THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 GIFT OF 
 Tomas S. Vanasek 
 
History 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Third Indiana Cavalry 
 
 BY 
 
 W. N. Pickerill 
 
 Indianapolis, Indiana 
 1906 
 
AETNA PRINTING CO. 
 INDIANAPOLIS 
 
 LOAN STACK 
 GIFT 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 To the brave men of the Third Indiana Cavalry who served in 
 the Civil War, whether now living or sleeping where loving hands 
 have laid them, or in unknown and unmarked graves, in Southern 
 lands, this volume is affectionately inscribed. 
 
 440 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 One hundred and thirty volumes, published by authority of 
 Congress, and entitled "The War of the Rebellion, Official Records 
 of the Union and Confederate Armies," are supposed to contain 
 a history of every military organization serving on either side of 
 the mighty conflict, known as the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865. 
 
 To read the story of a regiment, as the government has preserved 
 it, in all these numerous volumes, which as a rule are only found 
 in public libraries, or in the collections of a few fortunate indi 
 viduals, would be the work of a good part of the lifetime of many 
 of those who survive, but had somewhat to do with the great 
 struggle. To serve these worthy men, their families, and those 
 who have gone out from among us, but have left posterity, to 
 whom their memories and deeds of valor are very precious, this 
 history of the Third Indiana Cavalry has been prepared. 
 
 Much of what is herein offered to those who read this book was 
 written at the time when the deeds herein recorded were enacted 
 by those in authority, and while those deeds were fresh in the 
 minds of the participants. This volume is more a compilation of 
 what others, better qualified, have written than a narration in the 
 writer s own language of the interesting story of one of the most 
 splendid regiments that served in the Civil War. The records are 
 referred to by volume and page, so that it will always be possible 
 for the doubting to verify the correctness of what is herein writ 
 ten, should they have access to the records. Many things still 
 vivid in our memories, the recital of which would tell an interest 
 ing story of the valor and devotion to duty of our comrades, never 
 found a place in any record or report, as seems to have been neces 
 sarily true of any regiment in the cavalry service, while others, 
 
for whose omission there seems hardly to be any excuse, have been 
 preserved in the reports of famous leaders of our enemies, whom 
 we met on many a well contested field. 
 
 The daily life of the common soldier, as it was lived in our 
 war, in camp, on the march, on picket, in the hospital, in captivity 
 in Southern prisons, and on the battlefield, can never be under 
 stood or fully appreciated except by those who lived that life, and 
 its portrayal, that others may realize it as we realized it, must 
 ever remain unwritten history. 
 
 Indianapolis, May, 1906. 
 
History of the Third Indiana Cavalry. 
 
 CHAPTEK I. 
 
 The period for which seventy-five thousand troops had heen 
 enlisted was nearing its close and little had been accomplished in 
 the way of ending the rebellion, while with each passing day the 
 rebellion itself grew to more formidable proportions, and its pro 
 moters became more defiant and confident of their ability to cope 
 with any force the government at Washington might send against 
 them. This was the situation long before the term of enlistment 
 of the first seventy-five thousand volunteers had expired. 
 
 On the first day of July, 1861, came the battle of Bull Run at 
 Manassas, Virginia, in which the best troops at the disposal of the 
 government met a superior body of troops under General Beaure- 
 gard, in which the government forces were completely routed and 
 fled in confusion to the defenses of Washington, pursued by the 
 victorious confederates with the evident purpose of taking pos 
 session of and holding the Capital of the country. They paused 
 on the west bank of the Potomac, almost within cannon shot of 
 where Congress was sitting, and made their camp there for months. 
 
 The seriousness of the situation now took possession of the 
 people both North and South. In the North the feeling of con 
 sternation among those who believed the government should be 
 upheld gave place to a grim determination that the government 
 must be sustained at all hazards, and in no section of the entire 
 country was this feeling more intense than in the State of Indiana. 
 From the very first Governor Morton was apparently impressed 
 with the impending tragedy, and while he promptly equipped and 
 
8 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 hurried to the field the forty-six hundred and eighty men called 
 for by President Lincoln s first proclamation, he foresaw that he 
 would soon be called on for additional troops by the general govern 
 ment, and within five days after he had issued his first call he 
 tendered the Secretary of War six additional regiments without 
 limitation as to the time they were to serve, assuring that official 
 that they would be ready for the service within five days after 
 acceptance. He received no response to this offer, but at once set 
 about putting six additional regiments in camp under discipline 
 and held them subject to the demand of the government. There 
 were in Camp Morton twenty-nine companies in excess of the 
 number of men required to fill the first call for troops, and sixty- 
 eight companies had been raised in different parts of the State and 
 tendered to the Governor for active service; and the Governor on 
 his own responsibility determined to organize five regiments of 
 "twelve-months" men for the defense of the State, or for the 
 general service, as the future might require, the regiments to be 
 composed of the first fifty companies already raised. All volun 
 teers who had enlisted for three months and were unwilling to 
 enlist for one year were directed to be discharged. 
 
 Although among many of those desiring to enlist there was a 
 strong inclination to enter the cavalry service, yet by reason of the 
 position taken by General Winfield Scott, the head of the army, 
 organizations for this branch of the service had not been encour 
 aged by the authorities; but, on the 10th of June, 1861, in pur 
 suance to instructions from the War Department, orders were 
 issued for the organization of a cavalry regiment in the counties 
 of Indiana bordering on the Ohio river, and camps of rendezvous 
 were established at Evansville and Madison. The organization 
 of eight companies was completed at Evansville and mustered 
 in on the 20th of August, 1861, with Conrad Baker as colonel and 
 Scott Carter, of Vevay, Switzerland county, as lieutenant-colonel. 
 The eight companies at Evansville under Colonel Baker, on the 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 9 
 
 21st of August, 1861, were ordered to St. Louis, Missouri. The 
 five companies organized at Madison under Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Carter, and the one company organized at Indianapolis, which 
 was ordered to proceed to Madison and join the companies already 
 there, were mustered into the service on the 22d day of August, 
 1861, and were ordered to the Army of the Potomac under Lieu 
 tenant-Colonel Carter, and on the 22d of October, 1861, by general 
 orders of the Adjutant-General of the United States, these six 
 companies united with four companies which had been accepted in 
 September and October, 1861, and ordered to Kentucky, were 
 designated as the Third Cavalry (Forty-fifth Regiment). In 
 December, 1862, two new companies were organized and added 
 to the regiment. 
 
 The six companies that had been ordered to the Army of the 
 Potomac were designated as Companies A, B, C, D, E and F, and 
 the four companies that had been ordered to Kentucky were des 
 ignated as Companies G, H, I and K. The officers of the six com 
 panies were mustered to date from the 22d of August, 1861, and 
 the officers of the respective companies as originally organized 
 were as follows : Company A, Captain Jacob S. Buchanan, First 
 Lieutenant William Patton, Second Lieutenant Eobert P. Porter ; 
 Company B, Captain James D. Irwin, First Lieutenant Benjamin 
 Q. A. Gresham, Second Lieutenant Marshall Lahue ; Company C, 
 Captain Theophilus M. Danglade, First Lieutenant Charles 
 Lemon, Second Lieutenant Paul Clark; Company D, Captain 
 Daniel P. Keister, First Lieutenant Mathew B. Mason, Second 
 Lieutenant Henry F. Wright; Company E, Captain William S. 
 McClure, First Lieutenant George H. Thompson, Second Lieu 
 tenant Abner L. Shannon ; Company F, Captain Patrick Garland, 
 First Lieutenant Oliver M. Powers, Second Lieutenant Thomas 
 M. Moffitt; Company G, Captain Felix W. Graham, First Lieu 
 tenant George F. Herriott, Second Lieutenant John S. Kephart; 
 Company H, Captain Alfred Gaddis, First Lieutenant Joseph M. 
 
10 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 
 Douglas, Second Lieutenant Uriah Young; Company I, Captain 
 
 Will C. Moreau, First Lieutenant Tighlman Fish, Second Lieu 
 tenant Oliver Childs; Company K, Captain Robert Klein, First 
 Lieutenant Christoph Roll, Second Lieutenant George Klein. 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Scott Carter was named as colonel of the new 
 regiment upon its organization, and First Lieutenant George H. 
 Thompson, of Company E, was detailed as adjutant. 
 
 On the 21st of October, 1861, Elias W. H. Beck was mustered 
 in as surgeon, Luther Brosie as assistant surgeon of the regiment, 
 George H. Chapman as major. On the 8th of November, 1861, 
 Captain Jacob S. Buchanan, of Company A, was promoted and 
 mustered in as lieutenant-colonel. On the 15th of December, 
 1861, First Lieutenant William Patton, of Company A, was pro 
 moted and mustered in as captain of the company to fill the va 
 cancy created by the promotion of Captain Buchanan to lieu 
 tenant-colonel, and First Lieutenant Charles Lemon was promoted 
 and mustered captain of Company C to fill the vacancy created 
 by the resignation of Captain Danglade, of that company. 
 
 The officers of this newly named regiment, like the men, as to 
 former vocations in life, were a motley aggregation, and the entire 
 organization perhaps knew less about war than any other matter. 
 The colonel and lieutenant-colonel had been attorneys-at-law in 
 their respective homes, and it was said the former had seen service 
 in the Mexican war. Major Chapman had been a midshipman in 
 the navy, editor of two or three newspapers, attorney-at-law and 
 a clerk in one of the departments at Washington. Other company 
 officers had been farmers, teachers, tailors, steamboatmen, livery 
 stable keepers, merchants, and one captain had been a minister in 
 the Methodist church fresh from his pulpit, while his orderly 
 sergeant was a storming Universalist preacher who never hesi 
 tated to combat the theology of any one, regardless of rank, whose 
 theology conflicted with his peculiar views. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 11 
 
 The six companies ordered from Madison to the Army of the 
 Potomac were loaded on steamboats chartered by the government 
 and started up the Ohio river. On board the Stephen Decatur 
 this theologically belligerent orderly sergeant preached to the 
 prospective soldiers on board a sermon full of comfort to those 
 who were doubtful of their future state. At this time men and 
 officers alike were kindergarten pupils in the art of war. Their 
 equipments were halters for the horses, uniforms, spurs and 
 blankets for the men, except the officers who had drawn upon their 
 home resources, gorgeously uniformed themselves and were mag 
 nificently mounted with trappings that inspired the envy of their 
 men. Solomon in all his glory was hardly arrayed like unto one 
 of these. The steamboats transporting these six companies strug 
 gled with low water and sandbars in the Ohio river until Wheel 
 ing, Virginia, was reached, when water transportation was aban 
 doned entirely and the command took to the mountains, heading 
 towards Pittsburg. 
 
 On this march the men first developed soldierly qualities, which 
 they learned to cultivate and improve upon during the entire 
 period of service. As they traveled across the country the farm 
 houses along the way were besieged by the men for wheat sacks 
 or anything else out of which they could improvise some sort of a 
 saddle, by stuffing the same with straw, while clotheslines pro 
 cured in the same manner were cut into lengths and used for 
 stirrups. Thus mounted and guiding their horses with only the 
 halters, which the government had furnished, and directed by 
 their gaily caparisoned officers, the aggregation afforded a spec 
 tacle for gods and men. But aside from these disfiguring accoutre 
 ments, the battalion was a splendid body of fine looking young 
 men, each of whom in his own right owned a good Indiana horse, 
 and they were on the way to the Capital of their country to be 
 equipped as cavalry soldiers in her service, and the loyal people 
 of Virginia and Pennsylvania gave us a royal welcome, fed us on 
 
12 HlSTOKY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 the fat of the land, and bade us good-bye with their blessing. After 
 three days, never to be forgotten, we reached Pittsburg, were 
 loaded into cars, such as they hauled soldiers in, and after a day 
 and night on the railroad we were dropped down, in the night, at 
 the Baltimore depot in the city of Washington. 
 
 On their arrival at Washington City in the early days of Sep 
 tember, 1861, the six companies of the Third Indiana Cavalry, 
 that had been ordered from Madison, Indiana, to the Army of 
 the Potomac, were assigned to a camp on the northeastern out- 
 skirt of the city, where they were further partially equipped, being 
 furnished with saddles and bridles for the horses, haversacks, 
 canteens, sabers and dragoon pistols. This latter implement of 
 war was better known by those unfamiliar with martial parlance 
 as the "horse pistol/ 7 perhaps because the cavalry soldiers of the 
 old regular army were called dragoons and they carried two of 
 these pistols in holsters fastened on the front part of their saddles. 
 It was about a foot long and was loaded at the muzzle by means 
 of an iron ramrod attached to the under side of the barrel and 
 when fired kicked about as hard as it would shoot, and the man 
 behind it was in more danger than the man in front. It was so 
 hard on trigger that when the marksman took aim at the enemy 
 by the time his pistol was discharged he was liable to be shooting 
 at the men in his own regiment. In practicing marksmanship it 
 was never wise to choose for a mark anything smaller than a good 
 sized barn, and if right-handed when you aimed at one end you 
 would hit the other or miss the mark entirely. This was the 
 weapon with which Southern .chivalry fought duels in the days 
 when dueling was fashionable, and after our experience we could 
 understand how duelists were sometimes hurt or killed because 
 they stood with their backs to each other and at the count of "One, 
 two, three," they wheeled and fired, and in the grand sweep some 
 body might accidentally be hit, but it was just as likely to be the 
 seconds or bystanders as the combatants. Certainly our fore- 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 13 
 
 fathers who attended duels were brave men and took their lives in 
 their hands unless stationed in trees or hid in the bushes on some 
 neighboring farm. 
 
 As soon as equipped this battalion began a persistent course of 
 drilling on horseback, with such weapons as the government fur 
 nished. We practiced jumping our horses over low fences and 
 narrow ravines and gutters with which the clay hillsides around 
 Washington in those days abounded. And in these exercises there 
 was many a miscalculation by the embryo cavalryman. Often he 
 found his horse able to jump but half as high or as far as he had 
 supposed he could, and the last half of the jump would take the 
 form of a somersault, in which the horse would come out on top 
 and the rider underneath or left stranded on the top rail of a 
 fence or in the bottom of a ditch. It was fun for the beholder, but 
 hard on the jumper. In these incipient days of our military prepa 
 ration we saw a bold orderly sergeant yell in stentorian voice, "Men, 
 follow me when I jump that ditch right there," and with the com 
 mand he plunged his spurs into the protuberant flanks of his big 
 Indiana plow horse and the next minute the horse, which fell 
 short in his reach, was standing on his head in the ditch and the 
 orderly sergeant was sprawling on his back with canteen, haver 
 sack, saber and pistol all flying in different directions, much to 
 the amusement of the braves who were bringing up the rear. This 
 was one of the amusing things in our early cavalry drill, but in 
 due season we were sent to the division of General Hooker, at 
 Bladensburg, where duels were fought by our revolutionary sires 
 (with horse pistols, no doubt). 
 
 The battalion continued its drill exercises after it went into 
 camp at Bladensburg, and when General Hooker with his division 
 was ordered to Budds Ferry, Maryland, twenty-five miles south 
 of Washington on the lower Potomac, it continued a part of his 
 command and was the only cavalry with him. About December, 
 1861, Companies B and F were sent still further south into St. 
 
14 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Marys county, Maryland, and Company E into Charles county, 
 near Port Tobacco. The population of this section of the country 
 was thoroughly in sympathy with the South and slavery in its 
 purity had existed there for more than a hundred years; slave 
 property was the principal thing of value there when the war broke 
 out. The region was on a direct line between Washington and 
 Richmond, and the lower Potomac was constantly being crossed 
 by people going from one point to the other. The confederate 
 authorities at Richmond were kept as well informed regarding 
 all military movements within the federal lines as were the federal 
 authorities themselves. 
 
 The three companies sent into these counties were under the 
 command of Major Chapman, who established his headquarters 
 at Leonardtown, the county seat of St. Marys county, and dis 
 tributed his men in small squads at various points along the 
 Potomac from Chaptico to the mouth of the Pautuxent river, and 
 it was their duty to patrol the river and picket the mouths of the 
 numerous creeks flowing into the river from the Maryland side. 
 Contraband traffic of all kinds with Virginia was carried on to 
 and from the mouths of these creeks by means of small sail and 
 row boats managed by a desperate class of negroes and white men 
 for the compensation which blockade runners were willing to pay 
 for their services. This part of the river was patrolled by a flotilla 
 of gunboats under the commond of Commodore McRae, of the 
 navy, but it seemed to be an easy matter for the blockade runners, 
 in these small row and sail boats, in the stillness of the night, as 
 was usually the case, to dodge past the gunboats and put into the 
 mouth of some creek, and thus escape capture at their hands. The 
 men of the Third Indiana Cavalry on picket at these points accom 
 plished what the gunboats failed to accomplish, and many of the 
 blockade runners fell into their hands, after escaping the gun 
 boats, and were hurried away to General Hooker s headquarters 
 to be dealt with as his judgment directed. This was the winter s 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 15 
 
 work of these three companies, and many of the men, besides being 
 active cavalrymen on land, became skilled in the handling of small 
 boats to such an extent that General Hooker called them his 
 "horse marines." 
 
 There were at this time some loyal people in the State of Mary 
 land and in the person of Hon. Montgomery Blair the State of 
 Maryland was represented in the cabinet of President Lincoln, 
 but we know that the secession thugs of Baltimore welcomed the 
 first federal troops passing through there in April, 1861, "with 
 bloody hands to a hospitable grave/ and lower Maryland, which 
 would mean all of the state south of Washington City, was a 
 seething hotbed of disloyalty to the Union. The state did not pass 
 the ordinance of secession, not perhaps because her lawmakers 
 did not wish to, but for the reason that Union troops were located 
 at nearly all points within her borders. The Fugitive Slave Law 
 was still in force and she was protected in her slave property, and 
 her disloyal population was arrogant in its defiance and contempt 
 of the federal authorities. Parties going south into the confed 
 erate lines, or coming north from rebel territory, reaching this 
 lower Maryland country, found a protector and helper in every 
 resident, and the slave population, which seemed to realize that 
 their days of bondage were nearing the end, was the only draw 
 back to this being a land of perfect safety for those who were 
 hostile and doing all they could against their government. 
 
 Wherever the Union troops marched and fought on Southern 
 soil and where the institution of slavery existed, they found in the 
 slaves themselves trustworthy friends upon whom they could rely 
 for much valuable information as to existing conditions, and this 
 was particularly so in lower Maryland during the first winter of 
 the war of the rebellion. Leonardtown, the county seat of St. 
 Marys county, was the central point of active rebel operations 
 within the federal lines, and these operations were much confused 
 and finally almost completely broken up by the assistance of the 
 
16 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 slave population in the shape of the information they were con 
 stantly furnishing to the federal authorities; and when the com 
 panies of the Third Indiana Cavalry that had wintered in their 
 community were, in March, 1862, recalled to the camp of the 
 regiment at Budds Ferry, where it was a part of General Hooker s 
 division which lay along the Potomac at that point, it was con 
 fronted by a division of confederates on the Virginia side of the 
 river, which had artillery planted on the bluffs to command the 
 river at that point, and from which it frequently shelled passing 
 United States vessels, and at times varied this work by throwing 
 shells at random into General Hooker s camp, to which he re 
 sponded with his batteries. 
 
 When the Army of the Potomac under General McClellan left 
 the defenses of Washington, to begin the Chickahominy campaign 
 of 1862 at Norfolk, Virginia, all the troops of Hooker s division 
 at Budds Ferry, save the Third Indiana Cavalry, joined in the 
 movement, and this left the cavalry in charge of the camps until 
 March 24, 1862, when the battalion was ordered to Washing 
 ton; and on May 24, 1862, they were ordered to Thoroughfare 
 Gap, where General Geary was posted with a division of troops 
 watching the operations of Gen. Stonewall Jackson in the Shenan- 
 doah Valley. General Geary at once availed himself of the ser 
 vices of the Third Indiana, which was the only cavalry at his dis 
 posal, and from that time on the battalion was actively engaged in 
 scouting in advance of General Geary s division, going to Front 
 Royal and near Winchester, where Jackson had maintained his 
 headquarters after driving General Milroy out of the valley. Early 
 in June, 1862, General Shields division of Fremont s army had 
 met Jackson s troops at Port Republic, been worsted and retreated 
 to Luray, at which point the battalion joined General Shields and 
 formed his rear guard as he fell back to Front Royal, and was with 
 him as he continued his march to Catletts Station, on the Orange 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 17 
 
 & Alexandria railroad, where he was relieved of command in the 
 field and sent to the Pacific coast. 
 
 From this point the battalion crossed the country to Falmouth, 
 Virginia, opposite Fredricksburg, on the Rappahannock river, 
 where it joined the division of Gen. Rufus King, which was a part 
 of General Burnside s command, and was here some weeks scout 
 ing over the territory lying between Fredricksburg and Rich 
 mond. This territory was apparently common to the cavalry of 
 both the North and the South, as it was no uncommon occurrence 
 for them to encounter each other during scouting expeditions, and 
 several brisk engagements took place at different points. 
 
 In Volume XII, Part 2, page 102, Col. J. Kilpatrick, later 
 famous in the cavalry annals of the war, gives an official account 
 of one of these encounters with the enemy on the 22d of July, 
 1862, near Carmel Church, south of the Massaponax river, in 
 Caroline county, his command being made up of 390 men from 
 the Second New York (Harris 5 Light) Cavalry, Third Indiana 
 Cavalry and Fourteenth Brooklyn. Colonel Kilpatrick says: "I 
 reconnoitered the enemy s camp. We occupied a good position on 
 a hill gently sloping towards the river, a fine position for a cavalry 
 fight, and I at once determined to attack him. I directed Major 
 Davies to deploy the carbineers of the Harris Light Cavalry as 
 skirmishers on the right and left of the road and Major Chapman 
 (Third Indiana) to proceed up the road in column of platoons 
 to charge. Major Davies advanced rapidly with his skirmishers, 
 gaining ground to the right for the purpose of flanking the enemy, 
 drawing his skirmishers back and beyond his column in the road. 
 Major Chapman, seeing that this column was about to return, 
 charged most gallantly, routed and pursued the enemy to within 
 sight of Hanover Junction, nearly five miles, destroyed the camp 
 and tents and burned the stores and seven carloads of grain. Sud 
 denly and unexpectedly a large force of cavalry (afterwards found 
 to be Stewart s) came down on our right. I ordered up the re- 
 
18 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 serves, and the enemy, although greatly outnumbering our tired 
 and worn-out soldiers, was promptly met by Majors Davies and 
 Chapman and forced back in great confusion far behind the fire 
 of Captain Walter s carbineers. Major Chapman and his whole 
 command promptly obeyed every order, and charged most gal- 
 lanty. Braver and more eager men never met the enemy." 
 
 At page 122 of the same volume, Brig.-Gen. John Gibbons fur 
 nishes Gen. Rufus King with his official account of his trip down 
 the Telegraph road in the direction of Richmond on the 5th of 
 August, 1862, for the purpose of destroying the Virginia Central 
 railroad. He says : "I proceeded out the Telegraph road with the 
 Second and Seventh Wisconsin, the Nineteenth Indiana, the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry and Monroe s (Rhode Island) Battery. At 
 Thornburg, fifteen miles out, the cavalry in advance was fired 
 upon by a six-pounder gun and driven back by a cavalry force, 
 whose advance was stopped by a few shots from our skirmishers 
 and four or five shots from Monroe s guns. The day was so in 
 tensely hot that I was unable to proceed further. The next day 
 the march was resumed, and after marching seven miles learned 
 that General Stewart, with a larger force than my own, was 
 moving up the Bowling Green road. All prospect of surprising 
 the enemy at the railroad was given up ; and, owing to the intense 
 heat, I decided to return to camp, first sending a part of the 
 cavalry to our right to get in on the rear of a party reported to be 
 there by a cavalry picket I had sent on that road in the morning. 
 I also sent a company of cavalry across to examine the Bowling 
 Green road. Just before reaching our camp of the night before 
 the enemy s guns were heard in our rear, and I pushed forward 
 and reported to General Hatch." 
 
 In this movement a considerable force of Stewart s cavalry was 
 encountered drawn up in line of battle, and the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry and Monroe s Battery were sent forward to engage them, 
 "but," says Captain Monroe (page 126), "the enemy fell back 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 19 
 
 most hurriedly, followed by our cavalry and the battery, and we 
 kept up the chase for two hours and a half, until nightfall, when 
 we went into camp on the Massaponax river." In this engagement 
 Marmaduke Green, of Company D, Third Indiana, was killed, 
 he being the first man killed in action in our regiment. 
 
 While performing this duty Captain Carland and Lieutenant 
 Powers, of Company F, and Captain Keister, of Company D, 
 resigned and returned home. Lieutenant Henry F. Wright was 
 made captain of Company D and Lieut. T. W. Moffitt was made 
 captain of Company F. 
 
 In July, 1862, while scouting with twenty-five of his men, twelve 
 miles south of Fredricksburg, at the farm of Dr. Flippo, Captain 
 Moffitt was attacked by a superior force of rebel cavalry, also 
 scouting in that section of the country, and with part of his com 
 mand Captain Moffitt was captured and taken to Richmond. In 
 the fight Sergt. William M. Gwinn was seriously wounded, and, 
 after being paroled by his captors, was left at the home of Dr. 
 Flippo, where he was kindly nursed for several weeks until able to 
 be removed. Being on parole, after he was sent within our lines, he 
 was discharged and sent home, a cripple for life. 
 
 In these summer days of 1862 this old Virginia country is 
 recalled with much interest by the writer. Between Fredricks 
 burg and Richmond, connected by rail, were some of the finest 
 farms and farm homes in the state, and the institution of slavery, 
 which had flourished here from the days when Virginia was a 
 colony and to the time of our advent had been undisturbed; but 
 apparently the moment the section was invaded by federal troops 
 the institution of slavery began to interest itself in the subject of 
 its own freedom, and in a short time many of the old-time planta 
 tions were denuded of their slaves, who embraced every oppor 
 tunity to escape to the federal lines and camps north of the Rap- 
 pahannock. Often at midnight old and trusted slaves on these 
 plantations would hitch up the family carriage, loading in all the 
 
20 HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 children and connection it was possible to carry, and would strike 
 out towards the unknown in the night time, followed by others on 
 foot carrying their earthly belongings in sacks and pillow slips on 
 their heads, and by daylight would be well on their way to the 
 fabled land of the free. Frequently they would be followed by 
 their old masters or some member of the family, but they were 
 seldom overtaken until safe within our lines and the power of 
 slavery was broken; but some of these interviews between old 
 masters and old slaves, one begging the other to return to the old 
 home, were pathetic indeed. Scarcely any of these slaves had ever 
 known anything but slavery, and perhaps in many instances their 
 treatment had not been harsh, but instinctively they seemed to 
 know from observation that their lives were different from the 
 lives of the masters, that one was property and the other was not, 
 that one ruled and the other obeyed, and they seemed to have a 
 vague idea that the antipode of slavery was to make the slave the 
 equal of his master, and it was seldom the pursuing master was 
 able to induce his escaped chattel to return to the plantation. He 
 was at times fortunate enough to recover the family carriage and 
 horses in some federal camp, and perhaps permitted by the officers 
 in command to drive it back to the old plantation. Bowling Green, 
 the county seat of Caroline county, midway between Fredricks- 
 burg and Richmond, was in the midst of a thriving section of 
 country and was an active part of the Southern Confederacy. 
 
 Fredricksburg, located on the south bank of the Rappahannock, 
 in a beautiful valley of that river, was a compactly brick-built, 
 little old city of historic interest. A few miles below the city on 
 the peninsula formed by the Potomac and Rappahannock, George 
 Washington was born on a plantation; in Fredricksburg he had 
 his first office as a land surveyor ; and upon a little hillock overlook 
 ing the city was buried Martha Washington, the mother of the 
 Father of His Country, her resting place being marked by a 
 granite block ten feet high by eight feet square, which we passed 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 21 
 
 daily. The road winding up the hill by this monument passed 
 over Maryes Heights, where, in December following, General 
 Lee s Army of Northern Virginia was posted, and fought the 
 Army of the Potomac, under General Burnsides, with such dis 
 astrous results to the Union cause. 
 
 While the battalion had its camp and performed service in this 
 historic section of the country the scene of conflict in Virginia 
 was shifted. After many fierce conflicts from Norfolk up through 
 the swamps of the Chickahominy in an effort to reach Richmond, 
 General McClellan with his magnificent army was compelled to 
 fall back upon his base of supplies at Harrisons Landing, on the 
 James river. This seems to have been foreseen by the authorities 
 at Washington, and in June, 1862, the formation of a new army 
 in front of the defenses of Washington, in Virginia, was begun 
 under the command of General John Pope, who had rendered 
 conspicuous service in the West, and particularly at Island No. 10, 
 on the Mississippi river, and at Corinth. All troops in front of 
 Washington and in the Shenandoah Valley were placed at the dis 
 posal of General Pope, and in taking command of this new army 
 its commander in a bombastic proclamation announced that he had 
 established his "headquarters in the saddle," which was evidently 
 an unwise thing to announce, even if it was the proper thing to do. 
 The country was flooded with ambitious young army officers, 
 graduates of West Point, all of whom were impressed with their 
 capacity for command, and when General Pope, suddenly pro 
 moted from a subordinate position to this new and exalted com 
 mand, went about his work with what might be termed a grand 
 flourish that savored of a feeling of self-sufficiency on his part, 
 his brother officers were disposed to fold their hands, "look and 
 listen." 
 
 But soon after he took command there was something doing. 
 General Rufus King s division, to which the eastern battalion was 
 attached, and which lay in camp around Falmouth, was ordered to 
 
22 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 join Pope, and at once moved up the Rappahannock, leaving the 
 cavalry to guard government stores at Falmouth; and in a very 
 few days thereafter was in the thick of the bloody battle of 
 Slaughter Mountain, where, after two days fighting, the Union 
 troops were compelled to fall back with General Siegel s division 
 bringing up the rear, and General Lee s army heading northward, 
 constantly crowding him. There was daily fighting between the 
 advancing confederates and retreating federals, and the roar of 
 cannon heard in our camps and on the picket post we occupied told 
 us the conflict was moving northward. We were right in our con 
 jectures. Pope s army was on the retreat, and made its first grand 
 stand on the plains of Manassas, where were fought the series of 
 bloody engagements known in history as the Second Battle of Bull 
 Run. Pope with his own army and supported by a part of the 
 Army of the Potomac, sent too late to help him much, was de 
 feated, and that general s meteoric career came to an end in less 
 than six weeks. His army and the Army of the Potomac were 
 within and behind the defenses of Washington, including the 
 battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry, which had been the last 
 body of troops to evacuate Fredricksburg, when General Burn- 
 sides, the last commander there, had been ordered to destroy all 
 government stores at that point and fall back on Washington. 
 That city when we reached it was one vast hospital over which 
 seemed to hang the gloom of defeat. Between the first of March 
 and September, 1862, two great armies had gone out from that 
 city under petted commanders to meet the enemy in the field, and, 
 after many fierce encounters and the loss of thousands of brave 
 men, these armies with their trailing banners and with broken 
 ranks, were back on the ground where they were equipped, and from 
 whence they had started six months before; while the victorious 
 enemy on the west bank of the Potomac seemed to flaunt defiance 
 at the Capital of his country ere he swooped down and made it his 
 prey. And it looked little better in the West. Shiloh and Corinth, 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 23 
 
 Pea Ridge, Fort Donelson and Fort Henry had been fought, but 
 while the armies that had operated in Virginia were within the 
 defenses of Washington, our Western armies that had penetrated 
 Mississippi were back on Kentucky soil to confront Bragg, who 
 was threatening to cross the Ohio river and invade the North. 
 This was the situation on the first day of September, 1862, and 
 it looked to those who loved and had fought for their country that 
 "the melancholy days had come." 
 
 But it was an hour that demanded prompt decision on the part 
 of the authorities. The vanguard of the confederate army crossed 
 the Potomac a few miles above Washington and the invasion of 
 the North had begun. Lee s cavalry, under their daring leader, 
 Stewart, approached the northern defenses of the Capital. Stone 
 wall Jackson swept up through the Shenandoah Valley with Har 
 pers Ferry and Maryland Heights as his objective, where General 
 Miles, with thirteen thousand men, was entrenched. 
 
 The reorganization of the Army of the Potomac was effected 
 without delay, with General McCellan in command, and moved 
 northward through Maryland, with a cavalry corps under Gen. 
 Alfred Pleasanton in advance. With the advance of this cavalry 
 was the battalion of the Third Indiana, now for the first time 
 brigaded with the Eighth Illinois, Eighth New York, Sixth and 
 Eighth Pennsylvania regiments of cavalry, and destined to be 
 associated with the first two named regiments during the re 
 mainder of its career in the army. Lee s army had crossed the 
 Potomac and was in Maryland. The advance cavalry of Mc- 
 Clellan s army was engaged in daily skirmishes with the cavalry 
 of the enemy on Maryland soil. They fought a sharp engagement 
 at Poolesville, where several men of the Eighth Illinois and Third 
 Indiana were killed. Stonewall Jackson occupied Fredrick for 
 a day and then moved on Harpers Ferry. The Eighth Illinois 
 and Jackson s rear guard had a bloody encounter in the streets 
 of Fredrick on the 12th of September, as well as at Sugar Loaf 
 
24 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Mountain. We camped in that beautiful little city of the moun 
 tains on the night of the 12th, and on the morning of the 13th, 
 at sunrise, the Third Indiana in advance, moved out on the Na 
 tional road crossing Catoctin Mountain. A mile from our camp 
 of the night before the enemy was in these mountains waiting for 
 us. They greeted us with a battery posted in a mountain pass. 
 
 The Third Indiana counted off by fours and the dismounted 
 men crawled up the mountainside through bushes and over stone 
 fences, and soon made it too hot for that battery to operate. In 
 this fight Oliver H. Trestor, of Company D, was killed as he 
 leaped a stone wall right into a bunch of confederates in hiding 
 behind it. The confederate battery with its supporting cavalry 
 limbered to the rear and broke in a wild flight down the National 
 road across the Middletown Valley pursued by the Third Indiana 
 and Eighth Illinois into the village of Middletown, where we re 
 ceived the fire of a battery from Turners Pass, which turned out 
 to be the headquarters of General Lee, and where he had halted 
 to fight the battle of South Mountain. 
 
 Of these affairs Brig. -Gen. Alfred Pleasanton, commanding 
 Cavalry Division, reporting operations from September 4 to 19, 
 at page 208, Part 2, Vol. XIX, says : 
 
 "On the 7th instant two squadrons of the Eighth Illinois and two 
 of the Third Indiana, under Major Chapman, of the Third In 
 diana, made a dash on Poolesville and captured two cavalry 
 videttes, all of the enemy in the town at the time. The next day, 
 the 8th instant, Colonel Farnsworth moved his command the 
 Eighth Illinois, Third Indiana, section of horse artillery of Com 
 pany M, Second Artillery, under First Lieutenant Chapin to 
 occupy Poolesville, and picket the roads to Conrads Ferry, Ed 
 wards Ferry, Barnesville and the Monocacy. As his force neared 
 Poolesville, the enemy was observed retreating on the road leading 
 to Barnesville, and some squadrons of the Third Indiana pushed 
 after them. They had not proceeded far before the enemy opened 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ROBERT KLEIN. 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 25 
 
 a fire from some guns strongly posted on the right of the town. 
 The section of artillery under Lieutenant Chapin soon silenced 
 these guns, which made off in the direction of Barnesville. * 
 
 a The squadrons of the Third Indiana, under Major Chapman, 
 were now ordered to charge the battery, which was handsomely 
 done, the enemy s cavalry and artillery being driven over three 
 miles. The Eighth Illinois coming up, under Major Medill, the 
 chase was continued until after dark. 
 
 "In this affair the Third Indiana lost one man killed and eleven 
 wounded, the Eighth Illinois one wounded. The rebel loss amount 
 ed to eight killed, sixteen wounded and six prisoners all cavalry. 
 On the morning of the 13th instant, with the remainder of my 
 command, I started at daylight on the Hagerstown turnpike and 
 had proceeded some three or four miles when the enemy opened 
 upon the advance with artillery from the ridge to the left, where 
 the road passes over the Catoctin range of the Blue Ridge. Their 
 batteries were supported by dismounted cavalry. A couple of sec 
 tions of Robertson s and Haines batteries immediately opened on 
 our side, and some squadrons of the Eighth Illinois and Third 
 Indiana were dismounted and sent up the mountain to the right 
 as skirmishers. After a severe cannonading and several warm vol 
 leys with carbines, the enemy hastily retreated, having previously 
 barricaded the road in several places. A rapid pursuit was made 
 and a number of prisoners taken, when the enemy made a second 
 stand on the west side of Middletown. Gibson s battery then came 
 up and soon, in beautiful style, induced another backward move 
 ment" 
 
 As the cavalry dashed into Middletown two companies of the 
 Eighth Illinois and two companies of the Third Indiana, E and F, 
 were detached and directed to pursue a rebel wagon train, which 
 the citizens of the town told us had gone southward down the 
 valley. This detachment after a hot pursuit came in sight of the 
 wagon train as it was slowly winding its way up a mountain road, 
 
26 HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 but in its rear was a battery of brass guns and enough rebel cavalry 
 to have swallowed the pursuing force. 
 
 The detachment was satisfied with observation and decided that 
 it did not want that wagon train anyhow, and started to return to 
 the command which it had left at Middletown by a short cut down 
 a winding stony ravine, hemmed in on either side by a very crooked 
 worm fence, so that this particular route answered for the channel 
 of a stream and a country road at the same time. Quebeck school- 
 house stood at the head of this ravine, and just as Company F of 
 the Third Indiana, the rear company of the detachment, had 
 entered the ravine Cobb s Legion of rebel cavalry, commanded by 
 Col. P. M. B. Young, dashed down the mountainside past the 
 schoolhouse, charging us with sabers and pistols, and for a few 
 minutes a desperate little cavalry battle ensued. 
 
 The column halted and fired an oblique volley into the charging 
 rebels and then the clash came and Yankees and rebels, horsed and 
 unhorsed, mingled, indiscriminately shooting at each other and 
 using their sabers in the same reckless manner, until the men at 
 the head of the column tore down the fence on the side of the 
 ravine next to the attacking force and went at them in such 
 splendid style that it was soon too hot for the rebels and they gave 
 way, dashing back over the hill from whence they came, leaving us 
 in possession of the field and their dead and wounded. 
 
 In this little cavalry battle Corp. James H. Williamson, of 
 Company F, Third Indiana, was killed by having his head crushed 
 with a saber in the hands of a rebel; Sergt. Joseph Lewis, Com 
 pany E, same regiment, was shot through the heart and lay across 
 a rebel sergeant also shot through the heart. John Grubbs, 
 William Hinds, Corporal Sheiverbein and John Childs, of the 
 former company, were badly hacked about their heads with 
 rebel sabers, and Samuel Cross, of the latter company, was shot 
 through the lungs, but recovered. Four men of Company F, Third 
 Indiana, were captured but returned next day paroled. The loss 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 27 
 
 to the companies of the Eighth Illinois was about the same as those 
 of the Third Indiana, but we have no accurate information on 
 that point. 
 
 A remarkable thing connected with this vigorous cavalry fight 
 is that General Pleasanton, commanding all the cavalry of the 
 Army of the Potomac in this Maryland campaign, in his report 
 made in camp near Sharpsburg and dated September 19, 1862, 
 and which was intended to cover the operations of the cavalry 
 from September 4 to September 19, inclusive, does not mention 
 this engagement at all. He does mention many things which 
 many of us remember as of far less importance, but regarding this 
 engagement he is silent. His report is found beginning at page 
 208 of Series I, Vol. XIX, Part 1, Keports (War of the Kebellion 
 Official Eecords of the Union and Confederate Armies). And 
 what is equally singular, at page 824 of the same volume we find 
 a substantially accurate report of our operations on September 13, 
 1862, signed by Wade Hampton, brigadier-general, and Major 
 Fitzhue, assistant adjutant-general, both distinguished rebel 
 officers. General Hampton says : 
 
 "At daylight on the morning of September 13 the enemy made 
 his appearance and attempted to force his way across the moun 
 tain. His advance guard being driven back, he planted a battery 
 on the pike and opened fire on Lieutenant-Colonel Martin. Capt. 
 J. F. Hart with a section of rifled guns had been sent to Lieu 
 tenant-Colonel Martin, and he returned the fire with good effect, 
 forcing the enemy to change his position more than once. In the 
 meantime skirmishers on both sides had become actively engaged 
 and the fight was kept up until 2 p. m., when the enemy, gaining 
 a position which commanded Hart s guns as well as the road, I 
 ordered the guns withdrawn and placed in position near Middle- 
 town. The brigade then took position in the rear of them, wait 
 ing the approach of the enemy, who appeared in force crossing the 
 mountain. A brisk artillery fire took place on both sides, and the 
 
28 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 sharpshooters of the two forces also became engaged. Having held 
 the enemy in check sufficiently long to accomplish the object de 
 sired by General Stewart, I was directed by him to withdraw my 
 command in the direction of Burkittsville, sending my guns and 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Martin s command on to Boonsborough. 
 
 "The First North Carolina Regiment, under command of Col. 
 Baker, was the rear guard of the brigade during the fight at Mid- 
 dletown, and both officers and men conducted themselves to my 
 perfect satisfaction. They were exposed to a severe fire, artillery 
 and musketry, which they bore without flinching, nor was there 
 the slightest confusion in the ranks. They lost eight wounded and 
 three missing. Captain Siler, a gallant officer, was among the 
 wounded, having his leg broken. He was brought off, but, as his 
 wound became painful, he was left at Boonsborough. 
 
 "Before leaving this part of my report, I beg to commend the 
 conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Martin and his command while he 
 held the gap of the mountain. The men of Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Martin fought with their accustomed gallantry, and they were ably 
 supported by a portion of the North Carolina Regiment, who had 
 been detailed as sharpshooters. Lieutenant-Colonel Martin on 
 this occasion, as on all others, conducted himself as a gallant and 
 able officer. 
 
 "After withdrawing the brigade from Middletown, I proceeded 
 towards Burkittsville, where I expected to form a junction with 
 Colonel Munford. On the road to this place I discovered, on a 
 road parallel to the one on which we were, a regiment of Yankee 
 cavalry. Taking the Cobb Legion with me, I directed Lieut. -Col. 
 Young to charge this regiment. The order was carried out in 
 gallant style, the legion crossing sabers with the Yankees and 
 chasing them some distance. Five prisoners were taken, while a 
 published account of the Yankees now before me admits the loss of 
 thirty killed and wounded. The prisoners taken belonged to the 
 Third Indiana and Eighth Illinois. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 29 
 
 "Lieutenant-Colonel Young, who led the charge, received a 
 painful wound in the leg, and Capt. G. J. Wright, whose company 
 was in the advance, was wounded in the arm. Our loss was four 
 killed and nine wounded. Among the former I regret to have to 
 mention Lieutenant Marshall and Sergeant Barksdale. I take 
 pleasure in calling attention to the behavior of this command. 
 Colonel Young led with great gallantry, and, after his fall, Major 
 Delony. After driving this cavalry, I moved on to Burkittsville, 
 where we remained during the night of September 13." 
 
 Thus is preserved from oblivion an account of a fight of which 
 the men engaged were ever proud, and about the only inaccuracy 
 on the part of General Hampton is that the cavalry which he drove 
 remained on the field while his command left it in short order. 
 
 During the night following this day s work of the cavalry, the 
 Army of the Potomac came up, and on the next day, the 14th of 
 September, 1862, was fought, on the eastern slope of South Moun 
 tain at and below Turners Pass, the battle known in history as the 
 battle of South Mountain. It was an infantry and artillery en 
 gagement in which the cavalry merely supported batteries, the 
 Third Indiana being assigned to Battery M, Second U. S. Artil 
 lery, and met with no casualties. 
 
 In this battle one thousand federals and fourteen hundred rebels 
 were killed and twice as many wounded. It was the first general 
 engagement in which the Third Indiana Cavalry had participated 
 and showed us what afterwards proved to be our experience that 
 the hard work and real fighting of the cavalry usually preceded 
 and followed the great battles of the war, and that in the fiercest 
 shock of battle the services of cavalry were not usually available. 
 
 From the mountainsides the rebel guns rained their iron hail 
 upon the advancing Union lines, and were responded to by the 
 federal guns posted upon every elevation in the valley below, and 
 in our presence a line of infantry more than a mile long moved 
 slowly up the mountainside over the cleared lands to the timber s 
 
30 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 edge, and when near it a blaze and roar burst forth from that 
 timber s edge very much like a mountain crater. 
 
 The advancing Union line, along its entire length, answered with 
 a volley and yell equally as terrific and never wavered in its for 
 ward movement. The battle of South Mountain was on in all its 
 ferocity. The thunder of all the artillery of both armies echoed 
 and re-echoed down this lovely Middletown Valley, interspersed 
 with rolling volleys of musketry and the fierce yells of desperate 
 men engaged in a death struggle. 
 
