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THREE YEARS IN THE FEDERAL CAVALRY. 
 
THE UR^'aSY 
 OF THE 
 
THREE YEARS 
 
 IN THE 
 
 FEDERAL CAVALRY. 
 
 BY 
 
 AUTHOR OF "TUE CAPTURE, THE PRISON-PEN AND tIIE ESCAPE," ''VIRGINIA'S 
 BATTLE-FIELDS," ETC., ETC., ETC. 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 R. IL FERGUSON & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, 
 138 BLEECKER STREET 
 1870. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congrcee, in the year 1870, by 
 WILLARD GLAZIER, 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 
 
 The Trow & Smith Eook Manuf. Co. 
 205-213 E. 12Tn street, 
 New York. 
 
THE GALLANT AND UNASSUMING SOLDIER, 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY E.DAVIES,JR 
 
 WHOSE STAR ALWAYS SHONE BRIGHTEST ON 
 THE FRONT LINE OF BATTLE, 
 THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY 
 
 BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 7QU112 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 I HAVE for a long time intended the publication 
 of this book, for I thought that such a work would not 
 only be found interesting to the public, but would do 
 justice to the brave men with whom it was my for- 
 tune to be associated during the dark hours of the 
 rebellion. To serve them is imd ever will be my 
 greatest pleasure. 
 
 The remarkable features and events of our late 
 Cavalry movements in Virginia and elsewhere, vis- 
 ible to me during the campaigns of the Army of the 
 Potomac, were noted daily in my joiirnal. From 
 that diary this story of our raids, expeditions, and 
 fights is compiled. 
 
 My descriptions of battles and skirmishes, in some 
 cases, may seem too brief and unsatisfactory ; to which 
 I can only say that scores of engagements, which to 
 the participants appear to be of vast importance, have 
 very little general interest. On the other hand, 
 however, it is to be regretted that where our gallant 
 1^ 
 
X Preface, 
 
 horsemen have done the most brilliant things, it has 
 been impossible for me, in many instances, to secure 
 reliable and detailed accounts with which to do them 
 full justice. 
 
 WiLLARD Glazier. 
 
 New Yore, October Uh^ ISYO. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 THE WAR FOU THE UNION. — CONTEST BEGUN. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 1861. — Enthusiasm of the North. — "VVashmgton Threatened. — Bull 
 Run, and Its Lessons. — General Scott and the Cavalry. — Enlist- 
 ment under Captain Buel. — The Harris Light Cavalry. — Leaving 
 Troy, New York.— Captain A. N. Duffi6. — Drilling and Fencing 
 at Scarsdale, New York. — Bound for the Seat of War. — Phila- 
 delphia.— Baltimore. — Washington. — Camp Oregon., . . 19 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CAMP-LIFE AND ITS INFLUENCES. 
 
 1861. — Our unmilitary Appearance. — First Equipage. — My Black 
 Mare. — Good and Evil Influences. — News-Boys. — Mail-Bag. — 
 Letter-Writing.— The Bugle Corps. — Camp-Guard. — Guerillas 
 under Turner Ashby. — Mounted Drill. — Laughable Experiences 
 with Horses. — Southern Egotism.— Northern Fancies. . . 27 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 PREPARATIONS FOR ACTIVE SERVICE. 
 
 1861. — ^First Advance. — " Contrabands," their Hopes and Treatment. 
 — Union Ranks Filling Up. — Promotion. — Foraging and its Ob- 
 stacles. — Scouting and its Aim. — Senator Harris visits the Com- 
 mand. — Ball's Bluff. — Recruiting Service. — Interesting Incidents. 
 — Camp Palmer. — "Contrabands" at Work. — Drilling near Ar- 
 lington Heights.— Colonel George D. Bayard. — Fight at Draines- 
 ville 89 
 
zii 
 
 Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE ADVANCE TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 
 
 1862. — All quiet along the Potomac." — Preparations. — Army of the 
 Potomac Moves ! — Capture of the " Quaker Guns " at Centre- 
 ville. — Eeturn to Defences. —Guerillas. — Their Attacks and 
 Stratagems. — The Bovine Foe. — Picketing ; how it is done. — 
 Sufferings. — McClellan to the Peninsula. — Virginia Weather and 
 tlie People. — General Augur's Advance to the Eappahannock. — 
 Lieutenant Decker's Bravery and Death. — Night Charge on Fal- 
 mouth Heights. — Fredericksburg Surrenders. — How Citizens re- 
 gard us.— Guarding a Train to Thoroughfare Gap. — Fight and 
 Captures at Flipper's Orchard. — Shenandoah Valley. — The Fifth 
 New York Cavalry, First Ira Harris' Guard. — Death of Turner ' 
 Ashby.— Strange Cavalry Tactics. — Personal Bravery of Captain 
 Hammond.-— End of the Peninsular Campaign 49 
 
 CHAPTEE Y. 
 
 pope's campaign in northern VIRGINIA. 
 
 1862. — Kilpatrick at Beaver Dam. — Captain John S. Mosby. — Keturn 
 of the Raiders. — Complimentary Orders. — The Harris Light at 
 Anderson's Turnout. — Rebel Account of the Scare. — General 
 John P. Hatch, his Misfortunes and Justification. — Reconnois- 
 sances. — Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Hospital at Culpepper. — ^ 
 General Stuart in Close Quarters. — His Adjutant-General Cap- 
 tured. — Death of Captain Charles Walters. — Pope driven back 
 and waiting for Reinforcements. — Kilpatrick's Fight at Brandy 
 Station. — Waterloo Bridge. — Bristoe Station. — Manassas Junc- 
 tion. — Battle of Groveton. — Second Bull Run. — Chantilly and 
 Death of Kearny. — General Pope resigns 72 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 rebel INVASION OF MARYLAND. 
 
 1862. — Result of Pope's Campaign. — ^Rest and Recruit at Hall's Hill. 
 — My Maryland ; " Its Invasion. — Offensive Policy of the Re- 
 bellion. — Pennsylvania and the Whole Country Aroused. — Battle 
 of South Mountain. — Harper's Ferry. — Colonel Miles. — His 
 Treachery and Death. — Bloody Battle of Antietam. — Drilling 
 Kecruits. — The Harris Light again at the Front. — At Chantilly. — 
 
Contents. xiii 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Sudley Church.— Leesburg.—McClcllan again Relieved from 
 Command .95 
 
 CHAPTER YIT. 
 
 MCCLELLAN SUCCEEDED BY BURNSIDE. 
 
 1862.— Burnside's First Campaign. — Army of the Potomac in Three 
 Divisions. — Advance from Warrenton to Talmonth. — General 
 Stahel's Kaid to the Shenandoah. — Laying Pontoons across the 
 Eappahannock under Fire.— Battle of Fredericksburg.— Daring 
 Feats and General Heroism. — Death of General Bayard. — The 
 Hospitals. — Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — Camp "Bay- 
 ard." — Camp-Fires. — Winter Quarters. — Friendly Eelations of 
 Pickets.— Trading.— Pay -Day.—" Stuck in the Mud." . . .105 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF A CAVALRY CORPS. 
 1863. — General Hooker assumes Command of the Army of the Poto- 
 mac. — Demoralization. — Reorganization. — A Cavalry Corps. — 
 General George D. Stoneman in Command. — Death of Sergeant 
 May. — Forests of the Old Dominion. — The Cavalryman and his 
 Faithful Horse. — Scenes in Winter Quarters. — Kilpatrick. — His 
 Character.— QuaHfications of the True Soldier. — A New Horse. 
 — A Mulish Mule. — Kilpatrick's Colored Servants in Trouble. — 
 Terrific Hail-Storm. — Major E. F. Cooke Honored. — Colonel Clar- 
 ence Buel 124 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 REBEL CHIEFS AND THEIR RAIDS, 
 
 1863. — Rebel Raids by Stuart, Imboden, and Fitz-Hugh Lee. — John 
 S. Mosby, Guerilla Chief — His Character. — His Command. — 
 Daring and Plunder. — Aided by Citizens. — Condition of the 
 Country Favorable for their Depredations.— Our Picket Lines 
 too Light. — Attacks on Pickets at Herndon Station, Cub Run, 
 and Frying-Pan Church. — Miss Laura Ratcliffe, Mosby's Inform- 
 ant.— Mosby at Fairfax Court House.— Capture of General 
 Stoughton.— Fight at Chantilly.— Mosby lauded by His Chiefs. — 
 Mosby beaten at Warrenton Junction.— Severely whipped at 
 Greenwich, where he loses a Howitzer captured from Colonel 
 Baker at Ball's Bluff. 143 
 
xiv 
 
 Contents, 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CHANCELLORSYILLE AND STOI^EMAN's RAID. 
 
 1863.— Review of tlie Army by the President. — Deserters Pimisli- 
 ed. — Sports and Pastimes. — Stoneman's First Move. — Storm. — 
 Eeconnoissance to Warrenton. — Another Move. — Other Storms. — 
 Catching *' Eabbits."— Stoneman's Great Eaid on Lee's Com- 
 munications. — On tlie Virginia Central Kailroad. — Kilpatrick at 
 Louisa Court House. — He Marches upon Richmond. — Bold Ad- 
 vance near the City. — Important Captures. — Retreat over Meadow 
 Bridge. — Destructions. — Bushwhackers. — Happy Rencounter. — 
 Safe Arrival at Gloucester Point. — Public Prints. — Battle of 
 Chancellorsville. — Heroism and Defeat. — Stonewall Jackson 
 Falls. — Hooker Injured. — Retreat. — Orders 161 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 FROM YORKTOWN TO FALMOUTH. 
 1863. — Curiosity Satisfied. — Pastimes on the York River. — Religious 
 Services; their Influence. — Raid to Mathias Court House. — 
 Sickness and Recovery. — From Gloucester Point to Falmouth. — 
 Exciting Details. — Correspondence of Mr. Young. — The Press. 
 — With the Army of the Potomac again. — Cavalry Fight at 
 Brandy Station. — Bold Charge of the First Maine Cavalry. — 
 The Chivalry iiiirly Beaten.— Death of Colonel B. F. Davis, 
 Eighth New York Cavalry.— Interesting Letter of a Rebel Chap- 
 lain. — Casualties. — What was Gained by the Reconnoissance. — 
 Pleasonton and Kilpatrick Promoted. — Rebels Raiding in Mary- 
 land 203 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SECOND INVASION OF MARYLAND. — GETTYSBURG. 
 1863. — Invasion of the Northern States. — Kilpatrick at Aldie. — The 
 Bloody Battle. — Daring Deeds. — Colonel Cesnola, Fourth New 
 Y'ork Cavalry. — Incidents. — Victory. — Advance to Ashby's Gap. 
 — ^Pleasonton's Official Report. — Rebel Movements on Free Soil. 
 — Difficulties in the North. — The Cavalry Corps Crosses the Po- 
 tomac at Edward's Ferry. — General Meade succeeds Hooker. — 
 Orders. — Changes in the Cavalry. — Movements. — Kilpatrick'a 
 Fight with Stuart at Hanover Junction. — Solemn and Laughable 
 Scenes. — Buford's Division Opens the Fight at Gettysburg. — 
 Death of General Reynolds. — First Day's Repulse.— Second Day. 
 
Contents. 
 
 XV 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 — Eebel Advantages. — Tliird Day. — Last Grand Effort. — Death 
 of General Farnsworth.— The Kepublic just Saved. . . .225 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 RETKEAT OF THE BEBELS FROM GETTYSBURG. 
 
 1863. — National Rejoicing. — The Enemy Retreating. — Feebly Pur- 
 sued.— Reconnoissances. — Kilpatrick Gives the Enemy a Fourth 
 of July Entertainment at Monterey Pass. — Storm and Terror. — 
 Immense Train Destroyed, and Hosts of Prisoners Taken. — 
 Pitiable Condition of Stuart's Cavalry. — ^Battle of Hagerstown. — 
 Captains Peufield and Dahlgren Wounded. — Wonderful Exploits 
 of a Union Scout. — Kilpatrick and Buford at Williamsport. — 
 Cavalry Fight at Boonsboro. — Stuart Defeated. — Hagerstown Re- 
 taken. — Orders to Advance, One Day Too Late. — Kilpatrick 
 Chases the Flying Foe. — Fight at Falling Waters, Last Act in 
 the Drama. — Great Bravery of Union Troops. — Last Vestige of , 
 the Invaders Wiped Out. — Bivouac and Best 267 
 
 CHxiPTER XIY. 
 
 KILPATRICK's GimBOAT EXPEDITION. 
 
 1863. — Escape of Lee into Virginia. — Eeasons. — Cavalry Advance into 
 the Valley ma Harper's Ferry.— Riot in New York and other 
 Northern Cities. — Again Across the Potomac on " Sacred Soil." 
 — Blackberries and Discipline. — Mails. — Battle of Manassas Gap. 
 — Mosby Again, and His Bands. — Kilpatrick's Gunboat Expe- 
 dition on the Eappahannock.— Cavalry Captures Navy.— Com- 
 plimented by Superiors. — General Advance of the Army. — Third 
 Cavalry Battle at Brandy Station. — Stuart's Cavalry Worsted at 
 Culpepper Court House. — Sharp Artillery Practice at Raccoon 
 Ford, on the Rapidan.— Special Duties and Special Dangers. — . 
 Good Living Along the Hazel and Robertson Rivers. — Import- 
 ant Reconnoissance and Raid. — Hard Fighting and Narrow Es- 
 cape.— Needed Rest Received. — The Paymaster. — Rebel Plan of 
 Attack Foiled by a Citizen Informer.— Suspicious Activity on 
 Our Front 298 
 
 CHAPTER Xy. 
 
 CAPTURE OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 1868.— Fight at James City.— Music of Eetreat.— Fourth Cavalry 
 Fight at Brandy Station.— Critical Situation. — Kilpatrick Un- 
 
xvi 
 
 Contents, 
 
 daunted. — Davics and Caster. — The Grand Charge. — The Escape. 
 — The Scene. — Subsequent Charges and Counter-charges. — The 
 Cavalry Kouted. — The Eappahannock Recrossed in Safety. — 
 Infantry Eeconnoissance to Brandy Station. — Comical Affair at 
 Bealeton Station. — Thrilling Adventure of Stuart.— His Escape. 
 — Battle of Bristoe. — Casualties.— Eetreat Continued.— Destruc- 
 tion of Eailroad by the Eebels. — Kilpatrick at Buckland Mills. 
 — Unpleasant Surroundings. — Sagacity and Daring. — The Au- 
 thor's Capture. — Fall, Insensibility, Change of Scene. — The End. 
 — Introduced to Prison Life 827 
 
of MllxxBtxatiouB. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 1. Portrait of the Author, - FroutiBpiece. 
 
 2. Our Cavalry Leaders, - -- -- -- 17 
 
 3. Cavalry Column on the March, - - - - . - 37 
 
 4. IS'ight Attack on Falmouth Heights, - - - . 61 
 
 5. Burial of Captain Walters at Midnight, during Pope^s Retreat, - 87 
 
 6. Federal and Rehel Pickets Meeting on the Rappahannock, - 119 
 
 7. Cavalry Scouting Party Halting for the ISTight, - - - 173 
 
 8. Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station, ----- 215 
 
 9. The Cavalry Bivouac, - - 277 
 
 10. Cavalry Battle at Bucklaud Mills, Ya., and Capture of the Author, 323 
 
THREE YEARS IN THE FEDERAL 
 CAVALRY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE WAR FOR THE UNION.— CONTEST BEGUN. 
 
 1861.— Enthusiasm of the North.— Washmgton Threatened.— Bull Run, 
 and Its Lessons. — General Scott and the Cavalry. — Enlistment un- 
 der Captain Buel.— Harris Light Cavalry. — Leaving Troy, New 
 York.— Captain A. N. Duffi6.— Drilling and Fencing at Scarsdalo, New 
 York.— Bound for the Seat of War.— Philadelphia.— Baltimore- 
 Washington. — Camp Oregon. 
 
 THE eleventh of April, 1861, revealed tlie real in- 
 tention of the Southern people in their dastardly 
 assault upon Fort Sumter. The thunder of Eebel 
 cannon shook tlie air not only around Charleston, but 
 sent its thrilling vibrations to the remotest sections 
 of the country, and v^as the precursor of a storm 
 whose wrath no one anticipated. This shock of arms 
 was like a fire-alarm in our great cities, and the 
 North arose in its might with a grand unanimity 
 which the South did not expect. The spirit and 
 principle of Eebellion were so uncaused and unpro- 
 voked, that scarcely could any one be found at home 
 or abroad to justify them. 
 
 President Lincoln thereupon issued a call for 
 
20 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 seventy-fiye tliousand men to uphold and vindicate 
 the authority of the Government, and to prove, if 
 possible, that secession was not only a heresy in doc- 
 trine, but an impracticability in the American Re- 
 public. The response to this call was much more 
 general than the most sanguine had any reason to 
 look for. The enthusiasm of the people was quite 
 unbounded. Individuals encouraged individuals ; fam- 
 ilies aroused families ; communities vied with com- 
 munities, and States strove with States. Who could be 
 the first and do the most, was the noble conten- 
 tion wliich everywhere prevailed. All political party 
 lines seemed to be obliterated. Under this renovating 
 and inspiring spirit the work of raising the nucleus 
 of the grandest army that ever swept a continent 
 went bravely on. Kegiments were rapidly organized 
 and as rapidly as possible sent forward to the seat 
 of Government ; and so vast was the number that 
 presented themselves for their country's defence, that 
 the original call was soon more than filled, and the 
 authorities found themselves unable to accept many 
 organizations whicli were eager to press into the fray. 
 
 Meanwhile the great leaders of the Eebellion 
 v/ere marshalling the hordes of treason, and assem- 
 bling them on the plains of Manassas, with the un- 
 doubted intention of moving upon the national capi- 
 tal. This point determined the principal theatre of 
 the opening contest, and around it on every side, and 
 particularly southward, was to be the aceldama of 
 America, — the dreadful field of blood." 
 
 The first great impulse of the authorities was in 
 the direction of self-defence (and what could be more 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavah^y, 21 
 
 natural and proper ?), and Washington was fortified 
 and garrisoned. Tliis done, it was believed that the 
 accumnlating forces of the Union, which had become 
 thoroughly equipped and somewliat disciplined, 
 ought to advance into the revolted territory, scatter 
 the defiant hosts of the enemy, and put a speedy end 
 to the slaveholders' Eebellion. But the hesitation 
 and indecision which prevailed in our military circles 
 were becoming oppressive and unendurable, and 
 hence the cry of " On to Eichmond ! " was heard 
 from the Border States to the St. Lawrence, precipi- 
 tating the first general engagement of the war. Our 
 defeat at Bull Eun was a totally unexpected disaster, 
 which, for a time, it was feared, would chill the en- 
 thusiasm and greatly weaken the energy of the 
 North. But though the South was much strength- 
 ened and emboldened by their victory, our defeat had 
 its own curative elements : it taught us that the 
 enemy was determined and powerful, and that to 
 overcome him the ranks of the Union army must be 
 filled with something besides three months' men, or 
 men on any very limited term of enlistment. Other 
 lessons were also gained : our men had formed some 
 acquaintance with the citizens and the country ; they 
 had learned the importance of a more thorough disci- 
 pline and organization ; and those who had gone forth 
 as to a pic-nic or a holiday, sat down " to count the 
 cost " of enduring hardness as good soldiers." The 
 nation discovered that this struggle for life was des- 
 perate and even dubious, and it was thoroughly 
 aroused. 
 
 Under the military regime of General Winfield 
 
22 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 Scott, the cavalry-arm of tlie service had been almost 
 entirely overlooked. His j)revioiis campaigns in 
 Mexico, wliicli consisted mainly of the investments 
 of walled cities, and of assaults on fortresses, had not 
 been favorable to extensive cavalry operations, and 
 he was not disposed at so advanced an age in life 
 materially to change his tactics of war. What few 
 regiments of cavalry we had in the regular army 
 were mostly broken np into small detachments for 
 the purpose of ranging our Western frontiers, while 
 a few squads were patrolling between the outposts 
 of our new army, carrying messages from camp to 
 camp, and pompously escorting the commanding 
 generals in their grand reviews and parades. 
 
 But the Black Horse Cavalry of Virginia, at Bull 
 Run, unmatched by any similar force on our side, 
 had demonstrated the efficiency and importance of 
 this branch of the service, and our authorities began 
 to change their views. The sentiment of the people 
 at large seemed to turn in the same channel, and a 
 peculiar enthusiasm in this direction was perceptible 
 everywhere. It was as though the spirit of the old 
 knight-errantry had suddenly fallen upon us. 
 
 I was in Troy, K" ew York, when the sad intelligence 
 of the reverse to our arms at Bull Bun, was received. 
 This was followed quickly by another call for volun- 
 teers, and I decided without hesitation to enter the 
 army. In accordance with my resolve I enlisted as 
 a private soldier at Troy, on the sixth day of August, 
 1861, in a company raised by Captain Clarence Buel, 
 for the cavalry service. To encounter the chivalrous 
 Black Horse Cavalry, of Bull Run fame, it was pro- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 23 
 
 posed to raise a force in the North, and as Senator 
 Ira Harris, of New York, was giving this organiza- 
 tion his patronage and influence, a brigade was 
 formed, whose banners should bear his name. 
 
 Originally the regiment to which my company 
 was assigned was intended for the regular army, and 
 was for some time known as the Seventh United 
 States Cavalry ; but the Government having decided 
 to have but six regiments of regular cavalry, and as 
 New York had contributed the majority of the men 
 to the organization, we were denominated the Sec- 
 ond Regiment of New York Cavalry, Harris Light." 
 This regiment was organized by J. Mansfield Davics, 
 of New York, as colonel, assisted by Judson Kil- 
 patrick, of New Jersej^, as lieutenant-colonel. The 
 men were mostly from the States of New York, New 
 Jersey, Connecticut, Yermont, Pennsylvania, and 
 Indiana. 
 
 August 13. — To-day Captain Buel's company 
 of Trojans was summoned together for the purpose of 
 leaving for the South. Under a severe, drenching 
 rain we were drawn up in line fronting the residence 
 of General John E. Wool, w^hen the old veteran deliv- 
 ered a most heroic address, which led us quite to for- 
 get the pelting rain, and prepared us for our departure. 
 The boys then found a very pleasant shelter on board 
 the Yanderbilt, bound for New York City. The day 
 following all the New York State men rendezvoused 
 at 648 Broadway, and were mustered into the service 
 of the United States by Lieutenant-colonel D. B. 
 Sackett, of the regular army. At four o'clock p. m. 
 we were ordered aboard a train of cars, and told that 
 
24 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 our destination was Camp Howe, near Scarsdale, 
 twenty-fonr miles north of the city, between the Har- 
 lem and East rivers. We reached the place just in 
 time to pitch our tents for the night — an operation 
 which was not only new and strange, but performed 
 in any thing but a workman-like manner. "We had 
 every thing to learn, and this was our first lesson in 
 soldiering. 
 
 Captain A. IsT. Duffie, of Co. A, a Frenchman 
 and graduate of the military school of St. Cyr, 
 France, is in command of the camp, and is to be the 
 superintendent of our discipline and drill. He is 
 undoubtedly well qualified for this position. 
 
 August 16. — This morning we commenced the 
 inevitable drill on foot, as we are still without horses. 
 We find this exercise very severe, and yet, in view 
 of its great importance, we accept it with a good de- 
 gree of relish. Our drill-master is thorough and 
 rigidly strict, after the fashion of the French schools. 
 We cannot avoid learning under his tuition. In the 
 afternoon we were set to policing camp. This com- 
 prises the cleaning of one of the roughest farms in 
 the country of stone. And as a remuneration to the 
 owners for the use of this most unsightly of God's 
 forsaken ground, we are compelled to build stone 
 fences — a very unpleasant introduction to military 
 life, and an occupation which by no means accords 
 with our ideas of a soldier's duties. But our hands toil 
 with a protest in our hearts, and with a certain re- 
 solve that this kind of fencing must not long continue. 
 
 After a week spent in drill and the stone-wall en- 
 terprise, we were all surprised one morning with an 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 25 
 
 order to fall into line to receive a Napoleonic lia- 
 rangne from Captain Duffie. So many and even 
 loud had been our protests, and so glaringly mani- 
 fest onr rebellious spirit on the subject of fortifying 
 a farm in the State of New York, that the captain 
 undoubtedly feared that he might not be very zeal- 
 ously supported by us in his future movements, and 
 so, like Napoleon, on assuming command of the army 
 of Italy, he sought to test the devotion of his men. 
 After amusing us awhile in his broken English, and 
 arousing us by his touching appeals to our patriotism 
 and honor, at length he shouted, " Now as many of 
 you as are ready to follow me to the cannon's mouth, 
 take one step to the front." This dernier resort to 
 pride was perfectly successful, and the whole line 
 took the desired step. We w^ere then ordered to be 
 ready to leave camp at eleven o'clock that morning, 
 which was on the twentieth of August, assured that 
 "Washington, D. C, Avas our destination. 
 
 Our ranks were quickly broken, and all due pre- 
 paration made for our departure. After marching to 
 Scarsdale we took cars and were soon landed in the 
 metropolis, through the principal streets of which our 
 command passed to the Jersey City ferry. Without 
 much delay we reached Philadelphia in the evening, 
 where we were bountifully supplied with rations by 
 her proverbially generous and patriotic people. True 
 to the instinct of Brotherly Love," the citizens are 
 making arrangements such as would indicate that mil- 
 lions of Union soldiers might be fed at their tables. 
 Here we spent the night. The next morning at 6.30 
 we were on our way southward. A brief halt was 
 
26 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 made in Baltimorej whose streets still seem to be 
 speaking of the blood of the brave Massachusetts 
 men. And as we march along, we can but recall the 
 
 poet's prophesy : 
 
 And the Eagle, never dying, still is trying, still is trying. 
 
 With its wings upon the map to hide a city with its gore ; 
 
 But the name is there forever, and it shall be hidden never, 
 
 While the awful brand of murder points the Avenger to its shore ; 
 While the blood of peaceful brothers God's dread vengeance doth 
 implore, 
 
 Thou art doomed, 0 Baltimore!" 
 
 At 4 o'clock p. M. we beheld the dome of the 
 nation's capitol, and, after landing, we were marched 
 to the eastern part of the city, and pitched tents near 
 Camp Oregon — named thus in honor of Colonel Ed- 
 ward D. Baker, who represented that Territory in 
 the Senate of the United States, previous to his ac- 
 ceptance of a military commission, and who is now 
 in command of the famous California regiment which 
 occupies this camp. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 27 
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 
 CAMP-LIFE AND ITS INFLUENCES. 
 
 1861.— Our iinmilitary Appearance.— First Equipage.— My Black Mare.— 
 Good and Evil Influences.— News-Boys.— Mail-Bag.— Letter-Writ- 
 ing.— The Bugle Corps.— Camp Guard.— Guerillas under Turner Ash- 
 by.— Mounted Drill.— Laughable Experiences with Horses.— Southern 
 Egotism. — Northern Fancies. 
 
 DEILL ! drill ! and camp-police are the order of 
 the day. Indeed we have nothing else to do, and 
 to do nothing at all is the hardest kind of work. We 
 expect soon to have some accoutrements to enable ns 
 to drill something besides our feet. Our prepara- 
 tions for war have commenced at the extremities ; for 
 thus far nothing but our heads and feet have been 
 instructed. However, as we become better acquaint- 
 ed with this part of our duty we enjoy it better than 
 at tirst, and we think we are making no very mean 
 progress. 
 
 For some time after our arrival here, the Govern- 
 ment was unable to supply us with uniforms, or 
 weapons of war, and our appearance was far from 
 being d la militaire^ as Captain Duffie would have 
 it. Coming as we did from colleges and schools, 
 from offices and counting-rooms, from shops and 
 farms, and some from no occupation at all, each with 
 the peculiar dress he wore when he enlisted, and 
 2 
 
28 Three Years in the Federal Ca/valrt/. 
 
 already pretty well worn out by our labors at Camp 
 Howe and extensive travelling, w^e were a most un- 
 sightly, heterogeneous mass of humanity, and were a 
 subject of no little sport to our bet ter-clad fellow-sol- 
 diers. Especially was this the case when on a certain 
 day General B. F. Butler reviewed the troops of this 
 department, and we were made to appear before him 
 and the multitude with our hats and caps, our coats and 
 jackets, in nearly all colors, and many of them in rags 
 and shags. We certainly had nothing to recommend" 
 us to the consideration of military men, except the 
 courageous spirit that throbbed in our generally ro- 
 bust frames. But we were hopeful of better days, 
 when we might have the appearance and equipage 
 as well as the internal qualities of soldiers. 
 
 But the Government was so wholly unprepared 
 for war, that our supplies were received very slowly. 
 First came our uniforms, w^hich every man donned 
 gladly, and yet with a feeling that the last link to 
 civil life, for the present, was severed, and that hence- 
 forth in a peculiar sense we belonged to our com- 
 mon country. 
 
 A few days after our arrival at Camp Oregon, we 
 were joined by the men who belonged to our regiment 
 from other States. This added fresh enthusiasm, as 
 well as new strength, to our ranks. However, there is 
 as yet nothing in our tout ensemlle to distinguish us 
 from infantry or artillery, except the yellow trim- 
 ming of our blue uniforms, whereas the infantry has 
 the light-blue trimming, and the artillery bright red. 
 
 Avgust 23, — To-day I am happy to make the 
 Following entry in my diary, namely : the regiment 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 29 
 
 was furnished with sabres, Colt's revolvers and all 
 the necessary appendages, consisting of belts and am- 
 munition-boxes. Every man has now a new care 
 and pride — to keep his sabre bright, and his entire 
 outUt clean, that he may wear them with pleasure 
 to himself and honor to his comrades. The morning 
 and evening of the 24th were spent in sabre exer- 
 cise, with Vv^hich we were all delighted. Tliis is the 
 first development in us of the cavalry element as 
 such, and we begin to feel our individuality. We 
 desire to have this growth continue uninterruptedly, 
 and in aid of it, in the early part of September, came 
 quite a large installment of horses and equipments. 
 This occurred while the regiment occupied a camp 
 about three miles from Washington, on the Bladens- 
 burg road, which we named Sussex, in honor of Sus- 
 sex county, IN'ew York, our colonel's native county. 
 As the number of horses furnished us at this time 
 was not sufficient to mount the whole command, the 
 number received by each company was proportioned 
 to the . maximum roll of its men. After the non- 
 commissioned officers of each company, including all 
 the sergeants and corporals, had drawn their horses 
 according to rank, the privates were made to draw 
 lots for the remainder — a performance which pro- 
 duced no little amount of excitement. 
 
 Several of our comrades were of course unfor- 
 tunately compelled for several days to march on foot, 
 thougli much against their wishes ; for nothing could 
 be more humiliating to a dragoon than to be trudging 
 through the mud and dust, while his companions 
 were gliding past him with their neighing steeds, 
 
30 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 on their way to the drill-grounds, or to any other 
 post of duty. It was my good fortune to be the 
 recipient of a beautiful black mare, only five years 
 old, full of life and fiery metal, fourteen hands high, 
 and weighing ten hundred pounds. She was a gem 
 for the cavalry service, or any thing else, and a friend- 
 ship was to grow up between us worthy of historic 
 mention. 
 
 "We are now fairly out upon the ocean of our new 
 life, and are beginning to feel its influence. It does 
 not take the careful observer long to notice the effects 
 which outward changes and circumstances have upon 
 the characters of most men. Indeed, no man remains 
 unaffected by them ; he either advances or retrogrades, 
 and it is very apparent already among us tha^t while 
 soldiering does make some men, it i^^i makes many. 
 The very lowest stratum of life among us, such as re- 
 presents the loungers in the streets and lanes of our 
 cities, — those who have neither occupation nor cul- 
 ture, is amazingly influenced for the better by mili- 
 tary discipline. These men now find themselves with 
 something to do, and with somebody to make them 
 do it. The progress is very slow, it is true, and in 
 some cases exceptional, but this is evidently the gen- 
 eral tendency. 
 
 But on the other hand, our regiment is made up 
 partly of young men from respectable families, reared 
 under the influences of a pure morality; but they 
 find that the highest standard of morality presented 
 here is much lower than they were wont to have at 
 home, and they soon begin to waver. Thus having 
 lost their first moorings of character, they start down- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 31 
 
 ward, and in many instances are precipitated to hor* 
 rible depths. 
 
 " When once a shaking monarchy declines, 
 Each thing grows bold and to its fall combines." 
 
 Only a very few have sufficient force in themselves 
 to effectually resist these evils. It must be remem- 
 bered that the wholesome and normal restraints of 
 virtuous female society are wholly removed from us. 
 And from what we daily see around us we are convinced 
 that a colony of men only, however virtuous or moral, 
 would in a short time ran into utter barbarism. JSTo 
 candid observer can doubt the teaching of the old 
 scripture, that it is not good for man to be alone." 
 
 Moreover, the friends and associates of our child- 
 hood's innocence, whose presence always calls forth 
 the purest memories, are not with us ; nor do we feel 
 the almost omnipotent influences of the old school- 
 house gatherings, of the cliurch-going bell, and of the 
 home-lireside. When you sever all these ties and 
 helps to a moral life, and throw a man in the im- 
 mediate association of the vicious, he must be only a 
 little less than an angel not to fall. Here we are all 
 dressed alike, live alike, and are all subject to like 
 laws and discipline. The very man who shares our 
 blanket and tent-cover, who draws rations from the 
 same kettle, who drinks from the same canteen, and 
 with whom we are compelled to come in contact daily, 
 may be the veriest poltroon, whose diploma shows 
 graduation at the Five Points, and whose presence 
 alone is morally miasmatic. Consequently our camp 
 is infested more or less with gambling, drunkenness, 
 
82 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 and profanity, and all their train of attending evils, and 
 at times we long for campaigning in the jfield, where it 
 seems to ns w^e may rid ourselves of this demoralization. 
 Hannibal's toilsome marches across the Alps and 
 through Upper Italy only gave hardihood and courage 
 to his legions, who came thundering at the very gates 
 of Eorae, and threatening its immediate overthrow ; 
 but a winter's camp-life at Capua left them shorn of 
 their strength. 
 
 But then we have remedial influences even in 
 camp, and we hail them with no little delight. Daily 
 the news-boys make their appearance, calling out: 
 Washington Chronicle and New York papers ! " 
 They enjoy an extensive patronage. With these 
 sheets many moments are pleasantly spent, as their 
 columns are eagerly perused. Then, following hard 
 on the track of the news-boys, comes our adjutant's 
 orderly or courier with a mail-bag full of letters, pre- 
 cious mementos from the loved ones at home. These 
 messages are the best reminders we have of our home- 
 life, especially when they are brim-full, as is usually 
 the case, with patriotic sparkling, and with affection's 
 purest libations. These letters have a double influence ; 
 while they keep the memories of home more or less 
 bright within us, and at times so bright that as we 
 read we can almost see our mothers, wives, and sisters 
 in their tender Christian solicitude for us, they also 
 stimulate us to greater improvements in the episto- 
 lary art. Men who never wrote a letter in their lives 
 before, are at it now ; those who cannot write at all, 
 are either learning, or engage their comrades to write 
 for them, and the command is doing more writing in 
 
Three Years in tli^ Federal Cavalry. 33 
 
 one day than, I should judge, we used to do in a 
 month, and, perhaps, a year. 
 
 No sooner are the contents of the mail-bag dis- 
 tributed, and devoured by the eager newsmongers, 
 than active preparations are made for responding. 
 Some men cany pocket-inkstands and write with pens, 
 but the majority use pencils. Here you see one seated 
 on a stump or fence, addressing his " sweet-heart or 
 somebody else ; another writes standing up against a 
 tree, while a third is lyii^g flat on the ground. Thus 
 either in the tents or in the open air, scribbling is 
 going on, and the return mail will carry many sweet 
 words to those who cannot be wholly forgotten. I 
 suppose in this way we are not only making, but 
 writing history. Camp-life then is not entirely mono- 
 tonous. 
 
 THE BUGLE-CORPS. 
 
 Sights and sounds of interest may be seen and 
 heard at almost every hour of the day. The morning 
 is ushered in with the shrill reveille, which means 
 awake and arise. This is well executed by our bugle- 
 corps, which Captain Dufiie has organized, and is 
 drilling thoroughly. All our movements are now 
 ordered by the bugle. By its blast we are called to 
 our breakfast, dinner and supper. EoU-call is sound- 
 ed twice a day, and the companies fall into line, w^hen 
 the first sergeants easily ascertain whether every man 
 is at his post of duty. The bugle calls the sick, and 
 sometimes those who feign to be, to the surgeon's 
 quarters, and their wants and woes are attended to. 
 By the bugle we are summoned to inspections, to camp- 
 guard, to the feeding and watering of our horses and 
 2* 
 
34: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 to drill. A peculiarly shrill call is that which brings 
 all the first or orderly sergeants to the adjutant's quar- 
 ters to receive any special order he may have to com- 
 mnnicate. 
 
 Thus call after call is sounded at intervals through- 
 out the day, ending with taps," which is the signal 
 for blowing out the lights, and seeking the rest which 
 night demands. 
 
 CAMP GUARD. 
 
 Our principal duties now are camp guard and 
 drill, which we perform by turns. Every morning 
 quite a large force is detailed, with a commissioned 
 officer in command, for guard duty. These form a 
 line of dismounted pickets, or vedettes, around the 
 entire camp. They are stationed within sight and 
 hailing distance of each other, enabling them to pre- 
 vent any one from leaving or entering camp without 
 a written pass in the day-time, or the countersign at 
 night. The rule is to have each man stand post for 
 two hours, when he is relieved. This is the maximum 
 time, and is sometimes made less at the discretion of 
 the commandant. 
 
 We are told, as we perform this duty, that it is 
 not very unlike the picketing that will be required 
 of us if we are ever permitted to take the field which 
 confronts the enemy. Indeed, this is picketing on a 
 small scale. And our enthusiasm in this branch of 
 our work increases, as we are almost daily in receipt 
 of accounts of attacks on our pickets along the line of 
 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Cumber- 
 land Canal. It appears that a certain Colonel Turner 
 Ashby, with a force of cavaliers (?) acting as gueril- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 35 
 
 las, singly and in squads, is nightly endeavoring to 
 sever our telegraph wires, to burn our railroad-bridges, 
 and to destroy the canal, or fire at our men on the 
 passing boats ; and not unfrequently we read of skir- 
 mishes in which several of our pickets have been 
 either captured, wounded, or killed. Of course, we 
 expect before long to face Mr. Ashby and his confed- 
 erates, and we are preparing ourselves for it. 
 
 MOUNTED DRILL. 
 
 But this we do especially in the drill. Recently 
 the balance of our men were gladdened with a full 
 supply of horses. Mounted drill is now the general 
 order, and nearly all our time not otherwise occupied 
 is devoted to this exercise. At first we had some ex- 
 citing times with our young and untrained horses. 
 One of our men received a kick from his horse which 
 proved fatal to his life. Several of our wildest and 
 seemingly incorrigible ones we have been compelled 
 to run up the steepest hills in the vicinity, under the 
 wholesome discipline of sharp spurs, until the evil 
 has been sweated out of them. We find, however, 
 that the trouble is not only with the horses, but fre- 
 quently with the men, many of whom have never 
 bridled a horse nor touched a saddle. And then, too, 
 these curbed bits in the mouths of animals that had 
 been trained with the common bridle, produced a 
 most rebellious temper, causing many of them to rear 
 up in the air as though they had suddenly been trans- 
 formed into monstrous kangaroos, while the riders 
 showed signs of having taken lessons in somersets. 
 Some of the scenes are more than ludicrous. Horses 
 
36 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 and men are acting very awkwardly, also, witli the 
 gniding of the animal by the rein against the neck, 
 and not by the bit, as w^e were accustomed to do at 
 home. 
 
 We do not wonder much that the chivalrous Black 
 Horse gentry have expressed their contempt of North- 
 ern "mudsills and greasy mechanics," and have made 
 their brags that we could never match them. But 
 then it is said that these Southrons were born in a 
 saddle, and were always trained in horsemanship. 
 They generally perform their pleasure excursions, go 
 on their business journeys, and even to church, on 
 horseback. They were therefore prepared for the 
 cavalry service, before we had so much as thought of 
 it. But let them beware of what they think or say, 
 for we can learn^ and it does frequently occur that 
 somewhere in the experience of contending parties, 
 the first is last, and the last first." 
 
 We are improving rapidly. There is so much exhil- 
 aration in the shrill bugle-notes which order the move- 
 ments of the drill, and so much life in its swift evolu- 
 tious, that the men and horses seem to dance rather 
 than walk on their way to the drill grounds, and both 
 are readily learning the certain sounds of the trumpet, 
 and becoming masters of motions and dispositions re- 
 quired of them. Like all other apprentices, of course, 
 we occasionally indulge in the reveries of imagina- 
 tion, and we think we are laying the foundation of a 
 career which is destined to be important and glorious. 
 Be this as it may, we do not mean to be outstripped 
 by any one in our knowledge and practice of cavalry 
 tactics, and of the general manoeuvrings of war. 
 
THE U'^''^^^ 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 39 
 
 CIIAPTEE III. 
 
 PREPARATIONS FOR ACTIVE SERVICE. 
 
 1S61. — ^First Advance. — Contrabands," their Hopes and Treatment. — 
 Union Ranks Filling Up. — Promotion. — Foraging and its Obstacles. — 
 Scouting and its Aim. — Senator Harris visits the Command. — Ball's 
 Bluff.— Recruiting Service. — Interesting Incidents. — Camp Palmer. — 
 Contrabands" at Work. — Drilling near Arlington Heights. — Colonel 
 George D. Bayard. — Fight at Drainesville. 
 
 OCTOBER 15, 1861.— The Harris Light broke camp 
 at eight o'clock, a. m., and marched proudly 
 through Washington, crossed the famous Long Bridge 
 over the Potomac, and moved forward to Mnnson's 
 Hill, in full view of onr infantry outposts, where we es- 
 tablished a new camp, calling it Advance." For the 
 first time our horses remained saddled through the 
 night, and the men slept on their arms. To us this 
 w^as a new and exciting phase of life. 
 
 Since our retreat from Bull Run, the Rebel army 
 has made itself formidable on this line, and though 
 no active movements have been attempted on Wash- 
 ington, we are, nevertheless, apprehensive of such a 
 measure on their part. Hence our picket lines are 
 doubly strong and vigilant, while every means is re- 
 sorted to to ascertain the position, strength, and inten- 
 tion of our wily foe. 
 
 Frequently " contrabands " feel their way through 
 the enemy's pickets under cover of the night, and 
 
40 Three Years in the Federal Cavdl/ry. 
 
 through the tangled brushwood which abounds, and 
 reach our lines safely. From them we gain much 
 valuable information of the state of things in Dix- 
 ie." Some of them, we learn, w^ere employed by 
 Rebel leaders in constructing forts and earthworks, 
 and in various ways were made to contribute muscle 
 to the Soutliern Confederacy. They have strange and 
 exciting stories to tell us, and yet it seems as though 
 they might be of great service to us, if we saw fit to 
 employ them, as guides in our movements. Their 
 heart is with us in this conflict. They hail us as 
 friends, and entertain wild notions about a jubilee of 
 liberty, for which they are ever praying and singing, 
 and look upon us as their deliverers. How they have 
 formed such opinions is somewhat difficult to conjec- 
 ture, especially when we consider the anomalous 
 treatment they have received from our hands. The 
 authorities have seemed to be puzzled with regard to 
 them ; and there are cases where they have even been 
 returned to their former owners. And yet there seems 
 to be an instinctive prophecy in their natures, which 
 leads them to look to l^orthmen for freedom. Their 
 presence in our camps becomes a sort of inspiration 
 to most of us, and we only wish that their prayers 
 may be answered, and that every chain of servitude 
 may be broken. This sentiment at times breaks out 
 in such as the following poetic strain : 
 
 " In the beauty of the lily Christ was born across the sea, 
 With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and nio 
 As He died to make men holy, let us die to make them free." 
 
 And as slavery was the cause, and not, as some say, 
 the pretext, of the war, if the Union arms succeed, 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cawalry, 41 
 
 this irrepressible conflict " and villanons wrong must 
 come to an end. 
 
 Our confi.dence in the ultimate success of our arms 
 is daily increasing. Since the first of August our 
 ranks have been wonderfully swelled ; and now regi- 
 ment after regiment, battery after battery, is pouring 
 in from the North, filling the camps of instruction, 
 and manning the fortifications around Washington. 
 Meanwhile, earthworks are being constructed on all 
 the high hills and commanding positions ; strong 
 abatis are made of the forest-trees, and every thing 
 done that can give the city an air of security, and the 
 country round about the appearance of a bristling 
 porcupine. Should this influx of troops continue, we 
 shall be compelled to advance our lines for very room 
 on which to station them. We have some intimations 
 that our advance to this point to-day is preparatory to 
 such a movement. 
 
 The day following our advance I was promoted to 
 the rank of corporal, on the recommendation of Cap- 
 tain Buel, my appointment to date from the fifteenth. 
 On the sixteenth our Lines were advanced to Yienna, 
 a station on the Leesburgh Railroad, and on the sev- 
 enteenth as far as Fairfax Court House, the Confed- 
 erates falling back toward Centreville and Manassas 
 without offering the least resistance. 
 
 FORAGING AND SCOUTING. 
 
 We are spending our time mostly in foraging, 
 scouting, and patroling. In consequence of imper- 
 fect transportation, the cavalry especially is compelled 
 to seek its own forage, with which, however, the 
 
42 Three Years in the Federal Camlry. 
 
 country abounds. Com is found in right smart 
 heaps," as the natives say, either in the fields or 
 barns, and hayricks dot the country on every side. 
 But there is a certain degree of scrupulousness on the 
 part of some of our commanders with regard to ap- 
 propriating the ;[ftoduce of the ''sacred soil " to our 
 own use, which greatly embarrasses our foraging ex- 
 peditions, and exasperates not a little those of us who 
 are needy of tJie things we are at times ordered not to 
 take. It is no uncommon thing to find one of our 
 men stationed as safeguard over the property of a 
 most bitter Kebel — property which, in our judgment, 
 ouglit to be confiscated to the use of the Union, or 
 utterly destroyed. We do not believe in handling 
 Rebels with kid gloves, and especially when we know 
 that the very men w^hom we protect are constantly 
 giving information to the enemy of all our move- 
 ments, and using their property whenever they can to 
 aid and comfort the cause of treason. We are too 
 forcibly reminded of the fable we used to read in our 
 schoolboy days, of the Farmer and the Yiper. We 
 are only warming into new life and strength this virus 
 of Eebellion, to have it recoil upon ourselves. We 
 hope our authorities will soon discover their error, and 
 change their tactics. 
 
 Our scouting is on a limited scale, though it afibrds 
 considerable exercise and excitement. Thereby we 
 are learning the topography of the country, and mak- 
 ing small maps of the same. We are traversing the 
 forests, through the wood-roads and by-paths which 
 run in every direction ; strolling by the streams and 
 ravines, and gaining all the information which can be 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cmalry. 43 
 
 of use to us in future manceuyrings. We scout in 
 small squads over the entire area occupied by our 
 forces, and often beyond ; and, now and then, more 
 frequently in the night, we patrol between our picket 
 posts, to ascertain that all is well at the points most 
 exposed to danger. The principal object of scout- 
 ing is to learn the streiigth and position of the ene- 
 my, while the object of patrolling is to learn our 
 own. 
 
 October 20. — To-day the regiment was honored 
 by a visit from its patron, Senator Ira Harris. After 
 witnessing a mounted drill and parade, which pleased 
 him much, he presented us a beautiful stand of colors, 
 accompanied by an appropriate and eloquent address. 
 He made especial reference to the object of the organ- 
 ization, the hopes of its friends, and their earnest 
 j)rayers for its future usefulness and success. He 
 dwelt enthusiastically upon the work before us. At 
 the close of the speech the command responded with 
 a rousing round of cheers, expressive of their thankful- 
 ness for the banner and of their determination to keep 
 it, to stand by it, and to defend it even with their 
 lives. The occasion was one to be remembered. 
 
 BALL'S BLUFF. 
 
 Another great pall of sadness has fallen upon our 
 soldiers. The papers bring intelligence of our terrible 
 disaster at Ball's Bluff, and the promising Colonel E. 
 D. Baker has fallen, while gallantly leading his noble 
 Californians. Discussions as to the cause or causes of 
 that fatal advance and bloody retreat are going on 
 throughout our camps. It does seem to many as 
 
44 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 though gross incompetency or treachery must have 
 influenced the authorities having immediate oversight 
 of the afiair, and that our failen braves have been 
 needlessly immolated upon their country's altar. 
 
 " Big Bethel, Bull Enn, and Ball's Bluff, 
 Oh, jilliteration of blunders ! 
 Of blunders more than enough, 
 In a time full of blunders and wonders.'* 
 
 But the boys are enthusiastic over the bravery of 
 our nineteen hundred, who fought against a force 
 more than twice their number, with all the advantage 
 of position and knowledge of the country. All our 
 battles have proven that our men can fight, and, 
 though Providence seems to have been against us thus 
 far, for reasons most inscrutable, we will not waver in 
 our determination to dare or die in the contest. Our 
 chief difficulties are not in the rank and file of the 
 army, but in the general management of the forces, 
 and we trust that ere long right men will be found to 
 take the places of incompetent ones. 
 
 RECRUITING SERVICE. 
 
 October 28. — To-day I was detailed by Colonel 
 Davies to proceed to New York with Lieutenant 
 Morton, on recruiting service. We went on to New- 
 burgh, near the lieutenant's native home, where we 
 spent a few days together, but on the first of Novem- 
 ber I was ordered to Troy, to act independently. I 
 spent several weeks in this peculiar work, and w^ith 
 good success. 
 
 Though recruiting offices could be found on all the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 45 
 
 principal streets of our cities and villages, yet a good 
 business was done by them all, such, was the enthusi- 
 asm which prevailed among the people. War-meet- 
 ings were frequently held, and addressed by our best 
 orators. The press, with few exceptions, poured forth 
 its eloquent appeals to the strong-bodied men of the 
 country to range themselves on the side of right 
 against wrong. Yiolence would be done to truth did 
 we not mention, also, that the pulpits of the land 
 were potent helpers in this work, by their religious 
 patriotism and persistent efforts to keep the great 
 issue distinctly before the people. Thus the mind 
 and heart of the North were kept alive to the great 
 problem of the nation's existence, and men were ral- 
 lying to our standard. It was no uncommon thing to 
 receive applications to enter our lists from young men 
 or boys too young and slender to be admitted, who 
 left our offices in tears of disappointment, unless we 
 could find for them a position as drummers and 
 buglers. 
 
 A single instance of enlistment imder my obser- 
 vation might be mentioned, as it gives a specimen of 
 the manner in which our work went on. Having 
 taken passage on the cars one day from one point of 
 my labors to another, I fell in with a young man who 
 was on his way to college, where he expected to be 
 matriculated the following day. His valise was full 
 of books and other students' requisites, and his heart 
 full of literary ambition. Attracted to me by my 
 uniform, he soon learned my business, and, after a few 
 moments of pensiveness, to my surprise, he told 
 me to inscribe his name among my recruits. Then 
 
46 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 turning to a friend on board the car, he said, " Take 
 this trunk to my home, and tell my mother I have 
 enlisted in a cavalry regiment." 
 
 Deceniber 4. — To-day I returned from recruiting 
 service, bringing Avith me our enlisted men who had 
 not been sent previously to the regiment. I found 
 tlie Harris Light occupying Camp Palmer, on Arling- 
 ton Heights, the confiscated property of the Eebel 
 General Robert E. Lee. On arriving in camp I found 
 that the papers from "Washington contained a letter 
 of Secretary Seward, directing General McClellan not 
 to return to their former owners contrabands in our 
 lines. This order, when fully understood by our col- 
 ored friends, will undoubtedly increase their exit 
 from Egypt," as many of them style their escape 
 from bondage. The government will probably adopt 
 measures to give these fugitives systematic assistance 
 and labor, that they may be of use to us. Already 
 I find that a goodly number of our officers have 
 adopted them for cooks and hostlers, in which posi- 
 tions they certainly excel ; and there is no good reason 
 why we may not employ them as teamsters on our 
 trains and helpers in our trenches. They are gener- 
 ally very powerful, and show signs of great endur- 
 ance. iTor do we find them unwilling to labor, as we 
 have been so often told they were. However, we do 
 not wonder much that they have acquired the " repu- 
 tation " of being lazy, for what but a thing or an ani- 
 mal could take pleasure in unrequited toil? Now 
 they have a personal interest, and take a peculiar de- 
 light in what they do for us. Their gi'eat willingness 
 and ability to work for Uncle Sam or any of his boys, 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 47 
 
 would indicate that they will become eminently use- 
 ful in the service of their country. 
 
 From Camp Palmer the regiment had gone out to 
 drill for some time ; and here we continued through 
 the month, generally occupying the large plain which 
 lies between the Arlington House and the Potomac, 
 and in full view of Washington. On this field Kil- 
 patrick, Davies, DuiBe^ and others, began to develop 
 their soldierly qualities, infusing them into their com- 
 mands, and imparting that knowledge of cavalry 
 tactics which would prepare us for the stern duties 
 of war. We have recently been greatly encouraged 
 by the movements of Colonel George Dashiel Bayard, 
 of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, who, on the 27th 
 of November, while on a scout on the road to Lees- 
 burg, Loudon county, met a band of the Chivalry 
 near Drainesville, with whom he had a spirited skir- 
 mish. The whole affair would indicate that Colonel 
 Bayard is destined to be no mean cavalry leader- 
 Cavalry regiments from most of the loyal States have 
 been organized, and are now in camps of instruction. 
 Occasionally they go out scouting, picketing, etc., 
 and are thus preparing for the coming campaigns. 
 
 December 20. — To-day a brigade of Pennsylvani- 
 ans, including two squadrons of Colonel Bayard's 
 cavalry regiment, the whole force under command of 
 General E. O. C. Ord, while foraging in the vicinity 
 of Drainesville, were attacked by a Pebel force nearly 
 equal in numbers, with General J. E.B.Stuart com- 
 manding in person. A lively contest followed, in 
 which the Pebels were thoroughly beaten and driven 
 from the field, losing, according to their own accounts, 
 
48 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 about two hundred and fifty in killed, wounded, and 
 captured. They left twenty-five dead horses on the 
 field, with* the debris of two caissons, disabled and 
 exploded by the well-directed fire of Easton's battery, 
 which accompanied the expedition. The Eebels, who 
 had undoubtedly come out for the purpose of forage 
 as well as ourselves, having a long wagon train, re- 
 treated toward Fairfax Court House, with their wag- 
 ons laden with their wounded. Our loss includes 
 only nine killed and sixty wounded. Unimportant 
 as this victory might seem, it caused an immense re- 
 joicing in the Union ranks. It was a fitting answer 
 to the calumny heaped upon us from both North and 
 South, that our soldiers could not fight, and were no 
 match for their boastful enemy. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 49 
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 THE ADVANCE TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 
 
 1862.— All quiet along the Potomac."— Preparations.— Army of the Po- 
 tomac Moves ! — Capture of the Quaker Guns " at Centreville. — Ee- 
 turn to Defences.— Guerillas. — Their Attacks and Stratagems. — The 
 Bovine Foe. — Picketing ; how it is done. — Sufferings. — McCIellan tc 
 the Peninsula. — ^Virginia Weather and the People. — General Augur's 
 Advance to the Eappahannock. — Lieutenant Decker's Bravery and 
 3)cath.— Night Charge on Falmouth Heights.— Fredericksburg Sur- 
 renders. — How Citizens regard us. — Guarding a Train to Thorough- 
 fare Gap. — Fight and Captures at Flipper's Orchard. — Shenandoah 
 Valley.— The Fifth New York Cavalry, First Ira Harris' Guard.— 
 Death of Turner Ashby.— Strange Cavalry Tactics. — Personal Bravery 
 of Captain Hammond. — End of the Peninsular Campaign. 
 
 THE winter was one of preparation, not of opera- 
 tion. Why we were kept " all quiet along the Po- 
 tomac," until the announcement, reiterated through 
 the press, elicited only disdainful merriment among 
 our friends, was never satisfactorily explained. The 
 month of December had been beautiful, the roads 
 in excellent condition, the army well supplied and 
 disciplined, so that nothing but hesitancy in our 
 leaders stood in the way of army movements. The 
 North and West, which had supplied myriads of men 
 and millions of money, were becoming very impa- 
 tient with such a state of things. This feeling was 
 intensified by the fact that it was known that the 
 enemy was tireless in his efforts to increase his army 
 
50 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 and to fortify liis strongholds, while he was also gain- 
 ing the sympathy of foreign powers, and, bj^ means of 
 hlockade-running, was adding not a little to liis muni- 
 tions of war. The army shared largely this general 
 discontent. ^'Why do we not advance?" was every 
 where the interrogation of eager officers and men. 
 
 However, we were not wholly unemployed; for 
 while we waited for reinforcements and cannon, as 
 demanded by the general in command, and for the 
 leaves to fall from the trees to facilitate movements 
 in a country'' so thickly wooded as is Virginia, we 
 were kept busy with the camp curriculum, namely, 
 the drill, the guard, the inspection, and parade. 
 General Lee's plantation, on Arlington Heights, and 
 the surrounding country, was thoroughly trodden by 
 loyal feet, as men and horses were acquiring the form 
 and power of military life. 
 
 THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 
 
 But our quiet was to be broken by our grand ad- 
 vance, which commenced on the 3d of March. The 
 Harris Light broke camp at three o'clock in the morn- 
 ing, and, with several regiments of cavalry, under the 
 command of Colonel W. W. Averill, led the advance, 
 the Harris Light having the position of honor as van- 
 guard. We were ordered to move slowly and cau- 
 tiously, which we did, on the main thoroughfare 
 known as the Little River Turnpike, and, at four 
 o'clock, p. M., we arrived at Fairfax Court House, 
 having marched only about fourteen miles. 
 
 What was our surprise to find the place entirely 
 deserted by the enemy, who had left the day pre- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 51 
 
 vious with the design of retiring beyond the Rappa- 
 baunock. This change of affairs seemed so sudden as 
 to be full of mystery, and was wholly unknown even 
 to our secret corps. We could not doubt but that 
 this movement was performed in anticipation of some 
 of our contemplated manoeuvrings^ of which the 
 Rebel leaders are generally informed by their spies 
 in Washington and all through our lines, even before 
 they are known to our army. 
 
 Our march was resumed the following day at ten 
 o'clock A. M., and. early in the afternoon we captured 
 the " Quaker Guns " at Centreville. The enemy had 
 actually placed in the earthworks or forts which com- 
 manded the road, large trunks of trees, resembling 
 cannon of heavy calibre, which frowned down upon 
 us from the heights. Had it not been for the infor- 
 mation we had received from contrabands on the 
 march, that the enemy had evacuated, a report con- 
 firmed by the curling smoke which rose from various 
 parts of the field, this formidable array of threaten- 
 ing cannon would have terrified us all, and greatly 
 retarded our progress. Indeed, it was not till after 
 the suspicious works had been thoroughly scanned 
 with field-glasses that we were ordered to advance, 
 when the strong position was carried without the 
 snapping of a cap, or a sabre stroke. Chagrin was 
 written upon every face. Not a sign of the enemy 
 was visible, save the deserted remains of their winter- 
 quarters, which fell into our hands. 
 
