Personal Recollections of a Cavalryman / With Custer's Michigan Cavalry Brigade in the Civil War

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Title:PersonalRecollectionsofaCavalryman

WithCuster'sMichiganCavalryBrigadeintheCivilWar

Author:J.H.(JamesHarvey)Kidd

ReleaseDate:August4,2009[EBook#29608]

Language:English

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THEAUTHOR

PERSONALRECOLLECTIONSOFA

CAVALRYMAN

WITHCUSTER'SMICHIGANCAVALRYBRIGADE

INTHECIVILWAR

BYJ.H.KIDD

FORMERLYCOLONELSIXTHMICHIGANCAVALRYANDBREVETBRIGADIERGENERALOFVOLUNTEERS

IONIA,MICHIGANSENTINELPRINTINGCOMPANY

1908

COPYRIGHTED1908BYJAMESH.KIDD(Allrightsreserved)

THESENTINELPRESSIONIA,MICHIGAN

TOMYWIFEANDSON

AND

TOMYCOMRADESOFTHEMICHIGANCAVALRYBRIGADE

THISVOLUME

ISAFFECTIONATELYDEDICATED

PREFACE

In preparing this book it has not been the purpose of the author to write acompletehistoricalsketchoftheMichigancavalrybrigade.Suchahistorywouldrequire a volume as large for the record of each regiment; and, even then, itwould fall short of doing justice to the patriotic services of that superborganization. The narrative contained in the following pages is a story of thepersonalrecollectionsofoneofthetrooperswhorodewithCuster,andplayedapart—smallitistrue,butstillapart—inthetragedyofthecivilwar.Assuchitismodestlyputforth,withthehopethatitmayprovetobe"aninterestingstory"to thosewho read it. The author also trusts that itmay contribute something,albeitbuta little, towardgivingCuster'sMichigancavalrymentheplace in thehistoryoftheircountrywhichtheysorichlyearnedonmanyfields.

Doubtlessmanythingshavebeenomittedthatoughttohavebeenincludedandsome things written in that it might have been better to leave out. These aremattersofpersonaljudgmentandtaste,andnoman'sjudgmentisinfallible.Thechaptershavebeenwritten in intervalsof leisureduringaperiodofmore thantwenty years. The one onCedarCreek appeared first in 1886; theGettysburgcampaign in 1889; Brandy Station, Kilpatrick's Richmond expedition, theYellowTaverncampaign,BucklandMills,HanovertownandHaw'sShop,TheTrevilianRaid and someother portionshavebeenpreparedduring the currentyear—1908.While memory has been the principal guide, the strict historicaltruth has been sought and,when there appeared to be a reasonable doubt, theofficial records have been consulted, and the writings of others freely drawnupontoverifythese"recollections."

The Memoirs of P.H. Sheridan and H.B. McClellan's Campaigns of Stuart'sCavalry have been of especial value in this respect; the latter helping to givebothsidesofthepicture,particularlyintheaccountsofthebattlesofBucklandMillsandYellowTavern.WadeHampton'sofficial reportswereput tosimilar

useindescribingthebattleofTrevilianStation.

Sofarasmentionismadeofindividualofficersandmenthereisnopretensethatthe list is complete. Those whose names appear in the text were selected astypes.Hundredsofotherswereequallydeserving.Thesameremarkapplies tothe portraits. These are representative faces. The list could be extendedindefinitely.

ItwasintendedtoincludeinanappendixafullrosterofallthemenwhoservedintheSixthMichigancavalryandintheotherregimentsaswell;butthiswouldhavemadethebooktoobulky.ByapplyingtotheadjutantgeneralofMichiganthebookspublishedbythestategivingtherecordofeverymanwhoservedineitheroftheregimentsinthebrigadecanbeobtained.

TheRollofHonor—alistofallthosewhowerekilledinaction,orwhodiedofwoundsreceivedinaction—isascompleteasitwaspossibletomakeitfromtheofficialrecords.Inaveryfewcases,menwhowerereported"missinginaction,"andofwhomnofurtherrecordcouldbefound,wereassumedtohavebelongedinthelist,butthesearenotnumerousenoughtomateriallyaffectthetotals.

For the rest, theauthorcannotclaimthathehasdone justice toeitherof theseorganizations,buthehasmadeanhonesteffort tobe fairand impartial, to tellthetruthashesawit,withoutprejudice.Howwellhehassucceededisnotforhimtosay."Itisaninterestingstory,"saidanofficerwhoservedwithdistinctionintheFifthMichigancavalry.Ifthatshallbetheverdictofallthecomradeswhoreadit,thewriterwillbesatisfied.