 This lasted until 10 o clock at night, when the Union troops had 
 gained the crest of the mountain and Lee s army fell back, his first 
 battle on Maryland soil having failed. The cavalry moved up and 
 stood picket on the mountain summit the remainder of the night 
 and at dawn moved down its western slope and was soon engaged 
 in a fight with the rebel cavalry rear guard at Boonsborough in the 
 next valley beyond. From this point the Third Indiana had the ad 
 vance to the eastern bank of Antietam creek overlooking Sharps- 
 burg, where the rebel army had halted. With all the army the 
 battalion lay upon the eastern slopes of Antietam creek until the 
 morning of September 17, when, at daylight, was begun the battle 
 which lasted until nightfall and in which more men were killed 
 and wounded on both sides in one day than in any other battle of 
 the entire war. 
 
 The Third Indiana crossed Antietam creek with Pleasanton s 
 Cavalry at 10 o clock in the forenoon and was in line of battle 
 supporting artillery, but was not otherwise engaged and suffered 
 no casualties. 
 
 On the night of September 19 Lee s army fell back across the 
 Potomac at Shephardstown, and the cavalry followed up and was 
 the first to discover and run upon his entrenchments on the south 
 side of the river. The Army of the Potomac lay upon this battle 
 field recuperating until the first day of November, 1862, but 
 during that time the cavalry was not idle by any means. It crossed 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 31 
 
 the Potomac a number of times, feeling for the position of the 
 enemy, and always found him in greater or less force and had 
 numerous skirmishes. One of these encounters at Halltown lasted 
 a good part of one day, the rebel cavalry making a desperate effort 
 to capture a federal battery which was successfully resisted by the 
 Eighth Illinois, Eighth New York and Third Indiana throwing 
 themselves between the advancing enemy and the battery, and thus 
 enabling it to retire safely across the Potomac. 
 
 While the Army of the Potomac lay on the battlefield of An- 
 tietam, the cavalry of the rebel army crossed the Potomac at Han 
 cock and made a plundering raid into Pennsylvania, going as far 
 as Chambersburg and passing around the outposts of the federal 
 army, pursued by all the cavalry under General Pleasanton, and 
 in which pursuit the Third Indiana participated, but its only brush 
 with the enemy, after a sixty-mile ride, was at the mouth of the 
 Monocacy, where the raiders were overtaken while attempting to 
 get a herd of cattle, stolen in Pennsylvania, across the Potomac. 
 No one was hurt, but some very fine steers intended for rebel con 
 sumption were recaptured. 
 
 The rebel force, with whom this engagement was had, was 
 togged out in complete new federal uniforms, which they had cap 
 tured from the United States quartermaster at Chambersburg, and 
 were mistaken for federal cavalry by General Pleasanton until 
 they rode up within a quarter of a mile of where he had stopped 
 to get breakfast, after riding thirty hours, and opened with artil 
 lery upon his headquarters. 
 
 The most momentous event of the war occurred while the Ariny 
 of the Potomac lay on the battlefield of Antietam. Of course this 
 was the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on the 22d of 
 September, 1862, by the President of the United States. In a few 
 days thereafter the President himself came to Sharpsburg and 
 with General McClellan reviewed the army, riding by us on horse 
 back while each organization of troops stood at present arms. The 
 
32 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry stood in line but a few 
 yards from the famous Dunkard church, where the slaughter on 
 the 17th of September had been the most frightful of all that awful 
 battle, and the great, sad-faced, martyr President as he appeared 
 before us there is not likely to be forgotten while life and memory 
 remains to any one of our number. 
 
 Through this Maryland campaign Lieutenant-Colonel Buchanan 
 had been in command of the eastern battalion of the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry. On the 24th of October, 1862, he resigned, and Major 
 George H. Chapman succeeded to the vacant command. 
 
 The great and bloody battle of Antietam, fought in and around 
 Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the 17th of September, 1862, has right 
 fully gone into history as one of the mighty conflicts of the war 
 and was the end of Lee s Maryland campaign of 1862. It dem 
 onstrated also to the authorities at Washington that the time had 
 come for a change in commanders of the Army of the Potomac. 
 
 General McClellan, who had commanded that army for a year, 
 was what might have been termed the pet soldier of the Republic. 
 Under his command the army had fought many but usually unde 
 cisive battles. Antietam was a drawn battle and settled nothing. 
 All of Lee s rebel army was engaged, and it was fought piecemeal 
 by the Army of the Potomac, opening on the right at daylight with 
 an onslaught by Hooker s right wing, and running down the line 
 two miles to the left, when at 2 o clock in the afternoon Burnsides 
 became engaged with Stonewall Jackson and fought until after 
 dark. In the rear of Burnsides position, all day long, lay Gen. 
 Fitz-John Porter s division, the best and finest body of troops in 
 the whole army, that never fired a gun. 
 
 It is not for historians to fight battles, but they do have the 
 right to draw conclusions from facts. The humble private in the 
 ranks looking on Burnsides conflict with Jackson for six long 
 hours with nothing gained, wondered why Fitz-John Porter s 
 splendid body of splendidly equipped men, and only a mile away, 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 33 
 
 was not sent to the assistance of Burnsides. It was spoken of in 
 the ranks the next day by men of humble station as the two armies 
 still lay confronting each other. 
 
 To the men engaged in that battle it looked that, had Burnsides 
 been assisted by Porter s division, the rebel right would have been 
 doubled around on to its left with serious results. As it was, 
 Burnsides was able to hold his own. With double and more than 
 double the force engaged on our left, would not Jackson have been 
 swept off his feet ? 
 
 From that day General McClellan, who always provoked cheers 
 from his soldiers when he appeared before them, lost caste with 
 the army, and the authorities at Washington could plainly see that 
 the time was close at hand when it would be safe to do what they 
 had long felt should be done, viz., change the head of the Army of 
 the Potomac. 
 
 During the year of his command General McClellan had built 
 up around himself a great and formidable personal following, and 
 this following had made itself felt throughout the North, espe 
 cially in the Eastern and New England States. He had built up 
 this following by the diplomacy which flatterers always employ. 
 He sounded the praises of his regiments to their faces on the 
 slightest provocation, and the plan took so effectually that many 
 of the objects of his flattery were ever ready to defend and con 
 done any apparent blunder as really the exploit of a great com 
 mander. This cajoled element in the army had to be reckoned with. 
 They were ready to raise the cry that with McClellan s removal 
 from command the country was lost. 
 
 The leading papers of the country were ably represented by 
 field correspondents, who were generally found clustered around 
 the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, and the reception 
 they always received from the head of the army made them ever 
 ready to sound his praises and conceal his blunders, and when 
 the change came were prompt to sound a doleful cry of disasters 
 
34 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 sure to follow. The rank and file of the army was represented as 
 ready to rise in mutiny as their response to the action of the 
 government at Washington. The fact was that no such feeling 
 existed, and this fact was detected by President Lincoln, and he 
 took the step all knew was right. 
 
 After the first spasm of the flattered alarmists had died out all 
 went on as well as it had in this great army, while McClellan went 
 home to use his arts of flattery in scheming for the presidential 
 nomination of the party that opposed the war, and the leading 
 declaration of his platform after receiving that nomination was 
 that the "war was a failure." 
 
 The impartial verdict of history is that McClellan, and not the 
 war, was a failure. And this was the verdict of the voters at the 
 ballot box in November, 1864, when they declared for a con 
 tinuance in power of the great and patient man who subsequently 
 died a martyr for his country. 
 
 On the 26th of October, 1862, the cavalry of the Army of the 
 Potomac left Maryland soil and recrossed the Potomac river at 
 Berlin, Maryland, and began its southward movement in the direc 
 tion of Richmond. Skirmishing with the rebel cavalry began 
 almost at once. The Third Indiana was now a part of the Second 
 Brigade. 
 
 General Pleasanton in his report of operations at this time 
 (Vol. XIX, Part 2, page 125) says: a On November 1 the com 
 mand moved forward and occupied Philomont, several hundred 
 of Stewart s cavalry leaving about the time we entered. Colonel 
 Gregg, with the Eighth Pennsylvania and Third Indiana Cavalry, 
 pursued this cavalry and drove it very handsomely from some 
 woods it had attempted to hold, but, the enemy bringing up his 
 artillery, no further advance was made, except to silence the rebel 
 guns by the fire of Pennington s battery. The rebels left five 
 dead on the field. Our loss was one killed, and one officer and 
 thirteen men wounded. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 35 
 
 "On November 2 my advance came up with the enemy at Union. 
 They had some infantry supporting their guns and very soon some 
 sharp fighting began, which resulted in the blowing up of one of 
 their caissons, by which a number of their men were killed, and 
 their retreat for several miles on the road to Upperville." 
 
 The report of Col. David McM. Gregg, Eighth Pennsylvania, 
 of the affair at Philomont is also found at page 129 of the same 
 volume. 
 
 The Third Indiana and Eighth Illinois were on the ground 
 where the caisson blew up, to which General Pleasanton refers, 
 almost before the smoke had cleared away, in their pursuit of the 
 rebels flying towards Upperville, but all we found were splinters, 
 broken wheels, artillerymen s caps and clothing, but no carcasses. 
 
 This Virginia country east of the Blue Ridge mountains was 
 traversed by splendid turnpike roads, walled on either side by 
 stone fences, and winding over hills and through valleys, and was 
 a lovely land to look upon. Stewart s cavalry was the rear guard 
 of the rebel army and was contesting every step of the advance of 
 the federal cavalry under Pleasanton. On November 5 we en 
 countered them at Barbes Cross Roads, where we lost five killed and 
 eight wounded. On the 6th we ran on to them again at Waterloo, 
 and on the 7th at Amosville and Little Washington, and in that 
 action captured two guns, also three officers and ten men. On the 
 8th we skirmished at Newbys Cross Roads, on the 9th at Corbins 
 Cross Roads, and on the 10th the rebels, both infantry and cavalry, 
 from Culpepper attacked Pleasanton s command in force, and 
 prisoners taken reported that it was a movement by General Long- 
 street to ascertain where the Army of the Potomac was. It was a 
 red hot fight, in which both infantry and cavalry participated on 
 both sides, and the rebels fell back at nightfall without gaining the 
 information they sought. General Pleasanton says in his report, 
 "that this action closed the campaign of the cavalry in Loudon 
 and Fauqier counties, as orders were then received directing no 
 
36 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 further advance towards Culpepper, and informing the army that 
 Major-General Burnsides had relieved Major-General McClellan 
 of the command of it." 
 
 In closing his report on page 128 of Vol. XIX, General Pleas- 
 anton says : "It is but justice to the troops I have had the- honor 
 to command that I should mention the results of their laborious 
 exertions and chivalrous gallantry under many adverse circum 
 stances. From the time the army left Washington to the end of 
 the campaign at Washington the cavalry of my command had 
 taken from the enemy six pieces of artillery, four stands of colors 
 and 1,000 prisoners of war without losing a gun or a color." 
 
 In the return march of the Army of the Potomac in the direc 
 tion of Richmond, the capture of which the entire North for four 
 years seemed to consider would end the war, the cavalry followed 
 along the base of the mountains which concealed Lee s army, fight 
 ing his cavalry at every gap in the mountains, while the main 
 army, under Burnsides, traversed the plains of Manassas, Bull 
 Run and Culpepper, where but little more than two months before 
 it had met defeat in bloody battles at the hands of the enemy it 
 was now pursuing. 
 
 The country, where rested the remains of so many brave men of 
 both armies, and which had been marched and countermarched 
 over so often by both armies, in the dreary, late autumn days of 
 1862, had much the appearance of a barren waste, and vast sec 
 tions of it had ceased to be the habitation of man or beast. Here 
 and there stood a lone chimney surrounded by the charred embers 
 of some destroyed home and an occasional straggling apple tree 
 was all that was left to mark the civilization which in earlier and 
 happier years marked the proud old Virginia as the mother of 
 Presidents. Appomattox came later to vindicate the Army of the 
 Potomac and give it the proud distinction of fighting its bloodiest 
 battles and ending the war, but in the ides of November, 1862, 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 37 
 
 as we marched or countermarched across those bleak plains toward 
 Fredricksburg, the days seemed "melancholy days" indeed. 
 
 The future, full of uncertainty, was before it, and the recent past 
 with its bloody horrors was not far behind, and if the reader can 
 put himself in the place of such men he can come to understand 
 that it was valor and patriotism and dearly bought discipline 
 which still made the Army of the Potomac a terrible and splendid 
 fighting machine when it went into winter quarters on the banks 
 of the Eappahannock in the winter of 1862 and 1863. The 
 cavalry was the first to appear at Falmouth on the north bank of 
 the river and locate the enemy in his winter quarters and en 
 trenched on Maryes Heights surrounding the old-time city of 
 Fredricksburg, which had once been the home of Washington and 
 where reposed the remains of his mother. 
 
 The eastern battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry went into 
 camp at Belle Plains, a landing on the Potomac, a short distance 
 below the mouth of Acquia creek, in the edge of a pine thicket, 
 where the men built cabins of small pine logs, chinked them with 
 mud, erected stick chimneys, used their dog tents for roofing, and 
 in a very few days were quite comfortably situated. This situa 
 tion was of brief duration, for at midnight on the first of Decem 
 ber, 1862, the battalion was ordered to move southward fifteen 
 miles for picket duty on the Rappahannock, in King Georges 
 county. During this service the camp of the battalion was on 
 the three-thousand-acre farm of Col. William Tailo, one of the 
 finest plantations in all Virginia. 
 
 The master of this splendid estate lived in a fine country seat, 
 located on the brow of a hill overlooking a broad expanse of fertile 
 river-bottom lands, and on the slope of the hill towards the river 
 were our quarters, where he housed his three hundred slaves. The 
 battalion picketed the river for several miles in front of this plan 
 tation as far southward as Port Conway, the south bank of the 
 river being picketed by the infantry of Stonewall Jackson, with 
 
38 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 whom we became on excellent terms. Colonel Tailo s corn cribs 
 and wheat stacks furnished a splendid supply of forage for the 
 horses and men, and the latter utilized an old-fashioned water mill 
 and its slave miller, with which the farm was equipped, to convert 
 a quantity of the Colonel s wheat into unbolted flour that made 
 very passable biscuits. 
 
 The Colonel s son was an officer in one of Jackson s regiments 
 across the river immediately in front of us, and the old gentleman 
 himself made no pretense of loyalty to the Union. We enjoyed his 
 hospitality for about two weeks until called to the battlefield of 
 Fredricksburg on the night of December 12, 1862, where we sat 
 in line for two days, and during which time we witnessed the 
 bombardment of the old city and the slaughter of ten thousand 
 brave Union men by the enemy posted on Maryes Heights, that the 
 demand of the politicians at Washington and elsewhere for a battle 
 might be answered. The Army of the Potomac never fought 
 better than it did at Fredricksburg in December, 1862, but the 
 fates were against it in the position held by the enemy, and this 
 battle was the unfortunate ending of the country s second year of 
 war for its existence. 
 
 The year had not been propitious for the cause of the Union, 
 unless our vastly increased armies of better drilled soldiers, in 
 spired by a dogged determination to ultimately conquer, could be 
 accepted as a favorable omen. Our great armies in the East and 
 West had advanced into the heart of the enemy s country, fought 
 terrible battles on his soil, and, by being outmaneuvered, com 
 pelled to fall back to their own frontier, and base of supplies ; and 
 the end of the year found the armies either East or West little 
 advanced from where they had started a year before. 
 
 Both the Eastern and Western battalions of the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry had had a similar experience. Each had been constantly 
 engaged in the advance skirmishes of the respective armies to 
 which they belonged, and in retreat had formed a part of the rear 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIED INDIANA CAVALRY. 39 
 
 guard that held the enemy in check. Both had suffered in the loss 
 of brave men, and their chief compensation was in their experience 
 of sixteen months 7 service and the efficiency which necessarily 
 came with such experience, and the end of this term of service 
 found both on the outpost picket and firing line, ready to go when 
 called or ordered. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Neither one of the four companies, G, H, I and K, organized 
 and mustered into the service, and designated as a part of the 
 Third Indiana Cavalry, after the first six companies had been 
 mustered and ordered to the Army of the Potomac, were ever 
 permitted to join the battalion that had departed for the East. 
 Indiana troops, as organized, prior to the creation of the Depart 
 ment of Kentucky had been sent in about equal proportions to Gen. 
 Fremont in Missouri and General McClellan in Virginia, were, 
 after the formation of the Department of Kentucky, sent to this 
 new department as fast as mustered. And thus it was that the 
 four companies above mentioned and designated as a part of the 
 Third Indiana Cavalry, when ready for the field were ordered to 
 Louisville, Kentucky, and the men of the regiment who served in 
 the Army of the Potomac never knew anything about the others 
 until after the close of the war, and they began to meet in regi 
 mental reunions. And the only men who ever joined either one of 
 the ten companies now in the field went as recruits to fill up the 
 depleted ranks of the various companies. 
 
 Pursuant to this policy, according to the record (War of Rebel 
 lion Record, Vol. VII, page 467), on December 6, 1861, Company 
 G, under Capt. Felix Graham, became a part of Brig.-Gen. George 
 H. Thomas s division, Army of the Ohio, doing duty at his head 
 quarters. Company H, commanded by Capt. Alfred Gaddis, was 
 assigned to Gen. A. D. McCook s division for duty at his head 
 quarters. Company I, under Capt. Will C. Moreau, ordered to 
 report to General Buell, Louisville, reported to General McCook 
 at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, but was ordered back to Louisville 
 after a few days. General Nelson, commanding the Fourth Divi- 
 
 40 
 
MAJOR CHARLES LEMON KILLED AT GETTEYSBURG. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 41 
 
 sion of the Army of the Ohio, at Paducah, Kentucky, on the 22d 
 of February, 1862, reports that he had two companies of Indiana 
 cavalry with him under Capt. Robert Klein (Vol. VII, page 654). 
 These two companies were Companies I and K of the Third Indi 
 ana Cavalry, Captain Klein being captain of the latter company. 
 
 These different companies, thus assigned, served with the com 
 mands to which they were assigned, and were with those dif 
 ferent commands in their several movements in Kentucky, on Salt 
 river, Green river and the Ohio, until our armies, numbering over 
 one hundred thousand men, concentrated at Nashville, Tennessee, 
 about the first of March, 1862. Under their several assignments 
 these companies performed orderly duty, acted as scouts, pickets, 
 and had numerous skirmishes at different times with small bodies 
 of the enemy s cavalry that was always active on the front of our 
 advancing armies. After the battle of Mills Springs, in which 
 the rebel generals Payton and Zollicoffer were killed, Captain 
 Gaddis, with one hundred picked men of Companies G and H, 
 was sent into the rebel lines to v escort and deliver the remains of 
 these distinguished rebels to their friends. Generals Johnson and 
 JSTegley, of the Union forces, with their respective staffs, accom 
 panied this expedition, as well as reporters from Frank Leslie s 
 Magazine and the Cincinnati Commercial. They were within the 
 rebel lines a day and night. 
 
 On the march to Nashville, Tennessee, on the 25th of January, 
 1862, Capt. Will C. Moreau, First Lieut. Tighlman Fish and Sec 
 ond Lieut. Oliver Childs, who were the commissioned officers of 
 Company I, resigned, and on the 16th of February, 1862, Charles 
 Hedrick, orderly sergeant of the company, was mustered as second 
 lieutenant, promoted to first lieutenant, and on the 27th of Febru 
 ary, 1862, Argus D. Vanarsdol was made captain and Thomas B. 
 Wilkinson second lieutenant of that company. Captain Vanarsdol 
 resigned on the 1st of May, 1863, and Lieutenants Hedrick and 
 Wilkinson remained officers of the company until the close of its 
 
42 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 term of service, the former being captain of the company at the 
 date of its discharge. 
 
 After reaching Nashville Company I, of the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry, was detailed as provost guards for the city, and was con 
 tinued in the performance of this duty until Bragg s invasion of 
 Tennessee and Kentucky in the summer of 1862, when it was 
 withdrawn with our other forces and accompanied the armies 
 northward to Louisville. The other three companies continued to 
 perform duty at the respective headquarters to which they had 
 been assigned, scouting and picketing the various roads leading 
 out of Nashville. In one of these scouts on the Murfreesborough 
 pike Captain Klein with his company, K, encountered a force of 
 General Morgan s rebel cavalry, in which Captain Klein lost two 
 horses and one man killed. 
 
 On the 15th of March, 1862, the army at Nashville began the 
 march that finally brought it to Pittsburg Landing and the battle 
 field of Shiloh, on the 6th of April, 1862. Companies G, H and 
 K were still with the headquarters commands, which they had 
 accompanied from the Ohio river, and performing the same kind 
 of duty they had performed from the first. They were with their 
 respective commands at the great battle of Shiloh, but that was an 
 infantry and artillery battle, and cavalry only performed escort, 
 orderly and picket duty. At Shiloh, on the 9th of April, 1862, 
 Capt. Felix W. Graham, of Company G, resigned and returned 
 home to become colonel of the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and on the 
 17th of May, 1862, George F. Herriott, the first lieutenant of that 
 company, became captain. On the same date Sergt. Daniel Cal- 
 lahan was made second lieutenant, Lieut. William J. Lucas, of 
 the same company, having been promoted from second to first 
 lieutenant on the 30th of April, 1862. 
 
 Capt. Alfred Gaddis, of Company H, with McCook s head 
 quarters, in a letter dated April 10, 1862, "On the Battlefield, 
 near Pittsburg Landing," wrote: "The battle was raging when 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 43 
 
 we got here. We could hear the cannonading for miles, and on the 
 army marched, leaving baggage and every incumbrance behind. 
 When we reached the river the musketry firing had ceased and all 
 was quiet, except the gunboats, three in number, that threw shells 
 all night to keep the "secesh" off, for they had repulsed Grant s 
 army of sixty-five thousand, which had got under cover of the 
 gunboats for protection, the enemy having possession of their 
 battlefield and camp, with all the tents and equipage. 
 
 "On Monday morning Buell s forces began the terrible slaugh 
 ter, and on Wednesday it still continued, only the rebels are being 
 driven back. My command was not in the fight. Cavalry could 
 not be used to advantage in the woods. We were sent with the 
 Nineteenth Regulars to guard the batteries belonging to McCook s 
 division and were detained here for further orders. Next morn 
 ing a number of prisoners were turned over to my charge as they 
 were taken; so many that I had to get other forces to help guard 
 them. 
 
 "All our baggage trains are back with the whole division trains. 
 None of the men have tents. We are quartered in a wheatfield and 
 have our "secesh 77 guests on pasture. Many of them have relatives 
 and friends that bring them food. It is quite cold and has rained 
 four nights in succession. I rode over the battlefield with General 
 McCook and his staff. It was a horrible sight. Our wounded had 
 been taken off. The dead were being cared for, that is our own 
 men. The dead seemed innumerable." 
 
 On this field Captain Gaddis was taken down with typhoid fever 
 and sent to his home in the North, and was absent, sick and on de 
 tached service until April 7, 1863, when he rejoined his company, 
 in camp near Murfreesborough, Tenn. 
 
 Company I, of the Third Indiana Cavalry, was with General 
 Nelson on the battlefield of Shiloh, acting in the same capacity it 
 had been acting at his headquarters, and accompanied him on the 
 march and at the siege of Corinth, and was with him until the 
 
44 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 first of June, 1862, when it was detached and assigned to the 
 cavalry corps commanded by General Thatcher. 
 
 The record (Series 1, Vol. XVI, Part 2, page 8) discloses that 
 at this time the Second Indiana, Third Kentucky, Third Ohio 
 and three companies of the Third Indiana Cavalry, Capt. Robert 
 Klein, formed an independent cavalry brigade of the troops in 
 the district of the Ohio commanded by General Buell. These were 
 Companies G, H and K, and we find the same companies at page 
 591 of the same volume noted as unattached with the Second 
 Division of the First Army Corps, the latter commanded by Gen. 
 A. D. McCook and the cavalry by Gen. Joshua W. Sill. At that 
 time these companies were under the command of Robert Klein, 
 who was promoted to major on the 20th of October, 1862. 
 
 After the Shiloh and Corinth campaign these three companies 
 with Buell s army fell back to Louisville before Bragg s invading 
 army, and at the latter city were joined by Company I, which 
 had been doing provost duty in Nashville from early in March, 
 1862, and this was the first time the four companies of the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry in the West had ever been together and under one 
 command. 
 
 When Buell began his forward movement against Bragg in 
 October, 1862, these four companies under the command of Major 
 Klein formed part of Buell s advance cavalry and were with him 
 at the battle of Perryville on the 8th of October, 1862. It con 
 tinued with the advance of BuelPs army to Nashville, and, accord 
 ing to a report of Colonel Buckland, of the Fifth Kentucky Cav 
 alry, dated December 7, 1862, Captain Vanarsdol with two com 
 panies of the Third Indiana was with him guarding General Sill s 
 wagon train, which was attacked by General Wheeler s rebel cav 
 alry and a force of infantry, and was only saved by brisk fighting 
 on the part of the Union forces guarding the train. This affair 
 occurred on the road from Lebanon to Franklin, Tennessee, on 
 the 6th of December, 1862. (Vol. XX, Part 1, page 35.) 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 45 
 
 In this report Colonel Buckland says: "The Third Indiana 
 Cavalry of two companies, under Captain Vanarsdol, was ordered 
 to the front, and here I would say that no men could have behaved 
 better than those two companies, nor could any one have maneuv 
 ered them to better advantage than the captain in command." 
 
 The record (Vol. XX, page 176, December 26, 1862) shows 
 that Companies G, H, I and K, Third Indiana Cavalry, formed 
 part of Col. Philemon P. Baldwin s Second Brigade, Gen. Richard 
 W. Johnson s Second Division, Army of the Cumberland, and 
 with this command participated in the great Battle of Stone River 
 on the 31st of December, 1862, and the 1st of January, 1863. 
 According to official reports (Vol. XX, page 209) its casualties 
 were four killed, six wounded, fifteen captured or missing, one 
 ambulance and thirty cavalry horses. 
 
 General Johnson in his report (Vol. XX, page 295) says: 
 "Major Klein and his battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry 
 deserve special mention. Under their gallant leader, the battalion 
 was always in the front and rendered efficient service." 
 
 In the engagement of December 27, at Nolensville, Sergt. Rich 
 ard Newell and Private Stephen Moore, of Company H, and Pri 
 vate Mack Dunn, of Company G, were three of the men killed, 
 and Sergt. John S. Irvin and John A. Mason were among the 
 badly wounded. 
 
 In his report dated January 9, 1863, Brig-Gen. David S. 
 Stanley, U. S. Army, Chief of Cavalry (page 617, Series 1, Vol. 
 XX, War of the Rebellion Official Records) gives his account of 
 the skirmishes near La Vergne, December 27 ; Wilkinsons Cross 
 Roads, December 29; Overalls Creek, December 31, and Lytles 
 Creek, January 5. He says : "The reserve cavalry consisted of the 
 new regiments, viz., Anderson Troop, or Fifteenth Pennsylvania, 
 First Middle Tennessee, Second East Tennessee Cavalry and four 
 companies of the Third Indiana. I commanded in person and 
 
46 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 preceded General McCook s corps on the Nolensville pike. On the 
 morning of the 27th our cavalry first encountered the enemy on 
 the Nolensville pike one mile in advance of Bole Jack Pass. 
 Their cavalry was in large force and accompanied by a battery of 
 artillery. Fighting continued from 10 o clock until evening, 
 during which time we had driven the enemy two miles beyond 
 La Vergne. 
 
 "The Third Indiana and Anderson Troop behaved very gal 
 lantly, charging the enemy twice and bringing them to hand to 
 hand encounters. The conduct of Majors Rosengarten and Ward, 
 the former now deceased, was most heroic. 
 
 "On the 28th we made a reconnoissance to College Grove and 
 found that Hardee s rebel corps had marched to Murfreesborough. 
 On the 29th, Colonel Zahm s brigade having joined us, we were 
 directed to march upon Murfreesborough by the Franklin road, 
 the reserve cavalry moving on the Bole Jack road, the columns 
 communicating at the crossing of Stewarts Creek. We encoun 
 tered the enemy s cavalry and found them in strong force at 
 Wilkinsons Cross Eoads. Our cavalry drove them rapidly across 
 Overalls Creek and within one-half mile of the enemy s line of 
 battle. The Anderson Cavalry behaved most gallantly this day, 
 pushing a full charge upon the enemy for six miles. Unfortu 
 nately their advance proved too reckless. Having dispersed their 
 cavalry, the troop fell upon two regiments of rebel infantry in 
 ambush, and, after a gallant struggle, were compelled to retire 
 with the loss of Major Rosengarten and six men killed, and the 
 brave Major Ward and five men desperately wounded." 
 
 Maj. Robert Klein, at page 646 of the same volume, officially 
 reports his operations with the four companies, G, H, I and K, 
 Third Indiana Cavalry, from December 26, 1862, to January 3, 
 1863, in a report dated near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 7, 
 1863, including skirmishes at Triune, December 27, and near 
 Overalls Creek, December 31. He says: 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 47 
 
 "The four companies under my command left camp on the 
 26th, as ordered, and, bringing up the rear of the Second Division, 
 encamped beyond Nolensville. On the following morning, 27th, 
 having orders, reported to General Stanley, the chief of cavalry, 
 who, remarking he had understood the Third knew how to take 
 these rebels/ ordered me to move forward and take the advance 
 of the column of cavalry then moving towards Triune. 
 
 "I succeeded in gaining the advance at about the point where 
 the enemy s outposts were expected to be. I then threw out por 
 tions of Company H, Lieutenant Young commanding, on either 
 side of the pike, and putting out an advance guard, moved smartly 
 down the pike. Our advance soon encountered the enemy in con 
 siderable force drawn up in line of battle. The column now moved 
 on to them at a gallop, receiving the whole of their fire into 
 one company (Company G, Captain Herriott), the skirmishers on 
 the flanks not being able to come up for some time on account of 
 the soft nature of the ground and the fences intervening. Com 
 pany G held its ground until Company I, Captain Vanarsdol, 
 on the right, and Company K, Lieutenant Lieske, on the left, 
 advanced gallantly to the rescue, and, despite superior force, drove 
 them across the narrow valley to a position beyond, where their 
 artillery covered them. Here we advanced, with the remainder of 
 our cavalry force and drove them from this hill, from which they 
 fell back to Triune. 
 
 "We were ordered by General Stanley, with one company of the 
 Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, to attack the enemy on the right 
 side of the pike. They were posted behind a stone wall, heads 
 only visible, one or more regiments strong. We advanced across 
 the open fields and were pouring in a steady fire at easy range 
 when two pieces of artillery, about 500 yards to our left, and two 
 in front opened on us, obliging us to retire to the cover of the 
 woods from where we advanced. This movement was done 
 promptly but in good order. On the following morning my bat- 
 
48 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 talion was in advance of the reconnoissance under General Wil- 
 lich ; we did no fighting, but captured some sixteen of the enemy s 
 stragglers. On the Nolensville pike we had three killed and three 
 wounded. We lost also a few horses, wounded and disabled, and 
 one killed by cannon shot. On the 29th and 30th nothing of note 
 occurred. 
 
 a On the morning of the 31st ultimo my battalion was posted 
 with our cavalry force beyond Wilsons Cross Eoads pike, on the 
 rear and right of the Second Division. When our forces first gave 
 way before overwhelming numbers of the enemy, the efficiency of 
 my battalion was destroyed in being divided by one of our own 
 cavalry regiments running through our ranks and scattering the 
 men. This movement, had it been in the opposite direction, would 
 have been a most gallant charge and, doubtless, from its determina 
 tion, an efficient one. We kept falling back, forming and charging 
 at intervals, until forced across the Murfreesborough pike, where 
 one of my companies was first to form and drive the enemy from 
 our train. 
 
 a We captured during the retreat eleven of the enemy. One of 
 Company G, Corporal Justice, recaptured our ambulance, con 
 taining our surgeon, by shooting down one of its captors and 
 frightening the other away. I regret to say that Corporal Justice 
 was afterwards captured. We were formed near the center of our 
 cavalry when the enemy in the afternoon again attempted to take 
 our train. We participated in the fight and charge that followed. 
 We lost one man on that morning, Private Daniel Gibbons, of 
 Gen. Willich s escort, and two others wounded. On the following 
 days of the fight my battalion was on provost duty. Our loss sums 
 up : Killed four, wounded six, missing ten, captured five. Of the 
 missing doubtless nearly all were captured. Our total loss is 
 twenty-five men, thirty horses and one ambulance. 
 
 "Respectfully, your obedient servant, R. KLEIN, 
 
 "Major Commanding Battalion." 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 49 
 
 Daniel Gibbons was of Company G, Third Indiana Cavalry. 
 
 In an expedition covering four days, beginning with the 3d of 
 February, 1863, the Fifth Division of the Fourteenth Army 
 Corps, from Murfreesborough, Ma j. -Gen. J. J. Reynolds com 
 manding, reports the Third Indiana Cavalry under Capt. G. F. 
 Herriott as constituting a part of his command. The expedition 
 encountered rebel cavalry at various points, captured a number of 
 prisoners, a number of animals and destroyed a large amount of 
 rebel subsistence stores. (Vol. XXIII, Part 1, page 42.) Lieut- 
 Col. Fielder A. Jones, commanding First Brigade, First Division, 
 Twentieth Army Corps (same volume, page 137), reports a rec- 
 onnoissance made by his command, March 6 and 7, 1863, on the 
 old Shelbyville road to Middletown. Colonel Jones says: "We 
 found the enemy posted in strong position four miles from Mid 
 dletown, which position was handsomely carried by our troops. 
 We drove the enemy through Middletown and out of his camp one 
 and one-half miles beyond the town. He made four different 
 stands, but was quickly dislodged by our men. I never saw finer 
 nor more intrepid skirmishing than was done by the Thirty-second 
 and Thirty-ninth Indiana, Forty-ninth Ohio and about seventy 
 men of the Third Indiana Cavalry. Great credit is due both to 
 officers and men of those commands. 77 
 
 This Volume XXIII of the official records, from which we have 
 been quoting, indicates that the Western battalion of the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry was a busy body of men from the time they left 
 Louisville with the army in September, 1862. We have given 
 their movements up to and through the Murfreesborough cam 
 paign, and up to the 6th of March, 1863. According to a report 
 of Brig.-Gen. Jeff. C. Davis (page 145) we find a part of the bat 
 talion at Eagleville, Tenn., who were ordered by him to the head 
 quarters of the general commanding the corps. This was on the 
 llth of March. On the 9th of April, 1863, they were part of a 
 command of 1,600 men under Major-General Stanley which left 
 
50 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Murfreesborough to scout the country to Triune, and thence to 
 Franklin and to give General Granger such assistance as he might 
 need in his operations against VanDoran, in command of 4,000 
 rebels (Vol. XXIII, page 230). Lieutenant-Colonel Klein, from 
 Camp Drake, Tenn., under date of April 16, 1863 (page 238), 
 makes the following report of his part in that affair: 
 
 "Sir I have the honor to report the following as the part taken 
 by the detachment of the Third Indiana Cavalry, 170 strong, 
 under my command, during the late scout to Franklin, Tenn. 
 Nothing worthy of note occurred until on the 10th instant, when, 
 halted four miles from Franklin I was placed under command of 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Robie, commanding Second Brigade, with 
 which brigade we acted during the entire engagement and re 
 mainder of the scout. Early in the afternoon we were ordered to 
 proceed to Harpeth river at Hughes Mill, where our brigade 
 crossed at lower ford, opposite the bluff. We moved across the 
 open field and woods to the Lewisburg pike, driving the enemy s 
 sentinels towards Franklin, in which direction we observed them 
 in considerable mounted force. The brigade was formed across 
 the pike, facing towards Franklin, my battalion being in the center, 
 where we were to await their approach. 
 
 "The Fourth Regulars becoming engaged in our rear, towards 
 Lewisburg, we were ordered to face about and move down the 
 Lewisburg end of the pike, which we did in fine order, and had 
 laid down the last fence between us and the reserves of the force 
 engaging the Fourth Regulars, and would soon have captured 
 them and the horses of their dismounted men, the guard being 
 inconsiderable, but orders were given to fall back, as they were 
 advancing from Franklin in our rear. We fell back with the 
 promptness characteristic of cavalry movements, and formed in 
 the field and woods near the bluff at the crossing, our line being at 
 an acute angle with the pike and bluff, our left nearest the pike 
 and our right nearest the bluff, with my battalion again in the 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIED INDIANA CAVALEY. 51 
 
 center of the Second Brigade. The enemy made two attacks on 
 this position, and were both times repulsed; but coming 
 through the woods in force and attacking our left vigorously, 
 doubled it on the center, obliging us to fall back. We again 
 formed parallel to the bluff, which position we held until the 
 enemy retired. We were in advance of the reconnoitering force 
 which went out in the evening, but nothing worthy of note occurred. 
 Our loss in the whole scout was very small, being two mortally 
 and two slightly wounded ; also twelve horses killed, disabled and 
 abandoned. I take pleasure in testifying to the general good con 
 duct of my officers and men, their actions meeting my full appro 
 bation. I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "R. KLEIN, Lieutenant- Colonel, 
 "Commanding Third Indiana Cavalry. 
 
 "Capt. W. H. Sinclair, Assistant Adjutant-General." 
 
 On May 22, 1863, Colonel Klein makes the following report 
 (Vol. XXIII, page 344) : 
 
 "Sir I have the honor to report the following as the part taken 
 by the Third Indiana Cavalry under my command, in the descent 
 on Middletown this instant: My battalion, being in the rear of 
 the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, brought up the rear of the First 
 Brigade, and in the charge on the rebel camps followed the Fourth 
 Michigan close up, deploying on the left of the same and charging 
 through the woods in the direction of Fosterville. We met very 
 little resistance, exchanging only a few shots. We captured twelve 
 prisoners, three Sharp s carbines, eight horses and one mule. No 
 casualties to my battalion. 
 
 "Your obedient servant, 
 
 "R. KLEIN, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding." 
 
 The volume from which we have been quoting (page 356) shows 
 the battalion of the Third Indiana, under Colonel Klein, went 
 with the brigade of Colonel Minty from their camp near Murfrees- 
 borough on the 3d of June, 1863, out on the Wartrace road, where 
 
52 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 it crosses Stone river, and engaged the enemy in force at that point. 
 And on June 10 the battalion was engaged in a scout and skirmish 
 with the enemy s pickets on the Middletown road (page 373). On 
 June 15 the same command went on a raid to Lebanon, Tenn. 
 (page 394). On the 3d of July, 1863, Colonel Watkins 7 com 
 mand, consisting of the Fifth and Sixth Kentucky and Third 
 Indiana Cavalry, reported to General Sheridan for duty (page 
 467). 
 
 General Sheridan, reporting his operations from June 24 to 
 July 5, 1863 (page 516), after leaving Murfreesborough, says: 
 "Just before reaching Cowan, July 3, I was joined by Colonel 
 Watkins with 1,200 cavalry. I learned during the night that the 
 enemy had taken up a position at or near University, near the top 
 of the mountain about seven miles from this place, and had cov 
 ered his front with General Wharton s cavalry. To ascertain the 
 truth of this I directed Colonel Watkins with the Fifth and Sixth 
 Kentucky and Third Indiana Cavalry of his command, on the 
 morning of the 4th of July, to feel the enemy and drive him until 
 he was satisfied he was there in force. This reconnoissance was 
 very handsomely executed by Colonel Watkins, who drove the 
 enemy about three miles, inflicting severe loss. Our own casual 
 ties were fourteen. On the morning of the 5th of July I directed 
 Colonel Watkins to feel the enemy again, to ascertain if his posi 
 tion was a permanent one, at the same time sending the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry to Mount Top, on my right and down the road in 
 the direction of Stephenson. Colonel Watkins found the enemy 
 had fled. Lieutenant-Colonel Klein, Third Indiana Cavalry, found 
 that a small portion of the enemy had crossed on that road. He 
 captured forty-one head of beef cattle from the enemy s rear guard 
 and brought them into camp. 77 
 
 In Volume XXIII, Part 2, page 556, Col. K. G. Minty, com 
 manding the First Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, on July 10, 
 1863, made a report of the engagement at Shelbyville, Tenn., on 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 53 
 
 the 27th of June, 1863, of which affair Lieutenant-Colonel Klein 
 gives an account in the foregoing report. In Volume LII, Part 1, 
 page 425, in a supplemental report dated Camp near Salem, 
 Tenn., July 29, 1863, he says: 
 
 "Sir Eeferring to my report of July 8, I hand you the follow 
 ing list of officers and men deserving of special mention for gallant 
 conduct at Shelbyville on the 27th of June ultimo. First Lieu 
 tenant Thompson, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, led the grand 
 charge on the rebel battery. He rode into the very teeth of the 
 guns in most gallant and fearless manner and captured the entire 
 battery. (Observation: He personally captured one piece, and 
 with Lieutenant Vale, of the same regiment, captured another 
 piece near the railroad station after a personal encounter with the 
 officer commanding the battery.) Lieutenant McCafferty, Fourth 
 U. S. Cavalry, was conspicuous for his gallant conduct in the 
 charge on the battery, and is honorably mentioned by Captain 
 Davis. Captain Burns, acting assistant adjutant-general of the 
 brigade, who is always at his post of duty, had his horse shot under 
 him while among the foremost in the charge on the battery. Lieut. 
 Callahan, Third Indiana, exhibited great gallantry in the charge 
 of the battalion of his regiment made near Skull Camp Bridge. 
 Lieutenant Young, Third Indiana Cavalry, was conspicuous in 
 the same charge; he received two slight saber wounds. Sergt. 
 Thomas Sheaffer, Third Indiana Cavalry, in same charge, after 
 being wounded in the face with a saber continued to hew his way 
 through the rebel ranks. 
 
 "All the regimental commanders, viz., Lieutenant-Colonel Gal- 
 braith, First Middle Tennessee; Captain Mclntyre, Fourth 
 United States; Major Mix, Fourth Michigan; Colonel Klein, 
 Third Indiana, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sipes, Seventh Pennsyl 
 vania, are deserving of special mention for their promptness and 
 manner in which they handled their respective commands. 
 
 "I am respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "R H. G. MINTY, Colonel Commanding." 
 
54 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 At page 559, Vol. XXIII, Colonel Klein makes this report: 
 
 "Headquarters Third Battalion, Third Indiana Cavalry, 
 
 a Six Miles from Winchester, Tenn., July 7, 1863. 
 
 "Sir I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 operations of my command since leaving Murfreesborough on the 
 24th of June : Nothing of interest occurred until the 27th, when 
 our forces advanced on Shelbyville, when the first determined 
 opposition was found, four miles from that place. When the 
 artillery opened upon us, Colonel Minty ordered my command to 
 proceed to the left, with orders if we met the enemy to charge 
 them, saying he would send us a guide to show us where to go. The 
 guide never came. We proceeded through thick woods, dense 
 undergrowth and tangled vines to the left until we reached the 
 enemy s abatis and rifle pits, where no horseman could go forward, 
 and the firing having ceased, we knew not our exact position. I 
 sent for orders, and on receiving them turned to the right to a 
 point where I could cross the abatis and pits. Here the roads, cut 
 through the woods, led to the left, following which, we reached the 
 Fairfield and Bellbuckle pike, two and one-half miles from the 
 city. We moved down this smartly to a point, when a citizen told 
 us it turned to the Murfreesborough pike. We then left it and 
 passing fields, orchards and woods, reached the outskirts of the 
 town, nearly half a mile from the Murfreesborough road. 
 
 "We started on a run for the city, and passing through the last 
 alley on the east of the pike, reached the railroad several hundred 
 yards from the depot, part of my men crossing the railroad beyond 
 the engine house, and the remainder passing under the trestle 
 work. We found the enemy in line on the road leading from the 
 depot station to Steel & Holt s mill. 
 
 "My men coming up rather scattered, the enemy commenced 
 firing and/ advancing, until my men got somewhat formed, when, 
 firing a volley, we drew saber and charged into their ranks. They 
 fled in disorder nearly a half mile towards the mill where the 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 55 
 
 commons narrow into a lane ; here they had to fight or be run down. 
 They fought from here to the mill desperately, using saber and 
 clubbing muskets and pistols. The fight was hand to hand for 
 300 yards, when both parties plunged into the river. Even here 
 we used the trusty saber with effect. We killed three men, 
 wounded some fifteen with saber, and captured one lieutenant- 
 colonel, one captain, one of Wheeler s staff, adjutant Fifty- 
 first Alabama, and adjutant Eighth Confederate, both badly 
 wounded with saber, and some six company officers and seventy 
 enlisted men. Our loss was one man drowned and three wounded ; 
 some others of my men were unhorsed by blows from clubbed 
 muskets, but not seriously injured. My officers and men behaved 
 in the most gallant manner, doing their whole duty. They picked 
 up several men beyond the river in the pursuit towards Tullahoma. 
 While being detached from the brigade, nothing worthy of note oc 
 curred, but capturing a drove of beef cattle from rear guard of 
 enemy on mountain, on road from Cowans Station to Bellefonte on 
 the 4th of July. 
 
