held it for, say fifteen minutes, while the 21 st was 
 forming in the rear. The momentum of the blue horsemen was irre 
 sistible, though. They rode over everything; they rode over me with 
 the 8th ; they rode over Peters with the 21 st, wounded and captured 
 him (he is now Professor of Latin in the University of Virginia), 
 and nearly routed McCausland and me off the face of the earth. 
 
 I consider it a very amiable thing in me to write this for your 
 amusement, but I have never blamed myself for the disaster. Averell 
 surprised my pickets by a ruse de guerre, and he is entitled to the credit 
 of a very brilliant exploit, for which I do not think he ever received 
 proper credit. He was a chivalric and gallant soldier, and you "like 
 a man after you ve fought him." That s old Colonel Beauseant in the 
 Lady of Lyons. I am yours very truly, 
 
 BRADLEY T. JOHNSON. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 THE LOWER VALLEY. 
 
 / *J5i few days rest at Cumberland and Hancock, and the 
 J- V. command found itself again at Martinsburg, with 
 the enemy reported at Bunker Hill and Winchester. On 
 picket at the stone church, a few miles west of town, 
 Colonel Powell commanding the brigade, and Captain Sim 
 ons the regiment. Many officers on the sick list from hard 
 service. The regiment in detachments, in different places. 
 Orderly sergeants sent to Harper s Ferry or Hagerstown, 
 where they would not be disturbed by continual moving, to 
 make out muster rolls. The men who had not re-enlisted, 
 whose terms of service had expired, were still doing active 
 duty while waiting for their discharge. 
 
 Hunter had been relieved and, August 7, Sheridan was 
 in command. The ioth, from his position at Halltown, he 
 marched out to compel Early to fight before being re-en 
 forced. Merritt s cavalry came in contact with the Con 
 federates between Millwood and Winchester, and drove 
 them to Kernstown. Custer came upon them near Berry- 
 ville. Devin found them at White Post and drove them 
 toward Front Royal. Merritt again encountered them at 
 Newtown and suffered some loss. The army followed 
 Early to Cedar creek on the I2th. It was evident that 
 they had been re-enforced. There was a strong force at 
 Front Royal. This force advanced against Devin along 
 
 411 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the Shenandoah, wading the stream and making a spirited 
 attack. They were driven back with a loss of 500, Devin 
 losing 60. 
 
 Sheridan saw that this wide valley was not an easy 
 place to hold. The i6th, he withdrew, giving orders to the 
 cavalry to drive before them all live stock that might be of 
 service to the enemy. Early followed and attacked. The 
 1 7th, he brought overwhelming numbers against Torbert 
 at Winchester, driving him from the place and inflicting a 
 loss of more than 300 in killed, wounded and prisoners. 
 He came on through Smithfield and Summit Point. The 
 2 ist, the Sixth corps encountered this advance and in a 
 sharp engagement lost 300. Early now moved around 
 the right of Sheridan to Kearneysville, Leetown and Will- 
 iamsport. Torbert met the advance and drove it back, but 
 finding a superior force in front of him he withdrew. Custer 
 was forced across the Potomac. He then made his way to 
 Harper s Ferry and back to Sheridan at Halltown. In a 
 few days Early fell back to his lines at Winchester. The 
 28th, Sheridan moved forward to Charlestown. There 
 were a number of engagements along the Opequon, each 
 side in turn crossing the stream and being driven back. 
 September 3, Early made a demonstration around Sheri 
 dan s right to divert his attention from Anderson who was 
 trying to get out of the Valley by way of Berryville and 
 the gap in the Blue Ridge. But Crook was there in ad 
 vance of Anderson. Each met the other unexpectedly, and 
 both fought till nightfall. All the enemy s forces fell back 
 to Winchester. The I4th, Anderson withdrew from Early s 
 army, and went his way through the Blue Ridge and to 
 ward Lee s army. 
 
 This is an outline of the more important events for a 
 little more than a month. The hot fields of the Valley had 
 been contested and fought over again and again, and neither 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 413 
 
 side could as yet boast of much advantage. The tracks of 
 the B. & O. R. R. had been torn up repeatedly. Both 
 armies had become expert in destroying- railroads. The 
 sleepers would be piled up and set on fire. The rails would 
 be placed across the burning piles, and when made red 
 hot in the middle, a few men at each end would wrap and 
 twist these rails around a telegraph pole, rendering them 
 useless until they had been passed through a rolling mill. 
 
 Personal experiences and adventures may not have 
 counted much in the summing up of results. But there 
 were no busier men in the whole campaign than the men 
 of the First cavalry who had been detailed at the various 
 headquarters as scouts. The services and adventures of 
 the Goublemans, Dunn, Warren, Savacool, Valentine, For- 
 key, Wilson and others would fill a volume. The time 
 was crowded with these exciting adventures. 
 
 A detachment of the regiment went out the I2th. After 
 halting along the way and side-scouting, it reached head 
 quarters at Cedar Creek, the I5th. A train of wagons and 
 ambulances, guarded by a regiment of one hundred days 
 men, had been attacked by Mosby in the vicinity of Berry- 
 ville. It would take more than a hundred days to teach 
 men how to successfully encounter Mosby. The guard 
 was driven off, the train captured, and most of the wagons 
 destroyed. The First cavalry was hastily sent from Cedar 
 Creek to the scene of the capture, but Mosby and his men 
 had gone. 
 
 Sheridan was nettled. A correspondent reported the 
 affair to his paper with a tinge of intimation that it might 
 have been avoided by good management. The published 
 account did not have a soothing effect on Sheridan. He 
 summoned all the correspondents to his quarters and lec 
 tured them in no gentle terms. They insisted that they 
 had reported only the truth. But this did not pacify him. 
 
4?14 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 He ordered them out of his department. They claimed 
 that they had permits from the war department. He told 
 them to go to the hottest place he could just then think of. 
 But one of them replied, "But, general, I believe that place 
 is in your department, too." The correspondent took his 
 leave for Washington. There a friend, to whom he told his 
 story, took him to Secretary Stanton. The secretary, us 
 ually severely in earnest, often gruff, laughed over the in 
 cident till tears were in his eyes. He gave the correspond 
 ent a new permit, good in all the departments of the army, 
 and suggested that he return to the Shenandoah Valley 
 Avhere there was likely to be plenty of news to report. 
 
 At a time when Charlestown was not within the lines, 
 it was learned that a party of Confederates had worked 
 their way into the town. A plan was laid to capture them, 
 and its execution was intrusted to Captain Battersby. The 
 plan was a good one and a dash was made. But a sub 
 stantial stone wall proved an unexpected barrier in the way 
 of the dash. As a result several men and horses were 
 slightly wounded, and none of the enemy were taken. 
 
 The long continued hard service had used up so many 
 horses that a Pennsylvania regiment was, for the time be 
 ing, dismounted, and the horses and equipments given to 
 the dismounted men of the First New York. 
 
 The 29th, the detachments that had been here and 
 there about Harper s Ferry and Sandy Hook, with the dis 
 mounted men remounted, were brought together, and in 
 the afternoon marched up the Maryland side. Stopped for 
 the night on Scheifler s farm near Boonsboro. The 3Oth, 
 marched through Hagerstown and nearly to Williamsport, 
 joining a part of the regiment that was there. The 3ist, 
 marched to Martinsburg and became a part of the Second 
 brigade of the Second cavalry division, army of West Vir- 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 415 
 
 ginia. Colonel Powell commanded the brigade, and Gen 
 eral Averell the division. 
 
 Nearly all the regiment was together once more. Those 
 who had been with Averell had seen severe service, their 
 horses having been saddled almost constantly, day and 
 night, in line of battle. 
 
 Soon after the detachments had come together, the 
 enemy appeared. After some hot skirmishing and artillery 
 firing, enough to prove that they were in superior numbers, 
 Averell fell back to Falling Waters. Rested in line of 
 battle, with horses saddled. 
 
 September i, aroused at three o clock. Crossed at the 
 Williamsport ford and moved some distance away from the 
 river. Rested in some woods. A body of the enemy 
 crossed the river. The command was ready in line wait 
 ing to receive them, but they did not come far. 
 
 While waiting in line one of the companies was sud 
 denly thrown into great confusion. Some of the officers, 
 thinking the men, for some reason, had become panic- 
 stricken, galloped among them to restore order. But no 
 sooner did they get among the men than they also began to 
 exhibit the same intense excitement and evident desire to 
 go somewhere else. All this would have been alarming if 
 it had not been for the shouts of laughter of the men. One 
 of the horses had stepped into a great nest of yellow jackets. 
 The vicious little insects were proving that, in proportion 
 to their size, they could do as lively fighting as any forces 
 in the field. The regiment moved out and left them in un 
 disputed possession of the ground. 
 
 The next day, September 2, again crossed the river 
 and went near to Martinsburg. Halted for a time, probably 
 until the scouts could get some information. While the 
 men were lying at ease, Colonel Powell rode out in front 
 and called them to attention. They instantly sprang to 
 
416 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 their horses. But he only wanted to say a few words. He 
 was a large, strongly-built, frank, honest man, plain in ap 
 pearance. He had been a prisoner for some months, and 
 his treatment had been such as to lead him to desire no fur 
 ther experience of that kind. He was tired of falling back 
 before the enemy. He did not know that there was going 
 to be a fight. "But if we have a fight, fight your best, and 
 compel the enemy to fall back." It was evident that he 
 would do his best, and at the front. 
 
 Passed through Martinsburg and came upon the enemy 
 at the big spring. Skirmishing began at once. Steadily 
 forced them back two miles beyond Bunker Hill, capturing 
 some prisoners and wagons and two flags. Then fell back 
 undisturbed nearly to Darkesville. Rested in line of battle 
 with horses saddled. A rainy night ; 27 miles. 
 
 September 3, up early, but lay still till noon. Then 
 the entire division moved forward in parallel columns .of 
 squadrons, the line of columns extending through the fields 
 to a considerable distance on each side of the pike. Came 
 upon the enemy in force. Drove them to Bunker Hill. 
 Companies C and F sent off to the left. While engaged 
 with some dismounted cavalry or infantry, Corporal 
 Thomas James of Co. C was killed, and one of F was slightly 
 wounded. James was a good soldier. His comrades, un 
 willing to leave him buried there, and having no ambulance 
 or wagon, carefully brought him back upon his horse. 
 
 Companies D and K had been detached. At an op 
 portune moment they made a sudden charge and brought in 
 a number of prisoners. 
 
 At one time the line was exposed to a severe fire from 
 a battery which was using round shells or solid balls. These, 
 striking the ground in front, would ricochet, and even 
 bound over the heads of the men in line. Finally. Breck- 
 inridge s infantry came on, and the Enfield rifle balls 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 417 
 
 whistled thick and fast. A few men were wounded, and 
 orders were given to fall back. 
 
 All these days the practice was to advance as rapidly 
 as the pressure of the enemy on the different parts of the 
 line would permit . When it was severe on any one part, 
 the rest of the line would halt until the pressure was over 
 come. Then the line would press forward until the en 
 emy s cavalry were driven back under the shelter of their 
 infantry. Then the whole line would fall back several 
 miles and bivouac. Usually the men were in the saddle al 
 most constantly from sunrise until dark, and each day had 
 its casualties. 
 
 This day the command fell back in a long, steady, 
 heavy rain to Darkesville. Everything was thoroughly 
 wet. There was no fear that the enemy would follow. The 
 little shelter tents were spread. Rubber blankets were 
 stretched to their utmost use. Fires were started with diffi 
 culty. In the intense darkness the men hunted around for 
 water and forage. Horses were unsaddled and cared for 
 as well as possible. Coffee was made and supper eaten. 
 The rain had stopped and the men were prepared to get 
 dried out and make the best of a bad night, when the call 
 rang out, "Companies B and C, saddle up !" The situation 
 is accepted as cheerfully as possible. The wet saddle 
 blankets are refolded, horses resaddled, shelter tents and 
 all belongings rolled or packed, and buckled on. The cap 
 tain in command reports to Captain Rumsey, A. A. G., for 
 orders. Orders are to communicate with Sheridan s right, 
 supposed to be somewhere along the line of the pike between 
 Charlestown and Berryville. But the captain misunder 
 stands his directions. Instead of striking off to the left, he 
 goes out on the ground we have fought over during the day. 
 Luckily the enemy has fallen back, too. The roads are 
 muddy. The sky is inky blackness. In the distance are 
 
418 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 some faint reflections of camp fires. A horse at the head 
 of the column shies out to one side. His rider looks down 
 through the darkness and discerns the shape of a dead Con 
 federate lying across the midde of the muddy road. 
 
 Through the covered bridge over the Opequon. The 
 horses of the advance pick their way with the utmost care, 
 seeming to avoid some lighter patches on the floor of the 
 bridge. To the men, half inclined to fall asleep, these may 
 have seemed like patches of moonlight through holes in the 
 sides or roof of the bridge, not remembering that there was 
 no moon. The foremost horses pick their way across when 
 "Halt!" comes from the rear. Some horses have fallen 
 through the bridge. Part of the floor had been taken up, 
 and some loose pieces of boards had been laid on the strin 
 gers, on which foot travelers could pass. The lighter 
 patches were from the glimmering of the water of the creek 
 beneath. 
 
 There were faint lights ahead, either the dying embers 
 of picket fires, or the phosphorescence on some old stump. 
 Many were the hesitating surmises and possible dangers of 
 that night ride. The captain instructs the advance to fall 
 back when they come to a picket. He proposes to use some 
 tact in avoiding dangers. At last comes the challenge. 
 "Halt! Who comes there?" "Friend." "Friend to whom?" 
 After much perplexity and indecision and watching for 
 some clue as to who the challenger may be, the captain 
 takes his chances; "Friend to the Union." "All right," and 
 "all is well." It was the 22nd Pa. on picket. Three o clock, 
 and the companies rest after twenty- four miles of march 
 ing. 
 
 That same night Captain Jones went out with a strong 
 patrol. He placed Valentine in charge of the advance. 
 Valentine had proved himself in emergencies not undecided 
 nor hesitating. As he was going forward he came upon 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 419 
 
 the enemy s picket. They fired. He fired in return, and, 
 regardless of numbers, charged upon them. He raced 
 them to near Bunker Hill, capturing a lieutenant and three 
 men. He had killed the lieutenant s horse, and wounded 
 the horses of the other three, and wounded two of the men 
 themselves. 
 
 Sunday, September 4th, the two companies returned 
 from Sheridan s right, and found Averell again advancing 
 in columns of squadrons. 
 
 During a brief halt for lunch, Thomas Noon, a good, 
 honest man, was accidently shot through the head. He 
 was buried by the roadside. 
 
 The regiment takes an extra ride, patrolling in force 
 out in front. Bivouac in line of battle with horses sad 
 dled, near Bunker Hill, after marching twenty-four miles. 
 A steady rain all night. Sleep soundly in the corner of a 
 rail fence. 
 
 September 5, up early. Under orders to be ready for 
 anything. A number of officers on staff or special duty. 
 Short of commissioned officers. Orderly sergeants com 
 manding companies. One is commanding a squadron 
 two companies. 
 
 To-day the advance was slower than usual, and the pres 
 sure on the line more severe. Passed Bunker Hill late in 
 the afternoon and advanced to within a mile or so of Steph- 
 enson s Depot. The regiment was ordered to oblique to the 
 left, probably because Averell had noticed that the enemy s 
 lines in that direction extended far beyond his own. We 
 had gained ground probably half a mile to the left, and were 
 moving up the steep incline of a ridge which ran at right 
 angles to our course and shut off our view to the front, 
 when the skirmish line was driven back through the ranks. 
 As we reached the top of the ridge large masses of infantry, 
 preceded by a swarm of skirmishers, could be seen at close 
 
4-20 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 rifle range and advancing. The men at the front in line 
 upon the crest of the ridge were a fair mark for the enemy s 
 rifles. At the same time bullets from the left began to 
 sweep the line from left to right. The enemy was on our 
 flank as well as in front. It was not the part of a private 
 soldier to talk too much. But one officious fellow an 
 nounced, "They re flanking us!" He thought he was giv 
 ing useful information. But Major Quinn silenced him, 
 "Never mind their flanking us." But he had realized the 
 position was untenable, and gave the order, "By fours, to 
 the right about." As the men had not counted off since 
 early in the morning, and many had changed places in the 
 ranks and had forgotten their numbers, the regiment was 
 thrown into some confusion in attempting to execute the 
 movement. "As you were," coolly ordered the major. 
 "Count off by fours." Immediately the men faced to the 
 front and counted off, the bullets from front and left whis 
 tling over them, and then deliberately executed the original 
 order. 
 
 All this took less than a minute, and the movement of 
 a few paces down the slope took the men from under fire. 
 Yet in this brief time a number of men and horses were 
 shot. Shepherd of Co. D received a wound from which he 
 died. Michaels of A lost a leg. Williamson of F was 
 wounded in the side, his second wound. 
 
 As soon as the regiment reached the foot of the ridge, 
 a number of men who were armed with carbines were dis 
 mounted and sent back to re-enforce the skirmish line, cov 
 ering the regiment as it fell back on a slow walk. 
 
 The losses this day were the most severe of any that 
 had occurred since we had joined Averell. They were dis 
 tributed through the entire command. All the ambulances 
 were crowded that night. The wounded were taken on to 
 
THE LOWER VALLEY. 421 
 
 Martinsburg, and they filled a large church which had been 
 converted into a hospital. 
 
 During all these days the horses were under saddle day 
 and night. The regiment bivouacked in line. Rations 
 were irregular and scanty. If it had not been for the corn 
 that was ready for roasting, men and horses would have 
 suffered from hunger. Notwithstanding this arduous serv 
 ice the men were always in good spirits, ready for any kind 
 of diversion when not fighting. 
 
 Now for a few days there was a rest in this practice 
 of advancing, stirring up the enemy, and then retiring. The 
 division fell back to the vicinity of Leetown. 
 
CHAPTER XL. 
 WINCHESTER. 
 
 17, part of the regiment was on picket 
 at Portersfield. The reserve was in some thick 
 woods near a ford of the Opequon. The posts were so 
 placed as to cover a considerable front. For greater se 
 curity patrols passed frequently from one post to another. 
 Late in the evening, George G. Peavey and Pliny F. Nel 
 son were patrolling. It was a little past full moon, and the 
 moon, an hour or so high, threw the shadows of some woods 
 on the right beyond the middle of the road. All seemed 
 quiet. But the two men were watchful, and the actions of 
 their horses excited their suspicions. They drew and 
 cocked their revolvers, and rode on. Suddenly they found 
 themselves in the midst of a large number of men who 
 stepped out from the shadows of the woods and quickly 
 closed around them. They were surrounded. In sup 
 pressed voices the Confederates commanded the two men to 
 surrender. To Peavey the quick thought came, "We can 
 surrender and save our lives, but the reserve will be sur 
 prised and captured or slain. By firing, we may lose our 
 lives, but we will give the alarm and save the reserve." 
 Quick as the thought he poured the fire of his revolver 
 among the enemy. Nelson did the same. They wheeled 
 their horses and, lying low, dashed through the line that had 
 formed around them. The enemy fired a volley after them. 
 
 422 
 
WINCHESTER. 423 
 
 Peavey escaped unharmed. Nelson s horse was shot and 
 he himself received two shots in the breast. The next day 
 he was taken to the general hospital at Sandy Hook. The 
 bullets were removed, but he suffered terrible agony, and 
 on the 1 9th he died. He was an honest man and a faithful 
 soldier. 
 
 The Confederates did not linger. Traces of blood on 
 the ground indicated that Peavey s and Nelson s shots had 
 done some execution. Their wounded they took with them, 
 except one. He had been shot through the body and left 
 behind. In his pocket was found the following : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 
 
 8th August, 1864. 
 
 Private D. M. Lewis, Co. B, I2th Virginia Cavalry, will proceed to 
 Jefferson County, Virginia, to procure a fresh horse, returning in 
 twenty (20) days without fail. 
 
 By command of General R. E. Lee, 
 
 H. B. MCCLELLAN, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
 This pass was kept in Peavey s family as a trophy. 
 The wounded man recovered and was held a long time as 
 a prisoner. This fearless firing of Peavey s in the face of 
 almost certain death was one more heroic act added to many 
 previous ones. 
 
 This picket force remained on duty the next day, and 
 at midnight was called back to Leetown where the rest of 
 the regiment was resting in the woods near the Episcopal 
 church. 
 
 Grant had made a visit to Sheridan. The latter ex 
 plained to his chief the situation and his plans. Grant was 
 well satisfied, and asked Sheridan when he would be ready 
 to move. The reply was satisfactory, and Grant took his 
 leave, impressed with the other s confidence that he was 
 going to win. 
 
 Sheridan had been waiting to hear from a girl in Win- 
 
424 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Chester. The girl transmitted her intelligence by writing 
 on a piece of tissue paper. This she folded in tin foil. 
 This again she covered up in a convenient quantity of to 
 bacco which she gave to a trusty colored man whose inno 
 cent appearance enabled him to get through the lines with 
 out exciting suspicion. A part of Early* s force, Kershaw s, 
 had been detached, and this was the news that Sheridan 
 had been waiting to hear. 
 
 At 2 o clock the morning of the I9th, the whole army 
 was astir. AverelFs division moved toward Martinsburg 
 and then along the pike toward Winchester. It was famil 
 iar ground, ground that had been hotly contested time and 
 again. It was yet early morning when the enemy was 
 found. Again in parallel columns of squadrons at such 
 distances from each other that, moving "front into line/ 
 the columns could quickly be transformed into one continu 
 ous line reaching far out across the fields on both sides of 
 the pike, with a skirmish line thrown out in front, the 
 division steadily advanced. The enemy fought stubbornly, 
 but was steadily forced back. All the forenoon and till the 
 middle of the afternoon was this hot fighting kept up. The 
 line was then not far from Stephenson s Depot. 
 
 Far off to the left had been heard the continuous roll 
 of infantry and the heavier roar of artillery. All of Sheri 
 dan s army was engaged, and as it had crowded forward, 
 the great semicircle along which the fight began, had con 
 tracted, and Merritt s right was now in touch with Averell s 
 left. 
 
 The force in front of Averell was Fitz Hugh Lee s cav 
 alry supported by Breckinridge s infantry. There was a 
 feeling of satisfaction over the way in which things were 
 evidently going. The division had fought its way to a posi 
 tion on "high vantage ground" from which could be seen, 
 across the plain toward Winchester, the long lines of Lee s 
 
SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 
 
 FIELD OF OPEQUON. 
 
WINCHESTER. 425 
 
 horsemen seeming as if, after the long day s hunt, they had 
 been brought to bay. 
 
 The First New York was directed to fall back a little 
 and rest in reserve. The men who had been in the saddle 
 constantly since before daybreak, opened ranks, dismounted, 
 and rested themselves by walking about, but not getting far 
 away from their horses which kept their places in the ranks. 
 They were not out of reach of the enemy s fire. Now and 
 then a solid shot would come bounding and rolling along 
 among the men and horses. From an advanced position on 
 their skirmish line, protected in an angle of a stone wall, a 
 few Confederate riflemen were sending their minie balls 
 wherever they could see a fair mark. 
 
 A young Irishman, because of his five years experi 
 ence in the regular cavalry and his good service as a drill 
 sergeant, had been made a lieutenant. While he had done 
 some good service, there had been times when, in critical 
 situations, he had shown symptoms of nervousness. There 
 were men like the captain who some time before this had 
 resigned, brave enough at times, at other times not so brave. 
 It had been said of this captain when a detachment was just 
 starting on a charge, "He would have got into that fight in 
 spite of himself if he had not succeeded by main strength in 
 holding in his horse." 
 
 While the rest of the men had dismounted, this lieuten 
 ant had preferred to remain in his saddle. Although not a 
 tall man, he sat high on his horse, and was a good mark for 
 those Confederate riflemen. As some of those minie balls 
 whizzed past uncomfortably close to his head, he involun 
 tarily dodged. Again the bullets came, and again he ducked 
 his head. The men laughed, and some remarks were made. 
 The minies became malicious, and the men laughed again 
 until the lieutenant turned upon them in his towering wrath, 
 "Who s a hootin ? (duck) Who s a hootin ? (duck) Who s 
 
426 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 this a hootin ? (duck) Some of yeez ll be a hootin (duck) 
 to yer sorra yit !" His manner of punctuating his emphatic 
 expressions created "inextinguishable laughter" among the 
 men. It would be less of a trial for him to move forward 
 than to sit still with those rifle balls coming thick and fast 
 at his head. 
 
 Major Ouinn was in command of the regiment, and that 
 was a fact calculated to inspire confidence. He was not 
 likely in any excitement to do some crazy thing. He seemed 
 never to get excited. The lieutenant who temporarily "lost 
 his head," figuratively speaking, in the fear that he would 
 lose it literally, seemed that day the solitary exception. 
 
 From the right of the line Captain Jones was sent with 
 his squadron, Companies A and D, across the fields to the 
 west, where Powell had been persistently crowding the en 
 emy back. Three distinct charges Powell had made, driving 
 the enemy out of their earthworks on the hills, capturing the 
 first prisoners, eighty in number, and two guns. Now he 
 was working his way around Early s extreme left, attack 
 ing wherever there was a chance, creating an uneasiness 
 that served to quicken the retreat that was soon to begin. 
 
 After a little the second squadron, Companies H and 
 F, from the right of the regiment was sent in the same di 
 rection. The third squadron, B and C, did not have a com 
 missioned officer present in the line. All that were in the 
 field were doing staff duty regimental, brigade and di 
 vision. These companies were commanded by Orderly Ser 
 geant Beach of Co. B. Major Quinn had been out in the 
 front with Averell. Now he came back saying that there 
 was a Confederate gun out in the field, supported by a body 
 of cavalry, and Averell wanted a part of this regiment to 
 capture that gun. He ordered the sergeant to take his two 
 companies and report to the general. The order w r as 
 promptly obeyed. There was warm work along the front 
 
WINCHESTER. 427 
 
 line. Bullets were flying thickly about, and every few sec 
 onds a shell came plunging through. To all these the gen 
 eral seemed indifferent. He was intently watching the 
 movements of the opposing lines, and the chances. Out in 
 the open field was the gun with its support. The men of 
 the squadron, ordered up to take that gun, gathered their 
 reins, griped their sabres, and fixed themselves firmly in 
 their saddles. The impulse to rush forward for the gun 
 was strong. But the general said, "Wait, wait; they are 
 too many for you. Dismount your men and take them out 
 along that stone wall and get a cross fire on them." Leav 
 ing as few as were necessary to hold the horses, the sergeant 
 and the rest of the men made quick time in getting out along 
 the wall which extended out to the right of the gun. Here, 
 at short range, with their carbines they poured so hot a fire 
 into the flank of the enemy that in less than a minute the 
 supporting cavalry began to waver. Another mounted 
 force from Averell s line was now starting forward on the 
 charge. Seeing this force coming, the dismounted men 
 jumped over the stone wall and ran at the top of their speed 
 toward the gun. The supports, seeing both bodies coming 
 upon them, the one mounted in front and the other dis 
 mounted on the left, fired their last shots, then broke and 
 fled. The dismounted men were at the captured cannon as 
 soon as the mounted men were, and exultingly drew it in 
 by hand. 
 
 As the army closed in upon the enemy, the cavalry of 
 Merritt and that of Averell, in almost a continuous line, 
 presented a formidable array. There was still a body of 
 cavalry, Fitz Hugh Lee s, between this line and Winchester. 
 Soon, away off to the left, bugles were sounding the charge. 
 Quickly the call was repeated and passed along toward the 
 right. Then came up a long line of flashing sabres. A 
 mile and more of horsemen moved forward out into the 
 
428 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 wide, open plain. Off to the right another mile and more 
 of parts of a less continuous line were moving forward with 
 increasing speed, aiming to get around the enemy s left. 
 In all the annals of war a more inspiring sight was seldom 
 seen than those thousands of splendid cavalry moving for 
 ward with a momentum that was irresistible. In attempting 
 to withstand the onset Fitz Hugh Lee was wounded, and 
 all the opposing forces were sent "whirling" through 
 Winchester. 
 
 October 9, Early wrote to General Lee : 
 
 "Breckinridge was scarcely in position before our cavalry on the 
 left was discovered coming back in great confusion followed by the 
 enemy s, and Breckinridge s force was ordered to the left to repel this 
 cavalry force, which had gotten in rear of my left, and this with the 
 assistance of the artillery he succeeded in doing. But as soon as the 
 firing was heard in the rear of our left flank, the infantry commenced 
 falling back along the whole line, and it was very difficult to stop them. 
 I succeeded, however, in stopping enough of them in the old rifle pits 
 constructed by General Johnston to arrest the progress of the enemy s 
 infantry, which commenced advancing again, when confusion in our 
 ranks was discovered, and we would still have won the day if our 
 cavalry would have stopped the enemy s, but so overwhelming was the 
 latter, and so demoralized was the larger part of ours, that no assist 
 ance was received from it. 
 
 The enemy s cavalry again charged around my left flank, which 
 began to give way again, so that it was necessary for me to retire 
 through the town." 
 
 This day s work is referred to in the following letter 
 from General Averell : 
 
 BATH, N. Y., April loth, 1894. 
 C. T. Williamson, Recording Secretary, 
 
 First New York Cavalry Association. 
 
 DEAR SIR: I have your valued favor of 7th inst, asking me to 
 attend the I2th annual meeting of your association to be held on the 
 ipth inst., and I hoped to have the pleasure of accepting your kind 
 invitation, but to-day I have received notification that I shall be ex 
 pected to attend a meeting of the Board of Managers of the National 
 Home at Hampton, Va., on the i8th inst. The meeting will probably 
 
WINCHESTER. 429 
 
 last two or three days and will prevent me the pleasure of meeting my 
 old friends of the First New York Cavalry. 
 
 My recollections of regiments are like those of persons : there 
 were no two alike, each had its distinguishing characteristics, and some 
 remain well defined in memory while others are dimmed, but of none 
 have I a stronger, clearer memory than the First New York Cavalry. 
 Its chief characteristics were: It was always ready for duty, day or 
 night; never complained; could camp anywhere; there was nothing 
 heavy about its dashing cavalrymen and they possessed an irrepressible 
 "go". One of the handsomest charges of cavalry against cavalry, I 
 ever saw, was made by the First New York, on the iQth of September, 
 64, at Winchester. I remember when my division was sweeping across 
 the broad fields toward Winchester, capturing the obstinate field works 
 of the enemy on our right and swinging around upon the left flank 
 and rear of Early s infantry, who had our infantry badly doubled back 
 on its right flank, I held the First New York, then dwindled to a 
 handful of three or four hundred men, in reserve. My line was so 
 extended and impetuous in its advance, that a small, reliable reserve 
 was necessary to use in the exigencies that were likely to arise. We 
 were well across the field, carrying the little forts on the right by 
 assault, and driving in the enemy s flank defense from behind their 
 stone walls and corners, when a body of the enemy s cavalry appeared 
 opposite my left in the open field, supporting a field piece which was 
 opened upon my lines with a raking fire. They were three or four 
 hundred strong and were in good order, steady and resolute. The 
 distance to them was not above five hundred yards, for the small-arm 
 fire of their cavalry reached the ground on which we were moving and 
 wounded men about me. 
 
 I called on the First New York to charge them, and I remember 
 the keen interest with which I watched the operation. It was a fair 
 field, but the enemy were favored with the gun. The numbers were as 
 nearly equal as possible. I felt that the advantage of position was 
 with the enemy on slightly elevated ground. The First New York 
 rode in column steadily at a slow trot in the face of a small-arm fire 
 which I could see was telling on their horses and men. It was a 
 matter of three minutes from the time the order was given. I expected 
 the enemy to move forward to meet the charge, and he did attempt to 
 do so when it was too late. The First New York took the charge at 
 about two hundred yards and was upon him, and the field was swept 
 back in that direction several hundred yards, when the First New 
 York rallied in good order and the gun was ours. Others, however, 
 claimed it and almost everything else on the field that day, even the 
 taking of the forts on our extreme right, together with the guns captured 
 
430 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 in them. But the brave Captain Duncan of the I4th Pennsylvania cav 
 alry and others left their bodies there to attest the work of my division. 
 I am now engaged in a raid of reminiscences in which I desire to collect 
 and preserve some records of the soldiers I had the honor to command, 
 and I will be greatly obliged if some of your association will kindly 
 furnish me some data of your regiment and its services whilst it was 
 in my division a summary, chronological, of events and roster of offi 
 cers, to corroborate my own. My years have doubled since I knew 
 you, and I am not the light rider I was in those trying days. I feel 
 honored and comforted by your kind remembrances. Believe me, all 
 of you, 
 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 W. W. AVERELL. 
 
CHAPTER XLL 
 
 FISHER S HILL TO FRONT ROYAL. 
 
 - 
 
 ARLY continued his retreat to Fisher s Hill, twenty- 
 J / one miles. The regiment passed through Win 
 chester after its all-day s fighting and marching, and rested 
 along the Romney road. At daylight of the 2Oth, the 
 division was moving up the Back road along the base of 
 North Mountain, and at noon was at Cedar Creek. The 
 rest of the army had followed the pike. The different 
 divisions were getting into position. Early was behind 
 strong entrenchments reaching from Massanutten to North 
 Mountain. 
 
 The 2ist, the division advanced as it had been in the 
 habit of doing when in front of the enemy, in columns of 
 squadrons, and was soon under the fire of the opposing 
 skirmish line. Quinn was on other duty, and Captain Pas- 
 segger was commanding the regiment. In the attempt to 
 cover considerable frontage, parts of the regiment became 
 somewhat separated. But by long experience in trying sit 
 uations subordinate officers and men had learned to judge 
 for themselves what was the best thing to do. 
 
 The division was the extreme right. There was quite 
 an interval to the next force to the left. A patrol was sent 
 across this interval to spy out the situation. This patrol, 
 passing over a high ridge, had a chance to look over most 
 of the field Confederate as well as Federal positions. 
 
 431 
 
432 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Sheridan and his staff and escort were riding along the line 
 looking over the ground. 
 
 At daybreak of the 22nd, all were prepared for active 
 work. Skirmishing soon began. The entire skirmish line 
 was advanced within plain sight and rifle distance of the 
 Confederate earthworks. A part of the cavalry was dis 
 mounted and thrown out to strengthen this advanced in 
 fantry skirmish line. The horses were left back in a ra 
 vine while the dismounted men moved forward, deployed, 
 over a high, open ridge. At the foot of this ridge in front 
 was quite a deep ravine, a creek running through it, and 
 half way up the opposite slope and parallel with the ridge 
 were the long lines of the enemy s earthworks. For hours 
 those skirmishers within easy range of the earthworks, 
 under a hot and incessant fire, held that advanced line. 
 
 A fine looking young infantryman was lying dead, his 
 face upturned to the hot sun, a bullet hole in his forehead. 
 A comrade said of him : "He was a fine young fellow, and 
 brave. But it was all his own fault, getting killed. He 
 needn t have come out to-day. It wasn t his turn, but he 
 would come." 
 
 The enemy s signal flags on Three Top Mountain were 
 plainly seen. From that high point they could look over 
 all the ground covered by Sheridan s army. But out of 
 their sight, in the wooded valley behind the ridge held 
 by the advanced line, Crook was silently moving his Eighth 
 corps to a position beyond Averell s right. This done, the 
 dismounted men were withdrawn from the skirmish line. 
 On the line they had been protected by some scattering trees. 
 But in moving back, still deployed, over the open top 
 of the ridge, they were in plain sight of the enemy, and 
 the rifle shots came thick and fast. A dull thud, a sharp 
 cry, and Dangler of Co. B dropped to the ground, the bone 
 of his leg broken. Three or four of the company were 
 
FISHER S HILL TO FRONT ROYAL. 433 
 
 called to carry him off. As they were taking him up, the 
 little group became a mark for a shower of bullets. But 
 no one else was hurt. In the evening a mate stepped into 
 the temporary hospital to see the wounded man. His leg 
 had been amputated, but he was cheerful. "Well, Darby, 
 you see I ve lost my leg, but Uncle Sam will give me a 
 wooden one." 
 
 The men mounted their horses, and by squadrons again 
 moved up and over the ridge. Seeing them coming in 
 force, the Confederates, all along their line, broke forth 
 with shells, grape, canister and musketry. In their ex 
 citement they fired high, and the shots tore through the 
 tree tops like a storm of hail. But it was "Forward!" all 
 along the Union line. The Eighth corps had suddenly 
 burst upon the enemy s left, doubled it up and driven it 
 back. The mounted squadrons, through the terrific fire 
 that was hurled at them, poured down the side of the ridge, 
 into the ravine, across the creek, up the opposite slope and 
 over the Confederate earthworks, the regimental colors 
 being the first in the works. They got out of the way of 
 Crook s men, passing beyond them, as the latter were push 
 ing on lengthwise of the works, a long cloud of blue pow 
 der smoke moving to the left showing their rate of motion 
 toward the Massanutten Mountain. At the same time with 
 the crash on the right, Sheridan along the Valley pike had 
 broken over the defences in front of the Confederate right 
 and center, and Early s army was in full retreat. The pur 
 suit along the pike was hot, and artillery, wagons and 
 prisoners were overtaken and captured. Averell s cavalry 
 took the Back road, and mile after mile pressed on after 
 those who were fleeing in that direction. 
 
 So sudden and impetuous had been the assault, that 
 among the assailants there were comparatively few casu 
 alties. Major Passegger had a ball through the palm of 
 
434 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 his left hand, but it did not take him off duty. Sergeant- 
 Major Walter had a piece of shell strike the clasp of his 
 sabre belt with such force that for a moment he lost his 
 strength and sense. Adjutant Hinton, riding near him, 
 thought the man was mortally hurt, and sprang to his 
 assistance. But he quickly recovered himself. Sergeant 
 Franklin McConnaughy was struck in the arm by a grape 
 shot. 
 
 In Frank Leslie s Weekly of October 15, 1864, was a 
 sketch of this fight, that in most of its details was correct, 
 though representing only a small part of the forces engaged. 
 
 Averell had received no special orders as to what he 
 should do after the works were taken. After pursuing the 
 enemy until they were out of his reach, he returned and 
 stopped for the night. He was resting in an ambulance. 
 He called Valentine whom he had detailed as a special 
 scout. "Polie, get in here, I want to talk with you." It 
 was Averell s familiar way of getting all the information 
 he could out of his scouts. 
 
 An early start the 23rd. Valentine was sent to find 
 vSheridan, and report. He had a long ride. Sheridan 
 seemed to have been traveling all night. Valentine found 
 him many miles ahead at the extreme front on the skirmish 
 line, with bullets flying thick about him. He saluted and 
 reported "From General Averell." Sheridan knocked 
 the ashes from his pipe and asked, "Where d ye stay last 
 night?" "A little in the advance of yesterday s battle 
 ground." "Ye did damned well, didn t ye?" Valentine 
 felt like asking what he had to do with it, but contented 
 himself with saying that Averell had moved early up the 
 Back road. 
 
 The division marched through Woodstock, past the in 
 fantry that had followed up the pike the night before, and 
 on to Mt. Jackson where the enemy s rear guard had made 
 
FISHER S HILL TO FRONT ROYAL. 435 
 
 a stand. Skirmished several hours, and at night fell back, 
 near Mt. Jackson. 
 
 The 24th, Averell was relieved from command. Sheri 
 dan s army now included Wright s Sixth corps, and 
 Emory s Nineteenth corps, from the Army of the Potomac, 
 Crook s Army of West Virginia, the First and Third cav 
 alry divisions of the Army of the Potomac under Torbert 
 and J. H. Wilson, and Aver ell s Second cavalry division of 
 the Army of West Virginia. The three cavalry divisions 
 were now organized into a cavalry corps. Averell ranked 
 Torbert, but Sheridan preferred Torbert as commander of 
 the corps. General Wesley Merritt now commanded the 
 First division, and Colonel W. H. Powell, who had com 
 manded the Second brigade of the Second division, was 
 now assigned to the command of the division. The 27th, 
 Wilson was ordered to report to Gen. Thomas at Nash 
 ville, and Gen. G. A. Custer succeeded to the command of 
 the Third division. 
 
 Averell complained that he had been superseded by 
 Torbert whom he ranked. But General Grant replied to 
 Sheridan : "Do not hesitate to give command to officers 
 in whom you repose the greatest confidence, without re 
 gard to rank or personal claims. What I want is prompt 
 and active movements after the enemy." 
 
 Averell had been an active and successful officer, and 
 his division had contributed much to the winning of recent 
 victories. In the afternoon he reviewed and took leave of 
 his command. 
 
 Colonel Powell, who was now to command the divis 
 ion, had proved himself competent. He had shown a dis 
 position to strike the hardest blows he could. He had the 
 confidence of the men from the first. 
 
 The 24th, the regiment was up all night on picket near 
 Brock s Gap. 
 
436 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 September 25, relieved early. The division moves up 
 the Back road, keeping abreast with the head of the column 
 on the pike. Into Harrisonburg. In the hospital we find 
 Garland who was wounded and missing at Martinsburg, 
 July 25. He has been treated well. Up the Staunton pike 
 and across North river. Stop after dark at Mt. Crawford. 
 
 September 26, on the march at daylight, up the pike. 
 Turn to the left at the ten-mile post. Find enough of the 
 enemy to skirmish with. Over the battlefield of June 5, 
 Piedmont. Interested in recognizing positions held that 
 day. A courier from Torbert. Turn back to co-operate 
 with Merritt. Get warmly engaged with the enemy near 
 Brown s Gap. Fight till near dark. Fall back behind the 
 little town of Mt. Vernon. The fighting has been in the 
 vicinity of Weyer s cave. Parties of the regiment have 
 had exciting adventures. 
 