CONTENTS

I. ANATIONALAWAKENING

II. ANEVENTFULWINTER

III. RECRUITINGINMICHIGAN

IV. THESUMMEROF1862V. JOININGTHECAVALRY

VI. INTHEREGIMENTALRENDEZVOUS

VII. THEDEPARTUREFORWASHINGTON

VIII. THEARRIVALINWASHINGTON

IX. THESTAYINWASHINGTON

X. FIELDSERVICEINVIRGINIA

XI. INTHEGETTYSBURGCAMPAIGN

XII. FROMGETTYSBURGTOFALLINGWATERS

XIII. FROMFALLINGWATERSTOBUCKLANDMILLS

XIV. THEBATTLEOFBUCKLANDMILLS

XV. WINTERQUARTERSINSTEVENSBURGXVI. THEWILDERNESSCAMPAIGN

XVII. THEYELLOWTAVERNCAMPAIGN

XVIII. YELLOWTAVERNTOCHESTERFIELDSTATIONXIX. HANOVERTOWNANDHAW'SSHOPXX. THETREVILIANRAID

XXI. INTHESHENANDOAHVALLEY

XXII. THEBATTLEOFCEDARCREEK

XXIII. AMYSTERIOUSWITNESS

XXIV. AMEETINGWITHMOSBY

LISTOFMAPS

1. ROUTEOFTHEMICHIGANCAVALRYBRIGADEINTHEGETTYSBURG

CAMPAIGN

2. BATTLEFIELDOFTREVILIANSTATIONJUNE11-12,18643. BATTLEFIELDOFWINCHESTERSEPTEMBER19,1864

ILLUSTRATIONS

PORTRAITOFAUTHOR

AUSTINBLAIR

THORNTONF.BRODHEAD

JACOBO.PROBASCOGEORGEGRAY

RUSSELLA.ALGER(in1862)GEORGEA.CUSTER(in1863)GEORGEA.CUSTER(in1864)DAVIDMCMUTRIEGREGG

WILLIAMD.MANN

GEORGEG.BRIGGS

LUTHERS.TROWBRIDGE

CHARLESH.TOWN

JUDSONKILPATRICK

AARONCONEJEWETT

PETERA.WEBER

CHARLESE.STORRSGEORGEA.CUSTER(about1870)DONG.LOVELLWESLEYMERRITT

LEVANTW.BARNHARTANDWILLIAMHULL

A.C.LITCHFIELDANGELOE.TOWER

PHILIPH.SHERIDANFITZHUGHLEEANDSTAFF(INCUBA)M.C.BUTLER

THOMASW.HILL

WADEHAMPTON

MANNINGD.BIRGE

SERGEANTAVERY

MELVINBREWER

CHARLESR.LOWELL

THOMASC.DEVIN

WITHCUSTER'SMICHIGANCAVALRYBRIGADE

PERSONALRECOLLECTIONS

OFA

CAVALRYMAN

CHAPTERI

ANATIONALAWAKENING

Thewarcloudthatburstuponthecountryin1861wasnosurprisetosagaciousobservers.Formanyyearsithadbeenvisible,attimesamerespeckinthesky,again growing larger and more angry in appearance. It would disappear,sanguinepatriotshopedforever,onlytocomeagain,fullofdireportentandevilmenacings.Allmenwhowerenotblindsawit,butmostofthemtrusted,manybelieved, that it would pass over and do no harm. Some of those high inauthority blindly pinned their faith to luck and shut their eyes to the peril.Dangersignalswereset,but themarinerswhowere trying tosteer theShipofState, letherdrift,makingslight, ifany,efforts toputherupagainst thewindandkeepherofftherocks.

Itislikely,however,thattheCivilWarwasoneofthosethingsthathadtobe;thatitwasameansusedbydestinytoshapeourends;thatitwasneededtobringoutthosefinetraitsofNationalcharacterwhich,uptothattime,werenotknowntoexist.SouthernbloodwashotandNorthernbloodwascold.Thoughcitizensof one country, the people of the North and the people of the South wereseparatedbyawidegulfintheirinterestsandintheirfeelings.Doubthadbeenfreely thrown upon the courage of the men who lived north of Mason andDixon's line. The haughty slave owners and slave dealers affected to believe,manyofthemdidbelieve,thatonesouthernmancouldwhipfive"yankees."Ittookfouryearsofwartoteachthemadifferentlesson.

Itwastheoldstoryofhighlandandlowlandfeud,ofthewhiteroseandtheredrose,ofroundheadandcavalier,offoemenworthyofeachother'ssteelfightingtoweld"discordantandbelligerentelements"intoahomogeneouswhole.

Butwarisnotalwaysanunmixedevil.Sometimesitisapositivegood,andtheNationemergedfromitsgreatstrugglemoreunitedthanever.Thesectionshadlearned to respect each other's prowess and to know each other's virtues. The

cementthatboundtheunionofstateswasnolongerlikewaxtobemeltedbythefervent heat of political strifes. It had been tested and tempered in the fieryfurnaceofcivilwar.Thehistoryof thatwaroftenhasbeenwritten.Muchhasbeenwrittenthatisnothistory.Butwhetherfactorfiction,thestoryisreadwithundiminishedinterestastheyearsrushby.

Onestorythereisthathasnotbeentold,atleastnotallofit;norwillitbeuntilthe lastof thosewho tookpart in thatgreatdramashallhavegoneover to thesilentmajority.Itisthestoryoftheindividualexperiencesofthemenwhostoodintheranks,oroftheofficerswhoheldnohighrank;whoknewlittleofplansandstrategy,butboretheirpartoftheburdenandobeyedorders.Therewasnoarmy, no corps, nodivision, brigade, or regiment, scarcely a battery, troop, orcompany,whichwentthroughthatstruggle,orasoldierwhoservedinthefield"for threeyearsorduring thewar,"whoseexperiencesdidnotdiffer fromanyother, whose history would not contain many features peculiar to itself orhimself. Two regiments in the same command, two soldiers in the sameregiment, might get entirely different impressions of the battle in which bothparticipated. Two equally truthful accountsmight vary greatly in their details.What one saw, anothermight not see, and each could judge correctly only ofwhat he, himself, witnessed. This fact accounts, in part, for the manycontradictions, which are not contradictions, in the "annals of the war." Thewitnesses did not occupy the same standpoint. Theywere looking at differentpartsofthesamepanorama.Oftentimestheyarelikethetwoknightswhosleweachotherinaquarrelaboutthecolorofashield.Onesaiditwasred,theotherdeclareditwasgreen.Bothwereright,foritwasredononesideandgreenontheother.

On such flimsy pretexts do men and nations wage war.Why then wonder ifhistoriansdifferalso? In the"Wilderness,"eachman'sviewwasboundedbyavery narrow horizon and few knewwhatwas going on outside their range ofvision.Whatwastrueofthe"Wilderness"wastrueofnearlyeverybattlefoughtbetweentheunionandconfederateforces.Nopictureofabattle,whetheritbepaintedinwordsorincolors,canbringintotheperspectivemorethanaglimpseof theactualfield.Nomancouldpossiblyhavebeenstationedwherehecouldseeitall.Henceitcametopassthatmanyaprivatesoldierknewthingswhichthe corps commander did not know; and saw thingswhich others did not see.Theofficial reports, for themostpart, furnishbut abareoutline andareoftenmisleading.Thedetailsmaybeputinbyaninfinitenumberofhands,andthosefeatures that seen separately appear incongruous, when blended will form a

perfectpicture.Butitmustbeseen,likeapanorama,inparts,fornosingleeyecouldtakein,atonce,allthedetailsinapictureofabattle.

In the winter of 1855-56, while engaged as assistant factotum in a generallumberingandmercantilebusinessinthepinewoodsofNorthernMichigan,oneofmyfunctionswasthatofassistantpostmaster,whichledtogettingupa"club"fortheNewYorkWeeklyTribune,thepremiumforwhichwasanextracopyformyself.TheresultwasthatinduetimemymindwasimbuedwiththeprinciplesofHoraceGreeley.

TheboyswhoreadtheTribuneinthefiftieswerebeingunconsciouslymoldedintothemen,who,afewyearslater,rushedtotherescueoftheircountry'sflag.TheseedsownbyHoraceGreeley,andotherslikehim,broughtfortharichcropofloyalty,ofdevotionandself-sacrificethatwasgarneredinthewar.

Inthelatterpartoftheyear1860,theairwasfullofthreatenings.Thecountrywasclearlyonthevergeofcivilwar,andthefeelingalmostasintenseasitwasin the following April, after the flash of Edmund Ruffin's gun had fired theNorthernheart.