 "All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 "K. KLEIN, Lieutenant-Colonel Third Indiana Cavalry. 
 "Assistant Adjutant-General First Brigade, Second Cavalry 
 
 Division." 
 
 Although Companies L and M were detained in Indiana 
 through the summer of 1863, they were not idle. During the 
 Morgan raid the following dispatch (Vol. XXIII, page 733) in 
 dicates they had some part in that affair: 
 
 "New Albany, Ind., July 12, 1863. 
 "General Boyle : 
 
 "General My scouts just returned. Forty-seven rebels at 
 tacked last night near Providence by Third Indiana Cavalry; 
 wounded three, took nineteen prisoners. Still in pursuit. 
 
 "THOMAS W. FEY, Surgeon U. S. Army." 
 
56 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 The next account we have of the Third Indiana Cavalry is found 
 in the report of Col. Robert G. Minty from the headquarters of 
 the First Brigade, Second Division of Cavalry, dated McMinnville, 
 Tenn., August 11, 1863 (Vol. XXIII, Part 1, page 846), which 
 reads : 
 
 a Sir On the 8th instant, having received information that 
 General Dibrell with 800 or 900 men was camped two miles south 
 of Sparta, I marched at 3 p. m. with 774 men, hoping to surprise 
 him. I took two days rations and one day s forage; no wagons 
 or ambulances. At 11 :30 p. m. I arrived at Spencer and re 
 mained long enough for the men to make coffee and feed horses. 
 I crossed Caney Fork at the mouth of Cane creek; and, at day 
 break, struck the rebel pickets about four miles south of Sparta 
 and followed them at a gallop, but arrived at the town without 
 seeing anything of their camp. In town I learned that they had 
 changed camp the evening before, and were then between three 
 and four miles north of Sparta, on the east bank of the Calfkiller. 
 I pushed forward rapidly, but the pickets, whoses horses were 
 fresh, had given notice of our approach, and the rebels were ready 
 to receive us. The Fourth Michigan Cavalry formed the advance 
 guard, and pushing at a gallop dislodged and drove the enemy 
 before the column got up. General Dibrell fell back across the 
 creek and took up a strong position on a hill covering a narrow 
 rickety bridge, which was the only means of crossing the creek at 
 that point. 
 
 "Finding a bad, rough ford about a quarter of a mile lower down, 
 I directed Captain Mclntyre to cross with the Fourth Regulars 
 and sharply attack the enemy s right flank. I then moved to the 
 front with the Fourth Michigan and a battalion of the Third 
 Indiana, but the rebels, although outnumbering us and holding a 
 strong position, difficult of access, would not wait for the attack, 
 but scattered in every direction. The Fourth Regulars, Seventh 
 Pennsylvania and Third Indiana scoured the country for about 
 
MAJOR WILLIAM PATTON. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 57 
 
 three miles, but their horses were too tired to overtake the freshly 
 mounted rebels. Our loss, I regret to say, was heavy, but it was 
 confined exclusively to the Fourth Michigan, the only regiment 
 engaged, and which had only 115 men out. We killed one lieu 
 tenant and thirteen men, and took one lieutenant and nine men 
 prisoners. I remained at Sparta until 1 p. m. and then returned 
 to camp, where I arrived at 12 :30 on the 10th instant. Inclosed 
 I hand you return of casualties. 
 
 "I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "ROBERT II. G. MINTY, Colonel Commanding. 
 
 "CAPT. E. P. KENNEDY, 
 
 "Assistant Adjutant-General Second Cavalry Division." 
 
 On the 17th of August, 1863, Colonel Minty with his brigade, 
 to which the battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry was attached, 
 left McMinnville, Tenn., for Pikeville, by way of Sparta, arriving 
 at the latter point at 2 p. m., where, with 1,400 men, he met and 
 fought General Dibrell s brigade of rebel cavalry, numbering 
 1,600 men, until after dark, driving them steadily. In the morn 
 ing the rebels had disappeared. From here Colonel Minty moved 
 on to Pikeville with the main command, and Colonel Klein with 
 the Third Indiana Cavalry was sent to Rock Island. Of this 
 affair Colonel Minty makes the following report (Vol. XXX, 
 page 920) : 
 
 "Smiths Cross Roads, Tennessee Valley, August 26, 1863. 
 
 "Sir At 2 a. m. on the 17th, in accordance with orders from 
 Major-General Rosecrans, through Brigadier-General VanCleve, I 
 marched for Pikeville by way of Sparta. I sent my artillery and 
 wagons direct with the infantry train. At 2 p. m. my advance 
 struck General Dibrell s pickets two miles from Sparta. I sent 
 the Seventh Pennsylvania and Fourth Michigan up the east side 
 of Calfkiller creek to Sperrys Mill, where they found Dibrell s 
 brigade and quickly drove it across the creek. With the Third 
 Indiana and Fourth Regulars I moved up the west side of the 
 
58 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 creek, with the intention of cutting off their retreat, but the nature 
 of the ground was so much in the enemy s favor that they had no 
 difficulty in escaping. I followed them to within a short distance 
 of Yankeetown, and then moved back to Sparta for the purpose of 
 going into camp for the night. 
 
 "About four miles above Sparta the road runs close to the creek, 
 with a high bluff (thickly wooded) on the opposite side. Here 
 about 200 men lay in ambush, and as the head of the column was 
 passing they poured in a volley, wounding Lieutenant Yale, the 
 brigade inspector, and two of my orderlies. Part of the Fourth 
 Michigan and one squadron of the Fourth Regulars were quickly 
 dismounted and engaged the enemy across the creek. In an at 
 tempt to cross the creek a little higher up, the Fourth Regulars 
 lost eight men drowned and a few wounded. The Seventh Pennsyl 
 vania and Third Indiana crossed lower down and, with slight loss, 
 succeeded in dislodging the rebels. It being now after 8 o clock 
 and quite dark, I bivouacked for the night. In the morning I 
 could find no trace of the enemy except a couple of them dead, 
 which the citizens were ordered to inter. 
 
 "The enemy s force was estimated by citizens at 1,500. I 
 placed it at 1,200. Every foot of ground which we fought over 
 was familiar to them. It was wooded, hilly, broken, and inter 
 sected by half a dozen branches of creeks, with plenty of good 
 positions, all of which they were able to take advantage of. My 
 force numbered about 1,400, and the country was to us terra 
 incognita, notwithstanding which we drove them at a gallop. I 
 had one man drowned and fifteen wounded, including three com 
 missioned officers. I took twenty-three prisoners, including one 
 lieutenant, and representing four regiments. 
 
 "I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "ROBERT H. G. MINTY, Colonel Commanding." 
 
 According to the official record of the Army of the Cumberland 
 (Yol. XXX, page 179), Colonel Minty s first brigade was part of 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 59 
 
 the Second Cavalry Division, commanded by Brig. -Gen. George 
 Crook. This was its assignment during the Chickamauga cam 
 paign, and during this great battle the cavalry was employed in 
 protecting the supply train of the army, which General Wheeler 
 with 10,000 rebel cavalry was endeavoring to destroy. 
 
 The federal cavalry succeeded partially in saving the trains, 
 when Wheeler with his entire force started on his great raid in the 
 rear of our armies entering the Sequatchie Valley. He burned 
 500 wagons, going thence to McMinnville and Murfreesborough, 
 pursued by the federal cavalry, which pursued and fought him at 
 all points, until Wheeler was compelled to abandon his raid and 
 fall back on Bragg s main army at Missionary Ridge and Lookout 
 Mountain. 
 
 On the 17th of September, 1863 (Vol. XXX, page 715), an 
 order was issued from the headquarters of the Department of the 
 Cumberland as follows : 
 
 "The general commanding directs that Company I, Third In 
 diana Cavalry be detached, until further orders, for scouting on 
 our flanks under your instruction. As soon as it can be spared 
 from that duty you will order it to report to these headquarters. 
 
 "Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 a W. MICHAEL, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General." 
 
 Company I of the Third Indiana Cavalry has a history that is 
 its own and peculiarly unique. The company was raised at 
 Knightstown, Ind., by Will C. Moreau, a practicing attorney of 
 that place, who became its captain, with Tighlman Fish as first 
 lieutenant and Oliver Childs as second lieutenant. It was raised 
 with the intention of becoming the bodyguard of Gen. A. Mac- 
 Dowell McCook, commanding a division of Buell s army in Ten 
 nessee and Kentucky. The company was sworn in at Indianapolis 
 and ordered to report to General Buell at Louisville, and in obedi 
 ence to this order proceeded to Louisville. But instead of report 
 ing to General Buell, at once proceeded to Elizabethtown, Ky., 
 
60 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 where General McCook was stationed, and reported to him. Gen. 
 McCook at once sent the company on a scout to Buckley s farm 
 on Green river, where a large amount of rebel stores were kept in 
 the barns of that farm. These the company burned, and after a 
 day or two returned to General McCook s headquarters at Eliza- 
 bethtown. There the commander of the company found an order 
 commanding him to report at once to General Buell at Louisville, 
 which order was complied with. The company was held there in 
 camp until the army went to Nashville, Tenn., where it was de 
 tailed on provost duty in the city, and was notf relieved from this 
 duty until Bragg invaded Tennessee and Kentucky, when it fell 
 back with the army to Louisville. 
 
 In September, 1862, the company first came under the com 
 mand of Major Klein, who had been in command of Companies 
 G, H and K. All of the commissioned officers of the company had 
 resigned at Louisville on the 25th of January, 1862, and in Febru 
 ary, 1862, T. B. Wilkinson was made first lieutenant of the com 
 pany and Charles Hedrick second lieutenant, and A. D. Vanarsdol 
 became captain of the company on the 27th of February, 1862. 
 
 "When the army of Buell moved out from Louisville in Septem 
 ber, 1862, in pursuit of Bragg, who had begun his retreat south 
 ward, Company I under Captain Vanarsdol went with Major Klein 
 to Nashville, where the company was again detailed for provost 
 duty in that city, and held there until December 25, 1862. Major 
 Klein complained of his command being broken up, and Company 
 I was relieved from provost duty in Nashville and joined him at 
 Triune, and was a part of his battalion in all the service he per 
 formed until the latter part of August, 1863, at which time Capt. 
 Vanarsdol had resigned the command of the company and Capt. 
 W. C. Moreau had returned to the company recommissioned as its 
 captain. 
 
 At this time, by an order from General Thomas headquarters, 
 the company was detailed as independent scouts or couriers and 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 61 
 
 detached from Major Klein s command, and began scouting the 
 country in the vicinity of Chattanooga, accompanied by a young 
 man in citizens clothes, who seemed to act as their guide, and who 
 was known to the men as Wilson. The company at this time only 
 numbered thirty men for duty. About the middle of September, 
 1863, this company in its rambles with Wilson stopped at Cotton 
 Ford, near Washington on the Tennessee river, for about a week, 
 from which point Wilson was daily making excursions in various 
 directions either alone or accompanied by two or three men of 
 Company I. At this point Captain Moreau received an order to 
 return with his command to Chattanooga. He crossed the Ten 
 nessee river at Cotton Ford and, after journeying half a day, 
 learned for the first time that the battle of Chickamauga had been 
 fought, and that the rebel army was between him and Chattanooga. 
 And here the shrewdness and tact of the man Wilson made itself 
 particularly manifest. He was a citizen of Tennessee and had 
 been raised in that part of the country, and was acting under the 
 directions of General Thomas. He was a very bright young man. 
 He informed the men that he was entirely familiar with the 
 country and would conduct them safely to the Union lines if they 
 would follow his directions. To this there was unanimous assent, 
 and the command continued its journey right on up the river in 
 the direction of Chattanooga. About sundown they came on to 
 two cavalry pickets of the rebel General Wheeler s command, 
 whom they easily made prisoners, as they had no suspicion there 
 were any Union troops on the Tennessee river below them. The 
 Company I men rode by twos and the two prisoners were placed 
 between the men comprising the second and third files from the 
 rear, while Captain Moreau and Wilson rode at the head of the 
 command. All knew when they had captured rebel outpost pickets 
 in the rear of the rebel army that they were within the rebel lines 
 and on very dangerous ground. But they proceeded, and coming 
 in sight of a rebel battery with some infantry stationed at a small 
 
62 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 railroad bridge directly along the road they were traveling, the 
 command was halted. Wilson rode to a house on the hillside over 
 looking the rebel camp, and requested a small boy standing in the 
 yard to go down and notify the rebel officers in charge of the troops 
 they had to pass, not to disturb a body of cavalry that was coming 
 up, as they were going to the front to charge and drive in the 
 "Yankee pickets." The ruse worked like a charm, and they passed 
 the rebel artillery and infantry undisturbed, and came on to the 
 main body of the rebel army, where the men were cooking supper 
 and roll call was going on, and everything incident to the camp life 
 of a great army full of fight. 
 
 Under ordinary circumstances there was danger of the prisoners 
 riding between their guards crying out at any time and giving the 
 alarm, and thus subjecting the entire command to capture; but 
 Jonathan Keller, who with Joseph Higgins had charge of the 
 forward prisoner, says he carried his pistol in his hand, and had 
 warned the man that the moment he gave the alarm he would kill 
 him. The presumption is that the same warning had been given 
 to the prisoner in the rear by his guards, John H. Kennedy and 
 Lewis Micha. At any rate they made no outcry, and as the com 
 mand passed on rebel soldiers frequently inquired, "Where are 
 you going, boys ?" and the answer was invariably, "To the front 
 to charge and drive in the Yankee pickets," and the response would 
 come back, "That s right; give them h 1." 
 
 The command went on until General Wheeler s headquarters 
 were reached, when Wilson, who was conducting the expedition, 
 seemed to be uncertain among so many roads leading in every 
 direction which one he should take to reach the front of the rebel 
 lines. Standing in front of General Wheeler s tent was his big 
 colored hostler, whom Wilson ordered to mount a horse one of the 
 men was leading and direct them up the road on which the rebels 
 were hauling their ammunition, as he seemed to realize that that 
 road would lead to a point on the front of the rebel lines that it 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 63 
 
 was desirable, under the circumstances, for his men to reach. The 
 colored hostler mounted the horse as directed, and taking his place 
 beside Wilson, proceeded to escort it as directed until the rebel 
 front was reached. Its supposed mission was made known to the 
 officers in command at that point, and their permission granted 
 for it to go forward, and when outside the main rebel line, where a 
 number of rebel sharpshooters were stationed at various points, 
 Captain Moreau gave the order, "Third Cavalry, charge/ and 
 away they went in the immediate direction of the Union lines, fol 
 lowed by a shower of bullets from the rebel sharpshooters, who 
 seemed to have discovered what they were. They were also greeted 
 by a similar shower from their own men as they were approaching 
 the Union lines, until Sergt. Edgar Henry dashed up to a squad 
 of federal soldiers and informed them that they were firing at 
 their own men, when the firing ceased, and Captain Moreau came 
 up and was known to some of the infantry officers on picket. 
 
 The only mishap that had occurred to the command in its ride 
 through the entire rebel army happened between Wheeler s head 
 quarters and the front of the rebel line, when the prisoner in the 
 rear, guarded by John H. Kennedy and Lewis Micha, requested 
 permission of his guards to get down and fix his saddle blanket, 
 which was granted. For this operation the two guards and the 
 two men in their rear, James Harney and Eobert Poor, were 
 halted, and when the saddle blanket was adjusted the four men 
 found themselves some distance in the rear and separated from the 
 main command in the dark, and uncertain as to the direction in 
 which they had gone. Their prisoner told them he knew the road, 
 and piloted them direct to General Bragg s headquarters, where 
 they were promptly taken in as prisoners. 
 
 Captain Moreau passed into the Union lines with the other 
 twenty-six men, one prisoner and General Wheeler s colored 
 hostler, who, although scared almost to death, remained with 
 Lieutenant Hedrick, who became captain of Company I, until the 
 
64 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 close of his service in October, 1864. Captain Moreau reported to 
 General Thomas, was relieved of his command and was no more 
 with the company, its twenty-six men being placed under the com 
 mand of Lieutenant Hedrick. Jonathan Keller says his prisoner 
 also made the request that he be allowed to stop and fix his saddle 
 blanket, which request was declined with the announcement that 
 there would be plenty of blankets left if the prisoner lost his. 
 
 While on this detail and after its perilous ride through Bragg s 
 army on the battlefield of Chickamauga, Company I with its 
 twenty-six men under Lieutenant Hedrick was dispatched by Gen. 
 Thomas to establish a courier line between Chattanooga and 
 Bridgeport. When they reached Bridgeport General Wheeler with 
 all his cavalry force had crossed the Tennessee at Cotton Ford 
 below Chickamauga, moved up into the Sequatchie Valley, at 
 tacked and captured 500 wagons of the supply train of the Union 
 army, recrossed the Tennessee at Bridgeport and was creating 
 havoc among the supply trains and the troops guarding them 
 around Bridgeport. Between that point and Chattanooga Lieut. 
 Hedrick and all of his men but twelve were captured by the rebels 
 but escaped, and after this joined the remainder of the Western 
 battalion of the Third Indiana under Lieutenant-Colonel Klein, 
 and went with it to East Tennessee, where Burnsides was engaged 
 with Longstreet at Knoxville. 
 
 The record shows that Lewis Micha and James Harney, two of 
 the men captured on the night Company I rode through Bragg s 
 army, died at Andersonville, the former on the 15th of February, 
 1864, and the latter July 18, 1864, and James Higgins died at 
 Danville, Va., February 15, 1864. 
 
 The official record (Vol. XXX, Part 3, page 836, dated Sep 
 tember 24, 1863) shows Lieutenant-Colonel Klein at Pikeville, 
 Tenn., with his detachment of the Third Indiana Cavalry, and on 
 the 31st of October, 1863 (Vol. XXXI, page 809), the detach 
 ment is still shown to be with the brigade commanded by Colonel 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 65 
 
 Minty. The next mention we have is that the detachment is with 
 Brig.-Gen. James G. Spears forces at Loundon, Tenn., on the 3d 
 of December, 1863, where it had gone from Kingston. On this 
 march General Spears command encountered 2,000 of Wheeler s 
 cavalry under Colonel Hart, and there was some fighting but not 
 serious, as the enemy fell back, leaving six pieces of artillery in 
 General Spears hands. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 After the battle of Fredricksburg in December, 1862, and a 
 second attempt by the Army of the Potomac to move on the enemy 
 later in the winter, and which simply resulted in its sticking in the 
 mud, the conclusion was irresistible that an army encamped on 
 either side of the Rappahannock river during the months of De 
 cember, January, February, March and April was so thoroughly 
 encased in mud that any important movement was practically im 
 possible, and both armies settled down to the simple task of watch 
 ing each other. 
 
 Cavalry could get about after a fashion, and the Eastern bat 
 talion of the Third Indiana Cavalry took its turn with the Eighth 
 Illinois and Eighth New York in picketing the right flank of the 
 army in the vicinity of Dumfries and Quantico creek until about 
 the middle of April. At this time the brigade to which it be 
 longed, under command of Colonel Davis, of the Eighth New 
 York, moved up the Rappahannock to the vicinity of Warrentown, 
 where it confronted the confederate cavalry watching the ap 
 proaches to the left flank of Lee s army. Every move of either 
 resulted in some kind of an encounter with the other. 
 
 Colonel Davis 7 brigade crossed the Rappahannock on April 15 
 at Beverly Ford for the purpose of making a reconnoissance, and 
 on the return the rear guard, consisting of Companies E and F 
 of the Third Indiana, was charged by a much superior force of 
 the enemy, and twenty men, including Lieutenant Shannon, of 
 Company E, were captured with their horses. 
 
 In the record we find no report by any federal officer of this 
 affair save the mention of the loss in men, horses and arms. But 
 at page 88, Vol. XXV, Part 1, we find a rather accurate account 
 
 66 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 67 
 
 (as far as it goes) by R. L. T. Beale, colonel commanding Ninth 
 Virginia (confederate) Cavalry. 
 
 "April 21, 1863. 
 
 "I submit report of the part taken by this command in the 
 skirmishing on the Rappahannock on the 14th and 15th instant, 
 together with casualties and captures. On the 14th one company, 
 under command of Capt. Stith Boiling, held the ford at Kelleys 
 Mills, and repulsed, with some loss to the enemy, an attempt to 
 cross with a force of two or more regiments. Another company 
 (under the immediate command of Capt. John W. Hungerford), 
 under Lieut. -Col. M. Lewis, held the ford at Beverly Mills. The 
 balance were engaged in watching the enemy at Rappahannock 
 Bridge and re-establishing the pickets driven out in the morning. 
 
 "On the 15th the enemy, having crossed in large force at the 
 ford above, flanked that portion of the command under Lieut. -Col. 
 Lewis and came down upon them by surprise. The coolness and 
 admirable maneuvering of Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis and Lieut. 
 G. W. Beale in command of the sharpshooters (dismounted), alone 
 saved the little band. By boldly charging the advance, the dis 
 mounted men were successfully extricated from a position of great 
 danger. The whole command in the evening supported Col. J. R. 
 Chambliss, Jr., in a charge upon the retreating foe, captured 
 one first lieutenant of the Third Indiana Cavalry, also ten pri 
 vates, ten horses, ten carbines and seven pistols. Our casualties 
 were one private Company A killed, one private Company K 
 missing (supposed to be captured), two horses killed, one wounded 
 and twelve horses captured. The conduct of the officers and men 
 merits the highest commendation. 
 
 "R. L. T. BEALE, Colonel Commanding. 
 
 "Brig.-Gen. W. H. F. LEE." 
 
 Notwithstanding the statement of Colonel Beale in regard to 
 this affair, nineteen men of Companies E and F, Third Indiana 
 Cavalry, were captured and taken to Richmond. When they were 
 
68 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 conducted to General Fitzhugh Lee s headquarters that officer re 
 marked to Lieut. A. L. Shannon, one of the unfortunates : "Lieu 
 tenant, it is on to Kichmond now sure enough." But a part of the 
 history of the affair is that by the middle of the following summer 
 the men were all exchanged and back with their companies doing 
 duty as usual. 
 
 The following is the list of men who made that trip to Rich 
 mond, viz. : Company E, Lieut. A. L. Shannon, Sergt. John P. 
 Mathews, James McClain, David Cochran, William H. Stapp, 
 John R. B. Glasscock, George W. Lewis, John Naughton, George 
 W. Pearson, Mathew Glauber, James Graham; Company F, W. 
 B. Downey, Daniel Ely, Daniel Ecklor, Fred Erie, Stephen Good- 
 pasture, Monroe Payton, Jonas Sugden and John O. Martin. 
 
 As a member of Company F the writer has a very distinct recol 
 lection of this affair. The squadron was the rear guard of Colonel 
 Davis brigade, and had rendezvoused at an old blacksmith shop, 
 which had been a rebel picket post, waiting for the outpost vidette 
 to come in. It had been raining hard since early morning and a 
 ravine that passed this old blacksmith shop was flowing full with 
 a raging torrent of water. The command formed on the side of 
 this ravine next to the Rappahannock, and about one-half mile 
 from the ford of that stream where the brigade had crossed. 
 
 The Ninth Virginia, several times as strong as we were, came 
 down over a hill from the west with drawn sabers, yelling like 
 Commanche Indians, calling us ugly names and demanding our 
 surrender. At the command of Major McClure, commanding the 
 squadron, we gave them a volley from our carbines, but they 
 plunged through the stream, which we had supposed, with our 
 volley, would check them. Then began a race of rebels and 
 Yankees mingled in indescribable confusion, all heading for that 
 ford on the Rappahannock half a mile away. It was in that race 
 most of the captures were made. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 69 
 
 In the old blacksmith shop Jonas Sugden, of Company F, had 
 captured and confiscated a rebel haversack containing a very fine 
 hunk of boiled corn beef, and was gloating over his good luck, but 
 in less than five minutes later he was a prisoner on his way to 
 Richmond. History does not record who ate the corn beef. 
 
 Lieutenant Shannon, of Company E, and W. B. Downey, of 
 Company F, outpost videttes, had been cut off and, hiding their 
 horses in a thicket, were engaged in constructing a raft to cross 
 the Rappahannock, which was unfordable at the point where they 
 had struck it, and while thus engaged the rebels found them and 
 their horses and they became a part of the Richmond delegation. 
 The other captures were made by the rebels seizing bridle reins 
 and hauling in the riders of horses thus held up. Those of us 
 who were able to outrun the rebels leaped over the bank of the 
 river wherever we struck it, with the rebels all mixed up with us, 
 and there the rebels began sheathing their sabers and drawing 
 their pistols to shoot us in the water. But here good luck came to 
 our rescue. A number of our command who had already crossed 
 the river took in the situation, turned loose a volley from their 
 carbines upon our pursuers as they were forming and getting ready 
 to shoot us as we struggled in the river. They fled in confusion, 
 leaving us unhurt. Isaac Higgins, of Company F, was captured 
 by having his bridle rein seized by a rebel cavalryman near the 
 river bank some distance below the ford. While being led away 
 captive, his pistol, cocked, was held by him under his coat cape, 
 and in an unguarded moment he shot his captor, whirled his horse 
 and leaped into the river and escaped. 
 
 A few days later the entire cavalry force of the Army of the 
 Potomac, except a brigade supposed to be the least efficient of the 
 force, left in camp near Falmouth under General Pleasanton, 
 again crossed the Rappahannock under command of General 
 Stoneman, who had been placed at the head of what was desig 
 nated as the Cavalry Corps after General Hooker took command 
 
70 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 and reorganized the Army of the Potomac in March, 1863. This 
 cavalry movement of General Stoneman s is known in history as 
 the Stoneman raid and was designed to move towards Richmond 
 and destroy the Orange & Alexandria railroad, over which supplies 
 were shipped to Lee s army lying south of the Rappahannock at 
 Fredricksburg. 
 
 General Stoneman divided his force after crossing the Rappa 
 hannock, leading the main body of his force in person as far as 
 the defenses of Richmond, where he destroyed considerable stores 
 and crippled the operations of the railroad for a few days ; while 
 Colonel Davis brigade, to which the Eastern battalion of the 
 Third Indiana belonged, with one other brigade, was left at the 
 bridge where the Orange & Alexandria road crossed the Rapidan 
 river, under command of Gen. W. W. Averill. This force skir 
 mished one whole day with a body of rebel cavalry at that point, 
 both sides using their artillery and making dashes at each other. 
 Both tried to burn the railroad bridge, each always succeeded in 
 driving the other off, so that all attempts in that direction were 
 ineffective. After the day s skirmishing was over both forces went 
 on picket, facing each other. Captain Gresham, of Company B, 
 Third Indiana, was seriously wounded while posting his men on 
 picket too near the enemy. 
 
 On the following day this force moved down the Rapidan, and 
 as the day progressed the booming of distant guns became more fre 
 quent, and before we reached Elys Ford, near the mouth of the 
 Rapidan, about nightfall, the almost continuous roar of artillery 
 and volleys of musketry indicated to us that we were approaching 
 the scene of a great battle. 
 
 It was twilight when we reached Elys Ford, and hundreds of 
 the men riding horses, weary with their day s march, plunged into 
 the stream to water them, when a volley of musketry from the 
 opposite side of the Rapidan, which overshot our men, caused a 
 great scampering out of the stream and over the hill to a place of 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 71 
 
 safety. This was our introduction to the battle of Chancellors- 
 ville, which had been on since the 1st of May. Our command had 
 been rambling around through fields and woods, shut off from com 
 munication with the world, many days, and knew nothing of what 
 was going on, at least so far as the rank and file was concerned. 
 An opening between the right flank of Hooker s army and Elys 
 Ford of the Rapidan had been left unguarded, and a brigade of 
 rebel infantry had moved down into it, and that was the force that 
 fired into our men when they hurriedly entered the stream to water 
 their horses. It was not regarded as good generalship that this 
 should be permitted to happen, and General Averill was relieved 
 of his command and placed under arrest. 
 
 Early in the day following this incident the battle of Chan- 
 cellorsville was renewed in all its fury, the roar of artillery and 
 the crash of volleys of musketry being almost constant, and our 
 body of cavalry stood in line all forenoon, ready to move at an 
 instant s notice. We did not receive such an order until about 
 noon, when we crossed the Rapidan at the ford where we had been 
 fired into the night before, went up the slope and joined the main 
 army, through the lines of the First Army Corps, under General 
 Reynolds, where the men had been fighting all day. 
 
 We formed in the rear of this force with artillery and remained 
 there two days and until 2 o clock of the second night, when an 
 order was given to move, we knew not where. But we had not 
 gone far until we knew our horses were treading on brush, laid upon 
 a pontoon bridge to deaden sound, and that this bridge crossed the 
 Rappahannock. At daylight we halted and were overlooking Fal- 
 mouth and Fredricksburg. From that point we moved up the 
 river and soon met army wagons, batteries of artillery, long lines 
 of infantry, and without knowing what had happened, we felt very 
 certain the army of the Potomac was on a different side of the 
 river from where it had been fighting the enemy. 
 
72 HlSTOKY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 We moved on northward into the pine forests bordering the Rap 
 pahannock, apparently away from all communication with the 
 main army, and had little knowledge of the particulars of what 
 had happened for more than a week, when the command returned 
 to Falmouth and found the entire Army of the Potomac on the 
 north side of the river, where it had been all winter. From Wash 
 ington papers received that day we learned that the Union army 
 had been defeated in a great battle, which in history was to be 
 called Chancellorsville. The whole country knew all about it a 
 week before, but thousands of men on the ground, by the process 
 here described, were kept in almost total ignorance of what had 
 happened. 
 
 The cavalry force under General Stoneman perhaps accom 
 plished all that was expected of it, but the remarkable thing in the 
 history of that great battle is that General Pleasanton, who had 
 been our commander in the Maryland campaign of the previous 
 year, but for some cause was left in the rear in charge of the con 
 valescent camp at the opening of Hooker s campaign of 1863, 
 appeared on the battlefield of Chancellorsville with all his effec 
 tive force, especially the Eighth and Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
 Cavalry regiments, and by his service in that great battle achieved 
 renown that placed him among the foremost cavalry leaders of the 
 war. The charge of Major Randall with a part of the Eighth 
 Pennsylvania, which was a part of Pleasanton s command, is re 
 corded in history as one of the most splendid achievements of the 
 great battle of Chancellorsville. 
 
 With the close of that conflict Stoneman disappeared from the 
 Army of the Potomac and Pleasanton became commander of the 
 Cavalry Corps by right of conquest. The army lay in camp rest 
 ing up until the early days of June, and then, with Pleasanton s 
 cavalry in the lead, moved northward along the Rappahannock to 
 the Orange & Alexandria railroad. On the 9th of June Colonel 
 Davis brigade of Buford s division crossed the Rappahannock at 
 
GEORGE MIDDLETON, Co. E. AT 16. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 73 
 
 Kelleys Ford, where it encountered the enemy s cavalry, which 
 it fought all day and drove back on to its infantry lines, and dis 
 closed the fact that Lee s army was also moving northward behind 
 the mountains of Virginia, heading for Maryland and Pennsyl 
 vania. In this engagement Colonel Davis, of the Eighth New 
 York Cavalry, who commanded the brigade, was killed early in 
 the day, and the command of the brigade devolved upon Major 
 McClure, commanding the Third Indiana Cavalry, who by the 
 death of Colonel Davis became the senior officer of the brigade. 
 Colonel Davis was an officer of the regular army, a strict disci 
 plinarian, and in the Maryland campaign, particularly at Harpers 
 Ferry, where he declined to have the Eighth New York Cavalry 
 included in General Miles surrender of 13,000 men to Stonewall 
 Jackson and cut his way out, was regarded as one of the best sub 
 ordinate cavalry commanders of the army. 
 
 For that day s work he was made a major in the regular army, 
 and had he lived no doubt he would have attained the highest rank 
 in the cavalry arm of the service. As his successor on the battle 
 field of Kelleys Ford, Major McClure proved himself well fitted 
 for the place, and at nightfall drew off his brigade to the north 
 side of the Rappahannock, having most successfully accomplished 
 the business of the expedition, which was a reconnoissance in force 
 for the purpose of developing the movements and purposes of the 
 enemy. 
 
 A part of the work of the 9th of June at Kelleys Ford was the 
 capture of 400 of the enemy s cavalry and the disclosure of the 
 fact that Lee s army was moving in full force behind the 
 mountains, heading its course for Pennsylvania with a determina 
 tion to carry the war into his enemy s country. His cavalry, under 
 Generals Stewart and Fitzhugh Lee, were in advance and actively 
 engaged in keeping their chief advised as to the movements of the 
 Army of the Potomac. 
 
74 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Hooker, with the entire army, was now moving northward on 
 a line parallel with the line upon which Lee was moving, and at 
 every gap in the mountains until the Potomac river was reached 
 the cavalry forces of the two armies were engaged in almost daily 
 conflicts. In all the encounters the Eastern battalion of the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry was having its full share. 
 
 Colonel Chapman had returned from a furlough and resumed 
 command, and General Merritt succeeded Colonel Davis in com 
 mand of the brigade, which was known as the First Brigade of the 
 First Division of the Cavalry Corps, commanded by Gen. John 
 B. Buford, and comprised the Eighth Illinois, the Eighth New 
 York, Third Indiana Cavalry and four companies of the Twelfth 
 Illinois. 
 
 After the fight at Kelleys Ford on successive days, in the for 
 ward movement, the brigade engaged the enemy s cavalry at Mid- 
 dletown, Upperville and Aldie. Near the latter place Lieut. 
 William W. Long, of Company C, was captured while going to 
 deliver a message and running into the enemy s cavalry upon his 
 return, so shifting were the movements of this active march. The 
 brigade camped on the bank of the Potomac on the night of the 
 26th of June, and on the following day crossed into Maryland as 
 the vanguard of the army. 
 
 Of the engagement of the 9th of June, 1863, Maj. W. S. Mc- 
 Clure, of the Third Indiana, commanding First Brigade, First 
 Division, made the following report (Vol. XXVII, page 1047, 
 Part 1) : 
 
 "Headquarters Third Indiana Cavalry, 
 "Camp Near Catletts Station, Va., June 12, 1863. 
 
 "Lieutenant I have the honor to submit the following report 
 of the operations of this command, and also of the First Brigade 
 of the First Cavalry Division, of which I assumed command after 
 the fall of Col. B. F. Davis: 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 75 
 
 "At 4 :30 a. m. the brigade inarched from the camp of the night, 
 distance from the river one-half mile, under command of Col. B. 
 F. Davis, of the Eighth New York Cavalry, in advance, supported 
 by the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and my command, composed of one 
 battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry, one squadron of the Third 
 (West) Virginia Cavalry, and one battalion of the Ninth New 
 York Cavalry. Before reaching the ford two squadrons of the 
 Sixth New York Cavalry were detached and sent forward to sur 
 prise and capture any of the enemy s pickets at the ford; these, 
 dashing over, secured the ford after a sharp engagement. Closely 
 following came the brigade. Advancing, we soon gained a large 
 body of timber, where the Eighth New York Cavalry, squadrons 
 of which were deployed as skirmishers, met a large force of the 
 enemy, and, wavering, finally fell back before them. 
 
 "It was at this critical juncture, and while trying to rally his 
 men, that the lamented Col. B. F. Davis fell mortally wounded. 
 Captain Clark, commanding the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, imme 
 diately charged the enemy, while my command was formed on 
 the right of the road to protect and support the charging column. 
 Here Captain Clark was wounded, and the command devolved 
 upon Captain For sy the, who also was shortly after wounded. 
 Under the most unfavorable circumstances, and while considerable 
 confusion prevailed, I received orders to assume command of the 
 brigade. By order of General Buford, I moved my command to 
 the left, he occupying the right, and checked a large body of the 
 enemy advancing in column of squadrons. With some difficulty I 
 succeeded about 6 :30 a. m. in forming my command in close col 
 umn of squadrons on the left of the road and in the timber. Im 
 mediately the Eighth Illinois Cavalry was detached by order of 
 General Pleasanton, and I saw no more of them during the day. 
 Colonel Devin coming up, ordered me to retain command. By 
 7 a. m. the enemy was reported advancing in two heavy lines of 
 skirmishers, supported by about two regiments. I immediately 
 
76 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 ordered Major Lemon, now in command of the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry, to deploy to the left one squadron, and Captain Hanley, 
 of the Ninth New York, to move his squadron to the extreme left 
 to watch the movements of the enemy. The other squadron, under 
 Major Patton, Third Indiana Cavalry, was dismounted and sent 
 out as skirmishers. 
 
 "At 8 :30, the enemy continuing to advance slowly, Colonel 
 Devin ordered one section of Robertson s battery up. Finding 
 no suitable position, they gave us little aid. The enemy continuing 
 to advance and inclining to my left and rear, I ordered Major 
 Pope, of the Eighth New York, to deploy one squadron of his 
 regiment so as to connect Captain Hanley on the left with Majors 
 Patton and Lemon. To this line I gave two more squadrons for 
 support. For a time the advance of the enemy was checked, but by 
 9 :30 he began to advance rapidly, driving my skirmishers up to 
 the guns, which, without orders, the officer in command sent to the 
 rear. While the guns were retiring and the enemy advancing, 
 Maj. W. B. Martin, Ninth New York, charged with the remaining 
 squadron of his battalion, forcing the enemy to fall back and 
 taking some prisoners. He himself was wounded and retired from 
 the field, leaving Captain Ayres in command. Immediately I 
 caused our lines to be advanced. The enemy fell back rapidly, 
 and by noon we were in complete possession of the whole timber, 
 and the lines were advancing in the open field beyond, supported 
 by the whole command moving in column of fours. The rear of 
 the enemy was charged by Lieut. L. C. Wilson, in command of 
 Company F of the Third Indiana Cavalry, who captured a few 
 prisoners. 
 
 "Finding that the enemy was massing a large force in advance 
 and a little to the right, I halted the columns until a section of 
 artillery joined us. Again advancing until the road by which 
 Gen. Gregg joined us was reached, the guns were placed in posi 
 tion and the command formed in line and column of squadrons 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 77 
 
 to support the guns and skirmishers. In this position we remained 
 until about 3 p. m. under the fire of three of the enemy s guns, 
 when, General Gregg having come up, we were ordered to the rear to 
 protect the recrossing of General Buford. Before General Buford 
 had recrossed, I was ordered to his side. Lieutenant-Colonel Clen- 
 dennin, of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, being present, I immedi 
 ately turned over the command to him, to whom the regimental 
 reports were made. In consequence I can furnish no list of cas 
 ualties in the command, nor can I mention instances of bravery 
 and ability which came under my immediate notice, without, per 
 haps, injustice to others equally deserving. Yet I would not omit 
 to mention Captain Foote and Lieutenant Cutler, of the Eighth 
 New York, who fell mortally wounded just before we gained pos 
 session of the timber. At the same time my adjutant, Gam. S. 
 Taylor, Third Indiana Cavalry, and Lieutenant Herrick, of the 
 Ninth New York, were slightly wounded. 
 a Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "W. S. McCLURE, 
 
 "Major Commanding Third Indiana Cavalry and Detachment of 
 Ninth New York and Third (West) Virginia Cavalry. 
 "Lieut. J. H. MAHNKIN, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General." 
 One officer and twenty-two enlisted men of the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry were wounded in this engagement. 
 
 These June days of 1863 were strenuous ones for the cavalry 
 of the Army of the Potomac. It had been disclosed by the battle 
 on the south side of the Rappahannock that Lee s army was moving 
 towards Pennsylvania, behind that river and the mountains. The 
 enemy seemed to be anxious to know what the Army of the Poto 
 mac was doing to counteract this movement. They came through 
 the mountains in force at Snickersville Pass and took position at 
 Middleburg and Upperville. General Buford, commanding the 
 First Division of the Cavalry Corps, makes his report of the opera 
 tions at that time at page 920, Vol. XXVII, Part 1. He says: 
 
78 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 "I was ordered to Middleburg on the night of the 21st and 
 reached there shortly after daylight, and started to turn the 
 enemy s flank. I took Colonel Gamble s and Colonel Devin s 
 brigades and pushed for Upperville. My advance was disputed 
 pretty warmly by the enemy, but he made no stand save with his 
 skirmishers. These were severely punished. 
 
 "When a mile from Upperville, I saw a large force in front of 
 General Gregg, who appeared to be outnumbered. I resolved to go 
 to his aid. The column struck a brisk trot, but ran afoul of so 
 many obstructions in the shape of ditches and stone fences that it 
 did not make fast progress and got out of shape. While in this 
 position, I discovered a train of wagons and a few troops to my 
 right marching at a trot, apparently making for Ashbys Gap. I 
 turned the head of my column towards them and very soon became 
 engaged with a superior force. The enemy brought four twelve- 
 pounder guns into position and made some excellent practice on 
 the heads of my regiments as they came up. The gunners were 
 driven from the guns, which would have fallen into our hands but 
 for two impassable stone fences. The enemy then came up in 
 magnificent style from the direction of Snickersville and for a 
 time threatened me with overwhelming numbers. He was com 
 pelled, however, to retire before the terrific carbine fire which the 
 brave Eighth Illinois and Third Indiana poured into him. As he 
 withdrew my rear troops came up, formed and pressed him back 
 to the mountains. He was driven over the mountains into the 
 valley." 
 
 The casualties of the Third Indiana in this battle were four 
 men wounded and one missing, and eighteen horses killed. 
 
 On the 22d of June, 1863, the day following this engagement, 
 Col. William Gamble, of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, commanding 
 the brigade, made the following report (Vol. XXVII, Part 1, 
 page 932) : 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 79 
 
 "Captain I have the honor to report the part taken by this 
 brigade in the cavalry fight of yesterday. The brigade, composed 
 of the Eighth New York, Eighth Illinois, three squadrons Third 
 Indiana and two squadrons Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, with one sec 
 tion of the First U. S. Artillery under Lieut. Michalowski, in all 
 about 1,600 strong, left Aldie at 5 a. m., marched to Middleburg; 
 from thence west across a ford at Goose creek, the rebel skirmishers 
 occupying the opposite bank under cover of a stone wall at the 
 ford. One squadron of the Third Indiana Cavalry was dis 
 mounted, and, with advance guard deployed, drove the rebels from 
 the opposite bank, when the column crossed and advanced south 
 on the Upperville road. Encountered the enemy one mile from 
 the ford, on the right of the road ; deployed in column in line of 
 battle, and a few well directed shells into the enemy dispersed 
 him rapidly in retreat through the woods southward. One mile 
 farther I found the enemy behind stone walls, near a house ; a few 
 more shells drove them again towards Upperville. Two miles 
 farther, the enemy s skirmishers, supported by artillery, were 
 found strongly posted. I deployed the column in line, advanced 
 and drove the enemy from two strong positions behind stone walls, 
 his guns continually throwing shells at us. We continued the 
 march and found the enemy strongly posted west of Upperville, 
 at the base of the mountain. The Eighth Illinois, Third Indiana 
 and Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, about 900 strong, leading the col 
 umn, came on rapidly at a gallop, formed in line, charged upon the 
 enemy s five guns amid a shower of shells, shrapnel and case 
 shot, drove the rebel gunners from their pieces, when the 
 enemy s cavalry, seven regiments strong, emerged from the 
 woods, and a hand to hand conflict ensued, the enemy out 
 numbering us three to one. We retired a short distance 
 behind a stone wall and maintained our position, repuls 
 ing the repeated charges of the enemy by well directed car 
 bine and pistol firing. The enemy then, on account of his superior 
 
80 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 numbers, attempted to turn both flanks, when a squadron of the 
 Eighth Illinois and one of the Third Indiana Cavalry were de 
 ployed to cover the flanks, and, after a sharp conflict repulsed the 
 enemy; after which the section of artillery arrived, supported by 
 the Eighth New York Cavalry, and shelled the enemy from his 
 position. The enemy then retreated towards Ashby s Gap, pur 
 sued for two miles by the First and Second Cavalry Brigades, 
 which at sunset returned and encamped on the battlefield, buried 
 the dead and took care of the wounded. Eighteen dead bodies of 
 the enemy were buried and over thirty of their wounded were 
 found, in addition to what they carried away. Horses killed, Third 
 Indiana eighteen, Eighth Illinois seventeen. 
 
 "WILLIAM GAMBLE, 
 "Colonel Commanding Eirst Cavalry Brigade." 
 