 September 27, lie still all the forenoon near the en 
 trance to Weyer s cave. Make a short visit to the cave. 
 Good foraging; plenty of flour and beehives. Have honey 
 on our pancakes. Afternoon, cross the river to draw out 
 the enemy supposed to be in Brown s Gap. Find them, 
 and they come out lively. Line of skirmishers moves for 
 ward, with Colonel Powell in the front. Just ready to ad 
 vance in force when artillery from a high wooded hill opens 
 on our rear. Somewhat surprised, but there is no haste. 
 Powell is as cool as if nothing had happened, and he keeps 
 the rest cool. The skirmishers are recalled. Come back 
 across the river leisurely. The regiment forms line on the 
 brow of a wide, open hill facing the hill on which is the 
 enemy s artillery. A deep ravine in front that horses can 
 not cross. Cannot reach the enemy with carbines. The 
 regiment is to hold the ground till the wagons are out of 
 the way. Passegger sits quietly in front of the center of 
 the line; other officers in front of their squadrons. The 
 
FISHER S HILL TO FRONT ROYAL. 437 
 
 line stands firm and quiet. A shell strikes the line, and 
 Merritt s horse is wounded. Another shell, and Bailey s 
 mare has a hind leg taken off above the fetlock. She 
 plunges about in the ranks. Get your mare out of the 
 line. Take off the bridle and hurry to the rear/ A shell 
 plunges through Stanton s squadron. He turns to keep 
 the ranks in order. A rifle ball strikes the stock of his 
 revolver, shattering the stock and his elbow. He is wounded 
 the second time on nearly the same ground on which he 
 was wounded June 5. The line holds its position under 
 that continuous artillery and rifle fire until the train is at 
 a safe distance, and then deliberately retires. Passegger is 
 struck in foot by a fragment of a shell. A rebel train of 
 white-topped wagons is seen in Brown s Gap, and a long 
 column of infantry is moving out, and coming this way. 
 Custer with his long, curled, yellow hair, and his jauntily- 
 trimmed, velvet jacket, watches that column of infantry 
 through his field glass. "They are too many for us," he 
 says. Fall back slowly through a rough, stumpy field. A 
 fox is started from its hiding place, and the men break from 
 the ranks and with loud shouts join in a wild chase after it 
 It gets away, and the men get into ranks again and look 
 out for the Confederates who are following. At dark the 
 entire regiment is on picket about Cross Keys. 
 
 September 28, on picket. All quiet so far as fighting 
 is concerned. A day of leisure. Good foraging. Some 
 one finds a distillery in the neighborhood. He takes pos 
 session and operates it, and freely distributes the raw 
 product. There result some unexpected diversions. A 
 tall, large son of Erin, with a full black beard that comes 
 down to his belt, and a hoarse, heavy voice like the bellow 
 ing of a bull, has taken too much of the apple jack. The 
 boys say he mixed his flour with apple jack instead of water 
 in making the batter for his pancakes. He is good natured, 
 
438 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 but he gets uproariously patriotic. He mounts a box and 
 begins to speak. He soon has a large and interested audi 
 ence. He can be heard half a mile. He speaks with fervid 
 eloquence. He continues his oration until the spell of the 
 apple jack is over, and he is tired out. 
 
 The diversion is varied: A slight-built man with a 
 thin, high-pitched, squeaking voice, like his countryman 
 has taken too much of the fiery liquid. The orator s elo 
 quence has touched a responsive chord and stirred his emo 
 tional nature. He mounts the box and tries to speak. But 
 overcome by the thought of his country s woes, he begins 
 to cry. With copious tears pouring down his face, he 
 weeps uncontrollably, lifting up his voice so loud that all 
 the camp and all about headquarters can hear. Only when 
 completely exhausted does he cease. 
 
 September 29, the command moved slowly to Mt. Sid 
 ney, then back to Mt. Crawford. On the way the work of 
 destruction began. Orders were to leave nothing in this 
 fertile Valley on which a hostile army could subsist. De 
 tachments were sent on every road, with orders to set fire 
 to all mills, grain and hay. Men who never flinched in 
 the hottest fight declared they would have no hand in this 
 burning. Bivouacked after dark at Mt. Crawford. A 
 rainy night. Rested till noon of the 3Oth, then moved to 
 Harrisonburg. All of Sheridan s army was here. Cold 
 and rainy. October i was a misty morning, and a cold, 
 rainy, dreary day. Powell s division marched to Conrad s 
 store at the head of the Luray valley. Details were burn 
 ing barns and stacks, and driving off live stock. The 
 smoke of the burning filled the air as far as one could see. 
 On farms where only women and children were seen there 
 were piteous pleadings, "Don t burn my barn." Burning 
 supplies that would support an army was a legitimate act 
 
FISHER S HILL TO FRONT ROYAL. 439 
 
 of war, but there was nothing to be gained by burning 
 empty barns. 
 
 Lieut. John R. Meigs, a staff engineer, son of the quar 
 termaster general, was shot, Sheridan was informed, by 
 bushwhackers, and buildings in the vicinity of the shooting 
 were burned. General Early stated that three of his scouts 
 in uniform came upon Lieut. Meigs and two men, and or 
 dered them to surrender. Meigs shot one of the scouts 
 and he himself was shot in open fight. 
 
 October 2nd was Sunday and a warm, bright day. 
 Followed an uneven, but pleasant road along the South 
 Fork down the Luray valley. The woods on the moun 
 tains were in their brightest autumn colors. Reached 
 Luray Court House with large droves of cattle and sheep. 
 The advance had to fight the enemy at Luray and at 
 Milford. 
 
 The next day hostile parties were hovering about. 
 There was another fight at Milford. Some of the regiment 
 were missing, among them Sergeant Dickerson, an honest, 
 faithful man with a clear mind and high purposes, but not 
 strong enough to endure all these hardships. 
 
 Women and children would come into camp for the 
 cattle that had been taken from them. When asked, "Are 
 you good Union people? the answer generally was, "Oh, 
 yes," pronounced with a circumflex. 
 
 Some men who had been taken prisoners while en 
 gaged in unnecessary marauding were shot. It was evi 
 dent that stragglers taken on this raid would not be treated 
 leniently. A scouting party on the 4th brought in two of 
 Gilmore s men. The next day they were executed as spies. 
 The hard necessities of war seemed to demand it for the 
 protection of Union prisoners. 
 
 A scout went over the Blue Ridge to Culpeper. A de 
 tachment from the other brigade and Co. s F and M drove 
 
440 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the herds over the mountains to Sheridan s camp at New 
 Market. 
 
 The 7th, the division moved from Luray to Milford. 
 The men of B and C with serviceable horses were to escort 
 Captain Bailey, now on Torbert s staff, to headquarters at 
 Woodstock. They started at sunset, forded the river, 
 climbed the mountain by a rocky, zigzag path so narrow 
 and steep that they had to go single file, then down into 
 the Fort valley. Crossed the valley in the dark. Lumph- 
 rey, in charge of the advance, passed himself off as one of 
 Mosby s men. Stopping at a house for a drink, he asked 
 the lady who handed him a cup of water, if any of Mosby s 
 men were in the neighborhood. She replied : "If you are 
 one of Mosby s men you ought to know." 
 
 In front of another house he found two armed Con 
 federates. After talking with them a minute, he stated his 
 true character and told them to surrender. They sprang to 
 their feet and showed fight. Several shots were exchanged. 
 One of these struck one of the combatants and glanced, 
 striking an old man sitting near, and killed him. Others of 
 the escort coming up, the two men surrendered, and with 
 their arms and horses were taken along. Followed the 
 road through some thick woods that made the darkness 
 ten-fold more dense, and climbed the Massanutten moun 
 tain. From this height of a thousand feet the men looked 
 down on the camp fires of Sheridan s whole army "measure 
 less spread" far out over the plains below. Some broad 
 bands of glimmering light were there, nearly parallel, placed 
 .at intervals, at right angles to the direction of the moun 
 tain. It took a few minutes to tell what they were the 
 windings of the North Fork of the Shenandoah. Late in 
 the night the escort reached Torbert s quarters, after a ride 
 of twenty-seven miles. 
 
 October 8, followed Torbert as the army fell back to 
 
FISHER S HILL TO FRONT ROYAL. 441 
 
 Strasburg. A cold, windy day. Bailey s escort was to 
 attend another officer back to Powell. 
 
 The nth, a large force started out early, across the 
 Blue Ridge, through Chester Gap, Flint Hill, Little Wash 
 ington and Sperryville; twenty-eight miles. Parties of the 
 enemy were hovering about on the hills. The next day, 
 rode about the country, thirty miles. 
 
 Before starting on the morning of the I3th, one of 
 Mosby s men who had been taken the day before was hanged 
 to the limb of a tree by the roadside, and labeled: "In 
 retaliation." He met his fate bravely. 
 
 Some men w r ere missing. Mosby had hanged some 
 Federals whom he had caught marauding. Custer had 
 hanged seven of Mosby s men. Mosby out of a number of 
 prisoners selected seven by lot, and executed them. And 
 now Powell was leaving a prisoner hanging by the road 
 side. At such a time as this some of our men were miss 
 ing. Among them was John Stuart, a lively young fellow, 
 often unlucky in getting into difficulties, but shrewd in get 
 ting out of them. He was picked up by the enemy. He 
 realized that it was not a good time to be taken prisoner, 
 and that he would need to use all his wits if he would escape 
 hanging. He was mindful of the advice of Hamlet, "As 
 sume a virtue if you have it not," and he assumed a stu 
 pidity that he had not, a stupidity so profound and impene 
 trable that his captors could make nothing out of him. 
 Such a fool was not worth hanging. As slippery and quick 
 as an eel, he glided from among them in the wink of an 
 eye, and after a wearisome jaunt through woods and over 
 mountains found his way back to camp. 
 
 October 14, there was continuual firing beyond Cedar 
 Creek. A number of men of the regiment were at the head 
 quarters of Sheridan and other generals, and they were 
 kept busy. 
 
442 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The paymaster was in camp. He had been a long 
 time on the way. The regiment was ordered to escort him 
 to Winchester. Some Confederates were circling around. 
 The men were inclined, without orders, to start from the 
 column and give chase. One was caught. The i7th, a 
 detail escorted the paymaster to Martinsburg. Stopped 
 once more in Faulkner s woods. Gen. Wm. H. Seward, 
 son of the secretary of state, was in command of the post. 
 Lieut. E. C. Watkins was captain and A. A. G. He de 
 served his promotion. 
 
 Early seemed dissatisfied since the recent engagements, 
 and was watching for a chance to retrieve his fortunes. 
 His cavalry had been coming near enough to get in a few 
 shots and then retiring. The morning of October 9, Merritt 
 went up along the pike beyond Strasburg, while Custer had 
 his division on the Back road. Rosser and Lomax were 
 there. While these forces on the Back road were confront 
 ing each other, Custer rode in front of his command, as 
 some of the knights of the age of chivalry are reported to 
 have done, took off his hat and bowed low in plain sight of 
 his adversaries. The challenge was accepted. Custer s 
 men sprang like hounds unleashed for the chase. The Con 
 federate line gave way. There was a wild pursuit of 
 twenty-six miles, known as the Woodstock races. Lomax 
 was for a time a prisoner, but he escaped by overthrowing 
 his captor. The trophies were 300 prisoners, a dozen guns 
 and fifty wagons. Every day to the I5th there were cav 
 alry engagements. Gen. Merritt reported that in twenty- 
 six engagements, aside from battles, in this Valley cam 
 paign, the cavalry had lost 3,205 men and officers. 
 
 Some important operations were being planned, and 
 Sheridan was summoned to Washington. The i.5th, he 
 went with a cavalry escort to Front Royal. From the en 
 emy s signal station on Three Top mountain a message was 
 
FISHER S HILL TO FRONT ROYAL. 443 
 
 taken by Union signal officers. It was from Longstreet, 
 advising Early to be ready to move as soon as he could join 
 him, and together they would crush Sheridan. From Front 
 Royal Sheridan sent back his cavalry to Gen. Wright of the 
 Sixth corps, advising him to call in Colonel Powell, and look 
 out for a surprise on his left. 
 
 The 1 7th, as soon as the conference at the war depart 
 ment was over, Sheridan took a special train for Martins- 
 burg, arriving in the evening. Captains Stevenson and 
 Watkins were occupying a room in the United States Hotel. 
 They gave up their room to Sheridan. Early the next 
 morning the general was on the road to Winchester where 
 he arrived in the afternoon. With some engineer officers 
 he looked about the place with a view to its adaptability for 
 a defensive position. He sent a courier to Gen. Wright, 
 and received word from him that all was quiet, and that he 
 had ordered a reconnoisance in force. 
 
 At daylight of the iQth, an officer from the picket line 
 brought word that there was heavy firing along the front. 
 There had been so much firing for the last few days that it 
 caused little concern. About 9 o clock, Sheridan, with 
 some of his staff, mounted and rode at a walk through Win 
 chester. At Mill creek, a mile south of the town, their 
 escort was waiting. As the general and his officers passed, 
 the escort fell in behind them. 
 
 The sound of heavy guns came to them. The general 
 leaned forward and listened as he rode. Once he dis 
 mounted, placed his ear to the ground and listened. He 
 seemed disturbed. Over a hill, a mile farther on, a train 
 that had started for the front was halted. The quartermas 
 ter in charge stated that an officer had come from the front 
 and advised him to go back with his train, as the army had 
 been attacked and driven back. The officer having given 
 his warning had immediately started for the front again. 
 
444 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 This being reported to Sheridan, he directed Major George 
 A. Forsyth to select fifty of the best mounted men from the 
 escort. Then saying to him : "You and Captain O KeefTe 
 will go with me/ and nodding to the others as much as 
 to say: "This ride will be too much for you; you will have 
 to stay behind," he gathered his reins, touched his horse 
 with his spur, and was off. The two officers, side by side, 
 rode just behind him, while the escort on a brisk gallop 
 were trying to keep within proper distance. 
 
 More supply trains had turned back, or were standing 
 still. Checking his speed long enough to tell those in charge 
 to park their trains right there, he struck his rapid gait 
 again. More trains : he repeats his orders to have the 
 trains parked. Train escorts were to check all stragglers 
 and send them to the front. 
 
 Over another rise in the road, and the pike and the 
 fields were seen to be filled with headquarters wagons, led 
 horses, ambulances loaded with wounded, sutlers wagons, 
 straggling soldiers and officers servants. Through and 
 past this confused mass hurried the general. The scene 
 was continued and intensified. Squads of soldiers here and 
 there had stacked their arms and were eating their break 
 fast. But they had caught sight of the general and shouted 
 his name. The shouting increased as he rode on, never 
 slacking his pace. They waved their hats and cheered. 
 And all across the fields the retrograde movement was 
 checked. There was a movement the other way. Sheridan 
 as he kept his great pace kept calling to those within hear 
 ing, "Turn back! Face the other way!" Forsyth says, 
 "As he dashed on to the field of battle, for miles back the 
 turnpike was lined with men pressing forward after him to 
 the front." His escort had been left behind. Only the offi 
 cer commanding it and a few of the best mounted men were 
 in sight. "That long, swinging gallop of his splendid black 
 
FISHER S HILL TO FRONT ROYAL. 445 
 
 charger, Rienzi, that he seemed to maintain so easily and 
 so endlessly, was a distressing one for those who had to 
 follow far."* 
 
 Once on the field, he and his officers drew rein, and 
 soon had taken in the situation. Some of the forces had 
 rallied and, with standards flying, were facing the enemy. 
 A battery of artillery was exchanging shots with a Confed 
 erate battery. The news that Sheridan had come acted like 
 a magical tonic. Men stood more firmly in line, with mus 
 cles strained for another conflict. Some changes in posi 
 tions were made and the men began to be impatient to move 
 forward. Officers reported to Sheridan, that the lines were 
 all ready. "Not yet. Wait a little," was his answer. The 
 waiting only made the men more impatient. Finally the 
 order was given. The onrush was well nigh irresistible. 
 The cavalry on the right had been attacked on their flank, 
 but had repelled the attack. Now, in a confused rout, with 
 infantry driving them in front and cavalry crowding them 
 in flank, every cavalryman seeming to press forward for a 
 chance to get a sabre blow at some of them, the enemy 
 abandoned everything in headlong flight. They had made 
 some determined efforts to make a stand, but were in full 
 retreat beyond Strasburg. 
 
 Major Forsyth had gone on with those in pursuit. It 
 was dark when he returned. 
 
 "Camp fires were blazing everywhere. I went up to the chief, who 
 was standing near a bright fire, surrounded by a group of officers, 
 
 horse that saved the day" was, after its death, entrusted to 
 Prof. Henry A. Ward, of Rochester, N. Y. It was prepared by 
 taxidermists and placed in the government museum on Governor s 
 Island, New York Harbor. 
 
 He was not always "as black as the steeds of night." Like many 
 of the finest bred horses, his new coat in the spring was black and 
 glossy, but in the outdoor life of a summer campaign the color would 
 change to a dark brown. 
 
446 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 and saluted, reporting my return. Where do you come from? Be 
 yond Strasburg. What news have you? The road is lined with 
 transportation of almost every kind, and we have captured forty-four 
 pieces of artillery. How do you know we have forty-four pieces? 
 I have placed my hand on each and every gun. Standing there in 
 the firelight I saw my chief s face light up with a great wave of satis 
 faction." 
 
 (Forsyth s Thrilling Days in Army Life. By permission of Harper 
 Brothers.) 
 
FIELD OF FISHER S HILL. 
 
 BANKS FORT, STRASBURG. 
 
CHAPTER XLII. 
 THE FRONT ROYAL ROAD. 
 
 NO detachment of the regiment was engaged in the battle 
 of October 19. Powell s division was on the Front 
 Royal road. But the men, half a hundred or so, serving 
 .as scouts for Sheridan and other generals, had a busy day 
 of it. Their adventures would make a long chapter. By 
 November i , the various parts of the regiment were brought 
 together again near Front Royal. 
 
 By acts of "the legislatures of most of the northern 
 states, the soldiers in the field were allowed to vote at the 
 general election. The 4th was election day in camp. 
 Nearly all voted for Lincoln, and those from New York 
 voted for Fenton for governor. 
 
 The 5th, a scout to Millwood and a long skirmish with 
 scattered horsemen who kept at a distance. The 7th, a 
 large detail went through Manassas Gap to Piedmont. Gen. 
 Augur s force that had been here, had been withdrawn, and 
 the railroad track taken up. The 8th, the detail was rid 
 ing around through Fauquier county, with Confederates in 
 sight on all sides, but too well mounted to be caught. Halt 
 for the night near Paris. A dark and rainy night. Sleep 
 in a fence corner. The 9th, on the march early. Gather a 
 herd of cattle. Pass through Ashby s Gap. A young 
 heifer breaks from its enclosure near a house by the road 
 side and runs along by the side of the column. A couple 
 
 447 
 
448 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of young girls there were no men at home run to over 
 take and turn back the heifer. The men in the column try 
 to help them. But the heifer is fleet of foot and runs down 
 the gap to the herd ahead of the column. The girls, all out 
 of breath with running, give up the chase and turn back, 
 one of them saying, "I guess she s gone up the spout." 
 Ford the river at Berry s ferry; through Millwood and 
 White Post to Newtown, a trip of nearly one hundred miles. 
 Sheridan s army falling back. The loth, make an early 
 march back to Winchester and out five miles on the Front 
 Royal road, and at Frederick Mills make Camp Powell. 
 The nth, new recruits arrive for all the companies. The 
 1 2th, two companies are ordered to remain and guard the 
 camp. All the rest of the division ordered out. Some Con 
 federates circling about at a distance. The two companies 
 on the alert to guard the camp on all sides. A cold, windy, 
 tedious day. Just at night the division returns, having 
 routed the enemy at Nineveh and chased them beyond Front 
 Royal, eight miles in forty minutes; killing about forty and 
 taking two hundred, with two cannons and two flags. Cap 
 tain Prendergast killed. 
 
 To this brief diary record a more complete account is 
 needed. 
 
 For his brilliant services Powell had been made a briga 
 dier general. He was commanding the division and Colonel 
 Henry Capehart was commanding the Second brigade. The 
 First brigade, or a part of it, had gone out, and beyond 
 Front Royal had encountered McCausland s division of 
 Lomax s cavalry. The Confederates were too strong for 
 the Federals and the latter slowly fell back. Word was 
 sent to General Powell and he ordered out the Second brig 
 ade. This was composed of the First New York, Col. A. 
 W. Adams, First West Virginia, Major Harvey Farabee, 
 and the Third West Virginia, Lieut. Col John L. McGee. 
 
THE FRONT ROYAL ROAD. 449 
 
 Going forward rapidly several miles, they met the other 
 brigade falling back, the enemy following. Powell promptly 
 assigned the regiments their positions the First New York 
 in the center, the First West Virginia on the right, and the 
 Third on the left. Through intervals in this line the First 
 brigade passed to the rear, and the Second moved forward. 
 The Confederates had halted in line on high ground with 
 artillery in position. 
 
 Company E was on the extreme left of the regiment. 
 Perhaps on this account it was thought that it, better than 
 any other, might make a little reconnoissance on the flank 
 of the enemy. At any rate, an order came for Co. E to 
 ride forward toward the enemy and see what men and artil 
 lery they had. Captain Daber was in command, an officer 
 not large in stature, but always efficient, good natured, 
 genial and prompt. With his usual cheerfulness he turned 
 to his company and said, "Dis eest de last of us, poys. Fol 
 low me. Forwart!" and at once dashed forward with all 
 his men close behind him. Said Fiala, "I shut my eyes as 
 we started on that ride. We rode within fifty yards of the 
 enemy s line, saw what there was of them, wheeled and 
 came back. The Johnnies looked at us in astonishment, and 
 did not fire one shot." 
 
 Captain Prendergast was provost marshal of the divis 
 ion, and him Powell sent with the order for the brigade to 
 charge. The men all saw Powell with his habitual coolness 
 watching every movement. Prendergast, after giving the 
 order, took his place in front of his own company, F. Daber s 
 company had just returned to its place, and the whole line, 
 Col. Adams and the other officers in front, started forward 
 on a trot, and soon broke into a headlong gallop, charging 
 over and through the enemy s line; upon the guns, striking 
 the gunners down ; hurling men from their horses. 
 
 The West Virginia regiments on the right and left 
 
450 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 doubled up the flanks and closed in on the center. The 
 collision was a fearful mingling of men and horses, clash 
 ing and struggling. But it was of short duration. Those 
 of the enemy that could do so broke away and rode for their 
 lives. For eight miles the chase was kept up, plunging 
 through both Forks of the Shenandoah, through and beyond 
 Front Royal. 
 
 For the promptness with which this charge was made 
 some credit is due to Corporal Martin H. Welch of Co. F, 
 who carried the regimental colors. As soon as the order 
 was given he started forward and kept the colors far in 
 advance of the line. All the officers were in the lead, but 
 no man held back. 
 
 Captain Prendergast of Co. F was killed, a ball striking 
 him in the breast just before reaching the enemy s line; an 
 other ball killing his horse at the same instant. He was a 
 young Englishman, somewhat exacting with his men and 
 not popular with all, but he had been fearless and capable 
 in many engagements. 
 
 The 1 3th, nearly the entire division was ordered out 
 soon after daylight. Went to Middletown and formed a 
 junction with the other two divisions, and marched up to 
 meet the enemy again, but they had gone beyond reach. 
 Returned after nightfall, having ridden thirty miles. 
 
 The 1 4th, at dress parade, Colonel Capehart made a 
 speech to the brigade, and had general orders read com 
 plimenting all who had borne a part in the fight of the I2th, 
 one of the cleanest cavalry fights in which the regiment was 
 ever engaged. 
 
 There came good news of the result of the election, 
 Lincoln having received 212 electoral votes to 21 for. Mc- 
 Clellan. On the eve of the election McClellan had resigned 
 his commission as major general in the regular army, and 
 Sheridan was appointed in his place. 
 
THE FRONT ROYAL ROAD. 451 
 
 The 1 6th, a large detail went through the country about 
 Millwood. Confederates were in sight, but out of reach. 
 The 1 7th, the regiment went out early. The advance drove 
 a party of the enemy beyond Front Royal, but captured none. 
 
 The 2 ist, the whole division was ordered out. At 
 Newtown it was joined by the other two cavalry divisions, 
 making a formidable force with Gen. Torbert in command. 
 A misty morning, and a rainy, dark day. Encamped at 
 Woodstock after a march of twenty-eight miles. Muddy 
 and cold. The 22nd, reveille was sounded at 4 130. On 
 the march at daylight. At Mt. Jackson the enemy s pickets 
 were found and driven back. Evidently the enemy was in 
 force not far away. Crossed the river and formed line on 
 the Meem bottoms to the left of the pike. The First brig 
 ade with parts of the other divisions were to the right. The 
 long line to the right and left, began to move forward over 
 the wide, low plain. In the meantime a mounted band that 
 had been left on the hill on the other side of the river began 
 to play "The Star Spangled Banner." We were to fight to 
 the stirring strains of music. The right of the line, as it 
 advanced, soon developed a strong force of cavalry in its 
 front. At first the skirmishers and then the line itself be 
 came hotly engaged. The fighting was with firearms and 
 not at first at close range. As they pressed forward the 
 fighting became furious. The Confederates advanced and 
 the Union line was forced back, but it recovered itself and 
 pressed forward again, and the enemy were driven back to 
 the foot of the hill. The spiteful shots were incessant, and 
 a thin cloud of blue smoke hung over the combatants who 
 were shouting and struggling in their repeated charges and 
 counter charges. The ground became strewn with fallen 
 horses and men. In the crash of firearms and the shouts, 
 cheers and yells of these charging masses, the music of the 
 
4-52 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 band was unheard. The Confederates were in too large a 
 force to be driven. 
 
 The Second brigade in a double line reaching far to 
 the left, slowly but steadily advanced toward the long, high 
 hill in front, until a compact line of Confederate infantry, 
 nearly the length of the hill, moving up from the other side 
 appeared upon the crest. The cavalry stood firm under the 
 opening fire of this infantry. The steadiness of that line of 
 cavalry fronting that of infantry on the hill was commented 
 on by officers and men of other brigades in a position to see 
 it, as something seldom equalled. The infantry on the crest 
 of the hill stopped and looked down upon it as they would 
 upon a review. 
 
 The cavalry expedition was only a reconnoissance in 
 force. The enemy had been found and made to show their 
 numbers. They were too many to be dislodged. The cav 
 alry recrossed the river and returned to Woodstock for the 
 night ; a march of thirty miles. 
 
 The 23rd was windy and very cold. On the road at 
 daybreak. After a tedious ride of another thirty miles, the 
 regiment reached home at nightfall, chilled and hungry, to 
 find its camp occupied by a wandering regiment of infantry. 
 It was all right while we were away, but now that we had 
 returned, they were not long in giving us possession. 
 
 November 24 Thanksgiving. A pleasant day. An 
 inspection of all unserviceable horses is being made. Divis 
 ion headquarters bugle suddenly sounds "Boots and saddles." 
 "Saddle up, everybody!" An attack on the outposts. 
 Quickly mounted and in line. A few, without orders, break 
 out of camp and make for the rebels. Near a hundred of 
 the enemy have tried to capture a foraging party. The few 
 Federals that they have captured are retaken and some of 
 the assailants are brought in. 
 
 Turkeys and other appropriate things boxes and bar- 
 
THE FRONT ROYAL ROAD. 453 
 
 rels of them sent by generous people at home, are distrib 
 uted. With one eye on the lookout for hungry rebels prowl 
 ing around the camp, we eat our Thanksgiving feast with 
 out further molestation, and are thankful. The times look 
 better. "Where is Sherman going?" The men are mak 
 ing comfortable quarters. 
 
 December 7th, skirmishing with some of Mosby s men. 
 The morning of the loth, snow was a foot deep. The i6th, 
 a large force ordered out. Roads icy. Horses have to be 
 sharp shod. To Millwood, Berry s ferry and Milldale. 
 Along by the side of the river. From the rocks on the side 
 of the mountain directly across, some sharp shooters have a 
 close range. Captain Krynizki of Co. I at the head of the 
 column. A rifle ball passes through all his clothing from 
 the cape of his overcoat to his undershirt, and leaves a track 
 of broken skin across the upper part of his chest. He de 
 cides that there is no necessity of holding that position any 
 longer. Returning to camp he is made the subject of many 
 good natured observations. The next day some of the I4th 
 Pennsylvania patrolling the same road, suffered severely 
 from those sharp-shooters. 
 
 A hundred guns fired in honor of Thomas victories at 
 Nashville. 
 
 December 19, up early. Orders to break camp. Form 
 line and wait till the First division passes. A large force. 
 Roads very muddy. Ford the forks of the Shenandoah. 
 Water high. Stop for the night in Chester Gap; eighteen 
 miles. 
 
 December 20, march at daylight. Games Cross roads, 
 Little Washington, Sperryville, Hugh s river. Plenty of 
 rails and hay. Thirty-one miles. 
 
 December 21, a cold, snowy, sleety day. Mud deep, 
 and freezing before night. March slowly across lots, 
 through woods, on narrow, muddy roads, up and down hills, 
 
464 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ford swift, swollen streams. Twelve miles in all day, equal 
 to 50 on a decent road. Bivouac in a frozen cornfield near 
 Robinson s river. Very cold. Plenty of forage and fire 
 wood. 
 
 December 22, start early. Confederates lying- dead 
 along the road, killed while skirmishing with the advance. 
 Find bridges burned at Liberty Mills. Ask an old colored 
 man what river that is. He has an impediment in his 
 speech, and makes frightful contortions as he answers, 
 "D-d-e R-r-r-a-a-a-apidan, suh." Almost sorry we asked 
 him. Wait till nearly night, skirmishing at long range, 
 with the river between the lines. Captain Martindale is 
 watching the enemy through his glass when a rifle ball passes 
 through his cap and touches heavily the top of his head. He 
 has never shown fear, but he feels nervous. He goes back 
 and sits down to rest. Finally, different detachments cross 
 at different fords. Some sharp fighting, and the Confed 
 erates retire in haste, leaving behind two guns. The most 
 of the regiment on picket south of the river. Intensely 
 cold, with snow squalls. Twenty-one miles. 
 
 December 23, recross the river; wait in line. Cross 
 the river again, and go toward Orange C. H. A big, old 
 camp of Confederate huts. Go several miles toward Gor- 
 donsville. Find the enemy too strong. Retire. Icy roads. 
 March till 1 1 at night and halt in thick pine woods. Bitter 
 cold. Make our beds on crusted snow a foot deep ; twenty 
 miles. 
 
 December 24, weather moderating. March early to 
 ward Warrenton. Icy roads. Bad streams to ford. Plenty 
 of hay, corn, flour, and smoke houses full of hams. Halt in 
 the woods near Aestham river ; twenty- four miles. 
 
 Christmas. An early start, but slow progress. In 
 the rear of the column. Go hardly two miles by noon. Ford 
 the Aestham river, deep, swollen, rapid, full of floating ice. 
 
A VETERAN MARE TWENTY YEARS AFTER. 
 
 THE BATTLEFIELD OF MIDDLETOWN SHERIDAN S RIDE. 
 
THE FRONT ROYAL ROAD. 455 
 
 Roads narrow, crooked and icy. Some large stacks of hay 
 at Hedgeman river. The horses know a good thing when 
 they see it. They seem to want to help lift the surcingle 
 bundles upon their own backs. The stacks are carried along 
 to the stopping place. A hay brigade. Rest in the woods 
 by the river near Warrenton sulphur springs. A rainy 
 night. 
 
 December 26, on the march long before day. Raining 
 and very dark. Pass the ruins of the once fine buildings at 
 the springs. Through Jefferson, Warrenton and Salem. 
 Confederates circling around at a distance. Have a little 
 excitement with them. On the advance during the day, and 
 on picket to-night. Near Paris, thirty miles. 
 
 December 27, in the rear of the division. Ford at 
 Berry s ferry. Trouble in getting the droves of cattle and 
 sheep across the swollen river. At night reach our old 
 camp to find it dismantled and deserted. A cold, squally 
 night. Make the best of it in our little shelter tents ; twenty- 
 five miles. 
 
 The 3Oth, struck tents, packed up, and on the road soon 
 after daylight. Marched to Winchester, then out on the 
 Berryville road, then to the left, and halted in a large piece 
 of woods on a part of the battlefield of September 19 the 
 end of a typical winter scout. 
 
CHAPTER XLIII. 
 
 WINTER CAMP : RETROSPECTS AND 
 PROSPECTS. 
 
 Bf the first of January the new camp, Camp Russell, was 
 laid out in good order, and all were busy putting- up 
 substantial quarters. 
 
 General Powell s headquarters were in a fine stone 
 house two miles from Winchester. Colonel Capehart, com 
 manding the Second brigade, had his quarters in a large, 
 unfinished brick house half a mile from the camp of the 
 regiment toward the Opequon, near Wood s mills. The 
 First brigade was nearer town. The First division was 
 along the Front Royal pike, the Third along the Romney 
 road. Some of the infantry had been sent to Grant. What 
 was left lay between the town and Stephenson s Depot. 
 
 On looking over the past year s diary there was found 
 recorded the distance traveled on horseback in the line of 
 duty, 2,460 miles; the year s travel by railroad, mostly on 
 duty, including veteran furlough, amounted to 2,980 miles. 
 
 Winter quarters were made comfortable. There were 
 the four walls of logs, from three to five feet high. Over 
 these was a roof of canvas, or shelter tents fastened to 
 gether. An ample fireplace of brick or stone surmounted 
 by a chimney of sticks laid in mud, perhaps topped off with 
 a headless barrel. These huts, generally uniform in style, 
 smaller or larger according to the number of men in the 
 
 456 
 
ConrtPsy of M. Umbdenatock. 
 
 WILLIAM H. POWELL. 
 
WINTER CAMP : RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS. 457 
 
 different messes, were fitted up with bunks and many other 
 home-made conveniences. Comfortable stables were made. 
 
 There was leisure for reviewing records and bringing 
 reports up to date. There were some grievances to be sat 
 isfied. There were high officers whose dignity had to be 
 maintained, even if some one else had to suffer for it. A 
 brigade court martial was ordered. Colonel Capehart had 
 entered the service as a surgeon, but had preferred fighting 
 to healing, and had been advanced to a colonelcy. He had 
 done some good fighting. But he was sensitive. After a 
 day s march he had sent an officer to direct the regiment to 
 go into camp in a certain place. The place was unsuitable. 
 Adjutant Hinton, to whom the order was given, seeing the 
 unfitness of the position, half unconsciously said to himself 
 something about such an order being that of "a d d fool." 
 The words were overheard by the officer who had brought 
 the order. He reported the expression to the colonel as 
 being applied to him. 
 
 Also, Major Battersby had been acting as inspector 
 general. He had asked the adjutant to make out for him 
 a report of the inspection of the regiment. This the ad 
 jutant declined to do, saying it was not his place to do other 
 officers work for them. For these two things charges were 
 preferred against him for refusing to obey orders, and 
 disrespect to a superior officer. Before the court he ad 
 mitted that he had refused to make out the inspection re 
 port, and justified himself in doing so; it was not a part of 
 his work. He also admitted having used the words related 
 in the second charge. But he contended that they had not 
 been addressed directly to any person, nor used as specific 
 ally applying to any person. He had spoken the words 
 muttering to himself, and he was not amenable to the court 
 for what things he had seen fit to say to himself. The fact 
 that he had been overheard talking to himself did not make 
 
458 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the matter any more serious. He would say, moreover, that 
 if he had spoken the words in a way intended to be applied 
 to the complaining officer, or anyone who could issue such 
 an absurd order, he thought the charge would be susceptible 
 of proof. He was acquitted on both charges. 
 
 There were so many officers serving on staff duty that 
 some of the companies were short of officers. There was 
 no non-commissioned officer for one of the details on a 
 picket post, and a trusty private was appointed to take 
 charge of it. The field officer of the day with his escort 
 came in sight and the sentry on post called out, "Turn out 
 the guard Grand rounds!" No major general ever more 
 fully realized the responsibility of his position than did the 
 soldier in charge. He "turned out the guard/ and with a 
 flourish of his sabre saluted with a military presence that 
 attracted the special attention of the officer of the day, who 
 stopped to ask his command and rank. "Oi m sanyur 
 proivate, sor," was the acting corporal s reply. 
 
 Scouting parties were frequently sent out through the 
 country. But very few Confederates were seen. Still the 
 picket posts were kept strong, and were vigilant. 
 
 The 1 5th, General Powell held a review of his division, 
 and in a brief and appropriate speech took leave of his corn- 
 man. He was universally regarded as an able man, a com 
 petent general, a patriot of strong convictions, who was in 
 the service from a sense of duty. He was descended from 
 a sturdy ancestry, the Ironsides, Welsh Presbyterians, who 
 prayed, sang hymns, and fought under Cromwell. He had 
 been manager of extensive iron works. He gave up his 
 business and raised a company in the Second Loyal Vir 
 ginia cavalry. He was rapidly promoted; major, lieuten 
 ant colonel, colonel, brigadier general, and was brevetted 
 major general. He had been seriously wounded in the 
 breast in the attack and repulse at Wytheville, Va., July 
 
WINTER CAMP: RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS. 459 
 
 1 8, 1863, and left on the field, and taken prisoner. On the 
 charge of waging war in violation of the laws of war, he 
 was confined in a dungeon, an old coal hole in the basement 
 of Libby prison, with only the grating above for light and 
 air, and no mattress to rest on, in the heat of midsummer, 
 to die of his wound or to live, as might happen. After 
 nearly six weeks the charges were withdrawn, and he was 
 transferred to the regular prison. In January, 64, he was 
 paroled for thirty days for the purpose of securing the ex 
 change of Col. Richard H. Lee of the Confederate cav 
 alry. If the exchange could not be effected he was to re 
 turn, like the Roman Regulus, a prisoner. He bore to the 
 President the loyal greetings of his fellow prisoners. By 
 the special instructions of Mr. Lincoln the exchange was 
 made, and Powell returned to his command. His later 
 career was well known. He had taken part in thirty battles 
 and thirty-nine minor engagements. 
 
 After his term of service he became largely interested 
 in the iron business ; was urged to run for congress, but de 
 clined on account of business contracts. He was a presi 
 dential elector from West Virginia for Grant in 1868. 
 Later he was engaged in the iron business at Belleville, 111., 
 where he still (1902) resides. He has been commander of 
 the Department of 111., G. A. R., and was made collector of 
 internal revenue by President McKinley, his comrade in 
 arms and warm personal friend. 
 
 In war he was severe yet considerate. He was al 
 ways approachable. At Front Royal, at the request of a 
 Union soldier, he gave protection papers for the buildings 
 on the Wheatley farm where the soldier had been befriended. 
 The commanding officer of one of his regiments had sev 
 eral times been suddenly taken sick when there was a 
 prospect of a fight. There was a prospect of another fight, 
 and the officer, in front of his regiment, sent a messenger 
 
460 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 to the general asking to be excused, as he was again feeling 
 very sick. To the messenger the general said, "Tell him 
 that, sick or no sick, he has got to go into this fight." 
 
 It has been the writer s privilege to be entertained by 
 General Powell and his family. As a soldier he fought 
 hard; in civil life he was the plain, honored, genuine Chris 
 tian gentleman. 
 
 Major Timothy Quinn resigned January 4 a capable, 
 prompt, popular officer. He had always been successful, 
 and the men were sorry to have him go. Captain Martin- 
 dale was made major in his place. 
 
 Captains James H. Stevenson, Abram Jones and Lam 
 bert I. Simons, Major Daniel H. Harkins and Surgeon 
 Frederick Elliott had all been mustered out, their terms of 
 service having expired. 
 
 Captain Stevenson had served five years in the regular 
 cavalry and his experience was valuable. Before he became 
 captain he had served most of the time as adjutant, and on 
 brigade or division staff, and in this duty he was efficient. 
 As captain he looked well to the interests of his men. After 
 his discharge from the regiment he was made inspector 
 general on the staff of Gen. W. H. Seward at Martinsburg. 
 He studied law and became a real estate conveyancer in 
 Philadelphia, and was successful. During leisure intervals 
 he wrote "Boots and Saddles", a record of his experiences 
 and those of the regiment. Comrades were sure of a hearty 
 welcome in his elegant home. 
 
 Captain Jones also had served in the regular army. 
 He was thorough in his knowledge of the tactics and the 
 regulations; was cool, yet quick and fearless in action; un 
 pretending, yet full of resources; careful of his men, insist 
 ing on discipline, yet considerate and just. More prisoners 
 had been taken by detachments under his command than by 
 any other officer. No one ever heard from him an objec- 
 
WINTER CAMP: RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS. 461 
 
 tionable word, or heard of his doing an objectionable act. 
 No officer stood higher in the estimation of the men of the 
 regiment than he. His leaving was felt as a serious loss. 
 He is living, a useful citizen, at Los Angeles. 
 
 Dr. Elliott had done hard and faithful work in the field 
 and in the hospital. He had served as brigade and divis 
 ion medical officer. Many a poor sick or wounded man 
 could testify to Dr. Elliott s faithfulness. He did not spare 
 himself in caring for others. After resigning his commis 
 sion he was still retained as a civilian medical director in 
 the division until the close of the war when he resumed his 
 practice in New York. 
 
 Major Harkins had left the theatrical profession to be 
 come a soldier. He was one of the most active in the or 
 ganization of the regiment, and his company was the first 
 to be mustered in. During the last year he had served 
 most of the time on staff duty, having been Hunter s pro 
 vost marshal. After leaving the service he returned to 
 the stage and had a successful career. 
 
 Captain Simons later entered the navy and served a 
 number of years with credit. 
 
 To General Powell and others it seemed that after the 
 re-election of Lincoln and the recent decisive victories that 
 the end of the war was near. Should it prove otherwise 
 they would re-enter the service. 
 
 Some of the officers felt that they had good reasons 
 for leaving the regiment. There had been some elements of 
 discord among the officers. One of these was A. W. 
 Adams. The men of one of the German companies had 
 been persuaded, though very unwillingly, to accept him as 
 a lieutenant, upon his assurance that he would not be with 
 them long. He merely wanted this position as a means of 
 getting another, and the inference was that the position he 
 sought was in some other department. But when the 
 
462 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 twelve companies were organized into three battalions, to 
 the surprise of almost every one, he was suggested as major 
 of the Second battalion, over captains of experience and 
 ability. It was reported that he had done some political 
 service for some one in high position. It was evident that 
 he had some of the elements of a successful politician. His 
 knowledge of military matters was at first very slight. His 
 inaccuracies and mistakes had made him an object of 
 ridicule. 
 