InOctober, Icamea freshman into theUniversityofMichigan, inAnnArbor.Thatnobleinstitutionwas,eventhen,theprideofthePeninsulastate.Asuperbcorpsofinstructors,headedbyHenryP.Tappan,thenoblestRomanofthemall,smoothedthepathwayto learningwhicha thousandyoungmenwere tryingtotread.Theseboyswerefulloflife,vigor,ambitionandenergy.Theywerefromvariouspartsofthecountry,thoughbutfewwerefromtheSouthernStates.Theatmosphere of the place was wholesome, and calculated to develop a robust,courageousmanhood.The studentswere led to study thebest antiquemodels,andtoemulatetheheroictraitsofcharacterinthegreatmenofmoderntimes.Itmaybesaidthatnowhereinthelanddidthefiresofpatriotismburnwithmorefervent heat, during the eventful and exciting period that preceded by a fewmonthstheinaugurationofAbrahamLincoln.

Theyoungmentookadeepinterest in thepoliticalcampaignof thatyear,andwatchedwitheagerfacesforeveryitemofnewsthatpertainedtoit.

ThenominationofAbrahamLincolnwasabitterdisappointment to theyoungRepublicansofMichigan.Sewardwas their idol and their ideal, andwhen thenewscameofhisdefeatintheChicagoconvention,manymenshedtears,wholater learned to love theverygroundonwhich the Illinois"Railsplitter"stood;andwhotodaycherishhismemorywiththesamereverentialrespectwhichthey

feelforthatofWashington.

During that memorable campaign, Seward spoke in Detroit and scores ofstudentswent fromAnnArbor tohearhim.Hedidnot impressoneasagreatorator. He was of slight frame, but of a noble and intellectual cast ofcountenance.Hisargumentswereconvincing,hislanguagewell-chosen,buthewassomewhatlackinginthephysicalattributessoessentialtoperfectsuccessasapublicspeaker.Hisfeatureswereverymarked,withabignose,afirmjaw,aloftyforehead,andaskinalmostcolorless.HehadbeenthechoiceofMichiganforpresidentandwasreceivedwiththewarmestdemonstrationsofrespectandenthusiasm.Everywordthatfellfromhislipswaseagerlycaughtupbythegreatmultitude.Itwasaprouddayforhim,andhisheartmusthavebeentouchedbytheaboundingevidencesofaffection.

Seward was looked upon as the embodiment of sagacious statesmanship andpolitical prescience, but how far he fell short of comprehending the realmagnitudeofthecrisisthenimpending,wasshownbyhispredictionthatthewarwouldlastbutninetydays.Hisfamousdictumaboutthe"irrepressibleconflict"didhimmorecredit.

Thatsameyear,SalmonP.ChasealsospokeinMichigan.Thereweregiantsinthose days. Chase was not at all like Seward in his appearance. Tall and ofcommanding figure, hewas aman of perfect physique.He had an expressiveface and an excellent voice,well adapted to out-door speaking. Inmanner, heappeared somewhat pompous, and the impression he left on the mind of thelistenerwasnotsoagreeableasthatretainedofthegreatNewYorker.

Atsometimeduring thesummerof1860,StephenA.Douglaspassed throughMichigan over the Central Railroad. His train stopped at all stations andhundreds of students flocked to see and hear him. He came off the car to atemporaryplatform,andfortwentyminutes,thatseaoffacesgazingathimwithraptattention,talkedwithgreatrapidity,butwithsuchearnestnessandforceastoenchainthemindsofhishearers.Hisremarkswereinpartstereotyped,andhemade much of his well-worn argument about the right of the territories to"regulate theirowndomestic institutions in theirownway, subjectonly to theconstitution."Inmanner,hewaseasyandgraceful, inappearance,striking.Hespokewithnoapparenteffort.Ofmassive frame, thoughshort in stature, afterthemannerofGeneralSheridan,hisheadwas largeand setoffbya luxuriantgrowthofhairthatservedtoenhanceitsapparentsize.Hisfacewassmooth,fulland florid, the hue rather suggestive. His countenance and bearing indicated

force,courageandtenacityofpurpose.Iwasnotsurprisedwhenheannouncedthathewason thesideof theUnion,andbelieve that,hadhe lived,hewouldhavebeen,likeLogan,agreatsoldierandaloyalsupporterofLincoln.Hewasapatriotofthepuresttypeandoneoftheablestmenofhistime.

A significant incident of the winter of 1860-61, seems worth recalling. Thatperiodwasoneof themost intenseexcitement.Whatwith thesecessionof theSouthernStates,theresignationofSenatorsandMembersofCongress,andthevacillating course of theBuchanan administration, the outlookwas gloomy intheextreme.TherewereintheUniversityanumberofstudentsfromtheSouth,and they kept their trunks packed ready to leave at a moment's notice. Partyfeelingranhigh,and the tensionwaspainful.WilliamLloydGarrisoncametoAnnArbortospeakandcouldnotgetahall,butfinallysucceededinsecuringabuildingusedforaschoolhouse,inthelowerpartofthetown.Herehewassetuponbyalotofroughs,whointerruptedhimwithcat-callsandhisses,andmadedemonstrationssothreatening,that,toavoidbodilyinjury,hewascompelledtomakehisexitthroughawindow.Theaffairwaslaidtothestudents,andsomeofthem were engaged in it, to their discredit, be it said. It was not safe for an"Abolitionist" to free his mind even in the "Athens" of Michigan. Harper'sWeeklypublished an illustrative cut of the scene, andAnnArbor achieved anunenviablenotoriety.

OnedayallhandswenttothetraintoseethePrinceofWales,whowastopassthrough, on hisway toChicago. Therewasmuch curiosity to see the queen'sson.Hehadbeen treatedwithdistinguishedconsideration in theEast andwasgoing to take a look at theWesternmetropolis.Therewas a big crowd at thestation,buthisroyalhighnessdidnotdeigntonoticeus,muchlesstocomeoutandmakeaspeech,asDouglasdid,whowasamuchgreaterman.Butthe"LittleGiant"wasneitheraprincenorthesonofaprince,thougha"sovereign"inhisownright,asiseveryAmericancitizen.Throughtheopenwindow,however,wehad a glimpse of the scion of royalty, and saw a rather unpretentious lookingyoungperson,inthegarbofagentleman.TheDukeofNewcastlestoodontheplatform,wherehecouldbeseen,andlookedandactedmuchlikeanordinarymortal. The boys agreed that he might make a very fair governor orcongressman, ifhewere to turnDemocratandbecomeacitizenof the landofthefreeandthehomeofthebrave.