 Erom this battlefield the First Cavalry Division moved to Ed 
 wards Ferry and crossed the Potomac on June 27. General Bu- 
 ford, commanding the division, in his report (Vol. XXVII, Part 
 1, page 926) says: 
 
 "After passing the Potomac on the upper pontoon bridge the 
 division marched over almost impassable roads, crossing the 
 Monocacy near its mouth, by a wretched ford, and bivouacked on 
 the east side of the mountain, three miles from Jefferson; being 
 halted there by the whole train of General Stahl s division block 
 ading the road through the mountains. June 28, the division moved 
 through Jefferson and went into camp for the purpose of shoeing 
 and refitting. 
 
 "June 2 9, the Reserve Brigade (General Merritt s) was detached 
 and moved to Mechanicstown. The First and Second Brigades 
 moved through Boonesborough, Cavetown and Monterey Springs, 
 and encamped near Fairfield, within a short distance of a consid 
 erable force of the enemy s infantry. 
 
 "The inhabitants knew of my arrival and the position of the 
 enemy s camp, yet not one of them gave me a particle of informa- 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 81 
 
 tion, nor even mentioned the fact of the enemy s presence. The 
 whole community seemed stampeded and afraid to speak or to act, 
 often offering as excuses for not showing some little enterprise: 
 The rebels will destroy our houses if we tell anything. Had any 
 one given me timely information and acted as guide that night, 
 I could have surprised and destroyed this force, which proved next 
 day to be two Mississippi regiments of infantry and two guns. 
 
 "June 30 the two brigades moved out very early to go to Gettys 
 burg, via Fairfield. At the latter place my advance ran upon the 
 force referred to. I determined to feel it and drive it, if possible, 
 but, after a little skirmishing, found that artillery would have to 
 be necessarily used. Kesolved not to disturb them, for fear can 
 nonading from that quarter might disarrange the plans of the 
 general commanding. Fairfield was four or five miles west of the 
 route assigned me, and I did not wish to bring on an engagement 
 so far from the road I was expected to be following. I imme 
 diately turned my column towards Emmetsburg without serious 
 molestation, and was soon on my proper road and moving on to 
 Gettysburg, where I had reason to suppose I should find some of 
 General Stahl s (Kilpatrick s) cavalry. We entered Gettysburg 
 in the afternoon, just in time to meet the enemy entering the town, 
 and in good season to drive him back before his getting a foothold. 
 He withdrew towards Cashtown, leaving his pickets about four 
 and one-half miles from Gettysburg. 
 
 a The night of the 30th was a busy night for the division. No 
 reliable information of value could be obtained from the inhabit 
 ants, and but for the untiring exertions of many different scouting 
 parties, information of the enemy s movements and whereabouts 
 could not have been gained in time to prevent him from getting 
 into the town before our army could get up. 
 
 "By daylight on July 1, I had gained positive information of 
 the enemy s position and movements, and my arrangements were 
 made for entertaining him until General Reynolds could reach the 
 
82 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 scene. Between 8 and 9 a. m. reports came in from the First 
 Brigade (Colonel Gamble s) that the enemy was coming from 
 towards Cashtown in force. Colonel Gamble made an admirable 
 line of battle, and moved off proudly to meet him. The two lines 
 soon became hotly engaged, we having the advantage of posi 
 tion, he of numbers. The First Brigade held its position for more 
 than two hours, and had literally to be dragged back a few hundred 
 yards to a position more secure and better sheltered. Tidball s 
 battery, commanded by Lieutenant Calef, Second U. S. Artillery, 
 fought on this occasion as is seldom witnessed. At one time the 
 enemy had a concentric fire on this battery from twelve guns, all 
 at short range. Calef held his own gloriously, worked his guns 
 deliberately, with great judgment and skill, and with wonderful 
 effect upon the enemy. The First Brigade maintained this un 
 equal contest until the leading division of General Reynolds 7 corps 
 came up to its assistance, and then most reluctantly did it give up 
 the front. A portion of the Third Indiana found horse holders, 
 borrowed muskets, and fought with the Wisconsin regiment that 
 came to relieve them. While this left of my line was engaged, 
 Devin s brigade, on the right, had its hands full. The enemy ad 
 vanced upon Devin by four roads and on each was checked and 
 held until the leading division of the Eleventh Corps came to his 
 relief. After the fall of General Reynolds, whose advance troops 
 partially drove back the enemy and made heavy captures of pris 
 oners, the enemy brought up fresh troops and engaged General 
 Doubleday s command, which fought bravely, but was greatly out 
 numbered and forced to fall back. Seeing our troops retiring, and 
 their need of assistance, I immediately rushed Gamble s brigade to 
 Doubleday s left and dismounted it in time to render great assist 
 ance to our infantry and to check and break the enemy s line. My 
 troops at this place had partial shelter behind a low stone fence, 
 and were in short carbine range. Their fire was perfectly terrific, 
 causing the enemy to break and rally on their second line, which 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 83 
 
 made no further advance towards my position. Shortly after this 
 I placed my command on our extreme left, to watch and fight the 
 enemy, should he make another attack, and went to Cemetery Hill 
 for observation. While there General Hancock arrived and in a 
 few moments he made superb disposition to resist any attack that 
 might be made. 
 
 "My division bivouacked that night on the left of our position 
 with pickets extending almost to Fairfield. The zeal, bravery and 
 good behavior of the officers and men on the night of June 30 and 
 during July 1 was commendable in the extreme. A heavy task 
 was before us ; we were equal to it ; and shall ever remember with 
 pride that at Gettysburg we did our country much service. 
 
 "July 2 the division became engaged with the enemy s sharp 
 shooters on our left and held its own until relieved by General 
 Sickle s corps, after which it moved to Tawneytown and bivou 
 acked for the night. The next day, July 3, it moved to West 
 minster to guard the trains of the army at that point. 
 
 "July 4 the division marched towards Fredrick, en route to 
 Williamsport. July 5 reached Fredrick, drew supplies and re 
 mained all night. 
 
 "July 6, the whole division (the Reserve Brigade having 
 joined the night before) marched at 4 a. m. towards Williams- 
 port, to destroy the enemy s trains, which were reported to be 
 crossing the Potomac into Virginia. At about 5 p. m., when near 
 St. James College, the enemy s pickets were discovered, driven in, 
 and preparations made to capture the town. The enemy was 
 driven handsomely to within half a mile of his trains at the town, 
 when he came out strong enough to prevent our further progress. 
 General Merritt s brigade with Graham s battery was on the right, 
 Colonel Gamble s (First) brigade on the left and Colonel Devin s 
 (Second) brigade on the left as rear reserve. The enemy made 
 an attack upon Gamble, who had posted his men under shelter 
 and who held their fire until the rebel line came within short 
 
84 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 carbine range, when he opened upon it, doing terrible execution 
 and driving it back to its stronghold. This was repeated with 
 similar success. In Merritt s front the enemy made no direct 
 attack, but were so obstinate that General Merritt could not dis 
 lodge them without too much sacrifice. The enemy, however, 
 attempted to turn our right with a brigade of infantry. This 
 attempt was most admirably foiled by General Merritt. While 
 our hottest contest was in progress General Kilpatrick s guns were 
 heard in the direction of Hagerstown, and as they drew nearer I 
 directed him to connect with my right for mutual support. The 
 connection was made, but was of no consequence to either of us. 
 Just before dark Kilpatrick s troops gave way, passing to my rear 
 by the right, and were closely followed by the enemy. It now 
 being dark, being outnumbered, and the First and Reserve 
 Brigades being out of ammunition, Devin was ordered to relieve 
 Gamble and a portion of Merritt s troops. This being done, I 
 ordered the command to fall back, Devin to hold his ground until 
 the entire road to Antietam was clear. Devin handsomely car 
 ried out his instructions, and the division bivouacked on the road 
 to Boonesborough. 
 
 "The expedition had for its object the destruction of the 
 enemy s trains, supposed to be at Williamsport. This, I regret 
 to say, was not accomplished. The enemy was too strong for 
 me, but he was severely punished for his obstinacy. His casual 
 ties were more than quadruple mine. 
 
 "Colonel Chapman, with his regiment, dashed off to the road 
 leading from Falling Waters to Williamsport, destroyed a small 
 train of grain and returned with about forty mules and their 
 harness. At Williamsport Captain Graham fought his battery 
 with marked ability and to the admiration of all witnesses. The 
 officers and men behaved with their usual courage, displaying 
 great unwillingness to fall back and requiring repeated orders 
 before doing so. 
 
HlSTOBY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 85 
 
 "July 7 the division moved to Boonesborough, the Reserve 
 Brigade camping well in advance on the Hagerstown road, after 
 having a successful cavalry brush with the enemy s advance. July 
 8 the enemy attacked at 5 a. m. and the fighting lasted until 5 
 p. m. He was driven back about four miles, when the division 
 bivouacked for the night. July 9, attacked the enemy at 4 p. m. 
 and drove him handsomely about two miles. July 10 attacked 
 the enemy at 8 a. m. and drove him through Funkstown to his 
 entrenchments beyond Antietam, when he came out with a heavy 
 force of infantry and artillery and gave battle. The division held 
 the crest on our side of the town like veterans until its ammuni 
 tion was exhausted. Howe s division of the Sixth Corps was in 
 easy supporting distance, but had no orders to aid me. At 3 p. m. 
 I could no longer reply with carbines, for want of cartridges, and 
 consequently ordered the division to fall back. There was 
 splendid fighting on the part of the division on the 7th, 8th, 9th 
 and 10th. There was no faltering or hesitation. Each man went 
 to work determined to carry anything in reason. 
 
 "July 11 the First and Second Brigades moved in the after 
 noon in the vicinity of Bakersville. The reserve brigade was de 
 tached. July 12 and 13 remained at Bakersville and pushed 
 pickets to within 800 yards of the enemy s entrenchments at 
 Downsville. July 14 at 7 a. m. the division was ordered to 
 advance and at 7 :30 a. m. it was discovered the enemy had evacu 
 ated during the night. The few remaining scouts were run into the 
 rear guard of Lee s army, which was soon seen in front of Kil- 
 patrick, who had advanced from the north. Kilpatrick was en 
 gaged. I sent word to him that I would put my whole force in 
 on the enemy s rear and flank and get possession of the road and 
 bridge in their rear. The division succeeded in getting the road, 
 and attacked the enemy in flank and rear, doing him great 
 damage, scattering him in confusion through woods and ravines. 
 Our spoils on this occasion were one ten-pounder Farrott gun, 
 
86 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 one caisson, over 500 prisoners and about 300 muskets. General 
 Merritt came up in time to take the advance before the enemy 
 had entirely crossed and made many captures. The enemy s 
 bridge was protected by over a dozen guns in position and sharp 
 shooters on the Virginia side. As our troops neared the bridge 
 the enemy cut the Maryland side loose and the bridge swung to 
 the Virginia side. 
 
 "July 15 the division moved to Berlin. July 16 moved camp 
 to Petersville. July 17 remained at Petersville. July 18 crossed 
 during afternoon and encamped near Purcellville. July 19 
 marched through Philimont and encamped on Goose creek near 
 Rectors Cross Eoads. July 20 marched to Eectortown. Detached 
 General Merritt with his brigade to hold Manassas Gap, Gamble 
 to hold Chester Gap, and Devin with all the train moved to Salem. 
 July 21 Merritt in Manassas Gap; Gamble near Chester Gap, 
 finding it already in possession of a superior force of the enemy. 
 General Merritt and Colonel Gamble each had a fight and made 
 captures. July 22 wagon train sent to Warrentown in charge of 
 Sixth New York Cavalry. Devin moved to Barbes Cross Roads. 
 July 23 whole division concentrated at Barbes Cross Roads, re 
 maining until the 26th. On the 26th the division took possession 
 of Warrentown and Fayetteville, picketing the Rappahannock 
 river from Sulphur Springs to Kelleys Ford. 
 
 "During the whole campaign, from June 27 to July 31, there 
 has been no shirking or hesitation, no tiring on the part of a single 
 man so far as I have seen. To General Merritt, Colonels Gamble 
 and Devin, brigade commanders, I give my heartfelt thanks for 
 their zeal and hearty support. Neither of them ever doubted the 
 feasibility of an order, but on its reception obeyed its dictates to 
 the letter. The First Brigade captured 854 head of beef cattle 
 and 602 sheep at Chester s Gap, which were turned over to the 
 subsistence department at Markham, July 24. 
 
 "I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "JOHN BUFORD, 
 "Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding." 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 87 
 
 No excuse could be required for inserting in this history the 
 foregoing full account of the operations of the cavalry of the 
 Army of the Potomac, to which the battalion of the Third Indiana 
 belonged, written at the time by the brave, wise and well-beloved 
 commander of the division to which it was attached. It is a faith 
 ful diary of what was done by our branch of the service during 
 thirty-four days of most arduous service, at which time the 
 greatest battle of the war Gettysburg was fought, for it was 
 the turning point in the war. 
 
 But even more intimately was our battalion known by our gal 
 lant brigade commander, Col. William Gamble, of the grand old 
 Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and we will not pass from Gettysburg 
 until we have given his account of that mighty conflict as he saw 
 and acted his part in it. From Vol. XXVII, page 934, we quote 
 Colonel Gamble: 
 
 "About 8 o clock on the morning of the 1st instant, while in 
 camp at the seminary building, the officer commanding the 
 squadron on picket gave me notice that the enemy, consisting 
 of infantry and artillery in column, was approaching his pickets 
 from the direction of Cashtown, with deployed skirmishers in 
 strong force about three miles distant. This information was 
 immediately communicated to the general commanding the 
 division, who ordered my command to be in immediate readiness 
 to fight the enemy. My brigade consisting of the Eighth New 
 York, Eighth Illinois, three squadrons of the Third Indiana and 
 two squadrons of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, about 1,600 strong, 
 and Tidball s battery, Second U. S. Artillery was placed in 
 line of battle about one mile in front of the seminary, the right 
 resting on the railroad track and the left near the Middletown or 
 Fairfax (Fair field) road, the Cashtown road being a little to the 
 right of the center at right angle with the line. Three squadrons, 
 part dismounted, were ordered to the front and deployed as 
 skirmishers to support the squadron on picket, now being driven 
 
88 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALBY. 
 
 back by the enemy s artillery and skirmishers. Our battery of 
 six three-inch rifle guns was placed in position, one section on each 
 side of the Cashtown road, covering the approaches of the enemy, 
 and the other section on the right of the left regiment to cover that 
 flank. The enemy cautiously approached in column on the road 
 with three extended lines on each flank. His and our line of skir 
 mishers became engaged and our artillery opened on the enemy s 
 advancing column, doing good execution. The enemy moved 
 forward; two batteries opened on us and a sharp engagement of 
 artillery took place. In a short time we were compelled by over 
 powering numbers to fall back about 200 yards to the next ridge 
 and there make a stand. In the meantime our skirmishers, fight 
 ing under cover of trees and fences, were sharply engaged, did 
 good execution and retarded the progress of the enemy as much as 
 could possibly be expected, when it is known they were opposed 
 by three divisions of Hill s corps. After checking and retarding 
 the enemy s advance several hours, and falling back only about 
 200 yards from the first line of battle, our infantry advance of 
 the First Corps arrived and relieved the cavalry brigade in its 
 unequal contest with the enemy. In the afternoon the enemy 
 being strongly reinforced extended his flanks and advanced on our 
 left in three strong lines to turn that flank. The general com 
 manding the division ordered my brigade forward at a trot, to 
 deploy in line on the ridge of the woods, with the seminary on our 
 right. Half of the Eighth New York, Third Indiana and Twelfth 
 Illinois were dismounted and placed behind a portion of a stone 
 wall and under cover of trees. The enemy being close upon us, 
 we opened a sharp and rapid carbine fire, which killed and 
 wounded so many of the first line of the enemy that it fell back 
 on the second line. Our men kept up the fire until the enemy in 
 overwhelming numbers approached so near that in order to save 
 my men and horses from capture they were ordered to mount and 
 fall back rapidly to the next ridge on the left of the town, where 
 
GEORGE MIDDLETON AT 61. 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALEY. 89 
 
 our artillery was posted. The stand which we made against the 
 enemy prevented our left flank from being turned and saved a 
 division of our infantry. 
 
 "My brigade fought well under disadvantageous circumstances 
 against a largely superior force. Every officer and soldier did his 
 duty. The list of casualties is large, but could not be less, con 
 sidering the position we occupied. Major Lemon, Third Indiana, 
 was mortally wounded, since dead; Lieutenant Conroe, Twelfth 
 Illinois Cavalry, killed; Captain Fisher and Lieutenant Voss, 
 same regiment, wounded; Captain Follett, Eighth New York, 
 severely wounded; Captain Martin, Third Indiana, wounded; 
 Captain Morris, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, serving on my staff, 
 was wounded, and one of my orderlies was killed. Tidball s 
 battery under Lieutenant Calef, attached to my brigade, was 
 worked faithfully, did good execution and fully sustained its 
 former high reputation. This brigade had the honor to commence 
 the fight in the morning and close it in the evening. 
 
 "Near Williamsport, Md., July 6. This brigade was ordered 
 to engage the enemy on the left of the Boonesborough road, near 
 Williamsport, the reserve brigade being on the right of the road. 
 The Third Indiana Cavalry was ordered to capture and destroy a 
 train of seven wagons of the enemy on our left on the Downsville 
 road, which was successfully accomplished, making prisoners of 
 the drivers and those in charge of the train. The brigade was 
 then placed in line of battle, three-fourths of it dismounted to 
 drive the enemy s skirmishers; Tidball s battery of four guns 
 placed in position, supported by the balance of the mounted men, 
 opened on the enemy, many times our superior in numbers, and 
 did excellent execution; the dismounted men in the meantime 
 keeping up a sharp carbine fire, drove the rebel pickets on their 
 reserve. The dismounted men were under the immediate com 
 mand of the gallant and lamented Major Medill, Eighth Illinois 
 Cavalry, who fell mortally wounded. We held our position until 
 
90 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 dark and were then relieved by Colonel Devin s brigade and 
 ordered to fall back to Jones Cross Roads in the direction of 
 Boonesborough, which we reached about midnight ; the delay being 
 caused by Kilpatrick s division having been driven back in confu 
 sion from the direction of Hagerstown, completely blockading the 
 road in our rear and making it impassable for several hours. 
 
 "Near Boonesborough, Md., July 8. The enemy was reported 
 advancing on the Hagerstown road. General Buford ordered my 
 brigade to take position on the crest of the ridge on the right of 
 the road to Hagerstown, about one and one-half miles from 
 Boonesborough, my dismounted men thrown out to the front 
 and in a strip of woods on the right of the road ; the battery being 
 in position on the center of the line, supported by the mounted 
 men. The rebels moved forward to drive in our skirmishers, sup 
 ported by their battery, but after a sharp contest were unable to 
 drive me from my position on the right. The enemy, however, 
 gradually worked round on the left, driving the skirmishers of 
 Kilpatrick s division; placed a section of artillery so as to bring 
 a crossfire on my brigade, when I was ordered to fall back on 
 Boonesborough. Afterwards Kilpatrick s division was relieved 
 on the left and placed on the right; but being unable to dislodge 
 the enemy from the woods I formerly occupied, my brigade was 
 ordered forward, the battery placed in position under a heavy fire. 
 Three-fourths of the brigade were dismounted and ordered to 
 drive the enemy out of the woods in front, which was accom 
 plished rapidly under a heavy fire of shell and musketry. Gen. 
 Buford in person leading the advance line of skirmishers, drove 
 the enemy three miles and across Beaver creek, on the Williams- 
 port or Funkstown road. General Kilpatrick with two squadrons 
 of his command galloped down the road within a short distance of 
 the enemy, halted, looked at each other and retired, when the dis 
 mounted men of my brigade came up and drove the enemy across 
 Beaver creek. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 91 
 
 "Near Funkstown, Md., July 10. The brigade having driven 
 the rebels along the Hagerstown road from Beaver creek to within 
 three miles of Funkstown on the 9th instant, we advanced again 
 on the 10th instant with dismounted skirmishers and artillery, 
 supported by the balance of the mounted men. The division ad 
 vanced in line of battle; reserve brigade on the right, First 
 Brigade in the center and on both sides of the road, and the 
 Second Brigade on the left. Drove the enemy rapidly under a 
 heavy fire of artillery and musketry into Funkstown on a large 
 reserve of the enemy. We occupied the heights above Funkstown 
 with Tidball s battery, under Lieutenant Calef, which did good 
 execution, and our skirmish line was advanced to the suburbs of 
 the town. The enemy tried hard with a much superior force to 
 dislodge us from our position, but so long as our ammunition 
 lasted he was unable to do so. Our infantry finally arrived to 
 within a half mile of our rear, and although we were hard pressed 
 by the enemy and nearly all our ammunition expended, the in 
 fantry pitched their shelter tents and commenced cooking and 
 eating in spite of repeated requests to the commanding officer of 
 the infantry to occupy our excellent position and relieve us. When 
 our ammunition was expended we were ordered by General Bu- 
 ford to fall back. The rebels then occupied our position and our 
 infantry afterwards had to retake it with the unnecessary loss of 
 several killed and wounded. 
 
 "Near Falling Waters, Md., July 14. On the morning of the 
 14th instant the brigade was ordered to march on the enemy in 
 the direction of Downsville from our camp near Bakersville. We 
 proceeded in that direction, found the enemy s earthworks at 
 Downsville abandoned, and were informed that the enemy had re 
 treated towards Falling Waters and Williamsport, so as to cross 
 the Potomac during the night. The brigade marched rapidly 
 towards Falling Waters, and when near there observed a division 
 of the enemy intrenched on a hill covering the approach to the 
 
92 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 ford. The brigade, in connection with the other brigades of the 
 First Cavalry Division, was ordered to move round to flank and 
 attack the enemy in the rear, to cut them off from the ford and 
 capture them, which we could easily have accomplished. During 
 this movement I saw two small squadrons of General Kilpatrick s 
 division gallop up the hill to the right of the rebel infantry, in 
 line of battle behind their earthworks. Any competent cavalry 
 officer of experience could foretell the result. These two squadrons 
 were instantly scattered and destroyed by the fire of the rebel 
 brigade ; not a single dead enemy could be found when the ground 
 was examined a few hours afterward. This having alarmed the 
 enemy, he fell back toward the ford before we could get round in 
 his rear. We, however, with our dismounted men attacked him 
 in flank on rough ground and had a sharp carbine engagement, 
 taking about 511 prisoners, sixty-one of whom together with 300 
 stands of arms were turned over to an officer of Kilpatrick s 
 division by mistake ; also a three-inch Parrott gun, captured from 
 the enemy by the Eighth New York Cavalry, which was after 
 wards sent by General Kilpatrick to the camp of this brigade, 
 where it properly belonged. 
 
 "July 21 and 22. In obedience to orders this brigade marched 
 from near Rector stown, Va., to Chester Gap (about twenty 
 miles), arriving in that vicinity at 3 :30 p. m., July 21. About a 
 mile from the Gap our advance line of skirmishers encountered 
 the enemy s pickets. I dismounted six squadrons and drove the 
 enemy s pickets to the crest of the Gap on their reserve, which 
 was found to consist of Pickett s division of infantry, ope regi 
 ment of Jones cavalry and a battery of six guns, occupying the 
 Gap on the crest of the mountain. Upon obtaining this informa 
 tion and not having a sufficient force to drive the enemy from the 
 Gap, and having no support nearer than twenty miles, we fell 
 back one and one-half miles from the Gap. We here took position 
 so as to cover the two roads leading from the Gap, one towards 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 93 
 
 Barbes Cross Roads and the other to Little Washington and 
 Sperryville; placed the guns in battery and a strong line of 
 pickets in front and flank. We captured to-day twenty-three pris 
 oners, eighty-four horses, twelve mules, 654 beef cattle, 602 sheep, 
 all purchased and on the way to be delivered to the rebel army at 
 the Gap, in charge of a commissary agent and his son, who were 
 captured. 
 
 "July 22 at 8 a. m. my pickets reported the enemy advancing 
 from the Gap in column with skirmishers on the road towards 
 Sperryville. When the enemy s column came within easy range 
 we opened fire on it with artillery and the carbines of the dis 
 mounted men so effectually that the column, with its wagon train, 
 halted and fell back out of our range; his advance guard and 
 skirmishers being still engaged with ours, continued firing, we 
 holding our position and preventing the head of Longstreet s corps 
 from moving forward from the Gap from 8 a. m. till 6 p. m. The 
 enemy then brought five regiments of infantry around out of sight 
 in the woods and, approaching my left flank, drove in our skir 
 mishers, and only by overwhelming numbers compelled me to fall 
 back slowly towards Barbes Cross Roads, keeping my videttes and 
 pickets watching the enemy. 
 
 "WILLIAM GAMBLE, 
 "Colonel Commanding First Brigade, First Cavalry Division. 
 
 "Capt. T. C. BACON, 
 
 "Assistant Adjutant-General First Cavalry Division." 
 
 As will be seen by the list in another part of this volume, the 
 Third Indiana Cavalry suffered severely in this great battle, both 
 in killed and wounded; among the former being Maj. Charles 
 Lemon, who had been with the regiment from the organization, 
 first as lieutenant, then captain of Company D and later as major 
 by promotion in line. He was every inch a soldier, both wise in 
 counsel and brave in action, and, while he was a strict disciplin 
 arian, the men well knew he never asked of them other than 
 
94 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 what he deemed just and what he conceded could justly be exacted 
 of him by his superiors. He had never been absent from duty and 
 when the casualty of battle removed him his loss was felt in the 
 regiment. 
 
 In the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac on the 31st 
 of July, 1863, under General Meade, the First Brigade of Bu- 
 ford s remained the same with the exception that two squadrons 
 of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry were attached to the Third Indi 
 ana Cavalry, under Colonel Chapman. 
 
 There was quietude on the picket line, established on the 26th 
 of July from Sulphur Springs to Kelleys Ford on the Rappahan- 
 nock, until the 4th of August, when 2,000 rebel cavalry with six 
 guns attacked the line of the First and Reserve Brigades. Of this 
 General Buford says (Vol. XXIX, page 22) : "He drove my 
 pickets back about 1,500 yards, when the division came up and 
 drove him nearly two miles. My picket line tonight is 800 yards 
 from where it was yesterday. The enemy s reconnoissance was 
 an utter failure. My casualties are trifling, say five to ten. The 
 First and Reserve Brigades behaved like heroes." 
 
 The army moved south of the Rappahannock and encamped 
 around Culpepper and Stevensburg, the cavalry camping near the 
 latter point a short distance from Germania Ford on the Rapidan 
 river. The rebel army was south of the Rapidan, and their cavalry 
 picketed the fords from their side, as we did from our side. There 
 was little disturbance, save occasional artillery firing when some 
 body of troops exposed itself within range of the enemy s guns. 
 During this time, on the 10th of October, Colonel Chapman was 
 placed in command of the First Brigade, Major McClure of the 
 Third Indiana Cavalry and Capt. Henry L. Reans was given 
 command of the four companies of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, 
 heretofore attached to the Third Indiana. 
 
 The records from which we have so often quoted, and which 
 have been our main reliance in the writing of this history, unfor- 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 95 
 
 tunately do not always tell all that should be told. We are unable 
 to find any account of a reconnoissance made by Buford s division 
 and a portion of Kilpatrick s command on the 21st and 22d of 
 September, 1863, while those troops lay in camp around Stevens- 
 burg. This expedition crossed the Kapidan on the 21st and also 
 crossed Robertson s river, camping for the night on the outskirts 
 of Madison Court House. Early next morning Kilpatrick moved 
 on through Madison Court House and Buford moved down the 
 north side of Beautiful river, with company F, Third Indiana, 
 in advance, with skirmishers in front. Major Patton commanded 
 the regiment, the Major himself with his bugler being with the 
 skirmishers. Some three or four miles out from Madison Court 
 House the skirmishers ran on to rebel cavalry, and when the first 
 shots were fired Major Patton came back to Company F and told 
 Captain Moffitt of that company to get ready as the enemy was 
 coming. To the right of the road the land sloped down to the 
 river, and the left was a level open woodland. Two hundred 
 yards in front was an opening or farm, the road making a sharp 
 turn around a thick clump of underbrush in the corner of a field. 
 The enemy in coming at us had to pass this corner and clump of 
 underbrush before coming into view of Company F, which was 
 formed at right angles with the road, the left well forward. In 
 this position a squadron of the First North Carolina Cavalry with 
 a yell came full drive on a charge around the corner above re 
 ferred to. As they came out from behind the clump of under 
 brush Company F gave them a full volley with their carbines 
 which quieted the rebel yell, most of the charging column wheeled 
 and broke back on the road from whence they came. The officer 
 in command of the charging rebel column with about a dozen 
 men continued the charge and surrendered when he reached our 
 artillery, while the few men with him dashed down the slope of 
 the hill with Company F after them, and right there killed, 
 wounded and captured ten men. 
 
96 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 After falling back, the enemy dismounted behind the clump of 
 underbrush that had been our source of concealment and began 
 firing at our men who were still mounted. There Hez Daily, 
 Louis Klussmann and Pollard J. Brown were wounded and James 
 Mount s horse shot dead under him. The company lost twelve 
 horses in this part of the fight. Company B of the Third Indiana 
 here came to the support of Company F and the battalion, which 
 was then dismounted, soon had the rebels routed from their hiding 
 place and on the run. It was said the first volley of Company F 
 killed twelve men and wounded a number more; a number of 
 horses were left dead in the road. The Third Cavalry was 
 ordered to hold the line it had won, and while so holding it Ben 
 jamin Loder of Company F was killed and two or three others 
 wounded. There was skirmishing at this point for two or three 
 hours, when the Third Cavalry was ordered to mount and charge, 
 which they did, following the rebels about a mile and a half. 
 Then the command crossed the ford at Beautiful river and was 
 soon on its way to camp at Stevensburg. 
 
 On the 10th of October, 1863, General Buford was ordered to 
 force the enemy s line at Germania Ford (Vol. XXIX, page 348, 
 Part 1), drive the enemy before him and move around to 
 Mortons Ford and communicate with General Newton, com 
 manding the First Army Corps, who was instructed to force a 
 passage there. The ford was passed the same day and Mortons 
 Ford reached that night, where we camped ; the enemy being there 
 also in their entrenchments. The First Corps, which General 
 Buford expected to co-operate with him the next day, fell back 
 in the night. In this camp General Buford received orders that 
 he should have received earlier not to cross the Rapidan at all, 
 but to return and recross the Rappahannock at the station or 
 Kelleys. 
 
 It seems that after this forward movement had been ordered, 
 information had been received that Lee s army was moving by 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 97 
 
 the right flank of the Army of the Potomac by way of Madison 
 Court House, heading for Washington. This movement caused 
 a change in the plans of the general commanding the army, but 
 not until General Buford was in a "hot box." He says (Vol. 
 XXIX, page 348) : "I immediately started to recross the 
 Rapidan at Mortons Ford, driving the enemy from his inner 
 works. He retired towards Raccoon ; finding he was not followed 
 and receiving reinforcements, soon returned to retard my crossing. 
 The ford was bad and had to be repaired, which caused some 
 delay. During this crossing the enemy was very active on my left 
 flank, skirmishing and crossing the river above at Raccoon Ford. 
 This latter movement was discovered in time to foil his plans, 
 Colonel Chapman with all his brigade, that had crossed, being sent 
 to check him while Devin crossed his command. Colonel Devin 
 was sorely pressed as his force on the enemy s side was decreased, 
 but by frequent dashing and telling charges, and by the fire from 
 the two batteries on the north side, kept the enemy from closing 
 on his rear. Colonel Devin s command on this occasion was beau 
 tifully handled, fought too bravely and consequently suffered 
 quite severely. Captain Conger, Third (West) Virginia, by his 
 courage and hard fighting won the admiration of all who saw him. 
 While Colonel Devin was doing so well, Colonel Chapman with 
 his brigade had made preparation to meet the force that had 
 crossed at Raccoon, and a very warm reception he gave them. He 
 found a superior force of cavalry formed and ready to charge. 
 He speedily made his dispositions and as soon as completed down 
 came this overwhelming force of cavalry upon him, not to stay, 
 however, but to be hurled back dismayed, in confusion and ter 
 ribly punished. 
 
 "Shortly after the rout of this cavalry its support (infantry 
 force) advanced and Colonel Chapman withdrew from his posi 
 tion directly towards Stevensburg. When near Stevensburg the 
 Second Brigade connected, each line still followed closely by the 
 
98 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 enemy. Seeing a number of wagons passing along the road from 
 Culpepper through Stevensburg, towards Kelleys, I determined to 
 make a stand until they were all safe. Here the division fought 
 the enemy s cavalry until its support came up with long-range 
 muskets. The division then withdrew, making an obstinate re 
 sistance at Stevensburg until everything was safely across that 
 nasty stream, Mountain Run, after which it leisurely retired to 
 Brandy Station without a great deal of molestation from the 
 enemy, although closely followed by him. To my surprise, at 
 Brandy Station I found the rear guard of the Fifth Corps passing 
 through to cross the Rappahannock. I knew nothing up to this 
 time of how extensive this retrograde movement of our army was, 
 and here learned that General Pleasanton, with the Third Divis 
 ion, was still in the rear of the Fifth Corps. Arrangements were 
 immediately made to make a stand until the Third Division should 
 arrive. The enemy seeing the Third Division across the open 
 country, and being out of my sight, turned their column in that 
 direction. The Third Division soon made connection with my 
 right. As soon as this was accomplished the Sixth New York 
 charged, followed closely by the Ninth New York, and regained 
 the advantage that the enemy supposed he had. Here occurred 
 a severe hand-to-hand fight, Devin s troops using the saber. The 
 enemy pressed my left closely in retiring, and made several feints 
 in my front, but by 8 p. m. the division was across the Rappa 
 hannock." 
 
 The next day after this fighting and experience Buford s 
 division, the advance of the Fifth Corps, and General Sedgewick s 
 corps, all under the command of General Sedgewick, recrossed the 
 Rappahannock and drove the pursuing enemy to within one and 
 one-half miles of Culpepper. The men killed the day before were 
 buried and the wounded cared for. The same night Sedgewick 
 recrossed the Rappahannock, Buford s division of cavalry bring 
 ing up the rear and crossing the river about daylight on the 13th 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 99 
 
 of October, 1863. The division was in the rear of our army 
 trains which were at Catletts Station and Weaverville, and Bu- 
 ford s orders were to guard the rear and flank of the train on the 
 march from the Kappanhannock to Centerville by way of Brents- 
 ville. The wagon trains began moving at once but the division 
 lay in camp on the north bank of the Rappahannock until the 
 morning of the 14th. Longstreets s rebel corps had crossed the 
 Rappahannock on the night of the 13th above where Buford s 
 division lay and made a bee line across lots for the army train 
 passing at Catletts Station and Weaverville, and had the train 
 almost within its grasp as it reached Brentsville. There Warren s 
 corps of our army, marching on the south side of the Orange & 
 Alexandria railroad track, seemed to rise up out of the earth 
 between Longstreet s advancing troops and the army train parked 
 at Brentsville, and a furious battle, lasting from 11 a. m. until 
 after dark, ensued, in which a rebel brigade was captured just 
 after dark. The train was saved and moved on with Buford s 
 division in its rear, crossing Broad Run and Cedar Run with the 
 rebel cavalry still in pursuit. Buford s division was again struck 
 between Cedar Run and Bull Run by the enemy, who seemed to 
 suppose they would strike the wagon train there. The division 
 again gave him battle and drove him back, and the last wagon 
 safely crossed Bull Run and was parked with the main army at 
 Fairfax Station. 
 
 Thus ended the pursuit of the rebel army and its march on 
 Washington and the scare was over. Lee fell back across the Rap 
 pahannock and the Rapidan and took position at Mine Run. 
 Meade moved to that point prepared for battle, but it was not 
 fought. Meade then fell back to Culpepper and Stevensburg on 
 the north side of the Rapidan and went into winter quarters. In 
 all that strenuous campaign the Third Indiana did its full part 
 and was glad of the rest that came with winter. 
 
CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 After ten companies of the Third Indiana Cavalry had been 
 in the field something over a year, two new companies were or 
 ganized for the regiment in Indiana. The first of these was desig 
 nated Company L; its officers, Oliver M. Powers, captain, 
 George J. Langsdale, first lieutenant, and Simeon J. Mitchell, 
 second lieutenant, were mustered into the service on the 23d of 
 October, 1862. The second company was designated Company M ; 
 its officers, Charles U. Patton, captain, James W. Haymond, 
 first lieutenant, and James W. Stephens, second lieutenant, were 
 mustered into the service on the llth of December, 1862. Both 
 of these companies were detained within the State until Septem 
 ber, 1863, subject to the orders of the military authorities who 
 had charge of affairs in Indiana. 
 
 At the last named date these two companies accompanied a 
 body of troops under General O. B. Wilcox that were sent to East 
 Tennessee by way of Cincinnati and Cumberland Gap. These 
 companies performed duty with General Wilcox s command as 
 an independent cavalry organization until they reached Mary- 
 ville, East Tennessee, in February, 1864, when they joined the 
 other four companies under Lieutenant-Colonel Klein. From 
 that time on these six companies served together as one organiza 
 tion until the muster out of Companies G, H, I and K in October, 
 1864, after the fall of Atlanta and prior to the march to the sea. 
 
 On the 31st of January, 1864, the battalion of the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry was in the Second Brigade, commanded by Col. 
 William W. Lowe, Second Division Cavalry, Department of the 
 Cumberland. (Vol. XXXII, Part 2, page 290.) When in East 
 Tennessee they were under the orders of Ma j. -Gen. J. M. Scho- 
 field, commanding the Army of the Ohio. 
 
 100 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIED INDIANA CAVALRY. 101 
 
 On the 26th of April, 1864, General Sherman ordered General 
 Schofield to rendezvous his command, the Army of the Ohio, at 
 Charleston, Tenn., to become the left wing of the army in the 
 Atlanta campaign. At this time (Vol. XXXVIII, page 508) 
 General Schofield says : "The cavalry corps, save two regiments, 
 the Tenth Michigan and Third Indiana Cavalry, had been sent to 
 Kentucky in the early spring to be remounted." General Schofield 
 further says, "that preparatory to carrying out General Sherman s 
 order, by the withdrawal of the main body of the troops from East 
 Tennessee it was necessary to drive the enemy beyond the Wau- 
 taga river and effectually destroy the railroad bridges so as to 
 make East Tennessee secure from invasion by the enemy in force. 
 This was thoroughly accomplished by General Cox s division, 
 aided by the Tenth Michigan and Third Indiana Cavalry." 
 
 We have an official account, in a measure, of the work per 
 formed in the latter part of the winter of 1863-4 by the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry in East Tennessee, which we offer as the best 
 evidence of what the Western battalion was doing at that time. 
 The official record (Vol. XXXII, page 36, Part 1) reports the 
 Third Indiana Cavalry at Maryville, East Tennessee, most of the 
 month of January, 1864, and on the 14th of January, 1864, Col. 
 Klein makes the following report: 
 
 "Headquarters Third Indiana Cavalry, 
 "Maryville, Tenn., January 14, 1864. 
 
 "Sir I have the honor to report the following in regard to a 
 late expedition from my command up the Little Tennessee river, 
 in which I broke up a nest of guerrillas composed of absentees, 
 deserters and paroled soldiers from the rebel army, and rebel 
 citizens, who had been stealing stock and goods from loyal citizens 
 of Blount and Monroe counties, and taking the same to North 
 Carolina to sell. Their force was variously estimated from fifty 
 to two hundred strong, camped on both sides of the Tennessee 
 
102 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 river, at a place known as Chilhowee, twenty-four miles from this 
 place. 
 
 "I left camp with 100 men on the llth instant at 3 p. m. and 
 stopped at night at the Harrison Ford, eight miles from their 
 camp, until next morning. At early dawn I attempted to throw 
 half my forces across the river, which was difficult swimming for 
 a horse all the way across, the current being swift and much 
 ice running. Here I lost First Sergt. Bernard Kraft, Company 
 K, and his horse by drowning, and came near losing more. I was 
 only able to get twenty-eight men across on the best horses. We 
 then moved up the river on either side, in concert,, as fast as the 
 blockaded roads would admit, scattering their pickets and charg 
 ing into their camps, routing them completely; capturing one 
 captain, one first lieutenant and twenty-one men, their arms, 
 horses, equipments, etc., without further loss to us. The prisoners 
 have been put in charge of the provost marshal of this county to 
 forward to General Carter. The horses, arms and equipments 
 were taken up on my quartermaster s return. 
 
 "Having no intermediate headquarters to report to, I make this 
 report direct to your headquarters. 
 
 "Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "EGBERT KLEIN, 
 "Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. 
 
 "Assistant Adjutant-General, 
 
 "Headquarters Department of the Ohio." 
 
 From Headquarters, Third Division, Twenty-third Army 
 Corps, Knoxville, Tenn., February 21, 1864, Brig. -Gen. Milo S. 
 Hascall, U. S. Army, made the following report (Vol. XXXII, 
 Part 1, page 409) : 
 
 "Major While I was visiting my command on the other side 
 of the river yesterday the enemy attacked my picket posts on the 
 Sevierville road, and showed themselves rather prominently on 
 all the roads. I thought best to ascertain what was in our front, 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 103 
 
 and accordingly took the Fourth Tennessee Infantry, under Major 
 Patterson, about 150 or 175 men, and the left wing of the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. Robert Klein, about 200 men 
 in ranks, and started out on the Sevierville road, the infantry in 
 advance. About a mile out we encountered the enemy s outpost, 
 which was promptly driven away by the infantry. As soon as we 
 had the rebels fairly started in retreat I directed Colonel Klein 
 to go forward with his men and press the enemy vigorously till 
 he ascertained how much force they had. He at once obeyed the 
 order and fell upon them with great vigor, pushing them back 
 about two or three miles farther. Finally with two companies he 
 charged upon the Fourth and Eighth Tennessee (rebel) Cavalry 
 and succeeded in cutting off some 200 of them, but could only 
 bring off ten of them, one of whom was the adjutant of the 
 Eighth Tennessee. Having now ascertained from citizens and 
 the prisoner taken that it was two brigades of Martin s (rebel) 
 cavalry that we were contending with, and not deeming it prudent 
 to push any farther with my small force, as compared with theirs, 
 I directed them to withdraw. Colonel Klein lost six men 
 wounded, one of whom will die. The whole affair was very well 
 executed by Colonel Klein and proves him to be a remarkably 
 efficient officer. His men also behaved themselves in the most 
 creditable manner. There were no casualties in the infantry 
 force. I forward the report of Colonel Klein. 
 
 "All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 "MiLO S. HASCALL, 
 "Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding Division. 
 
 "Maj. G. M. BASCOM, 
 
 "Assistant Adjutant-General Twenty-third Army Corps." 
 
 Camp near Knoxville, Tenn., February 21, 1864 (Vol. XXXII, 
 Part 1, page 410) : 
 
104 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 "Sir I have the honor to report the following as the part 
 taken by my command in the affair of yesterday on the Sevier- 
 ville road: 
 
 "After the enemy s outposts were driven beyond our vidette 
 station, by General Hascall s order I passed to the front with 
 four companies, leaving one company to guard against a move 
 ment around our rear. I soon met the enemy in considerable 
 force and skirmished (both mounted and dismounted) with them, 
 driving them slowly until by a charge we drove the Fourth and 
 Eighth Tennessee Cavalry to where the remainder of their force 
 was dismounted and in line. Here I had every man in hotly 
 engaged, when, finding the odds too great against us, I thought 
 it prudent to withdraw, which was done in good order. As fruits 
 of the engagement I brought off one adjutant (Eighth Tennessee), 
 nine men and ten horses, and some arms, etc. 
 
 "My loss was six men wounded (one mortally), twelve horses 
 left on the field and six stands of arms. The enemy s loss was 
 greater, so far as could be observed. Five are known to be killed. 
 We had at one time as many as 200 men cut off, but were too weak 
 to hold them. 
 
 "Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "ROBERT KLEIN, 
 
 "Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. 
 "Capt. EDMUND R. KERSTETTER, 
 "Assistant Adjutant-General." 
 
 In the record (Vol. XXXII, page 496), covering a report by 
 Capt. John W. Hammond, commanding the Sixty-fifth Indiana 
 Mounted Infantry, at Chucky Bend on Chucky river, dated 
 March 13, 1864, we find the capture of a rebel scouting party by 
 the Third Indiana Cavalry that had been pursuing Captain Ham 
 mond s command, near Bulls Gap. In a report of General Scho- 
 field s, dated April 15, 1864 (page 670), he says: "The Third 
 Indiana Cavalry, reconnoitering beyond Greenville on the 14th, 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 105 
 
 surprised a body of rebel cavalry, killing ten, capturing fifteen, 
 including their leader, Reynolds." 
 