 And now he was colonel. The officers who had hon 
 estly protested against his successive promotions, and who 
 had repeatedly preferred charges against him for general 
 inefficiency and other offenses, which, through his "in 
 fluence" had come to nothing, thinking it might be uncom 
 fortable, at least inconsistent, to serve under him, chose to 
 leave the service when their terms expired, or seek other 
 positions. 
 
 At Nineveh the colonel had shown that he was not 
 wanting in courage. He had gradually been picking up 
 some knowledge of military matters. Perhaps the situation 
 would not be altogether intolerable. Those who could not 
 get him out, nor get out themselves, made up their minds 
 to make the best of it. It looked as if the war were com 
 ing to an end before long, and they would do their part in 
 fighting to the finish. Some new lieutenants were made, 
 who had won their way from privates. 
 
 There was some gayety in the leisure of the winter 
 camp. January 24, Colonel Capehart gave a grand ball at 
 brigade headquarters. There were less pretentious enter 
 tainments in the quarters of other officers. One evening 
 Lieut. McReynolds was entertaining, when the colonel 
 walked in, like Henry VIII. at the masked ball of his car 
 dinal. The men of Co. K had built fine quarters for Mc 
 Reynolds. The colonel complained that a lieutenant should 
 
WINTER CAMP: RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS. 463 
 
 have better quarters than himself. The colonel was made 
 to feel at home and the merriment ran high. At a late 
 hour the party broke up, and the lieutenant retired. An 
 hour later the familiar voice of one of the guests was heard, 
 "Frank, Frank, come out here and show me the way to my 
 own tent." For an hour he had been treading in a circle 
 around the quarters of his host. 
 
 February I, the whole cavalry corps was reviewed by 
 Gen. Sheridan. It was a large and imposing review. 
 
 Major Battersby was now made lieutenant colonel. 
 Captain Bailey was made major and provost marshal of the 
 corps. Though detached, he was always ready to do what 
 he could for any worthy man in the regiment. Savacool 
 succeeded Bailey as captain two well-earned promotions. 
 
 In 1876, the writer was wandering through the grounds 
 of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, when from 
 an inviting booth came the call, "Lemonade here! Five 
 cents a glass!" The voice sounded familiar. The wan 
 derer was attracted by it, and turned aside to hear it again. It 
 was the voice of a bold captain, once accustomed to be heard 
 in the roar of battle, but now attuned to the vocations of 
 peace. There was a pleasant visit with the genial captain, 
 during which he related his experiences in several enter 
 prises for ministering to the needs of his fellow men, and 
 now was running this "shebang" and apparently with great 
 success. 
 
 There were a number of worthy men who were not 
 to take part in the final campaign. Some of these had en 
 tered the service, and continued in it, at a personal sacri 
 fice. They had remained until the end was in sight. Then 
 they had felt justified in retiring to follow the careers which 
 they had planned. 
 
 Frederick A. Nims had served as A. A. O. M. and 
 A. A. C. S. on the staff of Brig. Gen. I. N. Palmer, from 
 
464 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 October, 61, to July, 62. From September, 62 , to 
 March, 63, he had been A. A. A. G. to Col. McReynolds, 
 commanding cavalry brigade; from March to July, 63, he 
 was A. D. C. to Brig. Gen. W. L. Elliott ; from September, 
 63, to Nov., 64, he was A. D. C. on the staff of Brig. 
 Gen. J. C. Sullivan. He was a man of scholarly attain 
 ments, and is now (1902) a successful lawyer of Muskegon, 
 Michigan, interested in all public affairs, and losing none of 
 his interest in the remiscences of the regiment. 
 
 Erwin C. Watkins entered the service as a corporal in 
 Co. K. He distinguished himself at Mechanicsville. He 
 led the advance at Capon bridge, and at Millwood led the 
 night attack on the band of Confederates that had captured 
 the stage in January, 63 ; he was for six months chief of 
 scouts in the Valley; served on Hunter s staff, and on the 
 staff of the commander of the cavalry corps. He had been 
 active in all the campaigns, and in half a hundred fights. 
 He had been mustered out of the regiment to accept an ap 
 pointment as A. A. G. on the staff of Gen. Wm. H. Seward, 
 commanding at Martinsburg. Returning to civil life, he 
 became a prominent lawyer at Grand Rapids, Michigan, still 
 feeling an honest pride in the records of the regiment in 
 which he served. 
 
 Henry M. Nevius, a native of New Jersey, when nine 
 teen was a law student in the office of Russell A. Alger. In 
 June, 6 1, he enlisted as a private in Co. K. After suc 
 cessive promotions he was made regimental Q. M. sergeant. 
 He was active in all the campaigns of the regiment until 
 the last day of 1862, when he was discharged to become a 
 lieutenant in the Seventh Michigan cavalry, in Custer s 
 brigade. A year later he was called home to New Jersey 
 by the governor, to be commissioned in a New Jersey regi 
 ment. The conditions were such that he would not accept, 
 and he enlisted as a private in the 25th New York cavalry. 
 
FREDERICK A. NIMS. 
 
 ERWIN C. WATKINS. 
 
 B. F MCREYNOLDS. 
 
 HENRY M: 
 
WINTER CAMP: RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS. 465 
 
 He became a first lieutenant and finally major. July 1 1, 64, 
 in leading a charge against Early s forces outside the de 
 fences of Washington, he lost his left arm, the third wound 
 he had received. He was a gallant cavalry officer. After 
 the war he became an eminent lawyer, and an eloquent 
 political speaker. He was a state senator, and was presi 
 dent of the senate. He has always been active in the Loyal 
 Legion and in the Grand Army. He has been commander 
 of the Department of New Jersey G. A. R. Although a 
 resident of Monmouth county, he was, in 1896, appointed 
 judge of the circuit court of Hudson county. His interest 
 in his first regiment has never abated. 
 
 The genial Lieutenant Frank McReynolds was obliged, 
 on account of physical disability, to ask for his discharge. 
 He had served as commissary of the regiment, and also in 
 the commissary department of the brigade and of the div 
 ision. On his retirement a highly commendatory letter was 
 given him by his commanding officer. For many years he 
 has held the responsible position of secretary of the Board 
 of Fire and Police commissioners of Grand Rapids. 
 
 There were capable men in the ranks who enjoyed do 
 ing their duty without caring for promotion. They became 
 well known throughout the ranks, and their cheerful serv 
 ice was a healthful feature of camp life. They were never 
 discouraged or depressed. They sang in the camp; they 
 sang on the march. They sang and shouted as they went 
 into a charge. Their singing acted as a tonic. 
 
 A lad had grown up singing among the oyster beds of 
 Long Island Sound. And day after day in the first camp 
 in Elm Park, Jerome Bell, a hearty, cheerful, robust man 
 gifted with a stentorian voice, was called upon to sing "The 
 Star Spangled Banner." He had sung, as well as fought, 
 his way through his term of service. He had done his 
 comrades good by his singing. He was missed in this win- 
 
466 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ter camp. The Confederate authorities had interfered with 
 his re-enlisting : they held him prisoner. 
 
 October 16, 63, Captain Leavitt had found the enemy 
 in force near Berryville. That afternoon Lieut. New in 
 vited a few select friends to ride with him toward Berry 
 ville. Lumphrey, known as "Frenchy", Dorman and Bell 
 were on the advance. "Miss Alice," a Union girl visiting a 
 Union family this side of the town, informed them there 
 were no armed rebels in Berryville. There had not been 
 when she came from there, but they had come in immedi 
 ately after she left. The advance went on and after dark, 
 looking through the window of a house where they hoped 
 to get some supper, they saw four Confederate officers eat 
 ing supper. Their appetites left them, and coining out of 
 the town they passed the night in a down pour of rain. The 
 next clay they tried to learn the situation. They encount 
 ered the enemy in small force and skirmished with them 
 until every horse and man had been hit by bullets. A whole 
 regiment was after them. Bell s horse went down in a 
 heap. He took his course through the tall grass of a 
 meadow. His scabbard became entangled among his legs 
 and threw him. Bullets from a hundred yards fell thick 
 about him. He reached some woods beyond the meadow, 
 where he sat down on a fallen tree to rest, reload his empty 
 revolvers, and, as he hoped, see the enemy march past, when 
 he would take the overland route for Martinsburg. But a 
 few of them found him and took him back beyond the town. 
 Here, around a stump that served as a guard house, he met 
 his comrades, Stuart and Fred McNeil. Here also he made 
 the acquaintance of General Imboden, Mosby, White and 
 the Captain McNeil who always carried a double-barreled 
 rifle, and who captured Captain Battersby beyond Romney, 
 in October, 62. 
 
 Imboden questioned Bell about the forces at Martins- 
 
WINTER CAMP : RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS. 467 
 
 burg and Charlestown. There was a division at the former 
 place, artillery, infantry and cavalry, while at Charlestown 
 there were only a few hundred. Bell informed his ques 
 tioner that the reverse was the case a large force at 
 Charlestown, and a small one at Martinsburg, and impressed 
 him with the appearance of a nervous apprehension lest he 
 should attack Martinsburg, where Bell knew he would be 
 sure of a warm reception. Finally Imboden asked him to 
 what regiment he belonged. "To the First New York cav 
 alry." Then I am not surprised that you are such an in 
 fernal liar, if you belong to that regiment/ 
 
 The prisoners watched Imboden s command as it 
 marched toward Charlestown, wishing that they might in 
 some magical way give the Union forces there notice of 
 what was coming. Bell tried to slip away from his guard, 
 and thought he had almost succeeded, but he was caught and 
 brought back to the stump. The prisoners heard the firing 
 at Charlestown. They saw Imboden s command come back 
 with their few hundred prisoners, the men elated with their 
 success, but hastening along the way, evidently fearing pur 
 suit. Winans was added to their number. They took up 
 their weary way through the Luray valley southward. In 
 passing through Harrisonburg the victors were heartily 
 cheered. The women were especially enthusiastic. They 
 cheered, and sang, and shouted themselves hoarse, waving 
 flags, handkerchiefs or anything within reach. To offset 
 this demonstration, Bell, with mighty voice struck up, 
 "We ll Rally round the Flag, Boys," laying particular em 
 phasis on the chorus, when Captain Imboden, a brother of 
 the general, who, up to that time had been doffing his cap 
 to the ladies, right and left, broadly smiling his acknowl 
 edgements of their enthusiastic cheers, rode up and clipped 
 Bell over the head with his sabre he has the scar to this 
 day and told him to "stop that d d singing." He seemed 
 
468 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 to be mad about something. The singer did stop for a 
 little while, and then struck up again. The guards enjoyed 
 hearing him sing, and they let him sing. A Lieut. Silver- 
 ton kindly gave some extra hard tack and other things to 
 eat, to this squad of prisoners. While they were passing 
 through the streets of Richmond some of the "Home 
 guards" that lined the streets expressed sympathy for them; 
 others reviled them. Some kind friends handed each a 
 small loaf of bread, so long as the loaves lasted. The most 
 of them could have enjoyed several loaves. One of the 
 guard, a tall, lanky fellow, came to Bell and asked him to 
 sing "that Bar Stangled Spanner song" that he had sung 
 while on the way up the Valley. In reply to an expression 
 of fear that the "Home guard" would not like it, he assured 
 the prisoner that the guards would take care of the "Home 
 guard." Bell struck up the national anthem, and singing it 
 the captives passed through the doors of Pemberton prison. 
 
 After awhile the prisoners were taken to Belle Isle. 
 Here on the first of January were 15,000 men with insuffi 
 cient shelter, clothing and food. Three times that winter 
 did the James river freeze over. In sight of these suffering 
 prisoners was the stately mansion of Jefferson Davis. 
 Tempting offers were made to these half-starved men to in 
 duce them to go over to Richmond and work at their trades, 
 if they had any. The offers were refused. 
 
 On this island were old and leaking tents for 3,000 of 
 the 15,000 prisoners. The rest had no shelter. In one 
 tent were several Tennessee men, taken at Chickamauga, 
 good, whole-souled fellows. Bell was in with them. One 
 of their number, named Green, had a chance to help cook 
 for the prisoners. He would come inside the gate at times, 
 bringing some rye coffee and some very fat meat for these 
 men. They would start Bell to singing, and he would come 
 in for a share. He sang, not for the extra rations, but the 
 
WINTER CAMP: RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS. 469 
 
 extra rations helped him out, and his singing helped the 
 other prisoners. 
 
 In time 500 were to be paroled and exchanged. Once 
 on board the exchange steamer, there was the call "Fall in 
 for rations," and what rations ! Great loaves of soft white 
 bread, slabs of boiled ham, and Lincoln coffee! On their 
 way north they saw Confederate prisoners in comfortable 
 barracks, well cared for, expending their surplus energy in 
 playing ball, while 350 of their own number, on reaching 
 Annapolis were so debilitated that they were sent to the 
 hospital. 
 
 Bell returned to the regiment in time to go with Hunter 
 on his expedition to Lynchburg, and on the retreat across 
 the mountains and back to the Valley "a march of some 
 thing like 220,000 miles, more or less," and living for sev 
 eral days on parched corn was a life in Paradise compared 
 with that in rebel prisons. 
 
 Bell returned to his home at City Island, greatly re 
 spected by his neighbors who repeatedly chose him to local 
 offices of responsibility and trust. He was active in bring 
 ing about the first reunion. Some of these men, meeting 
 for the first time in years, as they grasped each other by the 
 hand and looked in each other s faces, were scarcely able to 
 speak as their comradeship in prison and in the field came 
 back to them. 
 
 A small force went out from Martinsburg to Smith- 
 field, in 63. Captain Blackford of this place had raised a 
 company in the vicinity, and he and his men had been riding 
 around the neighborhood hoping to pick up some wandering 
 Federals. A collision occurred, followed by a wild and furi 
 ous chase. Blackford s men scattered along the forking 
 roads and through the fields and woods. By two s and 
 three s the pursuers followed them. Captain Jones got 
 ahead of his men, and encountered two of the enemy, who 
 
470 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 shot him in one of his fingers, and then surrounded him, 
 taking him prisoner. Bell and Thompson of Co. H saw all 
 this from a distance, and rode to the captain s rescue. His 
 captors were routed. Then the captain and Bell rode after 
 Blackford. In his headlong flight through a rock-cut in 
 the road the Confederate s horse stumbled and fell. His 
 rider went over the horse s head with such momentum that 
 he slid a long distance on his face in the stony, down-hill 
 road. His captors remounted him and brought him to his 
 own home in Smithfield. It was with squalid hair and 
 beard, a bruised and torn, dirt-besmeared and gory front, 
 that he was presented to his horrified wife and three grown 
 up daughters. He looked as if he might have been dragged 
 on the ground from the place of his capture. "How 
 changed was he from that Hector" who a little while before 
 had gone out from that same home in his bright, gold-laced 
 uniform, expecting to return loaded with the spoils of his 
 enemies. It was a furious tirade that the ladies gave the 
 two Union soldiers. But the Confederate was not so badly 
 hurt as he looked, and after a cleaning up he and they felt 
 better. Captain Jones talked to them in a friendly way. It 
 was all the fault of the stumbling horse. He had himself, 
 a little while ago, been a prisoner. He showed them his 
 bleeding finger. He and the other captain had merely 
 changed places. Such was the chance of war, and Black- 
 ford moved on with his captors to serve his time in a 
 "Northern bastile." 
 
 In the Berry ville fight of October 16, was William 
 Winans. His own horse was disabled, and he was that day 
 riding Skerry s well-known, trim, brown horse. While 
 others fell by the way in the hot pursuit, this 
 horse, that was a darling for a long run, carried 
 his rider through to Charlestown. But while Im- 
 boden was fighting at Charlestown, Winans took his 
 
WINTER CAMP: RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS. 471 
 
 chances in an attempt to escape on his own horse. But he 
 was intercepted and his horse killed under him. He was 
 taken to Belle Isle. He was slight built and not strong. 
 His sufferings during that cold winter, with scant shelter 
 and scant rations, were beyond description. But he sur 
 vived to rejoin his command in 64. July 25, at Martinsburg, 
 a piece of the brass fuse cap of the shell that exploded in the 
 ranks of his company entered the point of his shoulder, 
 passed eight inches along the shoulder blade, and was im 
 bedded among the muscles. His arm hung helpless. He 
 went to a hill in the rear where the surgeons were busy 
 with wounded men. His arm was looked at, and a surgeon 
 told him to go to the hospital in the town. He replied, "The 
 rebels will be in town in an hour. I have been a prisoner 
 once, and I don t want to be again." "How dare you dis 
 obey me? Go to the hospital at once!" He started in that 
 direction, but when out of sight he struck for the Williams- 
 port road. Weak and faint from the loss of blood, he kept 
 on his way until he was overtaken by a retreating battery. 
 Some of the men had been killed, and he was allowed to 
 ride in one of the vacant places. At dark his own regiment 
 overtook him. When his own company came up he asked 
 Captain Battersby if he could get a horse for him to ride. 
 The captain kindly took pains to get one from another com 
 pany, but it had no saddle or bridle. His comrades lifted 
 him on and led his horse. As he afterwards said, "This 
 was my last ride with the old regiment." After lying all 
 night on a kitchen floor, without food, and faint from bleed 
 ing, he next day rode on the seat with the driver of an 
 ambulance, and finally, after fourteen days of traveling and 
 suffering, the poisonous fragment of the shell was taken 
 from his shoulder. For the rest of his life he was a sufferer, 
 but he bore up with the spirit of a hero. 
 
 An officer had occasion to go to Baltimore. At the 
 station at Frederick was a poor fellow so emaciated and 
 weak that he could not stand. He could scarcely speak 
 
472 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 above a whisper. How he had succeeded in getting from 
 the hospital to the station no one could tell. Some com 
 rades must have helped him there and then disappeared. 
 The man had no furlough. To go away without one was 
 desertion. He asked to be helped into the car. "Where do 
 you want to go?" In a voice that could scarcely be heard 
 he replied: "I want to go home." "Where is your 
 home?" "In Con-nect-icut, and I want to go there." 
 He was carefully lifted into the car, and a place was made 
 for him to lie down, for he was too weak to sit up. The 
 conductor did not ask for his fare, and no armed guard 
 asked to see his pass or his furlough. 
 
 At Baltimore members of some relief committee were 
 at hand with an easy carriage, and strong men and gentle 
 women tenderly cared for the helpless man. Relays of such 
 relief committees helped him on his way to his home where 
 those of his own family might nurse him back to life and 
 health, or might watch over him as his life passed away. If 
 he must die, he wanted to die in the midst of his family. 
 
 There were cases of homesickness that could not be 
 told. Heroism in action was honored. There was heroism 
 in suffering that was equally heroic, but unrecorded. 
 
 Peter Bockoven, of Canoga, N. Y., was mustered in 
 with Co. B. After some weeks of service he was taken 
 seriously ill with a fever. There was no hospital and he 
 was cared for in the home of a friend. The regiment moved 
 on. After a long convalescence he went to his home and 
 waited long to recover his full health. In a fit of impa 
 tience the orderly sergeant reported him a deserter. When 
 he had become strong, as he thought, anxious to do the best 
 service he could, and not caring to take time to correct the 
 record that had been made, he joined the 8th New York 
 cavalry, an excellent regiment that was being raised at his 
 home. Here he served until his health again failed, and he 
 died in hospital, a soldier of unimpeachable honor, but un 
 fortunate in his record. 
 
CHAPTER XLIV. 
 TO GRANT S ARMY. 
 
 OLONEL ADAMS was on leave of absence on ac- 
 V count of a lame foot, the result of a fall of his horse, 
 and Lieut. Col. Battersby was in command. At Custer s 
 request, the regiment had been transferred to the Third 
 brigade of the Third division, Custer s. A detachment 
 under Major Martindale, with some other forces, was to be 
 left at Winchester, to keep watch in the Valley. 
 
 The First division under Merritt and the Third under 
 Custer, with Capehart s brigade of the Second, 10,000 in 
 all, started at daylight of February 27. It was a wet, cold 
 day. Reached Woodstock, 30 miles. The next day the 
 army marched to Lacy s Springs, six miles from Harrison- 
 burg, another 30 miles. The next day at Mt. Crawford, 
 Rosser was waiting with several hundred men, entrenched, 
 and prepared to dispute the crossing of the Middle river. 
 Custer kept the attention of the enemy by keeping up an 
 action in front, while he directed the First New York to 
 make a circuit far enough to the rear to be out of sight of 
 the enemy, to cross the river far enough above the bridge to 
 answer the purpose, and then to fall upon the enemy s flank 
 and rear. The men had to swim the river. After some 
 delay and considerable discomfort, pouring water out of 
 boots and wringing out their stockings, they were ready. 
 
 A lot of active men were Major Young s corps of 
 
 473 
 
474 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 scouts. Among them were a number of men from different 
 companies of the regiment. Among them was Valentine 
 who delighted in riding a free horse and wielding a free 
 lance. He did not have to wait for the regiment. As he 
 rode past it he could not resist the temptation to call out, 
 "Well, colonel, General McClellan isn t making as good 
 time to-day as he made in the races at Berryville, is he?" A 
 bullet struck his scabbard, and in some mysterious way fol 
 lowed around the calf of his leg, without doing any particu 
 lar injury but leaving its mark. 
 
 The regiment with drawn sabres and loud shouts, and 
 supported by the First West Virginia, bore down on the 
 enemy s flank. The enemy \vere unprepared to withstand 
 this charge, and broke and fled in confusion. They were 
 pursued several miles, losing their wagons and many 
 prisoners. 
 
 March 2, it began to rain at daylight, and it rained 
 lightly all day. Passed through Staunton and out toward 
 Waynesborough, twelve miles southeast of Staunton, on the 
 road to Rockfish Gap over the Blue Ridge. Here \vas Early 
 with his last 2,500 men, entrenched, proposing to make good 
 his boast that Sheridan s 10,000 should never pass through 
 that gap. Custer maneuvred awhile till he had his men in 
 the proper positions, when different forces were to break 
 upon the enemy from different directions, the First and 
 Eighth New York in front, others on the flanks, and the 
 rest a little in the rear to follow closely as supports. Those 
 in front did not wait for their supports, but with loud cheers 
 burst with an irresistible momentum, riding over the en 
 trenchments and among the routed enemy. The attacking 
 regiments and Capehart s brigade joined in the wild pur 
 suit until the spoils of the battle were 1,600 prisoners, n 
 guns, 17 battle flags, and 200 loaded wagons. Custer lost 
 less than a dozen men. It was an overwhelming route. 
 
To GRANT S ARMY. 475 
 
 In the pursuit it was every man for himself and what he 
 could get. Valentine overhauled Early s quartermaster who 
 had on his person $10,000 in Confederate money. 
 
 Sheridan continued his policy of not resting after a 
 victory. All night in the rain he pushed on through the 
 gap, and at two o clock the next afternoon he was in Char- 
 lottesville. The civil authorities of the place formally sur 
 rendered it to the conquering general. The few hundred of 
 Early s men that had succeeded in evading capture were 
 scattered among the mountains, the most of them going to 
 their homes. They were never again met as an organized 
 body. 
 
 The rebel war clerk writes: "It is rumored that Gen 
 eral Early has been beaten again at Waynesboro. We must 
 have a victory soon, else Virginia is irretrievably lost. Gen 
 eral Early s army is scattered to the winds. It is reported 
 that General Lee s family is preparing to leave the city. 
 Reported that General Early, when last seen, was flying, and 
 pursued by some fifteen well-mounted Federals, only fifty 
 paces in his rear. " 
 
 A little incident related by Fiala of Co. E "When the 
 charge was made and the battle at Waynesboro was going 
 on, Co. E was guard at headquarters. Lieutenant Kneif 
 brought a dispatch and said to me : Fiala, as your horse is 
 the best in the company, you must take this dispatch to 
 Major Bailey, provost marshal of the corps. I thought this 
 was the last of me, as I knew the roads were very bad and 
 full of runaway rebels. But they must have been as bad off 
 as I was, for I did not get into any trouble only once in 
 awhile a suspicious glance. I had to pass between two farm 
 houses. I did not see any men, but some women stood out 
 side and looked as if they would like to question me. I took 
 no notice and went on. 
 
 When I delivered my dispatch the major, after reading 
 
476 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 it, placed it in the envelope again, and said: I have no 
 orderly to spare. You may as well take it to the colonel 
 of the so-called First New York Veterans. I found them 
 about half a mile from Waynesboro, encamped on a hill. 
 While I was seeking the colonel one of the officers wanted 
 to take it; but the colonel coming up said: I want you to 
 dismount when you bring a dispatch to me. I dismounted, 
 made a salute, gave him the dispatch, remounted, and left, 
 thinking he w r as rather particular about regulations such bad 
 weather. I believe the dispatch was an order for him and 
 his regiment to take the prisoners back to Winchester." 
 
 This colonel had been observed when riding into a 
 town, to take out a pocket mirror, and looking in it, care 
 fully adjust his moustache and pendent whiskers. At one 
 time he questioned the regularity of the way in which an 
 order from General Sheridan came to him. This being re 
 ported to Sheridan, he lost no time in sending another order 
 "in the regular way," relieving the colonel from his 
 command. 
 
 At Charlottesville General Sheridan asked Major 
 Young of the scouts to have four of them report for special 
 service. They were provided with good horses and, dressed 
 in gray, set out with dispatches for Winchester. They set 
 out before daylight and rode rapidly, avoiding the main 
 roads and larger towns. But on the way they met two of 
 Gilmore s men who had been prisoners at Winchester. These 
 recognized Dunn, one of the four. It was debated among 
 the four whether it would be better to let them go, or take 
 them prisoners, and tie them up in the woods, trusting that 
 some one would in time release them when the scouts were 
 well out of the way. They were allowed to go. But while 
 taking their next breakfast at a house near Rude s Hill, the 
 house was surrounded by twenty or more Gilmore s men 
 and citizens. The two whom they had met and allowed to 
 
To GRANT S ARMY. 477 
 
 pass had managed this capture. The scouts were taken to 
 Staunton and placed in the jail yard, their good suits taken 
 and old clothing given them. Here were about two hun 
 dred of Sheridan s men who had fallen behind and had been 
 picked up. Luckily some of Wilson s cavalry were raiding 
 in the vicinity. In the confusion in the night the scouts 
 escaped. In leaving they saw what led them to suspect that 
 preparations had been made for hanging them as spies. 
 They made good time the rest of that night. In the morn 
 ing they saw four horses saddled and tied to a fence near 
 a house. They cautiously drew near, untied the horses, 
 mounted and were off. They were cavalrymen s horses, 
 with pistols in holsters. At Rude s Hill the men saw that 
 they were followed by a squad of horsemen. The bridge 
 east of the Meem bottom was gone. The river was swollen 
 and swift, but they had to swim it. Stern s horse was car 
 ried down stream and drowned, but his comrades helped 
 Stern over. They reached Winchester safely. 
 
 After a rest they were given new suits and fresh horses 
 and started out again. With many fast rides and narrow 
 escapes they, in their trip of 150 miles, overtook Sheridan 
 in the vicinity of Richmond. 
 
 At Charlottesville some of the men, who were practical 
 printers, took possession of a printing office and issued a 
 special edition, advertising, with the old-time cuts of runa 
 way slaves, offering large rewards for the finding and return 
 of "My boy Jube," and "My man Rosser." 
 
 Captain O Brien, provost marshal of the division, cap 
 tured among other things, a lot of correspondence among 
 Confederate officers of high rank. These letters indicated 
 anything but harmony among the writers. They contained 
 spicy accusations of inefficiency. 
 
 The prisoners had been sent back under guard to Win 
 chester. Now Sheridan s hands were free for new work 
 
4?78 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 that he had to do break lines of communication, tear up 
 railroads, and destroy whatever property might be service 
 able to the enemy. 
 
 Charlottesville was the home of Jefferson, and the seat 
 of the University of Virginia. Here the soldiers of Bur- 
 goyne s army, surrendered at Saratoga, were kept as pris 
 oners. When in 1/81, Tarleton raided this part of the state, 
 Jefferson and members of the legislature barely escaped 
 capture. In anticipation of such a raid from Cornwallis 
 army the prisoners had been removed, some to Winchester 
 and some of Frederick, Md. 
 
 After waiting at Charlottesville two days, Sheridan 
 divided his command and went to destroying whatever 
 would be of service to the Confederate government and 
 army. He let Lynchburg alone, and made for other points. 
 One column moved to Scottsville on the James river; an 
 other to New Market on the same river. One moved along 
 the river and canal to Duguidsville, hoping there to cross 
 the James. The Confederates had burned the bridge. They 
 followed along the canal, breaking embankments, destroy 
 ing locks and bridges, to Columbia and Goochland. Fac 
 tories and mills that could make anything to help the army 
 were destroyed. 
 
 Then striking toward the northeast Sheridan crossed 
 the Pamunkey at the White House, with occasional rests and 
 by leisurely marches, as if he felt at home in the country 
 and had no fears ; he passed over the ground on which Mc- 
 Clellan conducted his Peninsula campaign, crossed the 
 James and the Appomattox, and on the 26th of March was 
 resting beside the army that was besieging the last strong 
 hold of the Confederacy. 
 
CHARLES KAYSER. 
 
 NAPOLEON VALENTINE. 
 
 WILLIAM H. BEACH. 
 
 ANTHONY. <?JAU-; ; V , 
 
CHAPTER XLV. 
 THE LAST RAID UP THE VALLEY. 
 
 ^ I ^HE cavalry that had been left about Winchester did 
 not rest in absolute quiet and security while Sheridan 
 was riding across the country to Grant. Scouts were out 
 continually to learn the news. It was "bad weather under 
 foot." There were scouts in hot haste, all hands. New 
 horses that showed a disinclination to be mounted, and others 
 whose condition suggested the expression, "Go it, ye crip 
 ples !", all had to do their part. 
 
 The first of April, two days before Richmond was evac 
 uated, there was a midnight call for every man having a 
 serviceable horse to "saddle up." There were about two 
 hundred of the regiment here at the time, those who had 
 stayed with Martindale, a few who had come back from 
 Waynesborough with Early s men as prisoners, and some 
 who had come up from Remount Camp. Details from 
 these and from parts of other regiments numbered three hun 
 dred. It was the morning of the 2nd when they started 
 up the familiar pike. They forded Cedar creek, that was 
 up to their saddles. At Strasburg they halted to rest and 
 feed. To "rest" meant to unsaddle, rub down the horses 
 thoroughly, and after feeding, saddle them again. Late in 
 the afternoon they reached Woodstock and bivouacked in 
 some woods by the side of the pike and near Pugh s creek, 
 a small stream over beyond a hill. Rails were getting 
 
 479 
 
4-80 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 scarce in this part of the enemy s country. Pickets were 
 posted. A scouting party was sent into town, two miles 
 beyond. Horses were unsaddled, groomed, and saddled 
 again. They were to remain saddled and the men were to 
 rest with their arms at hand all night. 
 
 Two hours before daylight there was an alarm. A 
 number of shots were fired in quick succession. Men 
 sprang to their horses. Captain Daber of the German bat 
 talion called out, "Fall in mit your carbines!" How the 
 Confederates got inside the line of pickets, who were sup 
 posed to be within hailing distance of each other, without 
 being challenged, was not known. Knowing all the coun 
 try they found some way to slip in. But apparently they 
 went away, and all was quiet. Some of the men thought it 
 must have been a false alarm, and there had not been any 
 Confederates there at all, and went to sleep again. 
 
 But at daybreak they were there, in reality, right in the 
 camp, firing right and left, and calling upon the suddenly 
 awakened men to surrender. The most of Daber s men got 
 away to come back a little later. 
 
 Le Moyne Burleigh had gone with Sheridan as far as 
 Waynesborough when, on account of the condition of his 
 horse, he had returned to Winchester. Now he was on this 
 last raid. . He was not one of the first to awake on the morn 
 ing of this attack. When he reached his horse and was 
 untying him, he was seized from behind, struck on the head 
 with a revolver, and told to "surrender!" The man who 
 made the demand was in gray. Our scouts were generally 
 in gray. Not wishing to have any serious mistake made, 
 Burleigh asked, "Who are you?" "I m a rebel," was the 
 unexpected reply. Burleigh s impulse was to fight, but on 
 looking around he saw there were too many at hand, and 
 one of these had snapped his revolver at him, it missing fire, 
 and now was aiming another at his head with the chance 
 
THE LAST RAID UP THE VALLEY. 481 
 
 that this might go off. He surrendered, was disarmed and 
 hurried to the rear. Here under guard was Welch of the 
 same regiment. A sergeant major armed with a sabre and 
 three revolvers, one in his belt and two in his boots, marched 
 the two prisoners away. They had heard the Union bugle 
 sound the "rally", and were looking for the cavalry to make 
 a charge upon their captors. The charge was made as ex 
 pected, and the Confederates were routed. But the pris 
 oners were hurried by their guards through some woods, 
 across a field, over a brook, through a torn-down fence and 
 across another field. Here the horses of some of the enemy 
 had been tied. The two prisoners were mounted on one horse 
 and taken across the country to the pike, and then toward 
 the south. 
 
 Burleigh asked his guard "who they all were." "Oh, 
 we re rebels." "I supposed that. Do you belong to Ros- 
 ser?" "No; we re Imboden s men," rather reluctantly. 
 "What regiment?" "Twenty-third rifles." 
 
 O Farrel, now a lieutenant colonel, was in command of 
 the larger body which they soon joined. He directed the 
 two prisoners to ride "alongside", and asked many questions 
 about the forces at Winchester and elsewhere. They were 
 too sharp, with all their apparent frankness, to give answers 
 of any value. The whole party were nervously watching to 
 see if the Union cavalry were following them. A Major 
 Calamy asked for their greenbacks. They had none. He 
 asked after some of the officers of the regiment. He seemed 
 to know something about Col. Adams and Lieut. Col. Bat- 
 tersby, and Major Young of the scouts, and expressed a 
 favorable opinion of all of them. The captors traded boots 
 and other articles with the prisoners, always getting the best 
 of the trade. 
 
 They went on to New Market, the guard pointing out 
 the graves of the Federals who had died there the previous 
 
482 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 summer, and the part of the mountain where Boycl and his 
 command met their disaster. As they stopped to rest in 
 front of a house a woman came out and gave the prisoners 
 a "turnover" apple pie. In reply to their thanks she re 
 marked that she could show that much kindness anyway." 
 At other places their guard, Powell, would ask at houses for 
 luncheon, and was given white bread and apple butter the 
 latter a favorite relish in many Virginia families. 
 
 They stayed that night at New Market, sleeping on the 
 floor before a fire, the guard keeping watch over them. The 
 next morning they were crowded into an old stage and sent 
 on to Harrisonburg. Here they found more prisoners, and 
 the next day were sent in the stage to Staunton. From 
 Staunton to Lexington they went on foot. Here in the 
 guard house were men who had been sent as prisoners to 
 Lynchburg, and returned. These reported the progress of 
 Grant s army. Among them was Jerome B. Pomeroy of 
 Co. K, familiarly known as "Bony." 
 
 The prisoners now numbered fourteen. Over them 
 were eighteen guards. Only nine of the fourteen prisoners 
 could be depended on for fighting, but these determined to 
 make the attempt to escape. 
 
 They were stopping a night at Zollmaivs, a deserted 
 country store on the bank of Buffalo creek. An hour after 
 midnight big Dick Norrish, noticing that the prisoners were 
 all awake, gave the signal that had been agreed upon, say 
 ing with apparent carelessness "True blue s the word." 
 All sprang from their blankets, rushed upon the guards at 
 the doors, seized their arms, then made for those outside. 
 They captured all the guard. They marched them twelve 
 miles to a ferry, that was moved by a wire rope and the cur 
 rent, across Buffalo creek. Here they left their prisoners 
 their late guards, on one side of the creek, while they hur- 
 
THE LAST RAID UP THE VALLEY. 483 
 
 riedly marched away from the other side. At sunrise they 
 had reached the mountains. 
 
 Hiding by day and walking by night, guided by a former 
 soldier of the Anderson Zouaves, named Mitchell, who had 
 saved himself from hanging by taking the oath of allegiance 
 to the Confederacy, they reached the house of a Union 
 farmer named Coin, near Lynchburg. Here the hospitable 
 family kept them till morning. Lynchburg was in posses 
 sion of the Union forces. Lee had surrendered, and the 
 war was ended. The late prisoners were sent to City Point 
 and home. 
 
 Le Moyne Burleigh, one of the last to be taken prisoner 
 and one of the pluckiest in effecting the capture of the guard 
 and in making the escape, became a journalist. He was for 
 years connected with the leading papers of New York City, 
 and is still an editorial writer for the Standard Union. He 
 has been honored by an appointment as special aide on the 
 staff of the commander-in-chief of Grand Army of the 
 Republic. 
 
CHAPTER XLVI. 
 THE FALL OF RICHMOND. 
 
 THERE were hard times in Richmond, according to 
 the rebel war clerk s diary. His nominal salary had 
 been increased to $16,000 in Confederate paper less than 
 $300 in specie. In order to restore its fallen credit the 
 government was selling gold, $i for $60 of its own paper. 
 Flour was $1,500 a barrel; bacon $20 a pound; corn meal 
 $140 a bushel; shad $50 a pair; wood $500 a cord. Slaves 
 were cheap; strong men bringing not more than $100 in 
 specie, less than one-tenth of what they used to bring. This 
 kind of wealth had depreciated. 
 
 The people of Richmond had been watching the devel 
 opment of Grant s masterful plans. Sherman had marched 
 unhindered to the sea, and was now carrying everything be 
 fore him on his way through the Carolinas. South Caro 
 lina was experiencing some of the effects of the war which 
 she had, with such a flourish of trumpets, inaugurated 
 four years before. She was helpless to check the march of 
 the Union army that was making itself at home in all her 
 borders. Thomas had scattered Hood s army, their last 
 hope in the west, and could come east with 40,000 men. 
 Sheridan had ridden through the heart of Virginia, and was 
 holding his splendid cavalry in leash, impatient to be let slip 
 for the dislodgement and the grand round-up of the noblest 
 quarry ever hunted on the continent. 
 
 484 
 
THE FALL OF RICHMOND. 485 
 
 Peace negotiations had been attempted. President 
 Lincoln had come down to the James river to meet Con 
 federate commissioners. The only result was that the peo 
 ple of the South had expressed their purpose to win their 
 independence or "perish in the last ditch." "Everyone 
 thinks the Confederacy will at once gather up its military 
 strength and strike such blows as will astonish the world. 
 There will be desperate conflicts!" Vice-President Steph 
 ens was in his seat, and determined. Mr. Hunter was 
 "rolling about industriously." "My belief is that the only 
 chance for Lee and a desperate one, is to beat Grant im 
 mediately, before the grand junction can be formed. If 
 Lee must evacuate Richmond, where can he go?" 
 
 Grant retired each night, "sleeping with one eye open 
 and one foot out of bed, fearing lest Lee would give him 
 the slip." 
 
 There was no special vindictiveness on the part of those 
 who were facing each other along the lines. The Union 
 men were confident. Lincoln had made them a visit, and 
 their confidence in him was unbounded. They were sure of 
 what Grant and his generals could do. The Confederates 
 were not boasting that one of them could whip half a dozen, 
 or put a multitude to flight. There were occasional friendly 
 interviews along the outer lines. The Confederate author 
 ities prohibited this exchange of civilities, and finally gave 
 orders that their pickets must fire a shot as often as once 
 every five minutes. The pickets informed the Union pick 
 ets of this order, and of the unpleasant necessity of obeying 
 it, but they promised to do no unnecessary harm. Often 
 the call came from their line "Hello, there! Look out! 
 Get behind something! I m going to shoot!" 
 
 Lee had made a desperate attempt to break through 
 the line drawn around him by a night attack on Fort Sted- 
 man. He succeeded in taking the fort, but it was soon re- 
 
486 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 taken, and he could only wait and see what his antagonist 
 would do. 
 
 Running southeast from Petersburg was the railroad 
 to Norfolk. This had long been in the possession of the 
 Federals. Next was the Jerusalem plank road, running 
 along the Nottoway river. Next, running nearly south, 
 was the Weldon railroad. This had been broken in De 
 cember, and miles of it had been destroyed. The Boydton 
 plank road led to the southwest. West from Petersburg 
 ran the Southside railroad, passing a little to the south of 
 Appomattox C. H. and on to Lynchburg where it connected 
 with roads running north and south. From Richmond an 
 other railroad toward the southwest crossed the Southside 
 at Burkeville, and passed on to Danville, Va., near the state 
 line, and then into North Carolina. 
 
 These last two roads were the only ones by which sup 
 plies could be brought to Lee s army. Lee s lines had been 
 extended to the south and west for the purpose of protect 
 ing these roads. Sheridan with his cavalry was to push 
 ahead and cut these roads, while the rest of the army was 
 to follow and support him. Lee comprehended the situa 
 tion, and withdrew part of the forces that were in the 
 defences of Richmond, and between that city and Peters 
 burg. 
 
 March 29, the movement began. Sheridan marched 
 down the Jerusalem plank road, and turned west. At 
 Reams station he crossed the Weldon road and proceeded 
 on westward. Lee s extended works crossed Hatcher s run 
 where the run crossed the Boydton plank road. Hatcher s 
 run and Gravelly run unite to form Rowanty creek. South 
 of the last named is Stony creek. All these flow toward 
 the southeast. Lee s entrenchments extended west of the 
 Boydton road for about four miles. Here his continuous 
 entrenchments ended. Beyond an interval other earthworks 
 
THE FALL OF RICHMOND. 487 
 
 had been constructed defending a strategic point where sev 
 eral roads intersected the White Oak road. This place was 
 called the Five Forks. 
 
 The Fifth corps under Warren had marched at 3 in the 
 morning, crossed Rowanty creek and turned toward the 
 right. Humphrey s Second corps crossed Hatcher s run 
 north of \<Varren s crossing, and bore northward, the two 
 corps moving on nearly parallel roads. Warren encount 
 ered the enemy in line of battle two miles in front of their 
 entrenchments. A sharp fight took place. Humphreys 
 had marched over a more difficult road, but encountered 
 only skirmishers. 
 