ThefacultyintheUniversityofMichigan,in1860,wasabrilliantone,includingthe names of many who have had a world-wide reputation as scholars andsavants. Andrew D. White, since President of Cornell University and

distinguishedinthediplomaticserviceofhiscountry,wasprofessorofhistory.HenryP.Tappan,PresidentoftheUniversity,or"Chancellor,"ashewasfondofbeingstyled,after themannerof theGermans,wasamagnificent specimenofmanhood,intellectuallyandphysically.Tallandmajesticinappearance,hehadamassive head and noble countenance, an intellect profound and brilliant. Nowonder thathewasworshiped, forhewasgod-like in formand inmind.Likemanyanothergreatman,however,itwashisfatetoincurtheenmityofcertainothers too narrow and mean to appreciate either his ability or his nobility ofcharacter. Being on the Board of Regents they had the power, and used itrelentlessly,todrivehimoutoftheseatoflearningwhichhehaddonemorethanallotherstobuildupandtohonor.TheUniversitywashisprideandgloryandwhenhewasthussmitteninthehouseofhisfriendsheshookthedustfromhisfeet and went away, never to return. It is a sad story. He died abroad, afterhavingbeen formanyyears an exile fromhisnative land.The feeling againstthesemenwasbitterintheextreme.Thestudentshungoneofthemineffigyandmarched in a body to the house of the other and assailed it with stones andmissiles,meantimefillingtheairwithexecrationsonhishead.Bothlongsinceceasedtoberemembered,evenbyname,butthememoryofTappanremainsasoneofthechoicesttraditionsoftheUniversity,anditwillbeasenduringasthelifeoftheinstitutionitself.

CHAPTERII

ANEVENTFULWINTER

Itwasaneventfulwinterthatprecededthebreakingoutofthewarbetweenthestates. The salient feature of the time, apart from the excitement, was theuncertainty.War seemed inevitable, yet the temporizing continued. The Southwentonseizing fortsandplunderingarsenals, terrorizingunionsentiment,andthreatening the federal government. The arming of troops proceeded withoutcheck,andhostilecannonweredefiantlypointedatfederalforts.Everyfriendofhiscountryfelthischeekburnwithshame,andlongedforonedayofAndrewJacksontostifletheconspiracywhileitwasinitsinfancy.Onebyonethestateswent out, boldly proclaiming that theyowedno allegiance to the government;but the leaders in theNorthclung to thedelusion that thebridgeswerenotallburned and that the erring ones might be coaxed or cajoled into returning.Concessionswere offered, point after pointwas yielded, even to the verge ofdishonor,inanidleattempttopatchupapeacethat,fromthenatureofthecase,could have been but temporary, if obtained on such terms. The people of theNorthern States had set their faces resolutely against secession and, led byLincoln, had crossed theRubicon and taken up the gage of battle,which hadbeenthrowndownbytheSouth.

Therewas,then,noalternativebuttofight.Allotherschemeswereillusive.ThesupremecrisisoftheNationhadcome,andtherewasnootherwaythanfortheloyaltyofthecountrytoassertitself.Thecourageofthepeoplehadtobeputtotheproof, toseewhethertheywereworthyoftheheritageoffreedomthathadbeenearnedbythebloodofthefathers.Forfiftyyearstherehadbeennowarinthis country, except the affair with Mexico, so far away that distance lentenchantment to theview.TheNorthernpeoplehadnotbeenbredtoarms.Themartialspiritwaswell-nighextinct.Menknewlittleofmilitaryexercises,exceptsuchideasashadbeenderivedfromtheoldmilitiasystem,thatinmanystateswastreatedbythepeopleratherwithderisionthanrespect,andinmostofthemwas,intheimpendingemergency,aratherpoorrelianceforthenationaldefense.Southerners,trainedintheuseoffirearmsandtotheduello,didnotattempttoconceal their contempt for theirNorthernbrethren, and feigned tobelieve thatnorthofMasonandDixon'slinelivedaraceofcowards.

ItdidnottakelongtodemonstratethatthedescendantsoftheGreenMountainBoysandofthewesternpioneerswerefoesworthyofthemettleofthemenwhocamefromthestatesofSumterandMarion,and"LightHorseHarryLee."Thebloodoftheirheroicancestryranintheirveins,andtheywerereadyandwillingto do or diewhen once convinced that their countrywas in deadly peril. Thepeople, indeed,were ready long before their leaderswere. Some of the ablestmentheNorthhadproducedwereawedbytheirfearoftheSouth—notphysicalfear,forWebsterandDouglasandCasswereincapableofsuchathing—butfearthat theweight of Southern political influencemight be thrown against them.ManyofthepartyleadersoftheNorthhadcometobeknownas"dough-faces,"a term of reproach, referring to the supposed ease with which they might bekneadedintoanyformrequiredforSouthernuse.Theymighthavebeenstyledvery appropriately "wax-nosed politicians," after theEnglish custom, from thewaytheywerenosedaroundbyarrogantchampionsofthecauseofslavery.

Conciliation was tried, but every effort in that direction failed. A tempest ofdiscussionaroseoverthe"Crittendencompromiseresolutions,"thelastovertureforpeaceon thepartof theNorth. Itwasgenerallyconceded that itwouldbebettertohavewarthantogiveupallforwhichtheNorthhadbeencontendingfor somanyyears.Therewasa feelingofprofound indignationanddisgust atBuchanan'smessage to Congress, in which he virtually conceded the right ofsecessionanddeniedthepowerofthefederalgovernmenttocoerceastate.ThecourseofGeneralCassinresigningfromtheCabinet,ratherthanbeapartytothefeeblepolicyofthePresident,wasapplaudedbyallpartiesinMichigan,andthe venerable statesman resumed his old-time place in the affections of thepeople of the Peninsula state. Governor Blair voiced the sentiments ofDemocratsandRepublicansalike,whenhepracticallytenderedthewholepowerofthestatetosustainthefederalgovernmentinitsdeterminationtomaintaintheUnion. All the utterances of the "War Governor" during that trying periodbreathedaspiritofdevotedpatriotismandloftycourage.Thepeoplewerewithhim and long before the call to arms was sounded by President Lincoln, the"Wolverines"werereadytodotheirpartinthecomingstruggle.

In the evening of the day when Fort Sumter was fired upon, the studentsmarched inabody to thehouseofChancellorTappanandcalledhimout.Hisremarkswereanexhortationtoduty,anappealtopatriotism.Headvisedagainsthaste, saying that thechanceswere that thecountrywouldbemore inneedofmen in a year from that time than it was then. The University would put nohindranceinthewayofsuchstudentsasmightfeelimpelledbyasenseofduty

torespondtothecallfortroops,but,onthecontrary,wouldbidthemGodspeedandwatchtheircareerswithprideandsolicitude.Thespeechwascalmbutfilledwiththeloftiestsentiments.