 Special Orders No. 93, dated Department of the Cumberland, 
 April 2, 1864, providing for the cavalry organization of that 
 army, assigned the Third Indiana Cavalry to the First Brigade 
 of the Third Division, commanded by Col. William W. Lowe, of 
 the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. After this assignment Gen. J. D. Cox 
 reports that he has the Third Indiana at Lick Creek, on the Wau- 
 taga river, guarding his wagon trains, and that the battalion had 
 also been assigned the duty of destroying the bridge over the Wau- 
 taga river at that point. 
 
 The official record indicates that the mounted service in East 
 Tennessee in the latter part of the winter of 1863 and the early 
 part of 1864 was to a large extent inefficient, the horses having 
 been starved and worn out by the campaigns of the early autumn 
 and winter, and these broken down troops had been sent to Ken 
 tucky to be remounted. The few cavalry organizations fit for 
 service had more than their share of work to perform. This was 
 particularly true of the Tenth Michigan and Third Indiana Cav 
 alry regiments, that were well mounted and always on the move. 
 So true was this of these troops that General Cox, in an order 
 issued at Strawberry Plains on the 22d of March, 1864, to Gen. 
 Stoneman, directed that if any of Colonel Klein s men were dis 
 mounted to mount them by dismounting men of Colonel Garrard s 
 command, and the same order applied to the Tenth Michigan. 
 (Vol. XXXII, page 110.) 
 
 There was no change in this character of the service for the 
 Western battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry until the organi 
 zation of the cavalry forces by General Sherman for the Atlanta 
 campaign, on the 2d of May, 1864, when we had the battalion 
 commanded by Major Gaddis attached to the First Brigade (com 
 manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Klein) of the Third Division, 
 commanded by General Kilpatrick. From that time on we .have 
 
106 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 their history in the reports of division, and, too seldom, brigade 
 and regimental commanders. E"ot in detail, but in a general way, 
 they tell us that they were a part of that mighty and irresistible 
 army under General Sherman that bore down all before it in its 
 march on Atlanta, and in its terrible conflicts around that stormy 
 center until the army cut loose and went on its march to the sea. 
 In that wonderful march it will ever be a source of pride that a 
 part of our regiment had some honorable part. 
 
 On the 2d of May, 1864, General Schofield moved from 
 Charleston, Tenn., to Dalton, Ga., with a force of 11,183 infantry, 
 678 artillery and 1,697 cavalry, making a total of 13,565 men, 
 and at the latter point was reinforced by 4,105 infantry, 115 ar 
 tillery and 1,493 cavalry, bringing the Army of the Ohio up to 
 19,268 men of all arms. Major-General Stoneman commanded 
 the cavalry corps and General Kilpatrick commanded the Third 
 Division of that corps. 
 
 On the 2d of May, 1864 (Vol. XXXVIII, page 855), from 
 Ringold, Ga., General Kilpatrick reports that under orders from 
 headquarters of the Army of the Cumberland, he made a recon- 
 noissance with all his effective force in the direction of Tunnell 
 Hill. "I moved through Hookers Gap at 4:30 a. m., met the 
 enemy one mile from Stone Church, drove him from one position 
 to another, and finally from his first camp at Tunnell Hill. 
 
 "Here he was found in large force, occupying a strong position. 
 The report of yesterday that the enemy had left Tunnell Hill 
 was a mistake, although I think he has cavalry only, possibly, too, 
 some artillery was used. My loss today is two killed, one mor 
 tally and two severely wounded." 
 
 Continuing (Vol. XXXVIII, page 857), General Kilpatrick 
 says: "My command left its encampment at Ringold, Ga., at 
 3 a. m. May 7, 1864, crossed Taylors Ridge through Nickajack 
 Trace, forced back the rebel cavalry covering the masking move 
 ments of the Twentieth Corps, Major-General Hooker command- 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 107 
 
 ing, of the Army of the Cumberland, and encamped near Trickum 
 Postoffice, May 7, 1864. May 8, 1864, moved to Villanow and 
 opened communication with the Army of the Tennessee, Major- 
 General McPherson commanding. Received orders and reported 
 with my command to Major-General McPherson on the south side 
 of Stony Face Ridge, at the entrance of Snake Creek Gap. Made 
 reconnoissance and scouted the country during the 9th, 10th, 
 llth and 12th of May, 1864. Led the advance of the Army of the 
 Tennessee in the attack on Resaca, drove the enemy s cavalry 
 and infantry skirmish line back behind their works, masking the 
 movements of our infantry until the force of the enemy was too 
 great to contend with longer, when I was relieved by the infantry 
 and the command took post, on the evening of May 13, on the 
 right of our army, then in line of battle before Resaca. I re 
 luctantly on the evening of the 13th resigned command of the 
 division, and proceeded to my home in the East to recover from 
 wounds received during the day. The command devolved on Col. 
 Murray, and afterwards on Colonel Lowe." 
 
 Colonel Murray s report as the successor of General Kilpatrick 
 in command of the division is found at page 862 of the same vol 
 ume, in which he says : "I proceeded to carry out the instructions 
 of Major-General Sherman, namely, to take possession of the cross 
 roads, thereby covering the formation of our infantry lines, which 
 being accomplished, in further pursuance of these orders put my 
 command in reserve, reporting to the general commanding. By 
 his instruction Lays Ferry was taken possession of, picketing it 
 at night. On the 14th moved, making demonstrations at Gideons, 
 Calhoun and Lays Ferry. At Calhoun, owing to the formation 
 of the banks and the direction of the stream, the guns of the 
 enemy completely covered the crossing. On the 15th moved to 
 Calhoun Ferry; 16th, moved with the command across a pontoon 
 at Lays Ferry; 17th, kept communication between General 
 Thomas column, moving on the Adairville road, and that of Gen. 
 
108 HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 McPherson, on the road to McGuire s. Colonel Baldwin, with 
 his regiment, moving in advance of General Logan, encountered 
 the enemy and successfully drove him all day. On the 18th 
 moved to Adairsville; 19th, to Kingston, hy a road parallel to that 
 occupied by the moving columns of the Armies of the Cumberland 
 and Tennessee, reporting to General Elliott, Chief of Cavalry, 
 Department of the Cumberland; on the 20th moved to a point 
 near headquarters, Department of the Cumberland, on Cassville 
 road, opening up communication with Major-General Hooker; 
 21st, turned over command to Colonel Lowe." 
 
 General Elliott, Chief of Cavalry, says (Vol. XXXVIII, Part 
 2, page 747) : a The Third Division under Col. W. W. Lowe, 
 General Kilpatrick being absent wounded, was left at Kingston 
 to guard the line of the Etowah river, with orders to obstruct all 
 fords, hold Gillems Bridge, but to remove the planks from flooring 
 to prevent its use by the enemy, and destroy all other bridges 
 which might possibly be used by them. The division was subse 
 quently assigned as follows: Third Brigade at Calhoun, head 
 quarters, with remainder of division at Cartersville, Ga., with 
 orders to patrol the line of railroad and scout from Cartersville 
 to Spring Place, Ga." 
 
 Col. W. W. Lowe reports briefly from Adairsville, June 4, 
 1864; from Kingston, Ga., June 10, June 11, June 16, June 23 ; 
 from Cartersville, Ga., July 7, 9, 12, 14 and 18, all briefly re 
 counting scouts, skirmishes and captures of small bodies of the 
 enemy and of property by various small bodies of his command. 
 On the 2d of July General Kilpatrick returned to his command 
 at Cartersville, Ga., relieving Colonel Lowe. 
 
 Resuming his report (Vol. XXXVIII, page 858), General 
 Kilpatrick says: "I left Cartersville August 3, 1864, and en 
 camped at Sandtown, on the Chattahoochee. On the 15th crossed 
 the Chattahoochee, took up position on the south side, fortified 
 and remained in camp until 5 p. m. on the 15th, when Colonel 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 109 
 
 Garrard crossed Camp creek, tore up portions of the railroad 
 below Sideling and destroyed the depot at Fairburn containing 
 government stores. On my return, scouting the country between 
 Fairburn and the enemy s position at Sandtown. I left my camp 
 on the evening of the 16th of August with the Third Cavalry 
 Division and two brigades of the Second, and two batteries of 
 artillery, with 4,500 men, to attack and destroy the enemy s com 
 munications. Pickets from the Sixth Texas were met and driven 
 across Camp creek, and the regiment routed from its camp a mile 
 beyond at 10 o clock in the evening. At 12 :30 a. m. General 
 Ross brigade, 1,100 strong, was driven from my front in the 
 direction of East Point and held from the road by the Second 
 Brigade, Third Division (Lieutenant-Colonel Jones), while the 
 entire command passed. The West Point railroad was reached 
 and a portion of the track destroyed at daylight. Here General 
 Ross attacked my rear. He was repulsed and I moved on the Fay- 
 etteville road, where I again found him in my front. He slowly 
 retired in the direction of Jonesborough, and crossed Flint River 
 at 2 p. m., destroying the bridge. 
 
 "Under cover of my artillery, Colonels Minty and Long, com 
 manding detachments from their brigades, crossed the river and 
 drove the enemy from his rifle pits. The bridge was repaired and 
 the entire command crossed and occupied Jonesborough at 5 p. m., 
 driving the enemy s cavalry in confusion from the town. I now 
 learned that the telegraph and railroad had been destroyed at Bear 
 Creek Station at 11 a. m. by a portion of my command under 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Klein and that General Armstrong had passed 
 through Jonesborough in that direction at 1 p. m. For six hours 
 my command was engaged destroying the road. At 11 o clock 
 Colonel Murray s division was attacked one mile below the town 
 and driven back. I now suspended operations upon the road and 
 attacked the enemy and drove him one mile and a half. 
 
110 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 "Fearing an attack in the direction of Atlanta, I moved before 
 daylight in the direction of Covington, five miles, and halted and 
 allowed the enemy to come up ; left one brigade to engage his at 
 tention and moved rapidly in the direction of McDonough, six 
 miles, thence across the country to the Fayetteville road, and 
 reached the railroad one mile above Love joys Station at 11 a. m. 
 on the 20th instant. 
 
 "On attempting to move on the station I encountered a brigade 
 of infantry and was repulsed. I and my command were only 
 saved by the prompt and daring bravery of Colonels Minty and 
 Long and Captain Estes, my assistant adjutant-general. The 
 enemy were finally checked and driven back with heavy loss. We 
 captured one battle flag. At this moment a staff officer from Col. 
 Murray informed me that a large force of cavalry, with artillery, 
 had attacked his rear. In twenty minutes I found that I was 
 completely enveloped by cavalry and infantry with artillery. 
 
 "I decided at once to ride over the enemy s cavalry and retire 
 over the McDonough road. A large number of my people were dis 
 mounted, fighting on foot, it taking some time to mount them and 
 form my command for the charge. During the delay the enemy 
 constructed long lines of barricades on every side. Those in front 
 of his cavalry were very formidable. Pioneers were sent in ad 
 vance of the charging column to remove the obstructions. Colonel 
 Minty, with his command in three columns, charged, broke and 
 rode over the enemy s left. Colonel Murray with his regiments 
 broke their center, and in a moment General Jackson s division, 
 4,000 strong, was running in great confusion. It was the most 
 perfect rout any cavalry had sustained during the war. We cap 
 tured four guns (three were destroyed and one brought off) ; three 
 battle flags were taken; his ambulances, wagons and ordnance 
 train captured and destroyed as far as possible; many prisoners 
 were taken and his killed and wounded is known to be large. My 
 command was quickly re-formed; thrown into position, fought 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. Ill 
 
 successfully the enemy s infantry for one hour and forty minutes, 
 and only retired when we found that we had left only sufficient 
 ammunition to make sure our retreat. 
 
 "We swam Cotton Indian creek and crossed South river on the 
 morning of the 21st and reached our lines near Decatur by way of 
 Lithonia, without molestation, at 2 p. m. August 22. We ef 
 fectively destroyed four miles of the Macon road, from Jones- 
 borough to Bear Creek Station, a distance of ten miles. One train 
 of cars was completely and a second partially destroyed. We 
 brought into camp one gun, three, battle flags, a large number of 
 fresh horses and mules and about fifty prisoners. My entire loss 
 in killed, wounded and missing will not exceed three hundred men. 
 Two hundred of this number were killed and wounded. Only the 
 dangerously wounded were left with the enemy. 
 
 "August 25 I moved with my command to Stevens Cross Roads, 
 one mile and a half beyond Union Church ; went into camp, cov 
 ering the entire country in front of the right flank of the Army of 
 the Tennessee, which had made its first day s march with the grand 
 army in its movement upon the enemy s communications. At 
 6 a. m. August 26 the command moved in advance of and upon 
 the right flank of the Army of the Tennessee, masking its move 
 ments; drove the enemy s cavalry, under Brigadier-General Ross, 
 to and beyond the railroad, and went into camp, August 27, on 
 the right of the army at Fairburn. 
 
 "In the movement upon the Macon railroad at Jonesborough 
 my command had the advance and, with the assistance of two regi 
 ments of infantry, the Second and Seventh Iowa Regiments, 
 Majors Hamill and Mahon commanding, steadily forced the 
 enemy back to within three miles of Renfro Place, the cavalry 
 moving on the right flank up to this point. Here the Ninety- 
 second Illinois Mounted Infantry under the direction of Captain 
 Estes, my assistant adjutant-general, pushed in ahead of the in 
 fantry, rushed the enemy back to and across Flint river, saved the 
 
112 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 bridge, crossed and took possession of the rifle pits beyond; a 
 brigade of infantry having been thrown across and pushed up the 
 hill in the direction of the station to the left of Jonesborough. 
 
 "I rapidly crossed three regiments of cavalry, moved in and 
 drove the enemy from the high hills on the right, while Captain 
 Estes with the Ninety-second Illinois made a daring but unsuc 
 cessful attempt to reach the railroad. This attack, made as night 
 was closing in, and although with considerable loss, yet resulted 
 most favorable to the success of the operations during the night and 
 the following morning, the brigade of infantry having been pushed 
 in well towards the station, far to the left of Jonesborough. This 
 determined attack of cavalry dismounted a mile to the right, with 
 considerable infantry skirmishing between, forced the enemy to 
 believe that a heavy force of infantry had crossed, and there waited 
 instead of making an attack, which might have proved disastrous. 
 My cavalry was relieved by infantry during the night, recrossed 
 Flint river the following morning and moved to Anthonys Bridge 
 one mile below. The bridge having been burned, was quickly 
 rebuilt and a portion of the command passed over and was pushed 
 well in upon the enemy s flank near the direction of the railroad. 
 
 "During the day a daring and successful attempt was made by 
 Captain Qualman (Third Indiana Cavalry) with a portion of the 
 Third Indiana Cavalry to reach the railroad and telegraph. A 
 section of the road was torn up and a mile of telegraph wire was 
 brought away, with the loss of one man killed. At 3 :30 p. m. of 
 the same day (August 31) the enemy made a determined attack 
 upon the infantry on my left. It seemed to be the intention of 
 the enemy to break or turn our right flank. At first he entirely 
 ignored my command. This I determined he should not do. Five 
 regiments of cavalry, dismounted, were in position behind barri 
 cades directly in the flanks of the charging column. My artillery 
 was in most favorable position. I directed the artillery to com 
 mence firing on the advancing column of the enemy, and the cav- 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 113 
 
 airy upon the opposite side of the river to meet and attack him. 
 This attack was determined and gallantly made. The enemy was 
 forced to turn and meet it. He moved down in heavy columns, 
 twice charged and was twice repulsed, but finally forced by my 
 people to retire from their rail barricades and across the river. A 
 portion of the enemy succeeded in crossing, were met by the 
 Ninety-second Illinois, dismounted, and repulsed. 
 
 "We held the bridge until relieved by the infantry under Gen. 
 Blair in the afternoon of the following day, when we moved to 
 Glass Bridge, below Lovejoys Station. We repaired the bridge, 
 which had been burned by the enemy, crossed and maintained our 
 position upon the opposite side for two days, constantly annoying 
 the enemy s flank and rear, repulsing with loss every attack he 
 made. We formed a junction with the right of the infantry of the 
 Army of the Tennessee near Lovejoys Station September 3. Re 
 mained in this position until 11 o clock September 5 and then 
 moved back, first to Anthonys Bridge, then to Red Oak and finally 
 to Sandtown, having covered the rear and flank of the Army of 
 the Tennessee in its retrograde movement from Lovejoys Station 
 to its present position. 
 
 "Before closing my report, I desire to assure the chief of 
 cavalry that the officers and men of my command have endeavored 
 zealously and faithfully to discharge every duty assigned them, 
 and I only hope that he and those of my seniors in rank are as 
 well satisfied with my conduct as I am with the efforts of my 
 command. 
 
 "Respectfully submitted, 
 
 "J. KILPATRICK, 
 
 "Brigadier-General U. S. Volunteers, Commanding." 
 
 On the 23d of August, 1864, at Sandtown, Ga., Lieut-Col. 
 Klein, who had been in command of the First Brigade, Third 
 Cavalry Division, for three days from the 18th of August, makes 
 this report (Vol. XXXVIII, page 868) : 
 
114 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 "At 11 p. m. of the 18th instant, with my command of thirteen 
 officers and 292 men, I left the main column at Steven s farm, 
 seven miles from the railroad at Fairburn. Agreeably to instruc 
 tions I tore up a portion of the track and telegraph wire, and at 
 2 a. m. on the 19th moved on Fayetteville road, reaching that 
 place at 7 a. m., meeting a small force and capturing some pris 
 oners, forty mules and twenty wagons, the latter of which were 
 burned. Moved on Griffin road to near Mount Zion Church, 
 turned to the left, crossed Flint river eight miles from Fayette- 
 ville and eight miles from Fayette Station on Macon railroad, at 
 which point I intended striking, but by a mistake of our guide 
 struck railroad four miles above Fayette at Bear Creek Station 
 at 11 a. m. Commenced tearing up track and telegraph wire, de 
 stroying over one solid mile at intervals of three miles along the 
 road towards Love joys Station, and three miles of wire, taking it 
 down, reeling and hiding it. The railroad ties were piled up and 
 iron laid on them and burned. 
 
 "At Bear Creek captured a train of nine cars loaded with 
 whisky, meal, wheat, lard and railroad trucks. This train was 
 run off railroad in a deep cut and burned. When three miles 
 towards Lovejoys heard another train coming and succeeded in 
 cutting it off between Lovejoys and the destroyed track, but I 
 found the guard of infantry too strong, and was disposing of my 
 force for a united attempt to take it when a cavalry force came in 
 on my flank, compelling me to defend myself in that quarter. In 
 a charge some prisoners were captured, from whom I learned that 
 Ferguson s and Armstrong s brigades of cavalry were upon me 
 and Reynolds infantry brigade also advancing. Under the cir 
 cumstances I deemed it prudent to get out of there. I had one 
 open road, across the bridge I had come over in the morning, or I 
 could have gone towards Griffin, which would have been certain 
 capture, for I had given up the prospect of meeting with the re 
 mainder of the expedition. ISFot being able to hear of them 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 115 
 
 from prisoners captured on the train or through Chapman s or 
 Ferguson s men, I decided to fall back on the road I had come 
 and put my decision in immediate execution, leaving railroad at 
 4 :30 p. m. When I reached the bridge across Flint river I found 
 it torn up by the enemy, but a friendly rail fence supplied the 
 place of planks, and my column was soon over and the bridge in 
 flames. When within two miles of Fayetteville the enemy came 
 in on my rear, via the ford from Love joys Station to Fayetteville, 
 and kept up a brisk fire with my rear guard, warming up as we 
 neared the town, when they opened on us in front, being posted in 
 front and in the town. We scattered them by a saber charge and 
 were not much harassed by them afterward. I passed through 
 Fairburn at 7 :30 p. m., one hour and a half after an infantry 
 force, intending to intercept us, had moved farther down in antici 
 pation of meeting us. I remained the balance of the night near 
 Steven s farm, reaching Sandtown at 11 a. m., 20th instant. I 
 brought in with me seventeen prisoners and forty mules. My cas 
 ualties were two men wounded and three captured. 
 
 "I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "ROBERT KLEIN, 
 "Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. " 
 
 After Colonel Klein returned from this expedition we get an 
 account of the battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry next in the 
 report of Maj. J. Morris Young, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, command 
 ing the First Brigade, Third Cavalry Division, from August 26 
 to September 8, 1864, found at page 869, Vol. XXXVIII, in 
 which that officer says : 
 
 "At New Hope Church, August 29, 10 a. m., Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Klein reported himself sick, and the command of the brigade de 
 volved on me." 
 
 This report was written at East Point, Ga., September 8, 1864. 
 Major Young says "that at 1 p. m. August 31 Captain Qualman, 
 Company K, and Captain Young, Company H, Third Indiana 
 
116 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Cavalry, were sent (from the crossing of Flint river due west of 
 Jonesborough) with 100 picked men to cut the railroad a few 
 miles below here. The balance of the brigade commenced bar 
 ricading and prepared to hold the opposite side of Flint river. At 
 2 :30 p. m. a demonstration was ordered by Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Jones, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, commanding the Second Brigade, 
 in favor of Captains Qualman and Young. A few moments past 
 3 p. m. our barricades were not as yet completed, Lieut. -Col. 
 Jones, with the Third and Eighth Indiana in the advance barri 
 cade and myself with the Fifth Iowa and Tenth Ohio in the rear 
 one, when the rebels attacked and soon developed a force that was 
 speedily enveloping the command. The rear barricade was held 
 till all were in from the front, when the ammunition was out 
 and our whole force retired across the river, remounted and 
 formed. In this last engagement the brigade lost one killed, six 
 wounded and seven missing. At 6 p. m. Captains Qualman and 
 Young returned with their command, having fully accomplished 
 their object, and, although constantly skirmishing with the enemy, 
 without a casualty. Barricaded and bivouacked for the night near 
 former camp. The gallant and successful undertaking of 
 Captains Qualman and Young, Third Indiana Cavalry, is worthy 
 
 of more than passing notice. 
 
 "J. MORRIS YOUNG, 
 
 "Major Commanding First Brigade, Third Cavalry Division/ 
 
 The report of Maj. Alfred Gaddis (Vol. XXXVIII, page 
 872), dated September 8, 1864, from Headquarters Left Wing 
 Third Indiana Cavalry, covers specially the operation of the bat 
 talion from August 26. That officer says: 
 
 "August 26, 1864, left camp at Sandtown at 12 p. m. with my 
 command of nine commissioned officers and 204 men. Marched 
 to Camp Creek and bivouacked for the night. August 27 took 
 the advance of the division, met the enemy s pickets one and a 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 117 
 
 half miles south of Camp Creek, charged and drove them one 
 mile east of Stevens Cross Koads and formed line of battle. Were 
 relieved by Colonel Murray s brigade. Went into camp at 
 Stevens Cross Roads for the night. August 28 advanced to New 
 Hope Church. One hundred men under Captain Qualman, Com 
 pany K, and Lieutenant White, Company H, were detached at 
 Stevens Cross Roads and sent by way of Fairburn. Encountered 
 about forty confederate cavalry near Fairburn. Drove them 
 through the town, sabering one and capturing some mules and 
 small arms. Had one man wounded. Returned to the command 
 at New Hope Church. Laid in line of battle until next morning 
 at 9 a. m. August 29 moved out on Jonesborough road, barricaded 
 and returned to New Hope Church and camped for the night. 
 August 30 advanced on the Jonesborough road, encountered 
 enemy s pickets, skirmished with them all day, driving them 
 across Flint river. August 31 moved down Flint river, crossed 
 the bridge within one mile of Jonesborough and barricaded, being 
 in right center of the division. Were attacked by infantry and 
 compelled to fall back and recross the river, with one man mor 
 tally wounded, since died; three severely wounded, four missing. 
 One hundred picked men under Captain Qualman, Company K, 
 and Captain Young, Company H, were sent to cut the railroad, 
 which was accomplished four miles south of Jonesborough. Re 
 turned and went into camp. September 1 moved out and barri 
 caded on Fayetteville road. September 2 moved to Fayetteville 
 and Griffin road. September 3 crossed Flint river and barricaded 
 on extreme right of our army. September 4 remained in barri 
 cades. September 5 moved to Fitzgeralds. September 6 formed 
 rear guard of Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps. 
 Went into camp at Flint river. September 7 picketed on left 
 flank of the Army of the Tennessee. September 8 returned to 
 
118 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 near Mount Gillead Church and went into camp. Casualties, one 
 mortally wounded, since died, six severely wounded, four missing. 
 
 "Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "ALFRED GADDIS, 
 "Major Commanding." 
 
 It is a part of the history of the capture of the train at Bear 
 Creek Station, referred to in Lieutenant- Colonel Klein s report, 
 that it was first sighted by Samuel N". Hamilton and James Jef 
 fries, two young boys of Company L, who, without taking into 
 consideration the serious danger and nature of their undertaking, 
 dashed up and leveled their carbines upon the engineer and con 
 ductor, demanding their surrender, which they promptly did. 
 These two youngsters had the entire train on their hands, without 
 knowing what to do with it, until their command came up some 
 minutes later and took charge of and sidetracked and burned it, 
 as recited by Lieutenant-Colonel Klein. Young Hamilton, who is 
 now a staid and leading physician at Connersville, Ind., was a 
 good deal of a dare devil all through his service in the army. He 
 was with Company M at the surrender of John Morgan, near 
 Salineville, Ohio, on his famous raid, and later in East Tennessee, 
 while an orderly at the headquarters of the Twenty-third Corps, 
 carried a dispatch a long distance through the enemy s country 
 to General Manson, countermanding an order for General Manson 
 to move on Bristol, Tenn. For his daring conduct he received the 
 personal thanks of General Manson. Dr. Hamilton served three 
 years and was not twenty years old when discharged. 
 
 After he was relieved from command in the Shenandoah Valley 
 and joined the army in the West, Gen. J. H. Wilson 1 , who had so 
 long had the Eastern battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry 
 under him as a part of his command, finding a number of men of 
 the Western battalion with the Western army, whose term of 
 service had not expired, made an effort to have the two wings of 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 119 
 
 the regiment consolidated, and in pursuance of that purpose wrote 
 to the Secretary of War as follows: 
 "Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : 
 
 "Sir I have the honor to recommend and request that steps 
 may be taken to secure the reorganization of the Third Regiment 
 of Indiana Cavalry. There are two companies of veterans orig 
 inally belonging to that regiment now serving with the Third 
 Cavalry Division under General Sheridan, and six companies 
 with General Kilpatrick in Georgia. Of the latter I am un 
 officially informed enough men have re-enlisted to make two good 
 companies. I would respectfully request that the two companies 
 in the Shenandoah Valley and those with Kilpatrick be ordered to 
 Indiana, and authority be given to Maj. Samuel Mclrvin, Major 
 Patton and Captain Lee to reorganize the regiment and bring it 
 into the field. Major Mclrvin has served three years with great 
 distinction (having entered the service from Indiana) in the Sec 
 ond New York, and was mustered out as major of that regiment. 
 Major Patton served three years with the Third Indiana Cavalry, 
 is a brave and zealous officer and soldier. Captain Lee now com 
 mands the veteran squadron of the regiment and is a young officer 
 of great promise. This request is made with a view of retaining 
 in the army one of the best regiments of cavalry that has taken 
 part in the war, and with the belief that its fame will render its 
 reorganization an easy matter for the Governor of Indiana and 
 the War Department. If conscripts or volunteers from Indiana 
 are to be given to cavalry regiments in the field, a sufficient num 
 ber might be assigned to the Third Indiana to allow it to retain 
 its regimental organization complete, without the necessity of 
 sending them home. 
 
 "I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "J. H. WILSON, 
 "Brevet Major-General Commanding," 
 
 (Vol. XXXIX, Part 3, page 758.) 
 
120 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 This urgent and complimentary recommendation of General 
 Wilson, as we know, was never acted upon, but the men of the 
 Western battalion whose term of service had not expired when 
 the main body was discharged were retained in the service. Byron 
 Dawson, who had been commissioned second lieutenant of Com 
 pany L on the 1st of September, 1864, was assigned to duty on 
 the staff of Col. Smith D. Atkins, of the Ninety-second Illinois 
 Mounted Infantry, who commanded the brigade to which the 
 Third Indiana belonged. 
 
 There are records to the effect that the remnant of the Third 
 Indiana in the West were consolidated with the Eighth Indiana 
 Cavalry, but that record is repudiated by Captain Patton, of Com 
 pany M. The captain says: "Just before the march to the sea 
 Company L was disbanded and used with the wagon trains, either 
 to drive teams or as train guards. They were never back with our 
 command during the war. I was ordered with Company M, and 
 the recruits left from other companies, to report to the Ninety- 
 second Illinois for duty, and did so, and was with that regiment 
 from Marietta to Savannah, Ga., but we were not consolidated 
 with any regiment. I received my orders from Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Van Buskirk, commanding the Ninety-second Illinois Mounted 
 Infantry, as a captain of the Third Indiana Cavalry, and reported 
 to him as such. After the fall of Atlanta our division was en 
 gaged in fighting Hood while making his flank movement. The 
 division was in many fights and skirmishes while on that cam 
 paign. 
 
 "At one time our company was ordered to take a bridge a short 
 distance ahead of us, our company being in advance. We charged 
 and took it, crossed over and found the enemy in force in earth 
 works. We were soon reinforced by the division. In that fight 
 Frank Caux, William Moore and two or three others of my com 
 pany were severely wounded. After that fight our division re 
 turned to Marietta for a short rest and to prepare for the march 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 121 
 
 to the sea. All the recruits of other companies, except Company 
 L, were left with Company M and made quite a battalion. I took 
 charge of headquarters of the Third Indiana and Comrade Adams 
 was acting adjutant. We marched quietly along for several days 
 and then came in front of Macon, where General Kilpatrick s 
 division engaged the enemy and drove them into the city. From 
 there we went into the interior of Georgia to tear up the Augusta 
 & Savannah railway, and were engaged in the hottest kind of a 
 fight on this raid with Wheeler s and Hampton s cavalry, which 
 had consolidated. They fought us on our flanks and rear, and 
 made it impossible for us to stop day or night. Kilpatrick halted, 
 built barricades, and when the enemy came up made an onslaught 
 they could not stand, and they fell back. We mounted and moved 
 forward, but the enemy was soon on us again, and then Kilpatrick, 
 in three columns, gave them the prettiest cavalry fight the world 
 has ever seen. After that we moved along without further trouble 
 from the enemy for several days. Then we resumed our march 
 to Savannah, and were fighting and skirmishing with Wheeler 
 every day until we reached the Ogechee river. From there we 
 went down to the coast, and were the first to signal the transports 
 which opened up communication with the government." 
 
 While Lieutenant-Colonel Van Buskirk makes no special men 
 tion of the services of the Third Indiana Cavalry on this march 
 to the sea, yet we find on page 395, Vol. XLIV, of the official 
 records that the detachment under command of Captain Patton 
 is credited with the capture of nine horses, three mules, five stands 
 of small arms, the destruction of eleven cotton gins and one saw 
 mill, and with the loss of twelve horses and three mules aban 
 doned. The report is as follows : 
 
 "Headquarters Ninety-second Illinois Mounted Infantry, 
 
 "Near Savannah, Ga., December 20, 1864. 
 
 " Captain I have the honor to make the following report of the 
 part which my regiment took during the campaign from Atlanta, 
 
122 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY, 
 
 Ga., through the center of the State, to a point near Savan 
 nah, Ga. : 
 
 "We left Atlanta, Ga., on the 15th of November, 1864, but 
 have nothing of record more than the usual duties of picketing 
 and scouting until the 20th instant, when near Macon, Ga., we 
 encountered the enemy, my regiment acting as advance guard of 
 the division. We drove them before us, charging them from be 
 hind several strong barricades, killing and wounding several and 
 taking a few prisoners. When near Walnut creek Company H, 
 Captain John F. Nelson commanding, was detached and ordered 
 to proceed to the railroad between Macon and Griswoldville, for 
 the purpose of tearing up the track and cutting the telegraph, all 
 of which was successfully accomplished. 
 
 "After driving the enemy across Walnut creek my regiment 
 was dismounted. One squadron, Captain Hawk commanding, on 
 the right and one squadron, Captain Becker commanding, on the 
 left, were ordered to cross the creek to support the Tenth Ohio 
 Cavalry in a saber charge. The enemy were driven into their for 
 tifications. The object for which the charge was made having 
 been accomplished, we were ordered to withdraw and recross the 
 creek, where we remained, holding the enemy in check until after 
 dark. Our casualties were two men wounded. After dark the 
 whole command withdrew, my men acting as rear guard. We 
 were stationed on picket duty during the night. 
 
 "On the morning of the 21st instant, my regiment being still 
 on picket, the enemy attacked the outposts at daylight. Skirmish 
 ing continued until about 6 a. m., when they charged the outposts 
 in front and on the flanks with not less than a brigade, driving 
 them back on the reserve. Still on they came in their furious 
 charge until within easy range of our guns, when we opened on 
 them a fire that sent them flying backward in great confusion, 
 leaving their killed and wounded upon the field. The punish 
 ment inflicted being so severe, they did not trouble us again. A 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 123 
 
 prisoner, since captured, reports their loss to have been sixty-five 
 men killed and wounded. Our loss was two captured. From the 
 21st to the 26th instant nothing worthy of record occurred, save 
 the incidents usual on a march. On the 27th instant my regiment 
 was detailed as rear guard. We fought the enemy all day, losing 
 but one man wounded. In our action with Wheeler on the 28th 
 instant my regiment formed the right center of the brigade, sup 
 porting a battery. The enemy charged but were beautifully re 
 pulsed. We lost one man wounded. 
 
 "Our usual routine of marching and picketing was uninter 
 rupted until December 2, when my regiment was placed on picket 
 on the railroad at Thomas Station to protect the infantry while 
 tearing up the track. We skirmished with the enemy, driving 
 them back sufficiently to take position. Skirmishing continued 
 until about 8 p. m. About 11 p. m. they got a battery in position 
 and shelled us. Our casualties were two men killed and one man 
 wounded. At daybreak on the 4th instant the enemy advanced 
 their skirmishers. Skirmishing continued until about 8 a. m., 
 when the division came up, and my regiment was ordered forward 
 in line, dismounted. We soon found the enemy strongly posted 
 behind barricades in greatly superior numbers. W T e at once 
 charged them, driving them from their successive lines of barri 
 cades, routing them in wildest confusion ; they throwing away their 
 arms and whatever else would impede their flight, many seeking 
 safety behind trees and under houses, leaving their killed and 
 wounded in our hands. My regiment captured some forty pris 
 oners, among whom was a major and a lieutenant. We lost in 
 this action three men killed and six wounded. 
 
 "Until the 8th instant nothing of moment occurred. On the 
 8th we had a skirmish with the enemy without casualty. We re 
 mained in line of battle nearly all night. On the morning of the 
 9th we crossed Ebenezer creek, leaving one battalion under com 
 mand of Captain Becker at the bridge to guard the prisoners, 
 
124 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 while they destroyed the bridge and blockaded the road. While 
 thus employed they were fired upon by the enemy s sharpshooters, 
 wounding one man. From the 10th to the 20th instant nothing 
 worthy of report occurred. 
 
 "I have destroyed during the campaign twenty-nine gin houses 
 and gins, containing about 1,460 bales of cotton, and one flouring 
 mill and one saw mill. We captured 106 horses and ninety-four 
 mules. The casualties of my regiment were five killed, twelve 
 wounded and twelve missing, making a total of twenty-nine men. 
 
 "The conduct of both my officers and men on all occasions is 
 worthy of the highest praise. 
 
 "Respectfully submitted, 
 
 "MATHEW VAN BUSKIRK, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
 "Commanding Ninety-Second Illinois Mounted Infantry. 
 
 "Capt H. J. SMITH, 
 
 "Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, 
 
 "Second Brigade, Third Cavalry Division." 
 
 Captain Patton continues as follows: "After the fall of 
 Savannah I received an order from General Kilpatrick, com 
 manding the cavalry division with which we had been serving, to 
 take my command and report to Colonel Jones of the Eighth 
 Indiana Cavalry for duty. This order I obeyed, and did duty 
 with that regiment through the Carolinas until after our time was 
 out. We crossed the Savannah river at Sisters Ferry, marched 
 several days, occasionally skirmishing with the enemy, until we 
 reached Black river, where we had a hot fight and drove the enemy 
 towards Augusta, on to their reinforcements, and we were com 
 pelled to build a barricade of rails and timber in^an open field. 
 Here the rebels charged us time and again, and we maintained 
 that post two days and two nights, and the attacking force moved 
 off. We then marched towards Fayetteville, S. C., on Cape Fear 
 river, and the rebels were marching on a parallel road half a mile 
 west of us making for the same point. This march was in the 
 
HISTORY OF THE TlIIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 125 
 
 night, and the rebels would come over on to our road and kill our 
 men in the dark, as they knew the country better than we did. 
 
 "We reached Fayetteville in the morning, crossed Cape Fear 
 River and went into camp. On an order from General Kil- 
 patrick I reported at his headquarters the next morning at day 
 break, and was ordered to make a reconnoissance from his head 
 quarters through the pine openings. We had not gone far until 
 we found the enemy and drove them before us, but soon came in 
 contact with the whole rebel army. General Kilpatrick came up 
 with the division and this was the opening of the great three days 7 
 fight at Bentonville. 
 
 "After this battle we were encamped quite a while at Milton, 
 N. C., and while there Company M received orders from the War 
 Department on the 15th of April, 1865, to be mustered out of 
 
 service." 
 
 The officers of Company L were commissioned on the 23d of 
 October, 1862, and the officers of Company M were commissioned 
 on the llth of December, 1862. Both companies were detained 
 in Indiana until September, 1863, performing various kinds of 
 duty, and Company M took part in the Morgan raid, and fought 
 and captured a body of twenty-two of the raiders at ^N"ew Provi 
 dence, Ind., for which they were publicly thanked by General 
 Wilcox, commanding the department. The two companies went 
 with General Wilcox to East Tennessee by way of Cumberland 
 Gap, and at Marysville for the first time, in February, 1864, be 
 came a part of the Western battalion of the Third Indiana Cav 
 alry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Klein. 
 
 According to the report of Lieut. -Col. Fielder A. Jones, written 
 on the 27th of March, 1865, from the headquarters of the Eighth 
 Indiana Cavalry (Vol. XL VII, Part 1, page 870), his command 
 left Savannah, Ga., on the morning of January 28, 1865, the 
 command consisting of the Eighth Indiana Cavalry and a detach 
 ment of Third Indiana Cavalry, which latter body was under the 
 
126 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 command of Capt. Charles U. Patton, Company M, Third 
 Indiana. First met the enemy on the 10th of February, 1865, 
 at Johnsons Station, driving him from several barricades on to 
 his main force, and fought him until recalled by order of Colonel 
 Jordan, commanding brigade. On the llth of February the 
 enemy charged the Eighth Indiana, in position at Johnsons Sta 
 tion, and were repulsed with the loss of the adjutant and three 
 men of the Twelfth Alabama Cavalry killed and several others 
 wounded. In his report Lieutenant-Colonel Jones says: 
 
 "On the morning of March 16, 1865, near Averasborough, 
 N". C., I was ordered into position to cover the right flank of an 
 infantry brigade, and to move with it against the enemy. We had 
 hardly left our camp before we struck the enemy in line and in 
 strong force. Finding myself near his flank, I charged him vig 
 orously and routed an entire brigade of South Carolina infantry. 
 Had our infantry been pushed it is my firm belief that we would 
 have captured the enemy s works, artillery and many prisoners 
 without firing a shot. As it was, the cavalry alone took several 
 prisoners and drove the rebels in wildest confusion into their 
 works. Had there been solid ground I should have taken their 
 works with cavalry, but the rains of the previous night had made 
 the country one vast mire, which checked the impetus of our charge 
 and gave the enemy time to reform behind their works. Finding 
 further operations on horseback impossible, I dismounted my com 
 mand and led horses to the rear. The enemy, seriously alarmed for 
 the safety of his left flank, commenced rapidly re-enforcing that 
 flank, and I soon found I was fighting several times my number 
 and ordered my lines to reconnect with the infantry. The enemy 
 seeing my movement and judging it to be a retreat, charged me 
 in great force. We immediately came to about face, gave two 
 or three volleys from our Spencers and made a center charge, 
 causing the foe to quickly seek shelter in his works. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 127 
 
 "Although fighting many times our number, and infantry, too, 
 and our lines very attenuated, yet it seemed that every officer and 
 man of my command felt that our position was vital to the safety 
 of the infantry on our left, and was determined to hold it at every 
 hazard. The enemy charged us repeatedly in great force; we 
 always met his charges with a volley and a counter-charge, and 
 whatever were the odds against us we always drove them back 
 into their works. I can safely say that no better fighting has been 
 done in this war than was done that day by this command, and I 
 am satisfied that we attracted the attention of the enemy and so 
 seriously threatened his left that he did not observe the movements 
 of the force which was turning his right until it was too late to 
 oppose it. My loss was heavy, but examination of the field shows 
 that the enemy suffered far heavier than we did. My command 
 operated with the brigade on the right flank of Johnston s army 
 at Bentonville, and on the evening of the 20th of March Captain 
 Crowell passed around the right flank of the enemy and got, in 
 fact, in rear of his artillery, but his force was so small he could 
 not take advantage of his discovery. 
 
 "My thanks are due to Major Herring for efficient aid rendered 
 both in action and on the march. Captains Crowell, Leavell and 
 Mitchell, commanding battalions of the Eighth Indiana, have 
 proved themselves competent for that command. They are fine 
 soldiers and in connection with Major Herring and Captain Pat- 
 ton, commanding Third Indiana, are commended for promotion. 
 
 a We lost one officer and twelve men killed, seven officers and 
 fifty-five men wounded, and twenty enlisted men missing; we lost 
 twenty-five horses killed and twenty-six wounded in action on 
 March 16. Very respectfully, 
 
 "F. A. JONES, 
 "Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. " 
 
CHAPTEK V. 
 
 The winter of 1863-4 was a period of thrilling interest in the 
 history of the American Union. In the East and in the West great 
 armies had contended for the mastery on many bloody battlefields, 
 but in the minds of thoughtful persons there was little in the out 
 come of these conflicts which foretold final results. Grim deter 
 mination characterized the people on both sides of the struggle and 
 their armies in the field. The South entertained no thought of 
 surrender and the North no thought of giving up the contest until 
 every seceding state was restored to the Union and rebellion 
 crushed out. Our armies in the East and in the West had been 
 led by different commanders with varying results. We generally 
 claimed victories whether we had won them or not. When the 
 peninsular campaign began in the spring of 1862 on James river 
 and the Chickahominy it developed into our bloody defeat at 
 Second Bull Run, and ended for the year at Antietam in northern 
 Maryland, near the southern border of Pennsylvania. The cam 
 paign of 1863 began at Fredricksburg, Va., under Burnsides, 
 was continued at Chancellorsville under Hooker, and practically 
 closed at Gettysburg, Pa., under Meade, two hundred and fifty 
 miles north of where it had begun and on Northern soil. When 
 the enemy retired in good order from this last great battle and 
 was ready to renew the conflict on its own soil in Virginia re 
 gardless of what might be claimed by those immediately concerned 
 to those looking on from afar the outcome certainly appeared 
 
 uncertain. 
 
 Less than six months after Shiloh had been fought in the far 
 South, Bragg with a great confederate army was thundering at 
 the gates of Louisville on the Ohio river, and Cincinnati was 
 
 128 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 129 
 
 threatened by Kirby Smith. Stone River, Chickamauga and 
 Missionary Ridge, and the siege of Knoxville, settled merely the 
 fact that the soldiers of both sides could be depended upon to do 
 all the fighting that was necessary, and the leadership of the enemy 
 seems to have flashed the fact upon the executive mind at Wash 
 ington that the time had come for us to imitate the enemy some 
 what in the matter of leadership. 
 
 With this point reached, General Grant s selection as leader of 
 all our armies was but the natural thing to do. He, of all our 
 commanders, had been uniformly successful in his campaigns, and 
 he had Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge 
 to his credit. The country approved the choice, confidence was 
 revived, and at once the work of organizing for the great campaign 
 of 1864 was entered upon. The armies of the Cumberland and 
 Tennessee were consolidated under General Sherman. The Army 
 of the Potomac was taken in charge by the commander-in-chief 
 with General Meade, who had fought the battle of Gettysburg, as 
 his first subordinate. From December until May the time was 
 occupied in strengthening and equipping the armies that were to 
 be thrown against the enemy. Old and depleted regiments were 
 recruited up to their maximum number of men, and vast thousands 
 of men who had been absent from their commands on various 
 kinds of detailed duty were relieved from such duty and ordered 
 to rejoin the organizations to which they belonged. Regiments 
 that had been occupying fortifications for almost three years with 
 out ever seeing an enemy were ordered to the field, and their places 
 supplied by new organizations recruited for a hundred days in 
 the various states of the North. When the 1st of May rolled round 
 and the roads had become passable our armies in the East and in 
 the West were ready and equipped for war as they had never been 
 ready and equipped before. And on the 1st of May, 1864, began 
 the two campaigns which the commander-in-chief had planned, 
 viz., the campaign of the Wilderness, which began with the 
 
130 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 crossing of the Rapidan, and that of Atlanta, which began at 
 Kenesaw Mountains, and in which Sherman fought the battles of 
 Rough and Ready, Rock Face Ridge, New Hope Church, Dallas, 
 Peachtree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesborough. 
 