 It had been planned that Sheridan should cut loose 
 from the rest of the army and break Lee s lines of com 
 munication. Some of the enemy s cavalry had been mov 
 ing along on the south side of Stony creek, apparently in 
 tending to head off Sheridan. But the latter reached Din- 
 widclie C. H. after some skirmishing, driving out the en 
 emy s pickets. That night Sheridan stayed at Dinwiddie, 
 while Warren and Humphreys were in camp six miles to the 
 north, and in front of the enemy s works. 
 
 The morning of the 3Oth, plans were changed. The 
 two railroads were now of secondary importance. Grant s 
 purpose now was to break Lee s line of defence, get around 
 his right, and "end the matter" before going back. All the 
 rainy night of the 2Qth Lee was hurrying forward his forces 
 to strengthen his right. 
 
 Sheridan sent Devin s division, supported by Davies, to 
 break this line. But the works were too strong and were 
 too well defended by the 15,000 who had been hurried there, 
 and the cavalry fell back to Dinwiddie. The morning of 
 the 3Oth, the roads w r ere so bad from the rains that Grant 
 proposed to wait a day. But Lee could not afford to wait. 
 His right was menaced : he must break this extension of 
 
488 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the Union left. His cavalry, had been separated from him 
 by Sheridan s march to Dinwiddie. It had made a wide 
 circuit to westward and now had rejoined him. Warren 
 was crowding his extreme right. 
 
 Lee s attack was made with skill and vigor, and for a 
 time seemed promising. Part of the Union force was 
 driven back, but was supported by others, hurried to the 
 scene of the attack, and the Confederates were driven back 
 within their works with heavy loss. 
 
 While this fighting was going on, Sheridan had sent 
 Devin s cavalry to Five Forks, to the left of the position 
 where the Second and Fifth corps had been battling. The 
 cavalry captured these works. This was an additional 
 menace to Lee. This position must be retaken and held. 
 He sent two divisions to recover these works. They attacked 
 with such vigor that the cavalry were driven out and back 
 toward Dinwiddie C. H. The Confederates, pursuing in 
 force, got between Devin and the rest of the cavalry corps. 
 Devin was compelled to make a circuitous march. The en 
 emy mistook this movement for a retreat and pursued. 
 Upon the flank of this pursuing column Sheridan hurled the 
 brigades of Gregg and Gibbs with such force that it was 
 routed and driven back. 
 
 During the night the sleepless Sheridan became con 
 vinced that the enemy were withdrawing from his front. 
 The Fifth corps was ordered up. The advance division 
 reached him at daybreak. Sheridan started on. The Fifth 
 was to follow. At seven o clock the other divisions were 
 up. Advancing toward Five Forks, Merritt found a supe 
 rior force in his front. Custer s division, eight miles away, 
 was ordered to his support. The brigades of Capehart and 
 Pennington, after riding hard, came upon the field. The 
 men were dismounted and ordered forward. Hastily 
 throwing up defences of railb they held their ground against 
 
THE FALL OF RICHMOND. 489 
 
 strong forces of Pickett s division, Wise s independent 
 brigade of infantry, and the cavalry of Rosser, Fitzhugh 
 Lee and W. H. Lee. The fight was a determined one. The 
 men of the regiment were face to face with veterans they 
 had often met in the Valley, and each side was doing its 
 best. The battle was not decided that night. When dark 
 ness settled over the field the hostile lines rested on their 
 arms within musket range of each other. The next day 
 the stubborn fighting was continued until the middle of the 
 afternoon. The Fifth corps had then arrived. The dis 
 mounted cavalry who had so determinedly held the ground 
 were relieved. It was at a disadvantage that these cavalry 
 men, dismounted, and armed with carbines, had contended 
 against veteran infantry supported by the best cavalry of 
 the Confederacy. The persistency of that fighting was sel 
 dom equalled. At 3 in the afternoon of April i, the second 
 day of the fighting, there was the welcome sight of the com 
 ing of the Fifth corps. As one of the cavalrymen said : 
 "Oh, but we were glad to see those toe boys coming." 
 The Fifth corps now relieved them from their long, weary 
 ing, dismounted fighting. The men of all three cavalry 
 divisions fell back to their horses, and after an hour s rest, 
 mounted and rode forward in a sweeping charge on the right 
 and left. The infantry poured over the works. It was an 
 attack that the veteran Confederates, even within their de 
 fences, could not withstand. The Southside railroad was 
 in the possession of the Union troops. Lee s line of com 
 munication and supplies was broken. The victory was com 
 plete and decisive. 
 
 Crawford had passed on to Ford s station and headed 
 off the Confederates from their retreat to the main army. 
 Still they fought with desperation. But with cavalry and 
 infantry crowding upon them they broke away and fled 
 
490 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 toward the northwest, with the cavalry pursuing them until 
 long after dark. 
 
 The Union loss was 1,000; the Confederate, 5,000 
 prisoners and many killed. In this succession of battles at 
 Five Forks the Union cavalry had fought dismounted, and 
 mounted, as occasion required. Sheridan had commanded 
 the infantry as well as the cavalry. It was a hard day s 
 work magnificently done. 
 
 Sheridan had got so far in advance that he had to send 
 forces to reopen communication with the lines south of 
 Petersburg. Infantry and cavalry he sent to the Ford road 
 to be ready for any movement in that direction. 
 
 The effect of this victory was felt through the thirty- 
 five miles of the besiegers. The general-in-chief ordered 
 the bombardment of the works by the heavy guns. All 
 night, till four o clock the morning of the 2nd, the bom 
 bardment was kept up. In the early morning assaults were 
 made all along the line. The outer lines were carried by 
 storm, and the Confederates were confined to the inner lines, 
 Longstreet s reduced command was called from Richmond. 
 One more effort Lee made to break the besieging lines. It 
 failed. His assaulting masses were hurled back. At half- 
 past ten that Sunday morning, he telegraphed Jefferson 
 Davis, who was in church : "My lines are broken in three 
 places; Richmond must be evacuated this evening." 
 
 Our old friend Captain Amos P. Foster of the gunboat 
 fleet, who had convoyed us down the Chesapeake to the 
 Peninsula in 62 ; who had thrown his enormous shells ex 
 ploding fence posts, or whole blacksmith shops, forge, anvil 
 and all, the Confederates called them clear over the Union 
 army and into that of the enemy at Malvern Hill ; who had 
 fired upon the Confederates dressed as women across from 
 Harrison s landing, was now commanding the Commodore 
 Perry, lying near the Dutch Gap canal. As illustrating the 
 feeling among the men both of the army and navy as they 
 
CAPTAIN AMOS P. FOSTER. 
 Of the Gunboat Fleet. 
 
 EUGENE LEWIS. 
 
 ROBERT LEDWARD. 
 
THE FALL OF RICHMOND. 491 
 
 saw the end of the long siege near at hand, the following by 
 O. E. Pierce, signal officer of the Perry, is interesting : 
 
 Captain Foster had been on deck most of the night, but had gone 
 below. At 4 o clock he came on deck again and asked the morning 
 watch if he had heard any firing up the river the past hour. He 
 replied that he had not. The captain said: "I would not be surprised 
 if the end of all this should be within twenty-four hours." Scarcely 
 
 had the words left his lips when, "Sh ! !" went a sheet of flame 
 
 up into the heavens, followed by a terrific explosion. "There," said 
 
 the captain, "goes a rebel iron-clad !" "Sh ! !" went another sheet 
 
 of flame, and another explosion. "There goes another!" said the cap 
 tain. The gig was called away and the captain went on shore and 
 climbed to the top of the "Old Crow s Nest" signal tower. In about 
 an hour he returned on board, and in a few minutes the distinguishing 
 pennant of the Perry was seen flying at the masthead of the flagship, 
 and under it was a signal which read : "Get under weigh Take the 
 lead to Richmond ! Be very careful of torpedoes !" My God ! What 
 a feeling went through the officers and crew of the old Perry when 
 the fact was made known to them ! 
 
 The old boat had borne the brunt of several fights, and bore the 
 marks of shot and shell, and now she was to pass through the ordeal 
 of clearing the James river of torpedoes, and if successful she would 
 be the first boat at Richmond. 
 
 The boatswain s whistle piped out louder and clearer on that morn 
 ing than it had ever done before, and the old familiar voice sounded 
 louder than ever as he called, "All hands, up anchor !" The anchor 
 came to that cat-head quicker than any anchor was ever cat-headed 
 before, and the good old boat began to move up the river over waters 
 that no Union vessel had touched since the war began. 
 
 The first and second cutters and the dingey were sent ahead to 
 search for torpedoes. They had not long to search a little chip was 
 seen floating in the water. It was examined a line was found at 
 tached, and on the end of that a tin can containing seventy-five pounds 
 of powder. Cautiously the crews worked away, cutting lines and wires, 
 until the torpedo was brought to the surface, the can cut open and the 
 contents spilled into the river. There were torpedoes of all shapes and 
 sizes. One was a large iron box containing four hundred pounds of 
 powder, connected by wire to a battery on shore. 
 
 So the boat crews toiled along until they had taken out fifty-one 
 torpedoes, and the James river was cleared of them. 
 
 In passing up, the captain saw groups of men in Confederate uni 
 form on the river bank. He hailed them, and found they were the 
 
4-92 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 remnants of the famous General Pickett s command. He took them 
 on board, and asked them where their guns were. One man replied, 
 with emphasis, "We have had all the gunning we want." These men 
 were sent to the rear in three tugs, and turned over to the troops 
 at Fort Brady. 
 
 We reached Fort Darling, and to our great disgust ran hard and 
 fast aground on the obstructions placed across the river at that point. We 
 worked the steamer, first backward, then forward. Finally the captain 
 ordered a part of the coal thrown overboard, and had all the guns moved 
 over on the starboard side to give the vessel a lift. He ordered the 
 chief engineer to pay no attention to the engine bells, but to work her 
 just ahead and then back, hoping in that way to work her over the 
 obstructions. Just at this time the U. S. steamer Malvern, Admiral 
 Porter s flagship, came up, and, finding she could not pass us, came to 
 anchor astern of us. 
 
 We then learned that Abraham Lincoln was on board the flagship. 
 The admiral then conceived the idea of taking the President in his 
 barge and pulling to Richmond. The barge was lowered; the Presi 
 dent and the admiral took their seats in the stern sheets. Lieutenant 
 Commander Barnes, with a body guard of marines, followed in the 
 Malvern s first cutter. 
 
 Between the Perry and the shore was a very narrow passage of 
 deep water, and it was through this that the admiral intended the 
 boats should pull. But on reaching this, he found it was not wide 
 enough for him to pass through pulling the oars on both sides. Just 
 as they had given the barge good headway thinking she would shoot 
 far enough ahead to clear the steamer and allow them to use the oars 
 again the current struck her on the bow and set her directly under 
 the steamer s immense wheel. At this very moment the engineer, not 
 aware that anyone was near the wheel, began to turn her over. 
 
 It was a critical moment. The President halloed; the admiral 
 halloed ; and the crew halloed. Captain Foster, remembering that he 
 had ordered the engineer to pay no attention to the bells, ran to the 
 engine room hatch and called out to stop. It was not an instant too 
 soon : had the wheel gone over once more, it would have caused the 
 death of most of those in the barge. 
 
 When they were extricated from, their perilous situation, the 
 admiral called out: "Where is the captain of this vessel?" "Here I 
 am, sir," said Captain Foster, leaning over the ship rail. "Well, sir," 
 replied the admiral, "when you back off from here, don t you attempt 
 to go to Richmond. Come to an anchor and allow the other boats to go 
 up." "Aye, aye, sir," replied the captain, and the barge and the cutter 
 went on. 
 
THE FALL OF RICHMOND. 493 
 
 After working the engine for some time the captain conceived the 
 idea of trying to squeeze the three tugs before mentioned, through the 
 cut the barge had passed, and after much pulling and hauling and 
 hard work, (and, I was going to say, swearing) the thing was accom 
 plished. He then ordered the three tugs to anchor, one ahead of the 
 other, above the Perry, and ran a fifteen-inch hawser to them, leaving 
 a slack of twenty fathoms between the Perry and the nearest tug 
 boat. "Now," said he to the captain of the tugs, "when I wave my 
 handkerchief, go ahead, and when I wave my handkerchief the second 
 time, ring your jingle bells and go ahead at full speed." 
 
 How we watched that experiment ! The handkerchief was waved 
 the tugs started. Another wave, and away they darted. The Perry s 
 machinery was working, too. The slack in the hawser straightened 
 out Crash ! went the obstructions, and away went the good old Perry 
 over the obstructions, bow first ! What a cheer rent the air ! Away 
 we went under a full head of steam, and in a short time we dropped our 
 anchor. The Commodore Perry was the first boat at Richmond. 
 Afterward the flagship came up and anchored. 
 
 At evening the President and the admiral, who had spent all the 
 afternoon in the rebel capital, returned on board the Malvern. It then 
 became Captain Foster s duty to report to the admiral his arrival at 
 Richmond. The gig was called away and the captain started for the 
 flagship. On going on board he was met by Fleet Captain Bruce 
 who said, "You ll get it, old fellow, for coming up here." 
 
 The message was given to the admiral by the orderly at the cabin 
 door, that the captain of the Perry was on board, and he was asked 
 to walk into the cabin. Here at a round table sat Mr. Lincoln and 
 the admiral. Saluting both, Captain Foster said : "Admiral, I have 
 the honor to report the arrival of the U. S. steamer Commodore Perry 
 at Richmond." 
 
 The admiral, who was a perfect martinet, replied: "I thought I 
 told you not to attempt to come to Richmond, sir." The captain re 
 plied, "I did not so understand you, sir. I understood you to say 
 when I backed off not to attempt to come up." "Well, sir," said the 
 admiral, looking sternly at him. "I did not back off," said the captain 
 with a smile, "I came off bow first." 
 
 The admiral was mad, but Old Abe saw the joke and enjoyed it, 
 as he always enjoyed a good joke, and laughed loudly. He arose and 
 shook the captain s hand warmly, saying: "Captain, I congratulate 
 you on commanding the first boat to Richmond. 
 
 The admiral saw it was against him, and said sternly: "Go on 
 board your vessel, sir, and I will see you in the morning concerning 
 the matter." But that was the last of it. 
 
CHAPTER XLVII. 
 
 APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN, 
 i 
 
 GREAT was the joy along the line of the besieging 
 army. The men could not wait till daylight. Every 
 where they were pouring over the works, gathering in the 
 stragglers who in parties of two, or three, or a dozen, were 
 wandering along in the direction which the army had taken. 
 These seemed not unwilling to be gathered in. All through 
 the abandoned earthworks were the wrecks and ruins of 
 their winter quarters. 
 
 Grant did not stop to make a triumphal entry into the 
 fallen Confederate capital. There was a larger prize to be 
 won. Sheridan was already pushing on to get in the ad 
 vance of the army that was trying to escape. The forces in 
 Petersburg were to go out along the Southside railroad. 
 Those in Richmond were to follow along the line of the 
 Danville road. All these, uniting at Amelia Court House 
 would go on to Burkeville where there would be railroad 
 transportation southward. Lee reached Amelia C. H. only 
 to find that the trains loaded with supplies that he had or 
 dered there, had gone on to Richmond, and there the stores 
 had been consumed in the conflagration. All available 
 facilities for transportation were needed for officials, their 
 families and household goods, the records and other prop 
 erty of the departments of the government. 
 
 The 4th, Sheridan was at Jetersville, seven miles from 
 Amelia C. H. on the Danville road, and the most of his 
 
 494 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 495 
 
 cavalry were almost to Burkeville, the junction of the two 
 roads. With both cavalry and infantry he was partially 
 entrenched across the line of the proposed retreat. Lee, 
 being thus headed off, moved toward the north and west, 
 hoping to reach Lynchburg, for Meade had reached Sheri 
 dan at Jetersville, and Lee could not hope to fight both. 
 Late on the 5th, Sheridan sent out Davies, who found Lee 
 moving westward from Amelia C. H., his cavalry in front 
 and his infantry in the rear of his train of 180 wagons. 
 Davies struck this column sidewise, took and destroyed the 
 wagons, and captured five guns and many prisoners. It 
 was a quick, hard blow that he struck, and the retreating 
 army quickened its pace. 
 
 The morning of the 6th, Lee was making westward 
 toward Deatonsville. There were now three columns in 
 pursuit one on each side, and one behind. The Army of 
 the James had been hurried forward on the south and was 
 at Burkeville. The morning of the 6th, it hastened on to 
 Farmville. An advance that had been sent on to destroy 
 the bridges over the Appomattox at Farmville was driven 
 off, and General Read, its leader, killed. The bridges 
 were saved to the Confederates, but their progress was 
 checked, and all the Army of the James was now in their 
 front. Near Deatonsville Crook struck another of Lee s 
 trains, checking his course, while Custer passed on and 
 gained the road at Sailor s creek. Crook and Devin then 
 hurried on to Custer s support, and together they struck 
 Lee s column a staggering blow, taking 400 wagons and 
 1 6 guns. By this blow E well s corps was cut off from the 
 rest of Lee s army. By a vigorous attack by Stagg s bri 
 gade, Sheridan kept Ewell from again uniting with Lee. 
 In the meantime, the Sixth corps was hurrying up. By a 
 division of this corps Ewell was turned back to Sailor s 
 creek. 
 
496 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The Confederates, without sufficient rations, living on 
 what they could find along the way, eating the buds and 
 bark from trees and bushes, still manifested wonderful 
 courage. 
 
 When Sheridan, on his inarch to join Grant, was ap 
 proaching the Pamunkey river, Lieut. Col. Battersby was 
 ordered to take his regiment to Taylor s ford, and guard 
 the ford while the army was passing, when he was to fall 
 in the rear as rear guard. It was an important duty, to 
 guard against an attack on the flank of a marching column. 
 There was some misunderstanding about the location, or the 
 distance to the ford. Also, the carrying out of the orders 
 exactly as given was interfered with by the report that a 
 body of the enmy was prepared to attack the regiment on 
 the way, and instead of a direct march, a circuitous one was 
 made, and it was late at night when the regiment joined 
 the rest of the army. The lieutenant colonel was put under 
 arrest, and was tried before a court martial at the White 
 House. Before the decision of the court was made public, 
 the army moved on. In the battles that followed nearly 
 every member of the court martial was killed or wounded. 
 The judge advocate, who had the record of the proceedings 
 in his possession, was killed, and the decision of the court 
 was never published. 
 
 At Charlottesville the lieutenant colonel had been en 
 tertained at the house of Judge Watson, whose son was 
 adjutant of the 52d Virginia infantry. While under arrest 
 the lieutenant colonel, being relieved from duty, was free to 
 wander around. He searched among the prisoners taken 
 at Five Forks, and found the son of his host at Charlottes 
 ville, and made a return for the kindness he had received 
 by interceding for the prisoner. 
 
 Colonel Adams had not returned from his leave of 
 absence; the lieutenant colonel was under arrest; Major 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 497 
 
 Bailey was provost marshal of the cavalry corps; Major 
 Martindale had been left in command of the detachment at 
 Winchester; Major Passegger was on other duty, and there 
 was not an officer above the rank of captain present with the 
 regiment in all this campaign in pursuit of Lee. Some of 
 the companies were commanded by sergeants. And yet the 
 most splendid fighting the regiment ever did was done in 
 this final campaign. Now and then a captain would be in 
 command. But the men, keeping together, whether led by 
 an officer or not, were doing their best. Captain Savacool 
 of Co. K, slight in form, alert, fearless, was an inspiration 
 to the entire regiment. And Col. Capehart, commanding 
 the brigade, watched all his regiments with interest. 
 
 But the busiest men in the army were the scouts, and 
 the services they did were of the greatest importance. Their 
 adventures, related in detail, would make a larger book than 
 this. In Confederate gray or in any disguise that would 
 answer their purpose, they were in and out of the lines at 
 all hours by day and by night, riding all through the Con 
 federate army, and reporting very movement. Dunn, the 
 Goublemans, Warren, White, Hogan, Valentine, Forkey, 
 and others accomplished more than some entire battalions. 
 Their work was perilous, but they became so accustomed 
 to the peril that they did not heed it. 
 
 A few of many instances to illustrate the character of 
 their work : Valentine, away outside the lines, came upon 
 two Confederate infantrymen who had straggled behind, 
 With the severity of a provost guard he demanded why they 
 were away from their command. "We became so tired we 
 could not go on, and now w r e do not know where our com 
 mand is." "What command do you belong to?" They 
 told him. "Come along with me and I ll show you where 
 to go. Now be lively or the Yankees will get you !" And 
 soon they were in the Union lines, and prisoners. 
 
498 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Dunn and Ed Goubleman were following some Con 
 federates, when three others closed in behind them. Dunn s 
 horse was shot in the hips, and Goubleman was shot in the 
 arm. They turned into a field to the left, and riding up a 
 hill, gave their pursuers the contents of their revolvers. 
 Then they in turn fell in the rear and became pursuers and 
 ran down all their late pursuers, Goubleman killing one in 
 a hand to hand fight with sabres. In the chase Dunn and 
 Tone were riding on opposite sides of a single Confederate 
 who refused to surrender. Both were cutting at him with 
 their sabres. Finally he was struck a terrific blow in the 
 mouth, and turning a complete summersault over his horse, 
 fell to the ground, and that was the last they knew of him. 
 
 Several scouts, in carrying dispatches, came upon a 
 small force of the enemy. By making a circuit they came 
 upon their flank, and yelling to the regiment to "close up," 
 they led the charge, routing the enemy and chasing them 
 back upon a large body in reserve, when they withdrew. 
 
 Again, they observed the advance of larger force com 
 ing forward. Concealing themselves behind a small hill, 
 they broke upon these and drove them back. But the en 
 emy s flankers were closing around them from either side. 
 Now it was a race for life. Dunn dismounted to open a 
 gate. The gate was splintered by carbine shots. Dunn s 
 horse broke away. Dunn fastened the gate. His comrades 
 did not at the time notice him. He called to a farmer who 
 was ploughing, to catch his horse. This he did. Dunn 
 reached his horse, and got behind him, using his revolver 
 to keep back three of the enemy who were following him. 
 He called for Goubleman and Hogan. As they came the 
 Confederates halted. Dunn was able to mount, and all 
 escaped, a large number of the enemy following them. 
 
 While with Sheridan in the Valley they were always 
 encouraged to come to him at any time to report what they 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 499 
 
 had learned. At one time in Sheridan s absence it was 
 necessary to report to a corps commander. They had had 
 a long, hard ride. In reporting they suggested that he order 
 a reconnoissance, and strengthen an outpost to guard against 
 a surprise. The corps commander asked: "How long 
 since you have been in command of this department ?" They 
 replied that they had made such suggestions to Sheridan, 
 his superior, and no offense was ever taken. They were 
 sent to their quarters under arrest for their impertinence in 
 making suggestions. The event they had cautioned him to 
 guard against happened. In this one case their services 
 were not appreciated. 
 
 Before reaching Jetersville, about fifteen of Major 
 Young s scouts, all in gray, were riding along with one of 
 Lee s columns. A brigade commander with a few of his 
 staff was riding some distance ahead of his brigade. The 
 scouts, dividing, rode up leisurely on either side of the gen 
 eral and his staff. It was about noon. At an opportune 
 moment they quietly presented their pistols at the heads of 
 these gentlemen and marched them off the road into the 
 woods, the command supposing they were turning aside for 
 rest and dinner. They were all brought to headquarters 
 as prisoners. 
 
 The next day the colonel of a North Carolina regiment 
 succeeded to the command of the brigade that had lost its 
 leader. Several scouts rode up beside the colonel and his 
 adjutant, saluted and entered into conversation, stating that 
 they belonged to the Sixth Virginia cavalry, the Yankees 
 were all over, and they had lost their regiment, and with 
 his permission they would go along with him. He told 
 them their regiment was three or four miles below, and that 
 he was to join other forces and drive Sheridan out of Jeters 
 ville. Watching for the right time they drew their revol 
 vers, and commanded the others to surrender, saying that 
 
500 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 they believed they were Yankees. The colonel laughed and 
 thought that was a good joke. He told his adjutant to 
 show the scouts a letter from the medical director of the 
 Confederate army. The scouts would not accept this as 
 evidence, for he might have captured the medical director 
 and got the letter in that way. Again he laughed, and 
 told his adjutant to show them the headquarters flag which, 
 at the time, he was carrying folded. One of the scouts 
 reached over and took the flag. The colonel was then asked 
 to describe the general who was recently in command of the 
 brigade, and his adjutant general. When he had done so, 
 Dunn replied : "The description is good. We captured 
 them both yesterday. We are Yankees, and you are our 
 prisoners." The colonel had to submit, but declared it was 
 a characteristic, mean, Yankee trick. 
 
 On a long ride in a rainy night three of them stopped 
 at a cabin for shelter, rest and food. They had learned to 
 be sharp, but occasionally they found people as sharp as 
 themselves. As they were resting in this cabin one of them 
 unguardedly used the words, "I guess." It was different 
 from the "I reckon," common in that locality. They saw 
 that their host s suspicions were aroused. He started to 
 leave the room, saying that he would look after their horses. 
 They would not allow him to go out. When sufficiently 
 rested and refreshed, they tied the gentleman up, locked the 
 door, mounted their horses and rode on. The night was 
 intensely dark and the rain came down in torrents. They 
 missed their road, ran close upon a large picket post, but in 
 the darkness they succeeded in flanking it. 
 
 From Dinwiddie Court House ten of these scouts were 
 sent to break, if possible, the Danville railroad by which, it 
 was expected, the high officials of the Confederacy would 
 attempt to escape. The ten impressed into their service an 
 old negro who knew the country, but who was terribly afraid 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 501 
 
 that the Confederates would get him and kill him for thus 
 acting as guide. But he had to go. The party had reached 
 a trestle and cut the wires as the train dashed past. Had 
 they been but a few minutes sooner they would have derailed 
 the train on which were Davis and his cabinet with the Con 
 federate treasury. 
 
 The complete record of the work of all these scouts 
 would be interesting history. But it is not now to be ob 
 tained. Before Savacool became captain of Co. K, he and 
 Warren generally scouted together. These two, together 
 and singly, captured one hundred and fifty Confederates. 
 Warren alone captured forty-three. And it is to be said of 
 these scouts, that, notwithstanding their rough experiences, 
 they never forgot to be gentlemen, some of them never, in 
 their entire service, tasting intoxicating drink. 
 
 At Jetersville Lee encountered Sheridan s cavalry un 
 der Merritt, and later, part of the Fifth corps. The Sixth 
 corps reached Jetersville the evening of the 5th. Lee s 
 retreat to Danville by way of Burkeville was no longer 
 possible. 
 
 The night of the 5th, Longstreet s and Ewell s corps 
 moved from Amelia C. H. to the north and west, through 
 Deatonsville and Painesville, by a circuitous route around the 
 left of the Union forces, intending then to strike southward 
 to Danville. The morning of the 6th, the Union forces at 
 Jetersville moved northward toward Amelia C. H., where 
 Lee s army was the evening before. But now Lee was gone. 
 
 These forces now marched back to Jetersville. Mer- 
 ritt s cavalry hurried on westward to intercept the retreating 
 army. The Sixth corps hurried on after Merritt, and came 
 up with him about half-way between Sailor s creek and Dea 
 tonsville. The cavalry was hotly engaged with a force that 
 was trying to protect a train that was moving toward Rice s 
 station, as if Lee had still some hope of reaching Danville. 
 
502 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Part of the Sixth at once joined in with the cavalry, and 
 together they drove the enemy across the road on which the 
 train had been moving, capturing artillery, wagons and 
 prisoners. 
 
 The larger part of the Confederates had by this time 
 passed on beyond Sailor s creek. Sheridan ordered pursuit 
 with whatever troops were at hand. The cavalry moved to 
 the south and then to the west to head off the enemy, while 
 Wheaton and Keifer s divisions of Wright s corps fol 
 lowed close upon the rear. The cavalry was soon engaged 
 heading off the enemy and turning them back. At the same 
 time the Confederates had to face about and fight the 
 infantry. 
 
 Sailor s creek flows toward the north and empties into 
 the Appomattox. Ewell had crossed the creek and was well 
 posted on high ground. The creek, swollen so that it over 
 flowed its banks, ran at the foot of the bluff. East of the 
 creek was a wide, low bottom land, and east of this was 
 high ground. Here Wright placed his artillery. 
 
 Sheridan ordered an immediate assault. Under the 
 cover of the artillery fire the infantry moved across the bot 
 tom land, waded the stream, which was so high that the men 
 had to carry their guns and cartridge boxes above their 
 shoulders, and advanced up the front of the hill on which 
 the Confederate infantry was posted. 
 
 Ewell had placed strong lines of infantry on the brow 
 of the hill, and had massed his reserve infantry behind the 
 center. The cavalry was waiting on his right and rear. 
 
 Forces of infantry were moving to the right and left of 
 that which was to assault the front and center. This force, 
 after crossing the creek, immediately advanced up the hill, 
 and at short range attacked the enemy s line and broke it. 
 But here Ewell brought forward his massed infantry and, 
 himself leading, charged upon the assaulting force with such 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 503 
 
 vigor as to drive it back across the creek and out into the 
 bottom. But here the pursuing force became exposed to the 
 fire of the artillery on the high ground, and the assaults of 
 the infantry forces that were now on their flanks. These 
 flanking forces, paying no attention to the center that had 
 been driven back, pushed on and wheeled inward toward the 
 center. Now with mighty cheers and an irresistible mo 
 mentum, they rushed upon the Confederates that were im 
 paled between the flanking lines. The slaughter was terrific, 
 A few were bayoneted. All that could, tried to make a 
 break to the westward. But to the westward was Custer s 
 cavalry, that had been waiting and biding their time. Their 
 time had come. The First New York had the choicest posi 
 tion in the division right in front of all that was left of 
 EwelFs corps, the men that were breaking away from the 
 crash of the flanking forces that had crushed the massed in 
 fantry between them. The cavalry did not wait for the en 
 emy, fleeing from the fury behind, to fall into their hands. 
 Never before had they been more in the spirit of fight. 
 Never before had they swung their sabres in mightier blows ; 
 never before had their shouts rung out louder, as they rode 
 among, and over, and through the disorganized masses. 
 Sergeant-major Lumphreys leg was shattered by a cannon 
 shot. He was helped to a place where he could lean against 
 a tree. "Goon, boys! Never mind me, go on !" Captain 
 Savacool captured a flag. He handed it to one of his men 
 and went on. He captured a second and flung it to another 
 of his men. Far in front of the most of his men, who were 
 riding hard to keep up with him, he captured a third. This 
 he was waving, shouting exultingly, when he was struck by 
 a bullet, and was helpless. But the fighting was over. 
 Ewell and his staff surrendered to Captain Sam Stevens. 
 The regiment, Capehart s brigade and Custer s whole divis 
 ion never did more heroic work. Thousands of prisoners 
 
504 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 were gathered in. Giles, Morris and Pitman, immediately 
 after the fighting- was over, rode in front of a Georgia regi 
 ment that had three flags, and demanded the flags. They 
 were given up. Each of the three men had a flag. But the 
 color sergeant who gave his flag to Giles tore it to pieces 
 before handing it over, and Giles sat up most of the night 
 sewing the pieces together. 
 
 Ewell and six other major generals, and all their men, 
 with all that they had, were the spoils of this victory. 
 
 The next morning, as many of the captured officers, 
 including Ewell and his generals, were standing in a group 
 under the care of Major Bailey, provost marshal, whose 
 manly and chivalric ways always won him favor, General 
 Custer passed near the group on his way to the front where 
 there was yet work to be done. As he noticed the dis 
 tinguished company, and such it was, he gracefully raised 
 his hat and bowed. The staff following did the same. This 
 courteous act called forth a responsive act as one of the Con 
 federate generals, carried away by the enthusiasm of the 
 occasion proposed three cheers for the dashing general, 
 whom he called "the very embodiment of chivalry." The 
 cheers were given with a will. The compliment was re 
 turned with an equal heartiness. And Custer s band, that 
 had been playing "Bonnie Dundee," changed to The Bon 
 nie Blue Flag," and Confederate enthusiasm was unbounded. 
 
 Captain Hinton and a detail made part of the large 
 force that was to conduct the prisoners back to City Point. 
 
 General Sheridan in his official report says : "The 
 cavalry in the rear of the enemy attacked simultaneously 
 with the infantry in the front, and the enemy, after a gal 
 lant resistance were completely surrounded, and nearly all 
 threw down their arms and surrendered. General Ewell, 
 commanding the enemy s forces, and six other general offi 
 cers, and about 10,000 other prisoners, were taken by us. 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 505 
 
 Most of them fell into the hands of the cavalry, but they are 
 no more entitled to claim them than the Sixth corps, to which 
 equal credit is due for the result of this engagement." 
 
 This is considered the last general engagement of the 
 war, and its results were of vast importance. Some of the 
 officers captured expressed the opinion that there was no use 
 holding out any longer. This was reported to General 
 Grant, who thereupon sent his first note to General Lee, 
 asking the surrender of his army. 
 
 All parts of the army were pushing on in pursuit. 
 Sheridan s was south of the river hurrying on to a point 
 where he could place his cavalry square across the road by 
 which Lee with his utmost efforts was making toward 
 Lynchburg. While hurrying on with the hope of getting 
 beyond Lynchburg into the mountains, Lee answered Grant s 
 second note, saying: "To be frank, I do not think the 
 emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of the Army 
 of Northern Virginia." 
 
 What remained of Lee s army was north of the Appo- 
 mattox, concentrated along the stage and plank roads leading 
 to Lynchburg. On the 7th, pursuing forces had attacked him 
 in two of his entrenched positions, and both had been re 
 pulsed. There was fight still in what was left of the old 
 army. 
 
 After the repulse of the second of these attacks, Lee 
 received the note that Grant had sent, asking for a surrender. 
 Lee s reply asking terms did not reach Grant till the morning 
 of the 8th. In the meantime he was pressing on in his 
 efforts to escape. 
 
 Lee succeeded in getting his army across the river at 
 Farmville that night, and hoped by destroying the bridges 
 to check further pursuit. Only the railroad bridge was 
 burned. Humphrey s corps was so close in pursuit that the 
 wagon bridge was saved. Barlow s division crossed and 
 
506 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 found only a feeble rear guard, and two redoubts in which 
 were left eighteen guns left because the horses were too 
 exhausted and famished to draw them farther. 
 
 The night of the 6th, Lee s generals held a council at 
 which the opinion was reached that further resistance was 
 useless, and the only thing left \vas to surrender. Lee was 
 not present. When the opinion w r as made known to him 
 he declined to consider it. 
 
 The pursuit was relentless. By a march of thirty 
 miles, Custer in the advance had reached Appomattox sta 
 tion on the railroad to Lynchburg, and captured four trains 
 of cars loaded with food for Lee s starving soldiers. The 
 advance of this army was just then coming. Custer and 
 Devin drove this advance back toward the north upon the 
 main body, capturing twenty-five guns, a hospital train, 
 many wagons and prisoners. 
 
 After this charge the regiment with others advanced in 
 line toward the left. At dusk General Custer, passing along 
 the left of the regiment, said : "Boys, I want a few volun 
 teers to go up this road with me and see \vhere that battery 
 is firing from." Company E was always on the left. Lieu 
 tenant Walter said to Fiala: "Fiala, let us go. We may 
 catch a flag and get thirty days furlough." The two 
 stepped out, and eight others followed. Custer and these 
 men went up the road about a quarter of a mile, the battery 
 all the while firing upon them from the right. They passed 
 the line of the firing and went into a thicket, where the trees 
 were so close together the men could not pass through. As 
 it was getting dark Custer said : "Boys, try to get back the 
 best way you can. W T e cannot get through here." The 
 thicket was in range of the enemy s fire, and it was here 
 that Lieutenant Walter was shot. 
 
 Fiala was trying to get through the thicket. When 
 he succeeded he came upon several wagons with unhitched 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 507 
 
 teams, and two cannon. As he looked around he saw a 
 Confederate coming through the bushes. He held him up 
 and took him prisoner. At a little distance another man on 
 foot came out. He took this man prisoner also. It was 
 now between eight and nine o clock and quite dark. With 
 his two prisoners he took the road toward his own lines. 
 A little distance farther on two mounted men came out in 
 front of him. He thought it was no time to lose courage 
 now. He hailed them and made them surrender. One had 
 a sabre and a revolver. These Fiala took, and made his 
 prisoners move on, one by one, until he reached the picket. 
 Here he ordered the mounted men to dismount. One of 
 them remarked: "Say, Yank, don t you take us for a set 
 of fools?" He laughed and replied: "No, I think you are 
 sure of your head to-night, anyhow." As he delivered them 
 to the officer of the picket the latter said : "You did not 
 capture these four men all alone?" He replied that he did, 
 and the four prisoners gave him credit for as much as it was 
 worth. The officer asked: "Sergeant, to what regiment 
 do you belong?" "To the First New York (Lincoln) Cav 
 alry." "It is all right. Go, join your troop." 
 
 With the rest of the men of the company Fiala went on 
 picket. About midnight he heard the slow approach of men. 
 He halted them and called for the countersign. It was the 
 advance of the infantry. A whole brigade marched as 
 noiselessly as possible past the post, and lay down on the 
 ground with their guns at their shoulders. Toward day 
 break the pickets were drawn in and returned to the regiment. 
 
 Just before the regiment was mustered out Fiala re 
 ceived a lieutenant s commission. He and Lieutenant Wal 
 ter were fast friends from the start. After the latter was 
 shot, as Fiala related it : "I gave him my last blanket. He 
 died an hour after being shot. The last words I heard him 
 
508 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 speak were Let us capture a flag and get thirty day s fur 
 lough. He received a furlough that lasted forever." 
 
 Lieutenant Walter was for a long time sergeant-major. 
 He was a tall, broad-shouldered, sturdy man, a good soldier, 
 and a reliable man. 
 
 He was the last officer of volunteer cavalry killed in the 
 Virginia army, as Lieutenant Hidden was the first, not in 
 the Army of the Potomac, as stated in Chapter IX., but the 
 first in the campaign of 1862, in front of Washington. 
 
 At daybreak of the Qth, the Confederate leaders, Lee, 
 Gordon and Longstreet, as they looked toward Lynchburg, 
 saw T in their front only a thin line of dismounted cavalry. 
 Gordon was to break through this line. His soldiers were 
 weary and foot sore with long and rapid marching, and 
 weak with hunger. Yet they moved forward with the same 
 readiness and determination that in better times they had 
 shown on a hundred fields. They saw the line of dismounted 
 cavalry fall back as they advanced. 
 
 But by an almost unprecedented all-night march the 
 Army of the James had arrived at Appomattox Station. 
 They, too, were foot sore and weary, but they saw the end 
 of their marching and fighting. The thin line of dismounted 
 cavalry was ordered to fall back slowly, contesting the 
 ground with Gordon s line, until the infantry could move 
 into position. Then the dismounted cavalry were with 
 drawn to the right, as a curtain before a stage, and Gordon 
 saw before him a solid, heavy line of infantry with muskets 
 and gleaming bayonets. The cavalry bugles sounded the 
 call to remount. The men were on their horses, w r ith 
 gathered reins and sabres in hand, ready to break in a sweep 
 ing charge on the Confederate flank. 
 
 Gordon s line halted. Those men could never break 
 through that dense firm line of Union infantry. An officer 
 rode out in front of the enemy s line, with a piece of white 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 509 
 
 cloth raised on the point of his sword. A Union officer 
 meeting him said, "We have no authority to receive a flag 
 of truce, unless it means surrender." "It means surrender." 
 
 Scouts had reached Appomattox before the advance of 
 the Union army. The fences had been down, and the scouts 
 had for days been riding all through the Confederate army. 
 When the truce was announced one of these was passing 
 General Gordon on the way to his own lines. The general 
 stopped him. "Don t you know you are liable to be shot if 
 found in the other army while there is a flag of truce be 
 tween the lines?" Colonel Moore of Sheridan s staff said: 
 "He is one of our men." Gordon asked, "Then why is he 
 in Confederate uniform?" The colonel replied: "Oh, we 
 have to get along with any kind of clothing we can get, these 
 times." The scout went on to where Sheridan was. The 
 general berated him soundly for being seen there, and or 
 dered him back out of sight. 
 
 While the two great generals were in conference in the 
 McLean house, the antagonistic armies met on friendly 
 terms. The Union soldiers shared the contents of their 
 haversacks with their half-starved antagonists. 
 
 Arrangements were made for turning over all arms and 
 public property to authorities designated to receive them. 
 The terms of the conqueror were liberal. All were free to 
 go to their homes on parole. The officers were to retain 
 their side arms, private horses and baggage. Enlisted men 
 could take home their private horses for their spring plough 
 ing. These generous terms were appreciated, and the vic 
 tors showed the utmost consideration. Grant permitted no 
 firing of cannon in honor of the victory. 
 
 But some South Carolina cavalry came to the place ap 
 pointed for dismounting and giving up their arms. It was 
 with ill grace they came. They still showed something of 
 the spirit of rebellion. Their manner provoked the para- 
 
510 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 phrase of the usual form of the order for dismounting, 
 "At-ten-shun ! Pr-e-p-a-a-a-re to git off yer critters; Git!" 
 Upon declaring that they were not subdued they were met 
 with the invitation to "come out one side into the open and 
 I ll subdue you, or you will me." The invitation was not 
 accepted. 
 
 Lee published an order to the men of his army com 
 mending them for their faithful performance of duty, but 
 without a suggestion that they might have been mistaken in 
 their course, or, that they had anything to regret except their 
 failure to break up the Union. And he might have said a 
 word acknowledging the liberal terms that had been granted, 
 and advising loyalty to the old government. 
 
 All the details of the surrender having been attended to, 
 the veterans of the army of Northern Virginia started for 
 their homes. In parts of companies, in squads of a dozen, 
 by threes and twos and singly, they set out on their weary 
 tramping. In most cases it was a sad return to their former 
 homes. Their homes had been broken up, their families 
 scattered, the land laid waste. 
 
 The victorious legions took up their line of march to 
 Petersburg and Richmond. The army of Sherman had 
 been following that of Johnston up through the Carolinas. 
 The cavalry was ordered to march to Sherman s aid. But 
 Johnston had signified his willingness to surrender on the 
 same terms that had been granted to Lee, and the cavalry 
 returned. 
 