ProfessorAndrewD.Whitewasalsovisitedandmadeamostmemorableandsignificantspeech.Standingontheporchofhishouse,inthepresenceofseveralhundred youngmen, he declared his opinion that one of the greatest wars ofhistorywasuponus,whichhebelievedwouldnotendinaday,butwouldbeaprotractedandbloodystruggle."Ishallnotbesurprised,"saidhe,"ifitturnsouttobeanother 'ThirtyYearsWar,' andnoprophetcanpredictwhatmomentousconsequencesmayresultfromit,beforeaGustavusAdolphusshallarisetoleadthearmiesof theUnion tovictory."Hemadea rousingunionspeech thatwasloudly cheered by the throng of young men who heard it. Dr. Tappan alsoaddressedanimmensemassmeeting,andall thingsworkedtogether, toarousetheentirepeopletoahighpitchofenthusiasticardorforthecauseoftheUnion.

Atonce,thetowntookonamilitaryair.Thestatemilitiacompaniesmadehasteto respond to the first call for threemonths' service andwere assigned to theFirstregimentofMichiganinfantry,stationedinDetroit.Therankswerefilledtothemaximum,inanincrediblyshortspaceoftime.Indeed,thereweremorementhanmunitionsfortheservice,anditwasmoredifficulttoequipthetroopsthanto enlist them.The "position"ofprivate in the rankswasmuch sought.As anillustrationofthis:OntheafternoonbeforetheFirstregimentofMichiganthree-months men was to leave Detroit to march to Washington, my room-mate,WilliamChanningMoore,amemberoftheFreshmanclass,camehurriedlyintotheroomand,aglowwithexcitement,threwdownhisbooks,andextendinghishand,said:

"Good-by, old boy; there is a vacant position in the Adrian company. I haveaccepteditandamoffforthewar.IleaveonthefirsttrainforDetroitandshalljointhecompanytomorrowmorning."

"Whatistheposition?"Iasked.

"Highprivateintherearrank,"helaughinglyreplied.

MoorewasintheBullRunbattle,wherehewasshotthroughthearmandtakenprisoner.Hewasexchangedanddischargedandcamebacktohisclassin1862.His sense of duty was not satisfied, however, for he enlisted again in theEighteenthMichigan infantry, in which regiment he rose to be a captain. Hesurvivedthewarandreturnedtocivillife,onlytobedrownedseveralyearslater

whilefordingariverintheSouth.

"Billy" Moore, as he was affectionately called, was a young man of superbphysique, an athlete, a fine student, and as innocent of guile as a child.He ismentionedhereasatypicalstudentvolunteer,oneofmany,astherecordoftheMichiganUniversityinthewaramplyproves.

Two other Universitymen, worthy to be named in the list withMoore, wereHenry B. Landon and Allen A. Zacharias. Landon was graduated from theliterarydepartment in1861.He immediately entered service as adjutantof theSeventhMichigan infantry—the regimentwhich led the advanceofBurnside'sarmyacross the river in thebattleofFredericksburg.Hewas shot through thebody in the battle of Fair Oaks, the bullet, it was said, passing through bothlungs.Thiswound led to his discharge for disability.Landon returned toAnnArborandtookacourseinthemedicaldepartmentoftheUniversity,afterwhichhe reentered service as assistant surgeon of his old regiment.He survived thewar, and became a physician and surgeon of repute, a pillar in the Episcopalchurch,andanexcellentcitizen.Landonwasaprinceofgood fellows,alwaysbubblingoverwithfun,drollery,andwit;and,withal,afinevocalist,witharichbassvoice.Inthewinterof1863-64,heoftencametoseemeinmycampontheRapidan,nearStevensburg,Virginia,andtherewasnomanin thearmywhosevisitsweremorewelcome.

AUSTINBLAIR

Zachariaswasgraduatedin1860.HewenttoMississippiandbecameprincipalof amilitary institute.Military schoolswerenumerous in theSouth. Itwillberemembered that General W.T. Sherman was engaged in similar work inLouisiana. "Stonewall" Jackson was professor of military science in Virginia.The South had its full share of cadets inWest Point, so that the opening ofhostilities found the twosectionsbynomeansonanequality, in thematterofeducatedofficers.Zachariascamenorth,andwentoutintheSeventhMichiganinfantry,inwhichhewaspromotedtocaptain.HewasmortallywoundedinthebattleofAntietam.Whenhisbodywasrecoveredonthefield,afterthebattle,aletteraddressedtohisfatherwasfoundclaspedinhishand.Itreadasfollows:

"Iamwounded,mortally,Ithink.Thefightragesaroundme.Ihavedonemyduty;thisismyconsolation.Ihopetomeetyouallagain.Ileftnotthelineuntilnearlyallhadfallenandthecolorsgone.Iamweak.Myarmsarefree,butbelowmychestallisnumb.Theenemyis trottingoverme.Thenumbnessup tomyheart.Good-by toall.ALLAN."[1]

The reference, in a previous paragraph, to General Cass, recalls the name ofNorvalE.Welch,astudentoflaw,whowasremarkableforhishandsomefaceandfigure. It is relatedofhimthatonanoccasionwhenhewas inDetroit,hehappenedtowalkpast theresidenceofGeneralCass,whowas then,Ibelieve,one of the United States senators from Michigan. The latter was so muchimpressedwith theappearanceofWelch, thathecalledhimbackand inquiredhis name, which was readily given. After a fewmoments' conversation, CassaskedWelch how he would like to be his private secretary, and, receiving afavorableresponse,tenderedhimtheappointmentonthespot.WelchservedinthatcapacityuntilCasswent into theCabinetofPresidentBuchanan,whenhecame to Ann Arbor and took up the study of the law. When the SixteenthMichigan infantrywasorganized,hewascommissionedmajor, andwaskilledwhen leaping, sword in hand, over the confederate breastworks at Peebles'sFarm, September 30, 1864. He had, in the meantime, been promoted to thecolonelcyofhisregiment.

MorrisB.Wellswasagraduateofthelawdepartment.HewentintothewarasanofficerofthesameregimentwithWelch,butwassubsequentlypromotedtobe lieutenant colonel of the Twenty-firstMichigan infantry. He was killed atChickamauga.

No twomen could be less alike in appearance thanNorvalWelch andMorrisWells. One was the embodiment of physical beauty, ruddy with health,overflowingwithanimalspirits,readyforafrolic,aptwiththefoils,dumb-bellsor boxing gloves, but not particularly a student; the other, tall, rather slender,with an intellectual cast of countenance, frank and manly in his bearing, butsomewhatreservedinmannerandundemonstrative.Bothwereconspicuousfortheirgallantry,buttheoneimpelledbythatexuberantphysicalcouragewhichisdistinctive of the leonine type; the other an exemplar of that moral heroismwhich leadsmen tobravedanger for aprinciple.Theygaveeverything—eventheirlives—fortheircountry.