 In this Wilderness campaign the Eastern battalion of the 
 Third Indiana Cavalry bore a part. The battalion remained in 
 the vicinity of Culpepper Court House during the winter of 1863, 
 engaged in performing picket and outpost duty and taking part 
 in several reconnoissances. On the 27th of February, 1864, it 
 was detailed to go with General Kilpatrick s raid on Richmond, 
 and did not rejoin the army until the 15th of March. 
 
 While the Eastern battalion lay in camp at Culpepper during 
 the winter of 1864 it did more than picket duty. On the 26th of 
 January, 1864, a squad of eighteen men were sent out towards 
 the Rapidan on a scout, and were attacked by a squadron of rebel 
 cavalry and sixteen of the eighteen captured. (Vol. XXXVIII, 
 page 432.) On the 30th of January, 1864, Colonel Chapman, 
 then commanding the brigade, with one hundred men of the Third 
 Indiana under Major Patton, and one hundred of the Eighth 
 New York under Captain Moore, crossed the Rapidan at Clarks 
 Ford and pushed rapidly towards Madison Court House. At 
 Mount Zion Church his command came upon the enemy in con 
 siderable force, but they retreated before Colonel Chapman could 
 attack towards Madison Court House, to which point he pro 
 ceeded, but found no enemy except a few scattering men. He sent 
 a detachment of his command to Humes Ford, where five of the 
 enemy s pickets and five horses were captured, and one man and 
 one horse killed. From Madison Court House he went to Mount 
 Carmel Church and returned to camp, crossing Robertsons river 
 by way of Bethel Church and Whites Shop after a march of fifty 
 miles. (Vol. XXXIII, page 170.) 
 
 While the army lay in camp around Culpepper, Va., in Feb 
 ruary, 1864, Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, commanding the Third 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 131 
 
 Division of the Cavalry Corps, submitted to General Pleasanton, 
 commander of the corps, the project for a raid on Richmond, the 
 capital of the Confederacy, the force to consist of 4,000 cavalry 
 and six guns, with five days rations. He mapped out his line of 
 march in detail (Vol. XXXIII, page 172). Replying to a re 
 quest from the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac for his 
 views of the scheme, General Pleasanton gave it as his opinion that 
 the plan was not feasible at that time, and gave his reasons there 
 for (Vol. XXXIII, page 171). Notwithstanding General Pleas- 
 anton s disapproval, the commanding general of the army directed 
 General Pleasanton to re-enforce General Kilpatrick s command 
 so that he would have available 4,000 officers and men, and a bat 
 tery of light artillery. This order, dated February 27, 1864, read: 
 
 "With this force you will move with the utmost expedition pos 
 sible on the shortest route past the enemy s right flank to Rich 
 mond, and by this rapid march endeavor to effect an entrance into 
 the city and liberate our prisoners now held there and in that 
 immediate vicinity." The order closed with this language: 
 
 "I am directed by the major-general commanding to say that 
 no detailed instructions are given you since the plan of operations 
 has been proposed by yourself, with the sanction of the President 
 and the Secretary of War, and has been so far adopted by him that 
 he considers success possible with secrecy, good management and 
 the utmost expedition. 
 
 "Z. A. HUMPHREYS, 
 
 (Page 173.) "Major-General, Chief of Staff." 
 
 Among the forces outside of his own command, General Kil- 
 patrick requested that the Third Indiana Cavalry accompany him, 
 and under Major Patton it was ordered to do so. On this raid 
 the battalion performed most arduous and dangerous service. We 
 give General Kilpatrick s report of that remarkable expedition. 
 At page 183, Vol. XXXIII, General Kilpatrick says: 
 
132 HISTORY OF THE TRIED INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 "In accordance with the above instructions I left my camp at 
 Stevensburg at 7 o clock Sunday evening, February 28, with 2,375 
 men and Captain Ransom s battery, U. S. Horse Artillery (six 
 pieces), and detachments from the First and Second Cavalry 
 Divisions, under Majors Hall and Taylor, in all 3,582 strong. 
 
 "My advance, consisting of 460 men under Colonel Dahlgren, 
 reached Elys Ford at 11 p. m., crossed, surprised and captured the 
 enemy s pickets, consisting of two officers and fourteen men. 
 Colonel Dahlgren was then ordered to move rapidly forward by 
 way of Spotsylvania Court House to Fredrick Hall, on the Vir 
 ginia Central railroad, and thence to a point above Goochland on 
 the James river, cross the river, move down the opposite bank, and 
 if possible be in position to seize the main bridge that led to the 
 city of Richmond at 10 o clock Tuesday, March 1. A small force 
 under Captain Boice, Fifth New York Cavalry, was sent to de 
 stroy the Fredricksburg railroad below Guineys Station, the tele 
 graph having been destroyed on both roads by scouts during the 
 night. I pressed rapidly forward with the main column, passed 
 Spotsylvania Court House at daylight, reached and destroyed 
 Beaver Dam Station at 1 p. m., and after destroying the road to a 
 considerable extent moved rapidly forward in the direction of 
 Richmond, and went into camp early in the evening nine miles 
 from Ground Squirrel Bridge, over the South Anna. 
 
 "I moved at 1 a. m. Tuesday, intending to cross the South 
 Anna at Ground Squirrel Bridge, move down the Ridge road and 
 attack Richmond west of the Brook pike. My guide (I think 
 through ignorance) instead of directing the column to the bridge 
 mentioned led it in the direction of Ashland, where we came upon 
 the infantry pickets of the enemy. From prisoners I learned that 
 a force of 2,000 infantry and six pieces of artillery was stationed 
 near the railroad bridge above Ashland. I directed Major Hall 
 with 450 men of the First Division to drive in the enemy s pickets 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 133 
 
 and make a determined attack in order to cover the movements of 
 the main column. 
 
 "I struck across the country to the South Anna and crossed at a 
 point three miles above Ashland at daylight Tuesday morning. 
 The attack of Major Hall totally deceived the enemy as to the 
 movements of the main column, which passed on, crossed the rail 
 road seven miles below Ashland, tore up a considerable portion of 
 the track, destroyed a culvert, passed on and reached the Brook 
 pike at a point five miles from Richmond at 10 a. m. The enemy s 
 artillery engaged with Major Hall could be distinctly heard in 
 my rear. Rightly supposing the enemy would send all his avail 
 able force in the immediate vicinity in the direction of the firing, 
 in order to protect the bridge at that point, and learning from 
 citizens and negroes who came from Richmond that morning that 
 no attack was expected upon the city, and that only a small force 
 occupied the works in front of the Brook pike, I moved forward, 
 crossed the brook, surprised and captured the picket and a small 
 force of infantry in the rifle pits beyond. The enemy now sent 
 forward troops to oppose my further progress, but they were easily 
 driven back until a point was reached about one mile from the 
 city. Here a considerable force of infantry with artillery effectu 
 ally checked my advance. It was now 1 p. m. I ordered up my 
 entire force, and after thoroughly examining the enemy s position 
 determined to attack, believing if they were citizen soldiers I 
 could enter the city. Brigadier-General Davies had the advance. 
 The Fifth New York Cavalry was dismounted and sent forward 
 as skirmishers, and 500 men under Major Patton in a body dis 
 mounted followed closely in the rear of the skirmishers to attack 
 and carry, if possible, a small earthwork on the left of and a 
 barricade that the enemy were then placing in the road. The 
 enemy was finally forced back until a position was gained for the 
 use of my artillery, which was brought up and opened on the 
 enemy, now occupying a position just outside the city. 
 
134 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 "I brought up re-enforcements, strengthened and extended my 
 line of skirmishers to the right as far as the plank road, and was 
 about to order an advance of the whole line, when I discovered that 
 the enemy was rapidly receiving re-enforcements, not only of in 
 fantry but artillery. Feeling confident that Dahlgren had failed 
 to cross the river, and that an attempt to enter the city at that 
 point would but end in bloody failure, I reluctantly withdrew my 
 command at dark, crossed the Meadow Bridge over the Chicka- 
 hominy, and, after destroying bridges on the Virginia Central 
 railroad, went into camp near Mechanicsville. Colonel Dahlgren, 
 having failed to cross the James river, moved rapidly down the 
 canal, destroying locks and viaducts, and engaged the enemy at 
 4 o clock on the plank road a few miles from Richmond, and at 
 dark, when I withdrew my command, had driven the enemy near 
 to the city. 
 
 "In the various attacks upon the city, which commenced at 
 12 m. and continued until dark, we lost upward of sixty men in 
 killed and wounded and we took upwards of 200 prisoners. By 
 scouts and spies I ascertained that the entire available force of the 
 enemy in and about the city had been concentrated during the day 
 upon the Brook pike and plank road where the various attacks had 
 been made, and that no force was on the road from Mechanics 
 ville to the city. It was now 10 p. m. I at once determined to 
 make another attempt to enter the city. Lieutenant-Colonel Pres 
 ton of the First Vermont and Major Taylor of the First Maine 
 were ordered to lead two separate detachments of 500 men in on 
 the road from Mechanicsville, while with the artillery and the re 
 maining portion of my command I would hold the bridge over the 
 Chickahominy and cover their retreat with the prisoners if suc 
 cessful. 
 
 "These two determined daring officers had but just commenced 
 to move when Colonel Sawyer, commanding the Second Brigade, 
 reported that his pickets had been driven in on the road from the 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 135 
 
 direction of Hanover Court House. A few moments later he sent 
 me word that the enemy was advancing in force and rapidly 
 driving his people. I sent him orders to throw out a strong line 
 of skirmishers, and if possible charge the enemy and drive him 
 back, as I intended to make this last effort to release our prisoners. 
 Heavy musketry and carbine firing could now be heard, and a 
 moment later the enemy opened with a battery of artillery. I was 
 forced to recall my troops to resist this attack, which now became 
 serious. The enemy charged and drove back the Seventh Michi 
 gan, and considerable confusion ensued. The night was intensely 
 dark, cold and stormy. The command moved out on the road 
 toward Old Church and was placed in position, and after con 
 siderable hard fighting, with a loss of two officers and upwards of 
 fifty men and 100 horses, repulsed the enemy and forced him back 
 on the road towards Hanover Court House. 
 
 "Not knowing the strength of the enemy, I abandoned all fur 
 ther ideas of releasing our prisoners, and at 1 a. m. moved to the 
 intersection of the roads from Mechanicsville to Old Church and 
 from Hanover Court House to Bottom Bridge. Here we went into 
 camp. At daylight the enemy attacked my pickets, but were easily 
 repulsed. At 8 a. m. the command moved to Old Church, twelve 
 miles from Hanover Court House, and here took up a good posi 
 tion and remained until 1 p. m. Wednesday, hoping that Dahlgren 
 might come in. The enemy charged my rear guard at this point, 
 but were gallantly charged in return by the First Maine and 
 driven back a considerable distance with the loss of many pris 
 oners. This is the last I saw of the enemy. " 
 
 In this report General Kilpatrick speaks of Major Patton fol 
 lowing the skirmishers with 500 dismounted men and driving the 
 enemy back to a position just outside the city. His report does 
 not disclose who these men were, but the report of General Davies, 
 who had charge of this movement (page 192), makes it known 
 that it was Major Patton with the Third Indiana Cavalry and 
 
136 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 other troops that had been furnished him, who was there leading 
 this last desperate effort to enter the city of Richmond and liberate 
 our prisoners. The loss by this raid was nine officers, 331 men 
 and 583 horses, with arms and equipments. From this point the 
 command went into General Butler s lines at New Kent Court 
 House on Wednesday evening. The men and their horses were 
 embarked on transports at Yorktown, shipped to Alexandria, 
 whence they marched to their camps at Stevensburg and Culpep- 
 per, reaching there on the 14th of March. 
 
 With the detachment of 450 men under Major Hall, referred to 
 in General Kilpatrick s report, was a detail of ten men from the 
 Third Indiana Cavalry under Lieut. George Rogers of Company 
 D of that regiment. This detail was divided, five of the men being 
 with the advance and five with the rear of Major Hall s forces. 
 One of these men, John W. Palmer of Company D, is still living, 
 and has a vivid remembrance of that night s work under Major 
 Hall, which of course was not under the immediate eye of General 
 Kilpatrick. He says: 
 
 "I was with that part of the Third Indiana which formed the 
 advance guard of Major Hall s command, and it was midnight 
 when we started, the object of the expedition being to burn the 
 bridge across the South Anna river. We soon encountered the 
 rebel pickets and killed one of them in the first encounter; we 
 moved forward, driving them before us until we ran into an am 
 buscade across the road, made of brush and rails, and behind it 
 were dismounted rebel cavalry. They fired on us and killed one 
 of the Third Indiana. We pushed on to them and drove them 
 from their ambush and continued to follow them until we came 
 in sight of a rebel camp in the valley between us and the bridge, 
 where there was a large force of cavalry, infantry and artillery, 
 with their artillery posted to command the road upon which we 
 were approaching. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 137 
 
 "They at once opened on us with this artillery and the column 
 about-faced as rapidly as possible, although this movement was 
 delayed somewhat by the turning around of our ambulances in 
 the narrow road. The advance became the rear guard of this 
 retrograde movement, and 200 rebel cavalry were soon pushing 
 on to our rear, which was now a retreat on the road we had come, 
 in order to gain a ford on the South Anna, where we could cross 
 and rejoin General Kilpatrick s command. 
 
 "Lieutenant Rogers with two men of the Third Indiana were 
 at the crossing of a road running parallel with the road upon which 
 Major Hall with the main force was moving and another road that 
 crossed both of these parallel roads. A force of rebel cavalry 
 charged down this cross road, capturing Lieutenant Rogers and 
 the two men with him, and were coming after me farther along on 
 this parallel road. My only chance of escape was to leave the 
 road and cut across a strip of open ground and woods in an en 
 deavor to reach Major Hall s command. I made this ride in full 
 view of the rebels who were after me. They all seemed to turn 
 their fire on me, but luckily I was not hit and reached the main 
 column unhurt after my desperate ride. Major Hall rejoined 
 General Kilpatrick s command about daylight." 
 
 The raid was not a success, and perhaps never should have been 
 undertaken, but it showed the desperate bravery of the men who 
 took part in it, and no doubt changed the military career of the 
 man who conceived it. General Kilpatrick was sent to the West 
 ern army and given the command of a division of cavalry, and his 
 dashing career there is noted in other chapters of this history. 
 
 On the 30th of April, 1864, General Sheridan was placed in 
 command of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac and 
 its Third Division under the command of Brig. -Gen. James H. 
 Wilson. The Second Brigade of this division was commanded 
 by Col. George H. Chapman, of the Third Indiana Cavalry, and 
 the regiment was commanded by Maj. William Patton. The 
 
138 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 other regiments of the brigade were the Eighth Illinois Cavalry 
 under Lieut. William W. Long, Eighth New York under 
 Lieut-Col. William H. Benjamin and First Vermont under 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Preston. 
 
 In Volume XXXVI of the Official Record, beginning at page 
 896, we have the official report of this Wilderness campaign, fur 
 nished by Col. George H. Chapman, written at the headquarters 
 of the Second Brigade, Third Division of Cavalry, on the 12th of 
 July, 1864. This officer says: 
 
 "Captain I have the honor to submit the following report of 
 the operations of this brigade from May 3 to July 1, 1864: 
 
 "At midnight on the night of May 3, in compliance with orders, 
 the brigade broke camp at Stevensburg, crossed to the plank road 
 and moved to Germania Ford on the Rapidan river. Arriving 
 there I made disposition of my command to force a crossing should 
 the enemy offer opposition, and at early dawn my brigade moved 
 rapidly across the river, meeting with no resistance, and massed 
 on the plank road, two or three miles from the river. After a 
 short halt, proceeded up the plank to Old Wilderness Tavern and 
 from thence to Parkers Store by a country road, where we bivou 
 acked and threw out strong pickets on all approaches. During 
 the march nothing was seen of the enemy save a small mounted 
 force, which retreated rapidly before our advance. 
 
 "Marched early on the morning of the 5th with division, this 
 brigade in advance, to Craigs Church, on the Catharpin road, which 
 point was reached about 11 a. m. I sent a battalion of the First 
 Vermont Cavalry forward on the Catharpin road with instruc 
 tions to picket and patrol the road well toward Mine Run, but 
 when they proceeded less than a mile their advance was attacked 
 by the enemy and driven rapidly back on the main body. I im 
 mediately re-enforced this battalion; and, the country being 
 densely timbered on both sides of the road and the enemy dis 
 mounted, I soon dismounted the greater part of my brigade and 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 139 
 
 drove the enemy steadily back a distance of two miles, he con 
 testing very hard every inch of the ground. 
 
 "Reaching a ravine, I was ordered not to proceed farther, being 
 then several miles in advance of the First Brigade, but to hold 
 the road at the point I had reached with a strong picket force and 
 get the rest of my command together and mounted, in a field a 
 half mile to the rear of the advanced position. These instructions 
 were carried out, the Third Indiana Cavalry being held in line of 
 battle, dismounted, along the ravine. I remained myself with 
 this regiment. Subsequently an hour, I should judge it was 
 reported to me from the line of skirmishers thrown forward in the 
 pines that the enemy had strongly re-enforced his line and was 
 making preparations to advance. This report was soon verified, 
 the enemy coming on in strong force, before which the Third 
 Indiana Cavalry was compelled to fall back. I again was obliged 
 to put in my entire force, which was still much inferior to the 
 enemy, and continued to fall back. The confusion occasioned by 
 getting a large number of led horses hastily back on the road was 
 communicated to the men and caused the men to break badly, of 
 which the enemy was not slow to take advantage. 
 
 "We were driven back behind a line of battle formed by a part 
 of the First Brigade, and subsequently retired to Todds Tavern. 
 I moved my command to a point on the Brock road one and one- 
 half miles north of Todds Tavern and sent out pickets on various 
 roads. At 3 a. m. took the road to Piney Branch Church, where 
 the division took position. Subsequently marched with division 
 to Chancellorsville and bivouacked. 
 
 "On the morning of the 7th, having supplied the command with 
 rations, in pursuance of orders I moved to Alrich s, on Fred- 
 ricksburg plank road, and relieved General Merritt s brigade, of 
 First Cavalry Division, doing picket duty at that point. Later in 
 the day my brigade was relieved by General Davies brigade, of 
 Second Cavalry Division. Eeconnoitered to Alsop s, on Spotsyl- 
 
140 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 vania Court House road, without developing anything, and re 
 turned to Alrich s and encamped for the night. Moved with the 
 division on the morning of the 8th of May to Spotsylvania Court 
 House, the First Brigade heing in advance. 
 
 "At the Court House formed line of battle in support of the First 
 Brigade, which was warmly engaged with the enemy. Retired, 
 bringing up rear of division (the enemy not following) to Alsop s. 
 Marched the morning of the 9th at 5 o clock with division in light 
 order, and joining the other divisions of the Cavalry Corps at the 
 plank road proceeded by the road to Hamiltons Crossing, as far as 
 Fredricksburg and Richmond Telegraph road; thence via Stan- 
 ard s Mill, Thornburg and Chilesburg, to the crossing of the North 
 Anna river, near Beaver Dam Station, where the brigade bivou 
 acked on the north bank of the river. 
 
 "Nothing of importance occurred during the day s march, save 
 the exchange of a few shots between the flankers and small parties 
 of the enemy and the capture of a rebel captain. 
 
 "Early on the morning of the 10th the enemy began shelling 
 our camps, but at 8 a. m. the brigade crossed the river without 
 molestation or damage. March today was without event. Crossed 
 the South Anna river at Ground Squirrel Bridge and encamped 
 near the river. Again, on the morning of the llth, the enemy 
 shelled our camps, and in getting into column of route one bat 
 talion of the Eighth New York Cavalry, Maj. C. Moore com 
 manding, became engaged with the enemy and lost several men, 
 but successfully checked a charge made on the rear of the Second 
 Division. 
 
 "Being relieved by a regiment of the Second Division the bat 
 talion soon after rejoined the brigade. Having crossed the Fred- 
 ricksburg & Richmond railroad, I received orders to go forward 
 and assist General Custer in driving back the enemy from our 
 front. I found General Custer near the Brook pike not actively 
 engaged at the time I joined him. Dismounting the Third In- 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 141 
 
 diana and Eighth New York I formed them in line of battle on 
 the left of the dismounted men of Ouster s brigade, holding the 
 First Vermont in reserve, mounted. Dispositions being complete 
 the order to move forward was given, and the line advancing into 
 the thick pine wood soon became warmly engaged. As our men 
 advanced the enemy opened with very accurate artillery fire. 
 Having surveyed the ground, General Ouster proposed if I would 
 place a regiment (the First Vermont) at his disposal he would 
 charge the battery, to which I acceded. The charge was made 
 by the First Vermont and a regiment of General Ouster s brigade, 
 myself accompanying the First Vermont. In this charge two 
 pieces of artillery and a number of prisoners were captured by 
 General Ouster and the enemy were driven back a considerable 
 distance in much confusion. Not being ordered to follow the 
 enemy up, the command halted and at dark massed near the Brook 
 turnpike. The loss of my brigade in this engagement, which was 
 considerable, has already been reported. 
 
 "At 10 p. m. again resumed the march, my brigade in advance, 
 under orders to move to Fair Oaks Station. Crossing to the 
 Meadow Bridge road we succeeded in finding a man a resident 
 willing to guide the column to the Mechanicsville pike. Taking 
 a farm road running along through the outer fortifications of 
 Richmond, we reached the Mechanicsville pike shortly before day 
 break at a point about three and one-half miles from the city. A 
 mile before reaching the pike a small mounted picket had discov 
 ered our approach and retreated rapidly towards the city. 
 
 "At the pike the brigade was massed in a field bordering on the 
 road to await information in regard to roads, when we were sud 
 denly opened upon by artillery and musketry, causing temporary 
 confusion. I caused the command to be rapidly dismounted, to 
 fight on foot, and the horses to be placed under cover. Continued 
 to hold the position until daylight, when it was discovered that 
 the enemy had a strong line of earthworks a short distance in our 
 
142 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 front, and I withdrew my brigade to a better position along the 
 line of the Virginia Central railroad, with the First Brigade on 
 the right. About 11 o clock a force of the enemy s infantry came 
 out of their works and attacked my brigade, but were driven back 
 with ease. 
 
 "At 2 p. m. my brigade crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow 
 Bridge, and, after a halt of a couple of hours, marched to Mechan- 
 icsville. Here a brief halt was ordered, after which we again re 
 sumed the march, receiving orders to proceed to Gain s House. 
 Being misled by a guide, it was near midnight when my com 
 mand reached the last named place and bivouacked. 
 
 "On the 13th marched to Bottom Bridge, and on the 14th to 
 Malvern Hill, nothing of importance occurring on either day; on 
 the 15th to near Haxalls Landing on the James river and went 
 into camp ; received supplies. Remained in camp at Haxalls until 
 9 p. m. on the evening of the 17th of May, when the brigade 
 marched with division. Were on the road all night, and at 8 a. m. 
 crossed the Chickahominy at Jones Bridge. After a short halt 
 marched to Mount Olive Church and bivouacked. 
 
 "On the 19th moved to near Baltimore Store and went into 
 camp. Made details for picket duty. Marched on the 20th with 
 division via Tunstalls Station to near Tyler s, on the Cold Har 
 bor road, and encamped. Remained at this point until the morn 
 ing of the 22d, when the command moved to the White House. 
 Nothing of importance occurred during these days. 
 
 "The following day (the 23d) the brigade crossed the Pamunkey 
 river on the railroad bridge, bringing up the rear of the corps. 
 My entire command was over by 1 p. m. In pursuance of orders, 
 I detailed a squadron of the Third Indiana Cavalry, Captain 
 Moffitt commanding, to destroy the bridge by throwing off the 
 covering, which work was effectually accomplished. Marched by 
 way of King William Court House to Aylett s and halted for the 
 night. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 143 
 
 "On the 24th the command marched to Reedy Swamp on the 
 Richmond and Bowling Green road. The next day marched via 
 Chesterfield to Colemans Mill on Polecat creek and encamped. 
 Receiving orders on the morning of the 26th, and, after receiving 
 a supply of forage, the command marched, crossing the North 
 Anna and demonstrating on the right of our army to cover its 
 movements. At 11 p. m. recrossed the North Anna river at But 
 lers Bridge and halted for the remainder of the night. While the 
 demonstration was being made on Little river, which was mainly 
 performed by the First Brigade of the division, I directed 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin to take his regiment, the Eighth 
 New York Cavalry, and destroy as much of the track of the Vir 
 ginia Central as he could before the command should retire across 
 the North Anna. He accomplished considerable, doing the work 
 very well. This was at Hewletts Station. 
 
 "On the 27th of May the brigade moved with the division to 
 Chesterfield, marching slowly, making halts at different points, 
 relieving the infantry at various crossings on the North Anna and 
 covering the rear of the army in its movements. The command 
 (marching with the division) continued to cover the rear of the 
 army on the 28th and 29th instant (May), bivouacking on the first 
 night at Mangohick Church and the second night about two and 
 one-half miles from Hanovertown. No event of importance oc 
 curred to mark these days. In pursuance of orders, on the after 
 noon of the 30th I moved my command to Crumps Swamp, on the 
 north side of the Pamunkey river, and sent the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry forward a couple of miles on the road to Hanover Court 
 House. They came upon a force of the enemy s cavalry and skir 
 mished with them until dark. Encamped on Crumps Swamp, 
 with heavy picket detail on the Hanover Court House road. 
 
 "On the 31st sent forward patrols on the road to Hanover Court 
 House, which were met by the enemy in force. The First Brigade 
 coming up relieved my command, with the exception of a part of 
 
144 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 the Third Indiana, which remained on the left of the line until 
 the enemy were driven back to Hanover Court House. From pris 
 oners taken I learned that we were engaged with Young s brigade 
 of rebel cavalry. Bivouacked near Winston s House on the Han 
 over Court House and Richmond road, with a strong picket force 
 in the direction of Richmond. 
 
 "At daylight on the morning of the 1st of June I moved my com 
 mand, with the exception of the Eighth New York Cavalry, which 
 was left to picket and hold the Richmond and Hanover Court 
 House road, to the south bank of Mechumps creek opposite Han 
 over Court House, and went into position to cover the movement of 
 the First Brigade. Subsequently, having received orders to cross 
 the creek, I moved forward the command and with one regiment, 
 the First Vermont, re-enforced the Second New York Cavalry, 
 which was skirmishing with a force of the enemy s cavalry (Mary 
 land Battalion) on the Virginia Central railroad. The enemy 
 was steadily driven back, moving off on the road running parallel 
 with the South Anna river. In the meantime the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry and French s battery were ordered forward, moving in 
 column on the road, and the Second New York Cavalry were re 
 lieved, the First Vermont remaining in advance and skirmishing 
 with the enemy until he left our front at the Fredricksburg rail 
 road. When the enemy had been driven beyond Wickham s House 
 I sent a squadron under Captain Cushman, of the First Vermont, 
 to destroy the railroad bridge on the Central road over the South 
 Anna river. Upon reaching the Fredricksburg railroad the same 
 detail was sent to destroy the bridge on that road over the same 
 stream. Both of these bridges were effectually destroyed by fire, 
 including the trestle work as well as superstructure, as also the 
 water tanks; the road was further damaged by the destruction of 
 small bridges and cattle guards at different points. 
 
 "While still upon the Fredricksburg railroad and before the 
 detail sent to destroy the bridge had returned, I received an order 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 145 
 
 from the general commanding the division, by one of his staff 
 officers, to retire with my command hastily to Hanover Court 
 House. I should have mentioned that upon reaching the Fred- 
 ricksburg railroad, at the point where the Telegraph road crosses 
 the railroad, which is about a mile from the South Anna bridge, 
 I had sent a battalion of the First Vermont, under Major Wells, 
 down the Telegraph road towards Ashland ; this battalion had be 
 come engaged with a force of the enemy which had attacked the 
 rear of the First Brigade at that point. Upon receiving the order 
 above mentioned to retire to Hanover Court House, and being en 
 joined to use much haste, I ordered this battalion to retire. Soon 
 after, the commanding general of the division having arrived upon 
 the ground, a courier sent by myself to Colonel Mclntosh, com 
 manding the First Brigade, having returned with information 
 that he was hard pressed and needed relief, I was ordered to send 
 the Third Indiana Cavalry with the battery to Hanover Court 
 House, and with the First Vermont to push down the Telegraph 
 road as far as Ashland to the assistance of the First Brigade. Near 
 Ashland we came upon the enemy; the road being lined on either 
 side by a dense forest, the command was dismounted and formed 
 in line of battle, the center on the road. Efforts to form a con 
 nection on our right with the First Brigade proved fruitless. The 
 line was advanced cautiously and with some difficulty, but had pro 
 ceeded only a short distance when the enemy attacked us in large 
 force in front and flank. The line soon gave back, retreating with 
 considerable loss and closely pressed. Colonel Mclntosh had suc 
 ceeded in retiring his force from Ashland, and, coming up soon 
 after, the regiment received the full attention of the enemy. A 
 regiment of his brigade was drawn up on the Telegraph road and 
 checked the advance of the enemy. The First Vermont was re 
 mounted and retired, by way of Hanover Court House, to near 
 Winston s House and bivouacked with the remainder of the 
 
146 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 brigade. The service of the First Vermont Cavalry this day was 
 arduous and severe and its loss heavy. The command is worthy 
 of the highest praise. 
 
 "Remained in camp on the 2d of June until an hour after dark, 
 when the brigade marched in the rear of the First Brigade, taking 
 the road to Hanoverton. Marched all night, halting at Linney s, 
 south of Totopotomoy creek, at daylight. At 10 a. m. on the 3d 
 the brigade recrossed the Totopotomoy (advance of division), with 
 the Eighth New York in advance, and took the road to Salem 
 Church, near which we came upon the enemy (cavalry dismounted 
 in the woods and occupying some breastworks vacated by our 
 troops). Feeling the enemy with the Eighth New York and find 
 ing them too strong in numbers and position for that command, I 
 directed the Third Indiana and First Vermont to be dismounted 
 to fight on foot, and formed line of battle with the Eighth New 
 York on the right and the First Vermont on the left. While these 
 dispositions were being made, and previous to the arrival of the 
 First Vermont on the line, the enemy made a spirited attack, but 
 were repulsed with loss, leaving a number of their killed upon the 
 ground. As soon as my line was formed I ordered an advance, 
 and, moving forward under a heavy fire, my men drove the rebels 
 from their position and they fell back to another line of breast 
 works. While re-forming my line and awaiting the arrival of a 
 regiment from the First Brigade, the enemy retired from my 
 front. The force here engaged was that formerly commanded by 
 the rebel General Gordon, and must have lost heavily. The vic 
 tory was not bought without cost. Lieutenant-Colonel Preston of 
 the First Vermont, a zealous and faithful commander, and Capt. 
 Cushman of the same regiment, a most valuable and gallant officer, 
 both fell mortally wounded and expired on the field of battle; 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin, commanding the Eighth New York, 
 was severely though not dangerously wounded. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 147 
 
 "Late in the afternoon, in pursuance of orders from General 
 Wilson, I sent a regiment, the Third Indiana Cavalry, Major 
 Patton commanding, in conjunction with the Second New York, 
 across the Totopotomoy to demonstrate upon the left of the enemy s 
 main line. The command dashed across in good style, driving the 
 enemy s skirmishers hastily back to their lines and capturing 
 several. Position was held on the south side of the creek until 
 sundown, when, owing to the movements of the enemy, it was 
 deemed prudent to retire across the creek and join the main body 
 of the division, which was effected without loss. The crossing and 
 recrossing were covered by a section of Ransom s battery. Shortly 
 after dark I moved my command to the Hanoverton road and 
 encamped. Held the approaches to Hanoverton from the south 
 and west. 
 
 "June 4 and 5 passed without movement or event of impor 
 tance. On the 5th the Twenty-second New York joined the 
 brigade. On the 6th moved to Bottom Bridge and relieved the 
 Second Cavalry Division doing picket duty from left of infantry 
 to Jones Bridge on the Chickahominy, the left of the infantry 
 resting at railroad bridge. The brigade continued the perform 
 ance of this duty until the 12th of June without anything oc 
 curring on the line except a little firing between the pickets. I 
 caused all the crossings to be made defensible by constructing 
 breastworks under cover of the night, and having succeeded in 
 doing this the enemy ceased to fire upon my pickets. 
 
 "On the 9th the First New Hampshire Cavalry joined the 
 brigade. At dark on June 12th, in pursuance of orders directing 
 a general movement of the army, I moved my command to Long 
 Bridge, on the Chickahominy. Finding the bridge destroyed and 
 the stream not fordable, I dismounted the Twenty-second New 
 York and Third Indiana. The first named command was mainly 
 crossed on a log a short distance above the bridge, and, making 
 their way with much difficulty and considerable delay through the 
 
148 , HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 swamp, succeeded in crossing the second branch of the stream as 
 they had crossed the first, on logs, joining the brigade on the south 
 bank of the river or swamp. In the meantime a pontoon boat 
 having been launched into the first branch of the stream, the Third 
 Indiana were hastily crossed over under fire from a small force of 
 the enemy who occupied a rifle-pit on the south bank of the second 
 branch of the stream. These were soon driven back and the Third 
 Indiana crossed the second branch on limbs and logs of trees and 
 formed in line of battle, with skirmishers well to the front. Owing 
 to the difficulties to be overcome, considerable time was consumed 
 in laying the pontoon bridges and it was midnight when my com 
 mand was entirely over. The command then moved forward to 
 White Oak Swamp, the advance skirmishing with a small body of 
 the enemy s cavalry, who fell back across the swamp. At this 
 point we found the enemy prepared to make resistance to our 
 further advance, with a battery in position, from which they 
 opened fire. Lieutenant Fitzhue s battery, then serving with this 
 brigade, was ordered into position, and a lively artillery duel 
 ensued in which one section of our battery suffered considerable in 
 men and horses (Vol. XL, page 643). 
 
 "Holding this position on White Oak Swamp until the arrival 
 of a part of General Crawford s division of the Fifth Corps, by 
 which I was relieved, I was directed to move my command on the 
 main road to Richmond. As near as I can now recollect this was 
 about noon of the 13th (June). Proceeding about a mile my 
 advance came upon the enemy strongly posted in a belt of timber 
 in front of Riddell s Shop. After some skirmishing, finding 
 enemy disposed to contest the position with obstinacy, I directed 
 Third Indiana and Eighth New York to prepare to fight on foot, 
 and forming them in line of battle advanced into the woods at a 
 double quick. A brigade of rebel cavalry, dismounted and armed 
 mainly with rifled muskets, held the position, but they soon gave 
 way before the impetuosity of my men, leaving many of their dead 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 149 
 
 and wounded on the field. By this advance I was enabled to cover 
 the road to Malvern Hill (Quaker road), and was directed by the 
 general commanding not to advance farther. 
 
 "Patrols sent out on the roads to my front developed the fact that 
 the enemy had fallen back from my front some distance. Being 
 ordered to hold this position until otherwise ordered, I formed the 
 line of battle with the First Vermont, Third Indiana and Eighth 
 New York, the left of the line resting on the Quaker road, the 
 right extending well across the road from Bottoms Bridge. The 
 First New Hampshire, Twenty-second New York and Fitzhue s bat 
 tery were formed as a supporting line in the fields in rear. Three 
 hours passed without any appearance of the enemy, and during this 
 time a slight breastwork was thrown up on some parts of the line. 
 At about 6 p. m. the enemy were discovered advancing in strong 
 line of battle and heavy column down the Bottoms Bridge road, the 
 entire force, so far as it was developed, being infantry. Soon the 
 entire line became engaged. My ammunition being nearly ex 
 hausted and the enemy showing vastly superior numbers, I deemed 
 it prudent to retire to the position held by my second line, which 
 was done in good order. Having reported that I needed re- 
 enforcements in order to hold the enemy in check, two or three regi 
 ments of infantry came up and were disposed without any direc 
 tion from me. Until after dark nothing of importance transpired 
 save a good deal of desultory skirmishing along the lines. At near 
 dark the enemy advanced from the cover of the timber in strong 
 line of infantry, and a regiment of our infantry which had been 
 posted on the right of my line gave way rapidly with scarcely a 
 show of resistance, throwing the right of my line in considerable 
 confusion. The left, however, retired in good order, and Fitzhue s 
 battery was moved off at a walk. Some difficulty, occasioned by 
 getting the horses through a line of battle formed in our rear by 
 General Crawford s division, created a show of confusion and a 
 scare upon the part of the cavalry which in reality did not pre- 
 
150 HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 vail. The command passed to the rear of the infantry and was 
 massed in a field nearby until about 10 p. m., when the brigade 
 moved in the rear of infantry in the direction of Charles City 
 Court House. At 2 p. m. bivouacked near Nancy s Shop. 
 
 a The brigade moved soon after daylight on the morning of the 
 14th and proceeded to Harrison Landing, where supplies were re 
 ceived and issued to the command. While here the enemy attacked 
 the pickets on the road to Saint Mary s Church, but were driven 
 off by the Eighth New York. Moved to Phillips and held the 
 approaches. A reconnoitering party sent out three miles toward 
 Malvern Hill returned without meeting the enemy. On the 15th, 
 with the First Vermont and Eighth and Twenty-second New York 
 and. a section of Fitzhue s battery, I made a reconnoissance to 
 Malvern Hill, where we had a sharp skirmish and developed the 
 enemy near that position in very considerable force. In the 
 vicinity of Phillips there was no manifestation of the presence of 
 the enemy during the day. 
 
 "At dark on the 16th, in compliance with instructions, moved 
 my command via Charles City Court House to James river, near 
 pontoon bridge, and encamped until the morning of the following 
 day, when we crossed the James river on the pontoon bridge and, 
 proceeding to a mile beyond Prince George Court House on the 
 road to Petersburg, encamped for the night. 
 
 "On the 18th moved to near Mount Zion Church on the Black- 
 water, where the brigade remained in camp until the morning of 
 the 22d without incident of importance. On the morning of the 
 22 d of June at early dawn the brigade left camp upon the Black- 
 water, bringing up the rear of the column, and marching across 
 the Suffolk railroad and the Jerusalem plank road, reached the 
 Weldon railroad at Reams Station. At this point I detached a 
 squadron of the Eighth New York Cavalry to effect such damage 
 to the road as would be possible during the passage of my brigade, 
 and about the same time the enemy began to manifest his presence 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 151 
 
 upon my right flank and opened with artillery upon the column, 
 but without effect. From this point the enemy (W. H. F. 
 Lee s division of cavalry) followed the rear of the column closely, 
 keeping up a continual skirmish until a couple of hours after 
 nightfall. Until near sundown the rear of my column was covered 
 by the First Vermont Cavalry, Major Wells commanding, when, 
 being exhausted by the work, I relieved them with the Twenty- 
 second New York Cavalry. About 11 p. m. I bivouacked my 
 command near Fords Station on the South Side railroad. 
 
 "On the morning of the 23d I moved my command from bivou- 
 ack about an hour before daylight, and proceeding by the Cox road 
 moved along the railroad, detaching regiments at different points 
 to destroy the track, until we reached Blacks and Whites, where 
 we made an hour s halt. 
 
 "At this point a considerable quantity of cotton was destroyed. 
 Again resuming the march, proceeded towards Nottoway Court 
 House. By following the road taken by General Kautz s division 
 we were carried several miles out of the more direct route, and 
 upon reaching a point near Nottoway Court House, where the 
 road crosses the railroad, the head of the column came upon the 
 enemy. Soon ascertaining that it was the same force that had fol 
 lowed the rear the day previous, I made disposition to meet the 
 enemy, who advanced to the attack, checked his advance and drove 
 him back a considerable distance. The enemy bringing up strong 
 re-enforcements, my line again retired to its original position 
 along the railroad, from which repeated attempts of the enemy 
 failed to dislodge them. In answer to my request for re-enforce 
 ments, the Fifth New York Cavalry was sent to me at a late hour 
 in the afternoon, but another advance of the line not being deter 
 mined upon only a small fraction of that command became en 
 gaged and towards morning I relieved them from the line. 
 
 "This engagement lasted from 1 p. m. until dark and at times 
 was quite severe. My loss in killed, wounded and missing was 
 
152 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 , while that of the enemy was fully equal, and I am in 
 clined to think exceeded my own. Here fell Captain McNair of 
 the Eighth New York Cavalry, a noble officer, whose cool in 
 trepidity and noble daring had endeared him to all who knew 
 him. Among the missing is Captain Sayres of the same regiment, 
 distinguished alike for his gallantry and dash. 
 
 a My command remained in line of battle until near daylight, 
 when in accordance with instructions, I quietly withdrew, taking 
 the Hungarytown road to the Danville railroad near Meherin 
 Station, and thence to Keysville, where I bivouacked for the 
 night. 
 
 "Early on the morning of the 25th instant again took up the 
 line of march, my brigade bringing up the rear of column, and 
 proceeding slowly up the Danville road, making several details 
 for the work of destruction of the railroad, until near sundown; 
 when near the crossing of the Little Roanoke river the enemy 
 again came up with my rear and some light skirmishing ensued. 
 I made disposition to meet the attack, but the enemy showed little 
 disposition to fight and contented himself with opening fire at long 
 range from a section of rifled pieces, by which one piece of 
 Maynadier s battery, serving with my brigade, was disabled, but 
 brought off. 
 
 "My forces remained in position until 2 a. m. on the morning 
 of the 26th, when, in compliance with orders, I withdrew and pro 
 ceeded up the railroad to Roanoke Station, where the direction of 
 march was changed, and following the First Brigade, we passed 
 through Christianville and encamped at Buckhorn Creek. On the 
 27th crossed the Meherin river at Saffolds Bridge, my brigade 
 leading the advance of the column. After several hours halt on 
 the north bank of the stream we turned from the main road at 
 Columbia Grove, and securing guides along the way proceeded by 
 cross roads across the country through a well settled district to 
 the Boydton plank road, bivouacked for the night on Great Creek. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 153 
 
 Marching early the next morning, following the First Brigade, 
 proceeded via Smoky Ordinary to Poplar Mountain, or the Double 
 Bridges, over the Nottoway river, which we reached about noon. 
 Here the command halted to water, and one of the regiments of 
 my brigade (the Third Indiana Cavalry) was ordered to proceed 
 out on the road leading to Stony Creek Depot as far as Sappony 
 Cross Roads, near that station ; at which point the enemy was met. 
 The column following shortly after, I was ordered to send another 
 regiment to assist the First Brigade in an attack upon the enemy s 
 position, it being then after dark. Subsequently I placed the 
 Eighth New York and Twenty-second New York Cavalry in re 
 serve line of battle. 
 
 "Just previous to daylight on the morning of the 29th I was 
 ordered by Colonel Mclntosh, commanding division, to place my 
 command in position along the face of a piece of timber in the rear 
 of the first position held by our forces, and to hold the position as 
 long as possible, or until I received word that the road was clear, 
 so that I could retire with my command. I formed line of battle 
 dismounted, with the First Vermont on the left, Eighth New 
 York, Third Indiana and Twenty-second New York on the right, 
 and hastily threw up a small work of rails. At full daylight the 
 enemy advanced upon my front in strong line of battle, dis 
 mounted, and simultaneously made a strong attack upon the left 
 flank and upon my led horses with mounted and dismounted men. 
 My line gave back hurriedly, and many of the men were unable 
 to reach their horses on the road upon which the column had moved 
 off. Being myself dismounted and cut off from the road, I gath 
 ered together some 300 of my command and proceeding by a cir 
 cuitous route I succeeded in reaching the main body about noon 
 near Reams Station. In the retrograde movement from this last 
 point my command was assigned the advance, and moving back 
 across the Double Bridges over the Nottoway took the road to 
 Jarretts Station. About two miles from the last named point the 
 
154 HlSTOBY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALBY. 
 
 command halted a couple of hours in the road, and soon after day 
 light on the morning of the 30th crossed the railroad at Jarretts 
 Station without any opposition of consequence. Proceeding by 
 plantation roads to Peters Bridge, on the ISTottoway, and fording 
 the river (the bridge being destroyed) about noon, halted the com 
 mand until 6 p. m. Again resuming the march at the hour named, 
 my brigade in advance, proceeded through Waverly to Blunts 
 Bridge on the Blackwater, arriving there about midnight. Found 
 the bridge destroyed and the river not fordable; constructed a 
 bridge and commenced crossing my command, but before quite a 
 squadron had passed over the bridge gave way, precipitating sev 
 eral horses and men into the stream, but without injury or loss. 
 Again repaired the bridge and commenced crossing the command. 
 At daylight my brigade was all over. Moved to near Cabin Point 
 and encamped for the night. On the 2d instant moved to present 
 camp on James river, near Light House Point. 
 