 The 1 4th, the regiment was south of Petersburg. This 
 had been appointed as a day of special ceremony in Fort 
 Sumter. It was the anniversary of the day on which Major 
 Anderson had relinquished the fort, saluted his flag and 
 sailed to the North, where he made his report to the govern 
 ment. Now, Major General Anderson raised the same flag 
 that he had hauled down four years before. Henry Ward 
 
APPOMATTOX : THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. 511 
 
 Beecher, at the invitation of the President, gave a masterful 
 discourse reviewing the events^of the last four years, so full 
 of momentous consequences. 
 
 Colonel McReynolds, on retiring from the service, had 
 opened a law office in Washington. His son, Lieutenant B. 
 Frank McReynolds, who had been discharged the previous 
 January, was also in Washington, and on the evening of this 
 same I4th of April was a witness of the tragedy of that 
 night. 
 
 He writes : "I was in Ford s Theater the night Presi 
 dent Lincoln was shot, and was the first to inform Secretary 
 Usher, of the cabinet, of the sad occurrence. 
 
 Lieutenant Warren and wife had bought tickets with 
 the view of being near the presidential party. They invited 
 me to go with them. So I had a good opportunity of seeing 
 the tragedy which unfortunately was too real. 
 
 Well do I remember seeing Booth in the President s 
 box ; hearing the shot ; the scream of the other occupants of 
 the box; seeing Booth as he jumped; the flashing of the 
 polished blade of steel as he crossed the stage, and the big 
 form of Lawyer Stewart as he quickly followed. 
 
 Tragic events quickly followed one another in those 
 days. When I look back it seems like a dream." 
 
 There had been some remarkable coincidences connected 
 with this war. The first blood was shed at Baltimore, on 
 the anniversary of Lexington, eighty-six years before. The 
 surrender of Lee s army was on Palm Sunday, the day that 
 commemorated the triumphal entry of the Savior into Jeru 
 salem. On the evening of Good Friday, that commemorated 
 the crucifixion, President Lincoln was shot. He died on 
 the morning of the I5th, four years from the day on which 
 he issued his first call for seventy-five thousand men. 
 
 The effect of the news of the death of the President 
 
512 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 cannot be described. All through the camps there was un 
 wonted silence. A few brief expressions of sadness over 
 the loss to the nation in the untimely death of the great, 
 kind-hearted man, and little more was said. Tears were 
 seen on the bronzed faces of stalwart soldiers, who could 
 ride into the presence of death without a tremor. It was the 
 saddest day in camp that the soldiers had ever known. It 
 was as if a pall had been let down upon them. 
 
 At evening dress parade bands played dirges that never 
 seemed so sad before. Chaplains and others spoke to peo 
 ple that gathered at dress parade and Sunday services, but 
 all inadequately. But there was consolation in the thought 
 that he had lived to see the end of the armed rebellion, 
 
 "Even a dream is from the Ruler of Heaven," sang 
 Homer. A dream had been sent to Lincoln just previous to 
 each of the most important events of the war. The same 
 dream, more impressive than ever before, came to him the 
 night before his assassination. There is restfulness in the 
 thought that it came as a premonition a sign the seal of 
 Heaven s approval upon his finished work. 
 
CHAPTER XLVIII. 
 ANNANDALE. 
 
 IMMEDIATELY after the surrender General Custer pub 
 lished the following address to his division: 
 
 HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, 
 APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE, VA., April 9, 1865. 
 
 Soldiers of the Third Cavalry Division: 
 
 With profound gratitude toward the God of battles, by whose 
 blessings our enemies have been humbled and our arms rendered tri 
 umphant, your commanding general avails himself of this, his first 
 opportunity, to express to you his admiration of the heroic manner in 
 which you have passed through the series of battles which to-day 
 resulted in the surrender of the enemy s entire army. 
 
 The record established by your indomitable courage is unparalleled 
 in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect 
 and admiration of your enemies. During the past six months, al 
 though in most instances confronted by superior numbers, you have 
 captured from the enemy, in open battle, one hundred and eleven pieces 
 of field artillery, sixty-five battle flags, and upwards of ten thousand 
 prisoners of war, including seven general officers. Within the past 
 ten days, and included in the above, you have captured forty-six pieces 
 of field artillery and thirty-seven battle flags. You have never lost a 
 gun, never lost a color, and have never been defeated; and notwith 
 standing the numerous engagements in which you have borne a prom 
 inent part, including those memorable battles of the Shenandoah, you 
 have captured every piece of artillery which the enemy has dared to 
 open upon you. The near approach of peace renders it improbable that 
 you will again be called upon to undergo the fatigues of the toilsome 
 march or the exposure of the battlefield; but should the assistance of 
 keen blades, wielded by your sturdy arms, be required to hasten the 
 coming of that glorious peace for which we have been so long contend- 
 
 511 
 
514 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 ing, the general commanding is proudly confident that, in the future 
 as in the past, every demand will meet with a hearty and willing 
 response. 
 
 Let us hope that our work is done, and that, blessed with the com 
 forts of peace, we may be permitted to enjoy the pleasures of home 
 and friends. For our comrades who have fallen let us ever cherish a 
 grateful remembrance. To the wounded, and to those who languish in 
 Southern prisons, let our heartfelt sympathy be tendered. 
 
 And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended and 
 the task of the historian begins when those deeds of daring, which 
 have rendered the name and fame of the Third Cavalry Division im 
 perishable, are inscribed upon the bright pages of our country s history, 
 I only ask that my name may be written as that of the commander of the 
 Third Cavalry Division. 
 
 G. A. CUSTER, 
 
 Brevet Major-General Commanding. 
 Official : 
 
 L. W. BARN HART, 
 
 Captain and Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 After a few days rest at Petersburg the division 
 marched to Richmond. The city was relieved from the 
 long siege. There was better order with less restraint than 
 since the war began. People felt secure, and free from fear 
 of an alarm. Even those who had been most bitter against 
 the Union army, and especially against the colored troops, 
 felt safe under their protection. The late Confederate gen 
 erals returned to their homes in the city. General Gordon 
 had left his wife confined to her bed, seriously ill. His in 
 tense anxiety on her account was relieved when, returning, 
 he found her home protected by Union guards who were 
 gentlemen, and who courteously saluted him as he entered 
 his own gate. In the following years in high official posi 
 tions he was loyal to the Union. 
 
 After a few days march the division reached the vicin 
 ity of Alexandria. The largest part of the First regiment 
 had been under Custer all the way to Appomattox, had had 
 
ANNANDALE. 515 
 
 a hand in the last fight, and had looked on at Lee s surrender. 
 The detachment under Martindale had come from Win 
 chester. A few who had been in Remount Camp in Pleas 
 ant Valley were in camp at Falls Church. The scattered 
 parts were within visiting distance of one another. Those 
 who had been released from prisons, after a rest in hospitals 
 or their homes, for weeks little better than skeletons, had 
 become able and anxious to be with their comrades in camp, 
 and as they came they were heartily welcomed. 
 
 Many who had been on detached service were relieved 
 from such duty and joined the regiment. George G. Peavey 
 had been peculiarly adapted for orderly and scouting duty. 
 During the Peninsular campaign while the regiment was 
 with McClellan, he had been kept as a special orderly for 
 McDowell. And during the last campaign he had been 
 chief of scouts for General Seward at Martinsburg. 
 
 It may be a matter of interest to recall the once familiar 
 forms of orders given to those detailed on special duty, 
 
 HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, 
 MARTINSBURG, W. VA., Oct. 7th, 1864. 
 
 SPECIAL ORDER, 
 
 No. 10. 
 
 ************ 
 
 Extract. 
 
 VI. The following named enlisted men are hereby detailed for 
 duty at these Hd. Qrs., and will at once report for duty: Sergt. Geo. 
 G. Peavey, Co. B, ist N. Y. Cav., "as scout." 
 
 By order of 
 
 Brig. Gen. SEWARD, 
 
 E. C. WATKINS, 
 
 A. A. G. 
 
 Official Copy. 
 
 CHAS. FASDECK, 
 
 Lt. and A. D. C. 
 
516 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 MARTINSBURG, VA., April 24th, 1865. 
 Guards, Pickets, and Patrols: 
 
 Pass Sergeant Geo. G. Peavey, Chief of Scouts, on all roads at 
 all hours, until further order. 
 
 By Order of 
 
 COL. R. E. COOK, 
 
 C. C. ILSLEY, 
 
 A. A. A. G. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 MARTINSBURG, W. VA., April i4th, 1865. 
 ORDERS. 
 
 Sergeant Peavey, Chief of Scouts at these headquarters, will pro 
 ceed to Haynsville and Sick Mills, and inform Mr. Partrige and 
 John French, merchants, that if they sell any goods to farmers south 
 of Martinsburg, on any other days except Mondays and Thursdays, 
 their stock will be confiscated. Orders governing trade are to be 
 observed by them the same as those of Martinsburg. 
 
 By Order of 
 
 COL. R. E. COOK, 
 
 C. C. ILSLEY, 
 
 A. A. A. G. 
 
 MEDICAL DIRECTOR S OFFICE, 
 
 MARTINSBURG, W. VA., October 22d, 1864. 
 
 SPECIAL ORDERS, 
 No. 101. 
 
 4 Hospital Steward JOHN H. GARRISON, ist N. Y. (Lincoln) 
 
 Cavalry, with twenty (20) nurses will report to Surg. FRED K ELLIOTT, 
 1st N. Y. (Lincoln) Cavalry, to proceed to Baltimore with train of 
 sick and wounded. Having performed this duty, he will return with 
 the nurses and report to this office for further orders. 
 
 The Q. M. Dept. will furnish the necessary transportation. 
 
 WILLIAM HAYS, 
 
 Surgeon U. S. Vols., 
 
 Act g Medical Director, 
 
 Dept. of West Va, 
 Hosp. Steward J. H. Garrison, 
 
 First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry. 
 
ANNANDALE. 517 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, M., M. D., 
 
 May 20th, 1865. 
 SPECIAL ORDERS, 
 No. 33. 
 
 Hospital Steward John Garrison is hereby ordered to report to 
 Act g Staff Surgeon, FRED K ELLIOT, in Winchester, Va., without delay. 
 
 The Quartermaster s Department will furnish the necessary trans 
 portation. By command of 
 
 MAJ. GEN. MERRITT, 
 
 G. W. GORDON, 
 
 Capt. and A. A. A. G. 
 
 Maj. Rupell, please give order to return with me. 
 
 F. ELLIOT. 
 
 George G. Peavey had always proved himself one of 
 the pluckiest fellows in the regiment. He was never in 
 better spirits than when he was watching his chance to get a 
 shot at a rebel. But in time it came to pass that he encount 
 ered a young rebel as plucky as himself, one Susan Van 
 Vachten, whose pleasant home was "down on the Shenan- 
 doah." They had watched the signs of the times, and when 
 the South gave up Richmond these two antagonists came to 
 the same conclusion that Ewell and his generals came to at 
 Sailor s creek that there was no use in trying to hold out 
 any longer. And on this same 6th of April, they sealed a 
 sacred and lasting truce. Peavey became a prosperous 
 master printer, interested and active in the association and 
 the Grand Army of the Republic. He was chosen as one of 
 the Guard of Honor at the bier of General Grant when the 
 remains of the dead Chieftan lay in state in the Capitol at 
 Albany, and in the City Hall, New York. 
 
 Around his pleasant home in Brooklyn there were no 
 "guards, pickets and patrols" to keep away any old comrade. 
 A heartier greeting was never given than was always ex 
 tended by this gallant "Chief of scouts" and his amiable 
 
518 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 family to any old fellow of the regiment who might happen 
 around. 
 
 Without warning, on the loth of June, 1901, he was 
 stricken with death. At his funeral four prominent or 
 ganizations attested their appreciation of his worth. But 
 none could bear witness to his manly character more sincerely 
 than his comrades of the First cavalry. 
 
 His father, George W. Peavey, from whom the son had 
 inherited the spirit of a soldier, for his faithful service, was 
 rewarded with a commission in the Fifty-seventh U. S. C. T. 
 He was a man of unusual vigor, sincere and intense in his 
 convictions. 
 
 Another who had been discharged the year before to 
 become a captain in the U5th U. S. C. T. was Charles P. 
 Ives of Co. H, a capital young fellow and an active soldier, 
 who was one of the unflinching few that followed Lieuten 
 ant Hidden when that officer rode to his death at Sangster s 
 station. * % 
 
 Few men in the regiment had placed upon them the 
 necessity of doing more important service than John H. 
 Garrison, in looking after the welfare of the thousands of 
 wounded. A hearty, genuine fellow with cheerful presence 
 and an abundance of good nature in reserve; he was helpful 
 to the unfortunate who came under his care. In civil life 
 he became prominent on the cotton exchange. 
 
 Anthony Fiala had been well taught in the best schools 
 of his native Bohemia. After his efficient service he re 
 turned to his occupation as a skilled worker in diamonds. 
 He, too, was one of the "Guard of Honor" at the bier of 
 General Grant. A genial, companionable man, fortunate in 
 all his relations, at his death, January 25, 1897, he was sin 
 cerely lamented. A son that inherits his martial spirit, 
 served through the recent war with Spain, published an 
 
DR. FREDERICK ELLIOTT. 
 
 JOHN H. GARRISON. 
 
 GEORGE S. PEAVEY. 
 
 LE MOYNE BLftUEIGH.. 
 
ANNANDALE. 519 
 
 interesting volume of experiences, and is now on an expedi 
 tion searching for the North pole. 
 
 May 22, the united detachments crossed the Potomac 
 and marched to Bladensburg, in Maryland. Here all 
 mounted men were collected preparatory for the review on 
 the following day. 
 
 The morning of the 23 rd was bright, cool and breezy. 
 The various organizations moved early and waited in the 
 grounds around the capitol to take their places in the line of 
 march. 
 
 Glister s division headed the column. The men wore a 
 strip of scarlet cloth passing around the neck or tied to the 
 collar, the badge of the division. Pennnsylvania avenue 
 was lined with people. They crowded the sidewalks; they 
 filled the windows and the roofs. The buildings were bril 
 liant with decorations, flags and streamers. 
 
 The regiment, commanded by Major Martindale, was 
 the first in the Third brigade. The marching lines reached 
 from sidewalk to sidewalk. Each set of colors was greeted 
 with cheers all along the grand avenue. As the colors of 
 the regiment turned to the right at the Treasury building 
 the tattered, bullet-rent flags attracted the special attention of 
 an enthusiastic man, who called for "Three cheers for that 
 flag!" The vast multitudes that crowded the broad steps 
 and the grounds in front, responded with cheers that shook 
 the air. It was the worst looking flag that had yet passed 
 in the column. Three bullets had struck it at Sailor s creek. 
 In that fight the bearer of the colors, Sergeant Edward Giles, 
 had been three times wounded, though slightly ; other bullets 
 had pierced his clothing, and his horse was killed, yet he 
 kept hold of the flag, and he was carrying it now. 
 
 The column passed in front of the White House and 
 the reviewing stand. On this stand were the rulers of the 
 nation, the representatives of the people, the ministers of 
 
520 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 other countries, the generals of the army, and the high offi 
 cers of the navy. An assemblage of more men illustrious in 
 the nation s history, had not been seen. But the greatest 
 man of the period, the man who for four years had borne 
 the heaviest responsibility committed to any man in the cen 
 tury, whom the soldiers in the passing ranks would have 
 most cared to see, the man who had kept his oath to save 
 the Union was not there. The greatest statesman of 
 modern times, like the greatest statesman of ancient times, 
 had led his people to the border land of peace. He was 
 permitted, from the heights of duty done, to look at the 
 prospect and was called away. 
 
 These marching legions formed something more than a 
 mere spectacular display. 
 
 Twere worth ten years of peaceful life, 
 One glance at that array. 
 
 They represented the ability of a republic to maintain 
 its own integrity. 
 
 After the review the various corps marched back to 
 Bladensburg. The next day Sherman s army was in like 
 manner reviewed. A peculiar feature was the procession of 
 bummers following each organization foragers on all sorts 
 of mounts, in all sorts of apparel, and with all sorts of for 
 aged possessions. 
 
 Colonel Capehart had been made a brigadier general for 
 services in the pursuit of Lee, but after receiving his appoint 
 ment had resigned. Colonel Adams was now commanding 
 the brigade and Lieut. Col. Battersby was commanding the 
 regiment. Captain Hinton, who had been at City Point in 
 charge of prisoners, was now returned. 
 
 The 29th, the regiment marched through the city, across 
 Long Bridge, through Alexandria, and four or five miles out 
 on the pike to Annandale, a high, convenient camping 
 ground. 
 
ANNANDALE. 521 
 
 The experiences of four years naturally had made men 
 wiser and less excitable than in the early part of their career. 
 At first it was something worth mentioning to have seen, 
 while on picket, a Confederate in the distance. And there 
 was now and then one who, like Caesar s lieutenant, was 
 suspected of having reported "as seen that which he had not 
 seen the top of a mountain full of enemies." This loca 
 tion of the camp was the scene of an exploit in the early ex 
 perience of the regiment. 
 
 In December, 1861, the present colonel, then a major, 
 had gone out with his battalion. He had led his men with 
 drawn sabres on a ringing charge through the little place 
 of a half a dozen houses. He arrested a few old residents, 
 and hearing that there was an armed force of an indefinite 
 number, at an indefinite distance beyond, he sent a swift 
 courier back to General Kearney to report that he had cap 
 tured the place, and if he only had re-enforcements he could 
 hold it, or retiring draw the pursuing enemy into an am 
 bush. Thinking from this report that the situation was seri 
 ous, the general sent the following note: 
 
 HEADQUARTERS N. J. VOLUNTEERS, 
 
 Near 4 p.m. 
 To Colonel McReynolds 
 
 or Senior Officer Lincoln Horse: 
 
 SIR Send at once two squadrons (gait eight miles an hour) to the 
 neighborhood of Annandale, with these instructions to Major Adams: 
 To beat the enemy or draw him under our infantry fire, and charge 
 him home "instanter" on the ambush fire. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 P. KEARNEY. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Schickfuss immediately started out 
 with a squadron, but met the major returning with the squad 
 of prisoners, having left behind an unknown number sup 
 posed to be disabled in his ambush. The regiment had 
 waited anxiously for the return of the battalion, and now 
 
522 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 with loud cheers greeted their coming. But it was found 
 that the less than a dozen prisoners "these nine in 
 buckram that I told thee of" were loyal citizens, non-com 
 batants, who had been given protection papers, and who 
 were now allowed to go home with an apology for the incon 
 venience to which they had been subjected. 
 
 There were times when the major thought it the proper 
 thing to call to pay his respects to the division commander 
 and his staff. Here were some facetious officers who never 
 failed to call upon the major for the diverting account of 
 "The Battle of Annandale." The portly major would push 
 his fingers upward through his bushy hair and assure his 
 interested listeners that his strategic plans on that occasion 
 had been laid according to the principles of the science of 
 w 7 ar. "If the enemy did not fall into the ambush I had laid 
 for them, gentlemen, it was not my fault, gentlemen. I 
 had done my part, gentlemen, and was prepared for them, 
 if they had come." 
 
 This Gadshill episode was long the subject of amuse 
 ment at the major s expense. But at Nineveh and on other 
 fields he had redeemed some of his early blunders and won 
 credit for courageous fighting. He was good natured, and 
 could now afford to enjoy the old joke on himself as well as 
 others, until his ample sides and front would shake with 
 laughter. One thing he could claim that some others could 
 not, that he had never made a mistake that had brought 
 serious disaster to his men. 
 
 Major Bailey was for years engaged in the manufacture 
 of lumber in North Carolina. But finally he returned to 
 New York, and in his leisure contributed military remin 
 iscences to the press. He had died, an honored member of 
 the association. 
 
 Hinton and New held responsible and permanent posi 
 tions in the New York Custom House. Fred Hotchkiss has 
 
ANNANDALE. 523 
 
 become largely interested in irrigating the plains of South 
 ern California. Valentine is a prosperous commission mer 
 chant at 262 Washington St., New York. Clark Stanton 
 became connected with the pension bureau, and Charles N. 
 Warren held a position in the government printing office at 
 Washington. Rork became manager of the Chickering 
 piano establishment, in Boston. Joseph Poulitzer became 
 proprietor of the New York World newspaper. John F. 
 Kent found a home in Minnesota. Charles P. Henry be 
 came a respected and trusted resident of Milwaukee, the 
 only man of the regiment in the state except the writer. 
 
 One whose work has been and will be especially valuable 
 to the student and writer of history is Henry C. Koch, a 
 leading architect of Milwaukee. He was with Sheridan as 
 topographical engineer, from 1862 till after the close of the 
 war. The most of the maps of Sheridan s battlefields, to 
 which it has been necessary to refer often, were made by 
 Comrade Koch. 
 
 In 1898 the writer was entertained for several days by 
 Comrade Besley and his pleasant family, at Ashgrove, near 
 Falls Church. The two rode around the wide semicircle of 
 the outer fortifications, from Fort Buffalo on the north to 
 Fort Lyon on the south. Some of the works had remained 
 unchanged except by rain and frost. Some were covered 
 with bushes and young trees. Camp Kearney was a goat 
 pasture. The old headquarters house was going to ruin. 
 The walls were standing, but the windows were gone and 
 the doors were broken down. The basement where the offi 
 cers mess had feasted, was now the stable of the four- 
 footed creatures of the pasture field. 
 
 The fields of the reviews under McClellan had been re 
 claimed from the effects of war. Some of the old waste 
 places were the sites of pleasant and thrifty villages. Lin- 
 colnia was the modern post-office name of Annandale. 
 
CHAPTER XLIX. 
 MUSTERED OUT. 
 
 ORDERS were received to make out rolls of officers and 
 men, and reports of property, preparatory to being 
 mustered out. The scattered service of the regiment had 
 rendered it impossible to keep all records absolutely correct. 
 As nearly as can now be ascertained, the officers at this date 
 were as follows : 
 
 ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 
 
 Colonel A W. ADAMS. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel J. C. BATTERSBY. 
 
 Majors E. H. BAILEY. 
 
 F. G. MARTINDALE. 
 
 FRANCIS PASSEGGER. 
 Surgeon ABRAM WELCH. 
 Assistant Surgeon T. D. POWELL. 
 Adjutant WM. H. BEACH. 
 Quartermaster JOHN NEWTH. 
 Commissary HORACE B. ADAMS. 
 Chaplain Wit. W. McNAiR. 
 
 COMPANY A. COMPANY C. 
 
 Captain -Wm. Alexander. Captain Samuel Stevens. 
 
 First Lieut. Augustus Delaney. First Lieut. Lemuel Evans. 
 Second Lieut. Valentine Mack. COMPANY D. 
 
 COMPANY B. Captain Franldm McConnaughy. 
 Captain A. Chalmers Hinton. COMPANY E. 
 
 First Lieut. Robert E. Clarke. Captain Frederick Daber. 
 
 Second Lieut. Albert A. Foye. Second Lieut. Louis Kneif. 
 
 524 
 
MUSTERED OUT. 525 
 
 COMPANY F. COMPANY K. 
 
 Captain John J. O Brien. Captain-Edwin F. Savacool. 
 
 Second Lieut. Charles Weber. Second Lieut. join R. Norton. 
 
 COMPANY G. 
 
 . , . T-, , .XT COMPANY L. 
 
 Second Lieut. Edw. A. New. 
 
 COMPANY H. F ? st "" -Milton Cafferty. 
 L*.-V. F. Farnsworth. 
 
 Second Lieut. S. I. Barber. COMPANY M. 
 
 COMPANY I. First Lieut. Fred E. Hotchkiss. 
 
 Captain]. D. Kryniski. Second Lieut. Edward Lake. 
 
 Some of the companies were below the minimum neces- 
 saryto entitle them to their full quota of officers. Promotions 
 were made to fill all vacancies. Commissions did not in all 
 cases reach those who had been recommended for promo 
 tion until after the regiment was discharged. To an in 
 quiry addressed to the war department relative to the stand 
 ing of these men, the following reply was given under date 
 of September 23, 1901 : 
 
 "Under the provisions of the act of Congress approved 
 February 24, 1897, sucn men are ne ld and considered by 
 this Department to have been mustered into the service of 
 the United States in the grades to which they were commis 
 sioned, to take effect from the date from which they were 
 to rank." 
 
 In the roll of the regiment these men are reported ac 
 cording to this decision of the war department. 
 
 There were necessary frequent visits to the offices in 
 Washington on errands of many kinds. On one of these 
 visits, June 3rd, a call was made at the Armory Square 
 Hospital to see Captain Savacool. He had died the previ 
 ous night. After he was wounded at Sailor s creek he was 
 taken to the hospital at City Point. Here General Sheridan 
 frequently called to see him, and encouraged him with the 
 prospect of the bright career before him when he should 
 recover from his wound. But it was a grievous wound. 
 
526 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 The fatal bullet had reached a spot where it could not be 
 reached. Surgical skill could not save him. His remains 
 were taken to his home at Marshall, Mich., where the peo 
 ple paid special honors to his memory. At a later date the 
 officers adopted the resolutions following, which, with a brief 
 sketch of his career, were published in the leading papers of 
 his state : 
 
 CAPTAIN EDWIN F. SAVACOOL. 
 
 Captain Edwin F. Savacool enlisted as a private in the first one 
 hundred cavalry that left this state, and was transferred to the New 
 York Lincoln Cavalry. He was promoted to a lieutenancy in 1864 for 
 his daring conduct in capturing the notorious Blackford, and for other 
 daring deeds was soon promoted to a captaincy. He brought into 
 camp, in two years and five months, single-handed, seventy-two pris 
 oners. Within five months he had five horses shot under him. On 
 the day before he was wounded the horse which he rode received seven 
 balls. He was shot during the severe fight at Sailor s Creek, where 
 Ewell was taken, while he was capturing a battle flag. 
 
 The regiment to which he belonged was itself one of the most 
 distinguished for its gallantry and valor. At Sailor s Creek, his brigade 
 captured seven pieces of artillery, one thousand five hundred prisoners, 
 fourteen battle flags, (one of which he took himself when he received 
 his death wound) seven major-generals, also one hundred wagons. As 
 related by one present, "with a degree of impetuosity seldom equaled, 
 and a bravery equal to that of the Spartan Band, this brigade charged 
 and carried the enemy s works, defended by two lines of infantry. In 
 the great charges of the war, but few, if any have been more brilliant." 
 To have belonged to such a brigade was sufficient glory, but to have 
 been honored by it, as Captain Savacool was, is to reach the height of 
 all ambition. 
 
 At a meeting of the officers of the regiment, in camp near Annan- 
 dale, Va., June 25th, the following resolutions were unanimously 
 adopted : 
 
 ist. That it has been with feelings of the deepest sorrow that we 
 have learned of the death of our comrade and brother officer, Captain 
 Edwin F. Savacool. 
 
 2d. That during his connection with this regiment since its first 
 organization, in 1861, whether as private, sergeant, lieutenant, or captain, 
 he has always done his whole duty as a soldier; having, while a ser 
 geant, and detailed for the dangerous and most important service of a 
 scout, captured, in person, more than seventy prisoners; that as an 
 
MUSTERED OUT. 527 
 
 officer, he was always foremost in every action, inspiring his men with 
 an enthusiasm to follow where it was possible for soldiers to go, and 
 having, in a desperate charge, captured a rebel battle flag, which he 
 was waving in boyish glee, just as he received his mortal wound. 
 
 3d. That in his simplicity, manliness and straightforwardness ; in 
 his discreet but fearless bravery, that won for him the admiration even 
 of his enemies ; in his large heart with an intense hatred of the rebel 
 lion, yet so full of generous impulses and fervent love of country, we 
 recognize the character of a true hero and patriot. 
 
 4th. That in his death the Republic has lost one of its bravest 
 defenders and truest citizens, who fell a martyr to the cause of Free 
 dom, just at the coming of the righteous peace for which he had so 
 long and so bravely fought. 
 
 5th. That while we tender to the relatives of the heroic dead our 
 sincere sympathy in their bereavement, we rejoice with them that he 
 lived to see the complete triumph of the cause to which he had not in 
 vain given his life. 
 
 6th. That these resolutions be published in the New York Herald 
 and Michigan papers, and a copy be transmitted to the relatives of the 
 deceased. 
 
 F. G. MARTINDALE, 
 Major ist N. Y. Cavalry, Chairman. 
 
 WM. H. BEACH, 
 
 ist Lieut. Co. F, Adjt., Secretary. 
 
 June 4th, General Grant published these General Orders 
 to all the armies. 
 
 Soldiers of the Army of the United States: 
 
 B} r your patriotic devotion to your country in the hour of danger 
 and alarm, and your magnificent fighting, bravery and endurance, you 
 have maintained the supremacy of the Union and the Constitution, over 
 thrown all armed opposition to the enforcement of the laws and of the 
 proclamation forever abolishing slavery, the cause and pretext of the 
 Rebellion, and opened the way to the rightful authorities to restore 
 order and inaugurate peace on a permanent and enduring basis, on 
 every foot of American soil. Your marches, sieges and battles, in 
 distance, duration, resolution and brilliancy of results, dim the lustre 
 of the world s past military achievements, and will be the patriot s 
 precedent in defence of liberty and right in all time to come. In 
 obedience to your country s call, you left your homes and families, and 
 volunteered in her defence. Victory has crowned your valor, and 
 secured the purpose of your patriotic hearts; and, with the gratitude 
 
528 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 of your countrymen, and the highest honors a great and free nation 
 can accord, you will soon be permitted to return to your homes and 
 families, conscious of having discharged the highest duty of American 
 citizens. To achieve these glorious triumphs, and secure to yourselves, 
 your fellow-countrymen and posterity, the blessings of free institutions, 
 tens of thousands of your gallant comrades have fallen, and sealed the 
 priceless legacy with their blood. The graves of these, a grateful nation 
 bedews with tears. It honors their memories, and will ever cherish 
 and support their stricken families. 
 
 (Signed) U. S. GRANT. 
 
 June 5, camp was moved to Cloud s Mills, two miles 
 nearer Alexandria. There were reports to the effect that the 
 regiment was to be sent to Kentucky, possibly on the way 
 to Mexico, to compel the emperor of the French to cease 
 interfering with the affairs of that country to maintain the 
 Monroe Doctrine. 
 
 The 7th, the regiment moved by way of Bailey s Cross 
 Roads to the vicinity of Long Bridge, and encamped on the 
 plain below the hill. Renewed acquaintance with localities 
 well known in the winter of 61-62. The 8th, crossed over 
 to Washington, then back to Fort Albany, and marched again 
 to Annandale, where orders were finally received for the 
 muster-out of the regiment. It took time to complete the 
 rolls and bring the records up to date. 
 
 The 23rd and 24th, the adjutant was enabled to make 
 the completed returns of the regiment to the proper depart 
 ment, and receive his certificates of non-indebtedness a 
 mighty relief after having worked almost day and night to 
 get the reports correctly made. Horses and all public prop 
 erty were to be turned over to the quartermaster department. 
 
 The last night in camp was celebrated with bonfires and 
 exultant demonstrations. 
 
 Orders for transportation were obtained, and en the 
 morning of Monday, June 26, the regiment broke camp, 
 marched to the nearest railroad station, and were soon leav- 
 
MUSTERED OUT. 529 
 
 ing the sacred soil of redeemed Virginia. Delayed in Wash 
 ington by having to unload, march to the other depot, and 
 load on another train. It was almost dark when we finally 
 moved out of Washington. Again in the night we had to 
 change cars, and march through Baltimore. Again, the 
 27th, we had to march through Philadelphia, stopping to 
 eat an abundant dinner at the Union Refreshment Rooms. 
 At night we arrived at New York. 
 
 The following is from the New York Times of the 
 
 The First New York (Lincoln Cavalry arrived yesterday morning, 
 and proceeded to the State Agency Rooms, Eighth Regiment Armory, 
 where a splendid dinner was prepared for the command by Colonel 
 Colyer, the New York State Agent. The regiment being expected on 
 Tuesday night, liberal provision was made for the reception at the 
 Agency. The ladies had prepared an elegant dinner for them, loading 
 the tables with fruits and flowers, and Colonel Colyer had Robertson s 
 band of thirty pieces waiting at the Battery at five o clock. But this 
 gallant regiment one of the pets of New York did not arrive, owing 
 to some delay in the trains. A regiment of cavalry was also in 
 waiting to escort the command from the Battery, but that part of the 
 programme was omitted when the regiment did finally arrive. 
 
 Marching up Broadway, the Lincoln Cavalry was received with 
 heartiness by those witnessing their progress up town, and the veteran 
 organization was noticed and recognized as their fame merited. 
 
 After enjoying a substantial dinner provided by the State Agency, 
 and a bountiful supply of ripe fruit, Colonel Colyer, on behalf of Gov 
 ernor Fenton, who had so desired, in a neat and telling speech, set 
 forth the earnest w r ishes of the Governor of New York to render to all 
 returning regiments of New York a fitting reception. In response to 
 the speech of Colonel Colyer, Colonel A. W. Adams, commanding the 
 Lincoln Cavalry, replied as follows : 
 
 SPEECH OF COLONEL ADAMS. 
 
 HONORED SIR : As Colonel commanding the First Regiment of 
 New York Cavalry, now about to leave the national service, I feel 
 oppressed with a sense of gratitude for the flattering reception we have 
 received upon reaching "home, sweet home," after four years of ardu 
 ous service in sustaining the institutions of our beloved country. Per 
 mit me, honored sir, to say for myself, and the brave officers and men 
 whom it has been my privilege and honor to command, that this is the 
 "day of days" of our weary pilgrimage, and that it will ever be to us 
 
530 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 the "greenest spot in memory s waste." Not the less do we prize this 
 generous reception because it is given in the name and by authority of 
 His Excellency, Reuben E. Fenton, our honored and patriotic Gover 
 northe true friend of the soldier and the Union. Your kindness will 
 be enbalmed in our hearts, and consecrated in our affections. 
 
 The commendation, the hearty greeting of friends at home, with 
 "well done, good and faithful servants," is not only cheering to the 
 soldier s heart, but we receive them as ample compensation for all the 
 sufferings and trials through which we have passed. It will, I trust, 
 be no departure from modesty one of the cardinal qualities of the 
 true soldier to say that the First New York Cavalry was the first regi 
 ment of that arm of the public service that voluntarily came to the 
 rescue of our imperiled institutions, upon the breaking out of the 
 rebellion. We asked no "bounties," we demanded no sordid gain, but 
 made a free offering of our services, our lives, and our honor in support 
 of the supremacy and majesty of the starry flag of the republic. 
 
 I cannot, in detail, recapitulate the services of this regiment, but the 
 impartial historian will record that it met the foe in many of the 
 bloodiest conflicts of the war, as that (pointing to the old regimental 
 colors) honored, dearly prized, mutilated and tattered flag will testify 
 and that it was always prompt in the discharge of every duty, in the 
 camp, on the march, on picket and on "fields of crimson gore." 
 Many of the gallant officers, and hundreds of the brave men of this 
 regiment have fallen victims to their devotion and valor, and sleep 
 sweetly, I trust, in their honored graves, upon Southern soil. We ask 
 of the friends of the American Union, to drop a tear to their memory. 
 
 The war is happily at an end. The supremacy of the government 
 has been maintained, and as a nation we are about to enter upon a new 
 career of honor, prosperity and glory! Gratitude should be engraven 
 upon our "heart of hearts," to the giver of all good for His distinguished 
 mercies in vouchsafing to us the preservation unimpaired of our free 
 institutions. Myself, and my brother officers and men, about to sever 
 our connection, as soldiers, with the National Government will soon 
 resume our peaceful avocations. We return not among you with 
 wealth ; but, I trust, not without honor. In the language of the Scot- 
 
 For gold the merchant plows the main, 
 
 The farmer plows the manor, 
 But glory is the soldier s prize, 
 
 The soldier s wealth is honor ! 
 
 The surviving officers and men of the First Regiment of New York 
 Cavalry are not politicians; but they love our free institutions and 
 they have not been wholly unobservant of, or indifferent to, the deep 
 duplicity of Great Britain, and the designs and intrigues of the Em- 
 
MUSTERED OUT. 531 
 
 peror of the French, during our late struggle with rebellion. We labor 
 under the conviction, sir, that the doctrine of the fifth President of 
 the United States, the illustrious JAMES MONROE, in regard to crowned 
 heads ruling on any portion of our continent, is wise, statesmanlike 
 and patriotic; and should our government ever call upon the sons of 
 the land to maintain this doctrine, I hazard nothing in saying that the 
 officers and men of this veteran regiment would as cheerfully and 
 promptly respond to such a call as they did to the reverberating report 
 from the first gun fired at Stimter in 1861. 
 
 Fortunately for the country, all have implicit confidence in the wis 
 dom, patriotism, valor and determination of ANDREW JOHNSON, the 
 successor of the martyred and lamented LINCOLN. 
 
 To him and to his patriotic Cabinet a galaxy of heroes and states 
 men may be safely intrusted these important questions, involving the 
 honor and looking to the great future of our incomparable republic. 
 In conclusion, sir, permit me, on behalf of my command, and for 
 myself, to express the hope that the Empire State, the home of this 
 regiment, may continue to be distinguished for her patriotism, her de 
 votion to the National Government, as evidenced by her magnani 
 mous supply of men and money, her commercial and mechanical 
 prosperity, and for the individual happiness of her sons and daughters. 
 
 To you, my comrades-in-arms (turning to his regiment), with 
 whom I have so long served through perils, hardships and sufferings, 
 wishing you all health, prosperity and happiness, I offer a soldier s 
 adieu a soldier s farewell". 
 
 The regiment returned to the Battery during the afternoon and 
 took steamer for Hart s Island, where they will be mustered out and 
 paid off. 
 
 On the march down Broadway General Stahel paid the 
 regiment the distinguished compliment of walking at the 
 head of the column. Though we had missed the reception 
 that had been prepared, yet there were hearty demonstra 
 tions all along Broadway to the Battery. 
 
 Hart s Island \vas at the upper end of East River, at 
 the widening out of Long Island Sound. Here there were 
 comfortable barracks in readiness. The next day, in order 
 that the barracks might be left free for other regiments that 
 might come by night, good wall tents were distributed, and 
 the men once more pitched camp. 
 
 The afternoon of Sunday, July 2, Chaplain McNair 
 
532 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 preached his last sermon from the words, "Quit you like 
 men." The 4th, the colonel and several delegated officers 
 took the colors to Albany, where they were received by the 
 proper custodians, to be furled and deposited in the capitol. 
 
 The 6th, there was a meeting of the officers and many 
 meetings of the men, for the exchange of expressions of 
 friendly comradeship. It had not been the experience 
 among the officers generally, that an assumed and unbend 
 ing dignity was necessary for the exercise of needful au 
 thority. The enlisted men were of such character that in 
 civil professions and business pursuits most of them soon 
 won success. 
 
 The many comrades who had given their lives in the 
 denies of the mountains, on hot battle plains or in southern 
 prisons, were not forgotten. On many a field the smoke of 
 battle had hardly cleared away before the ground was filled 
 with hospital tents, where men and women were ministering 
 to the wounded and dying. They deserve to be remembered. 
 
 In the last of this writing acknowledgments are due to 
 President Kayser and the other officers and many members 
 of the association, and to Mr. Philander Reed, always a 
 friend to the regiment and the association. 
 
 And here a brief sketch of the writer may be permitted : 
 
 A native of Seneca Falls, N. Y., the son of Elam and 
 Hannah Edwards Beach, pioneers from Connecticut. Both 
 grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolution. One was at 
 Bunker Hill, the other at Saratoga. Graduated at Hamil 
 ton College, in 1860: a member of the Phi Beta Kappa 
 fraternity. Has been principal of the high schools of Du- 
 buque, Iowa, and Beloit, Wis. In 1884 was made principal 
 of the high school and superintendent of schools, at Madison, 
 Wis. In 1891 he was appointed head of the department of 
 history and civics in the high school of Milwaukee. In 1867 
 he married Sarah M. Peterson, of a Revolutionary ancestry, 
 
MUSTERED OUT. 533 
 
 the sister of four brothers in the Union army, one of whom 
 was Charles R. Peterson of Co. B. 
 
 In the writing of these records special acknowledg 
 ments are due to Christian T. Williamson of Co. F. His 
 father, though not a native American, was an intelligent 
 observer of affairs in this country. At the time of Lafay 
 ette s last visit to this country he was proprietor of a large 
 livery stable in New York, and he drove the carriage in 
 which the distinguished guest rode in the great procession. 
 Afterward Mr. Williamson removed to Fairview, N. J. The 
 home was on historic ground. In 1859, Christian T. Will 
 iamson entered Rutgers College. He was a student of 
 history and understood the full meaning of the conflict that 
 had been forced upon the country. Before he had completed 
 his second year in college the war began. April 22, 1861, 
 he enlisted in the Second New Jersey state militia for three 
 months. He was discharged July 31. August 21 he enlisted 
 in Company F, Lincoln cavalry. 
 
 In the service he was more concerned about doing his 
 duty than in securing promotion. He would hurry to the 
 front when there was fighting, even when his officers were 
 disposed to be cautious. He was thoroughly respected 
 throughout the regiment. 
 
 In falling back from Berry ville, June 13, 1863, while 
 fighting with the Confederate advance, his horse was killed, 
 and he was shot in the right arm near the shoulder, and was 
 taken prisoner. He was paroled and exchanged. He re- 
 enlisted. September 5, 1864, he was again wounded near 
 Winchester. November 12, he was in the ranks again, and 
 in the charge at Nineveh. He was mustered out as com 
 missary sergeant. 
 
 He went \vest and was engaged in the building of the 
 Union Pacific railroad, as mechanical engineer and sub-con 
 tractor. When the road was completed he became a whole 
 sale grocer in Omaha. Then he returned to the East and 
 
534 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 was appointed to a position in the New York Custom House. 
 For his efficiency he was advanced to the highest position in 
 his grade. 
 
 He was always greatly interested in the meetings of the 
 association and did more than any other man in securing 
 facts for this history. His hearing had been affected by 
 the shock of cannonading, and the last few years he was 
 afflicted with a painful infirmity. 
 