 A very brief halt was here made, and, hurrying 
 our steps, we soon crossed the memorable Bull Run, 
 and came up with the rear-guard of the retiring army 
 
52 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 at Manassas Junction. Here we pitched into them, 
 and kicked tip a little dust on the road to Bristoe. 
 This expedition, or wild-goose chase, was continued 
 to Warrenton Junction, where General George D. 
 Stoneman found the enemy in force, but returned 
 without attacking them. Having loitered about these 
 historic fields a few days, our whole force began to 
 fall back towards its old position on the Potomac, 
 establishing our advanced picket-lines, however, as far 
 forward as Centreville, with Fairfax Court House as 
 headquarters. Our line of pickets intercepts the 
 Leesburg turnpike at Drainesville and extends to the 
 Potomac, a distance of about twenty miles. 
 
 GUERILLAS AND BUSHWHACKERS. 
 
 As guerillas and their brethren, the bushwhack- 
 ers, infest the country more or less, picketing is dan- 
 gerous as well as difficult. Between the Rappahannock 
 and the Potomac lies a vast territory which abounds 
 in creeks, marshes, deep, dark forests, with only here 
 and there a village or settlement. A little to the west 
 of this plain extend the Bull Eun Mountains, with 
 their ravines and caverns. This is a very fit hiding- 
 place for mischief-makers. The guerillas consist 
 mostly of farmers and mechanics, residents of this re- 
 gion, who, by some means, are exempt from the Rebel 
 conscription. Most of them follow their usual avoca- 
 tions during the day, and have their rendezvous at 
 night, where they congregate to lay their plans of 
 attack on the pickets. 
 
 They resort to every stratagem which a vile and 
 savage spirit could inspire. Sometimes a picket is 
 
Three Years in the Federal CavaVry. 
 
 53 
 
 approached by the stealthiest creeping through the 
 dark thickets, when the unfortunate sentinel is seized 
 and quickly despatched by a bowie-knife, or other like 
 weapon, w^hich a Southron can always use most 
 dexterousl3^ When mere stealth cannot accomplish 
 the task, other methods are used. For instance, on a 
 dark night, a vedette, stationed by a thick under- 
 brush, heard a cow-bell approaching him, and sup- 
 posing that the accompanying rustle of leaves and 
 crackling of dry limbs was occasioned by a bovine 
 friend, unwittingly sujffered himself to be captured by 
 a bushwhacker. But the boys soon learned to be sus- 
 picious of every noise they heard ; so much so, that 
 one night a picket, hearing footsteps approaching him, 
 cried out, Plait ! Who comes there? " His carbine 
 was instantly brought to a ready, and as no halt oc- 
 curred nor answer was made, a second challenge was 
 given ; but failing to effect any thing, he fired in the 
 direction of the noise, when he distinctly heard a 
 heavy fall, and then groans, as of somebody dying. 
 The sergeant of the post, running up to ascertain the 
 cause of the alarm, found that an unfortunate ox, that 
 had been grazing his way through the forest, lay dy- 
 ing, with his forehead perforated by the faithful sen- 
 try's bullet. The incident caused considerable merri- 
 ment, and the pickets were supplied w^ith poor Con- 
 federate beef during the remainder of their term of 
 duty. 
 
 But the attacks are fi*equently of a more disas- 
 trous character, resulting in the killing of men and 
 horses, in wounds and in captures. The utmost care 
 and strictest vigilance cannot secure us perfectly from 
 
54 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 depredations. Our general plan is as follows : The 
 major part of the regiment or picket detail establishes 
 what we denominate the "main reserve" within a 
 mile or -two in rear of the centre of the Ime of ve- 
 dettes, or at a point where their assistance, in case of 
 an attack, can be secured at any place in the line, at 
 the shortest possible notice. About midway between 
 the main reserve and the picket line are stationed two, 
 three, or four picket reliefs, so situated as to form, with 
 the line of vedettes for a base, a pyramid, with its 
 apex at the main reserve. 
 
 TICKET DUTY. 
 
 The boys will not soon forget the long, dreary, dan- 
 gerous hours they spent along this line. Here we find 
 ourselves shivering around a miserable fire among the 
 sighing pines (though in times of special danger we 
 are not permitted to have even this slight comfort, for 
 fear of detection), often compelled to sit or lie down 
 in snow or mud, or to walk about smartly to prevent 
 freezing to death. Sometimes, when much exhausted, 
 we have laid ourselves down on the damp and muddy 
 gromid, which was frozen stiffly all around us when 
 we awoke. Frozen fingers and toes are no uncommon 
 things. 
 
 In this wretched plight we hear the summons to 
 get ready to stand post. We go out upon our shiver- 
 ing horses, to sit in the saddle for two hours or more, 
 facing the biting wind, and peering through the storm 
 of sleet, snow, or rain, which unmercifully pelts us 
 in its fury. But it were well for us if this was our 
 worst enemy, and we consider ourselves happy if the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 55 
 
 guerilla does not creep tlirough bushes impenetrable 
 to the sightj to inflict his mortal blows. The two 
 houi-s expire, relief comes, and the vedette returns 
 to spend his four, six, or eight hours off post, as best 
 he may. 
 
 Once, at least, during the night, we are visited by 
 the grand guard, which consists of the officer of the 
 day, accompanied by others, whose duty it is to make 
 a thorough, though usually swift, inspection of the 
 picket line. Most of our time is spent in. this duty. 
 
 March 29. — Considerable excitement prevailed 
 among us to-day, as Colonel Bayard was dispatched 
 with a detachment of his regiment to repulse a das- 
 tardly raid made by some of General J. E. B. Stuart's 
 men, on the house of a Mrs. Tenant, a Union lady, 
 residing near Difficult Eun, about six miles from 
 Chain Bridge. Colonel Bayard reached the place a 
 few moments too late, and the raiders succeeded in 
 taking Mrs. Tenant as a prisoner, and making off with 
 their prey. 
 
 For several weeks the main portion of our grand 
 army has been sent by transports to the Peninsula, 
 with the evident intention of moving upon Eichmond 
 by shorter land routes than by way of Manassas. 
 This change in our plans of attack was probably 
 known by the Eebels before they were matured at 
 Washington, and we now understand why they so 
 quietly evacuated their positions on our front. 
 
 General McDowell remains in command of the 
 defences of Washington, with a force sufficient, it is 
 believed, to give safety to the Capital, and to harass 
 the Eebels who continue before us. With the de- 
 
56 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 parture of General McClellan to the Peninsula, our 
 picket lines were withdrawn to Annandale and Falls 
 Church, within a few miles of the fortifications of 
 Washington. 
 
 THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE PEOPLE. 
 
 Ajpril 4. — The Harris Light and the First Penn- 
 sylvania Cavalry were recalled from the picket lines 
 and sent out on a reconnoissance in force, with a divis- 
 ion in command of General McDowell. Our march 
 led us through Fairfax Court House and Centreville, 
 near which we bivouacked for the night. 
 
 Already, at this early spring time, a luxurious 
 vegetable growth of green is beautifully carpeting the 
 fields through which w^e pass and in which we halt. 
 Flowers of great beauty and variety of hues and 
 sweetness of perfume greet us on every hand. It 
 would seem as though Nature were struggling to hide 
 the desolations which war has made, and were weav- 
 ing her chaplets of honor around the graves of our 
 fallen brothers. And it really seems as though De- 
 struction himself had contributed to this lavish growth. 
 Thus, 
 
 " Life evermore is fed by death, 
 In earth, or sea, or sky ; 
 And, that a rose may breathe its breath. 
 Something must die." 
 
 On the fifth Vv^e continued on our march to Bristoe 
 Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Pailroad, 
 where w^e encountered one of the most furious snow 
 storms ever known in this region of country. The 
 wind which bore the snow was cold and cutting. It 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 57 
 
 was a season never to be forgotten by those avIio 
 were quartered in mere shelter tents, or had no tents 
 at all. 
 
 So sudden are the changes of the atmosphere here 
 that no man knoweth what a moment may bring 
 forth." Yesterday we sought shelter from the sun's 
 heat imder the budding trees, while grass and flowers 
 and singing birds indicated settled weather. To-day 
 the storm howls music through the bending pines, and 
 snow several inches deep covers the earth. 
 
 We are thoroughly convinced that the character 
 of the people here greatly partakes of the nature of 
 these surroundings. Is not this the case everywhere ? 
 But we see it here more plainly than we ever did be- 
 fore. The people are fitful, and their spasms are ter- 
 rible ; and yet we find them at times to be as kind 
 and hospitable as any we have ever found elsewhere. 
 After one has witnessed their beautiful days, cooled 
 with a gentle sea-breeze, which generally blows from 
 about nine o'clock in the morning till six at night, and 
 then their cool, calm evenings, he can see why there 
 are so many lovely traits in the nature of the people. 
 But if he experience some of their sudden and ter- 
 rific snow storms and showers, when the thunder and 
 the lightning are such that a Northerner feels that all 
 the storms he has ever witnessed are only infantile 
 attempts, he is inclined to extenuate, on mere climactic 
 principles, the outbursts of wrath, and "fire-eating" 
 propensities of the people. He who is gendered of 
 fire and brimstone must have some vim in his compo- 
 sition. We believe this study is not unworthy the 
 Christian philosopher and philanthropist. 
 
58 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 The day following the storm, the sun came out 
 warmly, and the snow suddenly disappeared, but left 
 us in a bed of rnud. The soil, naturally rich and 
 tender, consisting of a reddish loam, trodden by many 
 feet, and cut by the wheels of heavy vehicles, became 
 almost impassable. But it has this advantage, that it 
 soon dries. So the soil, as well as the atmosphere and 
 the people, is suddenly changeable. 
 
 April 7. — To-day our expedition continued its 
 march to Catlett's Station, a few miles south of Bris' 
 toe. General Augur commands the advance, which 
 consists of a brigade of infantry and two regiments 
 of cavalry. 
 
 On the eighth of the month a detachment of the 
 Harris Light was ordered out on picket at six o'clock 
 P.M., and we enjoyed a quiet, pleasant trip on this 
 usually unpleasant duty. Here we spent a few days 
 picketing, scouting and patrolling, and on the seven- 
 teenth we advanced from Catlett's in the direction of 
 Falmouth, on the Rappahannock. 
 
 DEATH or LIEUTENANT DECKER. 
 
 Our march was rapid and lay through a country 
 altogether new to us, w^hich, however, presented no 
 very interesting features. The Harris Light had the 
 advance, and was followed by the Fourteenth Brook- 
 lyn. As our infantry comrades became foot-sore 
 and weary, we exchanged positions widi them, for 
 mutual relief, until at last one half of the regiments 
 were bearing one another's burdens. This incident 
 paved the w^ay for a strong friendship to grow up be- 
 tween us. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 59 
 
 Seventeen miles were travelled quietly, wlien a 
 sudden fire on our advance-guard brought every 
 cavalry man to his horse and infantry man to his mus- 
 ket. Every thing assumed the signs of a fight. Kil- 
 patrickj who was in command of the regiment, or- 
 dered his band to the rear. This precaution of the 
 commander was no sooner taken than the vanguard, 
 in command of Lieutenant George Decker, was making 
 a furious charge upon Field's Cavalry, which was 
 doing outpost duty ten miles from Falmouth. On 
 the very first assault Lieutenant Decker fell from his 
 horse, pierced through the heart with a fatal bullet. 
 He w^as a daring young man, well formed, light com- 
 plexion, blue eyes, and about twenty-three years of 
 age. He was much lamented by his many friends. 
 His fall, shocking as it was to the command, being 
 our first fatal casualty, only seemed to nerve the 
 men for bold revenge. And we had it. Like chaff 
 before the whirlwind the outpost was quickly scat- 
 tered, and the whole regiment entered upon its first 
 charge with a will, a charge w^hich contimied for sev- 
 eral miles with wild excitement. Picket reliefs and 
 reserves were swept away like forest trees before the 
 avalanche, and we fell upon their encampment before 
 time had been afforded them for escape. Here we 
 captured several men and horses, with large quanti- 
 ties of stores, and then rested our tired steeds and fed 
 them with confederate forage. The men enjoyed the 
 captured rations. It was near night, and as the sun 
 disappeared the infantry force came up to our newly- 
 possessed territory. 
 
 The cavalry was ordered to stand to horse," and 
 
GO Three Years in ihe Federal Cavalry . 
 
 a strong j^icket was thrown out to prevent any sur- 
 prise attack or flanking movement of the enemy. In 
 the early part of the evening one of onr pickets was 
 surprised by tlie friendly approach of a citizen of Fal- 
 mouth, who had come, as he said, to hail once more 
 the ' old star-spangled banner,' and to greet his loyal 
 brethren of the North." 
 
 Such a patriotic and fearless individual among the 
 white population of that section of country w^as a 
 great rarity, and his protestations of friendship w^ere 
 at first received with some suspicion. He was, how- 
 ever, brought to General Augur's headquarters, where 
 he gave satisfactory proof of his kind intentions, and 
 then gave the General a full description of the position 
 and strength of the enemy, 
 
 NIGHT ATTxVCK OX FALMOUTH HEIGHTS. 
 
 A plan for a night attack was thereupon laid and 
 committed to Bayard and Kilpatrick. Our instruc- 
 tions were convej^ed to us in a whisper. A beautiful 
 moonlight fell upon the scene, which was as still as 
 death ; and with a proud determination the two young 
 cavalry chieftains moved forward to the night's fray. 
 Bayard was to attack on the main road in front, but 
 not until Kilpatrick had commenced operations on 
 their right flank by a detour through a neglected and 
 narrow wood-path. As the Heights were considered 
 well nigh impregnable, it was necessary to resort to 
 some stratagem, for which Kilpatrick showed a be- 
 coming aptness. 
 
 Having approached to within hearing distance of 
 the Eebel pickets, but before we were challenged, 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 63 
 
 Kilpatrick shouted with his clear voice which sounded 
 like a trumpet on the still night air, 
 
 " Bring up your artillery in the centre, and infan- 
 try on the left." 
 
 Well, but. Colonel," replied an honest, though 
 
 rather obtuse captain, we haven't got any inf -" 
 
 Silence in the ranks ! " commanded the leader. 
 " Artillery in the centre, infantry on the left." 
 
 The pickets caught and spread the alarm, and thus 
 greatly facilitated our hazardous enterprise. 
 
 " Charge ! " was the order which then thrilled the 
 ranks and echoed through the dark, dismal woods, 
 and the column swept up the rugged Heights in the 
 midst of blazing cannon and rattling musketry. So 
 steep was the ascent that not a few saddles slipped off 
 the horses, precipitating their riders into a creek which 
 flowed lazily at the base of the hill ; while others fell 
 dead and dying, struck by the missiles of destruction 
 which at times filled the air. But the red field was 
 won ; and the enemy, driven at the point of the sabre 
 fled unceremoniously down the Heights, through Fal- 
 mouth, and over the bridge which spanned the Eap- 
 pahannock, burning the beautiful structure behind 
 them to prevent pursuit. Quite a number of prison- 
 ers and various materials of war fell into our hands. 
 Kilpatrick and Bayard were both highly complimented 
 for their personal bravery on the occasion. 
 
 Aj^ril 18. — This morning, at eight o'clock, Gen- 
 eral Augur took peaceful possession of Falmouth ; 
 and here, with military honors, the remains of Lieu- 
 tenant Decker and about fifteen others, who fell 
 in the late struggle, were interred. Later in the 
 
64 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 day, and after considerable hesitation, the maj^or of 
 Fredericksburg formally surrendered the city to the 
 Yankee General, whose guns on Falmouth Heights 
 commanded obedience. 
 
 A bridge of canal boats^ similar to a pontoon, was 
 constructed across the river, and we took possession 
 of this beautiful, proud city. This was the first ap- 
 pearance of Yankees in this Eebel locality, and we 
 were the subject of no little curiosity. Many of the 
 people, who, by the misrepresentations of their licen- 
 tious press and flaming orators, had been led to be- 
 lieve that Yankees were a species of one-eyed cy clops, 
 or long-clawed harpies, or horned and hoofed devils ; 
 who had been deceived into the notion that President 
 Lincoln was a deformed mulatto, degenerated into a 
 hideous monkey, and that all his followers were of 
 that sort, on seeing us, expressed great surprise and 
 wished to know if we were specimens of the Lincoln 
 army." They had forgotten that our fathers fought 
 side by side in our common country's early struggles, 
 and that now we, their children, as brothers, ought 
 all to sit unitedly under the tree of liberty which they 
 had planted in tears and nourished with blood. 
 
 But it is painful to observe how the spirit of se- 
 cession has blotted out the memories of past days and 
 deeds, and filled their hearts with bitterness toward 
 us. A few Union families in these parts, whose ac- 
 quaintance we have made, assure us that their neigh- 
 bors, who were formerly most hospitable and humane, 
 have become, through this Eebel virus, incarnate 
 fiends. To secede from the Union was evidently to 
 'secede from the God of virtue and charity. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 65 
 
 April 25. — After spending a few days of toler- 
 able quietness on the banks of the Kappahannock, 
 with our camp near the Phillips House, Falmouth, a 
 most lovely spot, we were to-day ordered out as escort 
 or guard to a train destined for the Shenandoah 
 Valley. Such a job is generally any thing but pleas- 
 ant to a cavalry force, for the moYement is altogether 
 too slow, especially when bad roads are encountered. 
 And in case a team becomes balky or gives out, or a 
 wagon breaks down (incidents which occur frequent- 
 ly), the whole column is in siaiu quo nntil the diffi- 
 culty or disability is removed. And so we are halt- 
 ing, advancing, halting and advancing again, with 
 this monotonous variety repeated ad libitum^ while 
 the halts are often longer than the advances. But 
 our slow motion gives us some opportunity to scout 
 the countiy through which we pass, and to obtain 
 any quantity of rations and forage for man and beast. 
 By this means we are not compelled to consume 
 much, if any, of the contents of our train. 
 
 On the twenty-eighth Ave reached Thoroughfare 
 Gap, through which the Manassas Gap railroad finds 
 its way over the Bull Run mountains. Here we met 
 a force from General Nathaniel P. Banks' army, to 
 whose care -we delivered the train. We remained a 
 few .days to scout through the country. 
 
 On the first of May we started back toward Fal- 
 mouth, but stopped several days at Bristersburg, a 
 small town, w^here we spent our time very pleasantly, 
 scouting through the country and living upon its rich 
 products. Here we are very much isolated from the 
 rest of our army. .We seldom get a mail or receive 
 
66 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 any papers, except from rebel sources, and these are 
 so meagre of literary taste and especially of reliable 
 army news, that we dare not put much trust in their 
 representations. However, we are satisfied from 
 what we read, that our grand Peninsular army is 
 making some telling demonstrations toward Rich- 
 mond, and that the Eebel General Thomas J. Jackson, 
 surnamed Stonewall," shice his famous defeat by 
 General James Shields at Kernstown, near Winches- 
 ter, is still in the valley. 
 
 May 25z^A.— We reached l^'almouth to-day and 
 took possession of our old camping ground in front 
 of the Phillips House. We have but little to do ex- 
 cept to graze our horses in the surrounding fields, 
 and to recruit our strength. We also have the usual 
 camp work, namely, policing, drilling, etc. This de- 
 partment is very quiet, though we hear of active 
 movements elsewhere. 
 
 On the thirtieth we had a severe rain storm, with 
 thunder and \\^ivLVii^^ dlaYirginie. The streams 
 w^ere greatly sw^ollen, and mud was abundant, so as 
 to retard movements before Richmond. 
 
 June 6. — The Harris Light crossed the Rappa- 
 hannock and advanced six miles beyond Fredericks- 
 burg, where we got only a glimpse of some of Field's 
 cavalry, who had not forgotten us. They kept them- 
 selves at a very respectful distance from us, and 
 made themselves "scarce'' whenever we made signs 
 of an attack. For several days we bivouacked on 
 that side of the river, and on the twelfth we returned 
 to our old camp at Falmouth Heights. On the six- 
 teenth w^e were again thrown across the river, and 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. G7 
 
 Diade a recoimoissaiice severpJ miles soutli, without 
 finding any force of the enemy. 
 
 Nothing of importance occurred nntil the Fourth 
 of July, when the Troy company of tlie Harris Light, 
 commanded by Lieutenant Robert Loudon, was sent 
 out to celebrate this national holiday by a recon- 
 noissance on the Telegraph Koad, south of Freder- 
 icksburg. We left camp at eight o'clock in the 
 morning, and soon came in sight of a detachment of 
 Bath Cavahy, doing patrol duty. After following 
 them for some time, though not rapidly, we halted a 
 few moments, and they lost sight of us, concluding 
 doubtless that we had retired. This was just wdiat 
 we wanted. 
 
 ATTACK AT FLIPPEE'S OKCHAED. 
 
 On the south bank of the Po river, about tw^enty 
 miles from Fredericksburg, w^as a beautiful orchard, 
 owned by a Dr. Flipper. This lovely spot had been 
 chosen by our Bath friends for their outpost, their 
 main reserve being a few miles farther south. On 
 arriving at the orchard, with its luscious fruit and in- 
 viting shade, the squad we were still pursuing unsus- 
 pectingly unsaddled their horses, began to arrange 
 preparations for their dinner, and to make themselves 
 generally comfortable. Of this state of things we 
 were informed by a contraband Ave chanced to meet. 
 We then resolved either to share or spoil their coffee ; 
 so, moving forward at a trot until in sight of them, 
 we swooped down upon the orchard like eagles. 
 The surprised and frightened cavaliers fired but a 
 few shots, and we captured twelve men and nine 
 
68 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 horses, and escaped with our lawful prey without 
 having received a scratch. It was my good fortune 
 to take prisoner Lieutenant Powell, the officer in com- 
 mand, and to receive as my own aiine silver-mounted 
 revolver, which he reluctantly placed in my hand. It 
 will be a line souvenir of the war and of this Fourth 
 of July. 
 
 SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 
 
 Sometime in May Colonel Bayard with his regi- 
 ment and a large portion of General McDowell's divi- 
 sion were sent to the Shenandoah Yalley to share in 
 the shifting military panorama which was there dis- 
 played. With the removal of the Army of the Poto- 
 mac to the Peninsula the Confederate authorities des- 
 patched General Jackson to the Valley, to threaten the 
 upper Potomac and Maryland, thus making it neces- 
 sary for a large Federal force to remain in these parts. 
 General Banks was in command of that department. 
 
 After the battle of Kernstown, in which Jackson 
 received the sobriquet of Stonewall " and a sound 
 thrashing, General Banks, who had set out for War- 
 renton, returned to the Valley, and pursued Jackson, 
 but was unable to bring him to bay. The enemy's 
 cavalry under Colonel Turner Ashby was frequently 
 attacked by the Union Cavalry under General John 
 P. Hatch. On the sixth of May, the Fifth New York 
 Cavalry, First Ira Harris Guard, had a hand to hand 
 encounter with Ashby 's men near Harrisonburg, 
 where Yankee sabres and pluck had established a 
 reputation. A portion of the same regiment under 
 Colonel John E. Kenly, at Front Royal, added new 
 
Throe Years in the Federal Cavalry, 69 
 
 lustre to their fame, on the twenty-third of the same 
 montli, during Stonewall's " flank movement on 
 General Banks at Strasburg, and fought bravely 
 during that memorable retreat to Maryland. 
 
 At this juncture of affairs, a division of General 
 McDowell's forces, under General Shields, was dis- 
 patched to the valley to intercept Jackson, while 
 General John 0. Fremont was ordered by telegraph 
 to the same scene from the Mountain Department. 
 But unavoidably detained by almost impassable 
 mountain roads and streams enormously swollen by 
 recent rains, Fremont reached Strasburg just in time 
 to see Jackson's last stragglers retreating through the 
 town. His pursuit was very rapid, though no en- 
 gagement was brought about until the fifth of June, 
 at Harrisonburg. Here Colonel Percy Wyndham, 
 on our side, and Turner Ashby, now a general, on the 
 Eebel side, distinguished themselves in the cavalry. 
 Ashby was killed. His loss was greatly lamented by 
 his comrades. He always fought at the head of his 
 men, with the most reckless self-exposure, and for 
 outpost duty and the skirmish line he left scarcely an 
 equal behind him in either army. His humaneness 
 to our men who had fallen into his hands caused 
 many of them to shed tears at the intelligence of his 
 death. Men of valor and kindness are always worthy 
 of a better cause than that in which the Rebels are 
 engaged ; but their merit is always appreciated. 
 
 Upon the heel of this fight folio w^ed the battles of 
 Cross Keys, and Port Republic, where Jackson eluded 
 the combined Union forces which had been directed 
 against him. 
 
70 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 During this memorable campaign, a curious mili- 
 tary modus ojyerandi had been resorted to in the 
 Luray Valley, in.Avhich the cavalry had made itself 
 doubly nsefub A small force of our infantry and 
 cavalry were surrounded by the enemy on the south 
 bank of the Shenandoah River, which was so high as 
 to be unfordable. As a last resort the cavalrymen 
 plunged into the stream, swimming their horses, and 
 towing across the infantrymen, who clung to the ani- 
 mals' tails ! 
 
 A striking case of personal daring in this Valley 
 campaign, is worthy of record here. During Banks' 
 retreat from Winchester, on the twenty-fourth of May, 
 four companies of the Fifth New York Cavalry, under 
 command of Captain Wheeler, were moving on the 
 left flank of our retreating columns, to protect them 
 from any attacks by the Rebel cavalry, which infested 
 the wooded hills that lay along our route. Emerg- 
 ing from a thick wood, Captain John Hammond, who 
 had the advance with eight or ten men, suddenly came 
 upon a squad of mounted Rebels, and immediately 
 called on them to surrender. However, they fled, 
 firing as they went, but were closely pursued. Cap- 
 tain Hammond was riding a powerful horse, which he 
 had taken from his home, and as his blood was up, he 
 determined to capture one of the party at least, at all 
 hazard. He soon came up to the hindmost, a strong 
 man, with whom he exchanged several shots at close 
 quarters, but without eff'ect on either side, owing to 
 their fearful gait through the timber and down a hill. 
 Hammond's pistol became fouled by a cap, and the 
 cylinder v/ould not revolve. The Rebel had two 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 71 
 
 charges left. Quick work was now necessary. An- 
 other spurring of his horse brought him witbin arm's 
 length of the flying Eebel, wlierenpon he seized bis 
 coat colbar with both his hands, and dragged him 
 backward from his saddle. Holding firmly his grasp, 
 both horses went from under them, and they fell pell- 
 mell to the ground. Luckily Hammond was upper- 
 most, with one hand at the enemy's throat and the 
 other holding the band of the pistol with which the 
 Eebel was trying to shoot him. As the two men 
 were powerful, a fearful struggle ensued for the mas- 
 tery of the pistol. Meantime up rode one of Ham- 
 mond's boys, who, by bis order, fired at the upturned 
 face of the obstinate foe, the ball grazing his scalp 
 and causing him to relinquish his hold ot the revolver, 
 when he was forced to surrender. Thus ended one of 
 the roughest yet amusing contests of the war. 
 
 The prisoner proved to be one of Ashby's scouts, 
 and the remainder of the party were all captured. 
 But notwithstanding the personal bravery of our men, 
 disaster and defeat had attended our operations in the 
 Yalley. Nor was this the only field of disastrous 
 changes. On the Peninsula sieges had been laid and 
 raised, terrible battles fought, won, and lost, and 
 thousands of our brave comrades had succumbed to 
 the impure water and miasmatic condition of the 
 country. The rebel General J. E. B. Stuart had as- 
 tounded every body by a raid around our entire army, 
 cutting off* communications, destroying stores, and 
 capturing not a few prisoners. On the second of 
 July this jaded army found a resting place at Harri- 
 son's Landing on the James Eiver. 
 
72 Three- Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 CHAPTER \ . 
 
 POPE'S CAMPAIGN IN" NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 
 
 1862. — Kilpatrick at Beaver Dam. — Captain John S. Mosby. — Return of 
 the Raiders. — CompUmentary Orders. — The Harris Light at Ander- 
 son's Turnout. — Rebel Account of the Scare. — General John P. 
 Hatch, his Misfortunes and Justification. — Reconnoissances. — Battle 
 of Cedar Mountain. — Hospital at Culpepper. — General Stuart in Close 
 Quarters. — His Adjutant-General Captured. — Death of Captain 
 Charles Walters. — Pope driven back and waiting for Reinforcements. 
 — Kilpatrick's Fight at Brandy Station. — Waterloo Bridge. — Bristoe 
 Station. — Manassas Junction. — Battle of Groveton. — Second Bull 
 Run. — Chantilly and Death of Kearny. — General Pope resigns. 
 
 /\UR prospects as a nation were any thing but 
 
 \j promising about the fourth of July, 1862. Our 
 operations in the Shenandoah Valley had been very 
 expensive and fruitless. The Peninsular campaign, 
 which promised so much at its beginning, which had 
 proceeded at so fearful a cost of treasure and blood, 
 was pronounced a failure at last, and the great armies, 
 depleted and worn, were well nigh discouraged. The 
 celebration of the anniversary of our national birth- 
 day was observed throughout the loyal North in the 
 midst of gloomy forebodings, and only the pure 
 patriotism of governors of States, and of the President 
 of the United States, gave the people any ground of 
 hope for success. In the army changes of leaders 
 were occurring, which produced no little amount of 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 73 
 
 jealousy among the stars," and upon wliich the opin 
 ion of the rank and file was divided. 
 
 On the fourteenth of July, General John Pope, 
 having been called from a glorious career in the West, 
 took command of the Army of Virginia, which was a 
 consohdation of the commands of Fremont, Banks, 
 and McDowell. 
 
 Before General Pope left Washington, he ordered 
 General Rufus King, who was in command at Frede- 
 ricksburgh, to make a raid on the Yirginia Central 
 Railroad, for the purpose of destroying it at as many 
 points as possible, and thus impede communications 
 between Richmond and the Valley. This work was 
 committed to our regiment. 
 
 July 19. — About six o'clock this evening the 
 Harris Light was set in rapid motion almost directly 
 south. By means of a forced march of forty miles 
 through the night, at the gray dawn of the morning 
 we descended upon Beaver Dam depot, on the Vir- 
 ginia Central, like so many ravenous Vv^olves upon a 
 broken fold. Here we had some lively work. The 
 command was divided in several squads, and each 
 party was assigned its peculiar and definite duty. So 
 while some were destroying culverts and bridges, 
 others were playing mischief wdth the telegraph 
 wires ; others still were burning the depot, which was 
 nearly full of stores, and a fourth party was on the 
 lookout. During our affray we captured a young 
 Confederate oflicer, who gave his name as Captain 
 John S. Mosby. By his sprightly appearance and 
 conversation he attracted considerable attention. He 
 IS slight, yet well formed ; has a keen blue eye, and 
 
%4: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 florid complexion ; and displays no small amount of 
 Southern bravado in his dress and manners. His 
 gray plush hat is surmounted by a waving plume, 
 which he tosses as he speaks in real Prussian style. 
 He had a letter in his possession from General Stuart, 
 recommending him to the kind regards of General 
 Lee. 
 
 After making general havoc of railroad stock and 
 JKebel stores, we started in the direction of Gordon- 
 ville, but having ascertained that a force of Rebels 
 much larger than our own occupied the place, we 
 turned northward, and reached our old camp at mid- 
 night, having marched upward of eighty miles in 
 thirty hours. 
 
 Some of us will not soon forget the ludicrous 
 scenes which were acted out, especially in the latter 
 portion of the raid. In consequence of the jaded con- 
 dition of our horses it was necessary to make frequent 
 halts. To relieve themselves and animals, when a halt 
 was ordered, some men would dismount, and, sinking 
 to the ground through exhaustion, would quickly fall 
 asleep. "With the utmost difficulty they were aroused 
 by their comrades when the column advanced. Call- 
 ing them by their names, though we did it with 
 mouth to ear, and with all our might, made no im- 
 pression upon them. In many instances we were 
 compelled to take hold of them, roll them over, tum- 
 ble them about, and pound them, before we could 
 make them realize that the proper time for rest and 
 sleep had not yet come. 
 
 Others slept in their saddles, either leaning for- 
 ward on the pommel of the saddle, or on the roll of 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 75 
 
 coat and blanket, or sitting quite erect, with an occa- 
 sional bow forward or to the right or left, like the 
 swaying of a flag on a signal station, or like the career- 
 ings of a drunken man. The horse of such a sleeping 
 man will seldom leave his place in the column, though 
 this will sometimes occur, and the man awakes at last 
 to find himself alone with his horse which is grazing 
 along some unknown field or woods. Some men, 
 having lost the column in this way, have fallen into 
 the enemy's hands. Sometimes a fast-walking horse 
 in one of the rear companies will bear his sleeping 
 lord quickly along, forcing his way through the ranks 
 ahead of him, until the poor fellow is awakened, and 
 finds himself just passing by the colonel and his staff 
 at the head of the column ! Of course, he falls back 
 to his old place somewhat confused and ashamed, and 
 the occurrence lends him just excitement enough to 
 keep him awake for a few minutes. 
 
 It is seldom that men under these somnambulic 
 circumstances fall from their horses, yet sometimes it 
 does happen, and headlong goes the cavalier upon the 
 hard ground, or into a splashing mud-puddle, while 
 general merriment is produced among the lookers-on. 
 But as no one is seriously injured, the fallen brave" 
 retakes his position in the ranks and the column pro- 
 ceeds as though nothing had happened. We had all 
 these experiences in one form or another in our raid, 
 and on reaching camp we found that several men had 
 lost their caps by the way. 
 
 The day following our arrival at camp the gen- 
 eral in command issued his complimentary message, 
 namely : 
 
76 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Headquarters Army of YirginiAj ) 
 Wasliirigton, July 2.1. ) 
 
 To Hon. E. M. Stanton^ Secretary of War : 
 
 Sm : The cavalry expedition I directed General King to 
 send out on the nineteenth instant has returned. 
 
 They left Fredericksburg at seven p. m., on the nineteenth, 
 and a fter a forced march during the night made a descent at day- 
 light in the morning upon the Virginia Central Eailroad at 
 Beaver Dam Creek, twenty-five miles north of Hanover Junction 
 and thirty-five miles from Eichmond. They destroyed the rail- 
 road and telegraph line for several miles, burned the d^pot, 
 which contained forty thousand rounds of musket ammunition, 
 one hundred barrels of fiour, and much other valuable property, 
 and brought in the Captain in charge as a prisoner. 
 
 The whole country round was thrown into a great state of 
 alarm. One private was wounded on our side. The cavalry 
 marched eighty miles in thirty hours. The affair was most 
 successful, and reflects high credit upon the commanding offi- 
 cer and his troops. 
 
 As soon as full particulars are received I will transmit to 
 you the name of the commanding officer of the troops en- 
 gaged. 
 
 I am, Sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 John Pope, 
 Major- General Commanding, 
 
 Tlie above order was received with great gladness 
 by tlie boys of the Harris Light, and Kilpatrick had 
 just reasons to feel proud of his brave boys and their 
 noble deeds. As we had done so well in this branch of 
 business, it was natural for the commanding general 
 to be looking out for more similar jobs for us, and, 
 indeed, they came. 
 
 July 24. — Kilpatrick was again launched out with 
 his men on another raid upon the Yirginia Central 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 77 
 
 Railroad, which, this time, we struck at Anderson 
 Turnout. However, we did not reach the railroad 
 before w^e had surj^rised a camp of Eebel cavalry, 
 with which we had a sharp skirmish on the south 
 bank of the North Anna Eiver. But having the ad- 
 vantage of the enemy, w^e defeated them, captured 
 their camp, with several prisoners and horses. A 
 large quantity of camp and garrison equipage fell into 
 our hands, which we burned. Unfortunately for us 
 we did not come just in time to take the cars, but we 
 created an alarm quite as extensive as that which 
 prevailed at Beaver Dam, on our former visit. The 
 Richmond Examiner^ commenting upon the affair, 
 gave the following truthful rendering : 
 
 ANOTHER SCARE ON THE CENTRAL ROAD. 
 
 " When the train from the west on the Central 
 Railroad reached Frederick's Hall, a station fifty miles 
 from this, it was met by a rumor that the Yankee 
 cavalry had made another raid from Fredericksburg, 
 and had possession of the track at Anderson Turn- 
 out, ten miles below Beaver Dam, and thirty miles 
 from Richmond. The telegraph wire not being in 
 working order, there was no means at- hand of as- 
 certaining the truth of this report. Under the 
 circumstances the conductor, not choosing to risk 
 the passengers and train, took an extra locomotive 
 and ran down to Anderson's on a reconnoissance. 
 When he reached this place he found the report of 
 the Yankees at that point correct, but they had left 
 several hours previous to his arrival. He learned the 
 following particulars : 
 
78 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 At a quarter past nine a. m., just a quarter of 
 an hour after the passage of train from Richmond, the 
 Yankee cavalry, several hundred in number, made 
 their appearance at the Turnout. Having missed the 
 train, they seemed to have no particular object in 
 view, but loitered about the neighborhood for a couple 
 of hours. They, however, before taking leave, search- 
 ed the house of Mr. John S. Anderson, which is near 
 the raih'oad, and took prisoner his son, w^ho is in the 
 Confederate service, but at home on sick furlough. 
 They also took possession of four of Mr. Anderson's 
 horses. They made no attempt to tear up the rail- 
 road, having no doubt had enough of that business at 
 Beaver Dam last Sunday. They did not interfere 
 v/ith the telegraph wire through prudential motives, 
 shrewdly guessing that any meddling with that would 
 give notice of their presence. 
 
 " Of the movements of our troops occasioned by 
 this second impudent foray it is unnecessary to say 
 any thing. The Central train reached this city at 
 eight o'clock, three hours behind its usual time." 
 
 It is evident that we are greatly embarrassing the 
 Eebel travelling public by our raids, destroying pub- 
 lic property, capturing prisoners and horses, and 
 gaining some valuable information. We have learn- 
 ed from contrabands and other sources that Rebel 
 forces in considerable numbers are being transported 
 v/estward over this route. Some grand movements 
 are undoubtedly on foot. 
 
 Yi e have received word that on the fourteenth 
 General John P. Hatch, with all his cavalry, was 
 ordered by General Banks to proceed at once upon 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 79 
 
 Gordoiisville, capture the place and destroy all the 
 railroads that centre there, but especially to make 
 havoc of the Central road, as far east as possible, and 
 west to Charlottesville. For some- reason General 
 Hatch was too slow in his movements, and General 
 Ewell, with a division of Lee's army, reached the 
 place on the sixteenth, one day ahead of Hatch. 
 Thereupon Hatch was ordered to take from fifteen 
 hundred to two thousand picked men, well mounted, 
 and to hasten from Madison Court House, over the 
 Blue Eidge, and destroy the railroad westward to 
 Staunton. He commenced the movement ; but after 
 passing through the narrow defiles of the mountains 
 at Swift Eun Gap, he felt that there was no hope of 
 accomplishing any thing, and returned. General 
 Pope immediately relieved him from command, and 
 appointed General John Buford, General Banks' chief 
 of artillery, in his place. 
 
 After some months had elapsed, the following 
 correspondence between General Hatch and his 
 former command will partly vindicate, if it does not 
 fully justify, his course : 
 
 Second Cavalry Brigade, Third Aemt Corps, ) 
 Near Fort Scott, Va., 1862. J 
 
 To Brigadier- General John P. Hatch: 
 
 General : The accompanying sabre is presented to you by 
 the officers of the First Vermont and Fifth New York Cavalry. 
 
 We have served under you while you commanded the cav- 
 alry in Virginia — a period of active operations and military 
 enterprise — during which your courage and judgment inspired 
 us with confidence, while your zeal and integrity have left us 
 an example easier to be admired than imitated. 
 
 We, who have passed with you beyond the Kapidan and 
 4 
 
80 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 through Swift Kun Gap, are best able to recognize your quali- 
 ties as a comraander. 
 
 Accept, therefore, General, this testimonial of esteem 
 olTered long after we were removed from your command, — 
 when the external glitter of an ordinary man ceases to affect 
 the mind, but when real worth begins to be appreciated. 
 On behalf of the officers of the Fifth New York, 
 
 Egbert Johnstone, 
 Lieutenant' Colonel^ Fifth New York Camlry. 
 
 To the Officers of the Fifth New Yorlc and First Vermont Hegi- 
 ments of Cavalry : 
 
 Oswego, N. Y., 1862. 
 
 Gentlemen : A very beautiful sabre, your present to my- 
 self, has been received. I shall wear it with pride, and will 
 never draw it but in an honorable cause. 
 
 The very kind letter accompanying the sabre has caused 
 emotions of the deepest nature. The assurance it gives of the 
 confidence you feel in mj^^self, and your approval of my course 
 when in command of Banks' Cavalry, is particularly gratifying. 
 You, actors with myself in those stirring scenes, are competent 
 judges as to the propriety of my course, when it unfortunately 
 did not meet with the approval of my superior ; and your testi- 
 mony, so handsomely expressed, after time has allowed oppor- 
 tunity for reflection, more than compensates for the mortifica- 
 tion of that moment. 
 
 I have watched with pride the movements of your regiments 
 since my separation from you. When a telegram has an- 
 nounced that " in a cavalry fight the edge of the salyre was suc- 
 cessfully used, and the enemy routed," the further announce- 
 ment that the First Vermont and Fifth JSTew York were en- 
 gaged, was unnecessary. 
 
 Accept my kindest wishes for your future success. Sharp 
 sabres and a trust in Providence will enable you to secure it in 
 the field. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 John P. Hatch, 
 Brigadier- General. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 81 
 
 August 5. — The Harris Light was again sent out 
 on a reconnoissance to the Central Kailroad, which 
 we struck on the sixth, about ten o'clock a. m., at 
 Frederick's Hall. The depot, which contained large 
 supplies of commissary and quartermaster stores, was 
 burned. The telegraph office was also destroyed, 
 with considerable length of wire, while the railroad 
 track was torn and otherwise injured, principally by 
 the fires we built upon it. In a factory near the sta- 
 tion were found huge quantities of tobacco. The 
 men took as much as the jaded condition of their 
 horses would permit, and the remainder was wrapped 
 in flames. 
 
 All this was accomplished without loss on our side. 
 These daring and successful raids made Kilpatrick 
 very conspicuous before the army and country. He 
 was complimented by the general commanding both 
 in orders and by telegraph, and his name became a 
 synonym of courage and success. This gave wonder- 
 ful enthusiasm to his men, and their devotion to him 
 was unbounded. Wherever he led us we gladly 
 w^ent, feeling that however formidable the force or 
 dangerous the position we assailed, either by main 
 force we could overcome, or by stratagem or celerity 
 we could escape. This gave our young hero a double 
 power. 
 
 August 8. — To-day Kilpatrick v/as ordered with 
 his regiments to reconnoitre in the direction of Or- 
 ange Court House. We advanced by way of Chan- 
 eellorsville and old Wilderness Tavern ; but on ap- 
 proaching the Court House we found it occupied by 
 a heavy force of the enemy. It is evident that the 
 
82 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Eebcl army is advancing with a show of fight towards 
 the upper fords of the Eapidan, where, we under- 
 stand. Generals Buford and Bayard are picketing. 
 After ascertaining all we could about present and 
 prospective movements, we returned to our old camp, 
 having made a swift and tedious march. 
 
 BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN. 
 
 On the ninth was fought the memorable battle of 
 Cedar or Slaughter's Mountain, in which both sides 
 claimed the victory. The Confederates certainly had 
 the advantage of position, having taken possession of 
 the wooded crest before the arrival of our advance ; 
 and they also greatly outnumbered the Union ranks. 
 But their loss was nearly double our own, and nearly 
 the same ground was occupied by the combatants at 
 night, which each held in the beginning of the fight. 
 The cavalry was not conspicuously engaged in this 
 bloody fray, except such portions of it as were escort 
 or body-guard to officers in command, and among 
 these some ^vere killed. The main cavalry force 
 w^atched the flanks, doing good service there. 
 
 August 10. — At an early hour of the day the 
 Harris Light was ordered to report at Culpepper 
 Court House, and w^e were soon on the march. On 
 arriving at our destination we found the place well 
 nigh filled with our wounded from the battle of yes- 
 terday. It is estimated that not less than fifteen hun- 
 dred of our men w-ere killed and wounded, about a 
 thousand of the latter having found a refuge here. 
 The seventh part of the casualties of a battle, on an 
 average, wdll number the killed and mortally w^ound- 
 
TJivee Years in the Federal Cavalry. 83 
 
 ed ; the others claim the especial attention of their 
 comrades. It is heart-sickening to witness their 
 bloody, mangled forms. All the public buildings and 
 many private residences of this village are occupied 
 as hospitals, and the surgeons with their corps of hos- 
 pital stewards and nurses are doing their work, as- 
 sisted by as many others as have been detailed for 
 this purpose, or volunteer their services. The Eebel 
 wounded who have fallen into our hands receive the 
 same attention that is bestowed upon our own men, 
 many of them acknowledging that they are far better 
 off in our care than they would be among their con- 
 federates. 
 
 These hospitals are all much more quiet than one 
 would naturally suppose. How calmly the brave 
 boys endure the wounds they have received in de- 
 fence of their beloved country ! Only now and then 
 can be heard a subdued sob, or a dying groan ; while 
 those who are fully conscious, though suffering ex- 
 cruciating pain, are either engaged in silent prayer or 
 meditation, or reading a Testament or a last letter 
 from loved ones, and patiently awaiting their turn 
 with the surgeon or the nurse. 
 
 In the most available places tables have been 
 spread for the purpose of amputations. We cannot 
 approach them, with their heaps of mangled hands 
 and feet, of shattered bones and yet quivering flesh, 
 without a shudder. A man must need the highest 
 style of heroism willingly to drag himself or be borne 
 by others to one of these tables, to undergo the pro- 
 cesses of the amputating blade. But thanks be to 
 modern skill in surgery, and to the discoverer of 
 
84 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 cliloroform ; for by these the operations are per- 
 formed quickly and without the least sensation, until 
 the poor brave awakes with the painful consciousness 
 of the loss of limbs, which no artificer can fully re- 
 place. Thus the skill displayed and the care taken 
 greatly mitigate the horrors of battle. Men here are 
 wounded in every conceivable manner, from the 
 crowns of their heads to the soles of their feet, while 
 some are most fearfully torn by shells. It had been 
 thought that men shot through the lungs or entrails 
 were past cure, yet several of the former have been 
 saved, and a few of the latter. Indeed, it would seem 
 as though modern science was measuring nearly up 
 to the age of miracles. 
 
 We found that a large force of cavalry was con- 
 centrating at Culpepper, awaiting new developments. 
 Reconnoissances are of frequent occurrence, and all 
 of them reveal that the enemy is in motion, concen- 
 trating on our front. Our picket lines are made 
 doubly strong, and the utmost vigilance is enjoined. 
 Scouts and spies are on the rampage, and more or less 
 excitement prevails everywhere. 
 
 IMPORTANT CAVALRY MOVEMENTS. 
 
 August 16.— To-day a small detachment of caval- 
 ry under Colonel Broadhead, of the First Michigan 
 Cavalry, was despatched on a scout in the direction 
 of Louisa Court House. Having penetrated to with- 
 in the enemy's lines, and not far from the Court 
 House, they made a swift descent upon a suspicious 
 looking house, which proved to be General Stuart's 
 headquarters. The general barely escaped through a 
 
TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 85 
 
 back door, as it were " by tlie skin of his teeth," leav- 
 ing a part of his wardrobe behind him. His belt fell 
 into our hands, and several very important despatches 
 from General Lee. Stuart's adjutant-general was 
 found concealed in the house and captured. General 
 Pope, in his official reports, speaks of this affair as 
 follows : 
 
 The cavalry expedition sent out on the sixteenth 
 in the direction of Louisa Court House, captured the 
 adjutant-general of General Stuart, and was very 
 near capturing that officer himself. Among the pa- 
 pers taken was an autograph letter of General Robert 
 E. Lee to General Stuart, dated Gordonsville, August 
 fifteenth, which made manifest to me the disposition 
 and force of the enemy and their determination to 
 overwhelm the army under my command before it 
 could be rcenforced by any portion of the Army of 
 the Potomac." 
 
 Had it not been for the timely discovery of this 
 Eebel order. General Pope's army, only a handful to 
 the multitudes which were gathering against him 
 from the defences of Richmond, would have been 
 flanked and probably annihilated. Assured, how- 
 ever, that reenforcements from JVIcClellan's army 
 could certainly reach him before long, General Pope 
 held his advanced position to the last, our pickets 
 guarding the fords of the Rapidan. On the eight- 
 eenth, the entire force of cavalry relieved the infan- 
 try pickets, and evident preparations were being 
 made for a retreat. On the day following a sharp 
 skirmish took place with Rebel cavalry which ap- 
 peared across the narrow, rapid river. In this en- 
 
86 Three Years in the Federal Cwmlry. 
 
 gagement Captain Charles Walters, of the Harris 
 Light, \vas killed, and his remains were interred at 
 midnight just as orders were received to retreat on the 
 road to Culpepper. 
 
 The cavalry under General Bayard is acting as 
 rear guard to our retreating columns. Stuart's caval- 
 ry, with whom we are engaged at almost every step, 
 is vanguard of the Rebel army, which is advancing as 
 rapidly as possible. The prospect before us is ex- 
 ceedingly dark. Nothing is more discouraging to a 
 soldier than to be compelled to retreat, especially un- 
 der a general whose first order on assuming com- 
 mand contained the following utterances : 
 
 Meantime, I desire you to dismiss from your 
 minds certain phrases which I am sorry to find much 
 in vogue among you. 
 
 I hear constantly of taking strong positions and 
 holding them — of lines of retreat and of bases of sup- 
 plies. Let us discard such ideas. 
 
 " The strongest position a soldier should desire to 
 occupy is one from which he can most easily advance 
 against the enemy. 
 
 " Let us study the probable lines of retreat of our 
 opponents, and leave our own to take care of them- 
 selves. Let us look before, and not behind. Success 
 and glory are in the advance. Disaster and shame 
 lurk in the rear." 
 
 We all felt that the moment we begin to turn our 
 backs to the enemy, that moment we acknowledge 
 ourselves either outgeneralled or whipped, a thing 
 most di^eartening, and to which pride never easily 
 condescends. Our only liope was based on early 
 
TTiTce Years in the Federal Cavalry. 89 
 
 reenforcements. Should these fail us we saw nothmg 
 but defeat and disaster in our path. 
 
 August 20. — ^While our cavalry forces w^ere feed- 
 ing then- horses on the large plains near Brandy Sta- 
 tion, about six o'clock this morning, a heavy column 
 of Stuart's cavalry was discovered, approaching from 
 the direction of Culpepper. . Kilpatrick was ordered 
 to attack and check this advance, which he did in a 
 spirited manner. The Harris Light added fresh 
 laurels to its already famous record, and made Bran- 
 dy Station memorable in the annals of cavalry con- 
 flicts. Stuart's advance was not only retarded, but 
 diverted ; and it w^as made our business to watch 
 closely his future movements. 
 
 On the twenty-first we reached Freeman's Ford, 
 on the Eappahannock, which we picketed, preventing 
 the enemy from effecting a crossing. As the fords 
 of the river were generally heavily guarded up to 
 this point, the enemy kept moving up the stream 
 toward our right, evidently designing to make a flank 
 movement upon us. 
 
 On the twenty-second a notable cavalry engage- 
 ment, with light artillery, took place at "Waterloo 
 Bridge. During this fight a Eebel shell took eftect in 
 our ranks, killing instantly the three horses ridden by 
 the three officers of the same company, dismounting 
 the braves very unceremoniously, but injuring no one 
 seriously. Through the darkness of the night follow- 
 ing, Stuart, with about fifteen hundred picked caval- 
 ry, effected a crossing of the river, and after making 
 quite a detour via Warrenton, came down unper- 
 ceived throuerh the intense darkness and the falling 
 
90 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 rain upon General Pope's headquarters near Catlett'S 
 Station. He captured the general's field quarter- 
 master and many important documents, made great 
 havoc among the guards, horses, and wagons, and 
 finally escaped, without injury to himself, with about 
 three hundred prisoners, and considerable private 
 baggage taken from the train. His victory was in- 
 deed a cheap one, but we all felt its disgrace, Avhich 
 the darkness to some extent exj^lained, but did not 
 fully excuse. 
 
 August 23. — A severe contest occurred to-day at 
 Sulphur Springs. The enemy is pressing us hard at 
 every crossing of the river, and continues to move 
 towards our right. Skirmishing occurs at nearly 
 every hour of the day and night, occasioning more or 
 less loss of life. Yesterday in a skirmish led by Gen- 
 eral Sigel, who had crossed the river. General Bohlen 
 was killed, and our forces driven back to the north 
 side of the river. While this manoeuvring was going 
 on along the Rappahannock, General Lee had des- 
 patched Stonewall Jackson, to pass around our right, 
 which he did by crossing about four miles above 
 Waterloo, and, on the twenty-fifth, he struck our 
 forces at Bristoe Station, where a severe contest took 
 place, the losses in killed and wounded being heavy 
 on both sides. But the enemy was successful in tak- 
 ing possession of the railroad ; and in the evening a 
 portion of Stuart's cavalry, strengthened by two regi- 
 ments of infantry, advanced to Manassas Junction, 
 where they surprised and charged our guards, cap- 
 turing many prisoners, also ten locomotives, seven 
 trains loaded with inimcnGe quantities of stores, 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 91 
 
 horses, tents, and eight cannon. They destroyed 
 what they could not take away. The Eebel General 
 Ewell, having followed closely in the track of Jack- 
 son, also came upon the railroad in rear of General 
 Pope's army. 
 
 Our commander, greatly astonished at this embar- 
 rassing juncture of affairs, began to make the best dis- 
 position of his forces, to extricate himself from the 
 toils that had been carefully laid for him ; still hop- 
 ing that new forces would come to his aid from 
 McClellan's army via Alexandria. But " hope de- 
 ferred made his heart sick," and he was compelled to 
 encounter the immense Eebel hosts, not only massed 
 on his front, but also lapping on his flanks, and pene- 
 trating, as we have seen, even to his rear. The situ- 
 ation was critical in the extreme ; and had not the 
 available forces behaved themselves with undaunted 
 courage and, at times, with mad desperation, the dis- 
 aster would have been unprecedented. 
 
 Several unimportant and yet hotly contested bat- 
 tles Were fought at Sulphur Springs, Thoroughfare 
 Gap, Bristoe Station, etc., and early on the morning 
 of the twenty-ninth commenced the battle of Grove- 
 ton, by some called the second Bull Kun. The Eeb- 
 els were in overwhelming numbers, though driven 
 badly during the earlier hours of the day ; and had 
 Fitz- John Porter brought his forces into the action, the 
 victory must have been ours. The cavalry, though 
 quiet most of the day, made an important charge in 
 the evening. The carnage liad been terrible, and the 
 fields were strewn with the dead and dying. It is 
 estimated that the casualties would include not less 
 
92 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 than seven thousand men on our side alone ; and it 
 is fair to suppose that the enemy has lost not less than 
 that number. 
 
 August 30. — Our lines having fallen back during 
 the night, the battle was renewed to-day on the field 
 of the first Bull Run. But the fates were again against 
 us, and, though not panic-stricken, our men retired 
 from the field at night, until they rested themselves 
 on the heights of Centreville. The enemy did not 
 follow us very closely, not attempting even to cross 
 Bull Run. 
 
 On the thirty-first General Pope expected to be 
 attacked in his strong position at Centreville, but the 
 enemy was too cautious to expose himself in a position 
 so advantageous to ourselves, where the repulse of 
 Malvern Hill might have been repeated. Quiet reign- 
 ed along our entire line during the day. 
 
 KEARNY'S DEATH AT CHANTILLY. 
 
 Septemher 1. — ^Becoming aware that a flank move- 
 ment was in operation. General Pope started his en- 
 tire army in the direction of Washington. But his 
 army had not proceeded far, before one of his col- 
 umns, which had been sent to intercept the Little 
 River Turnpike, near Chantilly, encountered Stone- 
 wall Jackson, who had led his weary, yet intrepid 
 legions entirely around our right wing, and now con- 
 tested our farther retreat. General Isaac J. Stevens, 
 commanding General Reno's Second division, who 
 led our advance, at once ordered a charge and moved 
 with terrible impetuosity upon the foe ; but he was 
 shot dead, on the very start, by a bullet through his 
 
Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 93 
 
 head. His command was thereupon thrown into nt- 
 ter disorder, uncovering General Eeno's First divi- 
 sion, which was also demoralized and broken. 
 
 Just at this critical moment, General Philip 
 Kearnj, who was leading one of General Heintzel- 
 man's divisions, advanced with intrepid heart and un- 
 faltering step upon the exultant foe. This was dur- 
 ing a most fearful thunder-storm, so furious that with 
 difficulty could ammunition be kept at all servicea- 
 ble, and the roar of cannon could scarcely be heard 
 a half dozen miles away. The Eebel ranks recoiled 
 and broke before this terrible bolt of war. Just be- 
 fore dark, while riding too carelessly over the field 
 and very near the rebel lines, Kearny was shot dead 
 by one of the enemy's sharpshooters. His command 
 devolved upon General Birney, who ordered another 
 charge, which was executed with great gallantry, 
 driving the enemy from the field, and defeating the 
 great flanker in his attempts farther to harass our 
 retreating columns. But our success had been dearly 
 bought. Two generals had been sacrificed, and 
 Kearny especially was lamented all over the land. 
 Of him the poet sings : 
 
 " Our country bleeds 
 With blows her own hands strike. He starts, he heeds 
 Her cries for succor. In a foreign land 
 He dwells ; his bowers with luxury's pinions fanned, 
 His cup with roses crowned. He dashes down 
 
 The cup, he leaves the bowers ; he flies to aid 
 
 His native land. Out leaps his patriot blade ! 
 Quick to the van he darts. - Again the frown 
 Of strife bends blackening ; once again his ear 
 
 War's furious trump with stern delight drinks in ; 
 Again the Battle-Bolt in red career ! 
 
 Again the fiood, the frenzy, and the din ! 
 
94 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 At tottering Williamsburg his granite front 
 Bears without shock the battle's fiercest brunt. 
 So have we seen the crag beat back the blast, 
 So has the shore the surges backward cast. 
 Behind his rock the shattered ranks reform ; 
 Forward, still forward, until dark defeat 
 Burns to bright victory 1 
 ******* * 
 
 Fame commands 
 The song ; we yield it gladly ; but the glow 
 Fades as we sing. The dire, the fatal blow 
 Fell, fell at last. Full, fall in deadliest front 
 Leading his legions, leading as his wont, 
 The bullet wafis him to his mortal goal 1 
 
 And not alone War's thunders saw liim die ; 
 Amid the glare, the rushing^ and the roll. 
 