Thelistmightbeindefinitelyextended,butmoreisnotneededtoillustratethespiritofthecollegeboysof1861-62.

But the students did not all go. Many remained then, only to go later. Theprospectofdanger,hardship,privation,wastheleastofthedeterrentforcesthatheld themback.Togomeantmuch inmostcases. Itwas togiveupcherishedplansandambitions;toabandontheirstudiesandturnasidefromthepathsthathadbeenmarkedoutfortheirfuturelives.Somehadjustenteredthatyearupon

the prescribed course of study; otherswere halfway through; and others still,were soon to be graduated. It seemed hard to give it all up. But even thesesacrifices were slight compared to those made by older men and heads offamilies.

AndtherewasnoneedtodepopulatetheUniversityatonce.Thefirstcallfilled,those who were left behind began to prepare for whatever might come. Thestudentsorganizedintomilitarycompanies.Hardee'stacticsbecametheleadingtext-book.Therewere three companiesormore.These formedabattalion andtherewasamajortocommandit.Onecompanywasstyled"TheTappanGuard,"afterthevenerablePresident,anditwasmadeupofasfineabodyofyoungmenaseverformedinline.Mostofthemfoundtheirwayintothefederalarmyandheldgoodpositions.ThecaptainwasIsaacH.Elliott,ofIllinois,theathlete,parexcellence,oftheUniversity,atall,handsomemanandasenior."Tom"Wier,ajunior,was first lieutenantand thewriter second lieutenant.Elliottwent to thewarascolonelofanIllinoisregimentofinfantryandwasafterwards,formanyyears,adjutantgeneralofthatstate.WierwentoutintheThirdMichigancavalryand became its lieutenant colonel. At the close of the war he was given acommissionassecondlieutenant in theSeventhUnitedStatescavalry,Custer'sregiment,wasbrevettedtwiceforgallantry,andafterescapingmassacrewithhischiefatLittleBigHorn,diedofdiseaseinNewYorkCityin1876.

CHAPTERIII

RECRUITINGINMICHIGAN

Ann Arbor was not the only town where the fires of patriotism were keptburning. It was one of many. "From one learn all." The state was one vastrecruiting station. There was scarcely a town of importance which had not acompany forming for some one or other of the various regiments that wereorganizingallthroughtheyear.Beforethecloseoftheyear,asidefromthethreemonthsmen, threeregimentsofcavalry,elevenregimentsof infantry,andfivebatteriesweresentout,all for threeyears.Therewas littledifficulty ingettingrecruitstofilltheseorganizationstotheirmaximumstandard.Nobountieswerepaid,nodraftwasresortedto.And,yet,thepayforenlistedmenwasbutthirteendollars amonth.The calls of thePresident, after the first one for seventy-fivethousand,weregenerallyanticipatedbythegovernor,andthetroopswouldbeincampbeforetheywerecalledfor,ifnotbeforetheywereneeded.Thepersonnelwas excellent, and at first great pains were taken to select experienced andcompetent officers. Alpheus S. Williams, Orlando B. Wilcox, Israel B.Richardson,JohnC.Robinson,OrlandoM.Poe,ThorntonF.Brodhead,GordonGranger, PhillipH. Sheridan and R.H.G.Mintywere some of the names thatappearedearlyinthehistoryofMichiganinthewar.Undertheirableleadership,hundreds of young men were instructed in the art of war and taught theprinciplesoftactics,sothattheywerequalifiedtotakeresponsiblepositionsintheregimentsthatwereputinthefieldthefollowingyear.

IremembergoingtoseeadressparadeoftheFirstMichigancavalryatDetroitinAugust.Itwasformedonfoot,horsesnothavingyetbeenfurnished.Itwasafine body of men, and Colonel Thornton F. Brodhead impressed me greatlybecause of his tall, commanding figure andmilitary bearing.He distinguishedhimselfandwaskilledatSecondBullRun.

Amongtheotherofficerswasaspare,fraillookingmannamedTown.HewasatthattimemajorandsucceededtothecolonelcyafterthedeathofBrodhead.Healwayssoughtdeathonthebattlefield,butneverfoundit,andcamehometodieofconsumptionafterthewarwasover.HewasamodernChevalierBayard,andledhisregimentatGettysburginthegrandestcavalrychargeofthewar.Ihavenodoubt thatMeade's rightwassaved,July3,1863,by thesuperbcourageof

Charles H. Town and his brave followers. History is beginning to give thecavalrytardyjusticeforthepartitplayedinthat,oneofthefewgreat,decisivebattles.

THORNTONF.BRODHEAD

OneofthemostinterestedspectatorsoftheparadewasthevenerablestatesmanandDemocraticleader,LewisCass.Hewasthenseventy-nineyearsofage,andfewmenhadoccupiedamoreconspicuousplace inState andNation.Hewasnotwithoutmilitary experience, having been prominent in the frontierwar of1811, and in the war of 1812 he served as an aid to General Harrison. Soonthereafter,hewasappointedbrigadiergeneralintheUnitedStatesarmy,andwasSecretary of War in the Cabinet of President Jackson. He also served asTerritorialgovernorofMichigan,undertheadministrationsofMadison,MonroeandJohnQuincyAdams.ThefactofhisresignationfromtheCabinetofJamesBuchananhasalreadybeenreferredto.IconfessthatIwas,forthetimebeing,more interested in that quiet man, standing there under the shadow of a tree,looking on at the parade, than in the tactical movements of the embryoticsoldiers.Therewas,indeed,muchabouthimtoexcitethecuriosityandinflametheimaginationofayoungsteronlyjustturnedtwenty-one.

Obtainingapositionnearwherehestood,Istudiedhimclosely.Hewasnotanimposingfigure, thoughof largeframe,beingfatandpuffy,withaheavylookabouttheeyes,andageneralappearanceofsenility.Heworeawig.Theremarkshemadehavegonefrommymemory.Theywerenotofsuchacharacteras toleave much of an impression, and consisted mostly of a sort of perfunctoryexhortationtothetroopstodotheirdutyaspatriots.