 On the occasion of a visit with him and his family less 
 than a year since, in all his sufferings, he had lost none of 
 his interest in the reminiscences of his regiment. He died 
 November 7, 1901, and the following Sabbath, covered by 
 the flag that he had defended, he was borne by comrades to 
 his last resting place at the foot of the western side of the 
 Palisades, "the hillside for his pall" a model soldier and 
 citizen. 
 
 July 7, the regiment was paid and the men separated to 
 go to their homes. The tents they had occupied were left 
 standing for other regiments. Records and property were 
 to be turned over to Lieutenant Dolan, appointed receiving 
 officer. The writer, delayed by some unfinished work on the 
 adjutant s desk, stayed yet one night alone in the deserted 
 camp. Late in. the evening, when his work was done, he 
 strolled down the vacant company streets and along the shore 
 of the "sounding sea." The long lines of white tents were 
 empty and silent. There came the faint, far-away hum 
 of the city; the waves were rolling up among the boulders 
 on the beach. Under a full moon half-way up the east, 
 the surface of the Sound was flashing with light. Various 
 craft under full sail were moving before a freshening breeze. 
 There was no dread of a night alarm. No bugle sounding 
 "Boots and saddles", would call us to another day of battle. 
 All the wide foreground was a scene of peace, bright with 
 promise ; in contrast with it was the receding background of 
 four years of war, crowded with the most momentous events 
 of history. 
 
First Regiment of Cavalry 
 
 (Veteran). 
 
 LINCOLN CAVALRY; FIRST UNITED STATES 
 VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 
 
 From New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1865, com 
 piled by Frederick Phisterer, late Captain U. S. Army, 1890; now 
 Act g Adj. Gen., Albany, N. Y., July, 1901. 
 
 This regiment was organized by Col. Carl Schurz, suc 
 ceeded by Col. Andrew T. McReynolds, under special au 
 thority from the President, in New York City, and was 
 mustered into the United States service between July i6th 
 and August 3 ist, 1861, for a service of three years. 
 
 Companies A, B, D, E, G, H, I, L and M were recruited 
 principally in New York City, four of them being composed 
 of Germans, Hungarians and Poles; Company C, Boyd s 
 Company C Cavalry, Pa. Vols., at Philadelphia; F, at Syra 
 cuse; and K, Michigan Company, at Grand Rapids, Mich. 
 
 The regiment left the State by detachments; Company 
 C, the first in the field, leaving July 2ist, 1861 ; by Septem 
 ber loth, 1 86 1, the regiment was all in the field; it served at 
 and near Washington, D. C., from July, 1861 ; in Franklin s 
 and Heintzelman s Divisions, A. P., from Oct. 4th, 1861 ; in 
 ist Division, ist Corps, A. P., from March 24th, 1862; with 
 the 6th Corps, A. P., from May, 1862; in ist Cavalry Bri 
 gade, A. P., from July 8th, 1862; in 4th Brigade, Cavalry 
 
 535 
 
536 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Division, A. P., from September, 1862; in Averill s Cav 
 alry Division, 8th Corps, Middle Dept., from October, 1862; 
 with the forces for the defense of the Upper Potomac, 8th 
 Corps, Middle Dept., from November, 1862; in the 3d Bri 
 gade, 2d Division, 8th Corps, from March, 1863; in the 
 Dept. of the Susquehanna, from June, 1863; in the Dept. of 
 W. Va., from August, 1863 ; in the ist Brigade, ist Division, 
 Cavalry, Army of W. Va., from November, 1863; in the 2d 
 Brigade, 2cl Division, Army W. Va., from August 27, 1864; 
 in the Army of the Shenandoah, from October, 1864, and 
 in the 30! Brigade, 3d Division, Cavalry, Army of the Shen 
 andoah, from December, 1864, and with the Army of the 
 Potomac, from March, 1865. 
 
 At the expiration of its term of service, those entitled 
 thereto were discharged, and the regiment, composed of 
 veterans and recruits, continued in the service until June 
 27th, 1865, when, commanded by Col. Alonzo W. Adams, it 
 was mustered out at Alexandria, Va. 
 
 During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in 
 action, 3 officers, 22 enlisted men; died of wounds received 
 in action, 2 officers, 21 enlisted men; died of disease and 
 other causes, 2 officers, 118 enlisted men; total, 7 officers 
 and 161 enlisted men; aggregate, 168; of whom 44 enlisted 
 men died in the hands of the enemy. 
 
 The regiment, or portions of it, took part in the follow 
 ing engagements, etc. : 
 
CHRISTIAN T. WILLIAMSON. 
 
 WM. H. BEACH. 
 
 CLARK STANTON. 
 
 EDWARD WRIGHT. 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 537 
 
 
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 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
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Men of the Regiment 
 
 OMITTING DESERTERS. 
 
 Abel, John I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Corporal 
 
 Adair, James H Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap at Berryville May 
 
 10 Corporal 
 
 Adam, Heinrich E Mar 7 64 Nov 7 64 
 Adams, Alonzo L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 First Lieutenant Major 
 
 Lieut Colonel Colonel Brev Brig General 
 Adams, Edward J May 9 64 
 Adams, Horace B E Jan 20 65 June 27 65 Second Lieut First Lieut 
 
 and Commissary 
 
 Adams, John Feb 26 64 Det in Q M Dept Hart s Island 
 Adams, John C Nov 17 64 
 
 Adams, Julius H and L Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Adams, Lorenzo Aug 21 61 
 Adams, Peter Dec 30 61 
 Adelmann, Philip L July I 61 Aug 22 64 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 
 Adlum, Thomas M Aug 31 62 June 10 62 
 
 Affleck, John M Aug 29 61 Aug 28 64 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Ahlborn, George L Sept 12 61 June 27 65 Wounded and Cap at 
 
 Winchester June 15 63 
 
 Akenhart, Thomas E Dec 23 63 June 7 65 
 Albitze, Herman I Feb 19 64 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 in prison at Florence Nov 17 64 
 Albrandt, George L Aug 22 61 Aug 23 64 Cap at Strasburg Feb 
 
 26 63 
 
 Albrecht, Henry I Aug I 61 June 27 65 
 Albreder, Francis H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 Aldrich, Asahel H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 Allensbacher, Neponnick G July 20 61 July 30 62 
 Alexander, William A Oct n 61 June 27 65 Sergt Sergt-major 
 
 Second Lieut First Lieut and Q M Captain 
 Althaus, Ulrich Dec 30 64 Tr to Sixth N Y Cav 
 Anderson, Charles K Feb 22 64 June 27 65 Medal of Honor from 
 
 Sec of War 
 
 Anderson, John K Aug 12 61 May 14 62 
 Anderson, Joseph H H Aug 16 61 Aug 18 64 
 Anderson, Robert Dec 30 64 Tr to 112 N Y V 
 Anderson, Wm D K Aug 12 61 Nov 10 62 Cap on Chickahominy 
 
 May 22 62 
 
 Angervine, Wm H H Aug 25 61 June 27 65 
 Anker, Peter G Mar 2 64 June 27 65 
 
 645 
 
546 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Anson, James R K Feb 23 64 Cap May 13 64 Died in prison at 
 
 Andersonville Sept 14 64 
 Anson, Lorenzo Dec 23 64 Tr to 93 N Y V 
 Antes. Henry P M Aug 31 61 Sept 5 62 
 Appell, John K Aug 12 61 
 
 Armsby, Emory F July 24 61 Tr Lieut to 15 N Y Cav 
 Armstronge, William B Aug 21 61 Oct i 61 
 Arnd, Frederick L 
 
 Arnest, Henry E Aug 22 61 Apr 15 63 Tr to Inv C 
 Arrenberg, Otto G Mar 14 64 June 27 65 
 Arthur, James D July 16 61 Jan 6 62 
 
 Atherton, Nelson K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 First Sergt Q M Sergt 
 Austin, Charles M Aug 31 61 June 27 65 
 Averill, Geo K Aug 12 61 Jan 7 62 
 Averill, Paul K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 Cap at Williamsport July 
 
 10 63 
 Avery, Daniel F Dec 28 63 June 27 65 
 
 Babcock, Henry H B July 19 61 Oct i 61 
 Bachmann, Joseph G July 20 61 Aug 15 61 Sergt 
 Bagley, Peter M Sept 9 61 Mar 6 62 
 Baier, Antoine E Apr 5 64 June 27 65 
 Bailey, Charles H M Sept 7 61 Oct 22 61 
 
 Bailey, Ezra H A July 30 61 June 27 65 First Lieut and Q M Cap 
 tain Major Br. Lieut Col 
 Baker, Charles B July 14 64 July 65 
 Baker, Laurenze F July 24 61 Aug 8 64 
 Baldwin, J Beecher K Dec 16 63 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 
 Died in prison at Florence Jan 9 65 
 Baldwin, Joseph G M July 30 61 June 27 65 
 Ball, Robert H Aug 25 61 July 15 62 
 Ball, Valentine B Sept 30 64 June 6 65 
 Bange. Herman E Mar 1 1 64 June 27 65 
 
 Barber, Samuel I M Aug 28 61 June 27 65 Q M Sergt Second Lieut 
 Barker, John H A July 30 61 Sept 27 62 First Sergt Second Lieut 
 Barker, William C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Barlon, John A D July 16 61 Cap at Berryville May 9 64 Supposed 
 
 to have died in prison at Florence Mar 17 65 
 Barrones, George B B Aug 21 61 Feb 24 62 
 Barry, Edmund B Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap Games Cross Roads 
 
 Oct 12 64 
 
 Barton, Charles A F July 24 61 June 27 65 Wounded 
 Barton, George T B July 19 61 Oct i 61 
 Barton, Josiah S F July 24 61 June 27 65 
 
 Bashold. Augustus D Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Tr to Sixth N Y V 
 Battersby, Jenyns C Sept 13 61 June 27 65 First Lieut and Adjt 
 
 Captain Major Lieut Colonel Br Colonel 
 Baugham. John F Aug 21 61 Aug 22 64 
 Baxter, Henry S H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 Sergt Color Bearer Non- 
 
 Com Staff 
 Beach, William H B July 19 61 June 27 65 Sergt First Sergt Second 
 
 Lieut First Lieut Adjutant 
 
 Beakes, George M Oct 3 61 Oct 8 63 Ass t Surgeon 
 Beattie, James Sr Mar 10 64 Mar 7 65 
 Beatty, James Jr Apr i 64 May 7 65 
 Beck, Charles B July 19 61 Sept i 62 Deserted 
 Beck, Herman L Aug 22 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 in prison at Andersonville Sept 20 64 
 Beckendorf, Christophus L Aug 22 61 Drowned Feb 16 64 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 547 
 
 Becker, Charles I Dec 18 64 June 27 65 
 
 Behan, Alexander D F July 24 61 Nov 17 62 Q M Sergt 
 
 Beholt, August L Aug 29 64 June 27 65 
 
 Bell, Alonzo Sept 14 64 First N Y V Cav 
 
 Bell, Jerome B July 19 61 Aug 20 64 Cap at Berryville Oct 18 63 
 
 Bell, William A July 30 61 Dec 27 61 
 
 Belskany, E P DeC L Nov 21 64 June 27 65 
 
 Beltz, Louis L Apr 30 64 June 27 65 
 
 Bennack, Henry unassigned Mar 15 65 Tr Co F 39 N Y V 
 
 Bennett, David A F July 24 61 June 5 63 Captain 
 
 Bennett, John D July 16 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
 Benson, John E Sept 7 64 June 6 65 
 
 Bentley, James W K Aug 12 61 promoted 2nd Lieut 2nd Mich Cav 
 
 Dec 5 62 
 Berckheimer, Wilhelm G July 20 61 June 27 65 Cap Winchester 
 
 June 15 63 
 
 Berger, Peter Unassigned Nov 28 64 assigned Dec I 64 68th N Y V 
 Bertram, Herman E July 20 61 Mar 5 62 
 Besley, Bartholomew B Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Wounded Cap at New 
 
 Market May 13 64 Corporal 
 
 Beets, J E unassigned Sept 14 64 assigned Oct n 64 to ist N Y V 
 Bicken, Joseph E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 
 Bingham, George W A July 30 61 Oct 15 62 
 Bird, Charles S C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Birney, Michael Unassigned Sept 15 64 assigned 2nd NYC (Harris 
 
 Light) 
 
 Bischof, Rupert E July 20 61 June 27 65 Cap Winchester June 15 63 
 Bishop, William H M Aug 21 61 Sept 17 62 
 
 Black, Daniel C July 19 61 Killed in action Nov 16 63 Mount Jack 
 son Va 
 
 Black, James D Jan 12 64 June 27 65 
 Blau, Albert G July 20 61 Dec 19 62 
 Blei, Jacob I Aug 12 64 June 27 65 Wounded Apr 3 65 
 Blodget, Rufus A F July 24 61 June 27 65 tr Co K May 22 63 Cap 
 
 Berryville Aug 22 63 
 
 Blum, Anderson A Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Bock, Claus E Mar 23 64 June 27 65 
 Bocock, John T D Feb 20 64 Cap New Market May 13 65 Recap 
 
 Mar 16 65 
 
 Bogert, John H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 Bohle, Friedrich I Aug i 61 Aug 23 64 
 Bohlmann, Henry L Oct i 64 June 12 65 
 Boland. Charles D Apr 7 64 June 27 65 
 Bolte, Augustus L Feb 27 64 June 27 65 
 Bolton, Albert G Sept 19 64 June 6 65 
 Bond, William H Aug 25 61 June 22 65 
 Borgmeyer, Frederick A Aug 25 65 Died Sept 16 63 
 Borman, Adolph L Apr 5 64 June 27 65 
 Borner, Christian G Apr 12 64 June 27 65 
 Bossert, Henry L C Aug 21 61 Mar 21 62 
 
 Bouchet, Pierre Unassigned Dec 30 64 assigned Jan n 65 6th NYC 
 Boudinot, Frank B D July 16 61 Nov 2 61 
 Boughton, Henry C H Sept 7 64 June 6 65 
 Bowman, George Hospital Steward Sept 13 61 Sept 27 63 
 Boyd, Joseph A July 30 61 Aug 22 64 
 Boyd, William A July 30 61 Aug 22 64 
 
 Boyd, William H C July 19 61 Captain Major Apr 3 63 tr Col 2ist 
 Pa C 
 
548 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Boyd, William H Jr C July 19 61 Sergt Oct 2 63 Lieut 2ist Pa C 
 
 Boywood, Julius I Aug 61 Cap New Market May 13 64 Sergt Died 
 Andersonville Sept 20 64 
 
 Bradley, Augustus D July 16 61 tr H Oct 61 tr D Jan i 62 Aug 16 64 
 
 Bradley, George W D July 16 61 May 31 62 
 
 Brady, Thomas H Jan 30 64 June 27 65 
 
 Braistead, William B M Aug 29 61 Mar 5 62 
 
 Brakel, Michael L Apr 7 64 June 27, 65 
 
 Brann, John E Mar 5 64 June 27 65 
 
 Brennan, Peter B Mar 15 64 June 27 65 
 
 Britain, Bennett B Aug 25 61 Aug 20 64 Cap Sept 14 62 
 
 Broadwell, Homer D July 16 61 June 27 65 
 
 Brockhausen, Henry L Mar 29, 62 June 27, 65 Cap New Market 
 May 13 64 
 
 Bockover, Peter B July 19 61 Aug 26 63 Absent sick Eighth N Y 
 Cav Died in Lincoln General Hospital, Washington 
 
 Brodbecker, John L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 
 
 Bromfield, William A Feb I 64 June 27 65 Cap New Market May 
 13 64 
 
 Brommelmeyer, Henry I Feb 23 64 June 27 65 Cap New Market 
 May 13 64 
 
 Brooks, F. S H died Oct 20 64 
 
 Brooks, Marion H F Aug 27 64 June 6 65 
 
 Brott, Anthony K Aug 29 61 Cap June 14 63 Died May 19 64 Ander 
 sonville 
 
 Brown, Alonzo Unassigned Sept 26 64 assigned Oct n 61 N Y V C 
 
 Brown, Berlin F Aug 21 61 Dec 18 61 
 
 Brown, Burlin F Mar 29 64 Dec 23 64 
 
 Brown, George A Sept 20 64 June 6 65 
 
 Brown, Henry F I Feb 20 64 June 27 65 
 
 Brown, John K Aug 12 61 July 21 62 
 
 Brown Stephen Jr D July 16 61 Aug 16 64 
 
 Brown, W r illiam C July 19 61 tr Sept 9 63 to Co E i6th V R C 
 
 Brown, William J C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 
 Bruce, Abram B July 19 61 Jan 27 65 Cap Dispatch Station June 
 26 62 Wagon master 
 
 Brunner, Ludwig E July 20 61 June 27 65 
 
 Bryan, William I Jan 5 64 Cap New Market May 13 64 Died Sept 
 3 64 at Andersonville. 
 
 Bryne, John F July 24 61 Nov 16 62 
 
 Buchholtz, Gustav W I Mar 31 64 May 13 65 
 
 Buck, Gottfried G July 20 61 June 27 65 Wounded and cap White- 
 port June 12 63 
 
 Buck, Jacob G Sept 12 64 June 6 65 
 
 Buck, John B D July 16 61 died Annapolis Jan 12 65 Cap New 
 Market May 13 64 
 
 Buck, John P L Mar 2 64 June 27 65 
 
 Buckledge, Charles E Jan 19 64 tr Jan 27 65 to 243 Co ist Bat V R C 
 
 Billiard, Charles H H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 
 Bulte, Henry M Sept 2 61 May 27 62 
 
 Burd, John R B Nov 19 61 June 27 65 Cap Hampshire Co Nov 13 62 
 Cap New Market May 64 
 
 Burgess, Adam S C Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap Martinsburg July 
 24, 64 
 
 Burke, Edward D July 16 61 Feb 14 62 
 
 Burke, John F Oct 7 64 died Jan 29 65 
 
 Burke, Phillip D Aug 21 61 died Sept 20 63 
 
 Burke, Thomas M Oct 12 64 June 27 65 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 549 
 
 Burleigh, LeMoyne H Oct 21 64 June 27 65 Second Lieut 
 
 Burr, Elias F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 
 Busch, Michael I Feb 27 64 June 27 65 Cap at Harrisonburg June 
 
 5 64 
 
 Busch, Philip G Aug 28 61 Aug 23 64 
 Bushell, Arthur B Sept 2 64 June 6 65 
 Buss, Henry M July 28, 61 June 27, 65 Cap at Winchester June 13 
 
 63 Wounded at Piedmont June 5 64 First Sergt 
 Bussing, Edwin A M July 28 61 Aug 28 64 
 Butler, John A July 30 61 Jan 13 63 
 
 Byatt, Alfred B July 19 61 Dec 15 62 Cap at Blue Gap Oct 2 62 
 Byrne, John May 7 64 May 10 65 Det Hart s Island 
 
 Cadler, Michael B Sept 22 64 June 6 65 
 
 Cafferty, Milton C July 19 61 June 27 65 First Sergt Second Lieut 
 
 First Lieut Wounded and Cap at Greencastle Pa Cap at Port 
 
 Republic Sept 27 64 
 
 Calhoine, W I C July 19 61 Aug 2 62 
 Callighan. James K Feb 8 64 June 27 65 
 Cameron, Harman H Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Cameron, John H Aug 5 61 Cap at Mt Jackson Dec 20 63 Died in 
 
 prison at Andersonville July 4 64 
 
 Campbell, Cleveland J C Oct 28 61 Oct 24 62 Second Lieut 
 Campbell, Frederick Dec 28 63 Feb 8 64 igth N Y Cav 
 Campbell, John B July 19 61 Oct i 61 
 Cannon, John H Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Capler, Jacob H Aug 5 61 June 24 63 
 Carlton, Samuel B Aug 25 61 Dec 27 61 
 Carman, Thomas B Nov 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at Romney Oct 2 62 
 
 Cap and escaped July 64 
 
 Cannon, Warren H Sept 7 64 June 6 65 Awarded a medal of honor 
 Carr, James F July 18 61 June 27 65 
 Carrig, Cornelius F July 24 61 June 9 63 
 Carroll, James B Aug 21 61 July 10 62 
 Carroll, Thomas A July 30 61 Dec 23 61 
 Carroll William A July 30 61 June 27 65 Q M Sergt 
 Case, Perry F July 24 61 June 27 65 Cap May 13 64 
 Casey, John B Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Casey, Thomas B July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Cavanagh, John H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 Chamberlain, Joseph E F Feb 17 64 June 27 65 
 Chandler, Amos B C Sept 8 64 June 6 65 
 Chelins, William I Aug I 61 Cap June 26 63 Cap May 13 64 Died 
 
 in prison at Florence Nov 10 64 
 Chlum, Ludwig G July 20 61 June 27 65 Sergt Wounded at Five 
 
 Forks Apr 3 65 
 Christiasson, Paul G Aug 22 61 Aug 23 64 Corp Cap at Strasburg 
 
 May 8 63 
 
 Christy, Gamaliel R D July 16 61 Feb 14 62 
 
 Church, Frank D Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Sergt Wounded at Peters 
 burg Apr 6 65 
 
 Clancey, Patrick H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 Clark, Charles D F July 24 61 Sergt 
 Clark, John F July 24 61 Aug 8 64 
 Clark, Nathaniel B B July 19 61 Oct I 61 
 
 Clark, Robert E H Aug 21 6 1 June 27 65 First Sergt First Lieut 
 Clark, William H Aug 3 64 June 27 65 
 Clark, Wm H F July 24 61 Dec 5 62 Sergt 
 Clarke, Charles D July 16 61 June 27 65 
 
550 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Clarke, Charles C A July 30 61 June 27 65 
 
 Clarke, Joseph A H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market 
 
 May 13 64 
 
 Clausen, Aug F I Aug i 61 Aug 16 64 
 Clavin, James H Aug 16 61 Aug 18 64 
 Clavin, Michael A Dec 30 63 June 27 65 
 Cleary, Dennis B Feb 26 64 June 27 65 
 Cleary, John B July 19 61 Cap Oct 2 62 at Blue Gap Cap at New 
 
 Market May 13 64 Sergt Died in prison at Florence Feb 17 65 
 Clement, John A Aug 21 61 Aug 22 64 Cap at Frederick Sept 13 62 
 
 Cap at Greencastle July 5 63 
 Clement, Louis E D July 16 61 June 27 65 Bugler Cap at H F June 
 
 25 63 
 
 Clifford, Charles E B Dec 22 63 
 
 Clinton, Hugh D Feb 9 64 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester Apr 24 64 
 Clough, William A Mar 17 64 June 27 65 
 Cochrane, James A July 30 6 1 
 
 Coenen, Emil G July 20 61 Aug 17 61 Second Lieut 
 Colar, Joseph L Oct 25 64 June 27 65 
 Cole, Edward B Sept 20 64 June 6 65 
 Cole, John H Aug 5 61 May 28 62 
 Cole. John H F Aug 16 61 Hospital steward 
 Cole, Sidney Dec 3 63 Feb 8 64 igth N Y Cav 
 Cole, Wm D F Jan 22 64 Aug 10 65 
 Coleman, John M Mar 22 64 Apr 19 64 U S Navy 
 Coligan, John H Aug 21 61 July 15 62 
 Collende, Wm L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Collier, Michael B July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Collins, Elbert S K Aug 12 61 Nov 12 61 
 Collins, George W Dec 23 63 Apr 7 64 First N Y V Cav 
 Collins, Samuel D July 16 61 Feb 7 65 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Collins, William D Aug 16 61 Died Jan 4 62 
 Collins, William Dec 21 63 Feb 8 64 igth N Y Cav 
 Conder, Henry C M Feb 25 64 June 27 65 
 Conger, Harvey B Jan 13 64 June 27 65 
 Conklin, John A Sept 8 64 June 6 65 
 Connell, George D Oct i 64 June 6 65 
 Connell, Thomas C July 19 61 Apr 7 63 Q M Sergt 
 Connelly, Michael M Mar 26 64 Dec 28 64 Tr to looth N Y V 
 Conrad, F Died in prison at Andersonville Sept 29 64 
 Conroy, John L Aug 2 64 June 27 65 
 Consaun, Wm H A July 30 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Coventz, Frederick E July 20 61 Feb 14 62 
 Cook, Francis W D Mar 18 64 June 27 65 
 Cook, Martin B July 19 61 Nov 8 61 
 Cook, Richard D July 16 61 Feb 22 62 
 Cook, William M Sept 5 61 Feb 22 62 
 Coppinger, James D Apr 3 64 June 27 65 
 Corbin, Charles A B July 19 61 Nov 7 61 
 Corbin, Michael A Feb 2 64 June 27 65 Wounded July 15 64 
 Corey, Henry F Sept 18 63 May 22 65 Cap Feb 20 64 Andersonville 
 
 prison 
 
 Corsa, William A July 8 64 June 27 65 
 Cosgrove, John A July 30 61 Dec 64 looth N Y V 
 Courts, Fayette S B Aug 25 61 July 18 64 
 Cowan, Robert R D Aug 21 61 Supposed to have been killed in 
 
 action at New Market May 13 64 
 Cowell, John A July 30 61 Oct 14 61 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 551 
 
 Cox, John H Aug 5 61 June 30 62 
 
 Coyle, Thomas A July 30 61 
 
 Cramer, John B July 19 61 Feb 24 62 Corp 
 
 Crawford, Michael H Aug 16 61 July 14 65 Cap at Frederick July 
 
 864 
 
 Creery, John M Aug 28 61 Feb 22 62 
 Creque, Kenrie B K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Crim, John L F Feb 23 64 June 27 65 
 Cris, John B Aug 16 61 Dec 27 61 
 Grossman, Edward J F July 24 61 Nov 18 61 
 Cummings, John F July 24 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Cummings, Thomas H M Sept 6 61 Mar 27 62 
 Cummins, George W K Aug 12 61 May 22 62 Killed in action at 
 
 Mechanicsville. 
 Cunningham, Manton A Sept 5 64 June 6 65 
 
 Daber, Frederick L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Sergt Second Lieut First 
 
 Lieut Captain 
 Daggett, Henry K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 Dailey, Daniel B Nov 19 61 June 27 65 
 Dailey, John J B Aug 21 61 Dec 8 62 
 Dailey, Lawrence B Mar 29 64 June 27 65 
 
 Daly, Hugh B Sept 14 64 June 6 65 Cap at Beaver Dam Mar 16 65 
 Dangler, James H B Feb 29 64 Mar 16 65 Wounded at Fisher s Hill 
 
 Sept 22 64 
 
 Davis, Arthur H B Feb 29 64 June 27 65 
 Davis, Austin C July 19 61 Aug 31 62 Tr 36th Mass V 
 Davis, Charles C July 19 61 Killed in action June 5 63 at Berryville 
 Davison, David I C July 19 61 Feb 11 65 Cap at New Market 
 
 May 13 64 
 
 Day, Richard D Mar 24 64 July 7 65 
 Day, Theodore D Mar 24 64 June 27 65 
 Dayton, Benj F D Mar i 64 June 27 65 
 
 Dean, Sanford B D July 16 61 June 27 65 Sergt Second Lieut 
 Dean, Henry E Mar 10 64 June 27 65 
 Debney, Robert B Aug 26 64 June 6 65 
 Decker, Almon B July 19 61 Sept 6 65 Sergt 
 
 Dedrick, Jacob A Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Dehn, Wilhelm G July 20 61 Apr 19 62 
 
 De Kamp. John S D Aug 21 61 Mar 12 63 Second Lieut I4th N Y Cav 
 De Lacy, George W C Aug 26 61 June 27 65 Com Sergt 
 Delainey, William B Nov 19 61 May 24 62 
 Delaney, Augustus D July 16 61 June 27 65 Q M Sergt Second Lieut 
 
 First Lieut Captain 
 
 Delaney, John D July 16 61 Aug 16 64 
 Dellehant, James D Aug 25 61 Aug 30 64 
 Demarest, James B A July 30 61 Ang 22 64 
 Denise, Benj F B July 19 61 Dec 31 61 
 Denison, Oren D K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Denton, William B July 19 61 Died from wounds received in action 
 
 Nov 13 61 Bugler 
 
 Dever, William C July 19 61 Cap Nov 9 65 Altoona 
 Devlin, John M Dec 23 63 June 6 65 
 DeWent, John A A Aug 21 6 1 Died Feb i 62 
 DeWitt, Michael H Oct 25 64 June 27 65 
 Diamond, John K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 First Sergt 
 Diamond, John G M Sept 9 61 May 63 
 
552 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Dickerson, Enos A O B Aug 21 61 Cap Oct 2 64 Died in prison 
 
 at Salisbury N C Nov 7 64 
 Dietrick, Henry L Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 Deitsch, Jacob G July 20 61 Cap at Strasburg Feb 26 63 Cap Aug 
 
 5 64 Died in prison at Salisbury Jan 31 65 
 Dineen, Edward Apr 13 65 May 7 65 Hart s Island 
 Dirker, Henry G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 
 
 Disbrow, David H Aug 5 61 Nov 7 64 Second Lieut First Lieut 
 Disosway, William W B July 19 61 Aug 13 62 Sergt Second Lieut 
 
 First N Y Mounted Rifles 
 Dobrowsky, Henry L Aug 22 61 Dec 20 62 
 
 Dodge, James M Mar i 64 Shot at Edinburg Oct 6 64 Died Oct 16 64 
 Doherty, Bernard B July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at Martinsburg July 
 
 3 64 Sergt 
 
 Dolohenty, Patrick H Apr 16 64 June 27 65 
 Domesril, James D July 16 61 Aug 16 64 
 Domkath, August G Aug 22 61 Aug 23 64 First Sergt 
 Donehower, Thomas H C July 19 61 Dec 21 62 Cap at Savage s 
 
 station June 29 62 
 
 Donnelly, Stephen H Aug 7 61 June 27 65 
 Donovan, Timothy H Aug 21 61 Nov 26 62 
 Doran, Michael C M Nov 19 64 June 27 65 
 Dorman, Richard G B July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market 
 
 May 13 64 Sergt Q M Sergt 
 
 Douglas, George C June 14 63 Dec 27 64 Ass t Surgeon 
 Dounaly, Patrick C July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at Games Cross 
 
 Roads Oct 64 
 
 Dow, Willis D June 16 64 Sick in hospital 
 Dowling, Wm M H Aug 21 61 Died from injury Oct 17 6 1 
 Doyle, Matthew D Aug 21 61 Nov 21 62 
 
 Drake, Charles H D Dec 15 63 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Dreisbach, Joshua C July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at Altoona Nov 9 62 
 Drew, Wm N F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 Drewlow, William L Sept 12 61 Oct 5 61 
 Driver, George W H Aug 23 61 June 27 65 Com Sergt 
 Druhe, Louis D Mar 15 62 Died Feb 8 64 at Halltown 
 Dubach, Andrew G Jan n 64 June 27 65 
 Dudley, John L Dec 29 63 Feb 8 64 19th N Y Cav 
 Duell, Reuben G K Aug 29 61 Dec 20 62 
 Duffing, Ludwig G May 27 64 June 6 65 
 Duffy, James A D July 16 61 Res July 21 62 First Lieut 
 Dufur, David M Sept 21 64 June 6 65 
 Dugan, Hugh Feb 26 64 Died Apr 9 64 in hospital 
 J)unn, James D Sept 21 64 June 6 65 
 Dunn, Michael I D Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Dunning, James D July 16 61 June 27 65 Q M Sergt 
 Durham, Andrew F K Feb 27 64 June 27 65 
 Durham, Marcus K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 Com Sergt 
 Durr, Charles I Aug I 61 May 21 62 
 Durr, Frederick I Feb 7 62 June 27 65 
 Dwinell, Myron Sept 5 64 Oct 12 64 First N Y V Cav 
 Dyas, Richard A M Sept 9 61 Aug 28 64 
 Dycher, Matthew D M Apr i 64 Shot by provost guard 
 
 Earle, John J H Apr 23 64 June 27 65 
 
 Eastley, Thomas C D July 16 61 Sept 16 62 Vet Sur Cap at Manassas 
 
 Aug 62 
 
 Eaton, Frederick A July 30 61 Feb 21 63 
 Eaton, Orval B G Sept 18 63 June 19 65 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 553 
 
 Ebling, Henry L Feb 27 64 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
 Edsall, Burton H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 
 Ehle, August I Aug i 61 June 30 63 
 
 Ehrhardt, Joseph E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 Corp 
 
 Eichenlaub, John J H G May 2 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Eickmann, John G July 20 61 Feb 14 65 Cap at New Market May 
 13 64 
 
 Eiring, Henry L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 
 
 Eisentraut, John I Aug 10 61 Dec 20 62 
 
 Eldred, Edw W K Aug 20 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester Apr 
 24 64 
 
 Eldredge, George F July 24 61 June 27 65 Cap at Romney Oct 2 62 
 Corp 
 
 Elener, Charles E July 20 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 13 64 
 
 Elliott, Frederick July 20 61 Nov 15 64 Major and Surgeon Con 
 tinued in service as civilian Medical Director 
 
 Elliott, Frederick H Aug 5 61 Feb 16 63 
 
 Elliott, Samuel G A Feb 3 64 June 27 65 
 
 Elliott, William J C Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 63 
 
 Ellis, Roland C July 19 61 Sept 63 killed accidentally in target prac 
 tice at Martinsburg First Sergt 
 
 Elting, Oscar A July 30 61 Aug 22 66 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 
 Emmel, William G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 Cap at Middletown Feb 
 23 63 
 
 Emmons, Charles H Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Cap at White Oak 
 Swamp July I 62 
 
 Endicott, Isaac M Sept 5 61 June 27 62 
 
 England, William A Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 
 Ennis, John B July 19 61 Res Aug 21 62 First Lieut 
 
 Epner, Christian E July 20 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 15 63 
 
 Erwen, Jacob C July 19 61 Killed in action Aug 18 61 at Pohick 
 Church 
 
 Evans, Charles H Feb 22 64 June 27 65 
 
 Evans, John W F Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 
 Evans, Lemuel B July 19 61 June 27 65 First Sergt Second Lieut 
 First Lieut Captain 
 
 Evarts, Charles B K Feb 15 64 Jan 23 65 
 
 Evaton, William H Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
 Failing, John M Sept 21 64 June 6 65 
 
 Fanning, W T esley M Feb 13 64 June 27 65 
 
 Farley, William B July 19 61 June 27 65 
 
 Farmer, Thomas A Aug 16 61 Jan 17 65 Cap at Mt Jackson Nov 18 63 
 
 Farmilton, William B Aug 21 61 Nov 8 61 
 
 Farnsworth, Vernon T H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 First Sergt Second 
 
 Lieut First Lieut Captain 
 
 Farrell, Michael M Aug 28 61 Aug 28 64 Corp 
 Farster, Herman E July 20 61 Apr 2 63 
 Farster. Otto H E July 20 61 Cap at Mt Jackson Dec 20 63 Died 
 
 in prison at Andersonville June 25 64 
 Fearson, Joseph F Sept 27 64 
 Featherson, Thomas D Aug 21 61 Aug 20 64 
 Feenighty, John F Aug 16 61 Died Nov 29 61 
 Feeser, George L Apr i 64 June 27 65 
 
 Felton, Paul H Aug 16 61 Dec 21 62 Sergt Regt l Com Sergt 
 Fennimore. Samuel C Aug 21 61 Aug 8 62 
 Fenton, Frederick G M Sept 4 61 June 27 65 Com Sergt 
 
554 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Ferber, Philip L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 Bugler 
 
 Ferguson, John D July 16 61 Oct 17 64 
 
 Finster, Edward L Aug 22 61 Feb 27 63 Com Sergt 
 
 Fiala, Anthony E Aug 2 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt First Lieut 
 
 Fischer, Charles A Sept 17 64 June 6 65 
 
 Fischer, John Dec 30 64 Jan n 65 Sixth N Y Cav 
 
 Fish, Benj F F July 24 61 June 25 63 Cap at Savage s station June 62 
 
 Fischer, Charles C C July 19 61 Feb 8 63 Cap at White Oak Swamp 
 
 July i 62 . 
 
 Fischer, John D July 16 61 Aug 18 64 
 Fisher, Mayberry A C July 19 61 Dec 21 62 
 Fitterer, Ludwig E July 20 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 
 Fitzgerald, Hugh M Sept 7 61 June 27 65 Q M Sergt 
 Fitzgerald, James A Sept 8 64 June 7 65 
 Fitzgerald, Patrick M Aug 29, 1861 Oct 17 1864 
 Fitzpatrick, John A Aug 16 61 Aug 22 64 
 Fitzpatrick, John B Sept 17 64 June 27 65 
 Flannery, jerry B Sept 14 64 June 6 65 
 Flannigan, Matthew B Aug 30 64 June 27 65 
 Fleming, Arthur K Dec 30 63 Mar 18 64 
 Fliege, Edward L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 Flynn, James B July 19 61 Dec 17 61 
 Foley, Owen D Aug 21 61 Died Nov 5 63 
 Fonrobert, William E Aug i 64 June 27 65 
 Foote, Hum B A July 30 61 Died Oct 16 61 
 Forkey, Russell P B July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap Nov 12 61 Corp 
 
 Sergt 
 
 Fosha, Isaac L Dec 29 63 Feb 8 64 First Dragoons 
 Fowler, Robert Dec 13 64 Dec 21 64 loth N Y Cav 
 Fox, Martin Feb 27 64 June 24 64 
 Fox, Ransom K Aug 29 61 Aug 16 64 
 Foye, Albert A A July 30 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt Second Lieut 
 
 First Lieut 
 Francke, Friedrich G July 20 61 Dec 7 64 looth N Y V Cap at 
 
 Winchester June 15 63 
 
 Frederick, Henry G Aug 18 64 June 27 65 
 
 Freeman, John A July 30 61 Died of gun shot wound Oct 18 63 
 Freeman. Lewis A Feb 8 64 June 6 65 
 Frese, Charles I Aug i 61 Oct 23 62 
 Frick, John April 18 64 May 4 64 i5th N Y Cav 
 Fritz, Franklin C July 19 61 Tune 27 65 Corp 
 Fuchs, Eugene G July 20 61 Dec 19 62 
 Fulkerson, Smith K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 
 Fullery, Emery A July 30 61 Mar 25 64 
 Funk,"Wm H C July 19 61 Dec 21 62 
 
 Gaddis, James F Aug 16 61 Killed on picket near Springfield Oct 
 
 22 62 
 
 Gaffney, Barney A Jan 21 64 June 27 65 
 Gallagher, James F Aug 16 61 Mar 20 64 
 Gallinger, Max Nov 23 64 Dec i 64 68th N Y V 
 Gander, Henry L Aug 5 64 June 27 65 
 Gardner, Augustus D July 16 61 Oct 29 61 
 Gardner, Leon Apr 21 64 
 Garland, Silas B Mar 30 64 June 17 65 Wounded and captured at 
 
 Martinsburg July 25 64 Recap in Confederate hospital 
 Garrayham, Peter M Sept 9 61 Killed Sept 9 64 
 Garrison, John H A July 30 61 June 27 65 Hospital Steward 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 555 
 
 Garrity, Michael D Aug 16 61 Jan 31 65 Cap May 13 64 
 
 Garbin, John M Oct 12 64 Died Feb 5 65 
 
 Catkins, Baytey M Aug 31 61 July 21 62 
 
 Gaugh, Augustus F Aug 16 61 Died Apr i 62 
 
 Geelan, Charles A Aug 25 61 Cap New Market May 13 64 
 
 Gehrig, Caesar I Aug 22 61 June 18 63 
 
 Gehring, George M Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap Shenandoah Valley 
 
 June 64 
 Geiger, Henry G July 20 61 Died Nov 29 64 Florence Cap Upper- 
 
 ville Nov 10 62 
 
 Geil, Wilhelm E Apr 5 64 June 27 65 
 Geis, Andreas L Aug 22 61 Feb 15 62 
 Geitz, William D Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Bugler 
 Gentz, George L Aug 22 61 Died Dec 21 61 
 Gentz, Paul I Aug i 61 Aug i 64 Sergt 
 George, Charles R A Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Gerai, Frederick E July 20 61 Apr 15 63 
 Ghaday, John D D July 16 61 Aug 16 64 
 Giggie, Ira M Sept 3 61 May 10 62 
 Gilbert, Henry K Aug 12 61 Feb 25 62 
 
 Gilbert, John M K Dec 17 61 June 27 65 Cap Winchester Apr 24 64 
 Gilbert, Roswell K Aug 12 61 Dec 3 62 
 Giles, Edward C July 19 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Gill, James D July 16 61 June 29 65 Cap New Market May 13 64 
 Gillespie, Patrick C Sept u 61 June 23 62 
 Gillespie, Wm F C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Gilligan, Patrick M Sept 2 61 June 27 65 
 Gilmore, Robert C July 19 61 June 7 62 
 Gleason, John H Aug 16 61 Feb 24 62 
 
 Gleeson, James I B July 30 61 Wounded at Upperville Died May / 63 
 Gleich, William E July 20 61 Cap May 13 64 Died June 6 64 at 
 
 Andersonville. 
 