 Glared, crashed, tYie grand dread battle of the sky I 
 There on two phiions, — War's and Storm's, — he soared 
 Filglit how majestic ! up ! His dirge was roared 
 Not warbled, and his pall was smoke and cloud ; 
 
 Flowers of red shot, red lightnings strewed his bier, 
 And night, black night, the mourner. 
 ******* « 
 
 Now farewell, 
 0 hero ! In our Glory's Pantheon 
 Thy name will shine, a name immortal won 
 By deeds immortal ! In our heart's deep heart 
 Thy statued fame, that never shall depart, 
 Shall tower, the loftier as Time fleets, and show 
 How Heaven can sometimes plant its Titans here below." 
 
 General Pope, during all the day, and most of the 
 night, hastened his retreat, and on the second of Sep- 
 tember, his broken and demoralized columns found 
 rest and rations within the fortifications which guard 
 the approaches to Washington. Thus ended General 
 Pope's brief and trying career as commander of the 
 Army of Virginia. Here he resigned his command, 
 and was succeeded by General McClellan. 
 
Three Yeccrs in Ike Fedeml Cavalry. 95 
 
 CHAPTEE VI. 
 
 KEBEL INVASION OF MARYLAND 
 
 1S63. — Ecsult of Pope's Campaign. — Kest and Recruit at Hull's Hill. — 
 My Maryland ; " Its Invasion. — Offensive Policy of the Rebellion. — 
 Pennsylvania and the Whole Country Aroused.— Battle of South 
 Mountain. — Harper's Perry. — Colonel Miles. — Ilis Treachery and 
 Death. — Bloody Battle of Antietam. — Drilling Recruits. — ^The Harris 
 Light again at the Front. — At Chantilly. — Sudley Church. — Leesburg. 
 — ^McClellan again Relieved from Command. 
 
 BY tlie almost continual fighting of General Pope's 
 campaign^ our ranks had been greatly depleted. 
 Of the cavalry in general one correspondent makes 
 the following remark: They picket our outposts, 
 scout the whole country for information, open our 
 fights, cover our retreats, or clear up and finish our 
 victories, as the case may be. In short, they are 
 never idle, and rarely find rest for either men or 
 horses." We had felt the influence of this wear and 
 tear so sadly, that our once full and noble regiment 
 was now reduced to about three hundred and fifty 
 men, scarcely one third of our original number, 
 l^early every regiment of cavalry which had parti- 
 cipated in the misfortunes of the campaign, had suf- 
 fered a like decimation. To replenish our weakened 
 ranks and to infuse new vigor and discipline into the 
 various commands, became a question of no little mo- 
 ment. Consequently a large number of regiments, 
 
96 Ttiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 under the direct supervision of General Bayard, were 
 ordered to Hall's Hill, about ten miles from "Washing- 
 ton, where we established camps of instruction and 
 drill. 
 
 During the disasters of the Peninsular campaign, 
 and the subsequent defeats and retreats from the 
 Rapidan to the Potomac, the country had awakened 
 to the importance of increasing the army by new or- 
 ganizations, and of filling up the broken ranks by 
 fresh levies of recruits. This feeling was greatly in- 
 tensified by the exposure of Washington to the vic- 
 torious and advancing enemy, and by the invasions 
 of JSTorthern soil, which the triumphs of the Rebellion 
 made imminent. Hence multitudes of recruits were 
 pouring into Washington principally, and into other 
 places, gladly donning the uniform, and eager to 
 learn the duties, of the soldier. Camps of instruction 
 were, of course, necessary. And as the attention of 
 young men was turning very favorably to the cavahy 
 service, our camps at Hall's Hill were the scenes of 
 daily arrivals of fine specimens of patriots, whose 
 hands were warmly grasped by us ; and gladly we 
 initiated them into the mysteries of this new science. 
 We were not a little elated at the epithet of Yet- 
 eran," which these recruits lavished upon us. 
 
 The experiences and labors of our old camps 
 Oregon " and Sussex " were repeated with some- 
 what of new combinations and interests, as we sought 
 to prepare ourselves and others more thoroughly than 
 before to meet the foe in coming campaigns. 
 
 We had scarcely reached our new camps and en- 
 tered upon our new labors, when we learned that 
 
Three YeaT8 in the Federal Cavalry. 97 
 
 General Lee was marching his confident hosts into 
 Maryland. This movement at first was regarded as 
 a feint only, with the intention of uncovering Wash- 
 mgton ; but as column after column was known to 
 have crossed the Potomac, and to be advancing 
 through the State with more or less rapidity, the 
 tocsin of alarm was sounded everywhere, and a gen- 
 eral movement was made to repel the invaders. 
 Pennsylvania was thoroughly aroused, and her loyal 
 and true governor issued a proclamation calling upon 
 all the able-bodied men of the Commonwealth to or- 
 ganize for defence. The militia promptly responded 
 to the call, and military preparations were going on, 
 not only in the old Keystone State, but throughout 
 the land. 
 
 Up to this time the attitude of the Eebels had been 
 defensive, but their recent great victories had led 
 them to change their tactics, and thinking that ulti- 
 mate success was almost within their grasp, they now 
 assumed the ofi'ensive policy. Aside from this con- 
 sideration they doubtless hoped to awaken in the 
 Border States a sympathy and an enthusiasm on 
 their behalf, which thus far they had failed to create ; 
 and that their brilliant march northward would not 
 only carry a strong political influence, but that their 
 ranks would be greatly swollen by accessions of re- 
 cruits from those States. This indication of Eebel 
 thought is evidently found in the address which Gen- 
 eral Lee issued to the people of Maryland on the 
 eighth day of September. In it are found the follow- 
 ing sentences : 
 
 The people of the Confederate States have long 
 
98 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 watched with, the deepest sympathy the wrongs and 
 outrages that have been inflicted npon the citizens of 
 a Commonwealth allied to the States of the South by 
 the strongest social, political, and commercial ties, 
 and reduced to the condition of a conquered prov- 
 ince. ^' ^ 
 
 " Believing that the people of Maryland possess a 
 spu'it too lofty to submit to such a Government, the 
 people of the South have long wished to aid you in 
 throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable jou again 
 to enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, and restore 
 the independence and sovereignty of your State. 
 
 " In obedience to this wish, our army has come 
 among you, and is prepared to assist you with the 
 power of its arms in regaining the rights of which 
 you have been so unjustly despoiled." 
 
 "But the fond hopes which prompted this address 
 were destined to be blasted. Lee's advancing col- 
 umns met no resistance, and marched directly upon 
 Frederick City, where recruiting offices were opened 
 under the superintendence of General Bradley T. 
 Johnson, who had left this city, at the beginning of 
 the war, to serve in the Rebel army. But the Con- 
 federate chiefs were disappointed. The number who 
 were marshalled under their stars and bars did not 
 exceed the number of those who, tired of training in 
 Rebel gray, deserted their banner. 
 
 The enemy's peaceful march through the State 
 and its quiet possession were not of long duration ; 
 and the invaders soon found other work to do, than 
 to make political orders and harangues, and to in- 
 crease their ranks by recruits. From Washington 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 99 
 
 the Union army began to advance with considerable 
 strength and determination, compelling General Lee 
 to relinquish his design of penetrating into Pennsyl- 
 vania. Initiatory steps were now being taken for a 
 great battle, the first encounter of which took place, 
 under General Pleasanton, who commanded our 
 cavalry during this campaign, at the Catoctin Creek, 
 in Middletown, Maryland. The enemy's rear-guard, 
 consisting of cavalry, was struck with some force, the 
 prelude of the battle of South Mountain, at Turner's 
 Gap. The enemy having taken possession of this 
 mountain pass, was driven from it only after the most 
 obstinate resistance and severe loss, and forced to 
 leave only before superior numbers. This occurred 
 on the fourteenth ; and the victory, though somewhat 
 dearly bought, inspired our troops with new courage, 
 and gave them a foretaste of better days. 
 
 HARPER^S FERRY AND ANTIETAM. 
 
 But during the day we have received sad tidings 
 from Harper's Ferry, a point of no little importance 
 to the invaders. Unfortunately for us the place was 
 under the command of Colonel Miles, who, for his 
 drankenness and general incompetency, had made him- 
 self conspicuous during the first battle of Bull Run. 
 Why such a man was left in command of at least ten 
 thousand men, and at a place of so much interest, 
 cannot well be accounted for. 
 
 Aware as he must have been several daj' s ago, 
 that this position was a coveted prize and would un- 
 doubtedly be assailed, he neither retreated, nor forti- 
 fied himself as he easily could have done to hold out 
 
100 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 for a loDg time against a superior force. Nothing but 
 imbecility or treachery could have controlled his con- 
 duct. On the eleventh his command was increased 
 largely by a force under General Julius "White, who 
 had evacuated Martinsburg on the approach of Stone- 
 wall Jackson. 
 
 But to-day he was attacked from various positions, 
 and his forces driven ; and on the fifteenth, being at- 
 tacked from at least seven commanding positions, 
 early in the day the white flag was raised, which the 
 enemy failing to see, continued to fire for several 
 minutes, during which time Colonel Miles was killed, 
 some say by a Kebel shell, others assert by some of 
 his own men. By this shameful surrender there fell 
 into the hands of the enemy nearly twelve thousand 
 men, half of them New Yorkers, w^ho had just entered 
 the service; also seventy -three guns good and bad; 
 thirteen thousand small arms ; two hundred w^agons, 
 and a large supply of tents and camp equipage. 
 
 Stonewall Jackson, who had commanded the ex- 
 pedition from Frederick to Harper's Ferry, now 
 moved forw^ard to join Lee's main army, w^hich he did 
 on the sixteenth. From South Mountain General 
 McClellan began to collect his forces w^ell in hand 
 and to move towards Boonsborough. Here General 
 Pleasanton again struck the Eebel cavalry rear- 
 guard, capturing two hundred and fifty prisoners and 
 two field-pieces. Infantry supports were following 
 our cavalry very closely, and, after marching about 
 twelve miles, they discovered the Rebels in force 
 posted on the south bank of Antietam Creek, just in 
 Iront of the little village of Sharpsburg. Our troops 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 101 
 
 entered into bivouacs for the night, expecting to at- 
 tack the enemy early next morning. But the morn- 
 ing and most of the day passed in idleness, while the 
 Eebels were fortifying their positions, and gathering 
 their forces which had been more or less scattered. 
 Had McClellan ordered an advance that morning 
 early, the sixteenth of September, 1862, would have 
 witnessed a comparatively easy and complete vic- 
 tory. 
 
 At four o'clock p. m.. General Joseph Hooker was 
 sent out on the right. Moving at a sufficient distance 
 to keep out of sight of the Eebel batteries, he forded 
 the Antietam, and, soon afterward turning sharply to 
 the left, came down upon the enemy near the road to 
 Hagerstown. But darkness soon coming on put a 
 speedy end to the conflict. 
 
 September 17. — This day has witnessed the grand 
 and glorious battle of Antietam, the particulars of 
 which I need not record. It is enough to say, that 
 the daring of our men and their heroic deeds upon 
 this field, wiped out forever, in Rebel blood, the dis- 
 grace and foul stain cast upon our arms in the mo- 
 mentous military blunders and defeats which have 
 followed us since the beginning of this great Ameri- 
 can conflict. 
 
 The losses were heavy on both sides, but the 
 enemy was fairly beaten, and driven from his chosen 
 positions ; and night closed the most sanguinary day 
 ever known to the American continent. McClellan 
 ought to have followed up his victory early next 
 morning, but hesitating, the enemy made good his 
 escape across the Potomac, leaving only his dead 
 
102 Three Years in the Fedeml Cavalry. 
 
 and desperately wounded, the latter nnmbering about 
 two thousand, in onr hands. 
 
 October 4. — We are still in our carnps at Hall's 
 Hill, teaching and learning the tactics of war. To- 
 day Kilpatrick detailed me to act as drill-master, and 
 gave me the command of a detachment of recruits. 
 This gives me a new phase of armj^ experience, and 
 though it has its difficulties, as one will always find 
 when he endeavors to control men of many minds," 
 yet I find a good exercise of my little knowledge of 
 human nature, and realize that the influence of my 
 new labor upon myself is very salutary. I had thought 
 that I was master of all the preliminary steps of the 
 science and art of a soldier's discipline, but in endeav- 
 oring to teach the same to others, I have learned so 
 much myself, that it now seems to me that what T 
 knew before was the merest rudiment. This I learn 
 is the experience of others who are engaged in similar 
 work. Helping others has a wonderful reflex influ- 
 ence upon ourselves. I often wonder if this may no 
 explain in part the philosophy of that passage of Holy 
 Writ, which says, " It is more blessed to give than to 
 receive." In this exercise of drilling, and in the com- 
 parative monotony of camp life, we spent the month 
 of October. 
 
 All was quiet along the entire lines of the great 
 armies. Our ranks had been greatly swollen by new 
 accessions ; yet General McClellan was constantly call- 
 ing for reenforcements, and all kinds of supplies, al- 
 leging that the army was in no condition to move. 
 At length about the twenty-sixth of October a feeble 
 advance was made across the Potomac. Several days 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 103 
 
 were spent in putting tlie Federal army on the sacred 
 soil and under marching orders. N"o opposition was 
 encountered in the march. Our forces moved along 
 the east side of the Blue Eidge, the enemy still occu- 
 pying the Shenandoah Valley, and moving southward 
 on a line parallel with our own. 
 
 November 2. — The Harris Light broke camp at 
 Hall's Hill and advanced to the Chantilly Mansion, 
 bivouacking on its beautiful grounds. This property 
 is said to be owned by one of the Stuarts, who is 
 reported to be a quartermaster-general in the Kebel 
 service. Pleasant as was the place, with its fine walks, 
 bordered with fl.owers and evergreen shrubbery ; its 
 fruitful gardens and groves, the cold of the night 
 made our stay not the most agreeable. The next 
 morning we pursued our line of march to Sudley 
 Church, near Bull Eun, where we encountered a 
 strong force of Stuart's cavalry. After a sharp con- 
 flict, in which Yankee ingenuity and grit were fairly 
 tested, the chivalry retired southwestwardly, acknowl- 
 edging themselves badly defeated. 
 
 November 4. — To-day the regiment was ordered to 
 move to Leesburg, near which we pitched our shelters. 
 This is an old, aristocratic village, the shire-town of 
 Loudon County. It is situated in a lovely valley, at 
 the terminus of the Loudon and Hampshire Eailroad, 
 and is only about two miles from the Potomac, and 
 an equal distance from Goose Creek, which is a con- 
 siderable stream. Though this county sent many 
 brave men into the Union ranks, probably more than 
 any other county of the same population in Virginia, 
 yet Leesburg is almost a facsimile of Charlestown, 
 
104: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 the capital of Jefferson County, the s.cene of John 
 Brown's execution, where all the people, including 
 women and children, are secession to a man." 
 
 All this while the Grand Army of the Potomac 
 was moving southward at a snail's pace; and on th.e 
 seventh of November, just after reaching Warrentoii, 
 General McClellan was relieved from command, and 
 directed to report to the authorities by letter from 
 Trenton, New Jersey. Thus ended another indecisive 
 campaign, which though it had witnessed a greater 
 victory than ever won before, yet had failed to reap 
 the fruits thereof. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 105 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 McCLELLAN SUCCEEDED BY BURNSIDE. 
 
 1862.— Burnside's First Campaign. — Army of the Potomac in Three 
 Divisions. — Advance from Warrenton to Falmouth. — General StahePs 
 Eaid to the Shenandoah. — Laying Pontoons across the Eappaliannock 
 under Fire. — Battle of Fredericksburg. — Daring Feats and General 
 Heroism. — Death of General Bayard. — The Hospitals. — Sanitary 
 and Christian Commissions. — Camp " Bayard." — Camp-Fires. — Win- 
 ter Quarters. — Friendly Kelationa of Pickets. — Trading. — Pay -Day. 
 —"Stuck in the Mud." 
 
 PON General Ambrose Biirnside fell the choice 
 
 Union army. He assumed it with great reluctance and 
 unfeigned self-distrust, and only as a matter of obedi- 
 ence to orders. This change in the commanding 
 officer, deleterious and dangerous as it might be upon 
 the morale of the army, was nevertheless considered 
 necessary and expedient. 
 
 Having secured, by somewhat formidable forces, 
 the principal gaps or passages of the Blue Eidge, 
 which had been occupied by the enemy since their 
 advance into the Valley, General Burnside began to 
 make preparations to move his army to Fredericks- 
 burg, as being the most feasible and direct line from 
 Washington to Richmond. To mask as long as pos- 
 sible his real design, he threatened an attack upon 
 Gordonsville ; but General Lee, by the aid of his 
 
 commander of the great 
 
 5 
 
106 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 emissaries and raiders, soon ascertained his plans, 
 and moving his army across the Blue Eidge, through 
 the western passes, he took his position on the south 
 bank of the Rappahannock, to prevent Burnside's 
 crossing. 
 
 November 8. — The Harris Light broke camp at 
 Leesburg early in the morning, and advanced to 
 White Plains, where we encountered and defeated a 
 detachment of Rebel cavalry, driving them towards 
 the mountains. Continuing our journey through this 
 pleasant valley between the Blue Ridge and the Bull 
 Run mountains, we soon joined our main army, whose 
 headquarters were at Warrenton. This is the most 
 beautiful village in tins region of country, situated on 
 the crest of fruitful hills, and elegantly laid out. It is 
 the shire-town of Fauquier County. Here a few days 
 were consumed in effecting the alterations incident 
 upon a change of commander, and on the fourteenth 
 the Army of the Potomac was constituted into three 
 grand divisions, to be commanded respectively by 
 Generals Sumner, Franklin, and Hooker. The follow- 
 ing day Warrenton was abandoned, and the army 
 swept down towards the Rappahannock. The sight 
 was a grand one. On our march, orders were received 
 from President Lincoln enjoining a stricter observance 
 of the Sabbath in the army and navy, than had been 
 done before. As a general thing the Sabbath had not 
 been regarded as any more than any other day. In- 
 deed, very few men in the rank and file kept any 
 calendar of time, and seldom knew the date or day. 
 This was occasionally the case even with officers. 
 The only possible way of keeping pace with flying 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 107 
 
 time in the army, is by writing a diary. But even 
 when it was known that the Sabbath had been reached, 
 no regard was taken of its saefed character. One of 
 the causes of our disaster at the first battle of Bull 
 Run was supposed by many to be, that we had de- 
 secrated the holy Sabbath by our attack. However 
 true or false such a view may have been, the order 
 we received to-day from Washington was universally 
 felt to be opportune. 
 
 Two dajs' march brought our advance to Fal- 
 mouth, and on the twenty -first General Patrick, our 
 provost-marshal general, was directed to repair to 
 Fredericksburg under a flag of truce, and request the 
 surrender of the city. The authorities replied, that 
 while its buildings and streets would no longer be 
 used by Rebel sharp-shooters to annoy our forces 
 across the river, its occupation by Yankee troops 
 would be resisted to the last. Had the means of 
 crossing the river been at hand, General Burnside 
 would have made hostile demonstrations at once ; but 
 through some misunderstanding between himself and 
 General Halleck, at Washington, the pontoons were 
 not in readiness. 
 
 November 28. — A strong force of Rebel cavalry, 
 under General Wade Hampton, dashed across the 
 river at some of the upper fords, raided up around 
 Dumfries and the Occoquan, captured several prison- 
 ers and wagons, and returned to their side of the 
 river without loss. As a sort of offset to this, on the 
 twenty-ninth. General Julius Stahel, who commanded 
 a brigade of cavalry at Fairfax Court House, com- 
 menced an expedition of great- daring and success, to 
 
108 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 the Shenandoali Yalley. Haying advanced to Snick- 
 er's Gap in the Blue Kidge, a strong Rebel picket-post 
 was captured by our vanguard. Pressing forward 
 on the main thoroughfare, they soon reached the 
 Shenandoah river, and were not a little annoyed by 
 Eebel carbineers, hidden behind old buildings across 
 the stream. Captain Abram H. Krom, commanding 
 a detachment of the Fifth New York Cavalry, and 
 leading the advance, dashed across tlie river, though 
 deep and the current swift, closely followed by 
 his men. On reaching the opposite bank, a charge 
 was ordered, and executed in so gallant a manner 
 that several Eebels were made prisoners, and the re- 
 mainder of the squad was driven away at a break- 
 neck speed. Our men pursued them in a scrambling 
 race for nearly three miles, when they came upon a 
 Eebel camp, v/hich was attacked in a furious manner. 
 Our boys made noise enough for a brigade, though 
 only a squadron was at hand. The enemy attempted 
 a defence, but utterly failed. Eeenforcements com- 
 ing to our aid, the Eebels were thoroughly beaten 
 and driven away, leaving in our hands one captain, 
 two lieutenants, thirty-two privates, one stand of 
 colors, and several wagons and ambulances. Most 
 of these were laden with booty taken by "White's 
 guerillas in a recent raid into Poolesville, Maryland. 
 Sixty horses and fifty heads of cattle were also cap- 
 tured in this gallant charge. "With all their spoils 
 the expedition returned, via Leesburg, arriving at 
 their camps in safety. 
 
 But all eyes were turned expectantly towards 
 Fredericksburg, with its two vast armies preparing 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 109 
 
 for a grand encounter. Nearly all the citizens of the 
 city had left their homes and fled southward. While 
 General Burnside waited for his pontoons. General 
 Lee was fortifying the Heights in rear of the city, 
 and concentrating his forces for the anticipated on- 
 set. This state of things was greatly regretted. 
 
 December 11. — The laying of the pontoons com- 
 menced in the night, but the task was only partially 
 performed when daylight made the sappers and 
 miners at work a fair mark for the sharpshooters, 
 who were hidden among the buildings which lined 
 the opposite shore, and whose numbers had largely 
 increased within a few days. Battery after battery 
 was opened on Falmouth Heights, until not less than 
 one hundred and fifty guns, at good range, were 
 belching fire and destruction upon the nearly tenant- 
 less dty, and still the sharpshooters prevented the 
 completion of the pontoons, and disputed our cross- 
 ing. At this critical moment the Seventh Michigan 
 regiment of infantry immortalized their names. Fail- 
 ing, after some entreaty, to secure the assistance of 
 the engineer corps to row them across, they under- 
 took the perilous labor themselves, and amid the rat- 
 tling of bullets and the cheers and shouts of our own 
 men, they reached the opposite shore, with five of 
 their number killed, and sixteen wounded, including 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Baxter. They immediately dashed 
 through the streets of the city, and being quickly re- 
 enforced by other regiments, they soon cleared the 
 rifle-pits and buildings adjacent to the stream of all 
 annoyance. Foremost among the noble men who 
 performed this heroic work was the Rev. Arthur B. 
 
110 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Fuller, cliaplain of the Sixteenth Massachusetts in- 
 fantry, who was killed by a rifle-shot. 
 
 Our pontoons were now laid in quietness to the 
 city ; and about three miles below General Franklin 
 laid his pontoons without opposition. Several bridges 
 were thus constructed, and before night the main body 
 of'infantry and cavalry filed across the river, prepara- 
 tory to a grand engagement. On the twelfth General 
 Bayard moved his cavalry down the river six miles, 
 and was posted on picket. Several shots wore ex- 
 changed with the Rebel pickets during the day, and 
 the demon of fight seemed to exist everywhere. 
 
 December 13. — The night had been cold, and the 
 morning was dimmed by a heavy fog which covered 
 friend and foe. But orders for an attack upon the 
 formidable works of the enemy had been given, and 
 even before the mist arose. General Gibbon opened 
 fire with his heavy artillery, which v/as responded to, 
 but without much effect, owing to the fog, which, 
 however, disappeared about eleven o'clock. The 
 engagement now became general, and the fighting 
 was of a character more desperate and determined 
 than ever known before. 
 
 The line of Rebel fortifications was so far back 
 from the river, that our artillery, posted on the Fal- 
 mouth Heights, was out of range, and made more 
 havoc in our advancing ranks than in the ranks of 
 the enemy, until the fire was silenced by order of 
 General Burnside. About one o'clock, one of the 
 most brilliant movements of the day was performed 
 by General George G. Meade's division, which by -a 
 terrific charge, gained the crest of the hill, which was 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. Ill 
 
 near the key of the position. But not being sufficiently 
 supported, they were compelled to retire, bringing 
 away several hundred prisoners with them. 
 
 Another masterpiece of gallantry was presented 
 nearer the towm, at Marye's Heights, where General 
 Meagher's Irish Brigade repeatedly charged the Eebel 
 works, until at least two-thirds of his stalwart men 
 strewed the ground, killed and wounded. Brig- 
 ade after brigade was ordered to take these heights, 
 and though their ranks were mown down like grass 
 before the scythe, in the very mouth of Rebel guns 
 the effort was again and again made. Midway up 
 the Heights was a heavy stone wall, behind which lay 
 the hosts of the enemy, who delivered their fire with 
 scarcely any exposure, sweeping down our columns 
 as they approached. This hillside was completely 
 strewn with our dead and disabled, and at length our 
 assailing ranks retired, compelled to abandon their 
 futile and murderous attempts. But in the language 
 of General Sumner, they did all that men could do." 
 This could be applied to all the troops engaged. 
 
 Night at length threw her sable mantle over the 
 bloody field, covering in her sombre folds the stiffened 
 corpses and mangled forms of not less than fifteen 
 thousand dead and wounded, including the casualties 
 of both armies. 
 
 Not one of all our dead fell more lamented than 
 Major-General George D. Bayard, who was struck by 
 a shrieking shell, dying early in the evening. He 
 was only twenty-eight years of age, of prepossessing 
 appearance and manners, with as brave a heart as 
 ever bled for a weeping country, and a capacity of 
 
112 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 mind for military usefulness equal to any man in the 
 service. Gradually lie had arisen from one position 
 of honor and responsibility to another, proving him- 
 self tried and true in each promotion, Avhile his cavalry 
 comrades especially were watching the developments 
 of his growing power, with nnabating enthusiasm. 
 But death loves a shining mark," and our hero, with 
 his own blood, baptized the day which had been ap- 
 pointed for his nnptials. The recital of his early death 
 brought tears to many eyes, and caused many a lov- 
 ing heart to bleed. 
 
 Death lies on liitn like an untimely frost — 
 Upon the sweetest flower of all the field." 
 
 The night following this bloody conflict was horri- 
 ble in the extreme. Every available spot or building 
 in the city was sought for a hospital, to which the 
 wonnded were brought on stretchers by their com- 
 panions. JSTow and then there came a poor fellow 
 who was able to walk, supporting with one hand its 
 bloody, mangled mate. At times two men might be 
 seen approaching through the darkness, supporting 
 between them their less fortunate comrade, whose 
 bloody garments told that he had faced the foe. But 
 many of our hospitals proved to be very unsafe refuges, 
 into which Minie balls and broken shells would come 
 rattling, and in some instances destroying the precious 
 lives that had escaped — though not without suffering 
 — the terrible and deadly shock of battle. Many of 
 the wounded were taken across the river, and made 
 perfectly safe and as comfortable as circumstances 
 would permit. The Sanitary and Christian Commis- 
 
Thr^e Years in the Federal Cavalry. 113 
 
 sions rendered very effective service, enshrining them- 
 selves in the memory of a grateful people. Their 
 deeds of charity and mercy can never be forgotten. 
 By their timely supplies and personal labors many 
 lives were saved, and thousands of the wounded were 
 comforted. 
 
 JDecemler 14. — The light of this holy Sabbath was 
 hailed with gladness by many a poor soldier, who had 
 suffered from the chill of the night alone upon the 
 bloody field. The weather, however, is unusually 
 clement for this season of the year. A little firing 
 occurred this morning, but no general engagement 
 resulted. This was greatly feared, for had General 
 Lee advanced upon us, it is difficult to see how our 
 men, though somewhat covered by the fire of our 
 batteries from Falmouth Heights, could have recrossed 
 the stream without fearful loss. But both armies 
 spent most of the holy day in the sacred task of car- 
 ing for the wounded and burying their dead. Monday 
 was also spent mostly in the same employment, and 
 in the niglit, so skilfully as to be unknown even to the 
 Rebel pickets, our whole army was withdrawn to the 
 north side of the river in perfect order and without 
 loss. Our pontoons were then taken up. 
 
 General Burnside was not willing to remain totally 
 idle, and, after some time had elapsed, he planned 
 another grand movement, which, with more or less 
 opposition from his subordinates, who did not confide 
 in his judgment, he endeavored to execute. But he 
 had just taken the first step in the programme when 
 he was signaled to desist by a telegram from the 
 President, who had been informed that the temper of 
 5* 
 
114 Three Year a in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 the army was not favorable to a general move under 
 its present commander. 
 
 Witli tlie battle of Fredericksburg terminated the 
 campaign of 1862, and the two great armies estab- 
 lished their winter quarters facing each other along 
 the line of the Rappahannock. Our camps extend 
 for several miles along the northern shore above and 
 below Falmouth, and the enemy occupy the south 
 bank above and below the Heights of Fredericksburg. 
 Indeed, nearly the whole territory between the Rap- 
 pahannock and the Defences of Washington, a dark, 
 forsaken, wilderness region, with only here and there 
 a plantation or a village, was soon converted into a 
 vast camping ground, and became the most populous 
 section of Virginia. 
 
 To avoid the distant transportation of forage, the 
 greater portion of the cavalry is encamped near Belle 
 Plain, where government transports land with sup- 
 plies from Washington. The Harris Light has estab- 
 lished its camp on the Belle Plain and Falmouth 
 Turnpike, about four miles from the former place, and 
 has named it '^Bayard," in honor of our lamented 
 commander, whose fall at Fredericksburg is still a 
 subject of universal sorrow. 
 
 It is wonderful to witness how the forests are dis- 
 appearing in and around our camps. From morning 
 till night the chopmen's axes resound from camp to 
 camp, echoing dolefully along the river-shore and far 
 back into the dense, dark woods. Soon after the 
 battle of Fredericksburg, as we had no quarters, and 
 nothing but worn and torn shelter-tents, our only way 
 to prevent freezing at night was to cut and heap to- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 115 
 
 gether a large number of logs, which, though green, 
 when fully ignited made a rousing fire. These fires, 
 numerously built in rows throughout the streets of 
 our camps, presented, especially at night, a most 
 beautiful and lively scene. The few trees which still 
 remained as shelters were generally lighted up by our 
 tires into grand chandeliers, l^eflecting upon our white 
 tents a weird light of gold and green, which might 
 have furnished the pen of the romancer, and the pencil 
 of the artist, their most interesting plots and designs. 
 
 Around these fires gathered the comrades of many 
 a march and battle, to discuss the experiences of the 
 past, to applaud or censure certain men and measures, 
 and to lay plans, and to entertain rumors with regard 
 to future operations. The gallantry and merits of 
 companions fallen in strife were presented by those 
 most intimate with them; and otherwise dreary hours 
 were pleasantly whiled away with narratives of per- 
 sonal encounters, of terrible sufferings of prisoners 
 while in the hands of the enemy, and of hair-breadth 
 escapes. These accounts were generally enlivened with 
 extra coloring drawn from the enchanting and fairy- 
 like scenes which surrounded the speaker, and an 
 entire group was thrilled and electrified until fre- 
 quently the night was made to ring with uproarious 
 applause. Occasionally the friends and home scenes 
 we have left behind us became the subjects of con- 
 versation, and it is astonishing how that word " home," 
 with its hallowed associations, touches the tender 
 feelings of our hearts. These colloquies often ended 
 with the good old hymn, " Home, sweet home," and 
 with the sound of the last bugle-call we hastened to 
 
116 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 our rest, to spend, it may be, a miserable night of cold 
 and storm. 
 
 ls"o soldier can ever forget tbese camp and bivouac 
 scenes, for they are deeply photographed upon his 
 memory. He will often recall their ludicrous as well 
 as romantic side, when the mud w^as knee-deep and 
 over, up to within a few feet of the fire, compelling 
 him often to stand so near the burning pile as to set 
 his clothes on fire. In very cold weather he would 
 freeze one side while the other burned, unless he fre- 
 quently performed that military feat, changing his 
 base of operations." If the wind blew, making his 
 fantastic gyrations among the tents, so that you never 
 knew whence he would come nor whither he would 
 go, you were sure to get your face smoked horribly. 
 
 With thousands of camps thus circumstanced, it 
 may be conjectured that no little amount of fuel 
 would suffice us. At first the trees were cut down 
 without much regard to the height of the stumps, but 
 as the forest receded from the camps, making trans- 
 portation difficult, the stumps were dug up by the 
 roots, leaving the ground perfectly smooth, and made 
 ready for the ploughman, whenever our swords are 
 beaten into ploughshares and our battle spears into 
 pruning hooks. And besides the consumption of 
 wood for fires, no little amount is used for the con- 
 struction of our houses or huts. Nearly every man 
 has suddenly become a mason or a carpenter, and the 
 hammer, the axe, and the trowel are being plied with 
 the utmost vigor, if not with the highest skill. Many 
 of us, however, are astonished at the ingenuity that 
 is displayed in this department. Large logs, notched 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 117 
 
 at the ends so as to dovetail together, and sometimes 
 hewn on the inside, compose the body of the hut. 
 By the careful application of mud — that Yirginia 
 mortar or plaster with which every soldier is so fa- 
 miliar — to the crevices between the logs, a very com- 
 fortable structure is made ready for its covering and 
 occupancy. Shelter-tents, buttoned or sewed together, 
 form the roof, which, by the aid of talmas or ponchoes, 
 is generally made water-proof. 
 
 Three or four men usually unite in the construc- 
 tion of a hut, and share one another's skill and stores. 
 If they can afford it, they purchase of the sutlers 
 small sheet-iron stoves, which will keep them very 
 comfortably warm, and afford them an opportunity 
 to do their own cooking on extra occasions, such as 
 come with the issues of supplies from the Christian 
 or Sanitary Commissions, or the reception of boxes 
 from friends at home. The ordinary cooking of a 
 company is done by men detailed for that purpose. 
 Often good fire-places and chimneys are erected in 
 the tents. These are sometimes made of sticks of 
 wood laid in thick mud, or of stones or bricks taken 
 from the foundations and remains of buildings that 
 have been destroyed in the neighborhood of our 
 camps. Every means is resorted to which Yankee 
 ingenuity can devise to make our soldier-homes as 
 comfortable and convenient as possible. Punch says, 
 that a Yankee baby will creep out of his cradle, 
 take a survey of it, invent an improved style and ap- 
 ply for a patent, before he is six months old," and 
 this he said some time ago ; what he would say now, 
 w^c cannot tell. If a house has been abandoned by 
 
118 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 its inmates anywhere within our lines, it is taken as 
 "prima facie evidence that the owners must be Rebels 
 — and it matters but little whether they are or not so 
 long as the house stands alone ; and in nearly as 
 short a period of time as it takes to tell the story, the 
 building is torn in pieces, and the materials are used 
 in the construction of our huts and the stables of our 
 horses. 
 
 The dying year left us engaged in these labors. 
 
 January 1, 1863. — The Harris Light was ordered 
 to the Eappahannock, where we were posted on pick- 
 et near Port Conway. 
 
 The Federal and Rebel pickets have mutually 
 arranged that there shall be no firing on either side, 
 unless an advance is undertaken. This agreement is 
 of course among ourselves, neither approved nor disap- 
 proved at headquarters. For several days the most 
 perfect harmony has prevailed between the blue and 
 the gray. Yankees and Johnnies wash together in 
 the same stream, procure water to drink and for 
 culinary purposes from the same spring, and, curi- 
 ous to relate, often read the. news from the same pa- 
 pers. Squads of soldiers from both armies may be 
 observed seated together on either side of the Rap- 
 pahannock, earnestly discussing the great questions 
 of the day, each obstinately maintaining his views of 
 the matters at issue. 
 
 On one occasion a soldier from our ranks took 
 from his pocket a copy of the New York Herald^ 
 and read the Union account of one of the great bat- 
 tles to an attentive crowd of Rebel soldiers. When 
 he had concluded, up sprang one of the chivalrv, who 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 121 
 
 brouglit to view a dingy copy of the Richmond 
 Examiner^ and proceeded to read his side of the 
 story. No one was offended, and all relished the 
 comparison of views, an4 then began to discuss the 
 merits of the two accounts. 
 
 During all these interviews trading was the order 
 of the day, and a heavy business was carried on in 
 the tobacco, coffee, and hardtack line. There was also 
 a special demand on the part of the Rebels for pocket- 
 knives and canteens, these articles evidently being 
 very scarce in Dixie. 
 
 January 12. — ^The weather has been very uneven 
 since the year began. Wind, rain, sleet, and snow, 
 singly and combined, have been our portion, and as a 
 natural consequence, oceans of mud have thus far 
 given Camp Bayard a most unwelcome appearance. 
 Our only remedy is to corduroy our streets, which 
 we do by bridging them with the straightest timber 
 we can find. Usually this is pine, with which thou- 
 sands of acres of Virginia are covered. As it is 
 mostly of a recent growth, averaging about six inches 
 in diameter, and shooting up to an immense height 
 before you can reach the branches, it is well suited 
 to our purpose. 
 
 Eough as these corduroyed streets are, they are 
 very passable, and prevent us from sinking with our 
 horses into a bottomless limbo. On the fourteenth 
 of the month our picket details returned to camp, 
 after being several days on duty. The weather is 
 becoming delightful. The sun is often so brilliant 
 and warm that we are compelled to seek shelter in 
 our tents or in the fragrant shades of the woods. We 
 
122 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 are reminded of pleasant April weather in ISTorthern 
 New York. Under this regime of old Sol, tlie roads 
 are rapidly improving, and should no adverse change 
 occur, we may look for some important army move- 
 ment. 
 
 January 21. — To-day we received two months' 
 pay, and, as is usually the case on pay-day, the boys 
 are in excellent spirits. Whatever trouble or diffi- 
 culty tlie soldier may have, pay-day is a wonderful 
 panacea, at least if his pay-roll and accounts are all 
 satisfactory and right. But the men do not all make 
 the same use of their money. Many on receiving 
 the " greenbacks " hasten to Adams' Express or 
 despatch an agent, and send home all the money we 
 can spare. Some repair at once to their tents and 
 enter upon gambling schemes with cards generally, 
 or other games ; and it is no uncommon thing to hear 
 that some one has lost all he had, and has gone so far 
 even as to borrow more, in less than twelve hours of 
 the time he w^as paid. A small portion of the men 
 visit the sutlers, those army vampires, whose quarters 
 are converted into scenes of dissipation, drunkenness, 
 and folly. Men whose families at home are waiting 
 for means to live, thus waste all their wages, disgrace 
 themselves, and cast their dependents upon the chari- 
 ties of the cold world. 
 
 January 22. — For about two days the army has 
 been prepared for an advance across the Rappa- 
 hannock. To-day the grand movement was com- 
 menced. Several regiments, supposing that they 
 never again would need their winter huts, have 
 burned or otherwise demolished them. But the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 123 
 
 weatlier, which was fine at the outset, has suddenly 
 changed, and about ten o'clock at night there poured 
 upon us, untented and unprotected, a furious storm 
 of rain, sleet, and snow, making our condition ahnost 
 unendurable. We are now left in a bed of almost 
 fathomless mire. None of the men who flounder 
 through these oozy roads, under the inclement sky, 
 will ever forget the Muddy March." We had 
 scarcely reached the river-shore before we were com- 
 pelled to return. In one instance a piece of artillery 
 with its horses had to be abandoned, submerged so 
 deeply in the mud that it was considered impractica- 
 ble to extricate them. Men are frequently compelled 
 to assist one another, unable to proceed alone. The 
 ground is covered with snow, and yet the mud is so 
 deep that it is almost an impossibility to move artil- 
 lery or supplies. All our forage and rations are 
 brought from Belle Plain on horses and pack-mules, 
 all wheeled vehicles being entirely shipwrecked. 
 
 The Eebels appear to understand what had been 
 our designs, and know fully the cause of our failure 
 in the expedition. Consequently, to tantalize us, they 
 have erected an enormous sign-board on their side of 
 the river, but in full view of our pickets, bearing the 
 inscription : Stuck in the mud ! " 
 
 General Burnside, beset on every hand with mis- 
 fortunes and disasters, tendered his resignation, but 
 was simply relieved, as at his own request, from the 
 command of the Army of the Potomac. 
 
124 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 CHAPTER YIII. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF A CAVALRY CORPS. 
 
 1863. — General Hooker assumes Command of the Army of the Potomac. 
 — Demoralization. — Reorganization. — A Cavalry Corps. — General 
 George D. Stoneman in Command. — Death of Sergeant May. — Forests 
 of the Old Dominion. — The Cavalryman and his Faithful Horse. — 
 Scenes in Winter Quarters. — Kilpatrick. — His Character. — Qualifica- 
 tions of the True Soldier. — A New Horse. — A Mulish Mule. — Kil- 
 patrick's Colored Servants in Trouble. — Terrific Hail-Storm. — Major 
 E. F. Cooke Honored. — Colonel Clarence Buel. 
 
 ON tlie twenty-sixth of January, General Joseph 
 Hooker assumed command of the Army of the 
 Potomac, whose vicissitudes and defeats have well- 
 nigh broken its spirit and wiped out its efficiency. 
 The patriotic fire is burning dimly in shrines where 
 it has blazed brightly before. The tide of military 
 life has possibly reached its lowest ebb, and the signs 
 of the times are ominous of ill. Desertions are re- 
 ported to be fearfully large. For this many of our 
 friends at the North are responsible. Not only do 
 their letters speak discouraging words to the soldier, 
 but many of them sent by express citizens' clothes, 
 with which many of the boys quickly invest them- 
 selves, throwing away the blue, and thus disguised 
 find their way to their false friends at home. I 
 esteem him false to me who would thus rob me of my 
 honor. I would rather say, " despoil me of my life. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 125 
 
 but my integrity never." Discouraging as all this 
 depression of mind and dispersion of comrades may 
 be, many still remain steadfast at their trust and un- 
 flinchingly go ahead in the discharge of their duty. 
 
 General Hooker's first work seems to be in the 
 direction of checking this loosening of discipline, 
 and in reorganizing and strengthening the bands of 
 military order. As the infantry needed but little 
 further solidification, the commander-in-chief turned 
 his attention to the cavalry. In the possible effi- 
 ciency of this arm of the service the general seems to 
 have full faith. But it is currently reported that the 
 general has said that he has yet failed to see or hear 
 of a dead cavalryman." Of course this cannot be 
 strictly true, for we could cite him multitudes, in- 
 cluding our noble Bayard, whose bravery and sacri- 
 fice of themselves upon their country's altar, are 
 worthy of recognition at the hand of their com- 
 mander. But it is quite evident that the cavalry has 
 not yet come up to the beau-ideal of the general. 
 And, indeed, it has been a source of wonderment to 
 us, that while the efficiency of the infantry is known 
 to depend largely upon its organization into brigades, 
 divisions, and corps, with their general commander, 
 the same may not be true of the cavalry. 
 
 General Bayard, the great cavalry chief of the 
 Army of the Potomac during General Burnside's ad- 
 ministration, made several efforts at consolidation, 
 resulting, however, in no very permanent changes. 
 It was reserved for General Hooker to bring about 
 the desired result ; and, at last, the Cavalry Corps of 
 the Army of the Potomac is organized, with General 
 
126 Three Years in the Federal Camlry. 
 
 George D. Stoneman for its commanding officer. By 
 this change regiments which have been scattered here 
 and there on detached service are brought together, 
 and made to feel the enthusiasm which numbers gen- 
 erally inspire, especially when those numbers are 
 united into a system, with a living head, whose in- 
 telligence and authority control the whole. 
 
 Under this new regime some very beneficial 
 changes have been wrought. Schools or camps of 
 instruction have been established, with a more rigid 
 discipline than before, and boards of examination, 
 with all the experience of the past before their eyes, 
 have been organized. Old and incompetent officers 
 have been dismissed, or have slunk away before this 
 incisive catechism, giving way generally to intelligent, 
 young, and efficient men, who, placed at the heads of 
 regiments and brigades, give promise of success in tlie 
 struggles that await us. 
 
 The Kebel cavalry under Stuart has long been or- 
 ganized into an efficient body, which, at times, has 
 sneered at our attempts to match them ; and yet they 
 have been made to feel, on some occasions, that we 
 are a growing power, which time and experience may 
 develop into something formidable. But the general 
 successes of the Rebel army have made them all very 
 insolent, in the hope that final victory is already in 
 their grasp. 
 
 February 11.— My old friend and comrade, Ser- 
 geant Theodore May, of Pittstown, New York, died 
 this afternoon at two o'clock, after a brief illness, of 
 typhoid fever, which is a great scourge throughout 
 the army. The death of this valiant fellow-soldier 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 127 
 
 casts a deep gloom over the entire command, in wliicli 
 he has so faithfully served. When we entered the 
 army together at the organization of the regiment, lie 
 came a perfect stranger, but his gentle manners and 
 soldierly deportment soon made for him hosts of warm 
 friends. By his gallantry on the field of battle, as 
 well as by the gentleness of his manners and his un- 
 blemished conduct in camp, he has won the respect, 
 and even admiration, of all who knew him. 
 
 The patriotic motives which induced Sergeant 
 May to quit his pleasant home in the beautiful valley 
 of the Tomhannock, for the privations, hardships, and 
 dangers of military life, have always proved him to 
 be a true and warm sympathizer in his country's 
 cause. It was evidently not the mere love of adven- 
 ture, or the mere pageantry or glory of war, that led 
 him to make the great sacrifice. He has been with 
 us in every conflict, and shared with us the varied 
 fortunes of the Harris Light. His death, which he 
 would rather have met on the field of strife, battling 
 manfully against traitors, was reserved for the calm 
 and quiet of the camp, where he spent his last mo- 
 ments urging his comrades to " cheer up and fight 
 on," ofi'ering as his dying reason, that " our cause is 
 just, and must triumph." Such a death is a rich leg- 
 acy to a command. " He being dead, yet speaketh." 
 "We woald emulate his virtues. 
 
 February 12. — On recommendation of Lieutenant 
 Frederick C. Lord, I was to-day appointed by Colonel 
 Kilpatrick First Sergeant of Company E, vice Henry 
 Temple, promoted to Sergeant Major. My appoint- 
 ment is to date from the first of January, making me 
 
128 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 a very desirable New Year's gift, wliicli I shall strive 
 to honor. 
 
 February 22. — Snow has been falling uninterrupt- 
 edly the livelong day, and yet the boys have been 
 unusually merry, as they were wont to be on this an- 
 niversary before the war. Our celebration has been 
 on a scanty scale, and yet we have felt the patriotic 
 stimulus which comes from the great men and days 
 of the past. And truly, the birth of the great Wash- 
 ington gives birth to many interesting thoughts, es- 
 pecially at this period of our history. A national 
 salute has been fired from our fortifications on the 
 Potomac, and the whole country round about us has 
 been made to reverberate with the sound that wel- 
 comes in the day. 
 
 But all these patriotic manifestations have not 
 prevented the snow-storm and the cold. When we 
 left our home in the N^orth for what was termed the 
 sunny South," we little expected to find such storms 
 as this here. While the summers are much cooler 
 than we expected to find them, the days being gen- 
 erally fanned by a beautiful sea-breeze, the winters 
 exceed for cold our highest expectation. The cold is 
 not continuous, but very severe. We have seen the 
 soft ground and water-puddles freeze sufficiently in 
 one night to bear a horse ; and in several days and 
 nights the frost has penetrated the earth several inches 
 deep. The snow-storm of to-day is as severe as most 
 storms experienced in the North. The wind has 
 howled from the north-west, burdened with its cold, 
 feathery flakes, which to-night lie at least twelve 
 inches deep in places undisturbed. It is such a storm 
 
Three Years in the Federal CoA^alry. 129 
 
 as our suffering pickets, and indeed our entire army, 
 cannot soon forget. 
 
 It may be that the vast forests of Virginia have 
 much to do with its peculiar temperature. As we 
 travel from place to place we are strongly impressed 
 with the vastness of the wilderness, which covers thou- 
 sands of acres of as fine arable soil as can be found on 
 the continent. How different is this from the notions 
 we had formed of the Old Dominion, while reading 
 of its early settlements, and of its great agricultural 
 advantages. But when we look into its system of 
 land-owning, and find that one individual monopo- 
 lizes a territory sufficient for a dozen farms, and con- 
 sequently neglects eleven twelfths of his acres ; and 
 then look into its even worse system of labor, we need 
 search no farther for the causes of this backwardness 
 in agricultural pursuits. The implements made use 
 of here on the plantations are such as were rejected 
 by New England farmers over half a century ago ; 
 and the methods of cultivation are a century behind 
 the times. Slavery and land-monopoly are the incu- 
 bus. 
 
 Who does not sincerely hope that the time is not 
 far distant, when the rich acres of this great State 
 shall be properly shared by its inhabitants, and 
 when, freed from a burden and curse which have 
 long paralyzed their energies, instinct with new life 
 and enterprise, the people will realize the dignity of 
 labor? Then will the almost interminable forests 
 disappear, and in their stead the industrious yeoman 
 will behold his rich fields of waving grain. Then, 
 too, along the now comparatively useless streams and 
 
130 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 swift water- courses, will spring up the factorj^ and 
 the mill, whose rolling Avheels and buzzing spindles 
 w^ill bring wealth and prosperity to the nation. We 
 are convinced, from what we have seen, that Yir- 
 ginia has water-power enough to turn the machinery 
 of the world. With these changes the school-house 
 will be found by the side of every church, and intel- 
 ligence and virtue will bless the home of the Pres- 
 idents. 
 
 We have also many times been led to think, 
 while lying in these chilly woods, that a greater 
 warmth would be imparted to the atmosphere if the 
 forest-trees were felled and the land pnt under culti- 
 vation,— a change sufficiently great to be appreciable 
 throughout the State. 
 
 *'UNCHRONICLED HEROES.'' 
 
 Sunday^ March 1.— The usual Sunday morning in- 
 spection was omitted on account of rain. Rain, rain 
 had fallen for many days almost incessantly. The regi- 
 ment has been earnestly at work throughout the day 
 in building stables for the horses, which have suffered 
 greatly from being kept standing too long in the mud. 
 Under these circumstances our horses are afflicted 
 with the scratches, many of them so badly as to 
 render them unserviceable, and occasionally they lose 
 their lives. 
 
 By this cause and through hard work my little 
 black mare, which I drew by lot at Camp Sussex in 
 the autumn of 1861, has at last succumbed, and, with 
 a grief akin to that which is felt at the loss of a dear 
 human friend, I have performed the last rite of honor 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 131 
 
 to the dead. The Indian may love his faithful dog, 
 but his attachments cannot surpass the cavalryman's 
 for his horse. They have learned to love one another 
 in the most trying vicissitudes of life, and the animal 
 manifests affection and confidence quite as evidently 
 as a human being could. 
 
 The cavalier, it is true, is often compelled to drive 
 at a most fearful rate, as when bearing hurried des- 
 patches, or making a charge, frequently causing al- 
 most immediate blindness to the animal. Or, may 
 be, he continues on a march for many days and nights 
 in succession, as on a raid, averaging at least sixty- 
 five miles in twenty-four hours, with little water and 
 less forage ; unable to remove the saddle, w^hich has 
 to be tightly bound, until the animal is so badly galled 
 that the hair comes ofl' with the blanket at its first 
 removal. 
 
 Sufferings like these often cause the death of a 
 large proportion of a command ; and to a careless 
 looker-on these things would appear to be mere neg- 
 lects. But these cruel military necessities only de- 
 velop more perfectly the rider's sympathy for his 
 suffering beast, and bind them in closer and more en- 
 dearing bonds. 
 
 Some men had rather injure themselves than 
 have their horses harmed, and the utmost pains are 
 taken to heal them in case they are wounded. Each 
 regiment has its yeterinary surgeon, w^hose skill is 
 taxed to the utmost in his branch of the healing art. 
 
 Among the most touching scenes we have wit- 
 nessed, are those in which the mortally wounded 
 horse has to be abandoned on the field of carnage. 
 6 
 
132 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 With tearful eyes the rider and perhaps owner turns 
 to take a last look of the " unchronicled hero," his 
 fellow- sufferer, that now lies weltering in his blood, 
 and yet makes every possible effort to follow the 
 advancing column. The parting is deeply affecting. 
 
 Often the cavalryman finds no object to which he 
 may hitch his horse for the night save his own hand ; 
 and thus with the halter fast bound to his grasp he 
 lies down with a stone, or perhaps his saddle, for a 
 pillow, his faithful horse standing as a watchful 
 guardian by his side. At times the animal will walk 
 around him, eating the grass as far as he can reach, 
 and frequently arousing liim by trying to gain the 
 grass on which he lies ; yet it is worthy of note, that 
 an instance can scarcely be found where the horse 
 has been known to step upon or in anywise injure 
 his sleeping lord. Such a scene the poet undoubtedly 
 had in his mind when he sang : 
 
 " The miTrmuring wind, the moving leaves 
 Lull'd him at length to sleep, 
 W^ith mingled lullabies of sight and sound." 
 
 Such experiences as these had taught me to love 
 my faithful and true friend. But I found 1 was not 
 the only man in the command who w^as bereaved 
 of his fi7'st love. Only a few horses of the original 
 number which we drew still remain, and several of 
 them are either partially or totally blind, though yet 
 serviceable. The hardships of the camp and the 
 campaign are more destructive of animal than human 
 flesh. Men are often skeltered from the storm when 
 the horses are exposed, and the men are sometimes 
 fed when the horses have to go hungry. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 133 
 
 In battle tlie horse is a larger mark than the 
 man, and hence is more frequently hit, so that more 
 than twice the number of horses fall in every engage- 
 ment than men. The cavalryman is more shielded 
 from the deadly missile than the infantryman. The 
 horse's head and shoulders vs^ill often receive the bul- 
 let which was intended for the rider's body. This is 
 true also of the elevated portions of the saddle, with 
 the rolls of blankets and coats and bag of forage. 
 A difference has also been noticed between the casu- 
 alties in cavalry and infantry regiments under equal 
 exposure. This difference is wholly explained when 
 we consider the jolting and sv/ift motion of the man 
 as his horse leaps forward in the fray, making him a 
 very uncertain mark for the enemy. 
 
 BRIGHT DAYS. 
 
 March 3. — This is the first bright day we have 
 seen in more than three weeks. The mud around 
 our camps, especially in the neighborhood where we 
 water our horses, is terrible, and the roads are almost 
 bottomless. However, long trains of forage and 
 commissary-wagons may be seen passing to and fro, 
 with horses and mules in mud from stem to stern." 
 Cavalcades of mudded horses and riders traverse the 
 camps and adjoining fields in various directions. 
 
 Large flocks of crows — the most soldier-like bird 
 in the world — with their high-perched vedettes when 
 alighted, and their military line of march when on 
 the wing, afford some lessons of diversion and in- 
 struction. It would seem as if all the ravens of the 
 United States had congregated here, having been at- 
 
134 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 tracted by the carrion of battle-fields and the refuse 
 of camps. Turkey buzzards, birds which are always 
 on the wing, and that none of us ever yet saw alighted, 
 w^heel through the air like eagles, gazing down upon 
 us with seeming defiance. The sights are of daily 
 occurrence. 
 
 KILPATRICK. 
 
 To-day several details were made from the regi- 
 ment for brigade headquarters, where Kilpatrick, the 
 senior colonel in the brigade, now commands. In 
 the afternoon w^e raised the stars and stripes " in 
 front of his tent, after which three cheers were given 
 for the flag and three for the Union. Kilpatrick was 
 then called upon for a speech, and responded in liis 
 usually felicitous style. He is certainly an orator as 
 well as a warrior. He speaks, too, as he fights, with 
 dash and daring. What he has to say he says w^itli 
 such perspicuity that no one doubts his meaning. 
 Frequently there are flashes of eloquence worthy of 
 a Demosthenes. His voice and diction seem to be 
 well-nigh faultless. His speech to-day elicited fre- 
 quent outbursts of applause, and the men cheered 
 him enthusiastically at the close, and left his quarters 
 with a deeper afi*ection for him than before. Strict 
 as he is to enforce discipline, and thorough, yet he is 
 not severe ; and the men love him for his personal 
 attention to their wants, and for his appreciation of 
 their labors. If he gives us hard work to do in march 
 or battle, he endures or shares with us the hardship. 
 If by the losses of men he has sustained he is truly 
 entitled to the nickname of Kill Cavalry," which 
 has been quite generally accorded to him, his men 
 
Three Years in the Federal CoA^alry, 135 
 
 know that these casualties have fallen out in the line 
 of duty, in bold enterprises that cost the enemy 
 dearly, the wisdom of which will ever exculpate our 
 loved commander from the imputation of rashness 
 with which, by uninformed parties, he is sometimes 
 cliarged. 
 
 In preparation for, and during, a battle, none can 
 excel him. His plans are quickly made and exe- 
 cuted, while all possible contingencies seem to have 
 been foreseen. His selection of positions and dispo- 
 sition of forces always exhibits great sagacity and 
 military genius. He generally holds his men under 
 perfect control. His clarion voice rings like magic 
 through the ranks, while his busy form, alwaj^s in the 
 thickest of the fight, elicits the warmest enthusiasm. 
 His equanimity of mind seems never to be overcome 
 by his celerity of motion, but are equally balanced. 
 Rarely is so great prudence found blended with so 
 undaunted courage. He has an indomitable will that 
 cannot brook defeat. The word impossible he never 
 knows, whatever difficulties intervene between Lim 
 and duty. He feels like N^apoleon, " that impossible 
 is the adjective of fools." 
 
 Added to all these mental qualifications, is that 
 perfect physique^ which makes Kilpatrick the model 
 soldier. As an equestrian we have never seen his 
 superior. He rides as though he had been made for 
 a saddle. Eocks, stumps, fallen trees, brooks, and 
 fences are nothing before him. His well-trained 
 steeds understand him perfectly, and are never at a 
 loss to know what is meant by the sharp spurs on 
 their sides, whatever obstacles stand in their path. 
 
136 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 We have seen him leap over barriers where only few 
 could follow him. To accomplish such feats the horse 
 must have confidence in the rider as well as the 
 rider in the horse. While in a charge, Kilpatrick 
 has more the appearance of an eagle pouncing upon 
 his prey, than that of a man pouncing upon a man. 
 Then, too, he has a wonderful power of endurance. 
 Though somewhat slender in form and delicate in 
 mould, with complexion and eyes as light as a maid- 
 en's, yet it would seem as though his bones were iron 
 and his sinews steel, while the whole is overlaid with 
 gold. He is certainly compactly built. He has un- 
 doubtedly his faults, but his men fail to see them, so 
 that to them he is as good as perfect. 
 
 AVhat so young a champion of the right may yet 
 achieve for his country, is a matter of much hopeful 
 conjecture among us. He is now only twenty-five 
 years of age, having had his birth in the beautiful 
 valley of the Clove, in JSTorthern New Jersey, in 
 1838. He entered the Military Academy at West 
 Point on the twentieth of June, 1856, and graduated 
 with honors in 1860, just in time to be ready for the 
 great conflict then impending. He was present at 
 Baltimore when the mob endeavored to stop the 
 trains for Washington, and the blood of Massachu- 
 setts men was spilt upon the streets. He there ex- 
 hibited that bold intrepidity which has ever charac- 
 terized his actions. He was wounded at the battle 
 of Big Bethel, one of the first engagements of the 
 war, where as a lieutenant he commanded Duryea's 
 Zouaves, June eleventh, 1861. He had just recovered 
 from his wound when he entered upon the organiza- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 137 
 
 tion of the Harris Light, and became its lieutenant- 
 colonel. 
 