 "During the entire campaign the loss in commissioned officers 
 has been six killed, thirteen wounded and seventeen missing, and 
 in enlisted men twenty-four killed, 217 wounded and 428 missing. 
 I have constantly received from the officers and men of the com 
 mand the most cordial co-operation, and at all times they have dis 
 charged the arduous duties required of them cheerfully and with 
 vigor. When all have done so well it may not be exactly just to 
 discriminate, but I can not close my report without making men 
 tion of Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin, Major Pope and Major 
 Moore of the Eighth New York, Major Wells and Major Bennett 
 of the First Vermont and Major Patton of the Third Indiana, 
 and Lieutenant-Colonel Hutchins of the First New Hampshire, 
 who have at all times been active and efficient in the discharge 
 of their duties. The members of my staff Capt. J. J. Me Yean, 
 acting assistant inspector-general; Lieut. G. S. Taylor, acting 
 assistant adjutant-general; Lieut. G. M. Gilchrist, acting aide-de 
 camp, and Lieut. T. C. Farr, provost marshal have performed 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 155 
 
 constant and active duties night and day, rendering me most effi 
 cient service, and are entitled to special mention. 
 
 "Officers and men have borne the hardships and fatigues of the 
 march with patience and willingness. In battle they have been 
 brave and gallant, never faltering or giving way except before 
 greatly superior numbers. 
 
 "I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "GEORGE H. CHAPMAN, 
 "Colonel Third Indiana Cavalry, Commanding Brigade. 
 
 "Capt. Louis SIEBERT, 
 
 "Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Cavalry Division." 
 
 This was the last service performed by the Eastern battalion of 
 the Third Indiana Cavalry under the organization as it had en 
 tered the field in September, 1861 prior to its muster out of 
 service. In its last active work, from June 22 to July 2, it was 
 commanded by Capt. T. W. Moffitt of Company F, who, on July 
 2, 1864, from the headquarters of the regiment made the foil owing 
 report (Vol. XL, Part 1, page 647) : 
 
 "Adjutant I have the honor to report the action of the com 
 mand on the late raid as follows: 
 
 "I started out on the 22d ultimo near the rear of the command. 
 Nothing occurred to attract my attention until the evening of the 
 23d, when my regiment was in advance, when we came on the 
 enemy in force stationed on the railroad near Dinwiddie Court 
 House. Fought them until dark, when we withdrew and marched 
 to Meherin Station on the Danville railroad. From here we 
 marched down the railroad, destroying it as we went, until the 
 night of the 26th, when we were in the rear. The enemy coming 
 on us, we made a stand, supported by the Eighth New York, held 
 them until daylight, when we withdrew and brought up the rear 
 to Roanoke Station. From here we marched unmolested to Flat 
 Rock, when we took the advance and came in contact with the 
 enemy at Stony Creek. Fought them all night, and in the morn- 
 
156 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 ing withdrew from their front and marched to Reams Station, the 
 
 regiment being somewhat scattered as the brigade was cut off. 
 
 Nothing more of importance occurred on our part during the raid, 
 
 which ended on the 2d of July. 
 
 "I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant, 
 
 a T. W. MOFFITT, 
 
 "Captain Commanding Third Indiana Cavalry. 
 "Lieut. G. S. TAYLOR, 
 
 "Acting Assistant Adjutant-General Second Brigade, Third Cav 
 alry Division." 
 
 At page 482, Vol. XL, Part 3, appears the following record: 
 "Headquarters Third Division, Cavalry Corps, 
 
 "July 26, 1864, 11 :30 p. m. 
 "Major-General Humphrey, Chief of Staff: 
 
 "The Third Indiana, now on picket, will be relieved at daylight 
 in the morning, and sent away as soon as possible thereafter. 
 
 "JAMES H. WILSON, Brigadier-General." 
 
 Pursuant to this dispatch, the men of the Third Indiana Cav 
 alry whose term of service had expired were sent home by way of 
 Washington, for muster out of service. One hundred and eighty- 
 nine men who had been recruited for the Eastern battalion were 
 retained and organized into two companies known as Companies 
 A and B reorganized. The old brigade with its old commanders 
 (Colonel Chapman having been made Brigadier-General of U. S. 
 Volunteers) on the 31st of August, 1864, was transferred to the 
 Middle Military Division, commanded by Gen. Philip H. Sheri 
 dan, and the detachment of the Third Indiana was under the com 
 mand of Lieut. Benjamin F. Gilbert (Vol. XLIII, Part 1, 
 page 987). 
 
CHAPTEE VI. 
 
 The history of the Eastern wing of the Third Indiana Cavalry, 
 after the expiration of the term of service of the main body of the 
 men who had served with it, and until the close of the war, is so 
 well told in the diary of William W. Watlington, a former member 
 of Company E, and who became a member of Company B in the 
 reorganization, that we adopt it almost as it was written forty 
 years ago. This comrade says: 
 
 "In the latter part of July, 1864, the Third Indiana underwent 
 a radical change. Heretofore it had been the only regiment in 
 the field mounted on private horses, but while in camp near Light 
 House Point the horses of the regiment were appraised and bought 
 by the government. 
 
 "On the 29th of July, 1864, the men who had first enlisted were 
 sent home for muster out of service, and all that remained, 189 
 men, including recruits and men who had veteraned, were organ 
 ized into two companies, those enlisting in 1862 into Company B 
 and those enlisting in 1863 into Company A. This detachment 
 was still attached to the Third Division of Cavalry, commanded 
 by Gen. J. H. Wilson, which on August 8, 1864, embarked on 
 board the transport John H. Warren for Geisburg Landing, near 
 Washington City, where it landed on the 9th of August, and un 
 loading went into camp at Camp Stoneman. It remained until 
 the night of August 12, when General Wilson s command moved 
 out on its way to join General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Val 
 ley, where he had begun an active campaign against General 
 Early, who had been having things his own way. The division 
 camped near Chain Bridge for the night, and on the morning of 
 August 13 Company B of the Third Indiana was ordered to report 
 
 157 
 
158 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 to the headquarters of the Second Brigade of Wilson s division as 
 escort to Colonel Chapman, in command of the brigade. Late in 
 the evening the command moved to Drainsville, where it arrived 
 at 2 a. m. of the 14th and waited for the wagon train to come up. 
 At 3 a. m. of the 15th the command moved on by way of Goose 
 Creek, Leesburg and Snickersville, arriving at the latter place at 
 9 p. m., where it went into camp. On the morning of the 16th 
 the command crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains at Snickers Gap, 
 moved on by way of Berryville to White Post and camped at 
 9 p. m. 
 
 "Here the course of the command was changed northwest to 
 Winchester, where it arrived about noon of the 17th. Soon after 
 our arrival the rebels began driving in our pickets. The Third 
 Division at once threw out its lines and a brisk skirmish followed, 
 until dark, when the division began falling back in the direction 
 of Charlestown on the Harpers Ferry railroad. Company A of 
 the Third Indiana was sent with a message to General Averill 
 thirty miles north of Winchester at Martinsburg, where it arrived 
 on the morning of the 18th at 3 a. m., and by daylight Averill s 
 command was on the move to Shepardstown on the Potomac. 
 About noon of the 18th Company A, Third Indiana, and the Sec 
 ond West Virginia proceeded to Williamsport on the Potomac, 
 fifteen miles north of Shepardstown. On August 12th marched 
 to Harpers Ferry, reported to general headquarters and were 
 ordered to Shepardstown, and remained over night. 
 
 "At 3 p. m. on the 20th we joined our division on the Win 
 chester railroad six miles beyond Charlestown, where the rebels 
 attacked our lines on the following morning. We skirmished for 
 about an hour and fell back on the Nineteenth Corps, on the 
 Charlestown and Winchester pike, the Third Division camping 
 for the night about a mile northeast of Charlestown. At daylight 
 on the morning of the 21st the rebels were on us again and we con 
 tinued falling back to our infantry lines about Harpers Ferry. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 159 
 
 About 1 p. m. Company A was sent out on a scout to feel the 
 enemy, and attacked a rebel patrol when about two miles outside 
 of our lines. We followed them a short distance and returned to 
 camp. We remained in camp on the 23d and 24th of August in 
 comparative quiet. 
 
 "Early on the morning of the 25th of August General Wilson s 
 Third Division moved out of camp at Harpers Ferry, struck the 
 Martinsburg pike two miles from Shepardstown, where it was 
 joined by the First Division, and moving four miles farther out 
 the pike, met the enemy and fought him two hours, retiring to 
 camp with 500 prisoners. The rebel loss was severe, but a number 
 of the Union forces were also killed and wounded. George Lee 
 and several other men of Company A, Third Indiana, were 
 wounded in this engagement. Following our return to camp we 
 fortified our front in anticipation of an attack by the enemy, but 
 this proved unfounded, and scouts coming into camp during the 
 night reported that the rebels were threatening a raid into Mary 
 land. On this information, at 3 a. m. of the 26th of August, Gen. 
 Wilson s Third Division crossed the Potomac at Harpers Ferry 
 and proceeded to Boonesborough, by way of Sandy Hook, and went 
 into camp at South Mountain Gap near Boonesborough at 3 p. m. 
 on the afternoon of the 26th. 
 
 "On the morning of the 27th of August, 1864, Company A, 
 which had been doing regimental duty alone since Company B 
 had been detailed to the Second Brigade headquarters, was ordered 
 to report at Gen. James H. Wilson s headquarters for escort duty. 
 Under these circumstances both companies were performing escort 
 duty, one at the headquarters of the Third Division and the other 
 at the headquarters of the Second Brigade of the division. At 
 division headquarters I and eleven others were detailed as mounted 
 orderlies for service there. From camp at South Mountain Gap 
 the division moved to Sharpsburg and camped north of that town 
 on the Williamsport pike. On the 28th we recrossed the Potomac 
 
160 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 below Shepardstown and reached Charlestown about 4 p. m., 
 where we went into camp near the spot where John Brown had 
 been hung. On the 29th of August I was detailed to accompany 
 Lieutenant Yard, of General Wilson s staff, to Sandy Hook with 
 a part of the Second JSTew York Cavalry, which was to be mustered 
 out there. We returned on the 30th and overtook the division at 
 Berryville, where it was in camp. Berryville is about ten miles 
 east of Winchester, where General Early was supposed to have his 
 headquarters, and about fifteen miles southwest of Charlestown, 
 where General Sheridan had his headquarters. 
 
 "For about three weeks Berryville was the camping ground for 
 the cavalry forces on the left of General Sheridan s lines. His 
 infantry lines extended north from Berryville to beyond the Win 
 chester & Harpers Ferry railroad, while Early s occupied the west 
 bank of Opequan creek, which was five miles west of Berryville. 
 The First and Third Divisions of cavalry were kept actively em 
 ployed harassing Early ? s flanks and driving his cavalry back from 
 the Potomac. After camping a few nights around Berryville, we 
 realized that we were within the haunts of Mosby s guerrilla 
 bands. Suspicious characters were noticed prowling through our 
 camps, and one of them was believed to be Mosby himself. They 
 never interfered with our front, but confined their operations to our 
 rear, attacking our supply trains when not sufficiently guarded. 
 They were concealed in the homes of various residents of the 
 country, and in more than one instance our men were murdered 
 in their own quarters by these cut-throats and assassins. This was 
 the occasion of General Sheridan s order to sweep the valley with 
 fire. On the morning of September 2 our division moved out of 
 camp to look after some of Mosby s men who had been interfering 
 with our rear along the pike between Berryville and Charlestown. 
 We followed them to Hammonds Ferry, but they had fled to their 
 mountain retreat, and we returned to our camps to find them 
 occupied by Early s cavalry. A few shots from our advance sent 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 161 
 
 the rebels back to their own quarters, and we took possession. We 
 moved to Millwood on September 3 and remained over night, and 
 when we returned to our camp at Berryville on the evening of the 
 4th we again found the rebel cavalry in possession. After a short 
 skirmish we again drove them out and took possession and remained 
 until the morning of the 7th, when we again moved in the direc 
 tion of Winchester. 
 
 "At the crossing of Opequan creek the Second Brigade met the 
 rebel cavalry pickets, and drove them back to their infantry within 
 two and a half miles of Winchester, where a slight skirmish oc 
 curred and General Wilson ascertained the position and strength 
 of the enemy. After this we drew off, closely followed by the 
 enemy s cavalry, until we reached the crossing of Opequan creek, 
 when our battery stationed there opened on them and ended their 
 pursuit. On the morning of the 13th of September General 
 Wilson made a reconnoissance with the First Brigade to the 
 crossing of Opequan creek, where he encountered the enemy s 
 cavalry. He made a charge and captured fifty prisoners, after 
 which the Third New Jersey was brought up and charged the 
 Eighth South Carolina Cavalry, capturing 150 more prisoners 
 with their colonel and sixteen line officers. We then returned to 
 camp at Berryville. Early on Monday morning, September 19, 
 the Third Division moved from camp at Berryville on the pike in 
 the direction of Winchester. At daylight at Opequan creek we 
 were on the enemy s pickets, and our advance at once made an 
 attack and drove them back on their reserve. The division was 
 soon across the creek and in position for a general advance, which 
 was pushed without delay, driving the enemy back on their main 
 position on the elevated ground along the south and east banks of 
 Abrahams creek, where they had a considerable force of infantry 
 in line protected by earthworks. Our rapid advance seemed to 
 take them by surprise; we captured their earthworks at the first 
 dash and held them against repeated attempts of the enemy to 
 
162 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALBY. 
 
 regain them, until General Wright with the Sixth Corps came up 
 and relieved the Third Division of Cavalry. 
 
 "At this point Corp. Reuben Clemens of Company A, Third 
 Indiana, was killed. General Mclntosh, commanding the First 
 Brigade, was wounded, losing a leg; and General Chapman, com 
 manding the Second Brigade, was struck with a rifle ball on the 
 plate fastening of his sword belt, making a considerable indenture 
 and defacing the eagle on the brass plate, but causing no serious 
 injury to the General. 
 
 "The Sixth Corps, which had relieved us, pushed on and drove 
 the rebels we had been fighting back on to Early s main line two 
 miles from Winchester and about two miles from where the pike 
 crossed the creek. The course of Abrahams creek from near Win 
 chester bears directly due east, parallel with the pike which runs 
 north of it about three-fourths of a mile, except at the point where 
 the Third Division made its stand; here its course was nearly 
 north for a short distance, and then it resumes its original course, 
 flowing into the Opequan a half mile or so below the crossing of 
 the Berryville pike, where we first ran on the rebel pickets. 
 
 "When we were relieved from the front we moved along the 
 south side of this creek, which had a high bluff bank. From this 
 point we watched the Sixth Corps form and move forward amid 
 a roar of artillery and musketry. Early made a desperate effort 
 to hold his position, and even tried to break the center of the Sixth 
 Corps line, but Sheridan was there and our division was ordered 
 to push the rebel cavalry on Early s right. We moved forward 
 parallel with Abrahams creek and with the lines of the Sixth Corps, 
 and were fast swinging around on to the valley pike which was 
 Early s line of retreat, while Torbert, with Merritt s and Averill s 
 cavalry, was pushing back his left to the west of Winchester and 
 threatening his rear from that direction ; thus pushed on the center 
 by the infantry and both flanks by the cavalry, Early fell back 
 without much regard to military organization. Our division was 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 163 
 
 ordered to attack and harass the left flank of the rebel column as 
 it hurried out of Winchester on the Strasburg pike. A mile out 
 of town the rebels had wheeled two or three guns into position and 
 were shelling our cavalry as we came up, whereupon one of our 
 batteries was ordered up and took position within 400 yards of the 
 rebel guns and were soon hurling shot and shell into them, Com 
 pany A, Third Indiana, being ordered to form up in our battery s 
 rear for support. The position was very uncomfortable but the 
 rebel guns overshot us, as their attention was diverted by the First 
 and Second Brigades of Cavalry that were harassing the flank of 
 their broken column as it rushed up the valley pike. Late in the 
 evening the Second Ohio and the Third New Jersey Cavalry closed 
 in on their rear and repeatedly charged them to beyond Kerntown, 
 near which place the Third Division went into camp for the night, 
 some four miles south of Winchester. 
 
 "At daylight on the morning of September 20th our Third 
 Division moved out on the Strasburg pike as far as Newtown, 
 where we left the pike and started towards Front Royal. We 
 camped for the night half a mile from the north fork of the Shen- 
 andoah river, near its junction with the South Fork. At daylight 
 on the morning of the 20th we crossed the North Fork and arrived 
 at the South Fork three miles from Front Royal, where we found 
 the rebels in position on the opposite side of that river. The First 
 Brigade charged the ford several times before effecting a crossing, 
 after which the division crossed over and drove the rebels about 
 four miles beyond Front Royal, when they disappeared from our 
 front. We camped at Front Royal for the night and on the 22d 
 moved up the Luray Valley ten or twelve miles to Milford, a 
 village on the east bank of the South Fork of the Shenandoah, 
 at the mouth of a small creek. There was a high ridge on the 
 north bank of this creek, which was abrupt where it extended along 
 the river; the roadway was graded around the point of this ridge 
 to a bridge fifty rods or more up the creek. Here we found the 
 
164 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 rebels that had left our front the day before ready to receive us. 
 We skirmished some with them and fell back four miles, camping 
 on the east bank of the river for the night, on the road leading to 
 Strasburg. On the morning of the 23d we forded the river and 
 continued our march, passing around the Massanutten Mountains, 
 and halted about noon on the south bank of the North Fork of the 
 Shenandoah river, some seven miles from Strasburg. 
 
 "Soon after halting General Wilson ordered a detail of three 
 orderlies from the escort to carry a message up the valley of the 
 
 North Fork to General Sheridan. Robert Grey, Ward and 
 
 myself were chosen to carry this message. We soon set out at a 
 forced march gait, our route being by way of Middletown to Stras 
 burg. On arriving at Strasburg our infantry there informed us 
 that Sheridan was twelve miles farther up the valley near Wood 
 stock. With a smooth pike, we pushed on at a lively gait, the 
 twenty miles we had traveled since leaving General Wilson s com 
 mand telling on the wind of our horses, especially Grey s and 
 mine. Four miles from Woodstock Grey and I abandoned the 
 chase, while Ward continued ahead with the message. After rest 
 ing our horses Grey and I returned to Strasburg and camped for 
 the night with a squad of infantry and four cavalryman who be 
 longed to our division. 
 
 "We had been given no instructions about returning to our 
 command and consequently on the morning of the 24th of Sep 
 tember we started out to find our division where we had left it, 
 accompanied by the four comrades of our division. All went well 
 until we arrived at the place where we had left our command and 
 found it gone. After a consultation we started out on a forced 
 march, supposing we could overtake the command some fifteen or 
 twenty miles up the valley, where we had camped on the night of 
 the 22d. We pushed forward at a rapid gait to our old camp and 
 found it vacant. We made inquiry at a nearby farm house of a 
 Virginia widow as to when our cavalry had passed up the valley, 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 165 
 
 and she replied the evening before. This meant that we were 
 twenty miles or more in the rear. We now came to a sense of our 
 situation. Twenty miles in the rear of our command in the Luray 
 Valley, the home of Mosby s guerrillas, was a serious matter. 
 After consultation we decided to push ahead after the division if 
 we had to fight. But our advance was more deliberate than it had 
 been. We re-primed our revolvers and carried our carbines un- 
 slung across our saddles; we had proceeded but a few hundred 
 yards when, at a sharp turn in the road, we discovered two men in 
 rebel uniform crossing the road a few rods in our advance. They 
 had discovered us about the same time and were making for some 
 bushes a short distance from the road. As they appeared to be 
 unarmed we called them to halt, which they obeyed. We inter 
 viewed them and they claimed to be deserters from Early ? s com 
 mand on their way to their homes somewhere down the valley. 
 We wished them success and continued our journey. A half mile 
 or so farther on we came to a camp which our command had likely 
 vacated that morning. Several plugs of horses were feeding 
 around, and had no doubt been abandoned ; one of them seemed to 
 me a better horse than the one I was riding, so I decided to ex 
 change, and did so. After which we were on the move again up 
 the Front Royal and Luray pike, but soon my new horse gave out 
 from a weakness in his back and loins and I had to abandon him. 
 Stowing my saddle and other effects among some bushes, I took to 
 the woods and soon heard shots, from which I inferred my five 
 comrades, who had left me, had encountered a squad of rebels. 
 After an all day and night march on foot I came up to the com 
 mand at Mill river, where I was remounted just as they were pre 
 paring to move out. 
 
 "The five comrades who left me when my horse gave out were 
 captured by the rebels and taken to Richmond, where they were 
 held until the close of the war. The command proceeded to ISTew 
 Market and joined Sheridan, who was still following close on 
 
166 HISTORY OF THE THIKD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Early s rear. On the 25th we left New Market and marched to 
 Harrisburg, and on the 26th went to Staunton, which is at the head 
 of the Shenandoah Valley, forty-five miles from Gordonsville, in 
 direct communication with Richmond. On the 27th the division 
 saddled up and moved eleven or twelve miles to within a mile of 
 Waynesborough, where we went into camp. The next morning the 
 rebels came down the mountain and drove in our pickets. A severe 
 skirmish ensued, in which several of the orderlies had their horses 
 shot from under them while carrying dispatches. We fell back 
 through Staunton to Spring Hill where, after a halt, we fell back 
 again, crossing North river to Bridgewater, about three miles 
 below Mt. Crawford, and lay in camp two days. 
 
 "Here on the 30th of September General Wilson was relieved 
 and ordered to Sherman s army in the West, and Gen. George A. 
 Custer of the First Brigade was assigned to the command of the 
 Third Division. On Sunday morning, October 2, we moved camp 
 three miles to Dayton, but had hardly become settled until the 
 rebels attacked our pickets and drove them in, but after a slight 
 skirmish we drove them back through Bridgewater across North 
 river, capturing some prisoners. During the few days we re 
 mained in this camp the rebels carried on a bushwhacking war 
 fare around us after night, and one night an officer of General 
 Sheridan s engineer corps was shot by a bushwhacker near Sheri 
 dan s headquarters. He was captured and executed the next 
 morning. Others were found secreted about the dwellings in and 
 near the various camps and General Sheridan, in order to terrorize 
 the inhabitants, issued an order to burn every dwelling within five 
 miles of Dayton. This looked like wanton destruction, but was 
 the only safeguard to our lives. 
 
 a On the morning of the 7th of October Sheridan resumed his 
 march down the valley, taking or destroying everything that would 
 be of any special benefit to the rebels. Our division, the Third, 
 moved by the left flank along what was called the mountain road, 
 
HlSTOKY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALKY. 167 
 
 our rear being hard pressed all day by Eosser s cavalry. About 3 
 p. m. they made a sudden dash on our wagon train, capturing two 
 forges and several wagons loaded with refugee families leaving the 
 country. The rebels showed no mercy to these poor wretches. 
 About dark we crossed the north fork of the Shenandoah and 
 camped for the night. The next day we moved on, passing through 
 Columbia Furnace, and camped three miles beyond at Narrow 
 Passage creek. The next day we marched back opposite Stras- 
 burg on the mountain road without interruption, but on October 
 10th Rosser appeared in force on our rear at Fishers Hill. Gen. 
 Sheridan ordered the First and Third divisions of cavalry to wheel 
 about and attack him. General Ouster managed to get two regi 
 ments of his division in Rosser s rear, where they charged; the 
 rebel front being pressed by the First Division they were soon 
 stampeded, our cavalry following them to beyond Woodstock, cap 
 turing six guns, all of Rosser s wagon train and a number of pris 
 oners. The six guns captured were the same our division had 
 abandoned on the 29th of June on the Wilson raid, when we were 
 cut off from making our lines at Reams Station on the Weldon 
 railroad. On the evening of October llth we fell back across 
 Cedar creek and camped two miles west of Middletown. Here we 
 remained in camp with no other interruption than an occasional 
 cavalry dash, which was easily repulsed, until October 19. On 
 that date Early made an attack on the Eighth Corps, commanded 
 by General Crook, on our left at 4 o clock in the morning, and so 
 completely surprised the men of the Eighth Corps that the first 
 they knew of the enemy s movements was when they were in their 
 camps, and many of our men were bayonetted before they could 
 get out of their tents. So fiercely was the attack followed up that 
 our center and right was soon driven back on the reserves. The 
 rebels pushed on almost without opposition until they reached the 
 front of Gettey s division of the Sixth Corps, which bravely re 
 ceived the exultant rebels and checked their advance. The rebels 
 
168 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 pressed forward and Gettey s division was compelled to fall back, 
 although it maintained a steady front. Our front lines were 
 fleeing to the rear by thousands; General Ouster ordered several 
 cavalry regiments to deploy and form a line just north of Middle- 
 town to stop this stream of stragglers, but the stragglers were so 
 panic stricken that neither horses nor sabers could check them, 
 and we were withdrawn. About noon General Torbert was or 
 dered to form the First and Third divisions of cavalry on the left 
 of the pike about a mile north of Middletown with Gettey s divi 
 sion of the Sixth Corps on the right, and here the cavalry was dis 
 mounted and took the front as infantry, bringing the advancing 
 rebels to a stand for several hours while the broken ranks of the 
 Eighth and Nineteenth Corps were reforming behind the right 
 and rear of Gettey s division. 
 
 "While we held this position General Sheridan came up from 
 Winchester and at once began to strengthen his lines. The strag 
 glers returned to their places and the Sixth Corps was ordered up. 
 When the rebels made their next assault on our right and center 
 they were repulsed with so much damage to the enemy that Early 
 drew off and began entrenching himself. By 4 p. m. Sheridan had 
 so far reorganized his routed forces that an advance was made 
 along our entire line. The cavalry charged the flanks of the 
 enemy while the infantry pressed their front; for a time the 
 struggle was fierce, but the rebels were soon forced to abandon 
 their breastworks and began to lose ground, closely followed by 
 our troops. General Custer charged with his entire division and 
 the infantry charged at the same time, forcing the rebels to the 
 creek, followed by their complete rout. General Custer at the 
 head of our division charged at the crossing of the creek, and there 
 was such a jam of wagons and artillery caissons that it was diffi 
 cult for the cavalry to effect a crossing. But we continued along 
 the flank of the retreating rebels, passing disorganized bodies of 
 rebel infantry, wagons and whole batteries which were left with 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIKD INDIANA CAVALBY. 169 
 
 detachments of provost guards. We charged through the ranks of 
 the retreating rebels, capturing battle flags, and single horsemen 
 were bringing in bands of rebel stragglers. A rebel battery of 
 several guns trying to escape on a byroad was ridden down by one 
 man of the escort, brought in and sent to the rear. It seemed like 
 Ouster was bent on capturing the whole of Early s army, and only 
 darkness put a stop to our pursuit. 
 
 "Such was the Battle of Cedar Creek, on the 19th of October, 
 1864. The number killed on each side was about the same for the 
 day. We lost twenty pieces of artillery in the morning and about 
 1,000 prisoners, but we captured 2,000 in the afternoon, recap 
 tured our lost guns and fifty pieces besides, forty-seven of which 
 were taken by Ouster s cavalry, together with a number of wagons 
 and a large number of prisoners. That night we fell back to our 
 old camp and the next day the Third Division moved along the 
 mountain to beyond Fishers Hill, where Ouster halted and sent 
 companies in different directions to look for rebels, but they re 
 turned without finding any. 
 
 "We moved back to near Kernstown, where we went into camp, 
 General Ouster making his headquarters at the house of a Mr. 
 Glass. Soon the rebel cavalry appeared in our front; but we did 
 not move out until the next morning, when we found the rebel 
 cavalry in possession of both roads leading up the valley west of 
 the main pike from Winchester to Strasburg. The mountain road 
 was five miles west of the main valley pike, and leading along the 
 foot of Little North Mountain ; while the middle road was between 
 the mountain road and the valley pike. The Second Brigade, 
 under General Chapman, moved up the middle road, while Gen. 
 Ouster with the First Brigade, under Colonel Bryan, with his 
 escort marched along the mountain road. Sharp skirmishing en 
 sued as the First Brigade advanced, but by a charge of our men the 
 rebels were forced back in disorder, and Custer followed them 
 up so closely that they did not make a stand, being driven five 
 
170 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 miles to the crossing of Cedar creek. We fell back to Mount Zion 
 Church and General Custer sent Lieut. Gilbert of the escort with 
 four orderlies to communicate with General Chapman of the First 
 Brigade. We struck the middle road just as the Second Brigade 
 was falling back on the reserve. A few minutes later the rebel 
 advance charged down on us, but were met by the guard and 
 driven back only to return with a much larger force, which com 
 pelled our rear guard, the First New Hampshire, to skedaddle at 
 a lively pace. I and J. Y. Storm were separated from Lieutenant 
 Gilbert and the other two orderlies, but by spurring up our horses 
 we soon overtook our command on the mountain road. General 
 Chapman left the rebels in possession of the middle road but next 
 morning started out in the same order to finish the undertaking of 
 the day before, meeting with about the same success. The Second 
 Brigade was for a time cut off from the First, but General Custer 
 having cleared the mountain road turned to the assistance of 
 Chapman with his Second Brigade; the rebels were soon driven 
 beyond Cedar creek and the division returned to its camp. General 
 Wright with his Sixth Corps and two other divisions of infantry 
 were withdrawn from the valley, and Sheridan with the rest of his 
 command fell back to Winchester for the winter. The right of his 
 line resting on Little Mountain was occupied by the Third Divi 
 sion of Cavalry under General Custer, with headquarters at 
 Robert Glass 7 residence, four and a half miles southwest of Win 
 chester on the Little North Mountain road. 
 
 "Sheridan s forces remained in this position until the 27th of 
 February, 1865, when under orders from General Grant he moved 
 up the valley. General Devin with the First Division took the 
 advance and Custer with the Third the rear ; crossing Cedar creek, 
 we passed through Strasburg and reached Woodstock, where we 
 camped the first night of the march. On the 28th the Third 
 Division had the advance, and not far from Edenburg our advance 
 guard was fired on by Rosser s rebel cavalry. The rebels fell back, 
 
HlSTOBY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALKY. 17 1 
 
 leaving five of their number prisoners. We reached Mt. Jackson 
 about noon, and while our wagon train was crossing Mill creek, a 
 stream just beyond the town, it was attacked by rebel cavalry. 
 They were again dispersed and five of them captured. On this 
 day in fording the Shenandoah at Mains Bottom three of our men 
 and two horses were drowned. We continued on to Lacys Spring, 
 where the division halted and went into camp. A squad of rebels 
 charged our pickets but retreated with more spirit than they came, 
 several of them being captured, some of whom were in our uni 
 form. On March 1 we moved at 5 a. m., the Third Division 
 in the rear. We passed through Harrisburg, crossed North river 
 at Mt. Crawford. At Mt. Sindner the First Division encountered 
 Rosser s cavalry, which was routed after a sharp skirmish, fol 
 lowed by a running fight for four miles to the bridge across Middle 
 river. They attempted to burn the bridge but failed. Here we 
 camped for the night in the rain. On the 2d of March the Third 
 Division took the lead, passed through Staunton; from there the 
 head of the column taking the pike leading to Waynesborough on 
 the Gordonville railroad. That town the rebels had evacuated, 
 leaving nothing but a few barrels of applejack, which our experts 
 located in a few minutes after we had halted. At Fisherville our 
 advance encountered the rebel pickets. General Ouster sent word 
 back to General Merritt, chief of cavalry, and in the meantime 
 drove the rebel pickets back on their main force at Waynesborough. 
 Here Early had entrenched. 
 
 "Waynesborough was located at the foot of the Blue Ridge, di 
 rectly in front of Rockfish Gap, through which the railroad passed. 
 Ouster took in the situation at once and prepared to attack. Two 
 regiments of dismounted men were stationed on our left to attack 
 the enemy s right flank, two regiments mounted were sent to our 
 right to charge the enemy s left, while the rest of the division with 
 Battery M, Second U. S. Artillery, formed the center. Battery 
 M turned loose her guns and at the same time the Third Division 
 
172 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 went pellmell, every man for himself, shooting and yelling, Ouster 
 leading. Both flanks of the enemy were turned and our men were 
 in the rebel rear before they knew how it was done. They made 
 a desperate resistance, but Ouster s charge on the center broke their 
 lines, which caused a panic. Ouster charged through their broken 
 ranks and charged their wagon train in the rear, where we found 
 the greatest confusion. The teams had been abandoned; not a 
 driver in sight; mules and wagons, horses and ambulances aban 
 doned to their fate. The result of the fight was 1,500 prisoners, 
 twelve pieces of artillery with caissons and horses, 150 wagons 
 with teams, loaded with supplies, fifty ambulances with teams, sev 
 enteen battle flags, together with General Crook s battle flag which 
 had been captured at Cedar Creek on the 19th of October, 1864. 
 The Third Division moved through the gap and went into camp 
 for the night on the east side of the Blue Ridge. 
 
 "On March 3 we moved along the Gordonsville railroad to Char- 
 lottesville, destroying the track as we went. We burned Mechams 
 Station and a building filled with rebel stores there, and the rail 
 road bridge nearby across the Ravenna river. We also destroyed 
 the depot and a lot of supplies at Woodville, and went on to Char- 
 lottesville. We remained there until the 6th of March, when we 
 moved south along the railroad towards Lynchburg. Twelve of 
 us forming the escort and a squad of fifteen or twenty scouts 
 formed the advance ; we saw no rebels all day until we struck the 
 bridge at Rockfish river, which was guarded by rebels. They saw 
 us first and fled as we charged them. We burned the bridge and 
 stationhouse there, and returned to division headquarters back a 
 mile from the bridge. 
 
 "At daylight on the morning of the 7th of March we forded 
 Rockfish river two miles above the bridge, marched to Lovington 
 and destroyed the railroad and rebel stores there. The Third 
 Division proceeded from Lovington to New Glasgow depot, three 
 miles north of Amherst Court House, went into camp, details 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 173 
 
 being sent out in every direction for horsefeed and other sup 
 plies. On the 8th of March we left the railroad, taking a north 
 east course, striking the James river at New Market some thirty 
 miles below Lynchburg. We went into camp two miles below New 
 Market on the James river, and at 6 o clock next morning our 
 division was on its way to Richmond down the river, as we had no 
 means of crossing. We marched down the river road to War- 
 minster, where we took the canal towpath, crossed Rockfish river 
 at the canal aqueduct at Mozartsville, thence along the canal to 
 Scottsville and went into camp. The next day we marched out the 
 Richmond road by way of Vinnsville and Fluvanna Institute, 
 striking the James again at the mouth of Ravenna river, which we 
 crossed to Columbia on the canal aqueduct, going into camp a 
 mile from town. On Sunday morning March 12 we left Colum 
 bia and moved out on the Richmond road six miles, changing our 
 course nearly due north on a road leading to Fredricks Hall Sta 
 tion on the Virginia Central railroad, twenty-five miles east of 
 Gordonsville. On arriving at Thompsons Cross Roads about 8 
 p. m. we learned that General Early and a body of cavalry had 
 passed through a few minutes ahead of us. A squad was sent in 
 pursuit, but he had disappeared towards Richmond. We crossed the 
 South Anna river at Anderson about a mile from the cross roads 
 and a detail was sent out to capture horses; they returned with 
 seven or eight. We arrived at Fredricks Hall about dark and went 
 into camp. On the 14th we left Fredricks Hall and again struck 
 the South Anna at the crossing of Kilpatrick and Sheridan roads, 
 where we again came in sight of General Early, and one of Gen. 
 Custer s staff came near running him down and taking him pris 
 oner. On the morning of the 15th of March we moved to Ash 
 land, where we found the enemy in force, and a sharp skirmish 
 took place, in which several were killed on both sides. Among the 
 killed were two or three officers, and among the prisoners was the 
 adjutant of the Fifteenth Virginia. We fell back along the rail- 
 
174 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 road to the South Anna and crossed again to the north side near 
 the railroad bridge, continuing to Noels Station on the Virginia 
 Central. Leaving here we proceeded to Jerico Ford, crossed the 
 North Anna to the north side and went to Chesterfield Station on 
 the Fredricksburg road, going into camp there. On March 16 we 
 left Chesterfield Station and went to White House Landing, where 
 we communicated with General Grant and received supplies. 
 
 "On the evening of the 19th of March we went out reconnoiter- 
 ing and foraging, among them several boys from Company A at 
 division headquarters and some from Company B, Second Brigade 
 headquarters. They were surprised when near Baltimore Cross 
 Roads by a squad of rebels and eight or ten of them captured, one 
 from Company A and two from Company B. We left White 
 House Landing on the 25th of March and crossed the Chicka- 
 hominy on pontoons where Jones Bridge had been, marching 
 through Charles City Court House to Harrisons Landing on the 
 James river. As we lay there on the morning of the 26th a dis 
 patch boat with President Lincoln and General Grant on board 
 steamed up to the landing. From here we went up the river fif 
 teen miles to Deep Bottom, where our pontoons spanned James 
 river to Jones Landing, and we crossed over, going into camp 
 below the landing. On March 27th we crossed the Appomattox 
 river seven miles above City Point. We moved around in front 
 of Petersburg and went into camp near Fort Magruder. We lay 
 in camp here a day, during which time muster rolls were made out 
 at Company A s headquarters; eight men of Company B, whose 
 time had expired, were mustered out and permitted to go home. 
 
 "On March 29 Grant s army was in motion, only a sufficient 
 force being left behind to man the lines around City Point and 
 Petersburg. The cavalry moved out at 10 a. m. along the Jerusa 
 lem road, crossed the Weldon railroad at Reams Station, went 
 towards Dinwiddie Court House, crossed Rowanty creek at Monks 
 Neck Bridge, stopped for our wagon train, stood . saddled all night 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 175 
 
 in a pouring rain which continued through most of next day. We 
 went into camp on the night of the 30th, unsaddled and supposed 
 we would get some sleep, but at 10 o clock at night picket firing 
 on our left caused us to be routed out, and we remained saddled 
 up the remainder of the night. About noon of the 31st the Third 
 Division was ordered to the front, and moved to about two miles 
 south of Dinwiddie t Court House and went into camp. Devin 
 with his First Division of Cavalry had attacked the rebels in the 
 morning and fought them all forenoon, but made little headway. 
 At 8 p. m. Custer with the Third Division went to his assistance, 
 when the rebels gave way and fell back to near Five Forks, closely 
 followed by both divisions. There the rebels, backed by a heavy 
 force of infantry, made a stand, and Sheridan in turn was forced 
 to give way, but all his available force was dismounted and de 
 ployed on the skirmish line, as he fell back, and a courier was sent 
 back for reinforcements. The rebels followed closely with both 
 cavalry and infantry, but we fell back in good order until Custer 
 found a good position, where he halted and entrenched, with de 
 fenses made of whatever we could lay our hands on. The rebels 
 came on but we brought them to a stand, and held them until their 
 infantry turned our right flank and compelled the Third Division 
 to fall back. General Custer was conspicuous along the line and 
 his private orderly was killed. Darkness put a stop to this fight 
 and both sides rested where they were fighting when darkness 
 came on. On the morning of April 1 the First and Third Divis 
 ions of Cavalry were reinforced by McKenzie s cavalry and then 
 Ayres division of the Fifth Corps, and the fighting became fiercer 
 than ever. The rebels showed signs of weakening and Sheridan 
 pressed them harder than ever, Custer taking every occasion to 
 charge their rear with the Third Division. Custer led two of these 
 charges in person. With drawn saber he dashed to the front, 
 shouting, Now, boys, for your thirty days furlough/ and in they 
 went. On leaving Winchester Custer had issued a special order 
 
176 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALBY. 
 
 promising a thirty-day furlough to each man who captured a rebel 
 battle flag. With the aid of Griffith s division Sheridan was en 
 abled to drive the enemy within their entrenchments at Five 
 Forks. The Fifth Corps was not in position until near dark, yet 
 Sheridan ordered a forward movement along the entire line; the 
 fighting began and for a time the contest was fierce and bloody; 
 in the darkness the blaze of incessant musketry and the flash of 
 artillery lighted up the surroundings of the battle with an awful 
 glare. When the final assault was made our men scaled the 
 earthworks of the enemy and a hand-to-hand struggle raged for a 
 brief time only, for the rebels broke and gave way, leaving in our 
 hands a portion of their artillery, a quantity of ammunition and 
 about six thousand prisoners. Our cavalry pursued the routed 
 rebels until 9 o clock, and returned to Five Forks and camped for 
 the night. 
 
 "The morning of the 2d of April we moved to Fords Inn on the 
 South Side railroad and destroyed several miles of track. Here 
 we encountered the rebel cavalry, which we drove back to Appo- 
 mattox. The Third Division took the advance on the morning of 
 the 3d, and at Namozine Creek ran on to an artillery caisson which 
 had been filled with ammunition and left in the road with a fuse 
 attached. It exploded, killing two officers of the Eighth New 
 York Cavalry. At the crossing of Namozine creek our passage 
 was disputed by the rebels in considerable force, behind breast 
 works. Custer at once ordered up his batteries and after a few 
 shells had been thrown into them they retreated, followed by Cus 
 ter for six miles. We captured 350 prisoners in this fight, includ 
 ing eight officers. We continued the pursuit all the afternoon, 
 taking a number of prisoners and halting a short distance from 
 Mannsborough for the night. During the day the Third Division 
 had captured about 600 prisoners. On the 4th the Third Division 
 crossed Deep creek and went into camp two miles from Devils 
 Bridge, but early in the night we were ordered out and found we 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 177 
 
 were going to endeavor to make a flank movement and get in 
 Lee s front. We countermarched south four miles and reached 
 Jettersville Station, on the Danville railroad, at daylight on the 
 morning of the 5th of April. The Fifth and Second Corps were 
 already there. We moved to the extreme left of the Fifth Corps. 
 Lee s headquarters were at Amelia Court House in our front. 
 
 "At an early hour on the morning of the 6th of April the Sec 
 ond Brigade of the Third Division was sent out on a reconnois- 
 sance in the direction of Amelia Court House, and Lieutenant 
 Christenden of Custer s staff and ten men of the escort went along. 
 We arrived at Amelia Court House at 10 p. m. and found the 
 place evacuated. Lee had moved north by way of Paynes Cross 
 Roads and Deatonville. Corporal Lon Ward was detailed to carry 
 a message back to division headquarters and I was detailed to 
 accompany him. Arriving at Jettersville we learned that the 
 cavalry had left there, moving in the direction of Farmville. Late 
 in the evening we came up with the Third Division headquarters 
 at Harper s farm, which had been the battlefield of Sailors Creek. 
 Our advance, which moved to the right during the forepart of the 
 day, struck the rebel column shortly after noon a few miles south 
 of Deatonville, moving southwest on the road to Rices Station. 
 Here a portion of the command was ordered to attack and harass 
 the enemy s flank, while the First and Second Divisions moved 
 rapidly south, endeavoring to reach the head of the retreating 
 column and cut it off. About 4 p. m. Devin with the First Divis 
 ion succeeded in intercepting them at Harper s farm, just south 
 of Sailors creek. By a sudden attack the road was gained and a 
 stubborn fight followed. Custer was soon up with the Third Di 
 vision and a general attack was made on their front and flank, and 
 the enemy was compelled to make a stand. This attack compelled 
 the rebel column to head further west on the road leading south 
 to the High Bridge and Farmville. Swell s corps was cut off from 
 Lee s army and intercepted in his front by our cavalry, which held 
 
178 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY, 
 
 him at bay until Wright s Sixth Corps came up and attacked him 
 on his left and rear. As soon as our artillery could be gotten up 
 and into position on the elevated ground east of the creek our lines 
 pushed forward on all sides. Here ensued one of the most des 
 perate struggles of the war. The rebels, famished by hunger and 
 cut off and fatigued on the eve of reaching their provision train, 
 fought with desperation and our men, determined to end matters, 
 were no less desperate. With the Sixth Corps moving forward 
 on their rear, Crook and Devin pressing them back in front and 
 Custer charging their left flank, made the rebel situation des 
 perate. They made a mighty effort to hold our forces off while 
 their artillery were trying to escape on their right through the 
 fields and across the country. But with our batteries belching 
 shot and shell, the rebel ranks soon became confused, and our cav 
 alry taking advantage of these conditions to charge them brought 
 off regiments and brigades as prisoners, and captured wagon trains 
 and batteries until one corps of Lee s army was practically elimi 
 nated. Night put an end to the pursuit, and the Third Division 
 headquarters camped on the battlefield. The Third Division in 
 the battle captured 4,000 prisoners, including four generals, be 
 sides fourteen pieces of artillery, thirty stands of colors and 
 several hundred wagons. 
 