Itwaswithsomethingofveneration that I lookedat thisman(standingon thevergeofthegraveheappearedtobe),and,yet,heoutlivedmanyoftheyoungmenwhostoodbeforehiminthebloomofyouth.Hedidnotseemtobelongtothepresentsomuchastothepast.FiftyyearsbeforeIwasborn,hehadbeenalivingwitnessoftheinaugurationofGeorgeWashingtonasfirstPresidentoftheUnitedStates.HehadwatchedthegrowthoftheAmericanUnionfromthetimeof the adoptionof theConstitution.Hehadbeen a contemporaryof Jefferson,Madison,theAdamses,BurrandHamilton.HehadsateintheCabinetsoftwodifferent Presidents, at widely separated periods. He had represented thegovernment in the diplomatic service abroad, and had served with distinctionagainsttheenemiesofhiscountry.HehadseenthebeginningofpoliticalpartiesintheUnitedStatesandhadbeenaprominentactorthroughallthechanges.HewasayouthoftwelvewhentheReignofTerrorinFrancewasinfullblast,andthirty-three years of age when Napoleon Bonaparte was on the Island of St.Helena.Hehadwitnessed thedownfall ofPitt and thepartitionofPoland.Hewas, indeed,apartof thedeadpast.Hisworkwasdone,and itseemedas ifaportraitbyoneofthegreatmastershadsteppeddownfromthecanvastominglewithlivingpersons.

WhentheyoungmenfromtheSouth,whowereintheUniversityfeltcompelledto return to their homes, to cast in their lots with their respective states, thestudentsinabodyescortedthemtotheir trains,andbadethemgood-bywithasincerewishforgoodlucktoattendthemwherevertheymightgo,eventhoughit were into the confederate military service. The parting was rather with afeelingofmelancholyregretthatthefatescruellymadeourpathsdiverge,thanoneofbitternessonaccountoftheirbeliefintherightofstatestosecede.

Therewasahumorous,aswellasapatheticsidetothewar.Soldiersorstudents,youngmenwerequicktoseethis.Thepenchantwhichboyshavetotriflewithsubjects themostgrave,gave rise toa funny incident inYpsilanti (Michigan).Thereweretworivalschoolsinthattown—the"StateNormal"andthe"UnionSeminary." The young men in these two flourishing institutions were neverentirelyateaseexceptwhenplayingpracticaljokesuponeachother.Soonafter

thesecessionofSouthCarolina,someoftheSeminaryboysconceivedtheideaofcompellingtheNormalpeopletoshowtheircolors.Thefirst-namedhadputupthestarsandstripes,athingthatthelatterhadneglectedtodo.Onemorningwhen the citizens of the town arose and cast their eyes toward the buildingdedicatedtotheeducationandtrainingofteachers,theywereastonishedtosee,flyingfromthelightningrodonthehighestpeakofthecupola,aflagofwhite,whereon was painted a Palmetto tree, beneath the shade of which wasrepresented a rattle snake in act to strike. How it came there no one couldconjecture,butthereitwas,floatingimpudentlyinthebreeze,andhowtogetitdownwasthequestion.

I believe that the authorities of the school never learned who it was thatperformedthisdaringfeat,butitwillbeviolatingnoconfidence,atthislateday,tosaythatthetwoheroesofthisdaringboyishescapade,whichwasatthetimeanine-days'wonder, served in thewar, one of them inwhatwas known as the"Normal"company,andarenowgray-hairedveterans,marchingserenelydownthewesternslope,towardthesunsetoftheirwell-spentlives.

CHAPTERIV

THESUMMEROF1862

Thesummerof1862wasoneof thedarkestperiodsof thewar.Thoughmorethanayearhadelapsedsincethebeginningofhostilities,thingswereapparentlygoing from bad to worse. There was visible nowhere a single ray of light toilluminethegloomthathadsettleddownupontheland.AllthebrilliantpromiseofMcClellan'scampaignhadcometonaught,andthesplendidarmyofPotomacveterans,afterhavingcomewithinsightofthespiresofRichmond,wasinfullretreattotheJames.Theendseemedfartherawaythaninthebeginning.Grant'ssuccessfulcampaignagainstFortsHenryandDonelsonhadbeensucceededbyaconditionoflethargyinalltheWesternarmies.NotwithstandingthesuccessesatPittsburgLandingandatCorinth,andthedeathofAlbertSidneyJohnston,whohadbeenregardedastheablestofalltheofficersoftheoldarmywhohadtakenservicewiththeconfederates,therehadbeenatotalabsenceofdecisiveresults.McClellan had disappointed the hopes of the people; Grant was accused ofblundering and of a fondness for drink; the great ability of Shermanwas notfully recognized; and the country did not yet suspect that in Sheridan it hadanotherMarlborough.StonewallJacksonwasinfulltiltinVirginia,andRobertE.Leehadgivenevidencethathecouldeasilyovermatchanyleaderwhomightbe pitted against him.Withmore of hope than of confidence, the eyes of theNationwereturnedtowardsHalleck,Buell,andPope.

Itwasadismaloutlook.Unioncommanderswereclamoringformoremenandthe Union cause was weak, because of the lack of confidence which Uniongenerals had in eachother.Thepatriotismof thevolunteers, under thesemosttryinganddiscouragingcircumstances,wasstilltheonlyreliance.Bigbountieshad not been offered and the draft had not yet been thought of, much lessresorted to.Warmeetingswerebeingheld all over the state, literally in everyschool house, and recruiting went on vigorously. During the year 1862,Michiganequippedthreeregimentsofcavalry,fourbatteries,twocompaniesofsharpshooters, and fifteen regimentsof infantry,whichweremustered into theserviceoftheUnitedStates.

About the timethat thecollegeyearclosed,PresidentLincoln issuedacall for300,000more. This callwas dated July 2, 1862, the last previous one having

been made on July 25, 1861—almost a year before. Under this call,Congressman FrancisW.Kellogg, of the then Fourth congressional district ofMichigan, came home from Washington with authority to raise two moreregiments of cavalry. This authority was direct from Secretary Stanton, withwhom, for some reason,Mr.Kellogghadmuch influence, and fromwhomhereceived favors such aswere granted to but few.He looked likeMr. Stanton.Perhaps that factmay have accounted, in part at least, for the strong bond offriendshipbetweenhimandthegreatWarSecretary.Undersimilarauthorityhehadbeeninstrumental,duringtheyear1861,inputtingintothefieldtheSecondandThird regiments ofMichigan cavalry. They hadmade an excellent recordandthat,likewise,mayhavecountedtohiscreditwiththeWarDepartment.Bethatasitmay,Mr.Kelloggwentatthisworkwithhisaccustomedvigorand,inaveryshortspaceoftime,theSixthandSeventhregimentswerereadyformuster,thoughthelatterdidnotleavethestateuntilJanuary,1863.TheFourthandFifthregimentshadbeenrecruitedunderapreviouscall.