 March 5. — We had regimental drill at the usual 
 time this morning. I rode my black pony recently 
 drawn in place of my little black mare, deceased. 
 This was his first experience in cavalry discipline *, 
 and I infer that the men in the front rank of the 
 platoon, which I commanded, hoped it might be his 
 last entry ; for it must have been most emphatically 
 evident to those who followed him that he was de- 
 termined to introduce a new system of tactics, in 
 which heels were to go up in no gentle manner at - 
 every chauge of movement. He is certainly the 
 most ungovernable horse on drill I ever mounted ; 
 and nothing but long marches and raids can efiectu- « 
 ally subdue his kicking propensities. I am encour- 
 aged, however, with the consideration that such fiery 
 metal, when properly controlled and moulded, is 
 usually very valuable. 
 
 Tlie rain fell so fast on the sixth, that we were 
 prevented from drill, and recall was sounded imme- 
 diately after drill-call. 
 
 Sundayj March 8. — Details from the regiment 
 w^ere ordered out on picket. The night had been 
 stormy, but the day has been lovely. At such times, 
 were it not for the mud, we would feel that we are 
 very comfortably circumstanced. 
 
 On the eleventh, in the morning, the ground was 
 covered with snow which had fallen in the night. A 
 brilliant sun soon dissolved the pure mantle and left 
 us in much mire. But our attention was diverted 
 from the going by a novel scene wliich we were 
 
138 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 called to witness in camp. The regiment was in- 
 structed in the best method of packing a mule, by 
 one who has had experience in the business. The 
 most mulish mule in the whole braying family was 
 selected for the operation, and if we did not have 
 some tall fun I will admit that I am no judge. A 
 hog on ice or a bristling porcupine are bad enough, 
 but an ngly mule outstrips them all. It seems as if 
 the irascible animal tried to do his prettiest, flounc- 
 ing around in a most laughable manner, pawing and 
 kicking at times furiously. But the desperate Yan- 
 kee teacher was not to be outwitted, and conquered 
 him at last, when the pack was satisfactorily poised, 
 and the ornamented mule was promenaded about 
 camp as in triumph. 
 
 We are informed that it is the intention of the 
 authorities to have pack-mules used in the cavalry 
 corps henceforward in place of army wagons. The 
 reason of this change seems to be to facilitate rapid 
 movements or forced marches. It is the prevailing 
 opinion, however, that the experiment will prove a 
 failure. Too many mules would be required for this 
 purpose, and our forage and rations would be very 
 insecure, especially from the storms. But we will see 
 how the thing works. At times it may be expedient. 
 
 March 12. — I had the misfortune to have my 
 quarters burned this morning while getting out a de- 
 tail for picket. All my extra clothing, equipments, 
 and some little mementoes or valuables were speedily 
 converted into ashes. But I immediately went to 
 work, and with some kind assistance, which every 
 brother-soldier is so ready to bestow, I put up a new 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 139 
 
 establishment wliich in every respect is superior to the 
 old. Our homes, it is true, are easily destroyed, but 
 they are as easily replaced. 
 
 March 13. — Details from the regiment, with pack- 
 mules, were sent out to the Kappahannock, to carry 
 rations and forage to our pickets. The mule-train 
 looks oddly enough, and yet through these muddy 
 roads it seems to be a necessity. 
 
 March 14. — To-day I am doing regimental guard 
 duty. The guard has been not a little amused by the 
 arrest of Kilpatrick's colored servants. It was their 
 misfortune to be discovered by Captain Southard, the 
 officer of the day, while engaged in a fierce contest, 
 in w^hich their heads w^ere used as the chief weapons 
 of attack and defence. The blows they dealt upon 
 each other were most terrible, reminding one of the 
 battering-rams of old, used for demolishing the walls 
 of forts or cities. Such ancient modes of warfare, of 
 course, could not be tolerated here, especially as no 
 order for battle had been promulgated from head- 
 quarters, and the captain arrested the offenders and 
 brought them to the guard-house, where they were 
 placed in my charge. I immediately ordered them 
 out under guard to police camp as a punishment for 
 their bad conduct. 
 
 "While thus engaged, Kilpatrick happened to see 
 them, and, not wishing to have his faithful servants 
 subjected to such humiliating labor, issued an order 
 for their immediate release from durance vile, assert- 
 ing that he would be responsible for their fighting in 
 the future, if at least they did not put their heads to- 
 gether more than half a dozen times a day. 
 6^ 
 
140 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 The day following this laughable farce, in the 
 afternoon, we experienced one of the most terrific 
 storms ever known in this part of the country. The 
 day had been quite pleasant until about two o'clock, 
 when dark clouds began to obscure the sky, and the 
 wind shifted from the south to the north-west. At 
 four o'clock the elements were ready for battle, and a 
 fierce engagement commenced. Gleaming and forked 
 lightnings cleft the canopy, while booming thunder 
 shook the trembling earth. The artillery of Heaven 
 had not long been opened before the musketry com- 
 menced, and down poured a shower of hail, which 
 came near demolishing our tents, and brought suf- 
 fering and sorrow upon all unsheltered heads. Mules 
 brayed horribly, vying w^ith the hoarse, muttering 
 thunder, making the camp most hideous and lonely. 
 The wind and cold increased with every passing hour, 
 the hail fell faster and more heavily, and night came 
 suddenly down to hide, though not to prevent, the 
 storm. The night was one of great suffering, espe- 
 cially on the lines of picket — it was bad enough any- 
 where. 
 
 March 23. — A beautiful sabre was presented to 
 Major E. F. Cooke this afternoon, by the. members 
 of his old company, for his gallantry and soldierly 
 character, which have earned his promotion. Cap- 
 tain O. J. Downing, of company B, made the present- 
 ation speech, in which he beautifully alluded to the 
 happy relation which always exists between a faith- 
 ful commander and his men. As a token that such 
 relation existed between the major and those whom 
 he had often led through perilous scenes and con- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 141 
 
 flicts, their gift was presented. An appropriate re- 
 sponse was made by the major, in which he very 
 humbly attributed his military success thus far to the 
 bravery of the noble men who had always stood by 
 him, and whose gift he accepted not only as a mark 
 of their aj)preciation of himself as a man, but of their 
 devotion to the cause which he hoped, by the edge of 
 the sabre and trust in Providence, we may yet win. 
 
 March 24. — Kilpatrick's brigade w^as reviewed 
 this morning by General Gregg, who commands the 
 Second division of the cavalry corps. Kilpatrick 
 commands the First brigade, which is composed of 
 the First Maine, the Tenth Xew York, and Harris 
 Light. On the twenty-fifth General Gregg again 
 reviewed us. We were ordered to turn out in 
 heavy marching orders," that is, with all our cloth- 
 ing, rations, forage or grain, and fully equipped. 
 For some reason inspections and reviews are frequent 
 of late. The Harris Light maintains its established 
 reputation, as being second to none in the corps, for 
 its efficiency in drill and discipline, and in its general 
 appearance. The men take pride in keeping up the 
 morale of the regiment. 
 
 March 28. — Colonel Clarence Buel is paying us a 
 visit to-day. This gallant and noble officer, who or- 
 ganized and formerly commanded the Troy company 
 of the Harris Light, has recently been promoted to 
 tlie colonelcy of the Hundred and Sixty-ninth New 
 York Infantry. The colonel has taken a temporary 
 leave of absence from his new command for the pur- 
 pose of making us a friendly call ; and he is again 
 surrounded by his old tried friends and comrades. 
 
142 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Company E hails with pleasure its former loved cap- 
 tain, and though sad at his loss, still rejoices in his 
 well-earned and merited promotion. All the men of 
 the company showed their respect and admiration 
 for him by falling into line npon the announcement 
 of his arrival in camp, and thus greeted the Chris- 
 tian soldier. It was a very delightful and enjoyable 
 occasion. 
 
 As a soldier, Colonel Buel stands among the brav- 
 est and the best. Alwaj^s attentive to the wants of 
 his command, his men are always the last to be out 
 of supplies of rations or clothing. He generally exer- 
 cised that fatherly care over us which called forth in 
 return a filial love. He is dignified, and yet perfectly 
 affable. As a commander, he is intrepid and cool, 
 and manages his troops with admirable skill. He 
 possesses a naturally well-balanced mind, thoroughly 
 cultivated, and a heart always full of Christian hope- 
 fulness and benevolence. We wash him great STiccess 
 in his new field of labor and responsibility. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 143 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 REBEL CHIEFS AND THEIR RAIDS. 
 
 1863. — Rebel Raids by Stuart, Imboden, and Eitz-Hiigli Lee. — John S. 
 Mosby, Guerilla Chief. — His Character. — His Command. — Daring 
 and Plunder. — Aided by Citizens. — Condition of the Country Favora- 
 ble for their Depredations. — Our Picket Lines too Light. — Attacks 
 on Pickets at Herndon Station, Cub Run, and Frying-Pan Church. 
 — Miss Laura Ratcliffe, Mosby's Informant.— Mosby at Fairfax Court 
 House. — Capture of General Stoughton. — Fight at Chantilly. — Mosby 
 lauded by His Chiefs. — Mosby beaten at Warrenton Junction. — Se- 
 verely whipped at Greenwich, where he loses a Howitzer captured 
 from Colonel Baker at Ball's Bluff. 
 
 THE Eebel cavalry lias been very active all -winter, as 
 may be seen by the many raids which they have 
 made, beginning as far back as December twenty-fifth, 
 when their chief, J. E. B. Stuart, anxious to obtain 
 something suitable with which to celebrate the holi- 
 days, crossed the Rappahannock, advanced on Dum- 
 fries, where it would seem that our boys, freezing dumb 
 (Dumfries), suffered the raider to capture not less 
 than twenty-five wagons, and at least two hundred 
 prisoners. Moving boldly northward, he struck the 
 Orange and Alexandria Railroad, burning the bridge 
 across the Accotink Run, and from Burke's Station 
 he swung around Fairfax Court House, and returned, 
 by long, circuitous route, into their lines with their 
 hard-earned spoils. 
 
 A lull of operations followed this bold holiday en- 
 
144: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 terprise, until the sixteentli of February, when a 
 party of General John D. Imboden's rangers, in the 
 Shenandoah Valley, made a rapid raid to Romney, 
 farther west, where they captured several men, 
 horses, and wagons, having taken our forces entirely 
 by surprise. The success which characterized these 
 forays was not only disgraceful to ourselves, and very 
 disheartening, but it gave the Rebels an audacious 
 effrontery and malignant boldness, which led them 
 into more frequent and reckless movements. But our 
 men were a little more on the alert, and thus averted, 
 to a great extent, the injury which was intended. 
 
 February 25. — To-day Fitz-Hugh Lee, almost in 
 the very face of our pickets, crossed the Rappahan- 
 nock near Falmouth, attacked by surprise a camp, 
 where he captured one hundred and fifty prisoners, 
 but was not able to return without some loss. The 
 next day General W. E. Jones marched with a bri- 
 gade into the Yalley, attacked and routed two regi- 
 ments of General Milroy's cavalry, and, with slight 
 loss from his command, escaped with about two hun- 
 dred prisoners. The most daring, however, of all 
 these raids was made by Major White, with his band 
 of Loudon County rangers, which differs not much 
 from guerillas, into Maryland, where they captured 
 a few prisoners, but spent most of their time and 
 strength in plunder. Poolesville was the scene of 
 their depredations. 
 
 It did seem as though nearly every Rebel cavalry 
 officer had been touched with a magic wand which 
 filled him with the most weird and romantic views 
 of warfare, and led him into enterprises almost as 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 145 
 
 wild as any of Dick Tiirpin's. Fauquier County was 
 the theatre of several of these movements by Captain 
 Eandolph, of the Black Horse Cavalry. And in 
 these days appeared another partisan, whose name 
 for the first time flashes out in big capitals in the 
 official as well as other bulletins, amid most startling 
 manoeuvrings : it is John S. Mosby. To the Harris 
 Light this gentleman was not wholly unknown, and 
 we distinctly remember the time when he was a pris- 
 oner in our hands. It appears that he was then 
 sent to Old Capitol Prison at Washington. Kot long 
 thereafter he was released ; and, being bent on re- 
 venge, and naturally fitted for guerilla operations, 
 he soon received permission from his chief, to operate 
 on an independent plan. 
 
 This Mosby, as we have been informed by an ac- 
 quaintance of his, a Eebel soldier who has known him 
 from early life, has always been a sort of guerilla — • 
 deserting from his father's house in mere boyhood — 
 fighting duels as a pastime — roving the country far 
 and wide in search of pleasure or profit — a thorough 
 student of human nature and of the country in which 
 he operates — bold and daring to a fault and romantic 
 in his make — and finding now his chief delight in the 
 adventures of guerilla life. 
 
 His commission is a roving one, and his command 
 seems to be limited neither to kind or number. Many 
 of his men are citizens, who spend a portion of their 
 time in their ordinary business, and who hold them- 
 selves in readiness for any movements indicated by 
 their commander-in-chief. Occasionally he is accom- 
 panied and assisted in his forays by daring men from 
 
146 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 various commands, who are at home on leaves of ab- 
 sence or furloughs, while a few seem to be directly 
 and continually under his control. The principal 
 stimulus of the entire party (except the bad whiskey 
 which they are said to use), is the plunder which 
 they share. It is their custom at times to parole 
 their prisoners and send them back to our lines, 
 though often, when large numbers are taken, they 
 are sent to Richmond ; but all horses and equip- 
 ments, which now command enormous prices in 
 Dixie, are the property of the captors. 
 
 The region of the country they have chosen for 
 their operations is certainly well adapted to facilitate 
 their designs. Deep ravines traverse the country, 
 skirted with dense, dark foliage, which affords them 
 shelter, and through which they pass like so many 
 wild turkeys or wild boars, knowing, as they do, all 
 the roads and by-paths. Indeed, some of their parties 
 are dwellers in these regions, and are acquainted with 
 every nook and corner, where they can hide securely 
 Avith their prey and elude their pursuers. When the 
 immediate neighborhoods of their depredations do 
 not oflfer a sufficient asylum, they fly to the fastnesses 
 and caverns of the Bull Run Mountains. 
 
 Then, too, there is a certain degree of carelessness 
 on the part of our own men, which merits censure 
 and causes trouble. For instance, they frequently 
 call at the homes of bitter Rebels for the purposes of 
 pleasure, or to get articles of food, which they pur- 
 chase or take, and while at these places they are too 
 free to talk about the condition of our army, the 
 position of our picket lines and posts, etc. — informa- 
 
Three Years in the Federal CoA^alrxj. 147 
 
 tion wliich is grasped with wonderful avidity and as 
 readily transmitted to Mosby and his men. Scarcely 
 does any important event transpire among ns, that is 
 not fully understood immediately by the Rebel fami- 
 lies within our lines, and is very easily borne to 
 those outside the lines between two days. Thus 
 movements even in contemplation have been heralded 
 before the incipient steps had been taken, and con- 
 sequently thwarted. Our only safety from this source 
 of trouble would be to drive out of our lines all Rebel 
 families, thus preventing the means of communicating 
 the news to the outer world. 
 
 Another simple statement will explain the chances 
 of the enemy and the causes of many of our casual- 
 ties. Our picket-lines are too much extended, cover- 
 ing too wide a territory to make them as strong as 
 they should be. Only a brigade is doing the work 
 of a division, and consequently the picket-posts are 
 not sufficiently near each other. Tiius, in the night, 
 it requires no very great dexterity to creep through 
 the bushes between the pickets unobserved, and, 
 once within our lines, any amount of mischief may 
 be done by the miscreants. The method indicated 
 here is usually the one employed by these active 
 guerillas, and it forms the chief stratagem of all 
 their movements upon us. 
 
 Their first important attack upon our pickets took 
 place on or about the tenth of January. A small 
 Federal picket was doing duty at Herndon Station, 
 on the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad. Mosby 
 determined to effect their capture. Led by a skilful 
 guide, he dismounted his command some distance 
 
148 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 from the picket-lines. Then thej all crept cautiously 
 between the vedettes, until they reached the rear of 
 the post, and from that direction advanced upon the 
 unsuspecting boys, whose forms could be distinctly 
 seen by the flaring light of their bivouac fire. "While 
 the pickets were thus a fine shot and mark for the 
 enemy, the attacking force was concealed perfectly by 
 the darkness of night and the shades of the thick 
 pines. A pistol-shot from the guerillas was followed 
 by a charge, when our boys were suddenly surrounded 
 and captured. 
 
 This attack and capture was follow^ed by another 
 similar enterprise a few nights afterwards at Cub Kun, 
 near the Little Kiver Turnpike. The picket relief 
 was captured by a charge made in their rear, and only 
 the two vedettes made their escape. Later in the same 
 night a similar assault was made upon our post at 
 Frying-Pan Church. Not far from this church resides 
 a Miss Laura Eatclifie, a very active and cunning 
 Rebel, w^ho is known to our men, and is at least sus- 
 pected of assisting Mosby not a little in his movements. 
 The cavalry brigade doing picket duty at this point 
 is composed of the First Virginia (many of whose men 
 were raised in these parts), the First Yermont, the 
 Fifth New York, and the Eighteenth Pennsylvania. 
 The latter of these regiments has but recently been 
 mustered into the service, is poorly drilled and worse 
 equipped, and is by no means fitted to picket against 
 so wily a foe as Mosby. Though great caution is 
 exercised by Colonel Percy Wyndham, who is in 
 command of the brigade, to arrange and change the 
 alternation of the pickets, so that the regiments to 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 149 
 
 picket at a given point may not be known beforehand ; 
 yet by means of Miss Eatcliffe and her rebellions 
 sisterhood, Mosby is generally informed of the regi- 
 ment doing duty, and his attacks are usually directed 
 against the unskilled and unsuspecting. 
 
 Having approached, under cover of the night 
 above alluded to, within a few hundred yards of the 
 pickets, whose position and strength he knew very 
 well from information received by the neighbors, the 
 horses were left in charge of one man, while the party 
 skulked along through the thick underbrush, until 
 they could approach the post from the direction of the 
 Union camp. The picket relief was mostly quartered 
 in an old house near by, with a single sentinel station- 
 ed at the door. Seeing the Mosby party approaching, 
 he supposed that they were a patrol, and consequently 
 allowed them to come within a few paces of the house 
 before he challenged them. But it was now too late ; 
 and springing forward like panthers, the guerillas 
 presented their pistols at his head, ordering a sur- 
 render. The house was immediately surrounded and 
 the assailants began to fire through the thin weather- 
 boarding upon the men shut up within. This fire, 
 however, was vigorously returned for a time, but 
 yielding at last to superior numbers, who had greatly 
 the advantage, the whole party was compelled to sur- 
 render. 
 
 The success with which Mosby carried on his 
 operations made him a sort of terror to our pickets, 
 while it attracted to him from all quarters of Eebel- 
 dom a larger and more enthusiastic command. They 
 became wonderfully skilled and bold, as may be seen 
 
150 TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 by the following daring exploit. On the night of the 
 eighth of March, during rain and intense darkness, 
 Mosby led a squadron of his conglomerate command 
 through the pines between the pickets near the Turn- 
 pike from Centreville to Fairfax Court House. Strik- 
 ing through the country, so as to avoid some infantry 
 camps, he soon reached the road leading from Fairfax 
 Station to the Court House. Moving now with per- 
 fect confidence, as no pickets along this route would 
 suspect the character of such a cavalcade several miles 
 inside our lines, about two o'clock in the morning he 
 entered the village and began operations. The first 
 thing was to capture the pickets stationed along the 
 streets in a quiet manner, so as to arouse no one from 
 their slumbers, and this was easily accomplished. 
 The way was now fully open to the Confederate band. 
 Divided into parties, each with its work assigned, they 
 quickly accomplished the mischief they desired. 
 
 Mosby, with a small band, proceeded to General 
 Stoughton's headquarters, in the house of a Dr. 
 Gunnel. Dismounting, he soon stood knocking at the 
 door. A voice from an open window above demand- 
 ed their business at such an unseasonable hour. " Des- 
 patches for General Stoughton," responded Mosby. 
 The door was quickly unlocked, and the guerilla chief 
 stood by the bedside of the sleeping general, who had 
 but a few moments before retired from a dancing and 
 convivial party. Fancy now the reenactment of the 
 scene in old Ticonderoga fort, when Ethan Allen, by 
 stratagem, stood in the presence of His Majesty's sleep- 
 ing commander. 
 
 Stougliton was soon apprised of the character of 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 151 
 
 his nightly visitors, and quickly making his toilet, he 
 was hurried away with a portion of his escort, and 
 several other prisoners, including Captain Augustus 
 Barker, of the Fifth New York Cavalry. Fifty-eight 
 of the finest horses from the oflicers' stables were also 
 captured ; and Mosby retraced his sinuous route 
 through our lines of pickets so rapidly, that he escaped 
 all his pursuers. 
 
 The morning light of the ninth of March revealed 
 the boldness and success of the raiders, and no little 
 excitement prevailed. Several parties of cavalry were 
 ordered out in pursuit of the flying partisans, but all 
 returned at night unsuccessful. This was an occasion 
 for great humiliation on the part of our troops, 
 stationed about the Court House, while in Washing- 
 ton and throughout the nation not a little humor was 
 drawn from the remark made by the President when 
 some one told him of the loss we had sustained ; "Yes," 
 he characteristically replied, " that of the horses is 
 bad ; but I can make another general in five minutes." 
 
 Suspicious that Rebel citizens within our lines 
 were more or less implicated in this and other raids, 
 quite a number of arrests were made among them, 
 which cleared the country of the most flagitious cases. 
 However, it is very probable that some innocent ones 
 were made to suffer, while the most guilty were al- 
 lowed to escape. 
 
 March 23. — The pickets near Chantilly had been 
 quiet for several days, but toward night a company 
 of cavaliers, mostly dressed in blue uniforms, emerged 
 from a piece of wood within a mile of the Chantilly 
 mansion, and moved directly toward the picket post 
 
152 Three Years in the Federal CaA)al/ry. 
 
 stationed near a small run on the Little River Turn- 
 pike. The picket, supposing them to be Union troops, 
 watched their approach without suspicion ; and when 
 they had come within a few feet of him tliey intro- 
 duced themselves by shooting him through the head. 
 The alarm being thus given, the nearest reserve made 
 a sudden descent upon the attacking party, which 
 proved to be Mosby's, and the guerillas retreated for 
 some distance up the turnpike, closely pursued. 
 Having followed them about three miles, they came 
 to a barricade of trees which had been fallen across 
 the road. Back of this obstruction Mosby had formed 
 a large part of his command, and our column was 
 shopped by a heavy fire from carbines and pistols' in 
 their front and also by a flank-fire from the woods. 
 At this inopportune moment Mosby made a charge 
 which broke our column. The boys were driven back 
 at a furious rate, and had not strength to rally. Some 
 horses giving out, the hapless riders were captured. 
 
 But as Rebels and Yankees were uniformed much 
 alike, it gave some of onr boys an opportunity for 
 stratagem. For instance, one of our fellows finding 
 himself overtaken by the enemy, began to fire his 
 pistol in the direction of his flying comrades (with 
 care not to harm them), but with sufl[icient vim to be 
 taken by the enemy, in their haste, as one of their 
 number. In this way they passed him by, and he 
 efiected his escape. 
 
 This scrambling race continued for about three 
 miles, back to the ground where the affair com- 
 menced, when our men w^ere reenforced by the reserve 
 from Frying-Pan Church. The Mosbyites were now 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 153 
 
 compelled to halt, and a charge made upon them 
 drove them back up the pike. They were pursued 
 several miles, but night came on and our men were 
 compelled to return. Three of our men were killed, 
 and about thirty-five were taken prisoners, including 
 one lieutenant. Several horses were also taken away. 
 The enemy suffered no appreciable loss. 
 
 Mosby's plans were certainly made with great 
 wisdom and forethought, and executed with a dash 
 and will which were at times very astonishing. His 
 men must have been warmly attached to him as 
 their leader, while the gain they made by their plun- 
 der greatly increased their zeal. The command was 
 truly uniqxie in its leader, its composition, and its 
 modus operandi^ while its results, assisted as they 
 were by the topography of the country, and the Rebel 
 sympathizers within and just without our lines, at- 
 tracted no little attention. The orders of General 
 Stuart and even those of General Lee associated the 
 name of Mosby with consummate daring and continual 
 success, stimulating the band to greater deeds. We 
 append one specimen of those orders, furnished us by 
 one of their own number : 
 
 Headquarters, Cavalry Bivkiox, ) 
 Army of Northern VirgiDia, March. 27, 1863. j" 
 
 Captain — Your telegram, announcing your brilliant achieve- 
 ments near Chantilly, was duly received and forwarded to Gen- 
 eral Lee. He exclaimed upon reading it, ^' Hurrah for Mosby ! 
 I "vvish I had a hundred like him ! " 
 
 Heartily wishing you continued success, I remain your obe- 
 dient servant, 
 
 J. E. B. Stuart, 
 Major-General Commanding. 
 Captain J. S. Mosby, commanding, etc., etc. 
 
154 Three Years in the Federal Cojvalry, 
 
 But it is not often permitted one man always to 
 prosper in his enterprises, and even the wonderful 
 Mosby was destined to meet equals, and to be worsted 
 in engagements. Later in the season, while General 
 Stahel's cavalry division was picketing the line of the 
 Orange and Alexandria Railroad, Mosby made a sud- 
 den descent one morning upon the First Yirginia 
 Cavalry at Warrenton Junction. Unfortunately, these 
 Union Virginians, who were one of the best regiments 
 in our service, were just then unprepared for any such 
 manoeuvring. They had just been relieved from duty, 
 and were taking their rest. Many of the men were 
 lounging about under the shade of trees, or quartered 
 for the time in a few block buildings situated in an 
 angle formed by the two railroads. Their horses were 
 mostly " unsaddled and unbridled, and hence not fit 
 for a fight," while many of them were grazing loosely 
 and quietly in the adjoining fields. 
 
 Mosby advanced upon them from the direction of 
 Warrenton — was at first mistaken for a squadron of 
 our own cavalry, which had been sent out on a scout- 
 ing expedition. The error was soon corrected by a 
 fierce charge made by the guerillas. Such of the 
 men as were roaming about the premises, mostly un- 
 armed, of course immediately surrendered ; but about 
 one hundred of them fled for refuge in one of the 
 largest buildings, resolved to sell themselves (if it 
 came to that) at the dearest price. And now com- 
 menced a fearful struggle. The Confederates would 
 ride up near the windows and discharge their pieces 
 at the men within, while the brave fellows inside, 
 commanded and inspired by Major Steele, one of 
 
Three Yeai'S in the Federal Cavalry, 155 
 
 the bravest of the brave, defended themselves 
 with a noble determination. All efforts of Mosby 
 to make them surrender were in vain. Finding 
 at last that he could not intimidate them with 
 bullets, he ordered the torch to be applied to a pile 
 of hay near by, and the house was set on fire. Just 
 at this juncture of affairs a strong party of Mosby 's 
 gang, having dismounted from their horses, rushed 
 against the door of the building with such force as to 
 burst it open. Surrounded now by the flames, which 
 were spreading rapidly, and attacked with desper- 
 ation by the foe, the whole party was compelled to 
 surrender. 
 
 Flushed with success, the guerillas were making 
 preparations to retire from the field with their booty, 
 when the Fifth New York Cavalry, which had been 
 bivouacked in a grove not far from Cedar Run Bridge, 
 arrived at the Junction, whither they had been at- 
 tracted by the firing, and immediately fell upon tlie 
 foe like an avalanche. Major Hammond commanded 
 in person. Mosby was heard to exclaim, " My God ! 
 it is the Fifth New York!" A hand-to-hand en- 
 counter now took place, in which bravery was fired 
 with desperation, and Yankee sabres w^ere used with 
 fearful effect. The Rebels soon broke and fled in ev- 
 ery direction, demoralized and panic-stricken, leaving 
 behind not only the captures they had made, but 
 many of their own number. Some Rebel heads were 
 fearfully gashed and mangled, one of them exhibiting 
 his lower jaw-bone not only dislocated, but almost 
 entirely severed with one determined blow from the 
 strong hand of a cavalryman. 
 
156 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 General Stahel, in his despatch to General Heint- 
 zelman, says : " The Kebels, who fled in the direction 
 of Warrenton, were pursued by Major Hammond, 
 Fifth New York Cavalry, who has returned, and re- 
 ports our charge at Warrenton Junction as being so 
 terrific as to have thoroughly routed and scattered 
 them in every direction. I have sent in twenty-three 
 prisoners of Mosby's command, all of whom are 
 wounded — the greater part of them badly. Dick 
 Moran (a notorious bushwhacker) is among the num- 
 ber. There are also three officers of Mosby's. The 
 loss of the enemy was very heavy in killed, besides 
 many wounded, who scattered and prevented capture. 
 I have no hopes of the recovery of Major Steele, of 
 the First Yirginia. Our loss is one killed and four- 
 teen wounded." 
 
 Templeman, one of Stonewall Jackson's best 
 spies, was killed ; and the partisans confessed them- 
 selves thoroughly whipped. They were wont to call 
 this their first retreat, in which they did some tall 
 running. The following complimentary order was 
 issued : 
 
 Headquarters Stahel's Cavalry Division, ) 
 Fairfax Court House, Va. , 1863. \ 
 
 SPECIAL ORDERS NO. 30. 
 
 Wliea soldiers perforin brave deeds, a proper acknowledg- 
 ment of their services is justly their due. The commanding 
 general, therefore, desires to express his gratification at the 
 conduct of the officers and men of Colonel De Forest's com- 
 mand, who were engaged in the fight at Warrenton Junction, on 
 
 Sunday, , 1863. By your promptness and gaHantry 
 
 the gang of guerillas who have so long infested the vicinity has 
 been badly beaten and broken up. The heavy loss of the ene- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 157 
 
 my in killed, wounded, and prisoners, proves the determination 
 of your resistance and the vigor of your attack. Deeds like 
 this are worthy of emulation, and give strength and confidence 
 to the command. 
 
 By command of 
 
 Ma JOE- General Stahel. 
 
 Thorouglily as IVlosby had been whipped on this 
 occasion, and diminished as was his command, it was 
 not long before he was again heard from. It mnst be 
 confessed that he possessed remarkable recnperative 
 powers. His qualities of heart and mind seemed to 
 attach his men to him peculiarly, while his mode of 
 warfare was calling many young and daring Virgini- 
 ans to his standard. By this means his numbers were 
 soon recruited^ and he was again on the rampage. 
 
 At this time the government was sending supplies 
 to the army on the Eappahannock via the Orange 
 and Alexandria Railroad. Each train was in charge 
 of a guard, and all the principal bridges and exposed 
 places on the route Vv^ere under pickets. Besides this, 
 frequent patrols were sent from one picket post to the 
 other, so that the entire road was under a close sur- 
 veillance. One morning, between seven and eight 
 o'clock, the cavalry pickets and reserves about Cat- 
 lett's Station were startled by artillery firing just be- 
 low them on the railroad. A train laden with ra- 
 tions and forage had just passed on its way to the 
 Rappahannock. It was soon ascertained that during 
 the night the guerillas had carefully unfastened one 
 of the rails in the woods, and by means of a wire 
 attached to it and extended to some distance from the 
 road, in a manner to be unobserved by the patrols, a 
 
158 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 man concealed behind a tree had drawn the rail out 
 of place just as the engine was approaching it, throw- 
 ing it off the track. A mountain howitzer, which had 
 been placed in position, immediately plunged a shell 
 through the engine, and at the same time a charge 
 was made upon the guard. This consisted mostly of 
 men whose term of service expired tliat very day, and 
 their resistance amounted to nothing. They soon 
 fled in shameful confusion, leaving the ground to the 
 Rebels, who, after taking such plunder as they could 
 carry, fired the train, and then started on the road to 
 Haymarket. 
 
 But the cavalry had been aroused, and detach- 
 ments of the First Vermont and Fifth New York, 
 each in separate routes, commenced a vigorous pur- 
 suit. Mosby, who commanded in person, evidently 
 had not reckoned on so sudden and sharp an encoun- 
 ter. He had not proceeded two miles before he espied 
 the boys in blue eagerly flying after him. His how- 
 itzer was quickly brought into position, and a shell 
 was accurately thrown among his pursuers, suddenly 
 dismounting one of the ofiicers, whose horse was 
 killed. But the detention of the column was only 
 temporary, the boys being determined once more to 
 cross sabres with the chivalry. The nature of the 
 ground was unfavorable for a cavalry charge, and the 
 enemy showed no disposition to fight, but fled as rap- 
 idly as possible, firing an occasional shell, but without 
 inflicting any injury. Eagerly the boys spurred on 
 their chargers, and were soon joined by the Yer- 
 monters, who added fresh excitement to the chase. 
 
 Mosby, finding himself too closely followed for his 
 
TJiTee Years in the Federal Cavalry. 159 
 
 comfort, and knowing that something desperate must 
 be done, determined to sell his howitzer as dearly as 
 possible. Having reached the head of a narrow lane, 
 near the house of a Mr. Warren Fitzhugh, he wheeled 
 the piece into position and commenced a rapid fire. 
 There was no way for our boys to reach the howitzer 
 except through the lane, the w^hole length of which 
 was raked by every discharge. That gun must be 
 captured," exclaimed Lieutenant Elmer J. Barker, 
 of the Fifth New York, " and who will volnnteer to 
 charge it with me?" About thirty brave fellows 
 responded promptly, and sidting the action to the 
 words, charge, boys ! " he rushed furiously forward 
 at their head, while the fields rang with their mad- 
 dening yell. But the brave lieutenant fell severely 
 wounded before a murderous discharge of grape and 
 canister, which killed three of his men and wounded 
 several. The lieutenant's faithful horse was also 
 mortally wounded. But before the piece could be 
 reloaded with its only one remaining shell, the sur- 
 viving comrades were crossing sabres with the gun- 
 ners over the gun. The conflict here was desperate, 
 but of short duration. Mosby's lieutenant. Chapman, 
 fought with the rammer of the gun, but fell wonnded 
 and was captured. At length those who could not 
 escape surrendered, and the howitzer was ours. It 
 bore an inscription which showed that it had been 
 captured by the Rebels from the lamented Colonel 
 Baker, at BalFs Bluff". 
 
 Among the enemy's wounded and captured was 
 a Captain Hoskins, formerly of the British army, who 
 had run the blockade and espoused the Rebel cause. 
 
160 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 He received his death-wound as follows : having 
 wounded a private soldier in a hand-to-hand encoun- 
 ter, he roughly cried out, " Surrender, you d d 
 
 Yankee ! " " V\\ see you d d first," was the char- 
 acteristic reply, while the Yankee boy lodged a pistol 
 ball in the captain's neck, from which he did not long 
 survive. An interesting diary was found in Captain 
 Hoskins' possession, describing mainly his private 
 life since entering Mosby's command. 
 
 Mos1)y himself barely escaped being captured on 
 this occasion, and he carried the mark of a sabre-cut 
 on his arm. The fight had been desperate on both 
 sides, but the guerillas were badly worsted, and 
 driven away as far as the jaded condition of our 
 horses would permit us to pursue them. In their 
 flight the spoils, which had been taken from the cap- 
 tured train, were left behind, strewn in every direc- 
 tion. This fight occurred near the little village of 
 Greenwich, and gave Mosby a blov/ quite as severe 
 as any he had ever received. 
 
Three Years in the Federal CavaJ/ry. 161 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 CHANCELLORSYILLE AND STOXEMAN'S RAID. 
 
 1S63.— Review of the Army by the President. — Deserters Punish- 
 ed. — Sports and Pastimes. — Stoneman's First Move. — Storm. — Re- 
 connoissance to Warrenton. — Another Move. — Other Storms. — Catch- 
 ing Rabbits." — Stoneman's Great Raid on Lee's Communications. — 
 On the Virginia Central Raih*oad. — Kilpatrick at Louisa Court House. 
 — He Marches upon Richmond.—Eold Advance near the City. — Im- 
 portant Captures. — Retreat over Meadow Bridge. — Destructions. — 
 Bushwhackers. — Happy Rencounter. — Safe Arrival at Gloucester 
 Point. — Public Prints. — Battle of Chancellorsville. — Heroism and De- 
 feat. — Stonewall Jackson Falls. — Hooker Injured. — Retreat. — Orders. 
 
 PEIL 1. — April-fool day always brings its trains 
 
 jLjL of fun and broods of annoyances, tbe boys being 
 determined to make the most of it. The usual plan 
 is to induce a comrade to believe that either the 
 colonel, his captain, or lieutenant, wants to see him. 
 This scheme is generally successful ; for the victim 
 dare not refuse to report whenever called for, and as 
 he is unable to learn whether he is really wanted or 
 otherwise, he finds it necessary to call upon his supe- 
 rior to ask his pleasure. Receiving the assurance 
 that nothing is wanted of him, he sees that he has 
 been " sold," and returns to his comrades in the midst 
 of their hilarity at his expense. But he is generally 
 determined to have revenge, and to get the "laugh" 
 on them before the day is spent. Sometimes these 
 
162 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 jokes are carried rather too far for sport, and recoil 
 "apon their perpetrators with -unpleasant force. 
 
 But^ then, this soldier-life of ours is so grave and 
 solemn that our buoyant natures seek relief in all 
 snch means as the above. The bow, always bent to 
 its utmost tension, would soon break or become use- 
 less; it must be straightened to send the arrow. So 
 our natures would break were they not elastic, and 
 were there no opportunities for reaction as well as 
 action. Then, too, there is a kind of monotony to 
 our life in winter- quarters, to which it is difficult to 
 accustom ourselves. And he who can suggest any 
 thing laughable is a great benefactor to his comrades ; . 
 for then the monotony is broken, and we enjoy a 
 little sprinkling of variety, which is truly said to be 
 the spice of life." A good joke, that runs through 
 the command like a bubbling brook along the flower- 
 ing meadows, is worth more to us than a corps of 
 nurses with cart-loads of medicine. 
 
 On the second of April, from nine to eleven 
 o'clock in the morniug, we had a mounted brigade- 
 drill. Colonel Kilpatrick was in command. He ap- 
 peared well pleased, at the close, with the proficiency 
 of his men, and they are all enthusiastic over him. 
 There seems to be a wonderful unanimity of feeling 
 in the brigade, all regarding Kilpatrick as the right 
 man in the right place. 
 
 April 6. — To-day the Cavahy Corps, consisting 
 of twenty-five regiments, well .filled and drilled, was 
 reviewed by President Lincoln and Generals Hooker 
 and Stoneman. A salute of twenty-one guns was 
 fired upon the arrival of the Presidential party. The 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 163 
 
 review took place on Falmouth Heights, in full view 
 of the Rebel encampment in rear of Fredericksburg. 
 The scene we presented to our enemies must have 
 been grand, for we appeared in our best uniforms and 
 with flying colors. It was an occasion not to be for- 
 gotten, the sight bein^ one of the most magnificent 
 many of us ever saw. The column was between 
 three and four hours passing in review. It seemed to 
 do us all good to get a glimpse of the solemn, earnest 
 face of the President, who reviewed us with appa- 
 rent satisfaction. 
 
 April 7. — Picket details returned from the river 
 to-day. In the afternoon several horse-races came off 
 near our camp, between the First Pennsylvania, the 
 First New Jersey, and Harris Light. One of Kil- 
 patrick's favorite horses was badly beaten, much to 
 his mortification, owing, as was alleged, to the stupid- 
 ity of the rider, who was sent off the ground in dis- 
 grace. "VVe are frequently training our horses for 
 swift motions, and teaching them to jump ditches and 
 fences. These are occasions of excitement and amuse- 
 ment. Men are frequently thrown from their horses 
 while endeavoring to jump them beyond their ability, 
 though seldom is any one hurt. Much practice is 
 necessary to make perfect in this exercise. 
 
 The papers bring us good news of a " Great 
 Union Victory in Connecticut." Such victories, 
 though bloodless, have a powerful influence upon the 
 rank and file of the army. Every ballot cast to sus- 
 tain the administration is equal to a well-directed bul- 
 let against the foe. 
 
 April 8. — The brigade was called out this mo'rn- 
 7* 
 
164: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 ing on the old drill-ground to witness a somewhat sad 
 and novel scene, namely, the branding and drumming 
 out of service of two deserters from Company K. 
 The command was formed into a hollow square, 
 facing inward. Upon the arrival of the blacksmith's 
 forge, the deserters were partially stripped of their 
 clothing, irons were heated, and the letter " D " was 
 burnt upon their left liip. Their heads were then 
 shaved, after which they were marched about the 
 square under guard, accompanied by a corps of bu- 
 glers playing " the rogue's march." It was a hu- 
 miliating and painful sight, and undoubtedly it left 
 its salutary impression, as it was designed, upon all 
 who witnessed it. A deserter should be regarded as 
 only next to a traitor, and when the military law 
 against such offenders is enforced with becoming 
 rigor, we will probably have fewer infractions. Tliis 
 part of our army discipline has thus far been evident- 
 ly too loosely administered, giving occasion for de- 
 moralization. 
 
 In the afternoon we enjoyed a very pleasing 
 change of programme, when true merit was reward- 
 ed. A beautiful sabre was presented by the oflScers 
 of the brigade to Kilpatrick. Affairs of this kind 
 are much enjoyed by the major part of the command ; 
 and when night came on we all felt that to-day, at 
 least, we have learned that the way of the trans- 
 gressor is hard," and also that 
 
 Good actions crown themselves with lasting days ; 
 Who deserves well needs not another's praise." 
 
 April 9. — To increase the variety of our expert- 
 ence, and to give it a pleasing tone, Kilpatrick's bri- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 165 
 
 gade-band made its iBrst appearance in front of head- 
 quarters this evening. They discoursed national airs 
 in a manner that thrilled and elated us, making the 
 welkin ring with their excellent music. As the last 
 echoes of a plaintive air died over the distant woods, 
 and I crept into my lowly quarters for my rest, the 
 poet's verse seemed full of hallowed potency : 
 
 *' Music exalts each, joy, allays each grief, 
 Expels diseases, softens every pain. 
 Subdues the rage of poison and of plague." 
 
 April 11. — An exciting game of base-ball " was 
 played to-day near our camp, between boys of the 
 Fourteenth Brooklyn and the Harris Light. The 
 contest resulted in a drawn game, so that neither 
 could claim the victory. Our time, of late, is slip- 
 ping rapidly along. The weather is warm and beau- 
 tiful, the mud is disappearing, and flowers and birds 
 remind us that winter is over and gone. 
 
 For several weeks preparations have been evident- 
 ly made for the opening of the Spring campaign. 
 Each branch of the service has been thoroughly re- 
 cruited and drilled, and the entire force is computed 
 to be at least one hundred and twenty-five thousand 
 strong. All seem to be anxious for a good oppor- 
 tunity to advance upon the enemy. 
 
 April 13. — On the evening of the twelfth, at reg- 
 imental inspection, orders were received to be ready 
 for march at daylight the next day. Consequently, 
 early this morning our winter-quarters were aban- 
 doned, and General Stoneman, at the head of about 
 thirteen thousand cavalry, took up a line of march in 
 the direction of the upper fords of theEappahannock, 
 
166 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 in the neighborliood of the Orange and Alexandria 
 Railroad. 
 
 General Hooker's order to his cavalry-chief had 
 the ring of bright metal in it, and contained the fol- 
 lowing terse sentences : 
 
 " Let your watchword be fight, and let all your 
 orders be fight ! tight ! FIGHT ! bearing in mind 
 that time is as valuable to the Federal as the Rebel 
 authorities. 
 
 " It devolves upon you. General, to take the initia- 
 tive in the forward movement of this grand army ; 
 and on you and your noble command must depend, 
 in a great measure, the 'extent and brilliancy of our 
 success. Bear in mind that celerity, audacity, and 
 resolution are every thing in war ; and especially is it 
 the case with the command you have, and the enter- 
 prise on which you are about to embark." 
 
 We moved at a sufiicient distance from the Rap- 
 pahannock to screen our columns from the enemy's 
 posts of observation. We marched to the vicinity of 
 Elkton, where we bivouacked for the night. The 
 next morning we resumed our march, and soon struck 
 the railroad at Bealeton, where we met and drove a 
 detachment of Rebel cavalry. After a sharp skirmish 
 they fell back to Beverly Ford, where their crossing 
 was covered by artillery and sharpshooters. A neat 
 little fight enabled us to advance carbineers down to 
 the ford, which we held, though subjected to the fire 
 of rifled cannon on the opposite bank. 
 
 At another of the numerous fords of the river 
 (Sulphur Springs), which was not guarded, an entire 
 division was forded across before night. But during 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 167 
 
 the night a heavy rain-storm set in d la Virginie^ 
 which so suddenly raised the stream, that the order 
 for crossing more troops was not only countermanded, 
 but the forces already across were ordered to return. 
 This was not very easily done. Meanwhile the sepa- 
 rated division, by rapid movement and some fighting 
 through the rain, had swung down the river to Bev- 
 erly Ford, where they commenced recrossing, without 
 pontoons, and with the ford unfordable. The enemy, 
 taking advantage of this unhappy predicament, at- 
 tacked the rearguard with furious determination, 
 killing and capturing quite a number. As our artil- 
 lery could not be brought into position, the only help 
 we could afford to our unfortunate comrades was to 
 play on the Eebels with our carbines, which kept 
 them somewhat at bay. In the haste and difficulty 
 of crossing, where horses were compelled to swim a 
 considerable distance through the strong current, sev- 
 eral animals and men were drowned and borne down 
 the stream. It was certainly a very sad experience — 
 a disheartening commencement of operations. 
 
 April 16. — The Harris Light was relieved from 
 picket, and moved to Bealeton, leaving Beverly Ford 
 at four o'clock a. m. The roads are almost impassa- 
 ble. The rain has continued almost uninterruptedly 
 for forty-eight hours, making our sojourn in these 
 parts very disagreeable. But, notwithstanding the 
 mud, on the seventeenth a squadron of the Harris 
 Light, composed of Companies E and F, in command 
 of Captain Charles Hasty, left our bivouac at Beale- 
 ton, early in the morning, with instructions to pro- 
 ceed to Warrenton, and, if possible, to occupy the 
 
168 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 place until four o'clock p. m. When we had ap- 
 proached to within three miles of the place the Cap- 
 tain learned that the famous Black Horse Cavalry, 
 under Captain Randolph, was in possession of the 
 village, and w^ould undoubtedly give us a splendid 
 entertainment. 
 
 The boys were unanimously pleased at the pros- 
 pect of an opportunity to cross sabres with those he- 
 roes of Bull Run, and, concluding from their world- 
 wide reputation that nothing short of a desperate 
 fight would ensue, we made preparations accordingly. 
 The squadron was formed in column of platoons, and 
 two detachments, consisting each of a sergeant and 
 eight men, w^ere instructed to advance upon the town 
 from two parallel streets, thus giving our small force 
 the appearance of being only the vanguard of a very 
 large army. 
 
 It was my privilege to command one of these de- 
 tachments ; and, on entering the village, we found 
 the foe formed into line of battle on Main street, with 
 the apparent intention of giving us a warm reception. 
 They had been notified of our approach by a sentinel 
 posted in a prominent church-steeple, and were, there- 
 fore, ready for us. We immediately drew sabres and 
 bore down upon them with the usual yell ; and, 
 strange as it may seem to those who laud the daring 
 of the Southern Black Horse, they advanced to re* 
 ceive us, fired a few shots, unsheathed their bloodless 
 sabres, but wheeled about suddenly and dashed away 
 to the rear at a break-neck pace, without even halt- 
 ing to pay us the compliment of an affectionate fare- 
 well. Actually it seemed as though they did not 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 169 
 
 60 much as look beliind tliem until fairly out of the 
 range of our best carbines. It was quite evident to 
 us that they agreed perfectly with that most ungal- 
 lant poet, who sings : 
 
 He who fights and runs away, 
 Will live to fight another day." 
 
 The beautiful and aristocratic village was now in 
 our possession. Being informed that the proprietor 
 of the Warrenton House was a conspicuous Kebel, 
 Captain Hasty decided to try his hospitality and 
 sound his commissary department. Accordingly he 
 accosted the chivalrous gentleman, and ordered a din- 
 ner for the entire squadron. When all had partaken 
 freely of the good things provided, our Rebel land- 
 lord showed signs of uneasiness in his desire to ascer- 
 tain who would foot the bill. After a while the Cap- 
 tain politely directed him to charge it to Uncle Sam. 
 This ended all controversy on the subject. "We left 
 Warrenton in accordance with instructions, at four 
 o'clock, and, w^ell satisfied with our excursion, re- 
 joined the regiment during the following night. 
 
 April 18. — The enemy opened the ball " this 
 morning by shelling the cavalry pickets in the woods 
 near Rappahannock Station. Under this fire we ad- 
 vanced some distance toward the river, and then re- 
 tired slowly with a view of drawing the Rebels across 
 to our side. But they were too wily to be caught in 
 such a trap, and our attempt failed. A stream is a 
 great barrier between two contending forces, and no 
 careful leader will place his men with a stream behind 
 them, unless he is quite certain of victory. We had 
 a sad lesson of this in the battle of Ball's Bluff. 
 
170 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 On the clay following this useless cannonade, each 
 regiment of the corps had dress-parade at six o'clock 
 p. M. Orders from General Stoneman were read by 
 the adjutants of their respective regiments, informing 
 them that the entire cavalry force would move at an 
 early hour next day. A portion of the evening was 
 spent in preparation. However, when in the biv- 
 ouac, as we have been for some time, it takes but a 
 few moments to prepare for a move. All surplus 
 baggage, which naturally accumulates during winter- 
 quarters, has been disposed of, either by sending it 
 home, or to some quartermaster depot, established for 
 the purpose, as at Alexandria, or by destruction ; and 
 each man carries only what little articles he can stow 
 away in his saddle-bags and roll up in his blanket. 
 His inventory might run as follows : A shirt, a pair 
 of socks (and often he has only those he wears), a 
 housewife or needle-book, paper and envelopes, a tin 
 cup, and bag which contains his coffee and sugar 
 mixed together. Some men carry a towel and soap. 
 The great effort is to learn to get along with the very 
 least possible. 
 
 At first the soldier thinks he must have this article 
 of luxury and the other, until he finds that they are 
 positive burdens to himself and horse, and gradually 
 he throws off this weight and that incumbrance, until 
 his entire outfit is reduced to nearly " the little end 
 of nothing, whittled to a point ! " Possessed of a 
 coffee-bag and cup and a hard-tack or biscuit, the 
 most essential things, he seldom now borrows much 
 trouble about the rest of men and things. 
 
 Ajpril 20. — We commenced march at four o'clock 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 171 
 
 this morning on the road to Sulphur Springs. Scarce- 
 ly had we gone out of our bivouacs before a drench- 
 ing rain-storm set in, and continued incessantly until 
 we were forced to halt, the mud being really oceanic. 
 The day being quite warm, we experienced but little 
 discomfort from the wet until night. The weather 
 then became cold, and every thing being so wet, it 
 was difficult to make fires ; consequently we had a 
 very tedious night. A fellow considered himself for- 
 tunate, if, after toiling long through the cold and 
 dark, he could succeed to cook a little coffee. But 
 the soldier will have his coffee, if it be possible, and 
 then he is quite contented with his lot. 
 
 On the twenty-first, all we could do was to change * 
 our position, to get out of the very deep mud, which 
 one night's treading of the horses' feet produced. On 
 the following day in the afternoon the Cavalry Corps 
 moved from Waterloo Bridge to Warrenton Junction. 
 The day was pleasant, though the roads are still in a 
 fearful condition. Our infantry is engaged in repair- 
 ing the railroad to Rappahannock Station. We are 
 evidently on the eve of some important movements. 
 
 Before night, many of the boys were made glad by 
 the reception of a large mail from the North, which 
 is the first we have received since we left our winter- 
 quarters on the thirteenth instant. Nearly every man 
 had a letter, and there was general contentment all 
 around. The mail-bag is always a welcome visitor, 
 especially in times like this, and it is not the least of 
 the instrumentalities which mould our character and 
 give tone to our morale. 
 
 April 23. — Another drenching rain set in this 
 
172 Three Years m the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 morning and continued without cessation tlirougliont 
 the day. We were all drowned out of onr little 
 shelter-tents, and many preferred to take the chastise- 
 ment face to face with the merciless elements. We 
 were a sorry looking company of men, drenched Vv^ith 
 the rain, bespattered with mud, and chilled with the 
 cold. Our fires, well-nigh quenched by the falling 
 floods, were of very little use to us. Men and horses 
 all suffered together. Thus far the month has been 
 very wet, and this April is certainly entitled to be 
 classed among the Weeping Sisters. 
 
 We spent the dreary night hoping for a better 
 morrow. But the twenty-fourth followed the example 
 of its predecessor, and rain poured upon us in torrents. 
 
 The yielding clay of this region of country is soon 
 trodden into a soft mud, under so many hoofs, until 
 it seems quite impossible to find a dry spot large 
 enough to lie down upon at night. This makes our 
 bivouacs very dreary and uncomfortable. And yet 
 under these melancholy circumstances we are not 
 totally bereft of pleasant entertainment. The woods 
 and fields in this vicinity abound with quails and 
 rabbits, whose presence has been the cause of some 
 excitement and not a little fun. 
 
 Ever and anon a sportive cavalier starts up a 
 nimble rabbit and chases the frightened little creature 
 through the camp, crying at the top of his voice, 
 stop him ! stop him ! catch that rabbit," etc. Poor 
 pussy comes flying down the road, pursued by a 
 throng of men, while the shouts are caught up and 
 repeated along the entire line of escape, men jumping 
 up at every bound of the animal, and joining in the 
 
THE mmi 
 
 Of THE 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 175 
 
 sport. Occasionally the rabbit is so perfectly sur- 
 rounded as to be compelled at last to surrender, wlien 
 the trembling prisoner is caught, but carefully treated. 
 At this time of the year they are so very small and 
 lean as to be scarcely eatable, and yet now and then 
 they are shot, as well as quails, to increase our com- 
 missary supplies, and the cooks display considerable 
 skill in dressing and preparing them d la Delmonico. 
 
 Ajpril 27. — Colonel Davies, after quite a lengthy 
 absence from us, rejoined the regiment at ten o'clock 
 A.M. He reported having a narrow escape from 
 guerillas near Elkton, where he was fired at and pur- 
 sued for some distance, while on bis way from Fal- 
 mouth. Details were ordered out immediately to 
 those infested regions, with instructions to capture 
 every thing in the shape of a bushwhacker. Captain 
 Coon, of the Connecticut squadron, was put in com- 
 mand of the reconnoitring party. We had a rich 
 and delightful ride, but did not succeed in overhaul- 
 ing the offenders. 
 
 On the twenty-eighth the first battalion of the 
 Harris Light, commanded by Captain Samuel Mc- 
 Irvin, was ordered to reconnoitre as far as Brentsville. 
 We went via Elkton and Bristerburg, at which places 
 we captured several guerillas, who were not looking 
 for us. The first part of the day was very pleasant, 
 but from eleven o'clock till night we had a continual- 
 ly drizzling rain, which made our march exceedingly 
 disagreeable. 
 
 We had but just halted for the night, when an 
 order was received from a messenger, to rejoin the 
 regiment without delay. Through the rain, mud, 
 
176 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 and darkness we hastened back to Catlett's Station, 
 where we found every thing in motion, preparing foi 
 some grand movement. 
 
 With the gray light of the morning of the twenty- 
 ninth, -after marching most of the night, we reached 
 the banks of the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford. 
 In addition to the Cavalry Corps we found here the 
 Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Twelfth Corps of the Army 
 of the Potomac, making preparation to cross the river. 
 The Engineer Corps soon laid the pontoons, and the 
 grand columns effected a passage without material 
 resistance or difficulty. 
 
 STONEMAN'S RAID. 
 
 We are credibly informed that other columns of 
 our army are crossing the river at other points, and 
 that a great battle is imminent. There has been oc-_ 
 casional skirmishing, on the front, during the day. 
 The Rebels, however, seem to have been taken wholly 
 by surprise and are not making the demonstrations we 
 had good reason to anticipate ; but we shall be greatly 
 disappointed if they do not soon awake, and come to 
 their work. 
 
 The going is far from pleasant, though to-day the 
 weather is favorable. The streams are dreadfully 
 swollen and nearly all bridgeless, compelling us to 
 ford them. This process, through the cold, high 
 water, is attended with more or less difficulty and suf- 
 fering. 
 
 Soon after crossing the river the Cavalry Corps 
 broke away from the infantry, in the direction of 
 Stevensburg ; and it is rumored among us that a grand 
 
Three Years in the Fedei'ol Cavahy. 177 
 
 raid upon the enemy's communications is contem- 
 plated, while the tw o armies engage in deadly combat, 
 it is thought not far from the river. 
 
 April 30. — This afternoon our column reached the 
 Rapidan at Raccoon Ford, and began to cross over. 
 The water being much above , the fording mark and 
 very rapid, we had an exciting time. Several horses 
 and men were swept down the stream by the swift 
 current and were drowned ; and none of us escaped 
 the unpleasant operation of getting wet. 
 
 After reaching the high plateau on the south bank 
 of the river, the entire corps were formed in line of 
 battle, in which hostile position we w^ere ordered to 
 spend the night. For more thorough protection, pick- 
 ets had been sent out in every direction, and posted 
 with much care. It was a season of considerable 
 anxiety to all, and of great fatigue especially to those 
 of us who had been in the saddle several consecutive 
 days and nights. Standing to horse as we were com- 
 pelled to do, very little rest could be obtained, though 
 many were so exhausted, that, dropping to the earth, 
 with bridle and halter in hand, they fell asleep, while 
 their comrades wished for the morning, which came 
 at last. 
 
 After our frugal breakfast, which consisted mostly 
 of hard-tack and coffee, a thorough inspection of the 
 command was made, and all men reported to have 
 unserviceable or unsafe horses, were sent to the rear. 
 The weather is perfectly charming to-day, although 
 quite too w^arm, in the midday heat, to be comfortable 
 marching. 
 
 May 2. — Early in the morning our column reached 
 
178 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 the railroad, in the rear of General Lee's army, and, 
 with slight opposition from scattered pickets, the work 
 of destruction began. Culverts and bridges, telegraph 
 lines and posts, disappeared like the smoke of their 
 burning. 
 
 KILPATRIOK AT LOUISA COURT HOUSE. 
 
 While this work was going on, Kilpatrick was or- 
 dered to lead the Harris Light into Louisa Conrt 
 House, which he did in a gallant manner. The in- 
 habitants, taken by surprise, were greatly terrified at 
 our approach and entry into the place, but finding 
 themselves in the hands of men, and not fiends, 
 
 they had been wont to regard us, and receiving 
 from us neither disrespect nor insult, soon dispelled 
 their needless fears. We remained in town until two 
 o'clock p. M., tearing up railroad track and destroying 
 railroad property, as well as commissary and quarter- 
 master stores found in public buildings. 
 
 At the hour above named we were ordered out to 
 support the First Maine Cavalry in a spirited skir- 
 mish with Rebel cavalry. In this engagement our 
 Troy company had one sergeant w^ounded, and one 
 corporal and four men taken prisoners. 
 