 "On the morning of the 7th of April the cavalry moved out, 
 Devin s First Division in advance, followed by Custer s Third and 
 the Fifth Corps of infantry. We crossed the South Side rail 
 road seven miles west of the Junction and proceeded to Prince 
 Edwards Court House. From there the Sixth Corps and the 
 cavalry went west to Farmville to intercept Lee and prevent him 
 from receiving supplies at that point. When the Third Division 
 moved, Captain Lee, the division provost marshal of Custer s 
 staff, with a guard from the escort in charge of the four generals 
 captured the evening before, remained in camp until our prisoners 
 could be turned over to the corps provost marshal, when we fol- 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 179 
 
 lowed up and overtook the division at Prince Edwards Court 
 House. From there we moved west and camped for the night on 
 Buffalo river. 
 
 a On the morning of the 8th of April the Third Division took 
 the advance and struck the Lynchburg railroad at Prospect Sta 
 tion, ten miles west of Farmville, crossed over and followed the 
 north side of the railroad to beyond Evergreen Station and then 
 crossed back to the south side some five miles from Appomattox 
 Station. At 4 p. m. Custer, with the Third Division, was ordered 
 to make a forced march to Appomattox Station to cut off Lee s 
 supply train at that point. Custer led off at the head of the 
 division. We reached the station about dark and Custer charged 
 the depot with the escort. The small body of rebel cavalry there 
 fled in confusion at the first discharge of our revolvers. Four 
 trains loaded with provisions for Lee s army were there, and 
 Captain Lee, division provost marshal, took charge of them, 
 while Custer followed the retreating rebel cavalry. He drove 
 them three-quarters of a mile in the direction of Appomattox, 
 where a strong force of Lee s advance was met, which drove us 
 back. 
 
 "In the meantime the division had come up and hastily formed 
 in a strip of timber a quarter of a mile back of the station. Lee s 
 advance came dashing down the road, but were soon brought to a 
 stand by a volley from the division already in line. But they soon 
 rallied and came again in such force that we could hardly check 
 them, but, the division now all being up, the engagement became 
 general and more aggressive on our part. For a time the fighting 
 was furious. The rebels brought up their artillery, and the 
 whistling shells, the rattle of carbines and the screech of locomo 
 tives seemed like pandemonium. At this point Custer made a 
 final charge with his entire force, and the rebel lines were broken 
 and driven back some distance, when nightfall came on and our 
 division bivouacked on the line. The First Division came up 
 
180 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 during the night and were in position for the battle of the next 
 day, as we knew Lee would be on us the next morning. During this 
 fight we captured thirty pieces of artillery, 1,000 prisoners and 
 100 wagons. 
 
 "At 8 o clock on the morning of April 9 the First Division of 
 Cavalry confronted Lee s skirmishers, and his whole force of in 
 fantry was advancing, but the Fifth Corps had arrived during the 
 night and it soon came to the rescue of the cavalry. The rebels 
 soon came to a stand. Custer had been ordered to the right of the 
 Fifth Corps, where the enemy appeared to be concentrating. 
 Their batteries had been placed in position and shells were falling 
 among us at a lively rate. As soon as the Third Division of Cav 
 alry had taken position on the right of the Fifth Corps that corps 
 charged the enemy s front and drove them back, and at the same 
 time Custer charged their left, completing the rout, until we 
 reached the crest of Glover Hill, from which elevation we could see 
 the Appomattox Court House, with the rebel camps about and 
 Lee s headquarters a short distance beyond. In a moment more 
 we would have been dashing down on the rebel commander, but a 
 signal was hoisted and Custer came to a halt. One of Lee s staff 
 approached with a white flag, requesting a suspension of hostilities 
 until a surrender could be effected by the proper officers. Custer 
 at once dispatched one of his staff to General Sheridan and Sheri 
 dan reported to Grant. Some of us thought it was a scheme to gain 
 time, but news of the white flag spread throughout the army, and 
 the hills and valleys around Appomattox rang with cheers from 
 the Yanks and many of the rebels joined in the chorus. Grant 
 soon came up and proceeded to the house of a Mr. McLain, where 
 Lee had his headquarters, and Sheridan s command went into 
 camp where they had stopped fighting. On the next day Custer 
 took charge of the cavalry corps and we marched to Prospect Sta 
 tion, where we met our wagon train with supplies. 
 
HlSTOEY OF THE THIED INDIANA CAVALRY. 181 
 
 "On the llth we left Prospect Station and marched to Burks- 
 ville Junction, where we arrived on the 12th of April. Here we 
 found a good portion of the infantry and as we rode by their camp 
 they cheered the heroes of Appomattox. We camped three miles 
 south of the Junction and on the 13th moved to Nottoway, the next 
 station south of Burksville Junction, where we remained until the 
 17th, then moved to near Petersburg, and on the 24th of April 
 started with the cavalry corps to join Sherman s army in North 
 Carolina. 
 
 "On the 28th of April, when we reached South Boston, five 
 miles south of Dan river, Sheridan received word that Johnson 
 had surrendered to Sherman, and the next morning we started 
 back to Petersburg, striking the Lynchburg railroad at White and 
 Blacks Station and following the line of the road to Petersburg, 
 where we arrived on the 3d of May and went into camp. On the 
 5th of May Sherman s army reached Petersburg and kept passing 
 until we moved out on the morning of May 10 for Washington 
 on the Richmond pike. There we took part in the grand review; 
 after which Sheridan and Custer left us for Texas, and Captain 
 Gilbert, of Company B, was in charge of the detachment of the 
 Third Indiana. We were first ordered to North Carolina to join 
 the Eighth Indiana Cavalry and then we were ordered to report to 
 Louisville, Ky., for which we started on June 11, reaching there 
 on the 13th. Two weeks later we were ordered to Indianapolis, 
 where we received our discharge papers on the 7th day of August, 
 1865." 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The wide separation of the two wings of the Third Indiana 
 Cavalry, in their respective fields of operations, made them ap 
 parently independent of each other, but officers were commis 
 sioned and promoted as though the two battalions were operating 
 together. 
 
 Col. Scott Carter, with the Eastern wing, resigned on the llth 
 of March, 1863, and on the following day Lieut.-Col. George H. 
 Chapman was made colonel. On the 15th of March, 1863, Maj. 
 Robert Klein, with the Western battalion, was made lieutenant- 
 colonel of the regiment. On the 25th of October, 1862, Capt. 
 William S. McClure, of Company E, was made major. On the 
 12th of March, 1863, Capt. Charles Lemon, of Company C, was 
 made major; and on the 29th of May, 1863, Capt. William Pat- 
 ton, of Company A, was made major, Major McClure having re 
 signed to become colonel of the Ninth Cavalry. 
 
 During this time there were also numerous changes in the com 
 pany officers of both battalions of the regiment. Charles W. Lee, 
 who went out with Company A as a sergeant, first became second, 
 then first lieutenant, and then captain of that company, on the 
 5th of August, 1863, Lieutenant Porter, of that company, having 
 left the service on the 20th of December, 1863. Benjamin Q. 
 Gresham, of Company B, who had been a lieutenant of that com 
 pany, became its captain on the resignation of Capt. James D. 
 Irvin on May 22, 1862 ; was then promoted to major and later 
 resigned to become lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Indiana Cav 
 alry. Marshall Lahue as first lieutenant of Company B com 
 manded that company until it was mustered out of service. Lieut. 
 Ephraim Martin, of Company C, was made captain of that com- 
 
 182 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 183 
 
 pany on the 9th of May, 1863, Major Lemon having been pro 
 moted and Lieut. Paul Clark having resigned on the 20th of June, 
 1862. William W. Long was made first lieutenant of that com 
 pany August 5, 1863. Isaac E. Gilbert became a second lieutenant 
 of Company C on June 8, 1863, and George Rogers was made 
 second lieutenant of the company January 1, 1864. Daniel B. 
 Keister went to the field as captain of Company B, but resigned 
 July 1, 1862. Lieut. Mathew B. Mason became his successor and 
 resigned October 3, 1862. Henry F. Wright followed as captain 
 and resigned March 3, 1863, and Lieut. John D. R. Spencer be 
 came captain August 5, 1863, going from second and then first 
 lieutenant, and remained with the company as its captain until 
 the close of its service. James A. Kelsey was first and James 
 Calhoun was second lieutenant of this company at the date of its 
 muster out of service. 
 
 George H. Thompson became captain of Company E on the 
 promotion of Major McClure, January 5, 1863, and subsequently 
 was promoted to major. The officers of Company E at the date 
 of its muster out of service were George M. Gilchrist, captain; 
 Abner L. Shannon, first, and John P. Mathews, second lieutenant. 
 
 Thomas W. Moffitt, who was made captain of Company F, 
 December 30, 1862, was discharged with the company as its cap 
 tain, and Louis C. Wilson and William Cotton were the first and 
 second lieutenants, respectively. Felix W. Graham, of Company 
 G, resigned April 9, 1862, to become colonel of the Fifth Indiana 
 Cavalry. George F. Herriott, who became his successor, May 17, 
 1862, resigned to become major of the Fifth Cavalry; and 
 William J. Lucas, who was second, then first lieutenant, became 
 captain of the company and continued with it until the date of 
 its muster out of service. At that date Daniel Callahan was first 
 lieutenant and the company had no second lieutenant. 
 
 Alfred Gaddis, who took Company H to the field as its captain, 
 became major of the Western battalion, June 30, 1864, and Uriah 
 
184 HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALBY. 
 
 Young became his successor and was mustered out with the com 
 pany at the close of its term of service. First Lieut. Joseph M. 
 Douglas resigned May 2, 1862. Robert P. Shanklin, who was 
 made second lieutenant May 26, 1862, became first lieutenant 
 July 10, 1864, and Daniel White was made second lieutenant of 
 the company on the same date; and these two officers were also 
 with the company at the date of its muster out of service. As we 
 have seen, all the original % officers of Company I resigned in a 
 body, January 25, 1862, and at the date of that company s muster 
 out of the service Charles Hedrick, who had been second and then 
 first lieutenant, was captain of the company, and Thomas B. 
 Wilkinson first lieutenant, the company having no second lieu 
 tenant. 
 
 When Capt. Robert Klein, of Company K, was promoted to 
 major, Charles Qualman, who had first been a sergeant in the 
 company, then second, then first lieutenant, was made captain on 
 the 1st of November, 1862, and was mustered out with the com 
 pany at the date of its discharge. Christoph Roll, who was a first 
 lieutenant of the company, resigned February 1, 1862, and George 
 Klein resigned the same rank March 31, 1862, and Gustave 
 Liskey was the first lieutenant of the company at the date of its 
 muster out and William H. H. Green was the second lieutenant. 
 
 Oliver M. Powers, who became captain of Company L October 
 23, 1862, was transferred to the captaincy of Company E, Eighth 
 Indiana Cavalry in 1865 and mustered out with that regiment. 
 George J. Langsdale, who became first lieutenant of the company 
 at its organization, resigned August 1, 1864, and Simeon J. 
 Mitchell became first lieutenant, and he, too, was transferred to 
 the Eighth Cavalry. Byron Dawson, who had been orderly ser 
 geant of the company, became second lieutenant September 1, 
 1864, and in 1865 was transferred and made captain of Company 
 G, Eighth Indiana Cavalry. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 185 
 
 Charles U. Pattern, commissioned captain of Company M on De 
 cember 11, 1862, continued with his company during its entire 
 term of service and was mustered out with it April 15, 1865, in 
 North Carolina, as was James W. Haymond, who was first lieu 
 tenant from first to last, with this company. The only changes in 
 officers of this company were in that of second lieutenant. James 
 W. Stephens, of the company, left the service January 1, 1863. 
 Lieut. Thomas G. Shaeffer died at Resaca, Ga., August 25, 1864, 
 and Samuel Borton, commissioned second lieutenant on November 
 3, 1864, was mustered out with the company April 15, 1865. 
 
 First Lieut. George H. Thompson, of Company E, acted as 
 adjutant of the Eastern battalion until December 27, 1862, when 
 Gamaliel S. Taylor, a sergeant of that company, was commis 
 sioned adjutant and served in that capacity until the muster out 
 of the battalion in August, 1864. John Greiner served as com 
 missary until May, 1863, when he resigned, and Philo G. Leslie 
 became his successor and continued with the regiment until the 
 close of its service. 
 
 Elias W. H. Beck was commissioned surgeon, October 21, 1861, 
 and was mustered out with the regiment. His first assistant was 
 Luther Brosie, who resigned November 29, 1862, and James H. 
 Knight was commissioned to fill the vacancy December 23, 1862. 
 He and Dr. Beck served with the Eastern battalion until its 
 muster out. Thomas J. Fritz was made assistant surgeon of the 
 Western battalion February 4, 1863, served with it until the 15th 
 of April, 1865, and was transferred to and mustered out with the 
 Eighth Indiana Cavalry in North Carolina. 
 
 List of men who died of disease or casualty, while in the service, 
 other than those who died of wounds received or were killed in 
 action, or those who died in Southern prisons : 
 Adams, George W., Co. , Murfreesborough, Term. Accident. 
 Burns, Barney, Co. A, Fredricksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. Acci 
 dent. 
 
186 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Bucher, Chas., Co. C, Rappahannock River, Va., 1862. Drowned. 
 
 Buchanan, Pleasant, Co. D, Fredrick City, Md. Disease. 
 
 Barker, Elijah, Co. D, Alexandria, Va., July 8, 1862. 
 
 Branham, Oscar W., Co. E, Eredricksburg, Va., Aug. 24, 1862. 
 Disease. 
 
 Bond, Benjamin, Co. F, Budds Ferry, Md., Nov. 30, 1861. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Brown, Moses H. G., Co. I, Louisville, Ky., January, 1862. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Boner, John, Co. K, Athens, Ala., Aug. 2, 1862. 
 
 Becker, John, Co. K, Huntsville, Ala., Nov. 15, 1862. 
 
 Barth, Jacob, Co. M, Fayetteville, Tenn., Dec. 19, 1863. 
 
 Chapman, Hezekiah, Co. M, Cedar Grove. Disease. 
 
 Currie, Marion, Co. , Alexandria, Va., May 26, 1864. Disease. 
 
 Clark, William, Co. , Nashville, Tenn., April 22, 1865. 
 
 Dennis, Whitesil, Co. I, Stevenson, Ala., Sept. 20, 1863. 
 
 Dunn, Vincent, Co. K, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 7, 1862. 
 
 Daniel, John R., Co. M, Brown County, Ind., April 11 ? 1865. 
 
 Eurich, Benedict, Co. M, Indianapolis, March 15, 1863. Disease. 
 
 Earhart, James, Co. C, Gallatin, Tenn. 
 
 Fouch, Obion, Co. G, Murfreesborough, Tenn., March 17, 1863. 
 Disease. 
 
 Fee, James, Co. H, Murfreesborough, Tenn., 1863. Disease. 
 
 Gue, Edward, Co. I, Louisville, Ky., January, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Hulley, William, Co. , Acqia Creek, Va., May 8, 1863. Disease. 
 
 Heiner, Jacob, Co. G, Camp Shiloh, Tenn., May 25, 1862. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Hobbs, Jesse, Co. I, Louisville, Ky., January, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Heidman, Dedrich, Co. K, Nashville, Tenn., April 18, 1862. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Hollings worth, Isaac N., Co. L, Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 31, 1863. 
 
 Hammond, Henry C., Co. M, Fayetteville, Tenn., Dec. 14, 1863. 
 
 Hama, William A., Co. , Sept. 30, 1862. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 187 
 
 Koenig, Daniel, Co. K, Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 24, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Knecht, Clemens, Co. K, Nashville, Tenn., April 26, 1862. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Lopp, Charles H., Co. H, Evansville, Ind., May 15, 1862. 
 
 Lee, Eobert D. F., Co. I, Louisville, Ky., June, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Lipsey, John, Co. M, Indianapolis, Jan. 29, 1863. Disease. 
 
 Lee, Elisha, Co. M, Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 4, 1863. Disease. 
 
 Miller, John I., Co. A, Dec. 11, 1863. Disease. 
 
 McKinsey, Eesin K., Co. H, Kingston, Ga., Sept. 7, 1864. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 McGuffin, William A., Co. I, February, 1862. Accident. 
 
 Meyer, William, Co. K, New Albany, Ind., June 2, 1864. Disease. 
 
 Mayhew, Samuel W., Co. M, Indianapolis, March 20, 1863. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Mi mms., Wallenstein, Co. I, Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 30, 1864. 
 
 Nutter, Theodore S., Co. M, Mt. Olive, N. C., April, 1865. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Overholtzen, John, Co. H, Corinth, Tenn., June 23, 1862. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Pickett, Alfred, Co. C, Jan. 15, 1864. 
 
 Plenn, Abram, Co. C. 
 
 Pettit, William D., Co. D, Brandy Station, Va., Jan. 11, 1864. 
 Disease. 
 
 Porter, Gillett, Co. D, Washington, D. C., June 24, 1864. Disease. 
 
 Puckett, Samuel F., Co. F, Washington, D. C., July 9, 1863. 
 Accident. 
 
 Parkhurst, Washington, Co. I, Sandtown, Ga., Sept. 9, 1864. 
 Disease. 
 
 Pavy, Henry C. 
 
 Eoberts, Kobert W., Co. A, Budds Ferry, Md., March 1, 1862. 
 Disease. 
 
 Kitchel, Curtis C., Co. E, Hope Landing, Va., March 31, 1863. 
 Disease. 
 
188 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Russey, Ithamer W., Co. G, Chattanooga, Term., Aug. 22, 1864. 
 Disease. 
 
 Rogers, George H.,Co. G, Thorntown, Ind., June 5, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Eoss, Samuel H. P., Co. H, Louisville, Ky., Jan. 28, 1862. Dis 
 ease. 
 
 Rickard, James, Co. I, Maxwell, Ky., October, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Reed, Theodore, Co. L, Feb. 12, 1863. 
 
 Smock, David, Co. E, Fredricksburg, Va., Aug. 8, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Sebern, Cornelius, Co. G, St. Louis, Mo., June 28, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Snow, John, Co. G, Edinburg, Ind., March 20, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Stamper, John, Co. , Murfreesborough, Term., April 21, 1863. 
 
 Surran, John S., Co. M, Indianapolis, July 21, 1863. Disease. 
 
 Shaeffer, Thomas G., Co. M, Resaca, Ga., Aug. 25, 1864. 
 
 Trowbridge, Enoch, Co. C, Washington, Oct. 12, 1862. 
 
 Townsend, Isaac, Co. E, Rockville, Md., Sept. 17, 1862. Disease. 
 
 Thompson, John W., Co. F, Washington, D. C., July 14, 1862. 
 Disease. 
 
 Toops, William II., Co. M, Cumberland Gap, Tenn., Feb. 15, 
 1864. Disease. 
 
 Tufts, Louis, Co. , July 15, 1864. 
 
 Vansickle, James, Co. M., Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 19, 1864. 
 
 Wright, James M., Co. A, Baltimore, Md., Sept. 9, 1861. Disease. 
 
 William, Winchell, Co. F, Budds Ferry, Md., Nov. 30, 1861. 
 
 West, Robert C., Co. G, Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 7, 1862. 
 
 Wilkinson, George M., Co. M, Louisville, Ky., Oct. 18, 1863. 
 
 Wenner, Joseph, Co. M, Richmond, Ind. 
 
 Whithead, William H., Co. M, Fayetteville, Dec. 27, 1863. 
 
 Wiseman, Henry W., Co. , Aug. 12, 1862. 
 
 The following is a list of the men who were killed or died of 
 wounds received in action, with dates and locations : 
 
 Adams, George D., Co. K, Murfreesborough, Tenn., July 15, 1863. 
 Adams, James K, Co. A, Culpepper, Va., Sept. 13, 1863. 
 Atkinson, Joseph M., Co. A, Yellow Tavern, June 8, 1864. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 189 
 
 Banks, Simeon, Co. C, Eaccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 13, 1863. 
 Bledsoe, Benjamin S., Co. C, White Oak Swamps, Va., June 27, 
 
 1864. 
 
 Clever, George S., Co. L, Severeville, Tenn., Feb. 20, 1864. 
 Clements, Keuben, Co. A, Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864. 
 Donnovan, Peter, Co. G, Nashville, Tenn., April 10, 1862. 
 Dunn, McKee, Co. G, Nolensville, Tenn., Dec. 27, 1862. 
 Evans, John H., Co. B, Eappahannock Station, September, 1863. 
 Fallis, David, Co. A, Poolesville, Md., Sept. 8, 1862. 
 Ferguson, William H., Co. A, Brandy Station, Va., Aug. 1, 1863. 
 Gorman, Jas. D., Co. F, White Oak Swamps, Va., June 27, 1864. 
 Green, Marmaduke, Co. D, Massaponax, Va., Aug. 6, 1862. 
 Gibbons, Daniel, Co. G, Stone Kiver, Ga., Dec. 31, 1862. 
 Heath, Samuel A., Co. C, White Oak Swamps, June 27, 1864. 
 Heath, Martin, Co. C, Stephensburg, Va., October, 1863. 
 Holbert, James A., Co. K, Camp Creek, Ga., Sept. 24, 1864. 
 Kirlin, Thomas, Co. G, Shelbyville, Tenn., June 27, 1863. 
 Kraft, Bernard, Co. K, Little Kennesaw River, Tenn., Jan. 12, 
 
 1864. 
 
 Kennedy, Walter O., Co. F, Gettysburg, Pa., June 30, 163. 
 Keoghler, Harvey M., Co. F, White Oak Swamps, Va., June 27, 
 
 1864. 
 
 Lamb, Samuel, Co. C, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. 
 Loder, Benjamin, Co. F, Madison C. H., Va., Sept. 22, 1863. 
 Lewis, Joseph, Co. E, Middletown, Md., Sept. 13, 1862. 
 Lemon, Charles, Major, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. 
 Moore, Stephen, Co. H, Nolensville, Tenn., Dec. 27, 1862. 
 Mitchell, DeWitt C., Co. L, Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 31, 1864. 
 Moyer, Nicholaus, Co. K, Knoxville, Tenn., Feb. 26, 1864. 
 Pebler, David, Co. C, Brandy Station, Va., Sept. 11, 1863. 
 Park, William, Co. E, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. 
 Quinn, James, Co. A, South Mountain, Md., Sept. 13, 1862. 
 Eoyce, John W., Co. G, Severeville, Tenn., Feb. 20, 1864. 
 
190 HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 Story, William, Co. E, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. 
 Smith, Jesse, Co. D, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. 
 Seever, Smyrna W., Co. E, Middletown, Va., Sept. 14, 1863. 
 Trester, Oliver H., Co. D, Fredrick City, Md., Sept. 13, 1862. 
 Williamson, James H., Co. F, Middletown, Md., Sept. 13, 1862. 
 Wright, Augustus, Co. D, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. 
 Weaver, John E., Co. A, Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. 
 Zenger, Ernest, Co. K, Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 20, 1862. 
 
 Lost on Steamer Sultana, April 27, 1865 : 
 Kaney, William, Co. C. 
 Norman, James, Co. F. 
 
 List of men who died in Southern prisons : 
 Brindley, Elijah, Co. A, Richmond, Va. 
 Cunningham, Samuel, Co. F, Andersonville, 1864. 
 Fuget, Walter, Co. C, Andersonville, 1864. 
 Greenwood, William W., Co. C, Andersonville, Oct. 23, 1864. 
 Humphreys, Isaac, Co. C, Andersonville, June 28, 1864. 
 Hollingbuc, Cornelius, Co. A, Andersonville, Oct. 23, 1864. 
 Harney, James, Co. I, Andersonville, Feb. 1, 1864. 
 Joyce, James. 
 
 Kelso, Edward, Co. C, Andersonville, June 13, 1864. 
 Kennedy, John H., Co. I, Andersonville, February, 1864. 
 Lee, John, Co. A, Andersonville, 1864. 
 Lewis, Isaac, Co. C, Andersonville, July 7, 1864. 
 Micha, Lewis, Co. I, Andersonville, June 23, 1864. 
 Moore, William, Co. F, Andersonville, 1864. 
 McCarty, Abram, Co. C, Andersonville, Oct. 27, 1864. 
 Martin, George W., Co. C, Andersonville, May 31, 1864. 
 Prentiss, Nelmore, Co. E, Andersonville, 1864. 
 Eogers, Monroe T., Co. M, Eichmond, Va., Nov. 13, 1864. 
 Vanarsdol, Richard, Co. A, Richmond, Va. 
 
 Many of the officers and men of the Third Indiana Cavalry were 
 captured by the enemy during their term of service, and many of 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 191 
 
 them incurred disabilities from which they never recovered, by 
 reason of their treatment in Southern prisons, but all returned to 
 the service or their homes exchanged or paroled, save the foregoing 
 frightful list, most of whom it will be seen died in Andersonville. 
 One of our surviving prisoners of war narrates his experience in 
 the pages with which we close this volume and we give it because 
 we believe his comrades will peruse it with interest: 
 
 "Argentine, Kan., May 2, 1900. 
 
 "My Dear Comrade I was not in either of the scrapes men 
 tioned by you, the one at Kelleys Ford or in the rear of Fredricks- 
 burg. I was captured on the 5th of May, 1864, at Mine Run, 
 Virginia. You remember we left Culpepper Court House at 12 
 o clock at night, crossed the Rapidan at daylight and advanced 
 very slowly and cautiously. About 8 o clock in the morning we 
 formed in a field in close column and were ordered to get break 
 fast. My coffee had just come to a boil when the rebel advance ran 
 into us. We received orders to mount and our regiment moved 
 out in advance. We were dismounted, and drove the rebels back 
 on their reserve. If you remember, it was very hot and many of 
 the boys left the skirmish line to hunt for water. Captain Moffitt 
 rode out to where I and Orderly Sergeant Tracy were and gave 
 us an order to hold our post at all hazards. It was not over five 
 minutes until the rebels advanced, fifty to our one, and Captain 
 Moffitt ordered us to get out of there, every fellow for himself. I 
 had to fall back across a field and the rebels were within twenty 
 feet of me when I started to run. Rebel bullets fanned both sides 
 of my face and struck on both sides of my feet for three hundred 
 yards. I got safely into the next woods, nearly out of breath, 
 climbed the fence and took a few shots. 
 
 "The rebel cavalry was charging down the road and I lit out 
 again and got nearly to the next timber, where I found John C. 
 Flora given out. He said: I ll be goldarned if I m going any 
 farther if I m captured. I said: I am going to try and get 
 
192 HISTORY OF THE THIKD INDIANA CAVALBY. 
 
 through if I possibly can. 7 I got to the edge of the woods, found 
 some water and took a drink ; it was as warm as dishwater. Capt. 
 Moffitt came to within about twenty-five yards of me and asked 
 if any more of our boys were with me and I told him about John 
 C. Flora. Captain Moffitt put spurs to his horse and got out of 
 there, and when I got to where I could see there were about two 
 squadrons of our cavalry formed across the road and I thought 
 they would check the rebels until I got through. 
 
 "It looked to me as though they shot straight up in the air, and 
 then broke like panic-stricken sheep. So all my hopes vanished 
 and I was doomed to be a prisoner of war. In five minutes there 
 must have been a division of rebel cavalry between me and our 
 forces. I was trying to sneak down to the right, where there were 
 some small pine bushes, to hide until dark and then crawl through 
 the lines at night. But here about fifteen or twenty rebels came 
 with one prisoner by the name of Bradley from a Connecticut 
 regiment. The rebel in the rear was walking and leading his 
 horse, which had been wounded. All the rest passed by me and 
 did not see me, but this rear fellow, who had no arms, saw me. 
 I drew up my carbine to shoot him, but the poor fellow pleaded 
 for me not to do it, and it did seem hard, but I thought of Ander- 
 sonville and drew on him again and again. The last time his cries 
 drew the attention of his comrades, and I walked out and said: 
 Boys, you have the advantage of me in numbers. Well, they 
 robbed me of my watch and hat and gave me one of their soft, 
 limp cotton hats with about as much shape as a dishrag. They took 
 us (Bradley and me) to the provost marshal and from there we 
 began our march to the interior of rebeldom. 
 
 "We went to Orange Court House the first day and camped for 
 the night. The next morning the ball opened early, and ambu 
 lances and wounded men began coming back single file, some of 
 the wounded screaming with pain; and I thought to myself that 
 is a different tune from what you sang last night when you bragged 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 193 
 
 about going down to clean out the Yanks. The second day we 
 reached Gordonsville, where we remained four or five days and 
 then went to Danville, where they put us in a tobacco warehouse 
 and kept us about two days. Then they moved us out on a com 
 mon in a suburb of the town and guarded us there like cattle four 
 or five days more. Then they loaded us into cattle cars and started 
 us to Andersonville, where we arrived about the 16th of June, and 
 soon learned that the notoriety of the place had not been overesti 
 mated. 
 
 "I shall not try at this time to describe the sights I saw and the 
 treatment our boys received. You, no doubt, have read about it 
 in books by comrades who were better qualified than I am to tell 
 about it. I can forgive everything else but rebel treatment of our 
 prisoners of war. I was in the stockade about six weeks. Our quar 
 termaster sergeant and the rebel quartermaster were Masons. Our 
 rations were cooked one day and raw the next; and then raw all 
 the time. I took chronic diarrhrea like many of the men, some of 
 whom were so far gone they could not get to the sinks. On the 
 evening of the last day I was in the stockade I began to think I 
 would soon be like them, if better luck did not come to me. 
 
 "Bradley, David Atherton and I bunked together and the three 
 of us had one blanket. When I was scarcely able to crawl into the 
 bunk Bradley came around and said : Sterrett, I have some good 
 news for you. 7 Well, what is it ? Then he said the rebel quar 
 termaster ordered our quartermaster to hunt up all the Masons in 
 his detachment and report at the gate at 9 o clock the next morn 
 ing. I replied : I guess we will be there on time/ We were all 
 sent to Captain Wirtz 7 headquarters and signed an agreement that 
 if we behaved ourselves and did not try to run away we would be 
 sent off with the first exchange of prisoners of war. 
 
 "Then we went to work in the cook house. Jim Duncan was 
 captain of the cook house and bakery ; we had rollcall every night 
 and morning. One day Duncan came in with a big raw-boned, 
 
194 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 burly fellow with side arms, who made the remark that cotton 
 was king and was bound to come out victorious, and when the 
 Southern States gained their independence he was going into the 
 slave trade and ship negroes from Africa. I told him a year 
 would tell the tale and that I did not think he would ever have the 
 opportunity of going into the slave business. I had them hot 
 enough to bite a nail in two. 
 
 "A prisoner named Frank Turner and I were bunk mates at the 
 , cook house, and Frank had managed in some way to smuggle some 
 money into the stockade. There was also an Irishman by the 
 name of Patrick O Conner of the Eleventh IT. S. Regulars, whom 
 the rebels had taken outside as a detective to prevent the prisoners 
 from trading with the negroes or anyone else outside the stockade. 
 Turner bought a sack of flour and O Conner got on to it, and had 
 Duncan confiscate it. On the 5th of September five of us ran off 
 from Andersonville, and on the fourth day about 4 p. m. we were 
 recaptured by old soldiers who had been wounded at the front. 
 They were jolly good fellows and sent a man ahead to Lumpkin, 
 the county seat of Stewart county, Georgia, and ordered our sup 
 pers at an old planter s. We had butter, milk, cornbread, honey 
 and meat, and we thought it was the best supper we had ever seen. 
 Just as I had finished my supper I said to the old man: Land 
 lord, what are we going to do about this supper? We are the 
 poorest guests that you could possibly have. We ve got the supper 
 and appreciate it very much. Well, said the old man, boys, I 
 have a son in a Northern prison and if you should get back and 
 have the chance and treat him as I have treated you I will be re 
 paid. So we thanked the old man and set out for Lumpkin. 
 
 "Arriving there the guards turned us over to the sheriff or 
 jailer. He was a saloon keeper and held the office of jailer, which 
 exempted him from military service. It was Sunday evening and 
 there were several in to see us, and they found out I was a Mason 
 and I felt pretty well. They began to treat us, and when we 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 195 
 
 started to jail were feeling pretty rich, for prisoners of war. Some 
 of our friends tried to get the jailer to leave the jail unlocked and 
 let us get away. The jailer was afraid of losing his job and being 
 compelled to go into the army, but we had the best fare and kindest 
 treatment of any place in the South. One old farmer came to see us 
 and brought with him a bucketful of nice hot biscuits. He came 
 with the jailer and had him let us out for fresh air, so we could do 
 justice to the biscuits. And they were the only biscuits we ever 
 got to see in the Confederacy. The old man told us he was in full 
 sympathy with the South but that he respected our views, for 
 people in different sections of the country would have different 
 views. The old man finally left us and we were put back in jail. 
 "Lumpkin is a beautiful place, large lots and nice shade trees. 
 Our next place was Columbus, Ga., and when they brought us out 
 of jail an old German shoemaker, doing quite an extensive busi 
 ness, came and told the man in charge of us to turn us over to him 
 and he would be responsible for us. He took us to his shoe shop 
 and gave each of us a pair of shoes and socks, as we were all bare 
 footed, and we greatly appreciated his kindness. We were then 
 started to Columbus and had an awful trip walking in the loose 
 sand. We stopped the first night on the bank of the Chattahoochie 
 river and were guarded by citizens in charge of a corporal of the 
 home militia. That night when they thought we were asleep they 
 cursed us for all the d d Yankees. The next morning the sun 
 arose in all its beauty and we trudged on towards Columbus. We 
 traveled two or three miles before breakfast and then continued 
 on our journey. At noon we stopped for a rest and the guards set 
 their guns down in a fence corner and climbed over the fence to 
 get corn for their horses. They were completely in our hands 
 and I pleaded with the boys to take their guns and we would march 
 them awhile. The boys thought it would only be the worse for 
 us, so I gave it up. 
 
196 HlSTOEY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 "That night about dusk we reached Columbus, and I was so 
 tired I could hardly drag one foot after the other. The corporal 
 took us with him to hunt up the provost marshal and, after calling 
 on several of his relatives, found him. We were sent to jail for 
 safe keeping, but did not receive the same kind treatment we did 
 at Lumpkin. We were here about two weeks and were then sent 
 to Macon, Ga. There we were put in the old stockade fair ground, 
 southeast of Macon, for about six weeks. We had not been there 
 long until my old friend Pat O Conner, of the Eleventh Regulars, 
 came walking in. I said : Conner, I thought you liked the rebels 
 too well to leave them. Oh/ he said, I did not like them as well 
 as you might suppose. Well/ I said, you have come to a good 
 
 place to get paid for some of your meanness. He passed 
 
 right on and would not talk to me. 
 
 "In a short time after this the rebels wanted to build some bar 
 racks and they had no carpenters. So they came inside to see if 
 there were any Yankee carpenters. There were six of us, viz., 
 Frank Twist, Henry C. Knowles, Freeman Sands, John Lovell, 
 H. C. Hartwell and myself. They took out the two first one day, 
 but they would not work without terms. They told the post car 
 penter they had four other comrades in the stockade, that we had 
 stuck together through thick and thin and they would not go out 
 and work unless they took the other four and let us stay outside 
 and not go back in the stockade of nights while we were there. 
 Their wishes were granted and we all got out. 
 
 "In a few days after this the rebels issued an order that any 
 Yankee taking the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy would be 
 protected by the law of the State and not subject to military duty, 
 and all foreigners who should take the oath should have the same 
 privilege of citizenship; and, further, if they would take the 
 chances of running the blockade, they would send them to their 
 own country. So one morning all but two left to run the blockade ; 
 my friend O Conner and a big burly Englishman remained. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 197 
 
 Our quarters were inside the foundation of a commissary build 
 ing the rebels had started to build. The sills were mortised to 
 gether and about two feet high. Our quarters were in the south 
 end and O Conner and the Englishman were in the north end. We 
 had no correspondence with them. I took the intermittent fever 
 and was awful sick for several days. Finally I got better and I 
 gpt out of the hospital and in two or three days after I had a hard 
 shake of the ague. 
 
 "My esteemed friend Pat O Conner was up in Macon with some 
 of his Irish friends and got drunk enough to want to fight. I had 
 an awful shake of the ague that forenoon and our only quarters 
 were a shed open to the south. The sun shone in on me, and Frank 
 Twist, who had come in at noon, told me to take a blanket and go 
 over and lie in the quarters of O Conner and the Englishman, as 
 he thought they had all gone to run the blockade that morning. 
 I followed his advice, took my blanket and went over and laid 
 down in the first bunk I came to and laid there until late in the 
 evening, when the boys came from work. About this time my 
 friend O Conner came in and, walking up, says: What the hell 
 are you doing in my bunk? I told him about my shake and he 
 said: A bunk that is worth having is worth asking for. 7 Just 
 then that sack of flour came into my mind and I jumped to my 
 feet and said: Pat Conner, you were not here to ask, but don t 
 think for a minute there is anybody here afraid of you. He began 
 to pull his coat, for I had raised his ire, and he made for me. I 
 grabbed up a two-by-four piece of scantling about three feet long 
 and gave him one ; he landed about ten feet away on the west side 
 of the foundation and, raising his feet over his head, trembled like 
 a dying calf. I gave him another with the flat side of the scantling 
 on the seat, and you could have heard it three hundred yards away. 
 I was making the third blow across his forehead when three of the 
 comrades jumped on me and stopped it. That blow would have 
 mashed his head to a jelly. 
 
198 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 a He finally got up and went to Captain Hurtell, of Alabama, 
 and reported me. Captain Hurtell and the post surgeon were 
 Masons. Frank Twist and Knowles went to them and told them 
 all about O ? Conner and how he had played traitor with his own 
 comrades ; Captain Hurtell told O 7 Conner he had better attend to 
 his own business and keep sober and he would not have any trouble 
 with the boys, as they are without exception the best boys in the 
 stockade. O Conner was sent to the hospital and I was there off 
 and on and saw him. After the surrender I never saw him again. 
 The next morning Captain Hurtell came over to me and talked 
 to me more like a brother than a rebel officer. 
 
 "Our carpenter work at Macon did not last long. Kilpatrick 
 came through there on a raid and burned the mill we got our 
 lumber from and part of us were sent with the post carpenter to 
 Columbus, Ga., to build a platform between two railroads, so the 
 freight could be moved from one railroad to the other on trucks. 
 We had a good time down there. I saw the gunboat the rebels 
 had built and could not launch. We completed our job at Colum 
 bus and went back to Macon. We learned through our headquar- 
 ter s friends that Mr. Gruber wanted five hundred cords of wood 
 cut, and that he would furnish us rations and give so much a cord 
 for cutting. A Dr. Johnson also came in and wanted to know if 
 there were any blacksmiths there and we told him there were two 
 of us. He wanted a buggy repaired and asked us to come over to 
 his house the next morning and go to work. We went and had a 
 good time. We repaired his buggy, did lots of work and got all 
 the confederate money we wanted to buy sweet potatoes with. 
 
 "We next got orders to return to Macon ; that there was to be a 
 general exchange of prisoners. We got the papers every day and 
 we did not see a word about the exchange of prisoners in them. 
 Before we left Columbus a widow lady told me if I was not satis 
 fied that we were to be exchanged, to come to her house and she 
 would keep me and the rebels would not find me. We went to 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 199 
 
 Macon and reported. They were getting ready to send us to An 
 dersonville, so we started to run off and traveled part of one night, 
 but it was very wet and we were wholly unprepared for such a trip, 
 as we had no rations. Frank Twist and H. G. Knowles had been 
 planning to escape and had made the necessary arrangements and 
 left the same night. I went back and went to the woman who had 
 volunteered her services. Hartwell A. Lovett also had a place to 
 stay, so we all had places to stop. I finally wrote a pass and forged 
 the general s and adjutant-general s names to it, and we went to 
 work cutting wood. The militia never bothered us but once, and I 
 showed them our pass and the militia said we were all right. The 
 pass was a copy of the kind of passes the rebels had given us be 
 fore. We went out in the country to cut wood and there we found 
 out that there really was an exchange of prisoners agreed upon and 
 that the department commandants at Macon had been changed. 
 Sands and I counseled together as to the best thing to do and con 
 cluded to go to General Pillow in Macon and report to him that 
 we had been working as paroled prisoners of war, and he treated 
 us with great respect and offered to do anything for us if we would 
 stay in Macon, saying if we went home we would have to stay in 
 the army and if we remained in Macon we would not have to go 
 in the army. But he gave us three days rations and transporta 
 tion to Andersonville, and we went there by train and reported to 
 Captain Wirtz, handing him General Pillow s instructions not to 
 place us in the stockade, but send us off with the first prisoners 
 exchanged. So in about a week we were sent to Thomasville, Ga. 
 When we got there General Grant, it seems, had informed them 
 that there would be no further exchanging, as he expected to have 
 all the rebels as prisoners in a short time. So, downcast, we started 
 back to Andersonville, going by way of Albany, where we camped 
 by the largest spring I ever saw. 
 
 "The day after we left Albany we reached Andersonville and 
 at noon were standing in front of Captain Wirtz headquarters to 
 
200 HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 
 
 be counted off in detachments of one hundred each and the one 
 hundred men were divided into messes of twenty each. I was in 
 the first one hundred and in the second mess, and was appointed 
 to take charge of and distribute the rations to the twenty men that 
 I belonged to. Here we got word that Lee had surrendered. They 
 marched us down to the depot and halted us until .about eight hun 
 dred men were counted off. I sat down on the platform at the 
 depot. Captain Wirtz came up in front of us and the last words 
 I ever heard him speak were : Attention, you d d Yankee s s 
 of b s. 7 
 
 "I struck a beeline up the railroad and at 2 o clock in the after 
 noon was at Flint River, ten miles away. If ever a poor fellow 
 traveled, I did. I left Andersonville at noon on Thursday and 
 on Friday night at 2 p. m. I had walked back to Macon and re 
 ported at the home of my intended mother-in-law, for you see 
 while I was cutting wood near Macon, as I have told you, I was also 
 courting the girl of the lady who boarded me, and we were engaged 
 to be married. On that walk from Andersonville to Macon I met 
 four or five of the Seventeenth Indiana Mounted Infantry. They 
 yelled, How are you, Johnny/ and I said to them, You guessed 
 my name when I am in God s country. They told me they be 
 longed to the Seventeenth Indiana and I told them that was where 
 I belonged when at home, and told them I was from Andersonville. 
 They pulled off their hats, gave three cheers and said : You re all 
 right now and the whole Confederacy has surrendered. 
 
 "On Thursday after I returned to Macon, General Wilson took 
 the city and on the Saturday following I reported to the general 
 quartermaster. On the 7th day of May, 1865, I was married and 
 in about ten days afterward we were sent to Washington, then to 
 Annapolis, and then to Camp Chase, Ohio, where I was mustered 
 out of service on the 28th day of June, 1865. 
 
 "I visited my home in Indiana for a few days and went back 
 to Georgia after my wife and returned home and went to work. 
 
HISTORY OF THE THIRD INDIANA CAVALRY. 201 
 
 I lived in Columbia, Ind., until 1878 and then went to Lincoln 
 county, Kansas, always working at my trade as blacksmith, but had 
 to give it up on account of my health. I then went to Andrew 
 county, Missouri, where I stayed two years, then coming to this 
 part of the country, where I have been since, except for a time I 
 was an inmate of the State Soldier s Home, at Dodge City. 
 
 "That is a pretty place and nice home, but out of the way, so I 
 took a discharge from there and made application to the National 
 Home at Fort Leavenworth, where I am still a member. I take a 
 furlough and have it renewed when it runs out, so I can return 
 there in case of emergency. 
 
 "My wife died on the 12th of November, 1893. Her name was 
 Josephine Braddock. I was born at Everton, Fayette county, 
 Indiana, on the 29th of December, 1839, and am now going on 
 sixty-one years of age. Well, comrade, I have made you a state 
 ment of my life from the 5th of May, 1864, through my prison 
 life down to the present time. Since I came here I have worked at 
 everything there is to do. I have worked in a smelter, on a rail 
 road section, on the streets, at stone work, carpenter work, and in 
 a stone quarry, and am pretty well worked down. I think I shall 
 go to the Home and take a rest. If my small boys were old 
 enough to make their way I would spend my time at the Home and 
 visit through the summer season. 
 
 "I have gone through many adversities and have lived, now, 
 fifteen years longer than I expected to live. I don t think it pos 
 sible to go on that much longer. I might just as well say I am 
 waiting my appointed time, when it may be said of me: He 
 fought the good fight, he has kept the faith, and henceforth there 
 is laid up for him a crown, that shall never fade. 
 
 "Your comrade, 
 
 "J. H. STERRETT." 
 
 THE END. 
 

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