 Glossop, Charles C July 19 61 Wounded May 7 63 Died July 13 63 
 Gluesing, Henry L August 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 Goddard, Otis M F July 24 61 Aug 8 64 Cap Springfield Oct 62 
 Coin, John F Feb 22 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 Goitz, Lorenze L Oct 28 64 June 27 65 
 Golden, James B July 19 61 Feb 24 62 Sergt 
 Golding, Stephen C Aug 21 61 Mar i 63 
 Goodall, Maximillian E Oct 17 64 June 27 65 
 Gorman, John M Sept 9 61 June 27 65 
 Gosling, Francis E no date Oct 9 63 
 
 Goublemann, Edward J D Feb 27 62 June 27 65 Sergt Second Lieut 
 Goublemann, Henry J D Feb 27 62 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Gougenhan, Albert L Mar 9 64 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 Grabb, Johan I July 9 64 June 27 65 
 Gram, Charles L Aug 22 61 June 27 63 
 Grampp, Edward I Mar 14 64 May 31 65 
 Granger, Henry W K Aug 12 61 Dec 19 62 First Lieut Res to become 
 
 Major Seventh Mich Cav 
 Grant, William K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Graves, M S Edward K Feb 7 64 June 27 65 
 Gray, William A B Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 Gray, William F C July 19 61 Dec 21 62 Sergt 
 Grayston, Edwin C Apr 4 64 June 28 65 
 Green, George S B Apr 1 1 64 June 27 65 Cap July 9 64 at Monocacy 
 
 Bridge 
 
556 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Grief, Peter L Aug 22 61 Dec 20 62 
 
 Grenyer, Edward C July 19 61 Sept 62 
 
 Gribbe, Henry E July 20 61 Jan 28 63 
 
 Grimme, Ludwig E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 
 
 Grohman, Paul E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 
 
 Groves, James C July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at Cedar Creek Aug i 
 
 64 Sergt 
 Grovestien, Townsend B Aug 21 61 Cap June 15 63 Killed by 
 
 accident Mar 23 64 
 Grushlin, August I Aug 10 64 June 27 65 Cap at Haydensville Mar 
 
 12 65 
 
 Grunnigan, Anthony D Aug 21 61 Cap at Winchester June 63 
 Guide, John L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 
 Hass, Edward E Apr i 64 Died July 28 64 
 
 Hass, John L Apr 5 64 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died in 
 
 prison at Andersonville Oct 12 64 
 Hacker, Edward W B Mar i 64 June 27 65 
 Hagan, James F Mar 28 64 June 27 65 
 Haggens, Charles A B July 19 61 June 29 65 Cap at Romney Oct 
 
 2 62 Corp 
 
 Haggerty, John B July 19 61 Aug 20 64 Com Sergt 
 Haid, Charles W A Dec 30 63 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 in prison at Florence Jan 9 65 
 Hait, Luther H Aug 5 61 Captured at Mt Jackson Dec 23 63 Died 
 
 in prison at Andersonville Aug 4 64 
 Hall, Hillsgas A July 30 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Hall, Theodore A Mar 2 64 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died at 
 
 Annapolis Jan 6 65 
 
 Hall, William D C Aug 21 61 Second Lieut Res June 5 65 
 Hallet, Marshall A Sept 26 64 June 6 65 
 Hallighan, William D Feb 8 64 June 27 65 Cap May 9 64 
 Hallowell, Charles K C Aug 26 61 July 27 62 
 Hamburger, John G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 
 Hamilton, Hiram B K Aug 12 61 Sept 13 62 
 
 Hamlin, Henry D Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Hamlin, John K K Aug 12 61 Dec 29 62 Second Lieut Seventh 
 
 Mich Cav 
 
 Hammond, George W Apr i 64 Sept 17 64 
 Hamoricier, Charles I Aug i 61 Died Oct 6 61 First Lieut 
 Hanna, Francis M Aug 29 61 Feb 15 62 
 Hansen, John I Aug i 61 Feb 14 62 Bugler 
 Hansen, Lars I Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 13 
 
 64 Sergt 
 
 Hanson, Wm H C July 19 61 Res Dec 26 62 First Lieut 
 Hardeland, Henry L Aug 22 61 July 18 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 Hardy, Patrick A Aug 29 64 June 27 65 
 
 Harkins, Daniel H D July 16 64 Oct 6 64 Captain Major 
 
 Harris, William H Oct 26 64 June 27 65 
 
 Harris, William J K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 
 Harrison, Andrew J K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Cap at Williamsport 
 
 July 10 63 Sergt 
 
 Hart, Edgar F Apr i 64 June 27 65 
 Hartigan, John J B Sept 14 64 June 6 65 Cap at Beaver Dam Mar 
 
 15 65 
 
 Hartmann, Friedrich I Aug i 61 Feb 14 62 
 Hartog, Henry L Apr i 62 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 557 
 
 Hartung, Daniel J G Feb i 62 June 27 65 
 
 Hartz, Philip L Aug 22 61 Feb 14 62 
 
 Harvey, John V C July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 63 Sergt 
 
 Hasselbacher, John L Feb 29 64 June 27 65 
 Hatrich, Henry L Dec 31 63 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 Hatfield, William F Apr 28 64 June 27 65 
 
 Hatton, Thomas F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
 Hauff, William L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 
 
 Haurancl. August G July 20 61 Nov 28 62 Captain Major 
 
 Hauser, Charles E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 
 Hauser, Charles E Apr 13 64 June 27 65 
 
 Hauser, Herman I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 Sergt 
 
 Hawkins, Jeremiah C Sept 30 64 Commissioned in First U S C Cav 
 
 Hayle, Thomas H Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 14 63 
 
 Haynes, William D July 16 61 Killed in skirmish at Berryville May 
 
 6 64 
 
 Haywood, Lucius M A July 30 61 Oct 2 61 
 Healy, Thomas B Sept 5 64 Aug 5 65 
 Heath, \Vm H H K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 
 Heathe, Washington H Dec 8 64 June 27 65 
 Heft, Daniel G July 30 61 June 27 65 Com Sergt 
 Heidenhain, Henry I Aug i 61 Apr 14 62 
 Heigie, John H Aug n 61 Dec 20 62 
 Heil, Stephen I Aug 16 64 Died Feb 25 65 
 Heimann, Augustus L Aug 22 61 Mar 30 63 Wounded at Harrison s 
 
 Landing July 63 
 
 Heine, Frederic I Aug 19 64 June 27 65 
 Heinemann, Charles L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester 
 
 June 15 63 
 Heinrich, William L Aug 22 61 Apr 15 63 Cap at Newtown Feb 26 
 
 63 
 Helberg, James F May 14 64 June 27 65 Cap at White House Mar 
 
 26 65 
 Helff, Conrad I Aug i 61 Cap at New Market May 13 Died in 
 
 prison at Andersonville Oct 24 64 
 Hemholz, Lewis E Jan 22 64 June 2 65 
 Henckeiden, Christian I Sept 29 64 July 19 65 
 Henderson, Robert C Sept 2 64 June 27 65 
 Hendrich, Friedrich G July 20 61 Mar 12 65 Cap at Winchester 
 
 June 15 63 First Lieut Captain 
 Hennessey, Thomas M Sept 6 61 Aug 28 64 
 Hennessy, Edward M Aug 31 61 June 27 65 Veterinary Surgeon 
 Henry, Charles P K Aug 29 61 June 27 65 
 Henry, James D Mar 19 61 June 27 65 
 Henrys, William M Aug 16 61 Dec 21 61 
 Hepke, Frederick H L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Herbert, George H H Aug 16 61 Feb 28 62 Second Lieut 
 Herold, Henry L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 
 Her re, John G Mar 2 64 June 27 65 
 Herrick, Sidney L Sept 13 61 Sept 29 61 Ass t Surgeon 
 Herrmann, Franz E Aug 2 61 June 27 65 
 Herrmann, John I Aug i 61 July 5 62 
 Hertzog, Robert H O I Aug i 61 June 27 65 First Lieut Captain 
 
 Cap at Winchester 
 Herzfeld, Moritz I Aug i 61 Mar 8 62 
 
558 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Hess, Eugene G Oct 12 64 June 27 65 
 
 Hessel, Henry E July 20 61 Aug 18 64 Cap on picket at Kernstown 
 
 Feb 26 63 
 
 Heuser, Conrad L Aug 22 61 Aug 23 64 
 Heyer, William I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Com Sergt 
 Heyne, Charles I Jan 21 64 June 27 65 
 
 Hickey, James M Sept 7 61 May 30 65 Wounded and Cap June 5 64 
 Hickey, John A C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Hickey, Thomas F Aug 16 61 Feb 16 62 
 Hickey, Thomas F M Mar 23 64 June 27 65 Cap in Luray Valley 
 
 Oct 2 64 
 
 Hicks, Charles Sept 13 64 May 7 65 
 Hidden, Henry B H Aug 5 61 Killed Mar 9 62 in action at Sangster s 
 
 Station First Lieut 
 
 Higgins, Edward M Sept 13 64 June 6 65 
 Higgins, Henry A July 30 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Loudon July 
 
 16 64 
 Higgins, John A July 30 61 Cap in Luray Valley Oct 2 64 Supposed 
 
 to have died in prison at Andersonville 
 Higgins, Robert E B Nov 19 61 Mar 10 62 
 Hill, Lewis Aug 25 64 Oct n 65 
 Hill, Samuel A July 30 61 June 27 65 
 Hill, W r illiam B July 19 61 July 18 64 Cap at Winchester Apr 24 64 
 
 Q M Sergt 
 
 Hill, William K Aug 12 61 Dec 3 62 
 Hillenbrandt, Charles L Aug 22 61 May 28 62 
 Hilsdorf, Conrad I Aug 3 61 June 27 64 
 Hines, Francis C July 19 61 Oct 24 62 
 Himmler, Franz E Mar 22 64 June 27 65 
 
 Hind, John R D July 16 61 Captured at White Oak Swamp July I 62 
 Hinkledy, Christian Sept 29 64 July 19 65 
 Hinton, A Chalmers A July 30 61 June 27 65 First Sergt Regt l Q M 
 
 Sergt Sergt-Major Second Lieut First Lieut Captain Br Major 
 Hinze, Ferdinand I Feb 19 64 June 27 65 
 Hinze, Heinrich I Aug I 61 June 27 65 
 Hirlinger, John G Aug 22 61 June 27 63 Cap June 62 
 Hirsch, Philip G Aug 12 61 Mar 18 64 
 Kitchens. Thomas A C Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Wounded in action 
 
 at Winchester July 24 64 Corp 
 
 Hobart, Benj F C July 19 61 Aug 18 64 Corporal 
 Hockermeyer, John L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at Dispatch Station 
 
 June 27 62 Cap at Dicksville Dec 9 64 
 Hoagland, John Henry F July 18 61 Killed in action Nov 16 63 at 
 
 Mt Jackson Corp 
 
 Hoffman, Adam K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Hoffman, George S F Aug 21 61 Sept 3 62 Wounded in action near 
 
 Games Mills June 27 62 Cap near James river June 30 62 
 Hoffman, William G Mar 8 62 Mar 18 64 Captured 
 Hofmann, Friederich I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Bugler 
 Hogan, John D Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 
 Hogan, John P A Apr 10 62 Feb 25 63 Cap at James river July 2 62 
 Holden, Henry T K Aug 29 61 June 27 65 Regt l Q M Sergt 
 Holland, James D Dec 18 63 June 27 65 
 Hollenbeck, Jacob A Aug 21 61 Oct 10 61 
 Holmes, Henry E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 Wounded in action Feb 26 
 
 63 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Holmes, William W F Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Holt, Henry A Aug 16 61 Aug 15 64 Wounded in action July 18 64 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 559 
 
 Hombaum, Charles L Aug 22 61 Sept 20 62 
 
 Hommaine, Joseph I Aug i 61 Oct 28 63 Cap at Winchester June is 
 
 63 Tr to V R C 
 
 Honnelly, Michael M Sept 2 61 Apr 2 63 
 Hood, Francis C Sept 2 64 June 6 65 
 Hope, Henry T Dec 30 64 Jan n 65 Sixth N Y Cav 
 Hope, Joseph K Aug 12 61 Nov 12 61 
 Hope, Lucius S M Sept 6 61 Aug 16 62 
 Hopkins, George R A July 30 61 July 14 62 
 Hopp, Adam G Sept 26 64 June 6 65 
 Horn, John I Aug i 61 June 27 65 
 Horn, Joseph M Sept 3 61 June 27 65 
 Hornfisher, Joseph G July 20 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 Hornkamp, Wilhelm E Sept 17 64 June 6 65 
 Horrocks, Robert A Jan 19 64 June 27 65 
 Horton, Daniel M Sept 3 61 Feb 22 62 
 Hossemlopp, Philip I Feb 22 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 Hotchkiss, Frederick E B Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Sergt Sergeant-major 
 
 Second Lieut First Lieut 
 Howard, James K Aug 29 61 June 27 65 
 Howell, Abram B A Sept 12 61 June 9 64 Corp 
 Howell, Henry B A Sept 12 61 Died Jan n 62 
 Howes, John M Nov 17 64 June 27 65 
 Howison, William D Aug 21 61 Aug 24 64 
 Hoyt, Edward H Aug 5 61 Mar 22 63 
 Huber, August Apr 26 64 Nov 16 65 San Francisco 
 Huber, Casper I Aug 17 64 June 27 65 
 Hudson, Charles H Dec 10 64 June 25 65 
 Hudson, James A H Aug 5 61 Aug 18 64 Corp 
 Hughes, John M Feb 25 64 Died July 16 64 
 Hughes, Michael M Feb 19 64 June 27 65 
 Huhn, Williams L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 Q M Sergt 
 
 Hulse, George C M Aug 3 61 Jan 13 63 
 Humann, Adam I Aug i 61 Aug 16 64 
 Hummel, Henry L Sept 30 64 June 5 65 
 Humphrey, John D Dec 21 63 Jan 20 64 First N Y V C 
 Humphries, William C C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Hunsbarger, Isaac H C July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester 
 
 Apr 24 64 
 
 Hunt, Charles B Aug 9 64 June 27 65 
 Hunt, Marcus Mar 3 64 May 7 65 Hart s Island 
 Hurche, Herman E July 20 61 June 17 65 Wounded in action near 
 
 Port Republic Sept 27 64 Corp Sergt Mower General Hospital 
 Huril, Henry M Apr 26 64 June 21 65 Cap in Luray Valley Oct 2 
 
 64 
 
 Hurley, John C M Mar 16 64 June 27 65 
 Hurst, Alexander A Jan 19 64 June 27 65 
 Hyler, James K Feb 25 64 June 27 65 
 
 Irving, Joseph A Aug 16 61 Aug 22 64 
 
 Isaacs, Joseph Feb 27 64 Mar 24 64 
 
 Ives, Charles P H Aug 5 61 Sept 18 64 Sergt Captain U S C T 
 
 Jackson, Harry B July 15 64 Cap Dec 22 64 Not since heard from 
 Jackson, John C Apr 6 64 June 27 65 
 Jackson, Levi G K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 Corp 
 Jacobs, John G B July 19 61 Mar 10 62 
 
560 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Jacobs, Lemuel G Feb 2 64 June 27 65 
 
 James, Thomas C Aug 26 61 Killed in action at Bunker Hill Sept 3 
 
 64 Corp 
 
 Janowiez, Wladislow L Aug 20 64 June 5 65 
 Jarvis, William H A Feb 29 64 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 Jenkins, Michael B Mar 8 64 June 27 65 
 Jenks, James F Apr 2 64 June 27 65 
 Johnson, Charles D Sept 20 64 June 6 65 
 Johnson, Ensign A B Sept i 61 Aug 8 62 Cap at the Accotink Nov 
 
 12 61 Prisoner in Richmond. 
 
 Johnson, Henry R F July 24 61 Died Oct 23 62 
 
 Johnson, John H K Dec 30 63 June 27 65 
 
 Johnson, Lafayette F K Aug 12 61 Dec 13 62 First Lieut Ninth 
 
 Mich Cav 
 
 Johnson, Thomas D Apr 25 64 June 27 65 
 Johnson, Thomas F Aug 16 61 Jan 13 62 
 Jones, Abram A July 30 61 Sept 30 64 Captain Twice wounded 
 
 Twice captured and escaped 
 Jones, Henry A Jan 5 64 Cap at Cedar Creek Oct 19 64 Died Mar 28 
 
 65 
 
 Jones, James N K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Jones, Joab K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Jones, Simon H F July 24 61 Feb 8 64 
 Jones, William M Mar 17 64 June 27 65 
 
 Kainer, Leonhardt L Aug 22 61 Nov 10 64 
 
 Kaiser, John I Aug i 61 Mar 5 65 Cap at Martinsburg Dec 9 64 
 
 Kaler, Peter F July 24 61 June 27 65 
 
 Kalish, Herman D July 16 61 Jan 30 63 
 
 Kane, John M Sept 3 61 June 27 65 
 
 Kantorowitz, Samuel K Nov i 61 July 20 64 
 
 Karney, Martin H Aug 21 61 Aug 18 64 Cap at Winchester June 13 63 
 
 Karr, Patrick D Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 
 Kass, Ernest B Mar 19 64 June 27 65 
 
 Kast, Philip L Aug 22 61 Feb 22 62 
 
 Katzrung, Thomas I Aug 22 61 Sept 18 63 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 13 63 
 
 Kaufmann, John I Aug i 61 Drowned at Harrison s Landing July 
 
 31 62 
 
 Kaufmann, John L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 
 Kayser, Charles I Aug 10 64 June 27 64 
 Kearney, Miles M Sept 10 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Keefer, Edward L D Mar 18 64 June 27 65 
 Keeler, Alexander K Jan 21 64 Nov 29 64 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 Died in prison at Florence 
 Keeler, Jacob L Mar 7 64 June 27 65 
 Keiffer, Joseph E Oct 16 64 June 27 65 
 Keisler, Charles R A July 30 61 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 Par 
 
 Died Apr 27 64 
 Keller, Alexander I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 Kellogg, Emerson D Aug 21 61 Nov 2 61 
 Kelly, James A Dis to accept commission as Second Lieut 
 Kelly, John F Aug 16 61 Died of wounds Aug 18 63 
 Kelly, Rush F July 24 61 June 27 65 
 Kelly, Timothy C July 19 61 Sept 10 63 
 Kelly, William M Sept 4 61 Aug 24 65 
 Kellogg, John W K Aug 12 6 T Killed in action at Piedmont June 8 63 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 561 
 
 Kempel. Casper L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 Corp 
 
 Kendel, Jacob E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 
 Kenn, Christopher C Aug 22 64 June 6 65 
 Kennedy, Ransome M Sept 7 64 June 6 65 
 Kennedy, Robert M Feb 19 64 June 29 65 at Philadelphia 
 Kenney, Thomas M Aug 29 61 June 27 65 
 Kent, John F D July 16 61 Aug 16 64 Corp Sergt 
 Kent, William A July 30 61 Dec 18 62 Regt l Com Sergt reduced 
 
 to ranks 
 
 Kennon, Thomas M Feb 26 64 May 7 65 Hart s Island 
 Kerr, John Morris B Feb 19 62 Nov 30 62 Battalion Sergt-Major 
 Kerrigan, Rogers D Aug 16 61 Feb 3 65 Cap at New Market Nov 
 
 18 63 
 
 Kerton, Levi F Aug 21 61 Apr 13 63 
 Kessel, Stephen I Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 
 Keyes, James F B Apr 29 64 June 27 65 Cap at White House Land 
 ing Mar 26 65 
 
 Kidd, John H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 Kieffer, John I July 20 64 June 27 65 
 Kieule, Michael I Aug i 61 Apr 62 
 Killion, Peter H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 
 Kimberly, Dennis A B Aug 16 61 Nov 8 61 
 Kimmings, George W F Apr 30 64 June 27 65 
 Kingsland, Wm W B July 19 61 Jan 23 63 First Sergt Battalion 
 
 Sergeant Major 
 
 King, John C Mar 25 64 Died Nov 18 64 
 King, Owen M Sept 15 64 June 6 65 
 King, Walter I H Aug 16 61 Oct 5 61 
 Kingsbury, Henry E K Mar n 64 June 27 65 
 Kingsland, Geo W A July 30 61 Aug 18 63 
 Kinnir, Alfred W F Aug 16 61 July 28 62 
 Kinyon, Jonas F July 24 61 Dec 2 61 
 Kirchhoff, David L Aug 22 61 Apr i 64 
 Kirchner, George E Mar i 64 June 27 65 
 Klamann, Henry G Nov 23 64 June 27 65 
 Kleber, Edward L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 
 Klees, August I August i 61 June 27 65 
 Klein, Henry I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 
 Kleinschmidt, Charles M Sept 6 61 Died Sept 24 63 
 Klingel, Charles I Aug 22 61 June i 63 
 Knapp, Frank B Apr 14 64 June 27 65 Taken prisoner while in 
 
 hospital at Martinsburg Aug 31 64 
 Knapp, Jacob D Dec 28 63 July 17 65 Armory Surgical Hospital 
 
 Washington 
 Kneif, Ludwig E E July 20 61 June 27 65 Sergt First Sergt Second 
 
 Lieut 
 Knerr, Jacob I Aug 22 61 Died Dec 10 64 on Hospital transport 
 
 Cap at Mt Jackson May 13 64 
 
 Kniebusch, Herman L Aug 22 61 Jan 12 63 Corp 
 Knight, Edwin K Aug 12 61 Dec 29 62 Lieut Seventh Mich Cav 
 Knip, Hyronimus E July 20 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
 Knittel, Louis G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Knoll, Charles E July 30 61 July 19 64 
 Knopf, Edward E July 20 61 Nov 29 61 
 
 Knowles, Emerick C Aug 26 61 Sept 18 63 Lieut in 2ist Pa Cav 
 Knowles, Oliver B C July 19 61 Corp Sergt First Sergt Second 
 Lieut First Lieut Dis to accept promotion in 21 st Pa Cav Major 
 Lieut Col Br Brig Gen 
 
562 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Koch, Anton E July 20 61 Oct 10 62 Chief Bugler 
 
 Kock, Ludwig G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 Cap at Kernstown Feb 26 63 
 
 Kohler, August E July 20 61 June 23 63 Tr to V R C 
 
 Kolbeck, Charles I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 
 
 Koenig, Gottfried I Aug 22 61 June 15 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 Koopman, Carston B Aug 21 61 Cap Died in prison at Florence 
 
 Oct 21 64 
 
 Korter, Christian I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 
 Kraft, Frederick I Mar 21 64 June 27 65 
 Krathawie, Frank L Oct 31 64 June 27 65 
 Kraus, Herrmann G July 20 61 June 27 65 
 Krause, Charles L Apr 4 64 June 27 65 
 Krause, David M C July 19 61 Aug 19 62 Sergt 
 Krauss, Henry I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 
 Kretzinger, John G July 20 61 Aug 22 64 
 Kretzner, Stephen G July 20 61 Died Dec 14 61 
 Krieg, Ernest L Aug 22 61 July 5 65 Cap at Savage s Station June 
 
 30 62 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Kriete, John L Aug .22 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died in 
 
 prison at Andersonville Nov 21 64 
 Kroettinger, Michael A Nov 29 64 June 27 65 
 Krone, Christian L Sept 12 61 Apr 24 63 First Sergt 
 Kroming, Wm I A Dec 28 63 Cap May 13 64 at New Market 
 Kruger, August I Feb 24 64 June 27 65 
 Krumback, Christopher M Aug 28 61 May 24 63 Bugler 
 Krynizki, Joseph D E July 20 61 June 27 65 Second Lieut First Lieut 
 
 Captain 
 Kuppinger, Christian E July 20 61 May 19 62 
 
 Lachman, Moritz E Sept 6 64 July 8 65 
 
 Lake, Edward F July 24 61 June 27 65 Sergt First Sergt Second Lieut 
 
 Lallas, Peter B Aug n 64 June 27 65 Cap at Beaver Dam station 
 
 March 15 65 
 
 Lamoury, David F July 24 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Lancaster, Washington C July 19 61 Apr 13 62 
 Landan, Frederick A Sept 6, 64 June 6 65 
 Lane, Ernest L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Lane, Henry D Jan 13 64 June 27 65 
 Lange, Helmuth L Aug 22 61 May 12 62 
 Langenbalim, Sylvester G July 20. 61 Sept i 62 
 Lansing, Edward A July 30 61 Dec 5 63 First Sergt 
 Large, Thomas M Sept 4 61 Jan i 64 Cap Frederick Sept 13 62 
 Lasham, Albert Sept 26 64 Tr Oct n 64 to First N Y V C 
 Latkowsky, Charles L Aug 22 61 Feb 15 65 
 Lauer, Cornelius G July 20 61 Sept 6 62 
 Lautenschlager, August E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 
 Lauter, Anton E July 20 61 Aug 7 62 
 Lauterbach, George I July 30 64 June 27 65 
 La Valley, Peter M Sept 7 64 June 6 65 
 Laverty, William K D July 16 61 April 24 63 Wounded Winchester 
 
 Feb 10 63 First Lieut 
 
 Lawrence, Dittle E June 27 64 Died Feb 18 65 
 Lawrence, John D Aug 21 61 Feb 15 62 
 Lawton, Richard E F July 24 61 June 27 65 
 Lax, Frank B H Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Lea, Andrew I Aug i 6 1 June 27 65 Bugler 
 Lear, Charles E Jan 4 65 Tune 27 65 
 Leavitt, Thomas R A July 30 61 Aug 22 64 First Lieut Capt 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 563 
 
 Leber, John I Aug i 61 
 
 Ledward, Robert M Sept 14 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Lee, Richard H B July 19 61 Jan 27 62 Second Lieut First Lieut 
 
 Leffert, Henry I Aug i 61 Jan 24 65 Cap Woodstock Feb 15 63 Cap 
 
 New Market May 13 64 
 Legab, Alexander I Aug i 61 Dec 20 62 
 Lehde, Christian L Sept 12 61 Aug 22 64 
 Leigle, Christian L Feb 20 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 Leisnitzer, Henry L March 14 64 June 27 65 C Sergt 
 Lengerke, Alex E July 20 61 June 7 63 First Lieut 
 Lent, Lewis A Mar 15 64 June 27 65 
 Leonard, Wm H Feb 26 64 June 27 65 
 
 Leopold, John B Dec 21 63 June 27 65 Cap New Market May 13 64 
 Letterle, Frederick H Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 Leutzinger, Fridolin I Aug i 61 May 29 62 
 Lewis, Eugene H Aug 5 61 May 19 65 First Lieut Captain 
 Lewis, Jefferson H Aug 5 61 Feb 13 63 
 Lewis, John I Sept 10 64 June 6 65 
 Lewis, Morgan C July 19 61 Aug 18 64 
 Lewis. Preston A Dec 23 63 June 27 65 
 Lickman, Gunther I Aug i 61 May 12 62 
 Lindsey, Alen K Aug 12 61 Died Aug 19 62 in hospital 
 Lindsey, James M Sept 6 61 June 27 65 
 
 Liscarbo, Thomas D Aug 21 61 Feb i 65 Cap New Market May 13 64 
 Lloyd, John E Feb i 64 July 27 65 
 Locke, Christian E April 5 64 June 15 65 
 Loehr, Adolph L Aug 22 61 April i 64 First Lieut Adjutant 
 Loewingring, Milius I Feb 8 62 Died July 26 64 of wounds 
 Longshore, Edwin Dec 28 63 Tr Mar 8 64 to ipth N Y Cav 
 Loomis, Doddridge F July 24, 61 June 27 65 
 Lord, Thomas J M Sept 9 61 Sept 19 62 Captain 
 Lorey, George H Mar 8 64 June 27 65 
 Lowenhaupt, Wilhelm G July 20 61 May 8 62 
 Lubinsky, Wm L Jan 13 64 June 27 65 
 Luders, Ferdinand G July 20 61 Jan 24 65 Cap Strasburg Nov 26 62 
 
 Cap Woodstock Feb 26 63 Cap New Market May 13 64 
 Ludke, Albert I Aug i 61 May 11 63 
 Ludke, Fred L Sept 28 64 June 5 65 
 Ludwig, Heinrich G July 20 61 June 27 65 .Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 
 Ludwig, Martin L Mar 14 64 June 27 65 
 Ludwig, Paul G Oct 13 64 June 27 65 
 Lukas, Philip G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 
 Luney, Richard A Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Lumis, George W H Aug 5 61 Oct 5 61 
 Lumphrey, Oliver C July 19 61 July 24 65 Wounded at Whipponic 
 
 Creek Apr 3 65 Corp Sergt Sergt Major First Lieut 
 Lung, Antony I Aug i 61 June 27 65 
 Lust, Adolphus H Oct 21 64 June 27 65 
 Lutes, John D C July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at Occoquan ferry Nov 
 
 2 62 Corp 
 
 Lyna, James A D July 16 61 Feb 7 65 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Lynch, James H Aug 16 61 June 10 65 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Lynch, Jeremiah H Apr 12 64 June 27 65 
 Lynch, John M Feb 18 64 Died of fever July 30 64 
 Lynchlin, Franz E Feb 19 64 Cap at New Market Died in prison at 
 
 Andersonville Aug 16 64 
 
564 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Maahs, August I Aug i 61 Dec 20 62 
 
 Mack, Valentine B July 19 61 June 27 65 Sergt First Sergt Second 
 
 Lieut First Lieut 
 
 Mackey, Robert C July 19 61 Dec 15 62 
 MacWilliams, John A Aug 21 61 Aug 22 64 Corp 
 Madden, Martin A Feb I 64 June 23 65 Cap at Bloomer s Gap July 
 
 27 64 
 Magadan, Andrew C July 19 61 Cap scouting Mt Jackson Nov 16 
 
 63 Died in Andersonville Aug 4 64 Corp Sergt 
 Maher, John B Sept 7 64 June 6 65 
 Mahon, Samuel M Aug 31 61 Dis Mar 27 62 G C M 
 Mahon, Thomas H Aug 16 61 Apr 13 63 
 Mahoney, Florence B Sept 2 64 June 6 65 
 Maier, Albert I Aug 5 64 June 27 65 
 
 Malmquish, Gustav I Aug 22 61 Dec 23 64 Cap at Smithfield 
 Malone, Thomas H Feb 16 64 June 27 65 Cap at Port Republic Sept 
 
 26 64 
 
 Maloney, John M Feb 18 64 June 27 65 
 Mandorff, Fred W G Mar 2 64 June 27 65 
 Manhattan, Michael F July 24 61 Wounded and Cap May 63 
 Manion, Kierman H Feb 27 64 June 27 65 
 Mankedik, George D Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Cap at Greenville June 
 
 10 64 
 
 Mann, Christian J K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Com Sergt 
 Mann, Nehemiah A July 30 61 Nov 27 62 Super Second Lieut 
 Mansfield, John M K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Manuel, Charles C July 19 61 Tr Sept 14 63 to V R C 
 Manuel, Ernst G July 20 61 June 27 65 
 Mara, Wm M Apr 9 64 Tr Dec 28 64 to looth N Y V 
 Maran, Owen M Sept 13 64 June 6 65 
 
 Marder, Jules E July 20 61 Nov i 63 Hospital at Martinsburg 
 Marian, Michael A Aug 25 61 Oct 31 62 
 Markmann, Henry L Aug 27 61 Killed in action at Woodstock May 
 
 3i 64 
 
 Marlow, Charles H Aug 30 64 June 27 65 
 Marple, Samuel C July 19 61 July 14 62 
 
 Marshall, Michael I Aug i 61 Missing Sept 28 62 at New Creek 
 Marston, Henry C A Mar 21 64 May 20 65 
 Marston, John H H Mar 24 62 Apr 4 63 
 Martin, Friedrich G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 
 Martin, John Dec 31 61 June 10 65 
 Martin, John H F Aug 30 64 June 6 65 
 Martin, Thomas B C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Martin, Thomas J K Aug 29 61 June 27 65 
 Martin, Wilson K Aug 12 61 Died Dec 2 62 in Hospital 
 Martindale, Franklin G K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Second Lieut First 
 
 Lieut Captain Major 
 Mason, George M Sept 6 61 June 27 65 Wounded at Piedmont June 
 
 5 64 Sergt 
 
 Mason, Heron K Aug 12 61 Dec 27 62 
 Massey, James D Dec 19 63 June 27 65 
 Masters, Michael D Aug 21 61 Jan 19 65 Cap July 15 64 at Harper s 
 
 Ferry 
 
 Maston, John F Aug 30 64 June 6 65 
 
 Matterne, Albert G Mar 18 62 July 63 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Matzen, John L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Maxlow, Samuel H B Mar 10 64 June 27 65 Cap at Beaver Dam Mar 
 
 15 65 Corp 
 May, Christopher B July 19 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 565 
 
 May, Henry L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at Staunton May 64 
 
 May, Peter F July 24 61 June 27 65 Wounded in action at Opequon 
 
 Creek June 13 63 Cap at Bunker Hill Oct 12 64 
 Mayo, John A Dec 30 63 Oct 20 64 Des 
 McCabe, John M Aug 16 61 Died June 14 65 
 McCann, Robert A Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 McCarthy, David D Dec 2 63 June 27 65 
 McCarthy, Garrett B Oct 7 64 June 27 65 
 
 McCarthy, John F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Wounded in action Bugler 
 McCarthy, Michael Dec 29 64 Tr Jan 11 65 to Sixth N Y Cav 
 McCarthy, Thomas M Aug 31 61 Aug 28 64 Cap Feb 28 63 
 McCarty, John Dec 27 64 Tr Dec 30 64 to 93rd N Y V 
 McCauley, John M Aug 31 61 June 27 65 
 McClellan, John W C July 19 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Par 
 
 Died Mar 29 65 
 
 McCollum, Emmit K Mar 24 64 June 27 65 
 
 McComb, Frederick I Feb 27 64 June 27 65 Cap at Frederick July 8 64 
 McConnaughy, Franklin C July 19 61 June 27 65 Sergt Sergt Major 
 
 First Lieut Captain 
 
 McCormack, Richard M Sept 6 64 June 6 65 
 McCormick, Joseph F July 24 61 Dec 4 61 
 McCort, Elias M Sept 21 64 June 6 65 
 McCrae, John F Aug 15 64 June 6 65 
 McCrae, John F July 24 61 May 27 62 Blacksmith 
 McCue, John B Aug 21 61 Sept 5 62 
 McDermott, John D July 16 61 Aug 16 64 
 McDermott, Peter M Aug 31 61 Oct 22 61 
 McDonald, Duncan F Aug I 64 June 27 65 
 McEwin, Daniel D July 16 61 Mar 31 63 Sergt 
 McFee, John B Sept i 64 June 6 65 
 McGrath, John D July 16 61 Aug 6 64 Corp 
 McGuiness, Michael B July 19 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 McGuire, Martin H H Aug 16 61 Apr n 62 
 Mclntyre, George F July 24 61 June 27 65 Q M Sergt 
 McKenna, George R H Aug 5 61 Dis May 26 62 G C M 
 McKenzie, Thomas H Apr 18 64 Killed on picket Oct 3 64 Luray 
 McKinley, John S B Aug 5 61 June 27 65 Corp First Sergt Co H 
 McLaughlin, Hugh C July 19 61 Killed in action at Ashby s Gap July 
 
 19 64 
 
 McLaughlin, Hugh D Feb 19 64 June 27 65 
 McManus, John D July 16 61 Aug 17 64 
 McMillan, Alexander A Aug 25 61 Killed in action at Cunningham s 
 
 Cross Roads July 5 63 
 
 McMillan, John K Aug 12 61 Alar 14 63 
 McNair, Wm W Feb 27*65 June 27 65 Chaplain 
 McNamara, John D Mar 19 64 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 McNaughton, Dugald K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 McNaughton, John K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 Cap at Berryville Aug 
 
 22 63 
 McNeil, James F H Aug 21 61 Cap at Berryville Oct 17 63 Par 
 
 Died at Oswego Sept 5 64 
 McNitt, Wm K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 McQuade, Felix A Sept 16 64 June 6 65 
 McReynolds, Andrew T June 15 61 June 16 64 Colonel 
 McReynolds, B Frank H Sept 18 62 Jan 2 65 Second Lieut First 
 
 Lieut and Regt l Com 
 
 McSorley, Hugh A July 30 61 Aug 18 64 
 Mead, Charles F July 24 61 Aug 18 62 
 
566 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Mead, John M K Aug 12 61 Nov 12 61 
 
 Mears, Leonard C July 19 61 Jan 18 62 
 
 Meeker, Benj C Sept 2 64 May 7 65 
 
 Melville, Thomas H M Sept 4 61 May 27 63 
 
 Melvin, James H Aug 5 61 
 
 Mempel, August E July 20 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt 
 
 Menz, Herman L Feb 27 64 June 12 65 Wounded and Cap at Pied 
 mont June 5 64 
 
 Menzel, Ernest L Aug 22 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Par 
 Died at Annapolis Dec 28 64 
 
 Menzer, Hermann I Aug I 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 13 64 Corp First Sergt 
 
 Merritt, Andrew J B July 19 61 June 27 65 Regt Wagon Master 
 
 Merry, Patrick B Mar 22 64 June 27 65 
 
 Messick, Eugene D July 16 61 June 7 62 Bugler 
 
 Meyer, Friederick L Apr 16 64 June 27 65 
 
 Meyer, Gribbe H E July 20 61 Jan 28 63 
 
 Meyer, Henry L Aug i 64 June 5 65 
 
 Meyer, John I Aug 31 64 June 6 65 
 
 Meyer, Joseph E Oct 18 65 Nov 64 per G O 
 
 Meyer, Paul G Aug 22 61 Aug 23 64 Sergt 
 
 Meyersohn, Frank G D July 16 61 Aug 31 63 
 
 Meyres, Mathew K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 
 Michaels, Robert J A July 30 61 Apr 14 65 Hospital Wounded in 
 action Sept 64 
 
 Mickle, Philo D Jr D July 16 61 Res May 25 63 Sergt Second Lieut 
 
 Miller, Andrew H M Sept 9 61 May 24 62 
 
 Miller, Francis W Feb 2 64 Died Apr 16 64 
 
 Miller, Frank E B Dec 22 63 June 27 65 Corporal 
 
 Miller, George M Aug 5 61 Feb 6 62 
 
 Miller, Henry D Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 13 
 64 Prisoner at Andersonville 
 
 Miller, Jacob G Died in General Hospital at Martinsburg Apr 12 64 
 
 Miller, Lewis B Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap Nov 12 61 
 
 Miller, Wm M Sept 4 61 May 27 62 
 
 Miller, Wm E A July 30 61 Oct 2 61 
 
 Millrose, Orlando B Nov 19 61 May 22 62 
 
 Mills, Charles I Aug i 61 May 27 62 
 
 Mills, George W K Aug 12 61 Nov i 62 Corp Sergt 
 
 Miner, George H M Feb 18 64 Killed in action at Winchester Apr 
 
 64 
 
 Mitchel, Eldridge L B July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Mitchel, Robert W C Sept 9 64 May 6 65 
 Mitchell, Henry D Aug 25 61 Jan 21 62 
 Mitchell, Benj M Feb 25 64 Died Mar 19 64 
 Mitz, George I Aug 22 61 Died Dec 9 61 
 Mold, Christian G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 
 Molyneaux, Edward C Sept 2 64 May 7 65 
 Monen, Pierre I Mar 22 64 June 27 65 
 
 Monson, Frank A B Aug 16 61 Aug 8 62 Lieut in Fifth N Y Cav 
 Mooney, Hiram C A July 30 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Moore, Francis H Mar 22 64 Died Nov 22 64 
 Moore, Henry A Dec 28 63 Died in Hospital Mar 17 65 
 Moore, Lawrence W A Sept 5 64 June 6 65 
 Moore, Thomas A July 30 61 June 27 65 
 Moore, Wm F H Aug 16 61 July n 62 
 Moorehead, David L F July 24 61 Mar i 62 
 Moorehouse, John H D July 16 61 June 27 65 
 Moorehouse, Simon F July 24 61 Mar i 62 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 567 
 
 Moran, Peter M Aug 29 61 Died Sept 2 62 
 
 Moratz, August E Aug 27 64 June 6 65 
 
 Morgan, Warren F Jan I 64 Aug 5 65 
 
 Moringer, Joseph L Aug 22 61 Feb 15 62 Bugler 
 
 Morris, Wm C Aug 28 61 June 27 65 Sergt First Sergt. 
 