 By eleven o'clock at night General Stoneman's 
 forces had reached the neighborhood of Thompson's 
 Cross Roads, where the command was broken up into 
 several independent expeditions to scour the country 
 in every direction, and to destroy as completely as 
 possible all the enemy's means of supply. Colonel 
 Percy Wyndham, with the First IsTew Jersey and 
 First Maine, was sent south to Columbia on the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 179 
 
 James Eiver, to destroy the great canal which feeds 
 Eichmond from the west. Lieutenant Colonel Davis, 
 with the Twelfth Illinois, was despatched to the South 
 Anna Eiver, in the neighborhood of Ashland Station, 
 on the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, to 
 destroy the important bridges in that vicinity. Gen- 
 eral Buford was to march westward and do all the 
 mischief he could. But it was reserved to Kilpatrick 
 to advance upon Eichmond, enter the Eebel capital, 
 if possible, and lay waste the public property and 
 communications there. 
 
 Sunday^ May 3. — We marched steadily after 
 leaving General Stoneman, long into the night, halt- 
 ing only long enough for a little refreshment and rest. 
 At two o'clock this afternoon the command, which 
 consists only of about three hundred men, well 
 mounted, was marched into a pine thicket, Avhere we 
 were ordered to destroy or thi'ow away all our extra 
 clothing and blankets, with every thing which we 
 could possibly spare, to lighten the burdens of our 
 horses. This halt in the shade of the pines was very 
 refreshing both to men and beasts. The sun is very 
 warm and shelter is very agreeable. 
 
 Leaving the fragrant shade, we moved on until 
 night. We are now within fifteen miles of Eichmond, 
 where vigilance is the price, not only of liberty, but 
 of life. Sergeant Northrup, while on a scout to the 
 front, was fired upon by a guerilla undoubtedly, and 
 wounded. Colonel Kilpatrick and Major Henry E. 
 Davies, Jr., slept on their arms in the road with the 
 men. Very little sleep was had through the night, 
 but what we did get was precious. 
 
180 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 At two o'clock on the morning of the fourth we 
 resumed our hazardous journey toward the rebellious 
 city. Had it not been for the intrepidity of our 
 leader, and the utmost confidence of the men in his 
 ability to accomplish whatever he undertook, it would 
 have been impossible to proceed. Fearing as we did 
 the desolation and sorrows of Libby Prison/' igno- 
 rant of the forces we might soon encounter, and the 
 ambuscades that might be laid for us, we nevertheless 
 pushed bravely on, because we were bound to follow 
 our chief, be the consequences what they might. 
 
 Soon after day-break we came down upon Hun- 
 gary Station, on the Fredericksburg and Bichmond 
 Railroad. Here we destroyed the telegraph lines, 
 tore up the track, and burned the depot. ITear the 
 station we ran into the enemy's pickets, the first we 
 have encountered since leaving our main column. 
 Only two of them were discovered, and they fled so 
 rapidly that it was useless for us to try to overtake 
 them with our jaded horses. They kept generally 
 about three hundred yards ahead of us, and as we had 
 orders to fire on no one imless positively necessary, 
 they proceeded unmolested, in the direction of Rich- 
 mond. 
 
 Having arrived within five miles of the city, we 
 advanced more cautiously. There was good reason 
 for this, for our condition was critical. There we 
 w^ere, only a remnant of a regiment, many miles 
 away from any support, with no way to retreat, as we 
 had burned all the bridges and ferries in our rear, 
 nearer to the Confederate capital than ever any Union 
 troops were before, and ignorant of the forces that 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 181 
 
 garrisoned it. Still on we moved, looking only to 
 our leader, who seemed es^oeciallj inspired for the 
 work assigned him. 
 
 We soon arrived in sight of the outer line of for- 
 tifications, and moved steadily upon them. To our 
 surprise, we found them unmanned, and we safely 
 passed in towards the second line of defence. We 
 had scarcely entered these consecrated grounds, when 
 General Winder's assistant adjutant-general pomp- 
 ously rode up to the head of our column, and in- 
 quired, What regiment ? " Astonishment and blight 
 accompanied the answer of Kilpatrick, who said, 
 " The Second New York Cavalry," adding, and you, 
 sir, are my prisoner." Ceremonies were short, and 
 Kilpatrick very quickly appropriated Winders favor- 
 ite charger, upon which the captured adjutant waa 
 mounted when he made his fatal challenge. 
 
 We continued /Still to advance, until the smoke 
 from Vv^orksliops, and the church steeples were plainly 
 visible, and we began to think that we were about to 
 enter Richmond w^ithout opposition. We were now 
 within tivo miles of the city, and yet we halted not 
 until we had reached the top of a hillock just before 
 us. Here was an interesting scene. There stood a 
 handful of cavalrymen, far within the fortifications 
 of a hostile city, almost knocking at the door of 
 her rebellious heart. On every hand were frowning 
 earthworks, and just ahead of us the coveted prize. 
 
 But just at the foot of the hill on which we stood, 
 we discovered a battery of artillery, drawn up in the 
 road, supported by infantry, ready to receive us. It 
 became evident that we had advanced as far as pni- 
 8 
 
182 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 dence would permit ns. We had also reached and 
 secured the road to the Meadow Bridge across the 
 Chickahominy, over which we were expected to es- 
 cape, and which it was very desirable to destroy. 
 These facts or circumstances decided the direction of 
 onr march. We moved leisurely on our way, the 
 cavalry refusing to give us even the semblance of a 
 pursuit. 
 
 Having crossed Meadow Bridge, it was set on fire. 
 Following the railroad a little distance, a train of cars 
 was met and captured, much to the astonishment of 
 the bewildered conductor, who was in charge of gov- 
 ernment stores en route for Richmond. After firing 
 the cars, the engine was set in motion under a full 
 head of steam, and the blazing and crackling freight 
 went rushing on until it reached the burning bridge, 
 when th_e whole thing well-nigh disappeared in the 
 deep mnd and water of the sluggish stream. 
 
 No particular line of escape seemed to have been 
 agreed upon. Our main object was to do all the 
 mischief in our power to the Eebel cause. The men 
 were much exhausted for want of rations and rest, 
 but you could not hear a word of complaint from one 
 of them. They were all inspired with the greatness 
 of the deeds which they were required to perform, 
 feeling much as Napoleon's legions must have felt, 
 when he said to them : " The eyes of all Europe are 
 upon you." Sustained by such considerations, and 
 cheered by the voice and still more potent example 
 of their leader, they pressed onward, resolved to do 
 all within their power, and then, if the worst came, 
 they could go to " Libby " or Belle Isle," with 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 183 
 
 the pleasing consciousness that they had done their 
 duty. 
 
 All night ^Ye marched with only an occasional and 
 brief rest. On the morning of the fifth we arrived at 
 the Pamunkey Eiver. Here w^e captured a Rebel 
 train laden with commissary stores, just the prize we 
 coveted. After appropriating a generous supply for 
 the day, the remnant was reduced to ashes. All the 
 serviceable animals captured were added to our caval- 
 cade, and the prisoners paroled and sent on their way 
 rejoicing. The river was crossed on a one-horse plat- 
 form ferry-boat, whose capacity was only twenty 
 horses and their riders. Considerable precious time 
 was consumed in this tedious operation. When the 
 last man had reached the desired shore, the ferry-boat 
 was destroyed, and the column resumed its line of 
 march. 
 
 About four o'clock in the afternoon a cold rain- 
 storm set in, borne on the flapping wings of a chilly 
 wind. Cold, hungry, and fatigued, we still pressed 
 onward, sufi'ering not a little. Fearful of encounter- 
 ing heavy forces of the enemy on the main thorough- 
 fares, we filed along the by-ways and neglected paths, 
 where we were frequently immersed in almost im- 
 penetrable bushes dripping with rain. 
 
 May 6. — To-day we crossed the Mattapony, at 
 Aylett's, burning the ferry behind us. We then took 
 the road to Tappahannock, a small village on the 
 Rappahannock. We had not proceeded far in this 
 direction before we met and captured another wagon- 
 train, laden with ham and eggs and other luxuries, 
 which had been smuggled across the Rappahannock. 
 
184 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 This, of course, was tlioroughly confiscated, appropri- 
 ated, and destroyed. A consultation of officers was 
 here instituted, and it was decided to try to reach 
 Gloucester Point, opposite Yorktown, which w^e knew 
 was in possession of Union forces. 
 
 Not far from King and Queen Court House we 
 captured and burned a depot of ordnance and several 
 wagons. We have been much annoyed by bush- 
 whackers on the way to-day. Their plan is to hide 
 in the thick bushes, and tire upon the rear of our 
 column as we pass, in places where it is not possible 
 to pursue them without much loss of time, which is 
 too precious to be wasted thus. Several men and 
 horses have been wounded by these skulkers during 
 the day. As night was settling down upon us, we 
 discovered a body of cavalry in our front, and quickly 
 made preparations to meet them. Kilpatrick deploy- 
 ed skirmishers and advanced in column of squadrons. 
 Our supposed enemies were also prepared for fight, 
 and a spirited confiict was anticipated. Several shots 
 were exchanged, when the contending parties dis- 
 covered their mutual mistake. Our opponents proved 
 to be the Twelfth Illinois, w^hich, after leaving the main 
 column at Thompson's Cross Roads, had swept down 
 through the enemy's communications about Ashland 
 Station, destroyed several important bridges and some 
 stores, and was now, like ourselves, endeavoring to 
 reach Gloucester Point. 
 
 This rencounter was very pleasing. Our column 
 was greatly increased and encouraged. We needed 
 this stimulus exceedingly, for we had been marching 
 all day through a cold drizzling rain, which had 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 185 
 
 dampened our ardor somewhat, and chilled our blood. 
 Many of our horses had given out by the way, and 
 were killed to prevent their falling into the enemy's 
 hands. A few days of rest and care will so recruit 
 such horses that they become again serviceable. Their 
 places were filled by those horses and mules which 
 w^ere brought to us by the contrabands, which all 
 along our journey flocked to our standards, and by 
 such other animals as were captured by our flankers 
 and advance guards. Exhausted as most of us were, 
 no bivouac fires were kindled until we reached our 
 lines of pickets from Gloucester Point, where we were 
 received by our Union comrades in the midst of de- 
 monstrations of admiration and joy. Here we had a 
 splendid rest. 
 
 May 7. — This morning, after a more sumptuous 
 breakfast than we had had for many days, w^e crossed 
 the York River to Yorktown, where we encamped. 
 We are now, as it may well be supposed, the ''lions 
 of the day." Nothing is too good for us. We have 
 the freedom of the town, and the subject of our raid 
 is the theme of private and public speculation. 
 
 In our travels we have captured and paroled over 
 three hundred prisoners, burned five or six railroad 
 bridges, destroyed all the ferries on our route, cap- 
 tured and demolished two wagon-trains, burned five 
 or six depots of stores, destroyed one railroad train, 
 besides stations and telegraph ofiices, and have torn 
 several miles of track. We have taken over one hun- 
 dred and fifty horses, some of them the finest in the 
 country. 
 
 The following extract from the YorTctown Gazette 
 
186 Three Years in the Federal CoA^alry. 
 
 will more fully explain the importance of our expe- 
 dition : 
 
 "We have heard startling accomits of the prodigies 
 of valor performed by Stuart's Cavalry in Virginia, 
 and the bands of Morgan in the West. That they 
 showed true valor, nice discretion, and great powers 
 of endurance, we will not for a moment question. But 
 the exploits of our cavalry, in the late expedition in 
 the rear of Lee's army, surpasses any thing ever 
 achieved on this continent. Especially are the adven- 
 tures of the Second New York (Harris Light Cavalry) 
 and the Twelfth Illinois almost incredible. But they 
 bear with them trophies that fully confirm the record 
 of their daring. 
 
 They penetrated within the outer lines of fortifica- 
 tion at Richmond, to within less than two miles of the 
 city, and captured prisoners and trophies there. They 
 cut all the communications between that city and 
 Lee's army, travelled two hundred miles, and lost only 
 thirty men. Many of them have changed horses a 
 number of times on the route. Whenever theirs got 
 tired, they laid hold of any thing that came in their 
 way that suited them better. The contrabands flock- 
 ed to them from every quarter. They would take 
 their masters' teams from the plough and their best 
 horses from the stables. Some of them were almost 
 frantic with delight on the appearance of the Yan- 
 kees. Over three hiindred found their way to this 
 place. Their services are all needed at this present 
 time. " 
 
 The following report of Brigadier-General King 
 will be read with interest : 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 187 
 
 YoPwKTOWN, Virginia, May 7, 18G3. 
 
 To Major- General Halleck : 
 
 Colonel Kil Patrick, with his regiment (the Harris Light 
 Cavalry) and the rest of the Twelfth Illinois, have just arrived 
 at Gloucester Point, opposite this post. 
 
 They burned the bridges over the Chickahominy, destroyed 
 three large trains of provisions in the rear of Lee's army, drove 
 in the Rebel pickets to within two miles of Richmond, and 
 have lost only one lieutenant and thirty men, having captured 
 and paroled upwards of three hundred prisoners. 
 
 Among the prisoners was an aid of General Winder, who 
 was captured with his escort far within the entrenchments out- 
 side of Richmond. 
 
 The cavalry have marched nearly two hundred miles since 
 the third of May. They were inside of the fortifications of 
 Richmond on the fourth ; burnt all the stores at Aylett's Sta- 
 tion, on the Mattapony, on the fifth ; destroyed all the ferries 
 over the Pamunkey and Mattapony, and a large depot of com- 
 missary stores near and above the Rappahannock, and came 
 Lcre in good condition. 
 
 They deserve great credit for what they have done. It is 
 one of the finest feats of the war. 
 
 RuFUS King, 
 Brigadier- General Commanding Post. 
 
 Another print contained the following remarks : 
 Two regiments of Stoneman's Cavalry, the Second 
 New York (Harris Light Cavalry) and the Twelfth 
 Illinois, after accomplishing the duty assigned them 
 of cutting the railroads near Richmond, made their 
 w^ay through the country to this place. The boldness 
 and success of their movements surpass any thing of 
 the kind ever performed in this country. 
 
 Various opinions are entertained wath regard to 
 General Stoneman's expedition as a whole, some be- 
 lieving it to have been a grand success, and others a 
 
188 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 coDspicuoiTS failure. The former look only at wliat 
 was actually accomplislied, the latter only at what 
 they think might have been done. While all admit 
 that the destruction of property and tlie severance of 
 communications were a serious blow to the enemy, 
 most persons agree that the General made a mistake 
 in dividing his command. Had he kept his forces to- 
 gether he was amply sufficient to have broken all 
 railroad and telegraphic connection between Lee and 
 Richmond at least for a whole week, and he could 
 have routed any cavalry force which conld have been 
 brought against liim. As it was, by dividing his 
 strength, he made each party too weak to effect very 
 great damage, and exposed them to great danger of 
 capture. 
 
 The following is a summary, in tabular form, as 
 clipped from the New York Herald,^ of the work 
 accomplished by General Stoneman's expedition : 
 
 Bridges dcBtroyed 22 
 
 Culverts destroyed 7 
 
 Ferries destroyed 5 
 
 Railroads broken, places 7 
 
 Supply-trains burned 4 
 
 Wagons destroyed 122 
 
 Horses captured 200 
 
 Mules captured 104 
 
 Canals broken 3 
 
 Canal-boats burned 5 
 
 Trains of cars destroyed 3 
 
 Storehouses burned 2 
 
 Telegraph-stations burned 4 
 
 Wires cut, places 5 
 
 Depots burned 3 
 
Three Yeai's in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 189 
 
 Towns visited 25 
 
 Contrabands liberated 400 
 
 Besides tlie destruction of large quantities of pork, bacon, 
 flour, wheat, corn, clothing, and other articles of great value 
 to the Kebel army. 
 
 BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSYILLE. 
 
 But it must be borne in mind that General Stone- 
 man's grand raid and ride were only the background 
 of a bloody tableau in the wilderness country around 
 Chancellorsyille. The last days of April w^itnessed 
 the stratagem and skill of General Hooker, in his 
 advance upon the enemy's position. A feint of cross- 
 ing his entire army to the south side of the Eappa- 
 hannock below Fredericksburg completely deceived 
 the enemy, who at once withdrew his forces from the 
 upper fords of the river. This w\as Hooker's desire 
 and expectation. 
 
 Three corps, commanded respectively by Generals 
 Howard, Slocum, and Meade, had been sent up the 
 river, but marched at a suflScient distance from the 
 hostile southern bank to avoid all observation. Ar- 
 riving at Kelly's Ford, they began to cross, though it 
 was in the night, and the men were compelled to 
 wade in water up to their armpits. The moon, which 
 shone brightly, assisted them most of the night, but 
 went down before the entire force had crossed, when 
 crossing had to be suspended until morning. Pon- 
 toons were brought up and laid, and so the remainder 
 of the infantry and the cavalry corps crossed pleas- 
 antly. 
 
 The column advanced towards the Eapidan, and 
 
 8- 
 
190 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 Generals Howard and Slociim's commands crossed 
 this stream at Germania Mills, and General Meade's 
 at Ely Ford, below, and then all marched on roads 
 which converge to the Chancellorsville House, a large 
 brick edifice, which was used as a mansion and tav- 
 ern, situated in a small clearing of a few acres, and 
 which, with its few appendages of outbuildings, con- 
 stituted the village known by that name. Other 
 forces, includiug General Pleasonton, with nearly a 
 brigade of cavalry, who guarded the flanks of the 
 advancing columns, had crossed the river, and taken 
 their position near Chancellorsville. 
 
 By this wily movement General Lee's position on 
 the Rappahannock had been entirely flanked ; and, 
 flushed with incipient success. General Hooker fol- 
 lowed liis great captains, and in the evening of the 
 thirtieth of April he established his headquarters in 
 the historic brick mansion above described. So com- 
 pletely absorbed was our general with the brilliancy 
 of his advance that, in the moment of exultation, he 
 forgot the dangers of his situation, and issued the fol- 
 lowing congratulatory order : 
 
 Headquaetees Akmy of the Potomac, ) 
 Camp near Falmouth, Virginia, April 30, 1863. f 
 It is with heartfelt satisfaction that the commanding gene- 
 ral announces to the army that the operations of the last three 
 days have determined that our enemy must either ingloriously 
 fly or come out from behind his defences and give us battle on 
 our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him. The 
 operation.s of the Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Corps have 
 been a succession of splendid achievements. 
 
 By command of Major-General Hooker. 
 S. Williams, Assistant Adjutant- Oeneral. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 191 
 
 It would seem as if the general had overlooked 
 the fact that his army had but eight days' supplies at 
 hand ; that a ti'eacheroiis river flowed between him 
 and his depots ; that he was surrounded by a laby- 
 rinth of forests, traversed in every direction by nar- 
 row roads and paths, all well known to the enemy, 
 but unknown even to most of his guides ; and that 
 many of his guns of heaviest calibre, and most need- 
 ed in a deadly strife, were on the other side the river. 
 
 General Lee had undoubtedly been outgeneraled 
 by Hooker in this movement, but he appeared not to 
 have been disconcerted. Leaving the Heights of 
 Fredericksburg with a small force, he advanced tow- 
 ards Chancellorsville. 
 
 May 1. — The first collision between the contend- 
 ing forces took place to-day. General Sykes, with a 
 division of regulars, was despatched at nine o'clock 
 in the morning on the Old Pike to Fredericksburg. 
 He was followed by a part of the Second Corps. 
 Sykes had not proceeded far before he encountered 
 Lee advancing, and a sharp contest ensued, with 
 heavy losses on both sides. The Eebels having the 
 best ground, and being superior in numbers, com- 
 pelled our men to fall back, which they did in tolera- 
 ble order, bringing away every thing but their dead 
 and badly wounded. But the enemy followed our 
 retreating column, though cautiously, and filled the 
 woods with sharpshooters. They also planted their 
 heavy batteries on hills which partially commanded 
 the clearing around the Chancellorsville House. This 
 gave them great advantage. They were also gi-eatly 
 elated with the success which had crowned the first 
 
192 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 onset. This was Hooker's first misfortune or mistake. 
 The first blow in snch an engagement is quite as im- 
 portant as the last. This first movement ought to 
 have been more powerful, and ought to have given to 
 our men a foretaste of victory. But we had lost pres- 
 tige and position which undoubtedly weakened us not 
 a little. The night following passed quietly away, 
 except that the leaders were laying their plans for 
 future operations. 
 
 About eight o'clock on the morning of the second, 
 it was reported that a heavy column of the enemy 
 was passing rapidly toward our right, whither the 
 Eleventh Corps had been stationed. This movement 
 was hidden by the forests, though the road over 
 w^hich the column passed was not far from our front. 
 A rifled battery was opened upon this moving col- 
 umn, which, though out of sight, was thrown into 
 disorder, at which time General Birney made a 
 charge upon them with such force as to capture and 
 bring away five hundred prisoners. By successive 
 and successful advances, by sunset our men had bro- 
 ken this column and held the road upon which they 
 had been marching to some scene of mischief. But 
 the evil w^as not cured, as other roads more distant 
 and better screened were followed by the wily foe. 
 
 Just before dark Stonewall Jackson, with about 
 twenty-five thousand veterans, fell like a whirlwind 
 upon the Eleventh Corps, which he had flanked so 
 cautiously and yet so rapidly that our German com- 
 rades were taken by surprise while preparing their 
 suppers, with arms stacked, and no time to recover. 
 It is not at all wonderful that men surprised under 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 193 
 
 these circumstances should be panic-stricken and flee. 
 Let the censure rest not upon the rout, but upon the 
 carelessness that led to the surprise. 
 
 Whole divisions were now overwhehned by the 
 Rebel hordes, that swept forward amid blazing mus- 
 ketry and battle-shouts which made the wilderness 
 resound ; and a frantic stampede commenced which 
 not all the courage and effort of commanding gene- 
 rals, or the intrepidity of some regiments could check, 
 and which threatened to rout the entire army. This 
 unforeseen disaster changed the whole programme of 
 the battle and greatly disheartened our men. 
 
 However, the ground was not to be abandoned so 
 ingloriously, and though our lines were broken, and 
 the enemy had gained a great advantage, heroism 
 was yet to manifest its grand spirit, and to achieve 
 undying laurels. The sun had gone down, refusing 
 to look upon this Union defeat and slaughter, but the 
 pale-faced moon gazed with her weird light upon the 
 bloody scene, while the carnage still continued. 
 
 With the disaster of the Eleventh Corps General 
 Sickles, who was stationed in the front and centre of 
 ,our lines, and had been preparing to deal a heavy 
 blow upon the enemy, was left in a critical position. 
 His expectation of assistance from General Howard 
 was not only cut off, but he was left with only two 
 divisions and his artillery to meet the shock of the 
 advancing hosts. General Pleasanton, with his small 
 force of cavalry, being under Sickles' command, was 
 ordered to charge the proud columns of the enemy, 
 with the hope of checking them until our batteries 
 could be suitably planted. 
 
194: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Pleasonton, addressing Major Keen an of the 
 Eighth Pennsylvania Cavahy, said, You must charge 
 into those woods with your regiment, and hold the 
 Rebels until I can get some of these guns into posi- 
 tion. You must do it at whatever cost." 
 
 I will," was the noble response of the true sol- 
 dier, who, with only about five hundred men, was to 
 encounter columns at least twenty-five thousand strong, 
 led by Stonewall Jackson ! The forlorn charge was 
 made, but tlie martyr-leader, with the majority of his 
 dauntless troopers, soon baptized the earth upon which 
 he fell, with his life blood. But the precious sacrifice 
 was not in vain. The Eebel advance was greatly 
 checked, as when a trembling lamb is thrown into 
 the jaws of a pursuing pack of ravenous wolves. 
 
 The two determined generals improved these dear- 
 bought moments in planting their own batteries, and 
 getting in readiness also several guns which had been 
 abandoned by the Eleventh Corps in its flight. All 
 these guns were double-shotted, and all due prepara- 
 tion was made for the expected stroke. It was a mo- 
 ment of trembling suspense. Our heroes waited not 
 long, when the woods just in front of them began to. 
 swarm with the advancing legions, who ojoened a fear- 
 ful musketry, and charged toward our guns. Dark- 
 ness Avas falling ; but the field where the batteries 
 were planted was so level that the gunners could do 
 wonderful execution. And this they did. The Eebel 
 charge had just commenced when our guns simul- 
 taneously opened with a withering fire, which cut 
 down whole ranks of living flesh like grass. As one 
 line of embattled hosts melted away, another rushed 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 195 
 
 forward in its place to meet tlie same sad fate. 
 Three saccessive and desperate charges were made, 
 one of them to within a few yards of the guns, but 
 eacli w^as repulsed with terrible slaughter. In many 
 places the dead were literally in heaps. Our resist- 
 ance proved successful. 
 
 A little later in the night, and right in front of 
 these batteries, fell Stonewall Jackson, mortally 
 wounded by our scathing fire, as was at first sup- 
 posed, but more likely by the fire of his own infantry, 
 as one of their writers alleges. Speaking of Jackson, 
 he says, " Such w^as his ardor, at this critical moment, 
 and his anxiety to penetrate the movements of the 
 enemy, doubly screened as they were by the dense 
 forest and gathering darkness, that he rode ahead of 
 his skirmishers, and exposed himself to a close and 
 dangerous fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, posted 
 in the timber. 
 
 So great was the danger which he thus ran, that 
 one of his staff said : ' General, don't you think this 
 is the wrong place for you ? ' He replied quickly : 
 'The danger is all over; the enemy is routed. Go 
 back, and tell A. P. Hill to press right on.' Soon 
 after giving this order General Jackson turned, and, 
 accompanied by his staff and escort, rode back at a 
 trot, on his well-known ' Old Sorrel,' toward his own 
 men. Unhappily, in the darkness — it was now nine 
 or ten o'clock at night — the little body of horsemen 
 was mistaken for Federal cavalry charging, and the 
 regiments on the right and left of the road fired a 
 sudden volley into them with the most lamentable re- 
 sults. Captain Bos well, of General Jackson's staff, 
 
196 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 chief of artillery, was wounded ; and two couriers 
 were killed. General Jackson received one ball in 
 his left arm, two inches below the shoulder joint, 
 shattering the bone and severing the chief artery ; a 
 second passed through the same arm, between the 
 elbow and wrist, making its exit through the palm of 
 the hand ; a third ball entered the palm of his right 
 hand, about the middle, and, passing through, broke 
 two of the bones. 
 
 He fell from his horse, and was caught by Cap- 
 tain Wormly, to whom he said, ' All my wounds are 
 by my own men.' " 
 
 The loss of this heroic chieftain, this swift flanker 
 and intrepid leader, was undoubtedly the greatest yet 
 felt by either army in the fall of a single man. Some 
 report that, on hearing of the sad fall of his chief 
 Captain, General Lee exclaimed, I would rather 
 have lost twenty thousand men ! " 
 
 Admitting that the Kebels gained in this battle a 
 great victory, its advantages were dearly purchased by 
 the loss of Thomas Jonathan Jackson. About mid- 
 night a fierce charge w-as made by General Sickles' 
 forces, w^hich proved successful, .enabling our boys to 
 recover much of the ground formerly occupied by the 
 unfortunate Eleventh Corps, and they brought back 
 with them some abandoned guns and other valuable 
 articles from the debris^ v^^hich the Eebels had not 
 time or disposition to disturb. 
 
 General Hooker then ordered this exposed position 
 to be abandoned, and by daylio;ht our lines were fall- 
 ing back in good order towards Chancellorsville, but 
 were closely pursued by the enemy, who filled the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 197 
 
 woods. Several determined charges were made upon 
 our retreating columns, which, however, were repel- 
 led mostly by the fire of our artillery, whicli mowed 
 down hundreds as they rushed recklessly ahiiost to the 
 cannon's mouth. But these batteries had been played 
 and worked so incessantly for the last tvv^elve hours, 
 that ammunition began to fail, and General Sickles 
 sent a message to Hooker that assistance must be 
 granted him, or he would be compelled to yield his 
 ground. The officer who brought the despatch, found 
 General Hooker in a senseless state, surrounded by 
 liis hopeless attendants, while general confusion had 
 possession of the headquarters. A few minutes pre- 
 vious to this a cannon-ball had struck the wall of the 
 mansion upon which the General was incidentally 
 leaning, the concussion felling him to the floor. For 
 some time he was supposed to be dead, but soon giv- 
 ing signs of returning consciousness. General Couch, 
 who was next in rank, refused to assume command, 
 and hence about one hour of j)recious time was lost. 
 This was a fatal hour. Had General Hooker been 
 able to receive Sickles' message, and ordered a heavy 
 force to his assistance, it is thought that a great disas- 
 ter could have been prevented, and probably a victory 
 might have been gained. 
 
 But the golden opportunity, which is seldom 
 duplicated in a given crisis or a life-time, was lost ; 
 and the enemy, though somewhat disorganized and 
 badly disheartened by our well-managed batteries, 
 had time, during this lull, to recover strength. They 
 then advanced again with such power as to compel 
 our men to retire from Chancellorsville toward the 
 
198 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Kappahannock, leaving the brick mansion a mass of 
 ruins, made sucli by tlie fire of the enemy. 
 
 By noon General Hooker had recovered his con- 
 sciousness sufficiently to order the movements of his 
 troops. The fighting on his front was now nearly 
 over, but his position was critical. General Sedg- 
 wick, who had been directed to cross the Eappahan- 
 nock below Fredericksburg, with orders to advance 
 thence against all obstacles until he could fall upon 
 General Lee's rear, while the grand army engaged 
 him in front, found it impossible to proceed as rapidly 
 as was expected of him, and was finally repulsed with 
 such slaughter and pursued with such vigor as to be 
 compelled to recross the river, leaving at least five 
 thousand of his men killed, wounded, and captm-ed 
 in the hands of the enemy. 
 
 No alternative seemed now left to the Army of 
 the Potomac but to beat a retreat and recross the 
 river. On the evening of the fifth. General Hooker 
 held a council of war with his commanders, at which, 
 however, nothing was decided upon ; but in the 
 night he took the responsibility of ordering all his 
 forces to recross the Rappahannock, which they did 
 in good order and without molestation ; and thus 
 ended the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, with 
 a loss of about eighteen thousand men on each side, 
 and our remaining troops returned to bivouac on 
 their old camping-ground on the north bank of the 
 river near Falmouth. 
 
 This retrograde movement was undoubtedly con- 
 sidered to be necessary in consequence of the im- 
 pending storm, which set in about four o'clock of the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 199 
 
 afternoon of the fifth, and rendered the march and 
 night exceedingly disagreeable. The river was swol- 
 len so rapidly as to set adrift several of our pontoons, 
 and the act of recrossing, though orderly, was by no 
 means pleasant. The storm was cold and violent, and 
 the roads soon became so bad as to remind the boy? 
 of Burnside's unfortunate advance in January. It is 
 supposed by some that the rain explains satisfactorily 
 the conduct of the enemy, who seemed to make no 
 attempt whatever to follow our returning troops. 
 
 "While yet the rain was drenching our weary boys, 
 on the sixth, General Hooker issued a congratulatory 
 order to them and the country, in which are to be 
 found the following characteristic passages : 
 
 " The Major-General commanding tenders to this 
 army his congratulations on its achievements of the 
 last seven days. If it has not accomplished all that 
 was expected, the reasons are well known to the 
 army. It is sufficient to say they were of a charac- 
 ter not to be foreseen nor prevented by human saga- 
 city or resources. 
 
 In withdrawing from the south bank of the 
 Rappahannock before delivering a general battle to 
 our adversaries, the army has given renewed evi- 
 dence of its confidence in itself and its fidelity to the 
 principles it represents. In fighting at a disadvan- 
 tage, we would have been recreant to our trust, to 
 ourselves, our cause, and our country. Profoundly 
 loyal, and conscious of its strength, the Army of the 
 Potomac will give or decline battle whenever its in- 
 terest or honor may demand. It will also be the 
 guardian of its own history and its own honor. 
 
200 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 " Bj onr celerity and secrecy of movement, onr 
 advance and passage of the rivers was undisputed, 
 and, on onr withdrawal, not a Rebel ventured to 
 follow. 
 
 " The events of the last week may swell with 
 pride the heart of every officer and soldier of this 
 army. We have added new lustre to its former re- 
 nown. We have made long marches, crossed rivers, 
 surprised the enemy in his intrenchments, and, wher- 
 ever we have fought, have inflicted heavier blows than 
 we have received. We have taken from the enemy 
 five thousand prisoners and fifteen colors ; captured 
 and brought off seven pieces of artillery ; placed hors 
 de combat eighteen thousand of his chosen troops ; de- 
 stroyed his depots filled with a vast amount of stores ; 
 deranged his communications ; captured prisoners 
 within the fortifications of his capital, and filled his 
 country with fear and consternation. We have no 
 other regret than that caused by the loss of our brave 
 companions ; and in this we are consoled by the con- 
 viction that they have fallen in the holiest cause ever 
 submitted to the arbitrament of battle.'' 
 
 This order, if not perfectly satisfactory to the 
 country and to the authorities, was generally hailed 
 with applause by the army, which recognized in its 
 sagacious rendering of our difficulties and humilia- 
 tions the meed of praise awarded where it was 
 due. 
 
 General Lee's order respecting this campaign is 
 also very modest and unique, and is worthy of a j)lace 
 in this record. In it he says : 
 
 " With heartfelt gratification the General com- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 201 
 
 mauding expresses to the army his sense of the heroic 
 conduct displayed by officers and men during the 
 arduous operations in which they have just been en- 
 gaged. 
 
 Under trying vicissitudes of heat and storm, 
 you attacked the enemy strongly intrenched in the 
 depths of a tangled wilderness, and again on the hills 
 of Fredericksburg, fifteen miles distant, and, by the 
 valor that has triumphed on so many fields, forced 
 him once more to seek safety bej^ond the Rappahan- 
 nock. While this glorious victory entitles you to the 
 praise and gratitude of the nation, we are especially 
 called upon to return our grateful thanks to the only 
 Giver of victory for the signal deliverance He has 
 wrought. 
 
 It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that the 
 troops unite on Sunday next in ascribing to the Lord 
 of Hosts the glory due His name. Let us not forget 
 in our rejoicings the brave soldiers who have fallen 
 in defence of their country ; and, while we mourn 
 their loss, let us resolve to emulate their noble ex- 
 ample. The army and the country alike lament the 
 absence for a time of one [Jackson] to whose bravery, 
 energy, and skill they are so much indebted for suc- 
 cess." 
 
 The two great armies once more confronted each 
 other from either bank of the river, as they had done 
 during all the winter and spring months. On the 
 seventh of May, President Lincoln visited the camp 
 near Falmouth, conferred with his generalissimo on 
 movements past and future, appeared pleased with 
 the spirit and morale of the troops, and returned to 
 
202 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Washington to continue his earnest toil for the na- 
 tion's life and well-being. 
 
 Daring the month quite a depletion of the rank 
 and file of the army took place, by the mustering out 
 of large numbers of three months' and two years- 
 men. And such had been the depressing influence? 
 of Ohancellorsville upon the country, that the place? 
 of these men were not very easily filled. To the sa- 
 gacious leaders in political and military circles this 
 state of things was not a little alarming. But to the 
 Rebel leaders the times were afibrding opportunities 
 for grand schemes, and for the execution of move- 
 ments most startling. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 203 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 FROM YORKTOWN TO FALMOUTH. 
 
 1863. — Curiosity Satisfied. — Pastimes on tlis York River. — Religious Ser- 
 vices; their Influence. — Raid to Matliias Court House. — Sickness 
 and Recovery. — From Gloucester Point to Falmouth. — Excitinor De- 
 tails. — Correspondence of Mr. Young. — The Press. — With tlie Army 
 of the Potomac again. — Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station. — Bold 
 Charge of the First Maine Cavalry.— The Chivalry fairly Beaten. — 
 Death of Colonel B. F. Davis, Eighth New York Cavalry.— Interest- 
 ing Letter of a Rebel Chaplain. — Casualties. — What was Gained by 
 the Reconnoissance. — Pleasonton and Kilpatrick Promoted. — Rebels 
 Raiding in Maryland. 
 
 LONG raids and general engagements or cam- 
 paigns are nsnally followed by a few days of 
 comparative rest. This is necessary both for ani- 
 mals and men. Yacancies wbich. are generally made 
 during snch vicissitudes, in the staffs of commissioned 
 and non-commissioned officers, have to be filled, and 
 reorganization takes place. This was the experience 
 of the Army of the Potomac after its Chancellors- 
 ville campaign, as well as our own after our return 
 from Richmond. 
 
 ^ On the eighth of May, Kilpatrick's command left 
 Gloucester Point in the morning, and, after crossing 
 the York River, amid the cheers of General Keyes' 
 command, we were provided with tents in an en- 
 campment within the fortifications of Fort York- 
 
204 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 town. Here was a fine opportunity for repose, 
 which we were all in a condition to relish. Like the 
 prince of poets, we conld realize that 
 
 Weariness 
 
 Can snore upon the flint, when rusty sloth 
 Finds the down-pillow hard. 
 
 On the day following our arrival here, soldiers 
 and citizens from the towp were flocking into our 
 camp in droves, from reveille till taps, eager to learn 
 from US the particulars of our recent raid. Groups 
 of attentive hearers could be seen in various parts 
 of the grounds surrounding some of our talkative com- 
 rades who discoursed eloquently to them of the suf- 
 ferings and fatigue, of the daring and danger, of the 
 stratagem and endurance which attended the expedi- 
 tion. No little amount of yarn was spun, and not a 
 little imagination was emplo}' ed to paint the scenes as 
 vividly as possible. 
 
 May 10. — A dress-parade was ordered at ten 
 O'clock this morning, at whicli time a complimentary 
 order to the regiment from the Secretary of War was 
 read by the adjutant. The occasion was very inter- 
 esting, and every man seemed to feel proud of him- 
 self, his deeds, and especially of his leader. In the 
 afternoon our cup of delight w^as made to run over 
 by the appearing of our paymaster with his stamps," 
 as the boys call the greenbacks. We received two 
 months' pay. The usual scenes of pay-day were 
 reenacted, and the occasion passed away amid the un- 
 tempered follies of some and the conserving wisdom 
 of others. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 205 
 
 The weather is warm and beautiful. Many of 
 us are improving the opportunity of bathing in the 
 York. This, though not a military, is certainly a 
 very salutary, exercise, and one which we very much 
 enjoy. Boat-rides are occasionally participated in, 
 and lots of sport is found in raking the river-bed for 
 oysters. " Two birds are here killed with one stone," 
 for there is pleasure in catching, and a double pleas- 
 ure in eating, these bivalvular creatures of the brine. 
 Some days we live on little else but oysters— a diet 
 which is very rapidly recuperating our overtasked 
 powers. 
 
 Sunday^ May 17. — This has been a beautiful day, 
 and this evening a large meeting for religious services 
 was held near the spot where Lord Cornwallis sur- 
 rendered his sword to General Washington. The 
 place seemed hallowed with tbe memory of those 
 events ; and it certainly ought to have witnessed the 
 surrender of many rebellious hearts to the ^' King 
 of kings and Lord of lords." The exercises of the 
 meeting were conducted by the officers of the post, 
 and were full of interest. 
 
 Wild and rude as soldiers often are, they gener- 
 ally attend with pleasure all religious services when 
 they are pleasantly invited to do so. And I think 
 no one ever beheld more attentive audiences than 
 here. So great is the contrast between the spirit of 
 such a meeting and the general tenor of our work, 
 that the transition is relieving. Then there is so 
 much in the life and character of a true soldier that 
 suggests the experience and principles of a soldier of 
 the Cross, that a versatile and interesting speaker in 
 9 
 
206 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 a religious assembly here finds ample illustrations 
 from our every-day observations for the unfolding of 
 Christian themes. And yet the main influence of 
 Christianity here lies back even of these statements ; 
 it is found in the ready response which memory 
 brings from the fireside religion of our homes, and 
 the early instructions of the Sunday-school and 
 church. The " stirring up of our pure minds by 
 way of remembrance," which is done so easily in the 
 company of American soldiers, is one of the most 
 potent elements of heroism and right discipline which 
 can be found. 
 
 The history of this country borrows so much light 
 from the cross which Columbus bore as an ensign, 
 and planted here, from the prayers of the Pilgrim 
 Fathers, and from the Christian devotion of Wash- 
 ington and others who laid the foundation of this 
 great Republic, that a true American cannot be des- 
 titute of reverence for the religion of the Bible. 
 Hence over us especially these religious assemblies 
 cannot fail to exert a salutary influence. And yet 
 we observe that not more than one regiment in five 
 is provided with a chaplain, or with means of reli- 
 gious instruction. To a certain extent this deficiency 
 is supplied by the benevolent agents of the Christian 
 Commission, who, however, are not able to fill the 
 place of a faithful chaplain. But if it were not for 
 these, many of our sick and dying would be utterly 
 destitute of Christian influence, and our dead would 
 be buried more like dogs than like Christian heroes. 
 We fear that the Government does not properly ap- 
 preciate the importance of the chaplaincy in the 
 
Three Years in the jFederal Cavalry. 207 
 
 army, and hence does not give sufficient inducement 
 for true men to enter this difficult field of labor. 
 Only a man of stalwart character is fit for the posi- 
 tion — a man of physical, mental, and moral daring. 
 And so far as oar observations extend, with very few 
 exceptions, this is the class of men who occupy the 
 position of chaplains among us. 
 
 May 19.— Several days have been spent pleasant- 
 ly within Fort Torktown, and we are becoming some- 
 what eager for more lively experiences and scenes. 
 
 " Variety 's the source of joy below, 
 From which still fresh revolving pleasures flow." 
 
 During the day we abandoned Fort Yorktown, and 
 Kilpatrick established a camp for the regiment in the 
 old peach-orchard, famous for the battle which oc- 
 curred within its limits during McClellan's Peninsu- 
 lar Campaign. It is a lovely spot, which, however, 
 shows signs of the conflict above referred to. There 
 is scarcely a tree but presents marks of the bloody 
 drama, in broken bark and splintered trunk, and in 
 wounded branches which hang danglingly over our 
 heads. 
 
 RAID TO MATHIAS COURT HOUSE. 
 
 During the day a detail of the regiment, sufficient 
 in number to mount all the serviceable horses, was 
 ordered out in an expedition against Mathias Court 
 House. A detachment of infantry and a battery of 
 artillery accompany the cavalry, and Kilpatrick is in 
 command of the entire force. The line of march is 
 through a rich and beautiful region of country. Ma- 
 
208 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 thias county is a lovely peninsula, encompassed by 
 the waters of the Piankatank River, on the north, 
 the Chesapeake Bay, on the east, and Mob Jack Bay, 
 on the south. The North River forms a portion of 
 its boundary on the west, against Gloucester county, 
 and nearly severs it from the mainland. 
 
 Kilpatrick was favored with tine weather in his 
 expedition, and returned on the tw^enty-second crown- 
 ed with success. A multitude of slaves was liberated, 
 hailing our forces everywhere as their friends and 
 protectors. Large numbers of fine horses and mules, 
 with which that country abounds, were also captured. 
 No Rebel force of any importance w^as encountered, 
 and the boys greatly enjoyed their visit to the well- 
 stocked plantations of the wealthy farmers, many of 
 whom had never before seen a Yankee. 
 
 May 24. — I was taken very suddenly ill during the 
 night. Dr. Kingston came to see me at three o'clock, 
 and so skilfully treated niy case, that I was quickly 
 relieved of pain. In three hours from the time the 
 surgeon came to my quarters, I was well enough to 
 be up and on duty, so that at six o'clock I was able 
 to call the roll of my company as usual, and to attend 
 to other duties. 
 
 The day after my illness I began to make out 
 muster and pay rolls for my company. This work 
 was undertaken by all the first-sergeants of the regi- 
 ment. But our task is unusually difiicult, as nearly 
 all our company-books and papers were captured by 
 guerillas at the commencement of the spring cam- 
 paign. " Patience and perseverance " is our motto ; 
 and yet many times, as we endeavor to unravel the 
 
Three Yea/rs in the Federal Cavalry. 209 
 
 snarls and nntie the knots, we find that the above vir- 
 tues almost forsake ns. 
 
 May 26. — This afternoon we had mounted regi- 
 mental drill, and this was followed by dress-parade. 
 Our time is now devoted mostly to drilling, in prepa 
 ration, as we all think, for some movement. 
 
 May 29. — Orders for an advance have at length 
 reached ns. At five o'clock this afternoon we struck 
 our tents, broke cam.p, and crossed the York by ferry, 
 halting for the night near Fort Keyes, at Gloucester 
 Point. There is much discussion among us as to the 
 point of destination, but nearly all agree that we are 
 to rejoin the Army of the Potomac. Soldiers seldom 
 know the object of their movements. All we need is 
 to receive the order or command, and we go, " ask- 
 ing no question for conscience' sake." 
 
 May 30. — We moved from Gloucester Point early 
 in the morning, and made a forced march to the Pian- 
 katank Eiver. The rising smoke announced to us 
 that the bridge across this stream had been burnt 
 before us. After considerable searching and sound- 
 ing, a place so nearly ford able was found as to enable 
 a portion of the command to cross over. Others mean- 
 while constructed a temporary bridge over which they 
 effected a crossing. Guerillas are very numerous in 
 these parts. One of our vedettes was fired upon and 
 wounded by them early this evening. All our at- 
 tempts to capture such culprits are in vain. The 
 forests are so dense, and ravines so deep and dark, 
 that a man acquainted with every secret nook and 
 corner, can hide away in perfect security, after com- 
 mitting his depredations. 
 
210 TTiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Sunday^ May 31. — The Troy company is on 
 picket duty to-day. A detachment from the com- 
 pany made a reconnoissance tliis morning beyond the 
 outposts, and brought in two citizens of a suspicious 
 character. They undoubtedly belong to the gang of 
 bushwhackers that has hung upon our flanks and 
 rear, and inflicted the injuries w^e have sustained for 
 the past few days. Rich supplies of bacon and corn, 
 of sorghum and honey, are found along our path. 
 The country has never been visited by Federal troops, 
 and is as full of provisions for us as it is filled with 
 consternation and alarm at our approach. We have 
 spent the day in scouting the country. 
 
 June 1. — Our march was resumed at an early 
 hour in the morning, and we advanced to Urbanna, a 
 town on the Rappahannock. Here several important 
 captures were made, including Colonel E. P. Jones 
 and Captain Brown, of the Virginia militia. Here 
 we spent the night pleasantly. During tlie night 
 Kilpatrick managed to establish comuumication with 
 our gun-boats on the Rappahannock, and in the morn- 
 ing early we were taken across on transports, protect- 
 ed by the gun-boats. After a short halt to feed our 
 horses from the corn-ricks which dot the country, we 
 resumed our march, and with the setting sun reached 
 a place called Litwalton, where we bivouacked for 
 the night. 
 
 June 3. — To-day we had a very pleasant march 
 through a pleasant country and with pleasant weather. 
 Richmond Court House was reached for our bivouac 
 to-night ; but we left early in the morning of the 
 fourth, and by good marching arrived at Port Con- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 211 
 
 way at four o'clock p. m. Here we unsaddled our 
 horses for the first time since leaving Yorktown^ after 
 the marches of six days. 
 
 June 5. — We reached Fahnouth. Upon meeting 
 our old acquaintances in the Army of the Potomac, 
 cheers upon cheers were heartily vociferated for Kil- 
 patrick and the Harris Light, and our march was a 
 continual ovation. 
 
 The following quotations will show the considera- 
 tion that was accorded to Kilpatrick's movements : 
 
 " Colonel Kilpatrick, with the Harris Light Cav- 
 alry and the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, left Yorktown 
 at twelve o'clock Friday night, reaching Gloucester 
 Point at one a. m., and Gloucester Court House at 
 half-past five a. m., Saturday. They left again at eight 
 o'clock, and at four p. m. on the same day arrived at 
 Saluda, leaving there at half-past four Monday morn- 
 ing, and reaching Urbanna at half-past six a. m., where 
 the wharves were found to be partially destroyed by 
 fire. 
 
 " The bridge on the Piankatank Eiver, near Drag- 
 on Ordinary, had been destroyed by the citizens, and, 
 as there were no fords, a squadron of the Twelfth Il- 
 linois swam their horses over the river, while another 
 portion of Kilpatrick's command — the Colonel and his 
 stafF-ofiicers assisting — constructed a floating bridge 
 of felled trees and fence-rails in about half an hour, 
 over which the remainder of the cavalry crossed in 
 safety. 
 
 " At Saluda the colors of the Twelfth Virginia In- 
 fantry were captured by the cavalry. From there the 
 country was scoured for a distance of ten miles, result- 
 
212 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 ing in the capture of horses, mules, and carriages, and 
 in the emancipation of numerous slaves. 
 
 Between Montague and Bowler's Ferry the Reb- 
 el pickets were driven in as far as the barricades whicli 
 they had constructed of felled trees, within three miles 
 of the ferry. 
 
 " Occasionally guerilla skirmishing was encounter- 
 ed on the road ; but there was no fighting with any 
 considerable force of the Rebels, though they had in- 
 fantry and artillery at Kings and Queens Court House 
 and about two hundred cavalry at Bowler's Ferry. 
 
 " A letter from Stuart was intercepted, addressed 
 to a secessionist named Fontleroy, in Middlesex Coun- 
 ty, assuring him that he would have a sufficient force 
 of cavalry in that neighborhood by Sunday evening 
 to relieve the anxiety of the people of the county and 
 stop the raids of the Yankees. 
 
 "Among the prisoners captured by Kilpatrick's 
 cavalry was Captain Brown, of the Fifth Virginia cav- 
 alry, and the guerilla. Colonel E. P. Jones. The only 
 man wounded was Orderly-Sergeant Northrup, of 
 Company G, Harris Light Cavalry, who was hit with 
 a buckshot-charge fired by a bushwhacker. 
 
 The transports Long Branch, William N. Frazier, 
 Star, and Tallaca, under the command of Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Dickinson, of General Hooker's staff, con- 
 veyed the cavalry and the captured horses and mules 
 across the Rappahannock from Urbanna to Carter's 
 wharf, six miles higher up than the former place, and 
 subsequently conveyed the contrabands to Aquia 
 Creek. 
 
 " The gun-boats Freeborn, Yankee, Anacostia, Ja- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 213 
 
 cob Bell, Satellite, Primrose, and Currituck, convoyed 
 the transports up and down the river, and the Jacob 
 Bell covered the landing at Carter's Creek. These 
 vessels of the Potomac JBlotilla v^ere under the com- 
 mand of Commodore Samuel Magaw. 
 
 " There was a small force of infantry under Colo- 
 nel Dickinson, being picked men; and the cavalry^ 
 with the aid of this infantry at Urbanna, despoiled 
 the Rebels between Yorktown and the Eappahan- 
 nock of nearly one thousand contrabands and about 
 three hundred horses and mules, besides depleting 
 their granaries and poultry-yards. 
 
 " Colonel Kilpatrick, Colonel Dickinson, and Com- 
 modore Magaw, and those in their commands, are en- 
 titled to commendation for the energy exhibited, as is 
 also the engineer corps of the Fiftieth New York, un- 
 der Captain Folwell, which promptly repairea the 
 bridge at Carter's wharf. Lieutenant-Colonel Dick- 
 inson, Captain John B. Howard, acting assistant-quar- 
 termaster, formerly of the Brooklyn Fourteenth, and 
 other military gentlemen and civilians, rode out to 
 Saluda, and were hospitably entertained at the resi- 
 dence of the Clerk of the Courts, who tendered his 
 assurances of respect with generous plates of straw- 
 berries and cream." 
 
 From another periodical we clip the following : 
 
 ''We have an account of Colonel Kilpatrick's re- 
 cent successful raid back from Gloucester Point. He 
 crossed the country between the York and Eappahan- 
 nock Rivers, making an extensive circuit through the 
 garden-spot of Yirginia — a section where our troops 
 have never before penetrated. Colonel Kilpatrick 
 
214: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 made a large haul of negroes, horses, &c., and has 
 arrived safely at Urbanna with them. He spread 
 general terror among the Rebels. His forces were 
 taken across the Ilappaliannock by our gun-boats, and 
 proceeded at once to our lines." 
 
 A brief item from the Troy Times will complete 
 the journal of this important event : 
 
 " Colonel Kilpatrick is the hero of another great 
 raid through the enemy's country. At the conclu- 
 sion of Stoneman's raid, it will be remembered, Colo 
 nel Kilpatrick's command remained at Gloucester 
 Court House. Last week he was ordered to again 
 join the main army, and, on the thirtieth ultimo, he 
 started on the march to TJrbanna, on the Lower Rap- 
 pahannock. He returned to the Army of the Poto- 
 mac on the fifth instant, after travelling over a large 
 extent of territory and destroying an immense amount 
 of property." 
 
 A little rest was enjoyed at Falmouth. But our 
 experience convinces us that the cavalryman must 
 write history in haste if he would write as rapidly as 
 it is made. 
 
 June 7. — The bugles sounded reveille at three 
 o'clock A. M. " Boots and saddles " followed at four ; 
 "lead out" at four-and-a-quarter, and the column was 
 in motion towards Warrenton Junction at four-and-a- 
 half. We went via Catlett's Station, which place we 
 reached at two o'clock p. m. Nearly every step of 
 the march was on familiar ground, w^here we had 
 passed and repassed many times. It seemed like 
 meeting old friends, and nearly every object we saw 
 suggested thoughts and experiences of the past. 
 
THE imm 
 
 Of THE 
 
Three Years in the Federal CaA)alry. 217 
 
 At Warrenton Junction we rejoined tlie Cavalry 
 Corps, now under the command of General Alfred 
 Pleasonton. 
 
 June 9. — At two o'clock p. m. the whole Cavalry 
 Corps moved from Warrenton Junction towards the 
 Eappahannock. We are marching in two columns, 
 one towards Beverly and the other towards Kelly's 
 Fords. The Harris Light moves with the latter col- 
 umn. Two brigades of infantry under Generals 
 Ames and Eussell accompany the expedition, each 
 with a battery of artillery. 
 
 CAVALRY FIGHT AT BRANDY STATION. 
 
 Early on the morning of the ninth we arrived at 
 the river, where it was evident we were not expected 
 in force, for we found nothing but a strong picket- 
 guard to contest our advance. A brief though brisk 
 skirmish took place at the ford, but the Rebel pickets 
 were soon driven back and our column began to cross 
 over, the Harris Light being in the van. On reach- 
 ing the south bank of the stream, the column was 
 re-formed, and we advanced for some distance at a 
 gallop. 
 
 The column at Beverly Ford, commanded by Gen- 
 eral Gregg, had been engaged since early in the morn- 
 ing, and the roaring of light arms and the booming of 
 cannon clearly indicated to us that hot work was be- 
 ing done by our comrades below. It had been hoped 
 that that column would be able to strike the enemy 
 in flank at Brandy Station, in the early part of the 
 day, giving us an opportunity to rake them furiously 
 in front. Hence we were somewhat retarded in our 
 
218 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 movements, waiting or expecting the combinations 
 and juxtapositions which had been planned. But, 
 failing in this, at length we advanced towards the 
 station, where, at ten o'clock, we engaged a regiment 
 of Stuart's cavalry. As soon as we reached the field 
 which they had evidently selected for the fight, we 
 charged them in a splendid manner, routing them 
 completely, and capturing many prisoners. Light 
 artillery was used briskly on both sides. 
 
 By twelve o'clock Pleasonton's entire force had 
 effected a union, after much severe fighting, on the 
 left, and the engagement became general. The in- 
 fantry fought side by side with the cavalry. There 
 was some grand manoeuvring on that historic field, 
 and feats were performed worthy of heroes. 
 
 One incident should be particularized. At a criti- 
 cal moment, when the formidable and ever-increasing 
 hosts of the enemy were driving our forces from a 
 desirable position we sought to gain, and when it 
 seemed as though disaster to our arms would be 
 fatal, Kilpatrick's battle-flag was seen advancing, 
 followed by the tried squadrons of the Harris Light, 
 the Tenth New York, and the First Maine. In 
 echelons of squadrons his brigade was quickly 
 formed, and he advanced like a storm-cloud upon the 
 Rebel cavalry which filled the field before him. The 
 Tenth New York received the first shock of the 
 Rebel charge, but was hurled back, though not in 
 confusion. The Harris Light met with no better 
 success ; and, notwithstanding their prestige and pow- 
 er, they were repulsed under the very eye of their 
 chief, whose excitement at the scene was well-nigh 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 219 
 
 Tincontrollable. His flashing eye- now turned to fhe 
 First Maine, a regiment composed mostly of heavy, 
 sturdy men, who had not been engaged as yet during 
 the day ; and, riding to the head of the cohimn, he 
 shouted, Men of Maine, you must save the day ! 
 Follow me ! " With one simultaneous war-cry these 
 giants of the North moved forward in one solid mass 
 upon the flank of the Rebel columns. The shock 
 was overwhelming ; and the opposing lines crumbled 
 like a " bowing wall " before this wild rush of pranc- 
 ing horses, gleaming sabres, and rattling balls. 
 
 On rode Kilpatrick with the men of Maine, and, 
 on meeting the two regiments of his brigade, which 
 bad been repulsed and were returning from the front, 
 the General's voice sang out like clarion notes above 
 the din of battle, " Back, the Harris Light ! Back, 
 the Tenth New York ! Ee-form your squadrons and 
 charge ! " With magical alacrity the order was 
 obeyed, and the two regiments, which had been so 
 humbled by their first reverse, now rushed into the 
 fight with a spirit and success which redeemed them 
 from censure, and accounted them w^ or thy of their 
 gallant leader. The commanding position was won ; 
 a battery lost in a previous charge was recaptured, 
 and an efiectual blow was given to the enemy, which 
 greatly facilitated the movements which followed. 
 
 But the Eebel cavalry was greatly emboldened 
 and strengthened by reenforcements of infantry which 
 w^ere brought in railroad cars. We, however, contin- 
 ued to press them closely until six o'clock, when, by 
 a grand charge of our entire force, we gained an im- 
 portant position, which ended the contest. 
 
220 TKree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Heavy eolnmns of Rebel infantry could now be 
 distinctly seen advancing over the plains from the 
 direction of Culpepper, to the rescue of their fairly- 
 beaten cavalry. But it was too late for them, for we 
 had won a splendid victorj^, and had gained all the 
 information of Eebel movements which we desired 
 to obtain. Under cover of the night we recrossed the 
 Kappahannock in safety. 
 
 The whole command had lost about five hundred 
 men, and we brought over with us one hundred pris- 
 oners. In the early part of the engagement fell Colo- 
 nel B. F. Davis, of the Eighth New York Cavalry, 
 who was instantly killed. His loss was a subject of 
 general lamentation. He had distinguished himself 
 for great sagacity, wonderful powers of endurance, 
 and unsurpassed bravery. He it was who led the 
 cavalry safely from Harper's Ferry just before Miles' 
 surrender of the place, and who, on his way to Penn- 
 sylvania, captured Longstreet's ammunition-train. 
 
 Among our wounded was Colonel Percy Wynd- 
 ham. The enemy's killed included Colonel Saul Wil- 
 liams, of the Second North Carolina Cavalry, and 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Hampton, of the South 
 Carolina Cavalry ; General W. H. F. Lee and Colo- 
 nels Butler and Harmon were among their wounded. 
 They acknowledge a loss of six hundred men. 
 
 From the Richmond Sentinel we clip the follow- 
 ing account of the battle, by a Eebel chaplain : 
 
 Camp in Culpeppeb County, > 
 Jane 10, 1863. J 
 
 Tuesday, the ninth of June, will be memorable to General 
 Stuart's command as the day on which was fought the longest 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 221 
 
 and most hotly-contested cavalry battle of the war. At an 
 early hour skirmishing coinmenced, and soon the commands 
 of Hampton, the two Lees, Robinson, and Jones, were engaged 
 along the whole Culpepper line, from Welford's Ford, on the 
 Hazel, down to Stevensburg. Each command acted nobly, and 
 the Yankees were forced, after a fight of nearly twelve hours, 
 to recross the river with great losses. We have to lament the 
 loss of many gallant officers and privates, some killed and oth- 
 ers permanently disabled. The forces under W. H. F. Lee, that 
 worthy descendant of " Old Light Horse Harry," bore no mean 
 part in the fray. We have to regret the temporary loss of our 
 general (W. H. F. Lee), who was wounded in the thigh, and 
 the death of Colonel Williams (of our brigade), than whom a 
 more elegant gentleman or braver soldier never lived. 
 
 Being connected with the Tenth Virginia Cavalry, under 
 Colonel J. Lucius Davis, and, therefore, better cognizant of its 
 conduct, it is not invidious to allude to it, though not claiming 
 any superiority over other regiments, all of which did nobly. 
 Early iu the morning this regiment was dismounted for sharp- 
 shooting, and, until ordered off, held its ground, though ex- 
 posed to an incessant and galling fire from the Fifth United 
 States Regulars, who were snugly ensconced behind a stone 
 fence. At this point many of the casualties in our regiment 
 occurred. In the afternoon the Tenth, led by Colonel Davis, 
 made a splendid charge on the Second United States Regu- 
 lars, who, after a hand-to-hand conflict, broke and fled inconti- 
 nently. Our General (Stuart), whose praise is not to be de- 
 spised, paid a high compliment on the field to the Tenth for its 
 conduct in holding Welford's Hill, and for its dashing charge. 
 
 I append a list of casualties : 
 
 Company A (Caskie Rangers), commanded by Captain 
 Robert Caskie. — Killed: Kone. Wounded: Second Lieuten- 
 ant, J. Doyle, slightly in head; Private, Eytel, in breast; 
 English, in foot ; Hubbell, iu breast ; Gill, in arm and shoul- 
 der; Wilson, in hip. Missing and taken prisoners: Privates 
 Burton, Charles Childress, Joseph Childress, Fulcher, Hudnall, 
 and Parker.— Total, 12. 
 
222 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 Company B, Captain W. B. Clements. — Killed : Corporal 
 N. B. Ellis. Wounded : Privates Anderson Foster, severely 
 in thigh ; P. J. Cape, in thigh ; H. Foster, slightly in foot ; 
 R. P. Brewbaker, slightly in head; A. Caton, in hand. — To- 
 tal, 6. 
 
 Company C, commanded by Lieutenant Richardson. — Kill- 
 ed : None. Wounded : Lieutenant N. Richardson, seriously 
 through breast; Sergeant J. Mason, in leg; Corporal Brown, 
 in arm ; Privates J. B. King, slightly in thigh ; W. B. Saw, 
 seriously in hip ; M. Potter, in hand. Missing : J. Shumate. — 
 Total, 7. 
 
 Company D, absent on detached service. 
 
 Company E, commanded by Captain J. Tucker. — Killed : 
 Private H. T. Bourgois. Wounded : Corporal F. 8. Labit, in 
 shoulder ; S. H. Lamb, in hand. Missing : Sergeant Peter 
 Smith (wounded and captured) ; Sergeant Stromburg (wound- 
 ed and captured) ; Private Enoch Pelton. — Total, 6. 
 
 Company F, commanded by Captain J. H. Dettor. — Killed : 
 G. Wescott. Wounded : Privates John White, in thigh ; John 
 E. Edge, in thigh ; J. R. Giles, in arm ; Sergeant J. Durret, 
 arm. — Total, 5. 
 
 Company G, commanded by M. S. Kirtley. — Killed : Kone. 
 Wounded : Corporal J. M. McConn, seriously in arm ; Private 
 Jonathan Shepherd, slightly in head. Missing: Private S. 
 Hartley.— Total, 3. 
 
 Company H, commanded by Lieutenant S. K. Newham. — 
 Killed : None. Wounded : Privates James O'Connor, mor- 
 tally ; M. Neff, seriously in leg. Missing : J. P. Martz, R. F. 
 Koontz. — Total, 4. 
 
 Company I (Henrico Light Dragoons), commanded by Lieu- 
 tenant J. H. T. McDowell. — ^Killed : Private Louis Ottenburg. 
 Wounded : Sergeant S. L. McGruder, slightly in shoulder ; 
 Corporal J. C. Mann, slightly in leg ; Privates Walter Priest, 
 mortally in breast ; George Waldrop, slightly in shoulder ; B. 
 J. Duval, slightly in head ; W. T. Thomas, in shoulder slightly. 
 —Total, 7. 
 
 Company K, commanded by Captain Dickinson. — Killed: 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 223 
 
 None. Wounded : Corporal J. L. Franklin, in right shoulder ; 
 Private J. M. Craig^ head, left arm severely; R. V. GrifBn, 
 right shoulder severely ; C. P. Preston, slightly in nose ; W. 
 T. Arrington, breast slightly ; T. E. Gilbert, left arm slightly. 
 Missing : Sergeant T. S. Holland ; Privates E. A. Haines and 
 S. R. Gilbert.— Total, 9. 
 
 Total killed, wouaded, and missing, 59. 
 
 J. B. Taylok, Jr., Chaplain Tenth Virginia Cavalry^ 
 
 W. H. F. Lee's Brigade. 
 
 Ty;o important ends were reached by this ad- 
 vance, namely, first, a cavalry raid contemplated by 
 Stuart, who had massed his forces near Culpepper, 
 was utterly frustrated ; and second. General Pleas- 
 onton ascertained conclusively that General Lee was 
 marching his army northward, with the evident de- 
 sign of invading the Northern States. Indeed, it was 
 a suspicion of such a movement that led General 
 Hooker to order the reconnoissance. 
 
 The day following this glorious fight, in which 
 the men of the North had proved themselves to be 
 more than a match for the boasted Southern chivalry, 
 and had gained a name which placed Pleasonton's 
 command at the head of the world's cavalry forces, 
 Pleasonton was made a Major-General, and Kilpat- 
 rick a Brigadier. Their stars were well-deserved and 
 proudly worn. 
 
 During the day the Cavalry Corps moved to War- 
 renton Junction, leaving strong guards at the fords 
 of the Rappahannock to prevent any crossing which 
 might be attempted by the enemy. 
 
 June 11. — At two o'clock this afternoon General 
 Gregg inspected our division. The day was beauti- 
 ful, and the troopers made a splendid appearance. 
 
224: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 To heigliten the interest of the occasion, the colors 
 captured by the Harris Light at Urbanna, and those 
 talcen by the First Maine in their memorable charge 
 at Brandy Station on the ninth instant, were dis- 
 played amid the cheers of the enthusiastic cavalry- 
 men, whose past deeds give encouraging promise for 
 the future. 
 
 Sunday^ June 14. — We are still encamped on the 
 plains near Warrenton Junction. On the twelfth 
 the regiment was inspected by Captain Armstrong, 
 of Kilpatrick's staff. The following day we had an 
 interesting mounted-drill. We cannot keep idle. 
 This afternoon, at two o'clock, we received orders to 
 prepare to move at a moment's notice. Cannonad- 
 ing is distinctly lieard in the direction of Warrenton. 
 
 For several days it has been expected that Gen- 
 eral Lee, with his forces, would make his appearance 
 on the banks of the Potomac, somewhere below Har- 
 per's Ferry. But as they have failed to do so, the 
 inquiry is very general among ns, " Where are 
 they?" and, '-What do they intend?" To work 
 out the answer to such interrogations is generally the 
 work of the cavalry; so that, when our orders for 
 readiness to move were received, we saw before us a 
 reconnoissance in force. We understand that already 
 Rebel cavalry is raiding more or less in Maryland, 
 and souie exciting times are expected before long. 
 
/ 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 225 
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 SECOND INVASION OF MARYLAND.— GETTYSBURG. 
 
 1863.— -Invasion of the Northern States.— Kilpatrick at Aldie.— Tho 
 Bloody Battle. — Daring Deeds. — Colonel Cesnola, Fourth New York 
 Cavalry. — Incidents. — Victory. — Advance to Ashby's Gap. — Pleas- 
 onton's Official Report. — Rebel Movenients on Free Soil. — Difficultiea 
 in the North. — The Cavalry Corps Crosses the Potomac at Edward's 
 Ferry. — General Meade succeeds Hooker. — Orders. — Changes in the 
 Cavalry. — Movements. — Kilpatnck's Fight wilh Stuart at Hanover 
 Junction. — So!emn and Laughable Scenes. — Buford's Division Opens 
 the Fight at Gettysburg. — Death of General Reynolds. — First Day's 
 Repulse. — Second Day. — Rebel Advantages. — Third Day. — Last 
 Grand Effort. — Death of General Farnsworth. — The Republic just 
 Saved. 
 
 FOR nearly two days we were prepared to march, 
 and aw^aiting orders, when at last they came. 
 At about six o'clock on the morning of the sixteenth 
 we took lip our line of march, which was mostly 
 along the railroad in the direction of Manassas. 
 Having arrived at these celebrated plains, we struck 
 off a little to the left towards Centreville, where we 
 arrived at ten o'clock, weary with the long journey. 
 Here we ascertained that General Hooker's head- 
 quarters are at Fairfax Court House, or in the vicin- 
 ity, and that his army covers the approaches to 
 "Washington. 
 
 June 17. — After a refreshing night's rest, we were 
 up early in the morning, and resumed our march at 
 
226 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 six o'clock, taking the Warrenton Turnpike. Kil 
 patrick has the advance of the coi*ps. We soon 
 crossed the memorable Holds of the two Bull Run 
 battles, passed the famous field of Groveton, and 
 there detlecting to the right, and pnsldng forward 
 rapidly, we arrived by noon in sight of the hills 
 which partially surround the village of Aldie, on the 
 north side of the Bull Run Mountains. Kilpatrick 
 had been directed to move through Aldie, and thence 
 to and through Ashby's Gap, in the Blue Ridge, learn 
 all he could of the enemy's movements, and, then re- 
 turning, to rejoin the corps at Nolan's Ferry on the 
 Potomac. Colonel Duffle, with his regiment, the 
 First Rhode Island, was ordered to move through 
 Thoroughfare Gap, and to join Kilpatrick in Pleasant 
 Valley beyond. These plans were laid with the pre- 
 sumption that no very heavy force of Rebels re- 
 mained north of the Blue Ridge, and none at all 
 north of the Bull Run Mountains. But this was a 
 great mistake. 
 
 BLOODY BATTLE OF ALDIE. 
 
 James Moore, M. D., Surgeon of the Ninth Penn- 
 sylvania Cavalry, thus describes what occurred to 
 Kilpatrick and his command at this place : 
 
 " Scarcely had his advance reached the town of 
 Aldie, when it came directly npon the advance-guard 
 of W. H. F. Lee. It was entirely unexpected. No 
 enemy was supposed to be on the Aldie side of the 
 Bull Run Mountains. 
 
 " The general rode to the front, ran his eye over 
 the field for a moment, and then rapidly gave his 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 227 
 
 orders. He had taken in the whole field at one rapid 
 glance, and saw the important points that must be 
 gained. The Harris Light Cavalry was directed to 
 charge straight down the road, through the town, 
 gain and hold the long, low hill over which runs tlie 
 road from Middlebiirg. With anxious eye he watched 
 the charge, on which so much depended, saw that it 
 was successful, and quickly and resolutely pushed in 
 one regiment after another on the right of the Harris 
 Light, till the high hills far on the right of Aldie 
 were gained. 
 
 " This fine disposition was made, and important 
 position won, before the Eebel General Fitzhugh Lee 
 could make a single effort to prevent it, although he 
 had a division of cavalry at his back. 
 
 He soon recovered, however, from the tempo- 
 rary surprise, and for two hours made most desperate 
 efforts to regain the position lost. He struck the 
 right, left, and centre in quick succession, while his 
 battery of Blakely guns thundered foilh their mes- 
 sengers of death. 
 
 " But all in vain ! Kilpatrick's gallant men — 
 the heroes of Brandy Station — met and hurled back 
 each charge, while Randall's battery, ignoring en- 
 tirely the Rebel guns, sent his canister and shells 
 tearing through the heavy columns of the enemy. 
 
 " On this day Kilpatrick did wonders. He foughi 
 under the eye of his chief, and where bullets flew the 
 thickest, and where the shock came the heaviest, there 
 rang his cheering voice and there flashed his sabre. 
 His own regiment, the Harris Light, had failed to 
 meet his hopes on the plains of Brandy Station. This 
 
228 Three Yea/rs in the Federal Caval/ry. 
 
 was known to the officers of that splendid organiza- 
 tion, and on that very morning they liad petitioned 
 their general for an opportunity to retrieve their 
 reputation. The opportunity was at liand. 
 
 A large force of the enemy occupied a strong 
 position behind rail barricades encircling large stacks 
 of hay. For a long time Rebel sharp-shooters, from 
 this secure position, had baffled every attempt to ad* 
 vance our lines on the left. The general ordered up 
 a battalion of the Harris Light. Quickly they came ! 
 Addressing a few encouraging words to the men, and 
 then turning to Major Mclrvin, the officer in com- 
 mand, he said, pointing to the barricades : ' Major, 
 there is the opportunity you have asked for. Go, 
 take that position ! ' Away dashed this officer and 
 his men. In a moment the enemy was reached, and 
 the struggle began. The horses could not leap the 
 barricade, but the men dismounted, scaled those for- 
 midable barriers, and, with drawn sabres, rushed upon 
 the hidden foe, who quickly asked for quarter. 
 
 Another incident occurred worth mentioning. 
 Colonel Cesnola, of the Fourth New York Cav- 
 alry, had that morning, through mistake, been iDlaced 
 under arrest, and, his sword being taken from him, 
 was without arms. But in one of these wild charges, 
 made early in the contest, his regiment hesitated. 
 Foi'getting that he was under arrest, and without 
 command, he flew to the head of his regiment, reas- 
 sured his men, and, without a weapon to give or 
 ward a blow, led them to the charge. This gallant 
 act was seen by his general, who, meeting him on his 
 return, said : ' Colonel, you are a brave man ; you are 
 
Three Years m the Federal Cavalry. 229 
 
 released from arrest ; ' and, taking his own sword 
 from his side, liaaded it to the colonel, saying : 
 ' Here is my sword ; wear it in honor of this day ! ' 
 In the next cliarge Colonel Cesnola fell, desperately 
 wounded, and was taken prisoner. 
 
 The Rebel general, being foiled at every point, 
 resolved to make one more desperate effort. Silently 
 and quickly he massed a heavy force upon our ex- 
 treme right, and, led by General liosser, made one 
 of the most desperate and determined charges of the 
 day. Kilpatrick was aware of this movement, and 
 satisfied that his men, exhausted as they were, could 
 not withstand the charge, had already sent for reen- 
 forcements. 
 
 " Before these could reach him the shock came. 
 The First Massachusetts had the right, and fought as 
 only brave men could to stem the tide that steadily 
 bore them back, until the whole right gave way. 
 Back rushed our men in wild confusion, and on came 
 the victorious Rebel horsemen. The general saw, 
 with anguish, his flying soldiers, yet in his extremity 
 retained his presence of mind, and proved himself 
 worthy the star he had won at Brandy Station. 
 
 Sending orders for the centre and left to stand 
 fast, he placed himself at the head of the First Maine, 
 sent to his assistance, and coolly waited till the Rebel 
 charging columns had advanced within fifty yards of 
 Randall's guns. He then shouted ' Forward ! ' and 
 the same regiment that saved the day at Braiidy 
 Station was destined to save the day at Aldie. Ros- 
 ser's men could not withstand the charge, but broke 
 and fled up the hill. The general's horse was killed 
 
230 Three Years in the Federal CaA)alry. 
 
 in the charge, and here the brave Colonel Donghty 
 fell. 
 
 " The general determined now to complete the 
 victory, and, mounting a fresh horse, he urged on 
 the First Maine and First Massachusetts, sent orders 
 for his whole line to advance, and then sounded the 
 charge. Lee struggled for a few minutes against this 
 advance, and then ordered a retreat, which ended in 
 a rout. His troops were driven in confusion as far 
 as Middleburg, and night alone saved the remnant of 
 his command. 
 
 " This was by far the most bloody cavalry battle 
 of the war. The Rebel chivalry had again been' 
 beaten, and Kilpatrick, who was the only general on 
 the field, at once took a proud stand among the most 
 famous of our Union cavalry generals. The fame of 
 our cavalry was now much enhanced, and caused the 
 greatest joy to the nation." 
 
 June 18. — General Pleasonton was anxious to 
 press the Rebel cavalry back upon their infantry, to 
 ascertain minutely their movements ; hence, to-day, 
 Kilpatrick was ordered to advance through the Bull 
 Run Mountains, and to occupy Middleburg. Jaded 
 as we were, as well as our horses, with the fearful yet 
 glorious labors of the previous day, with mercury up 
 to 98"^ Fahrenheit in the shade, and 122^ in the sun, 
 with an atmosphere unusually oppressive for Yir- 
 ginia, and through dust which many tramping hoofs 
 made almost intolerable, we marched into Pleasant 
 Yalley. The outpost of the Rebel cavalry was met 
 near the town, but they were driven from the streets, 
 and we took possession of Middleburg. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 231 
 
 About three o'clock in the afternoon a heavy 
 wind arose, betokening rain, which began to fall 
 about five o'clock, mingled with hail. For this at- 
 mospheric change we had earnestly prayed. The 
 heat had become so oppressive, and the roads so 
 dusty, as to make our movements very unpleasant 
 and disastrous to men and beasts, especially to the 
 latter. 
 
 In this beautiful region of country we spent a 
 few days very pleasantly, recruiting our strength and 
 awaiting orders. 
 
 CAVALRY BATTLE AT UPPERVILLE. 
 
 June 21. — The Cavalry Corps, with General 
 Pleasonton at its head, moved, at eight o'clock this 
 morning, in the direction of Ashby's Gap, in the 
 Blue Eidge. We had not proceeded far before we 
 encountered the Eebel pickets, which we drove 
 steadily before us. Their strength, however, greatly 
 increased as we advanced. Quite a large force con- 
 tested our progress wheil we entered Carrtown, and 
 from this place to Upperville the engagement was a 
 little too heavy to be called a skirmish, l^everthe- 
 less, we pushed ahead without being seriously re- 
 tarded until we reached Upperville. Here our ad- 
 vance was met with great desperation, the enemy 
 charging us handsomely, but with no great damage. 
 When our forces had been properly arranged, and 
 the right time had come, Kilpatrick was ordered to 
 charge the town. With drawn sabres — weapons in 
 which the general always had great confidence, and 
 generally won success — and with yells which made 
 10 
 
282 Three Years in the Federal Oavalry. 
 
 the mountains and plains resound, we rushed upon 
 the foe. The fraj was terrible. Several times did 
 the Rebels break, but, being reenforced or failing 
 back upon some better position, again endeavored to 
 baffle our efforts. But they were not equal to the 
 task, and we drove tliem through the village of 
 Paris, and finally through Ashby's Gap, upon their 
 infantry columns in the Shenandoah Yalley. In 
 these charges and chase we captured two pieces of 
 artillery, four caissons, several stand of small arms,, 
 and a large number of prisoners. 
 
 It was my misfortune, in one of those desperate 
 encounters, to have a favorite horse shot under me. 
 But it was also my fortune to escape from the deadly 
 missiles which filled the air, and from my fallen horse, 
 unhurt. Another animal was soon provided for me 
 from the captures we had made. 
 
 Our scouts, during this engagement, had managed 
 to gain an entrance into the Valley, where they ascer- 
 tained that the Rebel army, in heavy columns, was 
 advancing towards the Upper Potomac. 
 
 This fight was of sufficient importance to call 
 forth from the commanding general the following 
 official document : 
 
 Headquarters Cavalry Corps, \ 
 Camp near Upperville, 5.20 p. m., June 21. j 
 Brigadier- General S. Williams : 
 
 General : I moved with my command this morning to 
 Middleburg, and attacked the cavaby force of the Rebels 
 under Stuart, and steadily drove him all day, inflicting a heavy 
 loss at every step. 
 
 I drove him through Upperville into Ashby's Gap. 
 
 We took two pieces of artillery, one being a Blakely gun, 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 233 
 
 aDd three caissons, besides blowing up one ;' also, upwards of 
 sixty prisoners, and more are coming ; a lieutenant-colonel, 
 major, and five other officers, besides a wounded colonel and 
 a large number of wounded Eebels left in the town of Upper- 
 ville. 
 
 They left their dead and wounded upon the field ; of the 
 former I saw upward of twenty. 
 
 "We also took a large number of carbines, pistols, and 
 sabres. In fact, it was a most disastrous day to the Eebel 
 cavalry. 
 
 Our loss has been very small both in men and horses. 
 
 I never saw the troops behave better, or under more diffi- 
 cult circumstances. 
 
 Very heavy charges were made, and the sabre used freely, 
 but always with great advantage to us. 
 
 A. Pleasonton, 
 
 Brigadier- General, 
 
 The day following this decided victory by force 
 of arms, and by the stratagem of scouts, who ob- 
 tained all needful information as to the intentions of 
 the enemy, the Cavalry Corps retired from Ashby's 
 Gap and established its headquarters at Aldie. Our 
 outposts are near Middleburg. We are now receiv- 
 ing some exciting news from Maryland and the 
 North. It appears that Eebel cavalry was raiding 
 through Maryland, destroying railroads and bridges, 
 telegraph lines and depots, and making havoc on the 
 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal as early as the fifteenth 
 instant ; and that General Ewell, with a corps of in- 
 fantry, crossed the Potomac at Williamsport on the 
 sixteenth, and advanced via Hagerstown towards 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 A sad and distressing alarm seems to have aroused 
 the North. General Lee's advance thus far, except- 
 
' 234 Three Yea/rs in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 ing the repulses of his cavalry on his right flank, has 
 been a perfect success. It is true that Washington, 
 the glittering prize before him, has been protected 
 by General Hooker's cautious movements. But this 
 protection of the Capital has consumed time and 
 given the enemy a decided advantage in other quar- 
 ters. He had already entered'the Free States before 
 we fairly understood his intentions. 
 
 Winchester, an important post in the Shenandoah 
 Yalley, guarded by General Milroy, was nearly sur- 
 rounded by the advancing Eebel hordes, before our 
 general even dreamed that he was in jeopardy. The 
 few of our men who escaped from that garrison, were 
 greatly demoralized, while about four thousand were 
 made prisoners, and many heavy guns, small arms, 
 wagons, horses, and stores of all kinds fell into the 
 enemy's hands. 
 
 ^hese blunders on our part and losses, together 
 with the prowess and boast of the Eebel legions, gave 
 the malcontents of the North, and political tricksters, 
 a coveted opportunity to rail against the Administra- 
 tion, and to weaken, as far as their influence could 
 be felt, the confidence which had been reposed in it. 
 The President was represented as an imbecile, utterly 
 devoid of statesmanship. The army was berated with 
 no measured terms. Every reverse of fortune was at- 
 tributed to a want of brains and heart in the heads 
 of departments. The Eepublic had certainly fallen 
 upon dark days. 
 
 General Lee, undoubtedly, expected to make cap- 
 ital out of this state of things, and hoped that by win- 
 ning a grand victory on ISTorthern soil, so to cripple 
 
Three Yea/rs in the Federal Cavalry, 235 
 
 the Administration and to demoralize the political 
 party in power, that he conld secure the aid and 
 comfort of the opposing party, and thns compel the 
 North to submit to any terms of peace which the an- 
 omalous Confederacy might dictate. 
 
 Notwithstanding the threatening posture of mil 
 itary affairs, and that the Government was thoroughly 
 alarmed and ordered -out the militia of Maryland, 
 Pennsylvania, New- York, Ohio, West Yirginia, and 
 other States, the call being faithfully reechoed by 
 the Governors of those States, the responses were 
 comparatively faint and fell far short of the mimbers 
 which had been demanded. New York City alone 
 responded generously. The uniformed and disciplined 
 regiments there generally and promptly went to the 
 contest, and appeared where they were needed. For 
 this the Governor of the State was publicly thanked 
 by the Secretary of War. 
 
 June 25. — We are informed that our infantry and 
 artillery, with small detachments of cavalry, are ad- 
 vancing through Maryland to meet and repel the in- 
 vaders, who are reported to be crossing the Potomac 
 in two heavy columns at Shepherdstown and Wil- 
 liam sport. Every department of the service seems to 
 be in commotion, and great things are expected. A 
 heavy rain set in early this evening. 
 
 June 26. — At six o'clock this morning we broke 
 camp at Aldie and advanced towards Leesburg, spend- 
 ing the night near this place. Most of our time has 
 been spent in the saddle. This is becoming not only 
 our seat, but also our bed and pillow. 
 
 June 27. — At five o'clock a. m. our corps com- 
 
236 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 menced its marcli towards Edward's Terry, on tlie 
 Potomac. On onr way to the ferry we crossed the 
 famous battle-field of Ball's BlutF, where Colonel 
 Baker and many of his gallant Californians became 
 an early and costly sacrifice to the cause of the 
 Union. 
 
 On reaching the river- we found the two pontoon 
 bridges over which already a large portion of our 
 array had passed on before us. They had been much 
 retarded by the heavy rains and mud. The ap- 
 proaches to the pontoons had been so trodden by the 
 myriad feet of men and beasts, and cut by the heavy 
 wheels of laden wagons and artillery, that we found 
 the roads almost bottomless. But as we had seen 
 mud many times before, we moved forward undis- 
 mayed, though somewhat retarded, and were soon on 
 Northern soil. A somewhat strange feeling came 
 over us on finding ourselves marching mainly to- 
 wards the North Star to meet the enemy, whereas 
 we had so long been accustomed to look and march 
 only southward for this purpose. 
 
 Our march lay through a fine and fertile section 
 of country. The vast fields of grain are ripening for 
 the harvest, and their appearance indicates that thus 
 far the labors of the husbandman have not been in 
 vain. The peacefulness of the fields and fiocks pre- 
 sents a striking contrast to the warlike preparations 
 which are now being made for what must be the most 
 decisive and bloody contest of the war. The rebel- 
 lion seems to have risked its very existence in the 
 coming conflict, which cannot be many days hence. 
 Determination and desperation seem foremost in the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 237 
 
 movement. On our side a solemn decision seems to 
 be actuating the masses. We know that should the 
 Stars and Bars " be victorious again, and at this 
 crisis of our national affairs, as they were at the two 
 Bull Kun battles, and at Chancellorsville, our " Stars 
 and Stripes " will not only be shamefully humbled, 
 but suffer cruel elimination. In such an event some 
 of our stars must fall and some of the beams of our 
 light must be obscured. 
 
 " But conquer we must, for our cause it is just, 
 And this be our motto, * In God is our trust.' 
 And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave 
 O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." 
 
 Sunday^ June 28. — All night long we were on 
 the march, arriving in the vicinity of Frederick City 
 early in the morning. The whole country for miles 
 seems to be covered with soldiers. This is one of the 
 most beautiful spots in the world. However, the city 
 does not show the thrift and prosperity which are evi- 
 denced in Northern cities enjoying similar advantages. 
 This is the capital of Frederick County, one of the 
 richest in the State. Looking southward from the 
 city we behold an almost interminable stretch of 
 beautiful rolling land, nearly every inch of which is 
 not only arable but richly productive. On the east, 
 at a distance of several miles, the eye rests upon a 
 range of hills which sweep downward toward the 
 Potomac, terminating in the lofty peak called Sugar- 
 loaf. Westward rises the loftier chain of the Catoc- 
 tin, which is but a continuation of the Bull Eun 
 Mountains, severed by the river at Point of Kocks. 
 All the highest peaks of these hills and mountains 
 
238 TJiree Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 are now used for signal stations, where wave the sig- 
 nal flags by day and flash the signal fires by night. 
 One seldom wearies in watching these operations, 
 though he may not understand their significance. 
 
 CHANGE OF COMMANDERS. 
 This has been a day of mnch interest among ns 
 and of no little excitement — a day of changes and re- 
 organization. An exciting rumor was bandied from 
 man to man this morning, that General Hooker was 
 about to be relieyed from the command of the grand 
 army ; and the day was only partly spent when the 
 strange rumor resolved itself into the astounding 
 truth. The facts which led to this result may not be 
 perfectly understood among us, but appear to be 
 about as follows : On discovering that the enemy had 
 actually invaded the Northern States, General Hook- 
 er requested the authorities to send him all the forces 
 which could be spared from General Heintzleman's 
 command in and about the Defenses of Washington. 
 This was done. But, having crossed the Potomac, 
 General Plooker visited Harper's Ferry with its strong 
 garrison, and immediately urged upon the Govern- 
 ment the importance of placing this force also under 
 his command. Upon this subject there sprang up a 
 sharp controversy between Hooker and Halleck. The 
 latter rejoined to the former in these words : 
 
 Maryland Heights have always been regarded 
 as an important point to be held by us, and much ex- 
 pense and labor incurred in fortifying them. I can- 
 not approve of their abandonment, except in case of 
 absolute necessity." 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 239 
 
 General Hooker's reply to this shows him to have 
 been in the right, and to have comprehended the rela- 
 tive importance of the position in question : 
 
 I have received your telegram in regard to Har- 
 per's Ferry. I find ten thousand men here in con- 
 dition to take the field. Here they are of no earthly 
 account. They cannot defend a ford of the river ; 
 and, so far as Harper's Ferry is concerned, there is 
 nothing of it. As for the fortifications, the work of 
 the troops, they remain when the troops are with- 
 drawn. This is my opinion. All the public prop- 
 erty could have been secured to-night, and the troops 
 marched to where they could have been of some 
 service. Now they are but a bait for the Eebels, 
 should they return. I beg that this may be pre- 
 sented to the Secretary of War, and his Excellency, 
 the President." 
 
 Receiving no direct reply to this announcement, 
 and goaded by the pressure of fast-moving events, 
 our General yielded to do what many of us heartily 
 condemn, by sending the following message : 
 
 Sandy Hook, Md., ) 
 June 27, 1863. f 
 
 Major-General H, Halleck^ Q eneral-in- Chief : 
 
 My original instructions require me to cover Harper's Ferry 
 and Washington. I have now imposed upon me, in addition, 
 an enemy in my front of more than my numbers. I beg to be 
 understood respectfuHy, but firmly, that I am unable to comply 
 with this condition, with the means at my disposal, and ear- 
 nestly request that I may at once be relieved from the position 
 I occupy. 
 
 Joseph Hooker, Major- General, 
 To-day came the order relieving General Hooker, 
 
240 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 who issued the following characteristic farewell ad- 
 dress to the troops, many of whom were taken wholly 
 by surprise, and all of them appeared greatly af- 
 flicted : 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, ) 
 l^^rederick, Md., June 28, 1863. J 
 
 In conformity with the orders of the War Department, 
 
 dated June 27, 1863, I relinquish the command of the Army 
 
 of the Potomac. It is transferred to Major-General George G. 
 
 Meade, a brave and accomplished officer, who has nobly earned 
 
 the confidence and esteem of the army on many a well-fought 
 
 field. Impressed wdth the belief that my usefulness as the 
 
 commander of the Army of the Potomac is impaired, I part 
 
 from it, yet not without the deepest emotions. The sorrow of 
 
 parting with the comrades of so many battles is relieved by 
 
 the conviction that the courage and devotion of this army will 
 
 never cease nor fail ; that it will yield to my successor, as it 
 
 has to me, a willing and hearty support. With the earnest 
 
 prayer that the triumph of this army may bring successes 
 
 worthy of it and the nation, I bid it farewell. 
 
 Joseph Hooker, Major- General. 
 
 Such a change of regime on the eve of a great 
 battle, with the command in the hands of one less 
 known and trusted, at first seemed to threaten dis- 
 aster. But the modest, earnest words with which the 
 new commander framed his first order to the troops 
 allayed all fears, renewed confidence, and greatly 
 attached to him the hearts of his subordinates. 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, ) 
 June 28, 1863. f 
 
 By direction of the President of the United States I hereby 
 assume command of the Army of the Potomac. As a soldier, 
 in obeying this order — an order totally unexpected and un- 
 solicited — I have no promises or pledges to make. The coun- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 241 
 
 try looks to this army to relieve it firom the devastation and 
 disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and sacri- 
 fices we may be called to undergo, let us have in view con- 
 stantly the magnitude of the interests involved, and let each 
 man determine to do his duty, leaving to an all-controlling 
 ^ Providence the decision of the contest. It is with just diffi- 
 dence that I relieved, in the command of this army, an eminent 
 and accomplished soldier, whose name must ever appear con- 
 spicuous in the history of its achievements ; but I rely upon 
 the hearty support of my companions in arms to assist me in 
 the discharge of the duties of the important trust which has 
 been confided to me. 
 
 George G. Meade, 
 
 Major- General Commanding. 
 
 This change of commanders was followed by oth- 
 ers in various branches of the service, not excepting 
 the Cavalry Corps. Our force has been increased by 
 General Julius Stahil's division, which has been em- 
 ployed for some time in the yicinity of Fairfax Court 
 House, and along the line of the Orange and Alex- 
 andria Railroad. In the reorganization, the corps, 
 which continues under the efHcient command of Gen- 
 eral Pleasonton, is arranged into three divisions, the 
 First, Second, and Third, commanded respectively by 
 Generals Buford, Gregg, and Kilpatrick. A more 
 effective cavalry force was never organized on this 
 continent, and probably on no other. 
 
 The Harris Light is assigned to General Gregg's 
 division, which separates us, for the first time, from 
 our former beloved commander. But we are not 
 among those who desire to shirk responsibility for 
 any such cause as this. After the division had been 
 reorganized and reviewed, in the afternoon we took 
 
242 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 up our line of marcli to JSTew Market. Some rain 
 fell towards night, which laid the dust and allayed 
 the heat. Men and horses are living well upon the 
 rich products of the country. Upon such supplies 
 we rely mainly, though our trains are not wholly 
 destitute. 
 
 We are received with more or less enthusiasm 
 and demonstrations of patriotism in nearly all the 
 towns we visit, making a very striking contrast with 
 our former receptions in cities and towns of Vir- 
 ginia. This gives our men additional courage, and 
 nerves us for the conflicts impending. 
 
 June 29. — ^We have been in the saddle nearly all 
 day, scouting the country in the neighborhood of 
 Westminster. On the morning of the thirtieth, about 
 nine o'clock, the regiment entered this pleasant town, 
 the citizens flocking from all directions to pay us 
 their respects, and to show their devotion to the cause 
 of the Union. After a short halt we advanced to 
 Manchester. 
 
 July 1. — To-day we marched to Hanover Junc- 
 tion, Pennsylvania, where we met the enemy's cav- 
 alry under General John Jenkins, and, after a spirited 
 skirmish, they were forced to retire. 
 
 The Pennsylvanians welcomed us with glad cheers, 
 and showed their appreciation of our presence and ser- 
 vices by driving several " huckster's wagons " into 
 our midst, well laden with a great variety of eat- 
 ables, which were donated to us by the good citi- 
 zens of the surrounding country. It is true that some 
 of the inhabitants made their gifts very sparingly and 
 not without grudging, while others charged enormous 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 243 
 
 prices for siicli articles as we were willing to pur- 
 chase ; but justice demands that we state that such 
 inhospitable, unpatriotic, and niggardly souls were 
 the exception. 
 
 "While here we learned the particulars of import- 
 ant movements made by other portions of our cavalry. 
 Kilpatrick, with his vigorous division, left the vicinity 
 of Frederick on Monday ; and, striking northward, he 
 passed through Taneytown, reaching Littletown about 
 ten o'clock at night, where he was received in the 
 midst of great rejoicing. A large group of children 
 and young ladies, gayly attired, on the balcony of a 
 hotel, waving handkerchiefs and flags, greeted their 
 defenders with patriotic songs, while the heroic troop- 
 ers responded with cheers which made the welkin 
 ring. The command bivouacked in the vicinity of 
 the village, where the citizens brought abundant for- 
 age for the horses, and the cavalrymen rested till 
 morning. The march was then resumed in the direc- 
 tion of Hanover. 
 
 The column, which was several miles in length, 
 entered this beautiful town, and was passing through, 
 while the citizens were regaling the men sumptuously 
 from their bountifully provided larders, and inter- 
 changing friendly and patriotic greetings, neither 
 party suspecting the presence of the enemy. ISTearly 
 one half the column had already passed through, when 
 suddenly the quiet, social scene was disturbed by the 
 opening of a Eebel battery concealed on a wood- 
 crowned hill, and so posted as to rake a portion of the 
 road upon which the Union forces entered the town. 
 This was immediately followed by a charge of Rebel 
 
244 Three Years in the Federal CoA^al/ry, 
 
 cavalry, which had been drawn np in line of battle 
 just behind a chain of hills which ran near and par- 
 allel to the highway. There they had quietly waited 
 until the train was passing before them, with the hope 
 that this might be captured or stampeded, and a glo- 
 rious victory be won. General Stuart commanded in 
 person, and the attack was certainly well planned. 
 But Kilpatrick's boys were not to be disconcerted nor 
 panic-stricken by any such or any other trap. The 
 main force of the charging column happened to be in 
 the rear of the Fifth New York, commanded by Major 
 Hammond. Quick work was necessary. Rapidly 
 moving out of the street into the open park near the 
 railroad depot. Major Hammond drew his regiment in 
 line of battle, and in nearly as short time as it takes 
 to record it, charged with drawn sabres the Rebels, 
 who then possessed the town. The charging columns 
 met on Frederick street, where a fierce and bloody 
 hand-to-hand contest ensued. For a few moments the 
 enemy made heroic resistance, but soon broke and 
 fled, closely pursued. They rallied again and again 
 as fresh regiments came to their aid, but they were 
 met, hurled back, and pursued with irresistible on- 
 sets, which compelled them to retire not only from the 
 town, but also behind the hills under cover of their 
 batteries. 
 
 In less than fifteen minutes from the time the 
 Rebels charged into the village they were driven from 
 it, leaving the streets strewn with their dead men and 
 horses, and the debris which always accompanies such 
 a conflict. TTie dead of both parties lay promiscu- 
 ously about the street, so covered with blood and dust 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 245 
 
 as to render identification in some cases very diflScnlt. 
 The Hue of the Union and the gray of Eebellion were 
 almost entirely obliterated, and, in many instances, 
 the contending parties mingled their blood in one 
 common pool. 
 
 This work of destruction had but just commenced 
 when Generals Kilpatrick and Farnsworth, who, 
 though some miles distant at the head of the column 
 when the booming cannon announced the bloody fray, 
 arrived in hot haste and took j)ersonal charge of the 
 mov^ements. These were ordered with consummate 
 skill, and executed with promptness and success. 
 Elder's battery, well posted on the hills facing the 
 Rebels, and well supported, soon silenced the guns of 
 the enemy, and drove him in the direction of Lee's 
 main army. He was thoroughly punished for his 
 audacious attack, and left many dead, wounded, and 
 captured. The colors of the Thirteenth Virginia 
 Cavalry w^ere captured by a sergeant of the Fifth 
 New York. About seventy-five prisoners, beside the 
 wounded, fell into our hands, including Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Payne, who commanded a brigade. 
 
 The particulars of his capture are worthy of his- 
 toric record. In one of the charges made in the edge 
 of the town, one of our boys, by the name of Abram 
 Folger, was captured by Colonel Payne, and marched 
 toward the rear. Just outside the town was a large 
 brick tannery, the vats of which were not under cover, 
 and close alongside of the highway. Folger was 
 walking beside the Colonel's orderly. As they ap- 
 proached the tan-vats he espied a carbine lying on the 
 ground. Quick as thought he seized it, fired, and 
 
246 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 killed Payne's horse. The animal, in his death-strag- 
 gle, plunged over towards the vats, and Payne was 
 thrown headlong into one of them, being completely 
 submerged in the tan-liquid. Folger, feeling that the 
 Colonel was secure enough for the moment, levelled 
 his piece on the orderly, who, finding that his pistol 
 was fouled and hence useless, attempted to jump his 
 horse over the fence, but not succeeding, surrendered. 
 It happened, however, that Folger had expended the 
 last shot in the carbine on the Colonel's horse ; but, 
 as the orderly did not know it, it was just as well for 
 Folger as though more ammunition had been on 
 hand. 
 
 The recently -made prisoner was compelled to assist 
 his Colonel from the vat. His gray uniform, with 
 white velvet trimmings, his white gauntlets, and his 
 face and hair had received a brief but thorough tan- 
 ning. Folger marched the two in front of him to 
 the market-place in the centre of the village, where 
 he delivered his captives to the authorities. In one 
 hand the brave soldier-boy carried his empty carbine, 
 and in the other a good strong stick. It was a most 
 ludicrous and interesting scene. Folger was captured 
 by Payne's command, in Virginia, the winter before 
 this affair, and his feelings may be imagined at hav- 
 ing so nicely returned the compliment. 
 
 The citizens of Hanover, who so nobly cared for 
 our wounded in the hospitals during and after the 
 battle, and assisted us in burying our dead, will not 
 soon forget that terrible last day of June. Our brave 
 boys, who, though taken by surprise, had so valiantly 
 defeated the enemy, built their bivouac fires and rest- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 347 
 
 ed for the night on the field of their recent victory. 
 Stuart's cavalry was now losing caste, while our troop- 
 ers were not only adding fresh laurels to their chap- 
 let of renown, but also new fibres of vitality to the 
 hearts and hands which loved and defended the sacred 
 Tree of Liberty. 
 
 FIRST DAY AT GETTYSBURG. 
 
 General Buford, with his division, had moved 
 from Frederick City directly to Gettysburg, the capi- 
 tal of Adams County, a rural village of about three 
 thousand inhabitants, beautifully situated among the 
 hills, which, though quite lofty, are generally well 
 cultivated. The general found the borough very 
 quiet, and passed through ; but he had not proceeded 
 far beyond before he met the van of the Rebel army 
 under General Heth, of Hill's Corps. The dauntless 
 troopers charged furiously the invading hordes, and 
 drove them back upon their supports, where our boys 
 were driven back in their turn before overwhelming 
 numbers. As Providence would have it, our infantry 
 advance, under General James S. Wadsworth, march- 
 ing from the village of Emmitsburg, hearing the 
 familiar sound of battle, went into a double-quick, 
 and, hastening through Gettysburg, struck the ad- 
 vancing Rebel column just in time to seize and occu- 
 py the range of hills that overlooks the place from 
 the northwest, in the direction of Chambersburg. 
 
 General John F. Reynolds, a true Pennsylvanian, 
 was in command of our entire advance, which consist- 
 ed of the First and Eleventh Corps, about twenty-two 
 thousand strong. As General Wadsworth was placing 
 
248 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 his division in position. General Reynolds went for- 
 ward quite alone to reconnoitre, when he discovered a 
 heavy force of the enemy in a grove not far distant. 
 Dismounting quickly he crouched down by a fence 
 through which he sought to survey the force and its 
 position by means of his field-glass, when a whistling 
 ball from a sharpshooter's musket struck him in the 
 neck. He fell on his face and baptized with his life- 
 blood the soil which had given him birth. His un- 
 timely fall, especially at this crisis and almost in sight 
 of his childhood's home, was generally lamented. His 
 lifeless form was borne away to the rear just as the 
 Rebels in heavy force advanced upon not more than 
 one-third their number. 
 
 General Abner Doubleday had to assume command 
 of our forces under this galling fire, having arrived 
 with a portion of the First Corps, the remainder of 
 which and the Eleventh Corps, not being able to join 
 them until two hours of fearful destruction had gone 
 on. Our feeble advance was compelled to fall quickly 
 back upon Seminary Hill, just west of the village, and 
 were pursued very closely, so much so that one por- 
 tion of our line, seeing its opportunity, swung around 
 rapidly, enveloping the Rebel advance and capturing 
 General Archer the leader and about eight hundred 
 prisoners. On the arrival of the Eleventh Corps, 
 General O. O. Howard, being the ranking oflBcer pres- 
 ent, assumed command, giving his place to General 
 Carl Schurz. Our men, now emboldened by these 
 fresh arrivals of helpers, and having alighted upon a 
 fine commanding position, renewed the fight with 
 spirit and wonderful success. This prosperous tide of 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 249 
 
 things continued nntil about one o'clock p. m., when 
 their right wing was assailed furiously by fresh troops, 
 which proved to be General Ewell's Corps, which had 
 been marching from York, directed by the thunder 
 of battle. 
 
 Thus flanked and outnumbered by the gathering 
 hosts, the Eleventh Corps, which was most exposed to 
 the enfilading fire of the newly arrived columns, 
 began to waver, then to break, and soon fled in perfect 
 rout. The First Corps was thus compelled to follow, 
 or be annihilated. The two retreating columns met 
 and mingled in more or less confusion in the streets 
 of the town, where they greatly obstructed each other, 
 though the First Corps retained its organization quite 
 unbroken. In passing through the town the Eleventh 
 Corps was especially exposed to the fire of the enemy, 
 who pressed his advantage and captured thousands 
 of prisoners. Our wounded, who, up to this time, 
 had been quartered in Gettysburg, fell into the 
 enemy's hands, and scarcely one-half of our brave 
 boys, who had so recently and proudly passed through 
 the streets to the battle lines, had the privilege of re- 
 turning, but either lay dead or dying on the well- 
 fought fields, or were captives with a cruel foe. The 
 number of killed and wounded showed how desperate- 
 ly they had fought, and the large number captured 
 was evidence of the overwhelming numbers with 
 which they had contended. 
 
 General Buford, with his troopers, covered our 
 retreat, showing as bold a front as possible to the 
 enemy, who, it was feared, would follow fiercely, as 
 they were very strong and several hours of daylight 
 
250 Three Years in the Federal CoA^aVry. 
 
 yet remained. But doubtless fearing that a trap 
 miglit be laid for them if they advanced too far, they 
 contented themselves with only a portion of the 
 borough, their main force occupying the hills which 
 form a grand amphitheatre on the north and west. It 
 w^ould be difficult to refrain from saying, that those 
 Rebel forces were prevented from advancing by some 
 mighty unseen hand — the hand of Him who watches 
 over the destiny of nations." 
 
 Our feeble and decimated forces took possession 
 of Cemetery Hill, south of the town, and being re- 
 enforced by General Sickles' Corps, they began to 
 intrench themselves with earthworks and rifle-pits, to 
 extend their lines to right and left, and to select the 
 best positions for our batteries. Tliis work was con- 
 tinued quite late into the evening, the broad moonlight 
 greatly facilitating the operations. 
 
 General Meade, who had selected his ground for 
 the impending battle along the banks of Pipe Creek, 
 and who at one o'clock p. m. was at Taneytown when 
 the news of the fight, and the death of the brave 
 Reynolds at Gettysburg, reached him, despatched 
 General Hancock to the scene of conflict to take com- 
 mand, and to ascertain whether Gettysburg afforded 
 better ground than that which had been selected. 
 Hancock arrived at Cemetery Hill just as our broken 
 lines were hastily and confusedly retreating from the 
 village ; our advance, however, had already taken this 
 commanding position and was making some prepara- 
 tion for resistance. The newly arrived general began 
 at once to order the forces which had been engaged 
 and others which were occasionally arriving. He 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 251 
 
 ordered the occupancy of Gulp's Hill on our extreme 
 right, and extended the lines to our left well up the 
 high ground in the vicinity of Eound Top, a rocky 
 eminence about two miles from Gettysburg, and 
 nearly equi-distant from the Emmitsburg and Taney- 
 town roads. The line having been made as secure as 
 possible, Hancock wrote to Meade that the position 
 was excellent. His despatch had scarcely gone, when 
 he was relieved by General Slocum, a ranking officer, 
 and so, leaving the field, Hancock hastened to report 
 in person to his chief the condition of things at Gettys- 
 burg. On arriving, Meade informed him that he had 
 decided to fight at Gettysburg, and had sent orders to 
 the various commands to that efioct ; then together 
 they rode to Gettysburg, arriving about eleven o'clock 
 at night. 
 
 All night long our forces were concentrating be- 
 fore this historic village, where they were all found 
 on the morning of the second of Julj^, except the Sixth 
 Corps, General Sedgwick's, which did not arrive until 
 two o'clock in the afternoon, after marching nearly 
 all the previous night. 
 
 SECOND DAY'S FIGHT 
 
 Until three o'clock all was quiet along the battle 
 lines, except an occasional picket or sharpshooter's 
 fire. However, there had been considerable man- 
 oeuvring. On our left General Sickles, in his eager- 
 ness for a fight, had advanced his corps across the 
 Emmitsburg road, and on a wood-crowned ridge in 
 the immediate vicinity of the main portion of the 
 Rebel army. General Meade, in his inspection of the 
 
252 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 lines, remonstrated against the perilous position which 
 Sickles had taken the liberty to gain. He, however, 
 intimated that, if desired, he would w^ithdraw to the 
 ridge which Meade had justly indicated as the proper 
 place where our forces would be better protected, and 
 would be able to cover Bound Top, a point which it 
 was considered essential to retain. General Meade 
 thereupon expressed his fear to Sickles that the enemy 
 would not permit him quietly to retire from the trap 
 in which he had placed his foot; and the last words 
 had scarcely fallen from his lips, when the Rebel 
 batteries were opened with fearful accuracy and at 
 short range, and the infantry came on with their fierce 
 charging yell. General Longstreet was in command. 
 
 With so long and strong lines of infantry in his 
 front, which lapped over his flanks on either side, and 
 a fearful enfilading fire from the heavy batteries on 
 Seminary Hill, Sickles and his brave men were torn, 
 shattered, overwhelmed, and with terrible loss and 
 in great confusion, fell back to the ridge from which 
 he ought not to have advanced. In the struggle the 
 Rebels made a desperate attempt to reach and pos- 
 sess Round Top, which they came near doing before 
 General Sykes, who had been ordered to advance 
 and hold it, had gained the elevation. But their 
 failure to possess this coveted prize proved a great 
 disaster ; for before they could withdraw their charg- 
 ing columns across the plain between Bound Top and 
 the ridge where Sickles stood at the beginning of the 
 fray, they were attacked bj^ General Hancock with 
 a heavy force, and driven almost like chafi" before the 
 wind. Their loss was terrible. At the close of this 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 253 
 
 encounter our lines stood precisely wLere General 
 Meade desired they should be before the fight com- 
 menced, with Eound Top fully in our possession and 
 now strongly fortified with heavy artillery and good 
 infantry support. 
 
 On our right General Ewell had succeeded in 
 pushing back some portions of our lines under Slo- 
 cum, who occupied Gulp's Hill, and some of our for- 
 tified lines and rifie-pits were occupied by the Rebels. 
 Night came on to close the dreadful day. Thus far 
 the battle had been mostly in the advantage of the 
 Rebels. They held the ground where Reynolds had 
 fallen, also Seminary Ridge, and the elevation whence 
 the Eleventh Corps had been driven. They also 
 occupied the ridge on which Sickles had commenced 
 to fight. Sickles himself was hors de comhat^ with a 
 shattered leg which had to be amputated, and not 
 far from twenty thousand of our men had been killed, 
 wounded, and captured ! The Rebels had also lost 
 heavily ; but, as they themselves believed, they were 
 the winners. 
 
 General Lee, in his official report, says : After 
 a severe struggle, Longstreet succeeded in getting 
 possession of and holding the desired ground. Ewell 
 also carried some of the strong positions which he as- 
 sailed ; and the result was such as to lead to the be- 
 lief that he would ultimately be able to dislodge the 
 enemy. The battle ceased at dark. These partial 
 successes determined me to continue the assault next 
 day." 
 
 During these days of deadly strife and of unpre- 
 cedented slaughter, our cavalry was by no means 
 
264 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 idle. On tlie morning of the first, Kilpatrick ad- 
 vanced his victorious squadrons to the vicinity of 
 Abbottstown, where they struck a force of Rebel 
 cavalry, which they scattered, capturing several pris- 
 oners, and then rested. To the ears of the alert 
 chieftain came the sound of battle at Gettysburg, 
 accompanied with the intelligence, from prisoners 
 mostly, that Stuart's main force was bent on doing 
 mischief on the right of our infantry lines, which 
 were not far from the night's bivouac. 
 
 He appeared instinctively to know where he was 
 most needed; so in the absence of orders, early the 
 next morning he advanced to Hunterstown. At this 
 point were the extreme wings of the infantry lines, 
 and as Kilpatrick expected, he encountered the Rebel 
 cavalry, commanded by his old antagonists, Stuart, 
 Lee, and Hampton. The early part of the day was 
 spent mostly in reconnoitring ; but all the latter part 
 of the day was occupied in hard, bold, and bloody 
 work. Charges and counter-charges were made ; the 
 carbine, pistol, and sabre were used by turns, and 
 the artillery thundered even late after the infantry 
 around Gettysburg had sunk to rest, well-nigh ex- 
 hausted with the bloody carnage of the weary day. 
 But Stuart, who had hoped to break in upon our 
 flank and rear, and to pounce upon our trains, was 
 not only foiled in his endeavor by the gallant Kil- 
 patrick, but also driven back upon his infantry sup- 
 ports, and badly beaten. 
 
 In the night, Kilpatrick, after leaving a sufficient 
 force to prevent Stuart from doing any special dam- 
 age on our right, swung around with the rest of his 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 255 
 
 troopers to the left of our line, near Round Top, and 
 was there prepared for any work wliich might be 
 assigned him. 
 
 THE LAST EFFORT. 
 
 Friday,^ July 3. — The sun rose bright and warm, 
 and looked dow^n upon the blackened corpses of the 
 dead, which, were strewn over the bloody earth ; upon 
 the wounded who had not been cared for, and upon 
 long glistening lines of armed men, ready to renew 
 the conflict. Each antagonist, rousing every slum- 
 bering element of power, seemed to be resolved upon 
 victory or death. The fight commenced early by an 
 attack of General Slocum's men, who, determined to 
 regain the rifle-pits they had lost the evening before, 
 descended like an avalanche upon the foe. The 
 attack met with a prompt response from General 
 Ewell. But after several hours of desperate fight- 
 ing, victory perched upon the Union banners, and 
 with great loss and slaughter the Rebels were driven 
 out of the breastworks, and fell back upon their main 
 lines near Benner's Hill. 
 
 This successful move on the part of our boys in 
 blue was followed by ominous lull or quiet, which 
 continued about three hours. Meanwhile the silence 
 was fitfully broken by an occasional spit of fire, while 
 every preparation was being made for a last, supreme 
 efibrt, which, it w^as expected, would decide the mighty 
 contest. The scales were being poised for the last 
 time, and upon the one side or the other was soon to 
 be written the " Mene^ Mene^ Tekel^ TJpharsinP 
 Hearts either trembled or waxed strong in the awful 
 presence of this responsibility. 
 
356 Three Years in the Federal Oavalry. 
 
 At length one o'clock arriv^ed ; a signal-gun was 
 fired, and then at least one hundred and twenty-five 
 guns from Hill and Longstreet concentrated and crossed 
 their fires upon Cemetery Hill, the centre and key of 
 our position. Just behind this crest, though much 
 exposed, were General Meade's headquarters. For 
 nearly two hours this hill was ploughed and torn by 
 solid shot and bursting shell, while about one hundred 
 guns on our side, mainly from this crest and Eound 
 Top, made sharp response. The earth and the air 
 shook for miles around with the terrific concussion, 
 which came no longer in volleys, but in a continual 
 roar. So long and fearful a cannonade w^as never 
 before witnessed on this continent. As the range 
 was short and the aim accurate, the destruction was 
 terrible. But the advantage was decidedly in favor 
 of the Eebels, whose guns were superior in number 
 to ours, and of heavier calibre, and had been con- 
 centrated for the attack. A spectator of the Union 
 army thus describes the scene : 
 
 " The storm broke upon us so suddenly, that sol- 
 diers and officers — who leaped, as it began, from 
 their tents, or from lazy siestas on the grass — were 
 stricken in their rising with mortal wounds, and 
 died, some with cigars between their teeth, some 
 with pieces of food in their fingers, and one at least 
 — a pale young German, from Pennsylvania — with 
 a miniature of his sister in his hands. Horses fell, 
 shrieking such awful cries as Cooper told of, and 
 writhing themselves about in hopeless agony. The 
 boards of fences, scattered by explosion, flew in 
 splinters through the air. The earth, torn up in 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 257 
 
 clouds, blinded the eyes of hurrying men ; and 
 through the branches of trees and among the grave- 
 stones of the cemetery a shower of destruction crashed 
 ceaselessly. As, with hundreds of others, I groped 
 through this tempest of death for the shelter of the 
 bluff, an old man, a private in a company belonging 
 to the Twenty-fourth Michigan, was struck, scarcely 
 ten feet away, by a cannon-ball, which tore through 
 him, extorting such a low, intense cry of mortal pain 
 as I pray God I may never again hear. The hill, 
 which seemed alone devoted to this rain of death, 
 was clear in nearly all its unsheltered places within 
 five minutes after the fire began. 
 
 A correspondent from the Confederate army thus 
 describes this artillery contest : " I have never yet 
 heard such tremendous artillery-firing. The enemy 
 must have had over one hundred guns, which, in ad- 
 dition to our one hundred and fifteen, made the air 
 hideous with most discordant noise. The very earth 
 shook beneath our feet, and the hills and rocks seemed 
 to reel like a drunken man. For one hour and a 
 half this most terrific fire was continued, during 
 which time the shrieking of shell, the crash of fallen 
 timbers, the fragments of rocks flying through the 
 air, shattered from the cliffs by solid shot, the heavy 
 mutterings from the valley between the opposing 
 armies, the splash of bursting shrapnell, and the 
 fierce neighing of wounded artillery-horses, made a 
 picture terribly grand and sublime, but which my 
 pen utterly fails to describe." 
 
 Gradually the fire on our side began to slacken, 
 and General Meade, learning that our guns were 
 
258 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 becoming hot, gave orders to cease firing and to let 
 the guns cool, though the Rebel balls were making 
 fearful liavoc among our gunners, while our infantry 
 sought poor shelter behind every projection, anx- 
 iously awaiting the expected charge. At length the 
 enemy, supposing that our guns were silenced, 
 deemed that the moment for an irresistible attack 
 had come. Accordingly, as a lion emerges from his 
 lair, he sallied forth, when strong lines of infantry, 
 nearly three miles in length, with double lines of 
 skirmishers in front, and heavy reserves in rear, ad- 
 vanced with desperation to the final effort. They 
 moved with steady, measured tread over the plain 
 below, and began the ascent of the hills occupied by 
 our forces, concentrating somewhat upon General 
 Hancock, though stretching across our entire front. 
 
 Says a correspondent of the Richmond Enquirer : 
 Just as Pickett was getting well under the enemy's 
 fire, our batteries ceased firing. This was a fearful 
 moment for Pickett and his brave command. Why 
 do not our guns reopen their fire ? is the inquiry that 
 rises upon every lip. Still, our batteries are silent 
 as death ! " And this undoubtedly decided the issue 
 — was God's handwriting on the wall. The Eebel 
 guns had been thundering so long and ceaselessly 
 that they were now unfit for use, and ceased firing 
 from very necessity. 
 