 Morrison, Lindsay F Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 
 Morse, Christopher M Aug 28 61 Feb 10 62 
 
 Moser, Jacob G July 20 61 Jan 5 63 
 
 Muder, Max L Mar 9 64 June 27 65 
 
 Muehlbacher, Francis L Aug 22 61 Dec i 62 Corp 
 
 Mueller, Ernest L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 
 Mueller, Herman L Sept 12 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Par 
 
 Died at Annapolis Apr 7 65 
 Mulcahy, Thomas H Apr 16 64 June 27 65 
 Muller, Anton E July 20 61 June 27 65 
 Muller, August I Feb 25 64 June 27 65 
 Muller, Fridolin I Feb 24 64 Cap New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 Oct 2 64 Andersonville 
 
 Muller, Heinrich G July 20 61 Oct 16 61 
 Muller, Henry E July 20 61 July 13 62 
 
 Muller, John E Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap New Market May 13 64 
 Mulley, David B July 19 61 Oct i 61 
 Mulligan, Francis H Aug 16 61 Oct 5 61 
 Mulligan Wm H Aug 16 61 Killed in action June 8 64 
 Munger, Harmon H K Aug 29 61 Dec 20 62 
 Munn, David D July 16 61 June 27 65 
 Munsch, Bartholomaus I Aug i 61 Aug 16 64 
 
 Muralt, Carl G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 Cap Winchester June 15 63 
 Murphy, James D Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Murphy, John R H Aug 5 61 Aug 18 64 
 Murphy Thomas B Aug 16 61 May 28 62 
 Murphy, Timothy M Sept 6 61 June 27 65 
 Murray, Francis M Nov 10 64 June 27 65 
 Murray, Martin H Aug 16 61 May 13 64 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Murray, Patrick D Aug 21 61 Mar 20 64 
 
 Murray, Thomas M Aug 16 61 Aug 28 63 Cap Woodstock Feb 20 63 
 Murtha, Patrick K Dec 30 63 July 6 65 
 Muther, Randolph I D July 16 61 Aug 22 64 Cap at Winchester 
 
 June 15 63 
 
 Myer, Adolph E July 20 61 Aug 13 63 Bugler 
 Myer. John L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 Myers, DeWitt R D Feb 23 64 June 27 65 
 Myers, Edward C July 19 61 June 7 65 Corp 
 Myers, Henry C July 19 61 Apr 13 62 
 
 Nack, Otto L Sept i 64 June 5 65 
 
 Nagle, Charles E Dec 16 64 June 27 65 
 
 Nagle, Wilson D Dec 21 61 Died Aug n 62 
 
 Nash, James D Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Naumann, Francis Apr 18 64 Drowned at sea Mar 31 65 by burning 
 
 of U S Steamer General Lyon 
 Navinski, Simon I Aug i 61 Apr 21 62 
 
 Nealy, Wm C July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Neill, Arthur C Jan 20 64 June 27 65 
 Nelson. Pliny F B Sept i 61 Wounded in action Sept 17 Died Sept 
 
 19 Saddler 
 
 Nelson, Roreback Feb 2 64 Det in Hospital at Hart s Island 
 Nenumacher, Joseph C July 19 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
568 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Nerling, Peter L Mar 31 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Nevins, Henry N K Aug 12 61 Dec 31 62 Q M Sergt Regtl Com 
 
 Sergt Lieut in Seventh Mich Cav Major in isth N Y Cav 
 Nevins, Wm S K Aug 12 61 Dec 25 61 Sergt Q M Sergt Lieut in 
 
 First Mich Eng & Mech 
 New, Edwin A A Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt Regtl Q M 
 
 Sergt Second Lieut First Lieut 
 Newhoff, Frederick F July 21 64 May 7 65 
 Newman, Robert H Aug 5 61 Nov 8 61 
 Newport, Thomas K Dec 18 63 June 27 65 
 Newth, John C July 19 61 June 27 65 First Sergt Second Lieut First 
 
 Lieut 
 
 Nichols, Wm H K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Nisser, Henry I Aug I 61 Died Dec 13 62 from wound received on 
 
 picket 
 Nims, Frederick A M Aug 22 61 Sept 30 64 Second Lieut First 
 
 Lieut 
 
 Noble, Erastus W K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Nolte, Augustus L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Wounded at Piedmont 
 
 June 5 64 Cap in Hospital at Staunton Corp 
 Noone, Thomas B Feb 12 64 Accidentally shot at Bunker Hill Sept 
 
 4 64 
 
 North, Augustus F July 24 61 Feb 16 62 
 Norton, Anson N K Aug 12 61 Res Sept 20 62 Captain 
 Norton, John R K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Regtl Com Sergt Second 
 
 Lieut Awarded medal of Honor by Sec of War 
 Nugent, John A Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Nussey, Henry H Aug 10 61 Jan 3 63 
 
 Obhoff, Peter L Aug 22 61 Killed July 9 63 
 
 O Brien, John J B July 19 61 June 27 65 Cap Nov 12 61 Corp Sergt 
 
 First Sergt Co F Second Lieut First Lieut Captain 
 O Brien, Michael A Aug 16 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 in prison at Andersonville Sept 28 64 
 O Brien, Nicholas H May 22 64 June 27 65 
 O Brien, Patrick D Feb 20 64 June 27 65 
 O Brien, Peter A Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Awarded Medal of Honor 
 
 by Sec of War 
 O Brien, Thomas D Aug 21 61 Feb 3 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 O Brien, Wm A Aug 16 61 Aug 22 64 Cap at Mt Jackson Nov 18 63 
 O Brien, Wm D Aug 26 63 June 27 65 
 O Connell, Michael K Jan 6 64 June 27 65 
 O Connell, Michael A Mar 26 64 Tr to Co M 
 O Connor, James J D Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Odell, Dyckman H Aug 5 61 July 29 62 Q M Sergt Co A 
 O Donnell, Patrick D July 16 61 June 27 65 
 Ogden, John H H Nov 29 64 June 27 65 
 Ogle, Charles H A July 30 61 Nov 24 62 Captain Major 
 Olbert, Henry G July 20 61 Killed in action near White Post June 
 
 12 63 Corp Sergt 
 
 Olin, Wm W F Aug 27 64 June 6 65 
 Ollussen, Gustave I Aug 19 64 June 27 65 
 O Neil, Michael H Aug 25 61 Dec 20 62 
 O Neil, Patrick M Sept 2 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 O Neil, Paul D Aug 25 61 Mar 21 65 Cap at New Market May 12 64 
 O Neill, Eugene H Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Onishenzen, Charles L Apr 25 64 June 27 65 
 Ooly, John G July 20 61 June 21 62 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 569 
 
 Ordway, Albert H A Sept 26 64 June 6 65 
 Orthmann, Ludwig G July 20 61 Sept i 62 
 Ostrander, Thomas B C July 19 61 Feb 25 65 Corp Sergt Com 
 
 Sergt Cap at Winchester June 15 63 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Otto, August E Jan 25 64 June 27 65 Bugler 
 Otto, Edward E July 20 61 Jan i 63 
 Otto, Frederick E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 
 Otto, Gustav L Aug 22 61 Apr i 63 Captain 
 Otto, Hefly E Oct 16 64 Apr 5 65 Cap at Warrenton 
 Owens, Henry D Jan i 64 Sept 2 65 
 Owens, Terrance B Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Corp Cap at Moorefield 
 
 Apr 28 63 
 
 Pankrats, Phister G Aug 6 64 June 27 65 
 
 Park, Richard A Aug 21 64 June 13 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 Parker, Benj K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 Parker, Wm F July 24 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt 
 Parks, Wm S H Aug 5 61 June 27 62 
 Parlin, Edward H B July 19 61 Dec 30 62 Cap in Hospital Talleys- 
 
 ville June 30 62 
 Passegger, Franz I Aug i 61 June 27 65 First Lieut Captain Major 
 
 Br Lieut Col Br Col Wounded at Fisher s Hill 
 Patterson, Samuel B M Sept 2 61 Aug 16 62 Q M Sergt 
 Patterton, James M Aug 29 61 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Paul, Ira F Aug 30 64 June 6 65 
 Paul, Wm H F Aug 15 64 June 6 65 
 Pearl, Thomas E B July 19 61 June 27 65 Wounded at Martinsburg 
 
 July 25 64 Bugler 
 
 Peavey, George G B Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Wounded near Spring 
 field Oct 62 Wounded near White Post May 9 64 Sergt Chief of 
 
 Scouts 
 Peavey, George W B July 19 61 June 14 65 Regtl Q M Sergt 
 
 Second Lieut 57 U S C T 
 
 Peck, Charles M Aug 31 61 June 15 63 Missing in action 
 Peers, Hiram B Nov 19 61 June 27 65 Cap at Woodstock Dec 25 62 
 
 Corp 
 
 Perkowitz, Leon G July 20 61 Oct 16 61 
 Perry, Wm F July 24 61 Oct 14 61 
 Peterson, Carl G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 
 Peterson, Charles I Aug i 61 Mar 20 64 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 13 63 
 
 Peterson, Andreas L Sept 12 61 Aug 22 64 
 Peterson, Charles R B Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Wounded at Hancock 
 
 June 16 63 Cap at New Market May 13 64 In prison at Anderson- 
 
 ville and Florence Corp Sergt 
 Peto, Daniel H Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 Peto, Joseph H Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 Pettis, Frederick D July 16 61 Oct 4 61 50 N Y Eng 
 Pettit, Alfred D A July 30 61 Aug 22 64 
 Pfaiffer, Nicholas L Apr i 64 Hospital Nurse at Annapolis 
 Phifer, Michael C July 19 61 Mar 18 64 Corp Sergt 
 Phifer, Peter I Feb 13 62 June 13 63 
 Phillips, George D July 16 61 July 16 62 
 Phillips, Judson S K Aug 29 61 Apr 3 62 Des 
 Phillips,, Wm H H D July 16 61 Nov 2 61 
 Pilegard. Rudolph E July 20 61 June 27 65 
 Pineus, Joseph E July 20 61 Sept 4 62 Hospital 
 Pinsel, Charles Oct 25 64 May 7 65 Hart s Island 
 
570 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Pitman, George C Aug 26 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt 
 
 Place, Arthur A K Mar 28 64 June 27 65 
 
 Platt, Eben G A July 30 61 June 27 65 Bugler 
 
 Platt, Wm B Sept 2 64 June 6 65 
 
 Plattner, Jacob G Sept 18 64 June 6 65 
 
 Poindexter, George S F Aug 21 61 Nov 4 64 First Sergt Second 
 
 Lieut 
 Pomeroy, Jerome B K Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Cap Mar 22 65 and 
 
 escaped Apr 8 65 
 
 Poole, David L K Feb 6 64 June 27 65 Second Lieut 
 Pope, Christian C A Apr I 64 June 27 65 
 Porter, Patrick H M Aug 28 61 June 27 65 Sergt Cap at Piedmont 
 
 June 5 64 
 
 Porteus, James B Nov 19 61 May 24 62 at Gen Hospital Washington 
 Porteus, Wm P B Aug 21 61 Oct 27 62 
 Posner, Charles A July 30 61 Dec 27 62 
 Post, Richard A C July 19 61 Aug 25 63 
 Potter, James H Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Blacksmith 
 Poulitzer, Joseph L Sept 30 64 June 5 65 
 Power, Samuel C C July 19 61 June 27 65 Farrier 
 Powell, Thomas D Jan i 65 June 27 65 Asst Surgeon 
 Powers, James F D Aug 25 61 Mar 15 65 Cap in London Co July 
 
 15 64 
 
 Praefcke, Curt I Aug I 61 Feb 24 62 
 Pranden, George D July 16 61 Feb 15 62 
 Prange, John I Aug i 61 June 13 65 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 
 Corp Sergt 
 Prendergast, Richard G M July 28 61 Killed in action at Nineveh 
 
 Nov 12 64 First Lieut Captain 
 
 Price, Wm H B Sept 22 64 June 6 65 Cap Mar 15 65 at Beaver Dam 
 Princell, Charles Oct 24 64 May 7 65 
 
 Pross, Philip E Aug 22 61 Killed in action June 15 63 Opequon Creek 
 Provost, Joseph A Aug 16 61 Nov 10 64 
 Putmoe, Moses C Sept 15 64 June 27 65 
 
 Quinn, Daniel M Sept 7 64 June 6 65 
 
 Quinn, John C July 19 61 Tr Sept 10 63 to H Sixteenth (Ninth) 
 
 V R C 
 
 Quinn, John B July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Quinn, Patrick D Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 Quinn, Timothy Jan 2 63 Jan 4 65 Major 
 
 Raczkiwicz, John C H Aug 5 61 Aug 22 64 Bugler Chief Trumpeter 
 
 Rahn, John E Feb 27 64 June 27 65 Cap at Gordonsville Dec 64 
 
 Rainsch, Franz F Feb 18 62 Apr 14 62 
 
 Rainsberger, Joseph D C Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Randall, Clark Dec 31 63 Tr Feb 8 64 to I9th N Y Cav 
 
 Rathman, Ernest E July 20 61 Dec 27 62 Vet Surgeon 
 
 Rautsom, Charles I Sept 3 64 June 6 65 
 
 Rawcliff, Thomas B Sept 17 64 June 6 65 
 
 Redmen, Charles H Aug 5 61 Sept 25 62 
 
 Reed, Wm B Mar 29 64 June 27 65 Cap Beaver Dam Mar 15 65 
 
 Reichhard, Francis I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 Cap June 27 62 
 
 Reid, James K Aug 12 61 Cap Berryville Aug 19 63 Died Mar 30 64 
 
 Hospital 
 Reider, Gustave E Jan 15 64 June 27 65 Prisoner at Andersonville 
 
 May 13 64 
 
 Reiling, Herman E July 20 61- -Aug 16 64 
 Reilly, Alex M Aug 28 61 Killed Dec 25 61 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 571 
 
 Reily, Cornelius H Aug 16 61 Jan 65 Cap Winchester June 15 63 
 
 Reincke, Francis I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 Corp 
 
 Reincke, Friedrich I Aug i 61 Apr 23 62 
 
 Reinhard, John I Aug i 61 Cap May 13 61 at New Market 
 
 Reinicke, Herman I Aug i 61 May 29 62 
 
 Relyae, Elisha B C Sept 4 61 June 27 62 
 
 Remers, John I Aug i 61 Feb 15 62 
 
 Resch, Frederick E Aug 22 64 May 22 65 Died Oct 9 65 at Hospital 
 
 Reyan, Wm M Jan 5 64 Jan 21 65 
 
 Reynolds, Clark B Sept 22 64 June 6 65 
 
 Reynolds, Clark B F July 24 61 June 27 65 
 
 Reynolds, Edward H Aug 5 61 Aug 4 64 
 
 Rhor, Gotlieb H Sept 7 64 June 6 65 
 
 Richter, Friedrich G July 20 61 Oct 25 61 
 
 Rickenberg, John I Aug 22 61 Apr 17 63 
 
 Rickholdt, Bernhardt L Aug 22 61 June 15 63 
 
 Ricklin, Joseph G July 20 61 Dec 27 62 
 
 Riecks, Frederick L Aug 18 64 June 27 65 
 
 Riegel, Richard L Dec 9 63 June 13 65 Sergt 
 
 Righly, Charles Sept 13 61 Mar i 62 Chaplain 
 
 Rihl, Wm H C July 19 61 Killed in action at Greencastle June 22 63 
 
 Corp 
 
 Rineke, Wm G Aug 22 61 June 20 63 
 Ring, Charles Sept 22 64 Tr Oct 2 64 to I2th N Y Cav 
 Ritchie, James A Aug 16 61 Oct n 62 
 Roach, James B Aug 31 64 June 6 65 Cap at Jericho Crossing Mar 
 
 14 65 
 
 Roberts, Ephraim H Aug 5 61 Jan n 62 
 
 Robertson, George A July 30 61 Wounded at Sharpsburg Sept 20 62 
 
 Died Oct 12 62 Corp Sergt 
 
 Robinson, Charles A Aug 25 61 Died Dec 20 62 Hospital 
 Robinson, Oscair B Aug 25 61 Mar 10 62 
 Robinson, Philo C A July 30 61 June 27 65 
 Robinson, Uriah F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 Rodemann, John L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 
 Rodman, Benjamin F Mar 22 64 June 27 65 
 
 Roehrer, John M Aug i 61 June 27 65 Hospital Steward Cap at 
 
 Mansfield Apr 17 63 
 
 Roehrs. Frederick L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 Com Sergt 
 Roehrson, Edward G July 20 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Rohe, Casper I Feb 8 62 Nov 26 64 Corp Sergt 
 Roney, Robert W F Mar 29 64 June 27 65 
 Root, James M F July 24 61 Sept 13 62 
 Rorder, Gustave E Feb 10 64 Oct 26 65 
 Rork, Samuel W A July 30 61 June 30 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 Sergt 
 
 Rosacrauts, Jacob A Oct i 64 June 6 65 
 Rosenberg, Max June 15 61 Sept 2 61 
 Rosenberger, Felix I Aug 5 64 June 27 65 Cap at Jericho Ford Mar 
 
 16 65 
 
 Rosenblatt, Matthew E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 
 
 Ross, Andrew M Sept 3 61 Cap June 5 64 at Piedmont Died in 
 
 prison at Andersonville Sept 25 64 
 Rothomund, Joseph I Aug 22 61 Sept 17 62 
 Rouse, Minna A Sept 26 64 June 6 65 
 Roxborough, John C July 23 64 June 27 65 
 Roxborough, Wm C Aug 6 64 June 27 65 
 Ruh, Haver G July 20 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
572 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Ruhkopf, Ludwig E July 20 61 Cap near Mt Jackson Dec 20 63 Died 
 
 in prison at Andersonville Aug 3 64 
 Rumm, Wm I Aug i 61 July 31 62 
 Runnion, Robert D July 16 61 June 27 65 Com Sergt 
 Runyon, Samuel B July 19 61 Feb 24 62 
 Russell, John R B Mar 5 64 June 27 65 
 Rutschmann, Francis L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 Rutter, Thomas H M Aug 28 61 Feb 24 62 Blacksmith 
 Ryan, Henry M Sept 10 61 June 27 65 
 Ryan, James F Cap at Winchester Apr 24 64 
 Ryan, Wm M Dec 21 63 Feb 18 65 Hospital 
 Ryan, Wm H M Sept 3 61 Oct 17 64 Corp 
 
 Sail, Louis E Mar 22 64 Died May 4 65 Hospital 
 
 Sachs, Henry G July 20 61 June 27 65 Farrier 
 
 Saling, Frederick K Dec i 63 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 Annapolis Dec 21 64 
 
 Salzbrunn, Oscar I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 
 Sanders, George S D July 16 61 Nov 2 61 
 Sanders, Henry C Apr 20 64 June 27 65 
 Saunders, Luther B D Aug 16 61 Nov 2 61 
 Saur, Andrew K Mar 28 64 Died June 27 64 
 Savacool, Edwin F K Aug 29 61 Wounded at Newtown Nov 63 
 
 Wounded at Sailor s Creek Apr 6 65 Died in Armory Square 
 
 Hospital Washington June 2 65 Sergt Second Lieut First Lieut 
 
 Captain Br Major Awarded Medal of Honor by Sec of War 
 Sayle, James J F July 24 61 June 27 65 
 Scalley, Wm D Aug 21 61 Aug 25 64 
 Schaefer, Caspar I Aug i 61 Aug 16 64 
 Schaeffer, Charles D Aug 16 61 Wounded at Piedmont June 5 64 
 
 Died in Hospital at Staimton July 21 64 
 Schaffer, Joseph G May 20 64 Cap at Moorefield Aug 7 64 Died in 
 
 Hospital Oct 13 64 
 
 Schaffner, Andrew E Apr 15 64 June 27 65 
 Schaupp, Philip E Aug 22 61 Feb 19 63 
 
 Schauzel, John G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Schefflin, Frederick H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester Apr 
 
 19 64 
 Scheitle, John G Aug 22 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died in 
 
 Andersonville Oct 4 64 
 
 Scheller, Charles G Oct 15 64 June 27 65 
 Schessle, Charles L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 Scheuer, Charles P B July 19 61 Aug 20 64 Bugler 
 Schimpf, John L Feb 29 64 June 27 65 
 Schinninger, Guido L Apr 2 62 Aug 22 64 
 Schlicht, Louis G July 20 61 Jan 16 63 
 
 Schmidlin, Joseph L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 Cap at Berryville June 5 63 
 Schmidt, Adolph I Aug i 61 Sept 17 62 Sergt Q M Sergt Second 
 
 Lieut 
 
 Schmidt, Francis F E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 Com Sergt 
 Schmidt, George I Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 Schmidt, Henry E Mar 30 64 June 27 65 
 Schmidt, Jacob I Aug 22 61 Feb 16 62 
 
 Schmidt, John I Aug i 61 Killed in action near Greencastle July 5 63 
 Schmidt, John F I Aug i 61 Dec 20 62 
 Schmidt, Wm E Aug 3 64 June 27 65 
 Schneider, Conrad E July 20 6 1 June 27 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 573 
 
 Schneider, Emmerich L Atig 22 61 June 27 65 First Sergt Second 
 
 Lieut First Lieut 
 
 Schneider, George I Aug i 61 Mar 20 64 Corp 
 Schneider, George E Jan 18 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 Schneider, Herman I Aug 15 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 Scholl, Wm L Jan 18 64 June 13 65 
 Schorn, Ferdinand H I Aug i 61 Died Dec 20 61 Corp 
 Schorr, Christian L Aug 22 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 
 Schossback, Friederich I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Schriber, John W K Mar 15 64 July 2 65 Frederick Md 
 Schroeder, Ant R I Feb 5 62 Dec 4 62 
 Schroettissair, John M H Aug 21 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 
 Died at Andersonville Oct 26 64 
 Schuler, Carl I Aug i 61 June 27 65 
 Schultz, Charles Sept 22 64 May 7 65 
 Schultz, Ferdinand H July 10 61 June 27 65 Cap at Kernstown Feb 
 
 26 63 
 
 Schultz, Carl I Feb 10 62 June 10 63 
 Schultz, Herman E July 20 61 Mar 18 64 
 
 Schultz, John H I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Schulz, Henry E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 Cap near Mt Jackson Dec 
 
 20 63 
 
 Schulz, Julius L Aug 22 61 Feb 3 62 
 Schumacher, Francis E Apr 25 64 June 27 65 
 Schuster, Charles L Aug 22 61 Aug 23 64 Corp 
 Schwartz, Leopold L Aug 18 64 June 27 65 
 Schwarze, Charles I Aug i 61 Dec 27 61 
 Schwarzenberg, John II Aug 16 61 Feb 15 62 
 Seaman, John G Nov 25 64 June 27 65 
 See, Durlin P B Mar 15 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 See, Henry L Mar 10 64 June 9 65 Cap at New Market May 5 63 
 See, John L Mar 10 64 June 27 65 
 See, Peter F B Nov 19 61 Feb 24 62 
 Seery, James B Mar 10 64 June 27 65 
 
 Seigel, Henry F May 20 64 June 27 65 Cap at Newtown Feb 3 65 
 Serviere, Eugene E July 26 61 June 27 65 Cap at New Market June 
 
 13 64 
 
 Shankland, James C A July 30 61 Res July 21 62 Regt l Q M Sergt 
 Second Lieut First Lieut 
 
 Shannon, Michael A July 30 61 June 25 62 Corp 
 
 Shears, Judson L K Aug 29 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 15 63 
 
 Sheck, Louis D Mar i 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Shepard, John M Sept 12 64 June 6 65 
 
 Shepherd, Charles F D July 16 61 Died of wounds rec d at Carter 
 Hill Nov 9 64 Bugler 
 
 Shepherd, John H M Sept 8 64 June 2 65 
 
 Sheremer, Valentine L Mar 29 64 Sick in Hospital 
 
 Shook, Henry A A Aug 25 61 Nov 21 61 
 
 Showaker, Joseph C Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 
 Shultz, Robert C July 19 61 Cap at Winchester June 14 63 June 27 65 
 
 Shultz, Theodore I Jan 21 64 June 27 65 
 
 Sickles, Charles M Sept 22 64 June 6 65 
 
 Simons, Lambert I E July 20 61 Aug 27 64 First Lieut Captain 
 
 Simpson, John K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 
 
 Skerry, Wm H B July 16 61 June 27 65 
 
 Slee, John A July 30 61 Jan 8 63 
 
 Sliter, Wm H A Jan 7 65 
 
574 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Slowe, Martin A July 30 61 Feb 3 65 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 
 Smith, Alexander F July 24 61 June 27 65 
 
 Smith, Alexander A Mar 16 64 June 27 65 
 
 Smith, Alfred K Nov 63 
 
 Smith, Benj E F Mar 28 64 June 27 65 
 
 Smith, George A Aug 16 61 Aug 15 64 Accidentally wounded at 
 
 Winchester Jan 63 
 
 Smith, Henry B D Aug 21 61 May 20 62 
 Smith, J Lost on U S steamer General Lyon Mar 31 64 
 Smith, Jacob M Oct I 64 June 27 65 
 
 Smith, James M M July 25 64 July 24 65 McDougall G H New York 
 Smith, James W K Aug 12 61 June 6 62 
 Smith, Joseph W B July 19 61 July 6 65 
 Smith, Martin C K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 
 Smith, Thomas C Apr 18 64 June 22 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 1.3 64 
 
 Smooth, Joseph M Sept 6 61 June 27 65 
 Sniffin, Ward H Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 Sniffen, Warren H Mar 21 64 June 27 65 
 Snyder, George W C July 19 61 July I 63 
 Snyder, John J C Aug 26 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Soola, Francis B Feb 10 62 Cap July 3 64 Died in Florence Feb 8 
 
 65 
 
 Souther, Henry L F July 24 61 Nov 15 61 
 
 Spellman, Patrick J H Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester 
 June 14 63 
 
 Spielmann, John L Aug 22 61 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 Cap at 
 New Market May 13 64 Died at Florence Feb 20 65 Corp 
 
 Spoor, Joseph M Sept 3 61 Died Dec n 61 
 
 Sprague, Samuel C D July 16 61 Mar 8 63 First Lieut Adjt Dismissed 
 
 Stafford, Charles F July 24 61 Feb 23 63 
 
 Stanton, Clark B Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Wounded at Piedmont June 
 5 65 Wounded Sept 27 64 Corp Regt l Q M Sergt Second Lieut 
 First Lieut Captain 
 
 Staring, Stephen S F Aug 16 61 May 24 62 
 
 Stearns, Joseph K H Aug 5 61 Res Feb 6 65 Captain Major 
 
 Stears, John Henry F Mar 29 64 June 27 65 
 
 Stecher, Paul L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 
 Steel e, John G K Feb 9 64 Aug 2 65 
 
 Steger, Frederich H I Aug I 61 Cap at Winchester June 13 63 
 
 Steinmann, Franz G May 9 64 June 27 65 
 
 Stephens, Edward R B July 19 61 Nov i 61 Corp Lieut and Q M 
 in another regiment 
 
 Stephens, John B D Dec 30 63 June 27 65 
 
 Stephens, Leon G July 20 61 June 27 65 
 
 Stephens, Peter B Mar 17 64 May 15 65 Accidentally Wounded Cap 
 at Staunton June 10 64 
 
 Stevens, John G Sept 23 64 June 6 65 
 
 Stevens, Samuel D Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap on picket at Kerns- 
 town Feb 26 63 Corp Second Lieut First Lieut Captain 
 
 Stevenson, James H C July 19 61 Nov 4 64 Second Lieut First Lieut 
 Captain 
 
 Stewart, George F Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 
 Stickle, Luther A Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Stiene, Henry I Aug i 61 Tr to 22nd V R C Feb i 64 Cap at Sav 
 age s Station June 30 62 
 
 Stilson, John W K Aug 29 61 Oct i 61 
 
 Stinson, Samuel M Aug 28 61 Feb 24 62 
 
 Stokes, Wm C July 19 61 Aug 18 64 Corp 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 575 
 
 Stoll, George L Mar i 64 June 27 65 
 
 Stone, Austin T K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 
 Stone, George K Aug 29 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Stone, Henry H E Sept 18 63 June 28 65 Corp Sergt Prisoner of War 
 
 Stone, John K K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Cap at Piedmont June 5 
 
 64 Escaped July 9 64 Corp 
 Storm, George E B Sept 20 64 June 10 65 
 Stosch, Count Ferdinand I Aug i 61 Res Feb 25 63 Captain 
 Strechen, Henry B July 19 61 Nov 29 61 
 Strong, Noah R D Sept i 64 Aug 10 65 
 Stroud, Edward H Aug 5 61 Aug 22 64 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 Stuart. Christian A B Aug 21 61 Jan 3 62 Corp in another regiment 
 
 Killed at Gettysburg 
 Stuart, John B Feb 26 62 Apr 23 65 Cap near Berry ville Oct 17 63 
 
 Cap Oct 64 and escaped 
 Stuckee, Jacob L Oct i 64 June 27 65 
 Stueckel, Ernest E July 20 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
 Stullhut, Ennis D Aug 16 61 Aug 16 64 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Sulewski, Dommik E July 20 61 Aug n 62 
 Sullivan, Cornelius A Aug 16 61 May 3 64 
 Sullivan, John H Aug 9 61 June 27 65 
 Sullivan, Lawrence M Aug 28 61 Apr 25 62 
 Sullivan, Michael D Aug 16 61 June 30 62 
 Summerville, Thomas W D July 16 61 Jan 28 63 
 Suthermeister, Gustav G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 Cap at Greencastle 
 
 July 3 63 
 
 Sutter, Michael E Aug i 61 Aug 15 63 
 Sutton, James H K Aug 29 61 Aug 16 64 
 Suydam, Henry A Aug 31 61 Jan 16 65 Cap at New Market Aug 13 
 
 64 Sergt Com Sergt Batt First Lieut 
 Swazze, Warren B Aug 20 64 June 6 65 
 Sweet, Amos F Aug 30 64 June 6 65 
 
 Sweet, Martin V F July 18 61 Aug 22 64 Cap June 22 64 Sergt 
 Sweickhardt, Michael A July 30 61 May 4 62 
 Switzer. Frank H Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Cap Sept 12 64 Corp 
 Sworn, Theodore W D Aug 16 61 Feb 15 62 
 
 Tacy, Win D C July 19 61 Aug 18 64 
 
 Tallicott, John A July 30 61 June 27 65 
 
 Tallman, Edson K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Bugler 
 
 Taxter, Isaac Jan 3 62 Jan 20 65 Vet Surg 
 
 Taylor, Ethan A K Aug 12 61 Dec 28 64 Cap Mt Jackson Nov 16 63 
 
 Taylor, John G K Feb 23 64 June 27 65 
 
 Taylor, Wm A July 30 61 Oct 2 61 
 
 Teller, Richard M A July 30 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Temple, James A F July 24 61 Dec 18 61 
 
 Thaler, Anton G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 
 
 Thomas, C B July 19 61 June i 63 Sergt 
 
 Thomas, Ignatz E July 20 61 Aug 16 64 
 
 Thomas, Richard P F July 24 61 Sept 13 62 First Lieut Bt Adj 
 
 Thompson, Chris C A Feb 22 64 June 27 65 
 
 Thompson, David H Oct n 64 June 6 65 
 
 Thompson, Franz L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 Cap at Kermstown Feb 
 
 2663 
 Thompson, George H Aug 16 61 Cap May 13 64 Died Oct 20 64 at 
 
 Millen Ga 
 
 Thompson, Wm I C July 19 61 Aug 18 64 Corp 
 Thompson, Wm R B Sept 23 64 June 6 64 
 
576 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Thomson, Clifford B July 19 61 June 25 65 Regt Q M Sergt Second 
 Lieut First Lieut Major on staff of General Pleasanton 
 
 Thurston, Daniel K Aug 12 61 June 29 65 Corp Sergt Q M Sergt 
 Reg Com Sergt 
 
 Tighe, James D M Dec 3 64 June 27 65 
 
 Timm, Henry I Aug I 61 Aug 28 64 
 
 Tobin, John D Aug 21 61 Oct 15 64 Corp 
 
 Todd, Henry B B July 19 61 April i 64 Cap at Accotink Nov 
 12 61 Capt 
 
 Tone, Peter D July 16 61 Aug 16 64 
 
 Tonery, Joseph A Sept 5 64 June 6 65 Sergt 
 
 Toomey, Thomas M Aug 29 61 June 21 65 Corp Sergt 
 
 Topping, Henry H Aug 5 61 Nov 14 62 
 
 Torbush, Henry H Aug 5 61 Oct 5 61 
 
 Towers, Thomas H Aug 16 61 Dec 20 62 
 
 Traches, John A Dec 28 63 Dec i 64 
 
 Tracy, Wm S K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Wounded in action Win 
 chester 
 
 Traut, Wm I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Traher, John M Sept 9 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Trowbridge, Peter B Aug 21 61 Aug 20 64 Cap at Accotink Nov 
 
 12 61 
 
 True, Edmond W B July 19 61 July 30 62 Q M Sergt 
 Trump, Charles C Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Tryon, Wm B D Feb 27 64 Mar 3 65 Died at Hospital 
 Turner, Henry A Aug 16 61 Aug 15 64 
 Turner, James A Aug 16 61 Died Dec 7 61 
 Turner, James M Mar 7 64 June 27 65 
 
 Ubert, Peter I Aug 26 64 June 27 65 
 Ulings, Thomas M Sept 2 61 Feb 24 62 
 Ulricksen, Axel I Aug 22 61 Jan 3 62 
 
 Valentine, Napoleon B Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Corp ist Sergt 2d Lieut 
 
 Valentine, Wm A July 30 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 
 Van Albert, Charles A July 30 61 Nov 21 61 Corp 
 
 Van Brunt, George F A Aug 25 61 Dec 26 62 Corp 
 
 Van Cleef, Robert D Mar 20 64 Cap New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 Dec 10 64 Hospital 
 
 Van Lawn, Albert H Jan i 63 July 13 65 Sergt 
 Van Loon, Wm C Aug 16 64 June 6 65 
 
 Van Saun, Albert H A July 30 61 July 13 65 Corp Sergt ist Lieut 
 Van Sickles, George W A Aug 21 61 Cap Winchester June 15 63 
 
 Died Sept 7 64 
 
 Van Wort, Richard A Aug 16 61 June 27 65 
 
 Veach, Barton B Aug 22 64 June 6 65 Cap at Beaver Dam Mar 15 65 
 Vermilya, Isaac D D July 16 61 Killed in action at Piedmont June 
 
 5 64 ist Sergt Bat Adj ist Lieut 
 Verner, Charles F Sept 30 64 June 6 65 
 Verrinder, Wm Jr H Aug 21 61 Feb 25 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 13 63 Cap at Mt Jackson Dec 20 63 
 Verriger, Benjamin M Dec 3 61 Died Dec 30 61 
 Vincent, John H B Aug 16 61 Aug 20 64 Corp Sergt 
 Vittery, Alex E Mar 10 64 June 27 65 
 
 Vogel, Frederick E July 20 61 June 15 63 
 Vogel, George F Aug i 61 May 12 62 
 Vogt, John L Aug 22 61 Aug 22 64 
 Volner, Carl G July 20 61 Aug 23 64 
 Vollotton, Richard R W A Mar 9 64 June 27 65 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 577 
 
 Von Lint, Wm I Sept i 64 June 6 65 
 
 Von Roeckritz, Benno L Aug 22 61 Dec 5 62 2d Lieut ist Lieut 
 Von Schickfuss, Frederick E July 20 61 Apr 6 63 Capt Lieut Col 
 Voorhies, Alfred H H Aug 5 61 Cap May 13 64 Died Aug 13 64 at 
 
 Andersonville 
 Voorhies, Robert C H Aug 5 61 Killed in action at Upperville May 
 
 663 
 
 Vosburg, Charles D K Aug 12 61 Aug 16 64 Sergt 
 Vosburgh, Jacob A Jan 2 64 Nov 12 64 2d Lieut 
 
 Wagner, Karl L Aug 13 64 June 27 65 
 
 Wagner, Louis E Feb 29 64 Tr Dec 23 64 to looth N Y Vol 
 
 Wagner, Waldemar E July 20 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
 Wainwright, Benjamin F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 
 
 Wait, Ferdinand F K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Cap at Edinburg May 16 
 
 64 Sergt 
 
 Walker, Henry B C Nov 14 64 June 27 65 
 Wall, Wm K Aug 12 61 June 17 65 Cap at Williamsport July 10 63 
 
 Sergt 
 
 Wallace, Robert I D July 16 61 Aug 16 64 
 Waller, George E Dec 21 64 June 27 65 
 Walsh, James H Aug 5 61 Cap May 13 64 at New Market Died at 
 
 Andersonville 
 
 Walter, Adam L Mar 31 64 Died Sept 22 64 
 Walter, Charles I D July 16 61 Jan 20 62 Q M Sergt 
 Walter, Jos G July 20 61 Died of wounds Apr 19 65 ist Sergt Sergt- 
 
 Major 2d Lieut ist Lieut 
 Walter, Peter I Feb 29 64 June 27 65 
 Walton, Richard H Jan 25 64 June 27 65 
 Walz, Christian I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Cap at Kernstown Feb 26 63 
 
 Q M Sergt 
 
 Ward, Hugh C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Ward, Wm C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Waring, Thomas C B Aug 21 61 Aug 20 64 
 Warner, David A A Feb 29 64 June 27 65 
 Warren, Chas N K Aug 29 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 
 Warren, Morgan F Aug 15 61 Aug 5 65 
 Warren, Porter K Aug 29 61 Dec 20 62 
 Waters, Wm A Aug 25 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Watkins, Erwin C K Aug 12 61 Oct 7 64 Sergt 2d Lieut ist Lieut 
 
 A A G 
 W T atson, George F July 24 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 
 
 63 Corp Sergt 
 
 Watts, James A Oct 12 64 June 20 65 
 Wauch, Valentine E Jan 21 64 June 27 65 
 Way, Caleb C Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt 
 Webb, Edward C A July 30 61 Nov 7 61 
 Webber, Stephen D M Sept 4 61 Oct 22 61 
 Weber, Carl I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Sergt 2d Lieut 
 Weber, John G July 20 61 June 27 65 Sergt Cap New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 Weber, John W E Feb 28 64 Cap New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 Oct 5 64 at Andersonville 
 Weber, Louis I Aug i 61 Died Apr 6 64 
 Webster, John K Mar n 64 June 27 65 
 Weeks, Samuel M B July 19 61 Dec 9 61 Sergt Lieut in another 
 
 regiment 
 Wehler, Edward C Sept 11 61 Died Feb 6 62 
 
578 THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 
 
 Wehn, Louis G July 20 61 Died Feb 28 63 
 
 Weigant, Lorenz I Aug i 61 Cap at New Market May 13 64 Died 
 
 Oct 28 64 at Florence 
 
 Weigel, Heinrich G July 20 61 Dec 27 62 
 Weimer, Carl Mar 29 64 Tr Dec i 64 to 68th N Y Vol 
 Weishaupt, Jos I Aug i 61 Aug 22 64 Q M Sergt 
 Weiss, Augustus L Aug 22 61 Aug 23 64 Cap at Winchester June 
 
 15 63 
 
 Weissbacker, Andrew E July 20 61 Aug 21 64 
 Weisz, Frederick E June 20 61 Nov 27 64 Cap at Winchester Feb 
 
 26 63 ist Sergt 2d Lieut 
 Welby, John A Oct 13 64 June 27 65 
 Welch, Abram Jan 26 65 June 27 65 Surgeon 
 Welch, Daniel K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 Wounded July 18 64 
 Welch, James F Oct 31 64 June 27 65 
 Welch, John F July 24 61 June 27 65 
 Welch, Martin H F July 24 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt 
 Welton, Chancey K Aug 12 61 Dec i 62 
 Werle, Adam L Sept 12 61 Feb 23 62 
 Wertche, Wm L Sept 12 61 Sept i 63 
 Wessinger, Chas L Sept 12 61 Wounded in action at Piedmont Cap 
 
 at Piedmont Died Sept 30 64 at Andersonville 
 Westbrook, Abraham D July 16 61 June 26 65 Cap at New Market 
 
 May 13 64 Com Sergt 
 Westrater, Wm K July 20 61 June 27 65 Cap at Berryville May 10 
 
 63 
 Wetzler, Heinrich G July 20 61 June 27 65 Cap at Woodstock Feb 
 
 26 63 Wounded at New Market May 13 64 
 Wheeler, Montsier K Aug 29 61 Jan 7 62 
 White, Albert C K Aug 12 61 Nov 12 61 
 White, Andrew K Jan 2 64 June 27 65 
 White, Frederick L Feb 25 64 Sept 4 64 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 
 
 White, Henry L D Aug 21 61 Feb 3 62 
 White, Josiah K Aug 12 61 June 27 65 
 White, Philip D July 16 61 July 6 65 
 White, SafTord K Aug 12 61 Dec 24 62 
 Whitnall, Asa F July 24 61 Feb 15 62 
 Whitney, Theodore A Aug 21 61 May 30 65 Cap at Smithfield Aug 
 
 21 63 
 
 Wigman, Wilhelm E Aug 16 64 June 27 65 
 
 Wilback, Abraham C Dec i 64 June 27 65 
 
 Wilber, Simon F July 24 61 Nov 14 61 
 
 Wilder, Jos K Aug 12 61 Feb 25 62 
 
 Wiley, John M Feb 16 64 June 27 65 
 
 Wiley, Moses C July 19 61 Mar 12 63 
 
 Williams, Chas L Mar 18 64 June 28 65 Cap at New Market May 
 
 13 64 Escaped at Salisbury Apr 12 65 
 Williams, Elmer K Jan 2 64 June 27 65 
 Williams, John D Feb 23 64 June 27 65 
 Williams, John I Aug 25 64 June 16 65 
 Williams, Jos H H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Williams, Morgan T K Aug 29 61 June 27 65 Cap at Berryville Aug 
 
 22 63 Wounded July 18 64 Sergt 
 
 Williams, Thomas D July 16 61 May 16 65 Second Lieut First Lieut 
 
 Regt l Adj 
 
 Williams, Thomas F Aug 21 61 Oct 23 61 
 Williamson, Christian F F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester 
 
 June 15 63 Q M Sergt Twice wounded 
 
THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. 579 
 
 Wilson, Chas B July 19 61 Died Oct 22 61 
 
 Wilson, Henry C H B July 19 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt 2d Lieut 
 
 Wilson, John R A July 30 61 Died Mar 21 62 in Hospital 
 
 Wilson, Wm J M Feb 25 64 June 27 65 
 
 Winans, Wm B Aug 5 61 Aug 4 64 Cap at Charlestown Oct 17 63 
 
 Wounded in action July 25 64 
 Witmann, George G Feb 5 64 June 27 65 
 Wittmeyer, Jacob G July 20 61 Mar 18 64 
 Witz, Francis I Aug I 61 Aug 22 64 
 Wohlfarth, Dennis G Feb 26 64 June 27 65 Wounded Apr 3 65 at 
 
 Petersburg 
 
 Wolfring, Max J E Mar 15 64 June 27 65 Corp 
 Wolter, Louis L Aug 10 61 Dec 27 62 
 
 Wood, Collins F July 24 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 Wood, George H Aug 5 61 June 27 65 Cap at Winchester June 15 63 
 
 Cap at New Market May 13 64 
 Wood, Jos A July 30 61 Feb 23 63 
 Wood, Neville F July 24 61 Jan 8 62 
 Woodruff, Chas F July 24 61 Died Nov 22 64 at Hospital 2d Lieut 
 
 ist Lieut Reg Adj 
 
 Woodward, Edwin B F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 Wooley, Edwin M Dec 14 63 June 27 65 
 Wright, Dwight N D Aug 16 61 June 27 65 Corp Sergt 
 Wright, Edward F July 24 61 June 27 65 Corp 
 Wright, Samuel S C July 19 61 June 27 65 
 Wright, Williston B May 2 64 June 23 65 Cap at Frederick City July 
 
 864 
 
 Wuensch, Augustus L Aug 22 61 May 10 63 Corp 
 Wyckoff, Jesse F K Aug 12 61 Oct 17 64 Q M Sergt 2d Lieut ist 
 
 Lieut 
 
 Wyman, J F Jr F Aug 21 61 June 27 65 Reg Q M Sergt 
 Wyneken, Frederick L Mar 18 64 Oct 20 64 2d Lieut 
 Wyteenback, Henry I Aug i 61 June 27 65 Sergt 
 
 Xelowski, Henry E July 20 61 May 28 62 2d Lieut ist Sergt Bat Adj 
 
 Yocum, John C Sept 2 64 May 7 65 
 Yorks, George B Sept 14 64 June 6 65 
 
 Young, Chas F July 24 61 Killed in action Apr 13 63 at Snicker s 
 Ferry 
 
 Zickwolf, Conrad G Aug 22 61 Aug 23 64 
 
 Zinn, Edward E July 20 61 July 19 64 
 
 Zobile, Jacob G Sept 22 64 June 6 65 
 
 Zumloh, Theodore I July 30 64 June 27 65 Corp Q M Sergt 
 
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 THE UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA tlBRARY