 " Agate," correspondent of The Cincinnati Ga- 
 zette^ gives the following graphic description of the 
 struggle : 
 
 " The great, desperate, final charge came at four. 
 The Rebels seemed to have gathered up all their 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 259 
 
 strengtli and desperation for one fierce, convulsive 
 effort, that should sweep over and wash out our ob- 
 stinate resistance. They swept np as before : the 
 flower of their army to the front, victory staked 
 upon the issue. In some places they literally lifted 
 Tip and pushed back our lines ; but, that terrible 
 position of ours ! — wherever they entered it, enfilad- 
 ing fires from half a score of crests swept away their 
 columns like merest chaff. Broken and hurled back, 
 they easily fell into our hands ; and, on the centre 
 and left, the last half hour brought more prisoners 
 than all the rest. 
 
 " So it w^as along the whole line ; but it was on 
 the Second Corps that the flower of the Rebel army 
 was concentrated ; it was there that the heaviest 
 shock beat upon, and shook, and even sometimes 
 cnimbled, our lines. 
 
 " We had some shallow rifle-pits, with barricades 
 of rails from the fences. The Eebel line, stretching 
 away miles to the left, in magnificent array, but 
 strongest here — Pickett's splendid division of Long- 
 street's corps in front, the best of A. P. Hill's vet- 
 erans in support — came steadily, and as it seemed 
 resistlessly, sweeping up. Our skirmishers retired 
 slowly from the Emmitsburg road, holding their 
 ground tenaciously to the last. The Rebels reserved 
 their fire till they reached this same Emmitsburg 
 road, then opened with a terrific crash. From a 
 hundred iron throats, meantime, their artillery had 
 been thundering on our barricades. 
 
 " Hancock was wounded ; Gibbon succeeded to 
 the command —an approved soldier, and ready for the 
 
260 Three Years in the Federal Ca/val/ry. 
 
 crisis. As tlie tempest of fire approached its height, 
 he walked along the line, and renewed his orders to 
 the men to reserve their fire. The Rebels* — three 
 lines deep — came steadily iip. They were in point- 
 blank range. 
 
 At last the order came ! From thrice six thou- 
 sand guns there came a sheet of smoky flame, a 
 crash, a rush of leaden death. The line literally 
 melted away ; but there came the second, resistless 
 still. It had been our supreme effort ; on the mo- 
 ment we were not equal to another. 
 
 " Up to the rifle-pits, across them, over the barri- 
 cades — the momentum of their charge, the mere 
 machine-strength of their combined action, swept 
 them on. Our thin line could fight, but it had not 
 weight enough to oppose to this momentum. It was 
 pushed behind the guns. Eight on came the Rebels. 
 They were upon our guns — were bayoneting the gun- 
 ners — were waving their flags over our pieces. 
 
 But they had penetrated to the fatal point. A 
 storm of grape and canister tore its way from man 
 to man, and marked its track with corpses straight 
 down their line ! They had exposed themselves to 
 the enfilading fire of the guns on the western slope 
 of Cemetery Hill ; that exposure sealed their fate. 
 
 The line reeled back — disjointed already — in an 
 instant in fragments. Our men were just behind the 
 guns. They leaped forward upon the disordered 
 mass ; but there w^as little need of fighting now. A 
 regiment threw down its arms, and, with colors at 
 its head, rushed over and surrendered. All along 
 the field smaller detachments did the same. Webb's 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 261 
 
 brigade brought in eight hundred : taken in as little 
 time as it requires to write the simple sentence that 
 tells it.. Gibbon's old division took fifteen stand of 
 colors. 
 
 ^' Over the fields the escaped fragments of the 
 charging line fell back — the battle there was over. 
 A single brigade, Harrow's (of which the Seventh 
 Michigan is part), came out with fifty-four less offi- 
 cers, and seven hundred and ninety-three less men, 
 than it took in ! So the whole corps fought ; so, too. 
 they fought farther down the line. 
 
 It was fruitless sacrifice. They gathered up 
 their broken fragments, formed their lines, and slowly 
 marched away. It was not a rout ; it was a bitter, 
 crushing defeat. For once the Army of the Potomac 
 had won a clean, honest, acknowledged victory." 
 
 General Pickett's division was nearly annihilated. 
 One of his officers recounted, that, as they w^ere 
 charging over the grassy plain, he threw himself down 
 before a murderous discharge of grape and canister, 
 which mowed the grass and men all around him, as 
 though a scythe had been swung just above his pros- 
 trate form. 
 
 During the terrific cannonade and subsequent 
 charges, our ammunition and other trains had been 
 parked in rear of Round Top, which gave them 
 splendid shelter. Partly to possess this train, but 
 mainly to secure this commanding position, General 
 Long.'^treet sent two strong divisions of infantry, with 
 heavy artillery, to turn our flank, and to drive us 
 from this ground. Kilpatrick, with his division, 
 which had been strengthened by Merritt's Regular 
 
2G2 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 brigade, was watching this point, and waiting for an 
 opportunity to strike the foe. It came at last. 
 Emerging from the woods in front of him came a 
 strong battle-line followed by others. 
 
 FALL OF GENERAL FARNSWORTH. 
 
 To the young Farnsworth was committed the 
 task of meeting infantry with cavalry in an open 
 field. Placing the Fifth New York in support of 
 Elder's battery, which was exposed to a galling fire, 
 but made reply with characteristic rapidity, pre- 
 cision, and slaughter, Farnsworth quickly ordered 
 the First Virginia, First Yermont, and Eighteenth 
 Pennsylvania in line of battle, and galloped away 
 and charged npon the flank of the advancing col- 
 umns. The attack was sharp, brief, and successful, 
 though attended with great slaughter. But the 
 Rebels were driven upon their main lines, and the 
 flank movement was prevented. Thus the cavalry 
 added another dearly-earned laurel to its chaplet of 
 honor — dearly earned^ because many of their bravest 
 champions fell upon that bloody field. 
 
 Kilpatrick, in his official report of this sanguinary 
 contest, says : In this charge fell the brave Farns- 
 worth. Short and brilliant was his career. On the 
 twenty-ninth of June a general ; on the first of July 
 he baptized his star in blood ; and on the third, for 
 the honor of his young brigade and the glory of his 
 corps, he yielded up his noble life." 
 
 Thus ended the battle of Gettysburg — the bloody 
 turning-point of the Rebellion — the bloody baptism 
 of the redeemed Republic. Nearly twenty thousand 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 263 
 
 men from the Union ranks had been killed and 
 wounded, and a larger number of the Rebels, mak- 
 ing the enormous aggregate of at least forty thou- 
 sand, whose blood was shed to fertilize the Tree of 
 Liberty. 
 
 In the evening twilight of that eventful day Gen- 
 eral Meade penned the following interesting despatch 
 to the Government : 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, ) 
 Near Gettysburg, July 3, 8.30 p. m. J 
 To Major-General Halleck^ General-in-Chief : 
 
 The enemy opened at one o'clock p. m., from about one 
 hundred and fifty guns. They concentrated upon my left cen- 
 tre, continuing without intermission, for about three hours, at 
 the expiration of which time he assaulted my left centre twice, 
 being, upon both occasions, handsomely repulsed with severe 
 loss to them, leaving in our hands nearly three thousand pris- 
 oners. Among the prisoners are Major-General Armistead, and 
 many colonels and officers of lesser note. The enemy left 
 many dead upon the field, and a large number of wounded in 
 our hands. The loss upon our side has been considerable. 
 Major-General Hancock and Brigadier-General Gibbon were 
 wounded. 
 
 After the repelling of the assault, indications leading to 
 the belief that the enemy might be withdrawing, an armed 
 reconnoissance was pushed forward from the left, and the 
 enemy found to be in force. At the present hour all is 
 quiet. 
 
 The New York cavalry have been engaged all day on both 
 flanks of the enemy, harassing and vigorously attacking him 
 with great success, notwithstanding they encountered superior 
 numbers, both of cavalry and artillery. The army is in fine 
 spirits. 
 
 George G. Meade, 
 Major- General CommavMng, 
 
 11* 
 
264 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 On the morning of the Fourth of July, General 
 Meade issued an address to the army : 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, ) 
 Near Gettysburg, July 4. J 
 
 The commanding general, in behalf of the country, thanks 
 the Army of the Potomac for the glorious result of the recent 
 operations. Our enemy, superior in numbers and flushed with 
 the pride of a successful invasion, attempted to overcome or 
 destroy this army. Utterly baffled and defeated, he has now 
 withdrawn from the contest. 
 
 The privations and fatigues the army has endured, and the 
 heroic courage and gallantry it has displayed, will be matters 
 of history to be ever remembered. 
 
 Our task is not yet accomplished, and the commanding 
 general looks to the army for greater efforts, to drive from our 
 soil every vestige of the presence of the invader. 
 
 It is right and proper that we should, on suitable occasions, 
 return our grateful thanks to the Almighty Disposer of events, 
 that, in the goodness of His providence. He has thought fit to 
 give victory to the cause of the just. 
 
 By command of Major-General Meade. 
 
 S. WiLLiA^vrs, A. A.-Qeneral, 
 
 It is fitting we should close this chapter with 
 President Lincoln's brief yet comprehensive an- 
 nouncement to the country : 
 
 Washington, D. C, July 4, 18G3, 10 a. m. 
 The President of the United States announces to the coun- 
 try, that the news from the Army of the Potomac, up to ten 
 o'clock p. M. of the third, is such as to cover the army with 
 the highest honor — to promise great success to the cause of 
 the Union — and to claim the condolence of all for the many 
 gallant fallen ; and that for this he especially desires that on 
 this day, " He whose will, not ours, should ever be done," be 
 everywhere remembered and reverenced with the profoundest 
 gratitude. Abraham Lincolis. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 265 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 RETREAT OF THE REBELS FROM GETTYSBURG. 
 
 1863. — National Rejoicing. — The Enemy Retreating. — Feebly Pursued. — 
 Reconnoissances. — Kilpatrick Gives the Enemy a Fourth of July 
 Entertainment at Monterey Pass. — Storm and Terror. — Immense 
 Train Destroyed, and Hosts of Prisoners Taken. — Pitiable Condi- 
 tion of Stuart's Cavalry. — Battle of Hagerstown. — Captains Penfield 
 and Dahlgren Wounded. — Wonderful Exploits of a Union Scout. — 
 Kilpatrick and Buford at Williamsport. — Cavalry Fight at Boonsboro. 
 — Stuart Defeated.— Hagerstown Retaken. — Orders to Advance, One 
 Day Too Late. — Kilpatrick Chases the Flying Foe. — Fight at Falling 
 Waters, Last Act in the Drama. — Great Bravery of Union Troops. — 
 Last Vestige of the Invaders Wiped Out. — Bivouac and Rest. 
 
 THE victory at Gettysburg, though purchased at 
 so dear a price, when announced to the people, 
 produced a deep and widespread joy, which contrib- 
 uted to make the Fourth of July doubly memorable. 
 The gallant behavior of our men furnished a theme 
 for general exultation, and the removal of the threat- 
 ened disaster foreshadowed in the pompous and suc- 
 cessful invasion, made every true American breathe 
 more freely. 
 
 But the work of the soldier was not yet done. 
 The feet of the invaders were still upon free soil ; 
 and though his ranks had been thinned by desertions, 
 and by unprecedented casualties in battle, and he 
 had been thwarted in all the important minutiae of 
 
266 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 his plan, he was still formidable, and compelled to 
 fight with desperation, if attacked, to prevent utter 
 destruction. 
 
 Some apprehension that the enemy was at least 
 contemplating a speedy retreat was entertained dur- 
 ing the night that followed the third bloody day. 
 General Pleasonton, chief of cavalry, urged General 
 Meade to advance in force upon the beaten foe, al- 
 leging that they were not only greatly weakened by 
 their losses, but undoubtedly demoralized, in conse- 
 quence of repulse and probable scarcity of ammu- 
 nition. To ascertain positively what could be of 
 these probabilities, Pleasonton was directed to make 
 a reconnoissance toward the Eebel rear. Accord- 
 ingly, several detachments of cavalry were thrust 
 out on different roads, where they rode all night. 
 General Gregg, on our right, went about twenty-two 
 miles on the road to Chambersburg, and returning 
 early on the morning of the fourth, reported that 
 the road was strewn with wounded and stragglers, 
 ambulances and caissons, and general debris^ which 
 indicated that the enemy was retreating as rapidly as 
 possible, and was passing through a terrible season 
 of demoralization. The testimony of the mute wit- 
 nesses of disaster was corroborated by that of the 
 many prisoners which easily fell into Gregg's hands. 
 Other expeditions, returning later in the day, had 
 similar reports to render of what they had seen and 
 heard. And now came the time for energetic cav- 
 alry movements. While our infantry was resting, or 
 engaged in burying our own and the Eebel dead 
 within our lines, the cavalry was despatched to do 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 267 
 
 all the damage it could upon the retreating Rebel 
 columns. 
 
 KILPATRICK ON THEIR TRAIL. 
 
 Kilpatrick, having assembled his immortalized 
 division on the plain at the foot of Hound Top, on 
 the morning of the fourth, discoursed to them elo- 
 quently for a few moments on the interests of the 
 times. He assured his men that their noble deeds 
 were not passing by unnoticed, nor would be unre- 
 quited, and that they were already a part of a grand 
 history. He trusted that their future conduct would 
 be a fair copy of the past. But his pathetic and 
 patriotic accents had scarcely died upon the ear of 
 his brave command, when the shrill bugle-blast 
 brought eager men and grazing horses in line of 
 march. Orders had been received by Kilpatrick to 
 repair as swiftly as possible to the passes in the Ca- 
 toctin Mountains, to intercept the enemy now known 
 to be flying southward at a rapid rate. 
 
 The command had gone but a short distance when 
 rain began to fall in torrents, as is usually the case 
 after great battles, especially when much artillery is 
 used. But through mud, in places to the horses' bod- 
 ies ; through brooks swollen enormously, and through 
 the falling floods, the troopers pressed forward to the 
 accomplishment of their task. About five o'clock 
 p. M. Kilpatrick reached Emmitsburg, where he was 
 joined by portions of General Gregg's command, in- 
 cluding the Harris Light, which had been kept most- 
 ly in reserve during the conflicts of the past few days. 
 Thus reenforced, this intrepid leader marched directly 
 toward the Monterey Pass, arriving at the foot of this 
 
268 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 rocky defile in the mountains in the midst of pitchj^ 
 darkness. 
 
 As was anticipated, a heavy Rebel train was then 
 trying to make its escape through tlie gorge, guarded 
 by Stuart's Cavalry, with light artilleiy. This artil- 
 lery was planted in a position to rake the narrow road 
 npon which Kilpatrick was advancing. But the dark- 
 ness was so intense that the guns could be of little 
 use, except to make the night terribly hideous with 
 their bell owings, the echoes of which reverberated in 
 the mountain gorges in a most frightful manner. To 
 add to the horrors of the scene and position, the rain 
 fell in floods, accompanied w^ith gi'oaning thunders, 
 while lightnings flashed from cloud to cloud over our 
 heads, and cleft the darkness only to leave friend and 
 foe enveloped in greater darkness in the intervals of 
 light. By these flashes, however, we gained a mo- 
 mentary glimpse of each other's position, and as we 
 dashed forward in the gloom, we were further direct- 
 ed by the fire of the artillery and the desultory fire 
 of the cavalry. 
 
 Surgeon Moore gives the following account of this 
 afiair : We do not hesitate in saying, and have good 
 reason to know, that had any want of firmness on the 
 part of the leader, or any indecision or vacillation 
 appeared, and a mischance occurred, this splendid 
 command would then and there have been lost. 
 
 " But with unflinching and steady purpose, bold 
 bearing, and a mind equal to the emergency, the gen- 
 eral rode to the head of the column, reassured his 
 frightened people, and, notwithstanding the intense 
 darkness that hid friend from foe, made such skilful 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 269 
 
 dispositions, and then attacked the hidden foe with 
 snch impetuosity that he fled in wild dismay, leaving 
 his guns, a battle-flag, and four hundred prisoners in 
 the victor's hands. 
 
 The pass was gained, and Pennington's and El- 
 der's guns were soon echoing and reechoing through 
 tlie mountain defiles. The artillery opened thus on 
 the flying columns of the routed foe, who, with wag- 
 ons, ambulances, caissons, and the debris of a shat- 
 tered army, were rushing in chaotic confusion down 
 the narrow mountain road, and scattering through the 
 fields and woods on the plains below." 
 
 All night long Kilpatricic and his successful fol- 
 lowers were gathering the spoils of their evening 
 work. Wagon after wagon was overtaken, captured, 
 and destroyed, while hundreds of prisoners were 
 easily captured. This daring exploit placed Kilpat- 
 rick in advance of the Rebel army, giving him a fine 
 opportunity to obstruct their pathway of retreat, and 
 to destroy whatever could be of any use to them. 
 Had he not been cumbered with so many prisoners, it 
 is not in the power of any one to estimate the damage 
 he would have done. In his official report he says : 
 " On this day I captured eighteen hundred and sixty 
 prisoners, including many officers of rank, and de- 
 stroyed the Rebel General Ewell's immense wagon- 
 train, nine miles long." 
 
 It should be stated that these wagons were mostly 
 laden with the ripened and gathered crops of Pennsyl- 
 vania and Maryland, and with the plunder of private 
 and public stores, including dry goods and groceries 
 of every variety and quality. None who saw it will 
 
270 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 ever forget the appearance of that mountain road the 
 day following this night's foray. 
 
 Stuart, who was ingloriously defeated at Mon- 
 terey, retired towards Emmitsburg with about fifty 
 prisoners that he had captured during and after the 
 fight. He then moved southward until he struck an 
 unfrequented road which leads over the mountain mA 
 Wolfe's Tavern. By this turn he avoided immediate 
 contact with our cavalry. But about five o'clock 
 p. M., as he was about to debouch into the valley, Kil- 
 patrick, w^ho was watching for him as a cat does a 
 mouse, attacked him with artillery and fought him 
 till dark. This fight occurred near Smithburg, whence 
 the prisoners in Kilpatrick's hands were sent to South 
 Mountain, guarded by the Harris Light. 
 
 Darkness having put an end to the contest, Kil- 
 patrick marched through Cavetow^n to Boonsboro', 
 where he bivouacked for the night. Stuart, it w^as 
 ascertained, marched till about midnight to the small 
 town of Leitersburgh, where he rested his worn and 
 wearied command. His condition was really pitiable. 
 A large number of his men were mounted on shoeless 
 horses, w^hose leanness show^ed that they had made 
 many a long march through and from Virginia. Or, 
 as was the case with a large proportion of them, they 
 liad fat horses, which were stolen from the fields and 
 stalls of the invaded States, but, being entirely un- 
 used to such hard and cruel treatment as they were 
 now receiving, were well-nigh unserviceable. Lame- 
 ness and demoralization were prominent characteris- 
 tics among animals and men. 
 
 July 6. — This morning, at an early hour, Kil- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 271 
 
 Patrick's crowd of prisoners were turned over into 
 the hands of General French, and then his command 
 marched to Hagerstown, taking possession of the 
 place in advance of Stuart, wdiose approach about 
 eleven o'clock was met with determined resistance, 
 and, at first, w^ith great success. A heavy battle was 
 fought, in which Kilpatrick's men showed their usual 
 prowess and strength. Had not Rebel infantry come 
 to the aid of his cavalry, Stuart would have suffered 
 a stunning blow. For several hours the contest was 
 wholly between cavalry and light artillery. Charges 
 of great daring and skill w^ere made. One reporter 
 says : Elder gave them grape and canister, and the 
 Fifth New York sabres, while the First Yermont used 
 their carbines." 
 
 In one of those charges, made in the face of a 
 very superior force. Captain James A. Penfield, of 
 the Fifth New York, at the head of his company, had 
 his horse killed under him, and, while struggling to 
 extricate himself from the animal, which lay upon 
 him in part, he was struck a fearful blow of a sabre 
 on the head, which came near severing it in twain. 
 Thus wounded, with blood streaming down upon his 
 long beard and clothes, he was made a prisoner. In 
 a similar charge the gallant Captain ITlric Dahlgren 
 lost a leg, though not his valuable life. 
 
 It appeared as though the Rebels were afforded 
 an opportunity to avenge themselves in part for the 
 shameful losses w^hich they had sustained in this very 
 place by the strategic operations of a Union scout, by 
 the name of C. A. Phelps, during the incipient step 
 of the invasion. "We will let the scout relate his own 
 
272 Three Years vn the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 stor}^, which is corroborated by a signal-officer, who, 
 from one of the lofty peaks of the mountains, wit- 
 nessed the exciting denouement. The scout proceeds 
 to say : 
 
 I was very anxious to learn all about General 
 Stuart's force and contemplated movements, and re- 
 solved to see the general himself or some of his staff- 
 officers, soon after he entered Hagerstown. 
 
 " Accordingly I procured of a Union man a suit 
 of raglings, knocked off one boot-heel to make one 
 leg appear shorter than the other, and put a gimblet, 
 a tow-string, and an old broken jack-knife in my 
 pockets. My jewelry corresponded with my clothes. 
 I adopted the name of George Fry, a harvest-hand 
 of Dr. Farney, from Wolfetown, on the north side of 
 the mountain, and I was a cripple from rheumatism. 
 Having completed arrangements with Dr. Farney, 
 Mr. Landers, and other Union men, that they might 
 be of service to me in case the Eebels should be sus- 
 picious of my character, I hobbled away on my peril- 
 ous journey, and entered the city by leaping the high 
 stone wall which guards it on the north side near the 
 depot. This occurred just as the town-clock struck 
 one. 
 
 " It was a clear, starlight night, and the glistening 
 sabres of the sentries could be seen as they walked 
 their lonely beat. Scarcely had I gained the side- 
 walk leading to the centre of the town when the sen- 
 try nearest me cried, ' Halt ! who goes there ? ' 'A 
 friend,' I replied. 
 
 " ' A friend to North or South ? ' 
 
 " ' To the South, of course, and all right.' 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 273 
 
 ' Advance, then,' was the response. On reaching 
 him, he asked me what could be my business at this 
 hour of the night. I told him I had come in to see 
 our brave boys, who could whip the Yankees so hand- 
 somely, as they had done especially at Bull Run and 
 Chancellorsville. We fell at once to the discussion 
 of the war-questions of the day. In the midst of our 
 colloquy up came the officer of the guard on his 
 ' grand rounds,' who, after probing me thoroughly, as 
 he thought, with many questions, finally said, ' Had 
 you not better go with me to see General Stuart ? ' 
 
 ' I should reelly like ter git a sight of the gin'- 
 ral,' I quickly replied, ' for I never seen a reel gin'- 
 ral in all my life.' 
 
 " I was soon in the presence of the general, who 
 received me very cordially. I found him to be a man 
 a little above the medium height, and fine looking. 
 His features are very distinct in outline, his nose long 
 and sharp, his eye keen and restless. His complexion 
 is fiorid and his manners affable. I told him who I 
 was and where I lived when at home. ' Wolfetown ! ' 
 exclaimed the general, ' have not the Yankees a large 
 wagon-train there ? ' I told him they had ; and then, 
 turning to one of his staff'-officers, he said, ' I must 
 have it ; it would be a fine prize.' 
 
 " I noted his words and determined, if I possessed 
 any Yankee Avit, to make use of it on this occasion. 
 
 ' Giri'ral,' said I, ' you all don't think of cap- 
 terin' them are Yankee wagons, do you ? ' 
 
 " ' Why not ? I have here five thousand cavalry 
 and sixteen pieces of artillery, and I understand the 
 train is lightly guarded.' 
 
274 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 I saw that he had been properly informed, and 
 I told him they came there last evening with twelve 
 big brass cannon and three regiments of foot-soldiers, 
 and if he was to try to go through the gap of the 
 mountain they would shoot all the cannon off right 
 in the gap, and kill all his horses and men. The gen- 
 eral smiled at my naive answer, and said I had a 
 strange idea of war if I thought so many men would 
 be killed at once, and added that I would not be a 
 very brave soldier. I replied that many times I had 
 felt like going into the Confederate army, but my 
 rheumatism kept me out. 
 
 " After a while the general concluded not to try 
 the train, and I was heartily glad, for he would have 
 taken at least two hundred wagons easily, as they 
 were guarded by not more than three hundred men. 
 
 He then gave orders to have the main body of 
 his cavalry move towards Green Castle ; and I dis- 
 tinctly heard him give orders to the Major to remain 
 in town with fifty men as rearguard, and to send on 
 the army mail, which was expected there about six 
 the next evening. I made up my mind that it would 
 be a small mail he would get, as I proposed to myself 
 to be postmaster for once. 
 
 " After seeing the general and his cavalry move 
 out of town, I went directly for my horse, which I 
 had concealed in a safe place some distance from the 
 city, meanwhile surveying the ground to see which 
 way I could best come in to capture the mail, and 
 determined to charge the place on the pike from 
 Boonsboro', and made my arrangements to that effect. 
 I got a Union man, by the name of Thornburgh, to 
 
Tlirce Years in the Federal Cavalry. 275 
 
 go into the town and notify the Union people that, 
 when the town-clock struck six p. m., I would charge 
 in and capture the Rebel mail, at the risk of losing 
 my own life and every man with me. I had now but 
 eight men, two having been sent to General Stahel 
 with despatches. 
 
 I then returned to Boonsboro', and found my 
 men waiting for me. I told them my intentions, and 
 offered to send back to his regiment any man who 
 feared to go with me. But every one bravely said he 
 would not leave me, nor surrender without my ord^r. 
 I then ordered them to bring out their horses, and we 
 were soon on the road. It was a moment of thrilling 
 interest to us all, as we approached Ilagerstown, and 
 lingered to hear the signal-strokes of that monitor in 
 the old church-tower. At the appointed time (we 
 had already entered into the edge of the town), with 
 a wild shout we dashed into the streets, and the Major 
 and his fifty braves fled without firing a shot. We 
 captured sixteen prisoners, twenty-six horses, several 
 small-arms, and a heavy army mail, which contained 
 three important despatches from Jeff. Davis, and two 
 from the Rebel Secretary of War to General Lee. 
 All this substantial booty we safely carried within 
 our own lines, Avithout the loss of a man or a horse. 
 
 '^Many thanks are due to Dr. C. R. Doran and 
 Mr. Robert Thornburgh, for their kind and timely 
 assistance, and also to Misses Susie Carson and Addie 
 Brenner, who did so much for the comfort of our 
 brave men. I still have in my possession some choice 
 flowers, preserved from a bouquet presented to me by 
 Miss Carson the evening we captured the Rebel mail ; 
 
276 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 and tliougli the flowers have faded, the good deeds 
 done by the giver will ever grow bright through com- 
 ing time. All honor to the brave Union ladies." 
 
 In these same streets, where Captain Bi'iggs with 
 his telescope witnessed the successful charge of the 
 scouting party, raged the battle hotly on the sixth of 
 July. But, as the liebel infantry Avas advancing with 
 heavy artillery to the aid of Stuart's cavalry, Kilpat- 
 rick was sorely pressed, and, at length, compelled to 
 retire. His ears were now saluted with the sound of 
 artillery in the direction of Williamsport, and a mes- 
 senger arrived with the intelligence that General John 
 Bufoi-d, who had advanced through the South Moun- 
 tain Pass, was now attempting to destroy Lee's im- 
 mense supply train, which was packed near TVilliams- 
 port, and not very heavily guarded. 
 
 Kilpatrick desired no better work than to assist 
 his brave comrade, and he at once hastened down the 
 main road, and soon joined Buford in the work of 
 destruction. These combined commands were making 
 fearful havoc in the Rebel commissary and quarter- 
 master stores. Many wagons were burned, and the 
 whole train would have shared the same fate had not 
 the united infantry and cavalry of the enemy come 
 down upon us in overwhelming force. But we were 
 not to be driven away very suddenly nor cheaply. 
 Long and desperately we contended with the accu- 
 mulating forces, until darkness came on, when we 
 found ourselves completely enveloped by the foe. 
 Nothing but splendid generalship and true bravery 
 on the part of our officers and men saved us from 
 capture and destruction. Some of our number were 
 
THE UmKi 
 OF THE 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 279 
 
 made prisoners, but our losses were very small con- 
 sidering the amount of depredations we had commit- 
 ted, and the great danger to which we were exposed. 
 As it was, the commands were successfully withdrawn 
 from their hazardous position, and through the dark- 
 ness of the night we crossed Antietam Creek, and 
 bivouacked in safety on the opposite bank. Several 
 prisoners were captured from the Rebels during the 
 fights of the day. They were mostly from Alabama 
 and Louisiana regiments ; and they state that their 
 army is all together, and well on its way to the river. 
 They speak doubtfully of Lee's recrossing the Poto- 
 m.ac. 
 
 July 7. — Our cavalry is in the vicinity of Boons- 
 boro', and is acting mostly on the defensive. The 
 enemy in force is in our front, and an attack is mo- 
 mentarily expected. At six p. m. " to horse " was 
 sounded throughout our camps ; and, after waiting 
 two hours in rain, ready for a move, orders were re- 
 ceived to return to our quarters. Rain is now falling 
 in torrents, accompanied with fearful thunderings and 
 lightnings. Unpleasant as it is, we welcome its pelt- 
 ings, hoping that the storm will raise the Potomac 
 above the fording mark, and thus give Meade an op- 
 portunity to attack Lee before he has time to recross 
 the river into Virginia. We know that his pontoons 
 at Falling Waters have been totally destroyed by our 
 cavalry and by the high water, and that the only ford 
 available is at Williamsport, and hence we welcome 
 the falling floods. Many of us have to lie down in 
 water, which, however, is not very cold. But the 
 night is very tedious 
 
280 Three Years in the Federal CavaJ/ry. 
 
 July 8. — The sun came out bright and warm this 
 morning, enabling ns in a few moments to dry onr 
 drenched blankets and garments. The roads, how- 
 ever, abound in mud, and the streams are enormously 
 swollen. Early in the day our pickets were driven in 
 along the Antietam, and the enemy advanced with 
 such force that by noon the plains around Boonsboro' 
 were the scene of a furious cavalry engagement. 
 
 CAVALRY BATTLE AT BOONSBORO'. 
 
 Dr. Moore, from whose excellent reports we have 
 before quoted, gives the following graphic description 
 of this cavalry duel : Buford had the right and Kil- 
 patrick the left. The movements of the cavalry lines 
 in this battle were among the finest sights the author 
 remembers ever to have seen. It was here he first 
 saw the young general (Kilpatrick), and little thought 
 that one day the deeds he saw him perform he would 
 transmit to paper and to posterity. Here, all day 
 long, the Eebel and the Union cavalry-chiefs fought, 
 mounted and dismounted, and striving in every man- 
 ner possible to defeat and rout the other. The din 
 and roar of battle that, from ten a. m. until long after 
 dark, had rolled over the plains and back through the 
 mountains, told to the most anxious generals of them 
 all, Meade and Lee, how desperate was the struggle — 
 Stuart and his men fighting for the safety of the Rebel 
 army, Buford and Kilpatrick for South Mountain's 
 narrow Pass. 
 
 Just as the setting sun sent his last rays over that 
 muddy battle-field, Buford and Kilpatrick were seen 
 rapidly approaching eacli other from opposite direc- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 281 
 
 tions. Thej met ; a few hasty words were exchanged, 
 and away dashed Buford far off to the right, and Kil- 
 patrick straight to the centre; and in less than twenty 
 minutes, from right to centre, and from, centre to left, 
 the clear notes of the bngles rang out the welcome 
 charging, and with one long, wild shont, those glori- 
 ous squadrons of Buford and Kilpatrick, from right to 
 left, as far as the eye could see, in one unbroken line, 
 charged upon the foe. The shock was irresistible ; the 
 Rebel line was broken — the routed enemy confessed 
 the superiority of our men as they fled from the well- 
 fought field, leaving their dead and dying behind 
 them ; and our heroic chiefs led back their victorious 
 squadrons, and, while resting on their laurels, gave 
 their brave, wearied troops a momentary repose." 
 
 Thus far our cavalry had done much to obstruct 
 the retreat of the Rebel army, and had inflicted in- 
 calculable losses of men and materials. But the pur- 
 suit of our main army was not correspondingly vig- 
 orous. Two pretty good reasons may be assigned for 
 this seeming incompetency or want of energy. The 
 first reason is found in the fact that scarcely more 
 than a brigade of infantry had been kept in reserve 
 during the great and destructive battle of Gettysburg, 
 while the three days of struggle had well-nigh ex- 
 hausted our entire strength. Best was therefore 
 greatly needed, and a general engagement was to be 
 guarded against. It should also be remembered that 
 nearly one fourth of our entire army was hors de 
 cornbaL The second reason may be found in the 
 heavy rains which fell, impeding pursuers," as one 
 writer says, " more than pursued, though they need 
 12 
 
282 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 not." But the retreating army has this advantage ; 
 it usually chooses its own route, wliich it can gene- 
 rally cover or hide by means of stratagem, so that it 
 requires time as well as study to effectually pursue. 
 Perhaps a third reason for our tardiness of pursuit 
 should be presented. Does it not appear to be an 
 overruling act of Providence ? Had General Meade 
 advanced, as it seems he might have done with the 
 resources at his cotnmand, against the demoralized, 
 decimated, and flying army, with its ammunition 
 quite exhausted, and a swollen river, unfordable and 
 bridgeless, between it and safety, Lee could not have 
 escaped annihilation. But the public sentiment of 
 the country, though forming and improving rapidly, 
 was not yet prepared for such a victory. We needed 
 to spend more treasure, spill more blood, sacrifice 
 more i^recious lives, to lift us up to those heights of 
 public and political virtue, where we could be safely 
 entrusted with so dear a boon. We were not then 
 prepared for peace, that sovereign balm for a nation's 
 woes. 
 
 The tardiness with which our movements were 
 made enabled the enemy to reach a good position 
 near Hagerstown, wliich he began to fortify in such a 
 manner as to cover his crossing. Mean time we un- 
 derstood that successful efforts were made to rebuild 
 the bridge at Falling Waters, 
 
 General Meade, in his ofScial report, gives the fol- 
 lowing account of his pursuit : The fifth and sixth 
 of July were employed in succoring the wounded and 
 burying the dead. Major-General Sedgwick, com- 
 manding the Sixth Corps, having pushed the pursuit 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 283 
 
 of the enemy as far as the Fairfield Pass and tlie 
 mountains, and reporting tliat the pass was very 
 strong — one in which a small force of the enemy 
 could hold in check and delay for a considerable time 
 any pursuing force — I determined to follow the enemy 
 by a flank movement, and, accordingly, leaving Mc- 
 intosh's brigade of cavalry and Neil's brigade of 
 infantry to continue harassing the enemy, I put the 
 army in motion for Middletown, and orders were im- 
 mediately sent to Major-General French, at Frederick, 
 to reoccupy Harper's Ferry, and send a force to occu- 
 py Turner's Pass, in South Mountains. I subsequent- 
 ly ascertained that Major-General French had not 
 only anticipated these orders in part, but had pushed 
 a cavalr}^ force to Williamsport and Falling Waters, 
 whei-e they destroyed the enemy's pontoon bridge, 
 and captured its guard. Buford was at the same time 
 sent to Williamsport and Hagerstown. The duty 
 above assigned to the cavalry was most successfully 
 accomplished, the enemy being greatly harassed, his 
 trains destroyed, and many captures of guns and 
 prisoners made." 
 
 Juhj 10. — This morning, at Ave o'clock, the cav-* 
 airy advanced from Boonsboro', passed through Kee- 
 dysville, and crossed the Antietam about ten o'clock. 
 At twelve o'clock we engaged the enemy at Jones' 
 Cross Roads. The Harris Light led the advance, dis- 
 mounted. The Eebels were driven three consecutive 
 times from as many positions which they had chosen. 
 Their resistance was by no means strong nor deter- 
 mined. Before night Buford moved his command to 
 Sharpsburg, on the extreme left of our lines, and Kil- 
 
284 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 patrick advanced to a position on the extreme right, 
 in the vicinity of Hagerstown, where he covered the 
 road to Gettysburg. On the eleventh only picket 
 skirmishes occupied the time. But on the twelfth 
 Kilpatrick, supported by a brigade of infantry under 
 the command of Brigadier-General Ames, of How- 
 ard's Corps, advanced upon the enemy near Hagers- 
 town, drove them from their works, and then out of 
 the streets of the city, and took permanent possession. 
 This successful movement greatly contracted our lines, 
 and brought our forces into a better position. At the 
 close of this enterprise, as we are informed, General 
 Meade called a council of war, at which was discussed 
 earnestly and long the propriety of attacking the 
 enemy. Notwithstanding the anxiety of the chief 
 commander to advance and reap fully the fruit of Get- 
 tysburg, five of his corps commanders, out of eight, 
 argued against the measure, and as Meade did not 
 desire to assume the grave responsibility of a move- 
 ment against such protests, no move was immediately 
 attempted. 
 
 This statement may modify the condemnatory 
 judgments Avhich were formed against General Meade, 
 and may prepare our minds rightly to interpret Gen- 
 eral A. P. Howe's report of the general pursuit. In 
 narrating its spirit and progress, he says : On the 
 fourth of July it seemed evident enough that the 
 enemy were retreating. How far they were gone we 
 could not see from the front. We could see but a 
 comparatively small force from the position where I 
 was. On Sunday the Fifth and Sixth Corps moved 
 in pursuit. As we moved, a small rearguard of the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 285 
 
 enemy retreated. "We followed them, with this small 
 rearguard of the enemy before us, up to Fairfield, in 
 a gorge of the mountains. There we again waited 
 for them to go on. There seemed to be no disposition 
 to push this rearguard when we got up to Fairfield. 
 A lieutenant from the enemy came into our lines and 
 gave himself up. He was a Northern Union man, in 
 service in one of the Georgia regiments ; and, with- 
 out being asked, he unhesitatingly told me, when I 
 met him as he was being brought in, that he belonged 
 to the artillery of the rearguard of the enemy, and 
 that they had but two rounds of ammunition with the 
 rearguard. But we waited there without receiving 
 any orders to attack. It was a place where, as I in- 
 formed General Sedgwick, we could easily attack the 
 enemy with advantage. But no movement was made 
 by us until the enemy went away. Then one bri- 
 gade of my division, with some cavalry, was sent to 
 follow after them, while the remainder of the Sixth 
 Corps moved to the left. We moved on through 
 Boonsboro', and passed up on the pike-road leading 
 to Hagerstown. 
 
 " After passing Boonsboro' it became my turn to 
 lead the Sixth Corps. That day, just before we start- 
 ed. General Sedgwick ordered me to move on and 
 take up the best position 1 could over a little stream 
 on the Frederick side of Funkstown. As I moved 
 on, it was suggested to me by him to move carefully. 
 ' Don't come into contact with the enemy ; we don't 
 want to bring on a general engagement.' It seemed 
 to be the current impression that it was not desired 
 to bring on a general engagement. I moved on until 
 
286 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 we came near Funkstown. General Buford was along 
 that way with his cavalry. I had passed over the 
 stream referred to, and found a strong position, which 
 I concluded to take, and wait for the Sixth Corps to 
 come up. In. the meantime General Buford, who was 
 in front, came back to me, and said, ' I am pretty 
 hardly engaged here ; I have used a great deal of my 
 ammunition ; it is a strong place in front ; it is an 
 excellent position.' It was a little farther out than I 
 was — near Funkstown. He said, ' I have used a 
 great deal of my ammunition, and I ought to go to 
 the right ; suppose you move up there, or send up a 
 brigade, or even a part of one, and hold that position.' 
 Said I, ' I will do so at once, if I can just communi- 
 cate with General Sedgwick ; I am ordered to take 
 up a position over here, and hold it, and the intima- 
 tion conveyed to me was, that they did not want to 
 get into a general engagement ; I will send for Gen- 
 eral Sedgwick, and ask permission to hold that posi- 
 tion, and relieve you.' I accordingly sent a staff-offi- 
 cer to General Sedgwick with a request that I might 
 go up at once and assist General Buford, stating that 
 he had a strong position, but his ammunition was 
 giving out. General Buford remained with me until 
 I should get an answer. The answer was, ' No ; we 
 do not want to bring on a general engagement.' 
 ' Well,' said I, ' Buford, what can I do ? ' He said, 
 ' They expect me to go farther to the right ; my am- 
 munition is pretty much out. That position is a 
 strong one, and we ought not to let it go.' I sent 
 down again to General Sedgwick, stating the condi- 
 tion of General Buford, and that he would have to 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 287 
 
 leave unless he could get some assistance ; that his 
 position was not far in front, and that it seemed to 
 me that we should hold it, and 1 should like to send 
 some force up to picket it at least. After a time I 
 got a reply that, if General Buford left, I might oc- 
 cupy the position. General Buford was still with 
 me, and I said to him, ^ If you go aw^ay from there I 
 will have to hold it.' ' That's all right,' said he, ^ I 
 wdll go away.' He did so, and I moved right up. It 
 was a pretty good position when you cover your 
 troops. Soon after relieving Buford, we saw some 
 Rebel infantry advancing. I do not know whether 
 they brought them from Hagerstowm, or from some 
 other place. They made three dashes, not in heavy 
 force, upon our line to drive us back. The troops 
 that happened to be there on our line were wdiat we 
 considered, in the Army of the Potomac, unusually 
 good ones. They quietly repulsed the Eebels twice, 
 and the third time they came up they sent them fly- 
 ing into Funkstown. 
 
 " Yet there was no permission to move on and 
 follow up the enemy. We remained there some time, 
 until we had orders to move on and take a position a 
 mile or more nearer Hagerstown. As we moved up 
 we saw that the Kebels had some light field-works — 
 hurriedly thrown up, apparently — to cover themselves 
 while they recrossed the river. I think we remained 
 there three days ; and the third night, I think, after 
 we got up into that position, it was said the Rebels re- 
 crossed the river." 
 
 Sunday^ July 12. — I had the misfortune to be 
 kicked off my pins last night, just before we were re- 
 
288 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 lieved at the front. Approaching my sorrel pony 
 from the rear, in a careless manner, for he conld not 
 see me nntil I got within short range, when he raised 
 his heels very suddenly, and, w^ithout ceremony, plant- 
 ed them in my breast, laying me, not in the most gen- 
 tle manner, flat upon the ground. Medical aid is con- 
 sidered necessary to-day, as I am suffering not a little. 
 But, as the conflict w^as purely caused by my own 
 folly, I endure my pains with becoming patience. 
 
 To-day I found the following despatches in some 
 Northern paper, and I record them to show w^hat con- 
 tradictory reports will often find their way into the 
 public press concerning men and measures : 
 
 Mountain-House^ near Boonsboro\ July 9. — 
 There has been no fighting this morning. The fight 
 of yesterday, near Boonsboro', was between Generals 
 Buford and Kilpatrick's cavalry and Rebel infantry, 
 principally on the bushwhacking style. Our troops 
 fell back early in the day, but subsequently reoccu- 
 pied the ground. Artillery was used on both sides. 
 
 There is no truth in the reported death of Gen- 
 eral Kilpatrick." 
 
 (SECOND DESPATCH.) 
 
 Boons'boro\ July 9, 8 p. m. — There have been no 
 active operations on our front to-day. After the cav- 
 alry fight of yesterday the enemy drew in their forces 
 towards Hagerstown, and formed a line on elevated 
 ground from Funkstown on the right to the bend of 
 the river below Williamsport on the left, thus un- 
 covering the Shepherdstown crossing. Scouts and 
 reconnoitring parties report that Lee is entrenching 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 289 
 
 his front and drawing from his train on the Virginia 
 side, and making general preparations for another 
 battle. It is contradicted, to-night, that we have a 
 force on General Lee's line of retreat in Virginia." 
 
 July 13. — All has been quiet along our lines to- 
 day. The army, being pretty well rested by this 
 time, is waiting impatiently for the command to ad- 
 vance. Our position is also a good one, though not 
 better than that of the enemy. We have every rea- 
 son to believe that the Eebel army is still on the north 
 bank of the Potomac. The recent rains have raised 
 the river above the fording mark. Plowever, Lee will 
 undoubtedly fall back into Virginia if he finds a good 
 opportunity. During the latter part of the day Gen- 
 eral Meade finally decided to assault the position of 
 the invaders. Very much to the delight of the rank 
 and file of the army, orders were promulgated to the 
 eflFect that a strong and simultaneous advance must 
 be made early on the morning of the fourteenth. 
 Preparations were immediately begun. 
 
 FALLING WATERS. 
 
 Kilpatrick and his cavalry w^ere sent out on picket, 
 and advanced as near the enemy's lines as it was pru- 
 dent. Not many hours of the night had passed 
 away when Kilpatrick discovered certain movements 
 which indicated that the enemy was leaving his 
 front. Prepared as he was to attack them by the 
 morning light, he was ready to follow up any move- 
 ment which they might make. Hence, at three 
 o'clock in the morning of the fourteenth, his advance- 
 guard moved forward upon the retiring enemv. While 
 12* 
 
290 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 information of this unexpected movement of the ene- 
 my was despatched to General Meade, Kilpatrick ad- 
 vanced towards Williamsport with his usual rapidity 
 and power, driving and capturing every thing before 
 him. Informed by citizens that the rearguard of the 
 retreating army had but a few moments before started 
 from the river, he followed closely in their tracks, and 
 struck them at Falling Waters, where, after a bril- 
 liant and sharp conflict, he bagged a large number of 
 prisoners. Many a poor fellow never reached the 
 long-looked-for Virginia shore. 
 
 General Meade then sent the following despatch 
 to Washington : 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, ) 
 July 14, 3 p. M. f 
 
 H. W. HallecJc^ Oeneral-in- Chief : 
 
 My cavalry now occupy Falling Waters, having overtaken 
 and captured a brigade of infantry, fifteen hundred strong, 
 two guns, two caissons, two battle-flags, and a large number of 
 small-arms. The enemy are all across the Potomac. 
 
 George G. Meade, Major- General. 
 
 Later in the day he sent the following : 
 
 Headquarters Army op the Potomac, ) 
 July 14, 8.30 p. M. ) 
 
 Major- General Halleck^ General-in-Chief : 
 
 Mj cavalry have captured five hundred prisoners, in addi- 
 tion to those previously reported. General Pettigrew, of the 
 Confederate army, was killed this morning in the attack on the 
 enemy's rearguard. His body is in our hands. 
 
 G. G. ]\Ieade, Major- General, 
 
 These despatches were afterward denied by Gen- 
 eral Lee in a letter to his authorities, as follows : 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 291 
 
 Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, ) 
 July ,1803. f 
 
 General 8. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector- General C. 8, A, : 
 
 General : I have seen in the Korthern papers what pur- 
 ports to be an official despatch from General Meade, stating 
 that he had captured a brigade of infantry, two pieces of 
 artillery, two caissons, and a large number of small-arms, as 
 this army retired to the south bank of the Potomac on the 
 thirteenth and fourteenth instant. This despatch has been 
 copied into the Richmond papers ; and, as its official character 
 may cause it to be believed, I desire to state that it is incor- 
 rect. The enemy did not capture any organized body of men 
 on that occasion, but only stragglers, and such as were left 
 asleep on the road, exhausted by the fatigue and exposure of 
 one of the most inclement nights I have ever known at this 
 season of the year. It rained without cessation, rendering the 
 road by which our troops marched toward the bridge at Fall- 
 ing Waters very difficult to pass, and causing so much delay 
 that the last of the troops did not cross the river at the bridge 
 until one a. m. on the morning of the fourteenth. 
 
 While the column was thus detained on the road a number 
 of men, worn down with fatigue, laid down in barns and by 
 the roadside, and though officers were sent back to arouse 
 them as the troops moved on, the darkness and rain prevented 
 them from finding all, and many were in this way left behind. 
 Two guns were left on the road ; the horses that drew them 
 became exhausted, and the officers went back to procure others. 
 When they returned, the rear of the column had passed the 
 guns so far that it was deemed unsafe to send back for them, 
 and they were thus lost. No arms, cannon, or prisoners were 
 taken by the enemy in battle, but only such as were left behind, 
 as I have described, under the circumstances. The number of 
 stragglers thus lost I am unable to^' state with accuracy, but it 
 is greatly exaggerated in the despatch referred to. 
 I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 R. E. Lee, General, 
 
 This was evidently an attempt, on the part of the 
 
292 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavah^y. 
 
 Eebel leader, to disparage our victories and to wipe 
 out of liis record, with a sort of legerdemain, the dis- 
 graceful and disastrous denouement of his invasion. 
 In the following important statement General Meade 
 confirms his position by incontestable facts, and shows 
 how the matter stood : 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, \ 
 Aug. , 1863. S 
 
 Major- General Halleck^ Oeneralrin-CMef : 
 
 My attention has been called to what purports to be an 
 official despatch of General K. E. Lee, commanding the Rebel 
 army, to General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector- General, 
 denying the accuracy of my telegram to you, of July four- 
 teenth, announcing the result of the cavalry affair at Falling 
 Waters. 
 
 I have delayed taking any notice of Lee's report until the 
 return of Brigadier-General Kilpatrick, absent on leave, who 
 commanded the cavalry on the occasion referred to, and on 
 whose report from the field my telegram was based. I now en- 
 close the official re]»ort of Brigadier- General Kilpatrick, made 
 after his attention had been called to Lee's report. You will 
 see that he reiterates and confirms all that my despatch averred, 
 and proves most conclusively that General Lee has been de- 
 ceived by his subordinates, or he would never, in the face of the 
 facts now alleged, have made the assertion his report claims. 
 
 It appears that I was in error in stating that the body of 
 General Pettigrew was left in our hands, although I did not 
 communicate that fact until an officer from the field reported 
 to me he had seen the body. It is now ascertained, from the 
 Richmond papers, that General Pettigrew, though mortally 
 wounded in the affair, was taken to Winchester, where he sub- 
 sequently died. The three "battle-flags captured on this occa- 
 sion, and sent to Washington, belonged to the Fortieth, Forty- 
 seventh, and Fifty-fifth Virginia regiments of infantry. 
 
 General Lee will surely acknowledge these were not left in 
 the hands of stragglers asleep in barns. 
 
 George G. Meade, Majoi^- General Commanding, 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 293 
 
 Eilpatrick, in his letter of explanation, referred to 
 in the above despatch, gives the following graphic 
 account of this last scene in the great drama of the 
 invasion : 
 
 Headquarters Third Division Cavalry Corps, ) 
 Warrentou Junction, Va., Aug. , J 
 
 To Colonel A. J. Alexander^ Chief of Staff of Cavalry Corjps : 
 
 Colonel : In compliance with a letter just received from 
 the headquarters of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the 
 Potomac, directing me to give the facts connected with the 
 fight at Falling Waters, I have the honor to state that, at three 
 A. M. of the fourteenth ultimo, I learned that the enemy's pick- 
 ets were retiring in my front. Having been previously ordered 
 to attack at seven a. m., I was ready to move at once. 
 
 At daylight I had reached the crest of hills occupied by 
 the enemy an hour before, and, a few minutes before six. Gen- 
 eral Custer drove the rearguard of the enemy into the river at 
 Williamsport. Learning from citizens that a portion of the 
 enemy had retreated in the direction of Falling "Waters, I at 
 once moved rapidly for that point, and came up with this 
 rearguard of the enemy at seven-thirty a. m., at a point two 
 miles distant from Falling Waters. We pressed on, driving 
 them before us, capturing many prisoners and one gun. When 
 within a mile and a half of Falling Waters, the enemy was 
 found in large force, drawn up in line of battle on the crest of 
 a hill, commanding the road on which I was advancing. His 
 left was protected by earthworks, and his right extended to 
 the woods on our left. 
 
 The enemy was, when first seen, in two lines of battle, with 
 arms stacked within less than one thousand yards of the large 
 force. A second piece of artillery, with its support, consisting 
 of infantry, was captured while attempting to get into posi- 
 tion. The gun was taken to the rear. A portion of the Sixth 
 Michigan Cavalry, seeing only that portion of the enemy be- 
 hind the earthworks, charged. This charge was led by Major 
 Webber, and was the most gallant ever made. At a trot he 
 passed up the hill, received the fire from the whole line, and 
 
294: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 the next moment rode- through and over the earthworks, and 
 passed to the right, sabring the Rebels along the entire line, 
 and returned with a loss of thirty killed, wounded, and miss- 
 ing, including the gallant Major Webber, killed. 
 
 I directed General Custer to send forward one regiment as 
 skirmishers. They were repulsed before support could be sent 
 them, and driven back, closely followed by the Rebels, until 
 checked by the First Michigan and a squadron of the Eighth 
 New York. The Second brigade having come up, it was 
 quickly thrown into position, and, after a fight of two hours 
 and thirty minutes, routed the enemy at all points and drove 
 him toward the river. 
 
 When within a short distance of the bridge. General Buford's 
 command came up and took the advance. We lost twenty- 
 nine killed, thirty-six wounded, and forty missing. We found 
 upon the field one hundred and twenty-five dead Rebels, and 
 brought away upward of fifty wounded. A large number of 
 the enemy's wounded were left upon the field in charge of their 
 own surgeons. We captured two guns, three battle-flags, and 
 upward of fifteen hundred prisoners. 
 
 To General Custer and his brigade. Lieutenant Pennington 
 and his battery, and one squadron of the Eighth New York 
 Cavalry, of General Buford's command, all praise is due. 
 
 Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. KiLPATRiCK, Brigadier- General, 
 
 In his official report of operations from the twenty- 
 eighth of June, when he assumed command of the 
 Third division, Kilpatrick says : " In this campaign 
 my command has captured forty-five hundred prison- 
 ers, nine guns, and eleven battle-flags." Never be- 
 fore, in the history of warfare, has it been permitted 
 to any man commanding a division to include, in a 
 report of about forty-five days' operations, such mag- 
 nificent results. 
 
 As the last foot of the invaders disappeared from 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 295 
 
 the soil where they had never been successful, our 
 gallant boys built their bivouac fires and rested them- 
 selves and their weary animals near the scene of their 
 recent victory. 
 
 The telegraph Hues, which had so often been bur- 
 dened with news of disaster, now sang with joyful 
 intelligence from all departments of our vast armies. 
 Gettysburg was soon followed by Yicksburg, then 
 Port Hudson, the names being emblazoned upon 
 many a glowing transparency, to the honor of the 
 heroes who had planned, and the braves who had 
 fought, so successfully and well. The news was wel- 
 comed with salutes of artillery and bonfires in most 
 of the Northern cities and villages, while the whole 
 mass of our people was jubilant and rejoicing. 
 
 On the fifteenth the President issued a proclama- 
 tion of Thanksgiving, in which he recognized the 
 hand of God in our victories, and called upon the 
 people to " render the homage due to the Divine 
 Majesty for the wonderful things He has done in the 
 nation's behalf, and to invoke the influence of His 
 Holy Spirit to subdue the anger which has produced, 
 and so long sustained, a needless and cruel rebellion." 
 In the midst of these rejoicings we end our chapter. 
 
296 
 
 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 KILPATRICK'S GUNBOAT EXPEDITION. 
 
 1863. — Escape of Lee into Virginia. — Reasons. — Cavalry Advance into the 
 Valley ma Harper's Ferry, and Fight.— Riot in New York and other 
 Northern Cities. — Again Across the Potomac on *' Sacred Soil." — 
 Blackberries and Discipline. — Mails. — Battle of Manassas Gap. — Mos- 
 by Again, and His Bands.— Author's Birthday. — Kilpatrick's Gunboat 
 Expedition on the Rappahannock. — Cavalry Captures Navy. — Compli- 
 mented by Superiors.— General Advance of the Army. — Third Caval- 
 ry Battle at Brandy Station. — Stuart's Cavalry Worsted at Culpepper 
 Court House. — Sharp Artillery Practice at Raccoon Ford, on the Rapi- 
 dan. — Special Duties and Special Dangers. — Good Living Along the 
 Hazel and Robertson Rivers. — Important Reconnoissance and Raid. — 
 Hard Fighting and Narrow Escape.— Needed Rest Received. — The 
 Paymaster. — Rebel Plan of Attack Foiled by a Citizen Informer. — 
 Suspicious Activity on Our Front. 
 
 rpmS sudden and masterly movement of the Rebels 
 
 X was a entting surprise to General Meade, and a 
 source of mortification and chagrin to all. Glori- 
 ously successful as we had been, it was evident that 
 hesitation and indecision had greatly detracted from 
 our laurels. We had won a world-renowned victory, 
 but we had failed to reap all the legitimate fruits 
 which our situation placed within our reach. 
 
 General Lee had been terribly punished, but his 
 escape was quite marvellous. One writer says: 
 When his shattered columns commenced their re- 
 treat from Gettysburg, few of his officers can have 
 
Tliree Years in the Federal Cavalry, 297 
 
 imagined tliat they would ever reach Virginia with 
 their artillery and most of their trains." And 
 though their trains were severely handled and 
 greatly injured, yet the old Eebel army of Northern 
 Virginia, with nearly all its artillery, made its exit 
 from soil too sacred to freedom for a Eebel victory. 
 Their losses, however, had been immense, and they 
 were only too glad to escape in a manner very unlike 
 the audacious way in which they had advanced but 
 a few weeks previous into the Northern States. 
 
 It now became the policy of our leader to follow 
 the fugitives as closely as the changed circumstances 
 of affairs would permit, and to give the Rebels no 
 rest, while he endeavored to press them determin- 
 edly, and watched them by means of scouts and 
 signal-stations with a jealous eye. There is, how- 
 ever, a limit to the endurance which men and horses 
 are capable of, and, beyond this, the overtaxed pow- 
 ers give way, and exhausted nature claims her rights. 
 Few there are, except those who have had experi- 
 ence, who know how much privation the brave sol- 
 dier and his general suffer in the toils of the field, on 
 the rapid march, the hasty bivouac, the broken slum- 
 bers, the wakeful watchings, and the scanty fare." 
 It must be remembered, also, that our army had 
 made many forced marches, describing in its route 
 a line somewhat resembling the circumference of a 
 great circle, as a careful survey of the map of move- 
 ments will show ; while the route of the enemy, who 
 had several days the start of us, was more like the 
 diameter of that circle. Our cavalry had not only 
 fought and defeated the Eebel cavalry on many san- 
 
298 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 guinary fields, but it had met the serried lines of 
 their infantry also, as at Gettysburg, where the brave 
 Farns worth fell. Owing to this fatigue of our forces, 
 our pursuit of the enemy w^as not as vigorous, it 
 would seem in a cursory glance, as it should have 
 been. 
 
 As soon as it w^as ascertained that the Rebel army 
 was in full retreat, a force of our cavalry was sent 
 across the Po'tomac at Harper's Ferry, bivouacking, 
 the night of the fourteenth of July, on Bolivar 
 Heights. Early the next morning we advanced on 
 the Winchester Turnpike as far as Halltown, where 
 we deflected to the right on the road to Shepherds- 
 town. We had not proceeded far before we encoun- 
 tered, the enemy's cavalry under Fitzhugh Lee, with 
 which we were soon involved in a spirited contest. 
 At first our troopers were worsted and driven back 
 a short distance. But, having found a good position, 
 we rallied, and repulsed several desperate charges, in- 
 flicting heavy losses, until the Eebels were glad to 
 give up the game, and consequently retired. Colo- 
 nel Drake (First Virginia) and Colonel Gregg were 
 among the Rebel slain, while on our side the highest 
 officer killed was Captain Fisher, of the Sixteenth 
 Pennsylvania. The fighting was done principally on 
 foot. 
 
 While these things were transpiring, Kilpatrick 
 moved his division from Falling Waters to Boonsboro' 
 by way of Williamsport and Hagerstown. Sad evi- 
 dences of the recent battles and marches, in dead 
 animals and general debris^ were seen all along the 
 way. Having reached our bivouac near Boonsboro', 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 299 
 
 our men and horses came to tlieir rations and rest 
 with a wondeiful relish. 
 
 During tlie day we have been reading of the 
 murderous riots made in Northern cities, especially 
 in Xew York, where men in mobs have ostensibly 
 leagued against the authority of the Government. 
 The bloody accounts are stirring the rank and file of 
 our army terribly. A feeling of intense indignation 
 exists against traitorous demagogues, who are un- 
 doubtedly at the bottom of all this anarchy. De- 
 tachments from many of the old regiments are now 
 being sent North to look after Northern traitors. 
 This depletion of our ranks we cannot well afford, 
 for every available man is needed in the field. Many 
 of our regiments are much reduced. The Harris 
 Light now musters but one hundred men fit for duty, 
 scarcely one tenth the number with which we entered 
 upon the campaign. Our horses are also much used 
 up. Hundreds of them have been killed and wound- 
 ed in battle, and not a few have played out," so 
 that they are utterly unserviceable. The author of 
 these records has worn out completely two horses 
 since he had a second horse shot imder him in the 
 cavalry fight near Upperville. 
 
 July 16. — " Boots and Saddles " sounded at four 
 o'clock, and before daylight we were on our way 
 toward Harper's Ferry. We revisited Rhorersville, 
 crossed Crampton's Gap, and at last reached the Po- 
 tomac at Berlin, where the division was separated, 
 a portion of it moving to Harper's Ferry, where they 
 bivouacked at night in the yard of the destroyed 
 United States arsenal. Pontoons at Harper's Ferry 
 
300 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 and Berlin, were used for crossing the army into Yir- 
 ginia. The crossing was being effected as rapidly as 
 possible, yet for bo vast an army it is always slow and 
 tedious. 
 
 Our troops are daily crossing and advancing, but 
 all is otherwise quiet. We are now receiving an is- 
 sue of clothing, which we greatly need. Our ranks 
 are putting on a new-revived appearance. The first 
 sergeants of the Harris Light have received orders to 
 finish their pay-rolls. General Lee is reported to be 
 falling back to the Rappahannock. 
 
 Sunday^ July 19. — Our cavalry left Harper's 
 Ferry at two o'clock r. m., crossed the river on pon- 
 toons at Sandy Hook, and advanced into Virginia. 
 Monthly returns for June were made before our 
 march commenced. The weather is very warm and 
 sultry. On the twentieth we resumed our march at 
 ten A. M., and advanced to Leesburgh, where we fed 
 our horses and rested. In the decline of the day we 
 marched to Goose Creek, on whose grassy banks we 
 bivouacked for the night. 
 
 The whole cavalry force is moving towards the 
 Kappahannock. On the twenty-first we advanced 
 '^^(Z Gum Spring and Centreville to Manassas Junc- 
 tion. The boys have had some gay times to-day after 
 blackberries, which we found in great abundance all 
 along our line of march. General Gregg was com- 
 pelled to dismount several men in the forenoon, and 
 ordered them to march on foot, for the off'ence of 
 leaving the ranks for berries, without permission. A 
 command would soon, be totally demoralized, if such 
 tendencies to unsoldierly conduct were not checked. 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 301 
 
 And though at times discipline seems severe, yet, 
 especially with us, it is absolutely necessary. 
 
 July 22. — To-day we marched to the vicinity of 
 Gainesville. We fell in with Scott's Nine Hundred 
 as we were marching across the old field of Bull Eun, 
 among whom we found several old acquaintances. 
 We spent a few very interesting moments together. 
 
 July 23. — Our command was cheered to-day by 
 the arrival of a large mail, which brought a message 
 to nearly every man. During active campaigning, 
 as in the invasion of Pennsylvania and Maryland, it 
 is difficult to keep up postal connections with the 
 civil world, and, with the very best efforts which can 
 be made, our mails are greatly delayed, sometimes 
 even for weeks together. But when they do come, 
 they are hailed with a delight which is almost frantic. 
 The post-boys are cheered as far as they can be seen, 
 as they wend their way from camp to camp, with 
 their horses loaded down with the enormously swollen 
 mail-bags. Several bushels of letters are sometimes 
 brought by one carrier, as was the case to-day. 
 
 FIGHTING AT MANASSAS GAP. 
 
 During the day we have heard very heavy can- 
 nonading in the direction of White Plains. It ap 
 pears that General Meade, misled by the information 
 brought by some of his scouts, expected to engage 
 the Rebel army in Manassas Gap, or west of that, 
 where General Buford found the enemy in force. 
 Our army was accordingly concentrated upon this 
 point. The Third Corps, under General French, 
 which occupied Ashby's Gap, was sent forward rap- 
 
802 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 idly to Buford's support, where its First Division, 
 commanded by General Hobart Ward, pushed 
 through the Gap, driving the enemy before it, but 
 with mutual loss. Here the New York Excelsior 
 Brigade, General F. B. Spinola commanding, greatly 
 distinguished itself, by making three heroic charges 
 up the frowning steeps, where the Eebels were 
 strongly posted. Their general was twice wounded. 
 But the effort was a success. 
 
 On the morning of the twenty -fourth our soldiers 
 pushed forward as far as Front Eoyal, but found no 
 enemy. They then learned that they had been fight- 
 ing only a portion of Lee's rearguard, which in the 
 night had slipped away in the trail of their main 
 army southward. By this move General Meade's 
 army lost about two days' march ; and when again 
 we reached the bank of the Rappahannock, the old 
 foe was facing us in threatening attitude from the 
 opposite shore. 
 
 This afternoon the Harris Light was sent on a 
 scout to Thoroughfare Gap. From the heights be- 
 yond the Gap we saw the wagon-train of the Elev- 
 enth Corps moving toward Warrenton. This was a 
 portion of the force which had expected a fight at 
 Manassas Gap. 
 
 July 25. — Our cavalry force reached the vicinity 
 of Warrenton Junction, when we went into bivouac. 
 The second squadron of our regiment, under Captain 
 O. J. Downing, moved to Thoroughfare Gap and re- 
 turned to Gainesville, where it joined the regiment, 
 and then marched with us to the Junction ma Bris- 
 toe and Catlett's. Before night we were sent out on 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 303 
 
 picket in the vicinity of Catlett's Station, where we 
 relieved the First Virginia Cavalry. We continued 
 on picket through the twenty-sixth, but all was quiet 
 along the lines. 
 
 An inspection of horses was made this morning, 
 when a large number were condemned as utterly un- 
 sc3rviceable ; and they were started off toward Wash- 
 ington, to be exchanged for better ones. 
 
 July 27. — I have the responsibility and honor of 
 being in command of a company. This afternoon a 
 detachment of our forces was sent out on a sort of 
 bushwhacking expedition. A portion of Company 
 F was captured by the Fourth Virginia Cavalry, 
 while patrolling the road near Bristersburg. 
 
 We are not doing much these days, except picket- 
 ing, scouting, recruiting, resting. On the twenty- 
 ninth our entire brigade was marched to within three 
 miles of Warrenton, and then countermarched to the 
 old camp ; and on the last day of the month we ad- 
 vanced to Warrenton in heavy force, where General 
 Meade has had his headquarters for several days. 
 
 August 1. — To-day General Meade moved his 
 headquarters to Eappahannock Station. The heat 
 is excessive. Two men of the Harris Light were 
 sun struck during the day. We left Warrenton at 
 seven o'clock a. m., and moved very slowly. At 
 night we bivouacked not far from New Baltimore. 
 On the following day we were sent out on picket, 
 which here is neither difficult nor dangerous. 
 
 Our Colonel, Otto Harhaus, is ill, and is awaiting 
 his documents for a leave of absence from the regi- 
 ment. 
 
304 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 August 3. — The colonel received his papers to- 
 day, and started forthwith for ITew York. Captain 
 L. H. Southard, the senior officer, is in comnjand. 
 The regiment was sent to Thoroughfare Gap, where 
 w^e encamped in an apple-orchard. 
 
 Our infantry lines now extend down the Rappa- 
 hannock as far as Fredericksburg, which we hold. 
 The cavalry is picketing and patrolling all this terri- 
 tory. However, as there are so many regiments to 
 engage in this work, the duty is comparatively light. 
 " Many hands make light wwk." 
 
 Sunday^ August 9. — We still continue near Thor- 
 oughfare Gap. Occasionally, as our turn comes, we 
 picket along the Manassas Gap Railroad. Major E. 
 F. Cooke, who has been absent for some time, re- 
 turned to us to-day and took command. My old 
 company, E, shows the following report : Present, 
 thirty-two ; fit for duty, twenty-two. 
 
 On Monday the regiment left camp at nine a. 
 M., and, separating into several detachments, moved 
 upon White Plains and Middleburg from different 
 directions. These places have been occupied for 
 some time past by Mosby's guerilla bands. We did 
 not succeed, however, in bringing them into an en- 
 gagement, as they were sharply on the lookout, and 
 studiously kept beyond the reach of our carbines. 
 Occasionally our pickets are attacked by them, and 
 some lively times are experienced. 
 
 August 13. — I was detailed by the adjutant this 
 morning to act as sergeant-major in place of Ser- 
 geant Temple, who is assigned to the command of a 
 company. Very few commissioned offi^cers are with 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 305 
 
 the regiment at present. This leaves the command 
 of several companies to enlisted men. Some of our 
 officers are out on detached service, while not a few, 
 during the lull of army operations, have asked and 
 received leaves of absence, and are visiting their 
 friends in the North. It might indeed be said that 
 we are all rusticating ; and, were it not for the gue- 
 rilla bands that infest the country, attacking our out- 
 posts, and frequently disturbing our lines of com- 
 munication with our bases of supply as well as the 
 outer world, our condition would be one of pleasing 
 rest. 
 
 On the fourteenth a little excitement was aflforded 
 us, to relieve us from the monotonous life which we 
 are spending. A detachment of the regiment, com- 
 manded by Captain Griggs, made a bold dash upon 
 an ill-starred portion of Mosby's band, near Aldie, 
 where we captured three men and twenty horses and 
 equipments, most of which had formerly belonged to 
 our service, having been taken by these wily gue- 
 rillas. Nearly every hoi^se had the familiar " XJ. S." 
 upon his shoulder ; and the saddles, with very few 
 exceptions, were of Northern manufacture. 
 
 August 15. — ^The Harris Light moved from Thor- 
 oughfare Gap at ten a. m. We reached Hartwood 
 Church at eight in the evening, via New Baltimore 
 and Greenwich. A considerable halt was made at 
 Warrenton Junction, where we drew rations and 
 forage. 
 
 Henry E. Davies, Jr., just promoted to the colo- 
 nelcy of the regiment, joined us at the Junction, and 
 took command. He is immensely popular with the 
 13 
 
306 Three Years in the Federal CavaJ/ry, 
 
 men, especially with those who admire bravery and 
 heroism, and who covet to be thoroughly drilled and 
 disciplined. 
 
 August 17. — -We continue at Ilartwood Church, 
 with our camp located very near General Kilpatrick's 
 lieadquarters. During the day Oolondl Davies ap- 
 pointed me second lieutenant, and assigned me to the 
 command of Company M, as both the captain and 
 first lieutenant of the company are absent on de- 
 tached service. 
 
 Late in the evening I received orders to report, 
 with my company, at an early hour next day, to 
 Captain Meade, division quartermaster. At five 
 o'clock on the morning of the eighteenth we made 
 our bow to the captain, who despatched us as an es- 
 cort or guard to a train from Hartwood to Warrenton 
 Junction. 
 
 During the march we made an exciting dash 
 upon a band of guerillas, who were watching for us, 
 expecting to make some captures. But they were 
 disappointed, for we were not only prepared to resist 
 them, but would have captured them but for the su- 
 perior fleetness of their horses. After accomplishing 
 the work we were sent out to dO; and resting one 
 night, we returned to the regiment. 
 
 August 22. — This is my natal day. I find myself 
 twenty-two years of age. I am not surrounded on 
 this anniversary, as in former years, by the friends 
 of my childhood. But memories of the past come 
 trooping up in such vivid lines, as to make the day 
 one of deep interest. 
 
 August 28. — My company, which forms a part of 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 307 
 
 Captain Mitchell's battalion, is doing picket-duty at 
 present with the battalion on the Rappahannock be- 
 tween Banks and United States Fords. My com- 
 pany is at the captain's headquarters, and acts as 
 grand guard. 
 
 Sunday^ August 30. — To-day I accompanied th© 
 division and brigade officers of the day in their visit 
 to and inspection of the pickets along the Rappahan- 
 nock. Our ride was very pleasant. Captain Barker, 
 of the Fifth New York Cavalry, dined with Captain 
 Mitchell and myself. He is a lively companion ; was 
 in the hands of Mosby last Spring ; and has a fund 
 of amusing and interesting incidents of army-life with 
 which to enliven his conversation. 
 
 On the last day of August, Captain Mitchell was 
 ordered to report to the regiment at Hartwood Church, 
 with his reserves. The pickets are to remain on the 
 river until attacked by the enemy or recalled by 
 orders from division headquarters. 
 
 CAVALRY GUNBOAT EXPEDITION. 
 
 Septemher 4. — To break the monotony of picket- 
 ing and to subserve the cause of freedom, a most 
 novel scheme was lately undertaken, known as Kil- 
 patrick's Gunboat Expedition. The object was to 
 destroy a portion of the Rebel navy anchored in the 
 Rappahannock, near Port Conway, opposite Port 
 Royal. This peculiar kind of warfare, which re- 
 quired genius and dash, was waged by the troopers 
 with complete success, and they returned to their 
 bivouac fires to enliven the weary hours with stories 
 of their long march down the river, and their de- 
 
308 Three Years in the Federal GmaVry. 
 
 structive charge upon the gunboats of the enemy. 
 The expedition set out about two o'clock on the morn- 
 ing of September first. 
 
 Doctor Lucius P. Woods, Surgeon-in-Chief of the 
 First Brigade, Third Division, gives the following 
 interesting description of the above raid in a letter 
 to Mrs. Woods : 
 
 " I returned yesterday after a three days' expedi- 
 tion after gunboats ! We all laughed at the order 
 sending cavalry after such craft, but I am happy to say 
 that the object of the expedition was accomplished. 
 We left camp at two o'clock a. m., marched all day and 
 all the following night, till three o'clock next morning, 
 when we made a furious charge upon Rebel infantry. 
 They ran so fast as to disarrange the general's plan of 
 attack. The morning was so dark that we could not 
 see one rod in advance. 
 
 " We captured twelve or fifteen prisoners, and Gen- 
 eral Kilpatrick gave orders in their hearing to have 
 the whole command fall back, stating that the gun- 
 boats would be alarmed and the expedition be a failure. 
 The general took particular pains to allow half the 
 prisoners to escape and to get across the Rappahan- 
 nock. After falling back two miles, we were counter- 
 marched toward the river, near which we were formed 
 in line of battle. We sat there on our horses waiting 
 for daylight. Then the flying artillery of ten guns, 
 supported by the old Fifth New York and First 
 Michigan, dashed at a full run down to the river-bank, 
 wheeled into position, and gave the Rebels a small car- 
 go of hissing cast-iron, which waked them up more 
 efiectually than their ordinary morning-call. They 
 
Three Yea/rs in the Federal Cmalry. 30& 
 
 soon came to their senses, and for half an hour sent 
 over to us what I should think to be, by the noise 
 they made, tea-kettles, cooking-stoves, large cast-iron 
 hats, etc. But our smaller and more active guns soon 
 silenced theirs, and drove the gunners away, when we 
 turned our attention to the boring of holes in their 
 boats with conical pieces of iron, vulgarly called solid 
 shot. I am sure I can recommend them as first-class 
 augers, for thej^ sank the boats in time for all hands 
 to sit down to breakfast at half-past nine o'clock. The 
 repast consisted of muddy water, rusty salt-pork, and 
 half a hard cracker, termed by us " an-iron clad break- 
 fast." We were absent from camp three days, and 
 had only nine hours' sleep." 
 
 Further interesting particulars were given in a 
 New York daily, as follows : 
 
 The expedition under Greneral Kilpatrick, sent 
 out a few days since to recapture, in conjunction with 
 the navy, the gunboats Satellite and Reliance, which 
 recently fell into the hands of the Rebels, was, so far 
 as the cavalry is concerned, successful. 
 
 On Tuesday evening General Kilpatrick arrived 
 on this side the river, at Port Conway, and brilliantly 
 dashed upon the enemy's pickets under Colonel Low. 
 The Rebels did not even make a show of resistance, 
 but rushed into a number of flat-boats in the wildest 
 confusion, and landed safely on the opposite bank. 
 If they had made a show of fight, they would have 
 most likely been captured. 
 
 After the escape of the enemy. General Kil- 
 patrick waited two hours for the cooperation of the 
 navy, which is understood to have been agreed upon. 
 
310 Three Years m the Federal Camalry. 
 
 The vessels did not arrive, and General Kilpatrick 
 ordered a battery to open fire upon the gunboats Re- 
 liance and Satellite. This was done at the distance 
 of six hundred and fifty yards. The enemy imme- 
 diately abandoned the gunboats — ^very fortunately 
 for themselves, for only a few moments elapsed be- 
 fore the Satellite was in a sinking condition, and the 
 Reliance rendered useless. Both boats were com- 
 pletely riddled by shot and shell. The force under 
 Kilpatrick consisted of cavalry and two batteries of 
 artillery. The Satellite is sunk, and the Reliance so 
 completely disabled as to be beyond hope of being 
 repaired by the Rebels." 
 
 On our return from Port Conway we passed 
 through Falmouth, where we halted a short time. It 
 was pleasant to survey the scenes of former labors 
 and confiicts. Much alarm appears to have been 
 created among the Rebels by our gunboat disturb- 
 ance. A large force of Rebel cavalry can be dis- 
 tinctly seen approaching Fredericksburg on the Tele- 
 graph Road, and more or less commotion prevails 
 across the river. From Falmouth we marched di- 
 rectly to Hartwood Church. On arriving here, Cap- 
 tain Mitchell's battalion was ordered back to its old 
 position on picket, to relieve the infantry which took 
 our places before the expedition to Port Conway. 
 
 September 5. — "We continue on picket near United 
 States Ford. This morning the regiment was mus- 
 tered in for pay by Major Mclrvin, who is tempora- 
 rily in command. Colonel Davies having been placed 
 in command of a brigade. 
 
 At ten o'clock a. m. I received my commission of 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 311 
 
 second lieutenant. It was brought from the head- 
 quarters of the regiment by the bugler of Company 
 H. It dates back to the cavalry fight at Aldie, which 
 occurred on the seventeenth of June. 
 
 On this line of pickets we have continued un- 
 interruptedly for a week. On the seventh, Colonel 
 Davies, with his assistant adjutant-general, visited our 
 post. It was very gratifying to Captain Mitchell 
 and myself to receive the colonel's compliments for 
 promptness and vigilance in our work, especially as 
 lie has the reputation of never bestowing praise where 
 it is not deserved. 
 
 I rode down to Lieutenant Temple's j)icket-reserve, 
 at Richard's Ferry, on the eighth. I found the lieu- 
 tenant in excellent humor, but decidedly opposed 
 to picketing as a permanent occupation. We were, 
 however, consoled with the hope of relief ere long. 
 
 In the afternoon the brigade officer of the day 
 called at the bivouac of the grand guard," and 
 expressed himself as being highly pleased with the 
 disposition and management of the pickets. The 
 enemy's pickets confront ours at all the fords of the 
 river, and appear in heavy force. 
 
 For some time past we have understood that Gen- 
 eral Lee's headquarters are at Orange Court House, 
 while his infantry occupies the south banks and bluffs 
 of the Kapidan. Stuart occupies Culpepper Court 
 House, and pickets and patrols the territory between 
 the Rapidan and the Rappahannock, a region shaped 
 much like an old-fashioned harrow. 
 
 September 13. — An advance of the Union army 
 was ordered yesterday by its Chief, in which the 
 
312 Three Years in the Federal Caval/ry. 
 
 cavalry was to take a prominent part. Orders were 
 issued accordingly last evening, and every needed 
 preparation made for our work. At an early hour 
 this morning the entire cavalry corps was on the 
 mareh. In order that the enemy might not be pre- 
 maturely warned of our design, the several com- 
 mands were ordered to make as little noise as possi- 
 ble. Consequently the bugle-calls were dispensed 
 with, and commanders made use of their voices, and 
 in some ' instances the orders were conveyed from 
 rank to rank in a whisper. The three great divi- 
 sions of the corps were to cross the river as follows : 
 Gregg's, at Sulphur Springs ; Buford's, at Eappa- 
 hannock Bridge ; and Kilpatrick's, at Kelly's Ford. 
 
 BRANDY STATION NO. 3. 
 
 At six o'clock the Harris Light plunged into the 
 river at Kelly's Ford, leading the advance. A strong 
 detachment of Stuart's cavalry, consisting of pickets 
 and reserves, opposed our crossing with dogged per- 
 tinacity, but finally, yielding to our superior num- 
 bers and to the deadly accuracy of our carbines, gave 
 way. He then advanced in the direction of Brandy 
 Station. The farther we advanced the stronger grew 
 the ever-accumulating force of the enemy, who dis- 
 puted every- uich of ground with great stubbornness. 
 On arriving near the Station we found the enemy in 
 strong force, with artillery posted on the surrounding 
 hills. We saw clearly that a third cavalry fight was 
 destined to be fought on this historic field, and we 
 began to make preparations for the onset. It was 
 my fortune to lead the advance company in the first 
 
Tliree Years in the Federal Ca/calry. 313 
 
 charge. Three men and four horses were killed and 
 wounded in this company by the first discharge of 
 the enemy's artillery, whose fire was terribly accu- 
 rate. 
 
 But we had not been fighting long before the 
 other divisions joined us. At their approach great 
 enthusiasm among our boys prevailed. Before our 
 combined force the enemy was swept from those 
 plains like chaff before the whirlwind. They fled in 
 the direction of Culpepper, a naturally strong and 
 now fortified position, where we knew we must soon 
 encounter the Rebel chivalry en masse upon their 
 chosen field. 
 
 FIGHT AT CULPEPPER COURT HOUSE. 
 
 From Brandy Station General Pleasonton di- 
 rected Kilpatrick to make a detour via Stevensburg, 
 in order to operate as a fianking column upon the 
 enemy at the proper time. With the First and Sec- 
 ond divisions Pleasonton pushed straight on to Cul- 
 pepper, driving the enemy before him without much 
 resistance until within about a mile of the town. 
 Here our advance was effectually checked. A fear- 
 ful duel now took place with varying fortunes. For 
 some time the enemy baffled all our efforts to dislodge 
 him from his strong position ^ and our men began to 
 look wishfully for the flankers, when lo ! Kilpatrick's 
 flags were seen advancing from the direction of Ste- 
 vensburg, and his artillery was soon thundering in 
 the enemy's flank and rear. Under this unexpected 
 and W3!l-directed fire, that portion of the enemy 
 
 which had kept our main column at bay fell back in 
 13* ^ ' 
 
314 Three Years in the Federal CoA^aVry. 
 
 confusion into the town ; and, before they had time 
 to re-form their broken L'nes, the Harris Light, Fifth 
 New York, First Vermont, and First Michigan, led 
 by General Ouster, dashed upon the " Johnnies " in 
 the streets, throwing the boast of the chivalry into 
 a perfect rout. Many prisoners were captured, more 
 or less material of war, and three Blakely guns. The 
 Rebels retreated hastily in the direction of Pony 
 Mountain and Rapidan Bridge, whither they were 
 closely pursued by our victorious squadrons. Tlie 
 day following this brilliant advance Pleasonton oc- 
 cupied all the fords of the Raptdan, extending his 
 pickets on our right as far forward as the Robertson 
 and Hazel Rivers. 
 
 The way having been thus prepared by his heroic 
 avant'Gouriers^ General Meade advanced the Army 
 of the Potomac across the Rappahannock, and took 
 his temporary residence in Culpepper. 
 
 September 15. — Kilpatrick's division advanced 
 from Culpepper to Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan. 
 Colonel Davies' brigade supported a battery of artil- 
 lery a short distance from the ford from one till four 
 p. M. The shelling from the enemy's batteries was 
 terrific. Their position was admirable on the high 
 bluff south of the ford, and the range was just right 
 for execution. Their artillery was of a heavy cali- 
 bre, and supported by infantry. They were finely 
 screened by earthworks, while our forces were almost 
 entirely exposed, and protected only here and there 
 by a little knoll. In the unequal duel which took 
 place, two of our guns were dismounted and dis- 
 abled, while several artillerymen and horses were 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 315 
 
 killed. It was not at all practicable for us to at- 
 tempt a crossing. 
 
 Before night we retired from the ford, and the 
 divisions took up their headquarters, Gregg's, at Rap- 
 pahannock Bridge ; Buford's, at Stevensburg ; and 
 Kilpatrick's, on the extreme right, at James City. 
 
 Septernber 16. — To-day we are picketing the fords 
 of the Robertson River, a branch of the Rapidan. 
 At five o'clock p. m. the Fifth New York pickets were 
 attacked and driven to within a few rods of their re- 
 serve ; but being reenforced by ourselves, who were 
 ordered to relieve them, the enemy was compelled to 
 retire hastily, and we reoccupied the line which was 
 taken up by the Fifth in the morning. 
 
 At ten o'clock in the night I received orders to 
 take four men and communicate with Major Mclrvin 
 at Newman's Ford, two miles above our post on the 
 Robertson. This was by no means an easy task, as 
 the wilderness country was almost wholly unknown 
 to us, and the Rebel pickets in this quarter had not 
 been sounded. Through the darkness, however, I 
 advanced with my men as cautiously as possible, and 
 yet at several points along our line of march we 
 drew the fire of the Rebel pickets. At length we 
 espied a force of cavalry approaching us, which 
 proved to be a detachment under Major Mclrvin on 
 their way to the ford. We challenged one another 
 simultaneously, each supposing the other to be an 
 enemy. The major was on the point of ordering his 
 command to fire upon me, when I recognized his 
 voice and quickly gave him my name. The discov- 
 ery was timely, and mutually enjoyable. 
 
316 Three Years in the Federal GoA^alry. 
 
 Sejpteraber 17. — ^The enemy advanced his picket 
 lines this morning across the river, pushed ours back 
 with considerable precipitancy, when a general skir- 
 mish occurred along the lines for a distance of about 
 two miles. Captain Hasty was chief in command 
 of our skirmishers. I assisted him, riding my sorrel 
 pony, the only horse on the skirmish line, as all the 
 men fought dismounted. At nine o'clock Colonel 
 Davies arrived with his brigade and took command. 
 The Eebels were not able to withstand our accumu- 
 lated power, and raj^idly retreated across the river, 
 enabling us to reestablish our lines where they were 
 before the onset. 
 
 Picket-firing is very common. Give and take " 
 is the game we play, and sometimes the blows are as 
 severe as they are unexpected. The cavalry is almost 
 constantly on duty, scouting, patrolling, and very 
 often fighting. Thus we are kept ever in motion. 
 
 The only relief for our excessive labors is our 
 good living. Seldom are soldiers permitted to live 
 in a country of which it may be said as emphatically 
 as of this, that it flows with milk and honey." The 
 numerous flocks of sheep and herds of cattle in the 
 neighborhood are made to contribute the basis of our 
 rations, while the poultry-yards, larders, and orchards 
 are made to yield the delicacies of the season. The 
 country abounds with sorghum, apple-butter, milk, 
 honey, sweet potatoes, peaches, apples, etc. ; so that 
 kings are not much better fed than are the cavaliers 
 of this command. 
 
 Septemher 19. — The weather is becoming cold and 
 w^et. Yesterday this brigade retired from the Bob- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 317 
 
 ertson to the vicinity of Stevensburg, where we biv- 
 ouacked in the pine woods. 
 
 Henry E. Davies, Jr., formerly Colonel of the 
 Harris Light, and for some time past in command of 
 the First brigade of Kilpatrick's division, was con- 
 gratulated to-day by his friends upon his promotion 
 to brigadier-general. No promotion was ever more 
 fitly made, and the " star " never graced a more per- 
 fect gentleman or more gallant soldier. The general 
 feeling in the command is, long may he live in the 
 service of his country and for the honor of her flag. 
 
 Sunday^ September 20. — This morning very ap- 
 propriate and solemn funeral services were held, con- 
 ducted by Chaplain Edward P. Eoe, in honor of the 
 officers and soldiers of the Harris Light, who were 
 killed in our recent advance to, and skirmishes along, 
 the Rapidan and Robertson Rivers. 
 
 IMPORTANT RECONNOISSANCE AND RAID. 
 
 On the morning of the twenty-first, at day-break, 
 an important movement was commenced by Generals 
 Kilpatrick and Buford, while General Gregg remained 
 on the picket lines. The object of the advance was 
 mainly to reconnoitre the position and strength of the 
 enemy, and at the same time to do all the mischief 
 we could. We made a forced march directly upon 
 Madison Court House, meeting but little opposition. 
 The tired troopers rested themselves and their animals 
 at night, preparatory to another early advance. 
 
 Septemher 22. — ^We were early in the saddle, with 
 our steps turned southward in the direction of Orange 
 Court House. The two divisions advanced upon dif- 
 
318 Three Yea/rs in the Federal Cmalry. 
 
 fei-eiit but nearly parallel roads. We had not pro- 
 ceeded far before messengers from General Buford in- 
 formed us that, by a rapid movement across the coun- 
 try between the two roads, Kilpatrick might intercept 
 a brigade of the enemy's cavalry, which Buford was 
 engaging and pursuing. The Harris Light had the 
 advance of the division, and we soon came in contact 
 with the retreating Rebel force in a dense oak forest, 
 through which we were compelled to approach the 
 pike by a wood road, which was so narrow as to ne- 
 cessitate our moving in columns of twos. Upon 
 gaining the main road we found the entire force of 
 the enemy advancing with skirmishers deployed, and 
 A battery of light artillery in position, which instan- 
 taneously opened upon us with grape and canister. 
 The situation of our regiment was extremely critical 
 and embarrassing. 
 
 ENGAGEMENT AT LIBERTY MILLS. 
 
 Generals Kilpatrick and Davies were at the head 
 of the column, and by them we were ordered and en- 
 couraged to present a bold front and make a desperate 
 resistance, in order to give the division time to file 
 out of the forest and to get into a fighting position 
 along the road. At this juncture I was in command 
 of the first company of the first squadron, and conse- 
 quently was ordered to cross the pike, and to check 
 the advance of the enemy in that quarter, while the 
 balance of the regiment was to hold the pike and a 
 small opening to the left. We had barely time to 
 deploy as skirmishers, when the Eebel commander, 
 seeing that his only hope of escape from the trap we 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 319 
 
 were laying for him lay in a quick and decisive 
 charge, came down upon us like an avalanche, crush- 
 ing through the force that was on the road, and 
 sweeping a clean path for his escape. The resistance 
 of the regiment, however, was so desperate that the 
 killed and wounded from both sides strewed the hotly- 
 contested ground in every direction. Not more than 
 twenty minutes elapsed from the time we first saw the 
 enemy before the contest was decided ; and yet, in 
 this brief period of time, the Harris Light lost sev- 
 eral of its most gallant officers and many of its brav- 
 est men. Our loss was principally in wounded and 
 prisoners, while that of the enemy was in killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 By this sudden and unexpected charge of the 
 enemy upon the force on the pike, myself and com- 
 pany were completely cut off from our main column. 
 For one whole hour we were entirely enclosed within 
 the lines of the Rebel cavalry. It is true that they 
 had about all they could do to take care of them- 
 selves, and yet they might have bagged and gobbled 
 our small force. But by swift and careful movements 
 we succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the Eebels, 
 and finally we made our exit from their lines unhui-t, 
 and with much valuable information which we had 
 obtained. As soon as possible I reported to General 
 Kilpatrickj who was much surprised at seeing me, 
 having come to the conclusion that myself and men 
 were already on our way to Richmond ! " 
 
 The forces of Stuart were ultimately routed and 
 fell back from Liberty Ford, near which the fight oc- 
 curred, upon their infantry reserves at Gordonsville. 
 
320 Three Yea/ts in the Federal CmaVry. 
 
 My escape from the toils of the enemy was re- 
 garded as almost miraculous. General Davies sent 
 an aid to me with his compliments, inviting me to his 
 headquarters, where he expressed his surprise at my 
 safe return, and complimented me for the dexterity, 
 wisdom, and success of my movements. 
 
 The day following this engagement and adven- 
 ture our forces returned to the vicinity of Culpepper, 
 where we spent a few days in comparative rest — rest 
 which we all needed and greatly enjoyed. 
 
 September 25. — I received an order this afternoon 
 from Major Mclrvin, commanding the regiment, di- 
 recting me to take command of Company H, which is 
 without a commander. 
 
 On the twenty-sixth the paymaster made his ap- 
 pearance among us, much to the satisfaction of the 
 command. Owing to the continuous movements of 
 the Cavalry Corps, and its generally exposed condi 
 tion, no opportunity has been afforded the Govern- 
 ment to pay us for the last six months. Very little 
 money was in the regiment, even officers as well as 
 men being pretty well reduced. The paymaster's 
 " stamps were more than usually acceptable. 
 
 September 28. — Four companies, namely, B, F, 
 H, and M, commanded by Captain Grinton, were 
 ordered on picket to-day along the Hazel River. One 
 half of this force occupies the picket line, the other 
 half patrols the country. The captain commands the 
 post, and I have the special charge of the pickets. 
 We do not want, at present, for fresh meat and vege- 
 tables. We live almost entirely from the country, 
 and we live well. Our bill of fare is varied and rich. 
 
Three Years m the Fed^al Cavalry. 321 
 
 Forage for our horses is also abundant in all the 
 neighboring plantations. Picketing under these cir- 
 cumstances is more like a picnic than any thing else 
 which we can remember. 
 
 October 8. — We are still in statu quo^ picketing on 
 the Hazel Eiver. However, yesterday Captain Mitch- 
 ell relieved Captain Grinton in command of the post. 
 The reserve companies fell in line to liear the orders 
 of the War Department, concerning veteran ^'olun- 
 teers. They produced quite an excitement among us. 
 The three years' enlistment of a large portion of the 
 army is nearly expired, and the Government, in its 
 anxiety to avail itself of the exjjerience of the vet- 
 eran troops to the end of the conflict, is now offering 
 extra inducements, in the way of furloughs and boun- 
 ties, to secure the reenlistment of these men to the 
 end of the war. The orders propounded to us meet 
 with universal favor, and the cry runs like wild-fire 
 from rank to rank, " let us go in, boys ! " This will 
 be an element of great power. 
 
 A citizen-youth, of manly bearing, who professes 
 loyalty to our cause, came to our pickets to-day, 
 and from thence to headquarters, bringing informa- 
 tion of a Rebel plan to surprise our picket lines 
 to-night. We will give them a warm reception if 
 they undertake the execution of their scheme. A 
 jegiment of infantry, and one squadron of cavalry 
 arrived before dark, and are in readiness for the 
 niglit's entertainment. The pickets are doubly strong, 
 and are under special orders to be vigilant. 
 
 October 9. — The enemy did not venture an attack 
 last night, but doubtless contented themselves with 
 
322 Three Years in the Federal CavaVry, 
 
 tlie maxim that discretion is tlie better part of 
 valor." Possibly they were informed of our prepa- 
 ration for them. Spies and informants are numerous 
 and active on both sides. 
 
 Lieutenant Houston and. privates Donahue and 
 Pugli were captured this morning while scouting just 
 beyond the pickets. Much activity is manifested on 
 our front. Indeed, it is quite generally mderstood 
 among us that General Lee is taking the initiatory 
 steps of a flank movement upon us. Our scouts so 
 report, and the suspicious movements cf the pickets 
 and forces before us corroborate the information. 
 
THE mmi 
 
 OF THE 
 
Three Years m the Federal Gamal/ry. 
 
 325 
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 CAPTURE OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 1863.— Fight at James City.— Music of Retreat.— Fourth Cavahy Fight 
 at Brandy Station.— Critical Situation. — Kilpatrick Undaunted. — 
 Davies and Custer. — The Grand Charge. — The Escape. — The Scene. 
 — Subsequent Charges and Counter-charges. — The Cavalry Routed, — 
 The Rappahannock Recrossed in Safety. — Infantry Reconnoissance 
 to Brandy Station. — Comical Affair at Bealeton Station. — Thrilling 
 Adventure of Stuart. — His Escape. — Battle of Bristoe. — Casualties. — 
 Retreat Continued.— Destruction of Railroad by the Rebels. — Kilpat- 
 rick at Buckland Mills. — Unpleasant Surroundings. — Sagacity and 
 Baring.— The Author's Capture. — Fall, Id sensibility, Change of 
 Scene. — The End. — Introduced to Prison Life. 
 
 Early in the morning of October tentli the enemjj 
 m heavy force, came down upon our pickets along the 
 Robertson Eiver, driving us back in haste and occu- 
 pying the fords. The flank movement of General 
 Lee was fully understood. He had crossed the Eapi- 
 dan, advanced to Madison Court House, and was lap- 
 ping around our right wing, threatening it with de- 
 struction. Quick work on our part was now neces- 
 sary. Swift messengers from officers high in com- 
 mand brought orders to retire with promptness, but 
 in good order, if possible. Our boys, in many in- 
 stances, were compelled to leave uneaten and even 
 untasted their palatable preparations for breakfast of 
 roast la jQb, sweet potatoes, fine wheat bread, milk 
 
326 Three Years m the Federal Camalry. 
 
 and honey, &C.5 to attend to the stern and always un 
 pleasant duties of a retreat, with the enemy pressing 
 very closely upon us. 
 
 Sharp skirmishing took place at the river, and the 
 successive crack of carbines afforded the music of our 
 march to James City, where the conflict deepened into 
 a battle, which raged with fury and slaughter. The 
 enemy, conscious of having outgeneraled us in this 
 instance, and having at least a temporary advantage, 
 was bold and defiant. He was met, however, with 
 corresponding vigor. Those contesting legions, which 
 had so often measured sabres in the fearful charge and 
 hand-to-hand encounter, again appealed to the God 
 of battle, and wrested with Herculean strength for 
 the mastery. Night came on at length to hush the 
 strife, and the weary men and horses sought repose 
 from the bloody fray. 
 
 October 11. — With the flrst pencilings of the morn- 
 ing light we took up our line of march toward the 
 Rappahannock. Skirmishing continued nearly every 
 step of the way. On the Sperryville pike to Culpep- 
 per we were closely pursued and heavily pressed. At 
 Culpepper the coi^s separated. Gregg, who had 
 come by way of Cedar Mountain, passed out on the 
 road to Sulphur Springs. Buford moved in the direc- 
 tion of Stevensburg, leaving Kilpatrick alone on the 
 main thoroughfare along the railroad line. 
 
 Kilpatrick, accompanied by Pleasonton, had scarce- 
 ly left Culpepper, when Hampton's Legions made a 
 furious attack upon his rearguard, with the hope of 
 breaking through upon the main column to scatter it, 
 or of so retarding its progress that a flanking column 
 
Three Yewrs in the Federal Cmal/ry, 327 
 
 might fall upon him ere he could reach the safe shore 
 of the Rappahannock. Our infantry, which yester- 
 day occupied this ground, had retired, leaving the 
 cavalry to struggle out of the toils of the enemy as 
 best it could. 
 
 Gallantly repelling every attack of the enemy, our 
 command moved on, without expending much of its 
 time and material, until opposite the residence of Hon, 
 John Minor Botts, where a few regiments suddenly 
 wheeled about, and, facing the pursuing foe, charged 
 upon them with pistols and sabres, giving them a 
 severe check and an unexpected repulse. On arriving 
 at Brandy Station Kilpatrick found himself in a most 
 critical situation, with an accumulation of formidable 
 difficulties on every hand, which threatened his anni- 
 hilation. 
 
 Buford, who had been sharply pursued by Fitz- 
 hugh Lee's division over the plains of Stevensburg, 
 had retired more rapidly than Kilpatrick, and, un- 
 aware of his comrade's danger, had suffered Lee to 
 plant his batteries on the high hills which commanded 
 Kilpatrick's right, while the Rebel troopers, in three 
 heavy lines of battle, held the only route by which 
 Kilpatrick could retreat. Lee's sharpshooters also 
 occupied the woods in the immediate vicinity of Kil- 
 patrick's columns, where they were making them- 
 selves a source of damage and great annoyance. To 
 increase the danger of the situation, Stuart, by hard 
 marching, had swung around to Kilpatrick's left, and 
 had taken possession of a range of hills, planted bat- 
 teries, and was preparing to charge down upon the 
 surrounded division below. 
 
328 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 
 
 This was a situation to try the stoutest hearts. 
 Nothing daunted, however, by this terrific array of 
 the enemy, Kilpatrick displayed that decision and 
 daring which have ever characterized him as a great 
 cavalry leader, and he proved himself worthy of the 
 brave men who compose his command. His prepara- 
 tion for the grand (charge was soon completed. Form- 
 ing his division into three lines of battle, he assigned 
 the right to Davies, the left to Custer, and, placing 
 himself with Pleasonton in the centre, he advanced 
 with unwavering determination to the contest. Hav- 
 ing approached to within a few yards of the ene- 
 my's lines on his front, lie ordered his band to strike 
 up a national air, to whose spirit-stirring strains was 
 joined the blast of scores of bugles ringing forth the 
 charge. 
 
 With his usual daring Davies was foremost in the 
 fi'ay, leading his command for the fourth time on this 
 memorable field. To his men he had addressed these 
 stirring words : " Soldiers of the First Brigade ! I 
 know you have not forgotten the example of your 
 brave comrades, who, in past engagements here^ were 
 not afraid to die in defence of the old flag." 
 
 Ouster, the daring, terrible demon that he is in 
 battle, pulled off his cap and handed it to his orderly, 
 then dashed madly forward in the charge, while his 
 yellow locks floated like pennants on the breeze. 
 Pennington and Elder handled their batteries with 
 great agility and success, at times opening huge gaps 
 in the serried lines of the enemy. 
 
 Fired to an almost divine potency, and with a 
 majestic madness, this band of heroic troopers shook 
 
Tliree Years m the Federal Cavalry. 329 
 
 the air with their battle-cry, and dashed forward to 
 meet the hitherto exultant foe. Ambulances, forges, 
 and cannon, with pack-horses and mules, non-combat- 
 ants and others, all joined to swell the mighty tide. 
 Brave hearts grew braver, and faltering ones waxed 
 warmer and stronger, until pride of country had 
 touched this raging sea of thought and emotion, kin- 
 dling an unconquerable principle, which emphatically 
 affirmed every man a hero unto death. So swiftly 
 swept forward this tide of animated power, that the 
 Eebel lines broke in wild dismay before the uplifted 
 and firmly-grasped sabres of these unflinching vet- 
 erans, who, feeling that life and country were at 
 stake, risked them both upon the fearful issue. 
 
 Kilpatrick thus escaped disaster, defeated his pur- 
 suers, captured several pieces of the enemy's artillery, 
 and presented to the beholders one of the grandest 
 scenes ever witnessed in the ISTew World. 
 
 " By Heaven ! it was a splendid sight to see, 
 For one wlio had no friend or brother there." 
 
 No one who looked upon that wonderful panorama 
 can ever forget it. On the great field were riderless 
 horses and dying men ; clouds of dust from solid shot 
 and bursting shell occasionally obscured the sky ; 
 broken caissons and upturned ambulances obstructed 
 the way, while long lines of cavalry were pressing 
 forward in the charge, with their drawn sabres, glis- 
 tening in the bright sunlight. Far beyond the scene 
 of tumult were the quiet, dark green forests which 
 skirt the banks of the Eappahannock. The poet 
 Ilavard, in his Scauderberg," has well described the 
 scene : 
 
330 Three Years m the Federal Ca/odiry. 
 
 Hark I the deatli-denouncing trumpet sounds 
 The fatal charge, and shouts proclaim the onset. 
 Destruction rushes dreadful to the field 
 And bathes itself in blood : havoc let loose, 
 Now undistinguish'd, rages all around ; 
 While Euin, seated on her dreary throne, 
 Sees the plain strewed with subjects, truly hen, 
 Breathless and cold." 
 
 The Rebel cavalry, undoubtedly ashamed of their 
 own conduct and defeat, reorganized their broken 
 ranks, and again advanced upon Kilpa trick and Bu- 
 ford, whose divisions had united to repel the attack. 
 For at least two long hours of slaughter these oppos- 
 ing squadrons dashed upon one another over these 
 historic fields. Charges and counter-charges followed 
 in quick succession, and at times the " gray " and the 
 blue " were so confusedly commingled together, that 
 it was difficult to conjecture how they could regain 
 their appropriate places. Quite a number of prison- 
 ers were made on both sides. It was a scene of wild 
 commotion and blood. This carnival continued until 
 late at night, when the exhausted and beaten foe sank 
 back upon safer grounds to rest, while our victorious 
 braves, crowned with undying laurels, gathered up 
 their wounded and dead companions, and, unmolest- 
 ed, recrossed the Rappahannock. 
 
 October 12. — To-day a portion of our infantry was 
 t brown across the Rappahannock. They advanced 
 by a forced march to reconnoitre as far as Brandy 
 Station, where they met the enemy in force and en- 
 gaged him in a sharp contest. They returned, how- 
 ever, without serious loss. Our main army is retreat- 
 ing toward Washington. 
 
 On the evening of the thirteenth, while bivouack- 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 331 
 
 ing near Bealeton Station, a serio-comical scene di- 
 verted for a time tlie attention of our officers and 
 men. By a strange accident an ammunition wagon 
 took fire, which cansed the rapid explosion of its con- 
 tents. Shells flew and burst in every direction, and 
 the apparent musketry w^as terrible. The conse- 
 quence was a wide-spread alarm, which brought every 
 trooper to his horse ready to engage the foe, who was 
 supposed to have made a furious onset. Great merri- 
 ment and relished rest followed tlie discovery of the 
 cause of disturbance, especially as no one was serious- 
 ly hurt. 
 
 Since our last reconnoissance to Brandy Station, 
 Stuart has been very active, following our rear very 
 closely, and committing all the depredations possible. 
 In his hands have fallen many stragglers, who, it is 
 true, were of very little use to us, but who would 
 count as well as true men in the Rebel lists of ex- 
 changes of prisoners. Some of Stuart's performances 
 were exceedingly hazardous, as the following v/ell- 
 described narrative from a well-known pen will clear- 
 ly show : 
 
 Stuart, with two thousand of his cavalry, pressed 
 our rear so eagerly that, when near Catlett's Station, 
 he had inadvertently got ahead, by a flank movement 
 of our Second Corps, General "VYarren acting as rear- 
 guard, and was hemmed in, where his whole com- 
 mand must have been destroyed or captured had he 
 not succeeded in hiding it in a thicket of old field- 
 pines, close by the road whereon our men marched 
 by : the rear of the corps encamping close beside the 
 enemy, utterly unsuspicious of their nei2:hborhood, 
 14 
 
332 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 thoiigli every word uttered in our lines, as they 
 passed, was distinctly heard by the lurking foe. Stu- 
 art at first resolved to abandon his guns and attempt 
 to escape with moderate loss, but finally picked three 
 of his men, gave them muskets, made them up so as 
 to look as much as possible like our soldiers, and thus 
 drop silently into our ranks as they passed, march 
 awhile, then slip out on the other side of the column, 
 and make all haste to General Lee, at Warrenton, in 
 quest of help. During the night two of our officers, 
 who stepped into the thicket, were quietly captured. 
 
 " At daylight the crack of skirmishers' muskets in 
 the distance' gave token that Lee had received and re- 
 sponded to the prayer for help, Vv^hen Stuart promptly 
 opened with grape and canister on the rear of our 
 astounded column, which had bivouacked just in his 
 front, throwing it into such confusion that he easily 
 dashed by and rejoined his chief, having inflicted 
 some loss and suffered little or none." 
 
 BATTLE OF BRISTOE. 
 
 The above manoeuvre was a great and unexpected 
 or unsought risk, which, however, did not prove dis- 
 astrous to the authors, but which might not again be 
 ventured with similar results. A performance resem- 
 bling it somewhat was enacted by the Rebels, but 
 with very different issue. Early in the morning of 
 the fourteenth A. P. Hill's corps left Warrenton, 
 with orders to strike our rear at Bristoe Station. 
 They moved up the Alexandria Turnpike to Broad 
 Run Church, where they deflected on the road to 
 Greenwich, and soon after struck our trail just behind 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 333 
 
 the Third Corps^ and eagerly pursued it. They were 
 busy picking up stragglers and making some prepara- 
 tion for an attack upon our unsuspecting corps, when 
 about noon General Warren's Second Corps, which 
 was still behind, and bringing up the rear, made its 
 appearance on the tapis, and materially changed the 
 programme of the scene. Hill, finding himself nice- 
 ly sandwiched or trapped by his own indiscretion, 
 turned away from the retreating Third Corps, to 
 fight, and, if possible, drive back the advancing Sec- 
 ond. Warren's surprise in finding an enemy in force 
 before him was not less than Hill's in finding one be- 
 hind him ; but it took Warren only about ten minutes 
 to adjust himself to this unexpected position of afiairs, 
 when his batteries opened with such precision and 
 efiect, aided by the musketry of his infantry, that the 
 Rebels fell back in much greater haste than they had 
 advanced, leaving six of their guns in our hands and 
 multitudes of dead, wounded, and prisoners. Five 
 of the captured guns, still serviceable, were at once 
 seized and used against the disappointed foe with tell- 
 ing power. One historian says, Our loss in killed 
 and wounded was about two hundred, including Colo- 
 nel James E. Mallon, Forty-second New York, killed, 
 and General Tile, of Pennsylvania, wounded ; that 
 of the enemy was probably four hundred (besides 
 prisoners), including Generals Posey (mortally). Kirk- 
 land, and Cooke, wounded, and Colonels Euffin, First 
 North Carolina, and Thompson, Fifth North Carolina 
 Cavalry, killed." 
 
 This Bristoe fiasco was a stunning blow to the 
 Pebel pursuit, and greatly checked their incursions. 
 
334: Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 But our soldiers held the field so lately won only until 
 dark, and " then followed the rest of the army, whose 
 retreat they had so effectually covered." 
 
 Genera] Meade continued his retreat to Centre- 
 ville, and then, seemingly ashamed — as well he might 
 be — of his flight, wonld have retraced his steps and 
 pushed back the insolent foe, but he was prevented 
 from executing his plans by a heavy rain-storm, which 
 began on the sixteenth. While he was awaiting the 
 arrival of pontoons to enable him to recross Bull 
 Run, which was enormously swollen, the enemy, after 
 some daring skirmishes along his front, and some feints 
 of attack, retreated quite rapidlj^, completely destroy- 
 ing the Orange and Alexandria Eailroad from Manas- 
 sas Junction to the Rappahannock. A more thor- 
 ough work of destruction was never witnessed. 
 Scarcely a tie even remained. Tlie tie§ were gen- 
 erally heaped together, and set on fire, and the rails 
 were laid upon the heaps cross-wise. As the middle 
 of the rails became heated, the ends lopped down, 
 forming a graceful bow. They were thus effectually 
 ruined. In many instances the rails thus heated w^ere 
 twisted around the trees. The road and the telegraph 
 lines and posts were utterly demolished. 
 
 For a few days the Harris Light w^as bivouack- 
 ing near Sudley Church, and the cavalry was pick- 
 eting, scouting, and patrolling on either side of Bull 
 Run; and, on one occasion, while endeavoring to 
 ford the swollen stream, several men and horses were 
 drowned. 
 
 October 18. — To-day Kilpatrick advanced with his 
 division, which consists of Custer's and Davies' bri- 
 
Three Yeojvs in the Federal Cavalry. 335 
 
 gades, to within a half-mile of Gainesville, where we 
 bivouacked for the night. A terrific rain-storm raged 
 nearly all night, making our condition very uncom- 
 fortable, and rendering the going impracticable, ex- 
 cept upon the turnpikes. At this time of the year 
 these night-storms in Virginia are very cold, and the 
 sufferings of men mostly unsheltered, as we were, are 
 beyond description. On such a night one will natu- 
 rally recall such passages as the following, from By- 
 ron's Childe Harold : " 
 
 " The sky is changed, and such a change ! oh, night, 
 And storm, and darkness, ye are wondrous strong, 
 Yet lovely in your strength, as is the light 
 Of a dark eye in woman ! far along 
 From peak to peak, the rattling crags among, 
 Leaps the live thunder ! not from one lone cloud, 
 But every mountain now hath found a tongue. 
 And Jura answers through her misty shroud. 
 Back to the joyous Alps, who call to her aloud I 
 And this is in the night : most glorious night ! 
 Thou wert not sent for slumher ! let me bo 
 A sharer in thy fierce and far delight, — 
 A portion of the tempest and of thee ! " 
 
 It is true that the poet, looking out upon the storm 
 and listening to its mutterings from his comfortable 
 studio, may call such a night " glorious," and may 
 find in it depths of inspiration and delight ; but to us 
 poor soldiers it seemed more appropriate to take up 
 Shakespeare's lines : 
 
 "The tyranny of th' open night's too rough 
 For nature to endure,'* 
 
 while every one felt to say, 
 
 " The gathering clouds, like meeting armies, 
 Come on apace."— Mithridates,'*^ 
 15 
 
336 Three Years in the Federal Cavalry, 
 
 All night long our pickets along Cedar Eun were 
 confronted by Stuart's pickets, tlioiigli no disposition 
 to f gilt lis was manifest in the morning. Dripping 
 with wet and somewhat stiffened with cold, we were 
 ordered in battle array early in the morning, and the 
 command, about two thousand strong, advanced tow- 
 ard Buckland Mills. The Eebel pickets were quickly 
 withdrawn, and their whole force slowly and without 
 resistance retired before us. With some degree of 
 hesitation, yet unconscious of imminent danger, we 
 advanced on the main turnpike toward AVarrenton. 
 Our advance-brigade had just passed New Baltimore, 
 when Fitz-Hugh Lee, who had surprised and cut his 
 way through a small detachment of our infantry at 
 Thoroughfare Gap, then had swiftly swung arotmd our 
 right by an unpicketed road, fell upon our reai*guard 
 at Buckland Mills, and opened upon our unsuspecting 
 column with a battery of flying artillery. At this 
 signal Stuart, who had hitherto retired before us qui- 
 etly, now turned about and advanced upon us in front 
 with terrible determination. Thus unexpected trou- 
 bles were multiplying around us. Scarcely had we 
 time to recover our senses from the first shock of at- 
 tack upon our rear and front, when General Gordon, 
 with a division of infantry, until now concealed be- 
 hind a low range of hills and woods on our left, ap- 
 peared upon the scene, and advanced upon our flank 
 with a furious attack, which threatened to sever oar 
 two small brigades and to annihilate the entire com- 
 mand. "We were now completely surrounded by a 
 force which outnumbered us at least four to one. 
 
 This was a critical situation ; but Kil " (as the 
 
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry. 337 
 
 general is familiarly styled among us) seemed to com- 
 prehend it in a moment. All thonglit and elFort now 
 centralized into a plan of escape from the snares which 
 the enemy had laid for us, and into which we had too 
 easily thrown ourselves. Kil]3atrick is supposed by 
 some to have unnecessarily exposed himself, in which 
 he suffered his first defeat, though escaping with a 
 remarkably small loss. 
 
 Quickly ordering his force to wheel about, he led 
 them back in a determined charge upon Lee's columns 
 and artillery, now planted on the banks along Cedar 
 Eun. This timely order, executed with masterly 
 skill, saved his command from utter disaster, and justi- 
 fied his course. As it was, however, he lost nearly 
 three hundred men, including quite a number who were 
 drowned in the creek while endeavoring to escape. 
 The scene was one of great confusion and distress. 
 
 THE AUTHOR'S CAPTURE. 
 
 By the sudden evolution of the command, when 
 the order w^as first executed, the Harris Light, w^hich 
 was in front, while advancing, was thrown in the 
 rear, and was thus compelled to meet the desperate 
 charges of the enemy in pursuit, and to defend itself 
 as best it could from fire on the flank. Having 
 reached a slight elevation of ground in the road, we 
 made a stand, and for some time checked the advancing 
 columns of the Eebels by pouring into their ranks 
 rapid and deadly volleys from our carbines and revol- 
 vers. Stuart, who commanded in person, saw clearly 
 that the quickest and almost only way to dislodge us was 
 by charging upon us, and, consequently ordering the 
 
338 Tliree Years in the Federal CaA)alry. 
 
 charge, he came with a whole brigade amid deafening 
 yells. Our men stood firmly, almost like rocks before 
 the surging sea. We were soon engaged in a fierce 
 hand-to-hand conflict with the advancing columns. 
 
 In Byron's Corsair " we find a description of the 
 scene : 
 
 Within a narrow ring compressed, beset, 
 HopelcrsS, not heartless, strive and struggle yet, — 
 Ah ! now they fight in firmest file no more. 
 Hemmed in — cut ofiT— cleft down — and trampled o^er, 
 But each strikes singly, silently, and home, 
 And sinks outwearied rather than overcome. 
 His last faint quittance rendering with his breath, 
 Till the blade glimmers in the grasp of death." 
 
 At this important juncture my faithful horse was 
 shot under me, and we both fell to the ground. 
 Meanv^^hile our little party, outnumbered ten to 
 one, was hurled back by the overpowering shock 
 of the Kebels, who rode directly over me. Injured 
 somewhat by the falling of my horse, and nearly 
 killed by the charging squadrons, which one after the 
 other trod upon me, I lay in the mud for some time 
 quite insensible. How long I lay there I cannot tell ; 
 but when I returned to consciousness the scene had 
 changed. I was in the hands of a Eebel guard, who 
 were carrying me hastily from the hard-fought field. 
 My arms had been taken from me, and my pockets 
 rifled of all their valuables, including my watch. I 
 was unceremoniously borne to the vicinity of an old 
 building, where I met a number of my comrades, who 
 with me had shared the misfortunes of the day. And 
 thus ended three years and more of camping and cam- 
 paigning with tlie Harris Light. 
 
ThreG Years in the Federal Cavalry. 339 
 
 What I saw and endured, thonght and experi- 
 enced, during a little more than a year among the 
 Eebels, in several of their loathsome prisons, may be 
 found recorded in a volume ! published in 1865, en- 
 titled The Capture, Prison-Pen, and Escape." 
 
 FINIS. 
 
jU each. 
 England, 3; 
 
 :om $8.00 to $12.75. 
 trated; 8vo.,$3.00. . 
 Books." Q., $7.50/ 
 
 arged ed., $1.50. 
 :tions. ) 
 
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