Toshowhowlittlethingsoftenchangethecourseofmen'slives,anincidentofpersonal experience is here related. The FifthMichigan cavalrywas recruitedunderthetitleof"Copeland'sMountedRiflemen."Oneofthemostpicturesquefigures in America before the war was John C. Fremont, known as "ThePathfinder,"whose "Narrative," in the fifties,was readbyboyswith the sameaviditythattheydisplayedintheperusalofthe"ArabianNights."Fremonthadaregiment of "Mounted Riflemen" in the Mexican war, though it served inCalifornia,and theyouthful imaginationof thosedays idealized it intoacorpsd'elite,asitidealizedtheMexicanwarveterans,Marion'smen,ortheOldGuardofNapoleonBonaparte.Thenamehada certain fascinationwhichentwined itaround the memory, and when flaming posters appeared on the walls,announcingthatCaptainGardner,ofthevillageofMuir,wasraisingacompanyof"MountedRiflemen"forCopeland'sregiment,fouryoungmen,myselfbeingoneofthem,hiredaliveryteamanddrovetothatmodestcountryfour-cornerstoenlist.The"captain"handedusatelegramfromDetroitsayingthattheregimentwas full and his company could not be accepted. The boys drove back withheavy hearts at the lost opportunity.That is how it happened that Iwas not aprivate in the FifthMichigan cavalry instead of a captain in the Sixthwhen Iwentout,for,inafewdaysfromthattime,Mr.Kelloggauthorizedmetoraiseatroop, a commissionas captainbeingconditionalonmybeing in campwithaminimumnumberofmen,withinfifteendaysfromthedateoftheappointment.

Theconditionswerecompliedwith.Twoof theotherboysbecamecaptains in

theSixthMichigancavalry;theotherwentoutassergeant-majoroftheTwenty-firstMichiganinfantryandaroseingoodtimetobeacaptaininhisregiment.

Thegovernment,duringtheearlierperiodofthewar,wasslowtorecognizetheimportanceofthecavalryarmoftheservice.Itwasexpensivetomaintain,andthepolicyofGeneralScottandhissuccessorswastogetalongwithassmallaforceofmountedmenaspossible,and these tobeusedmostly forescortdutyand for orderlies around the various infantry headquarters. There was,consequently,inthecavalryverylittleofwhatisknownas"espritdecorps."IntheSouth,theoppositepolicyprevailed.AttheFirstBullRun,theverynameofthe "Black Horse cavalry" struck terror into the hearts of the Northern army,though it must be confessed that it was rather moral influence than physicalforce that the somewhat mythical horsemen exerted. Southern men wereaccustomed to the saddle, andwere as a rule better riders than theirNorthernbrethren.Theytooknaturallytothemountedservice,whichwaswiselyfosteredandencouragedbytheSouthernleaders,and,undertheboldgeneralshipofsuchridersasAshby,Stuart,Hampton,FitzhughLee,Rosser,Mosby,andothers,thecavalry of the army of Northern Virginia surpassed that of the army of thePotomacbothinnumbersandinefficiency.McClellansaysinhisbookthatheoften thoughthemadeamistake innotputting"Phil"Kearneyincommandofthecavalry.Thereisnodoubtaboutit.Kearneyhadjusttherightsortofdash.Ifhehadbeengivenacorpsofhorse,withfree rein,asSheridanhad it lateron,"Phil" Kearney might have anticipated by at least two years the brilliantachievementsof"CavalryPhil"Sheridan.But thedashingone-armedherowasfatedtobekilledprematurely,anditwasnotuntil1863,thatPleasanton,Buford,Gregg,Kilpatrick, andCuster began tomake theUnion troopers an importantfactor in thewar;andSheridandidnot takecommandof thecavalrycorps, tohandle itassuch,until thespringof1864.Even then,asweshallsee later,hehadtoquarrelwiththecommanderofthearmyinordertocompelrecognitionofitsvalueasatacticalunituponthefieldofbattle.ItwastoHooker,andnottoMeade,thatcreditwasdueforbringingthecavalryintoitsproperrelationtotheworkoftheNorthernarmy.

Under the able leadership of such officers as those mentioned, the Federalcavalry took a leading part in the Gettysburg campaign and those whichsucceededit,andwasabletomeetthefloweroftheSouthonequaltermsandonits own ground. There will be no more honorable page in the history of ourcountrythanthatonwhichwillbewrittentherecordofthecavalryofthearmiesofthePotomacandoftheShenandoah.

CHAPTERV

JOININGTHECAVALRY

I finishedmysophomoreyear in June,1862, and returned tomyhome fullofmilitaryspiritanddeterminedtoembracethefirstfavorableopportunitytoenterthe volunteer service. As second lieutenant of the "Tappan Guard," I hadacquiredaprettythoroughknowledgeofHardee'stacticsandafamiliaritywiththe "school of the soldier" and "school of the company" which proved veryuseful.MostofthesummerwasgivenuptodrillingtheofficersandmeninoneofthecompaniesoftheTwenty-firstMichiganinfantry,whichwasincampnearthe town, fitting for the field. The officerswere new to the business,withouttrainingorexperience, asvolunteerofficerswereapt tobe, andgladlyavailedthemselvesofmyhelp,whichwasfreelygiven.Iwasofferedacommissionasfirstlieutenantinthatregiment,butmyambitionwastogointhecavalryanditwassoontobegratified.

LateinthemonthofAugustmyfather,cominghomefromGrandRapids,metanoldfriendonthetrainwhotoldhimofCongressmanKellogg'sarrivalinthatplaceandwhathismissionwas.Iwantedtobeasecondlieutenantandtoldmyfather that I preferred that to higher rank in the infantry. So, the next day, hewent down to see the Congressman. His application formy appointment washeartily seconded by a number of influential men in the "Valley City," whoknewnothingofme,butdiditthroughtheirfriendshipformyfather,whomtheyhadknownformanyyearsasoneofthemostenergeticandhonorablebusinessmen in the Grand River valley. From 1848, he had been a familiar figure inlumberingcirclesandduringthatperiodtherehadbeennoyearwhen,fromMay1tillsnowflew,hisfleetsofraftsofpinelumberwerenotrunningoverthedamatGrandRapids.With thebusinessmenalong the riverhis relationshadbeencloseandfriendly.Theywere,therefore,notreluctanttodohimafavor.AmongtheseIwillmentionbuttwo,thoughthereweremanyotherswhowereequallyzealousinthematter.

WilderD. Foster andAmosRathbunwere two of the best knownmen in themetropolisofwesternMichigan.Mr.Fosterwasahardwaremerchantwhohadbuilt up a splendid business from small beginnings in the pioneer days. HesucceededThomasWhiteFerry in theUnitedStatesCongress, afterMr.Ferry

hadbeenelectedtotheSenate.Mr.Rathbun,"UncleAmos"hewascalled,wasacapitalistwhohadmuchtodowiththedevelopmentofthegypsumor"plaster"industryinhissectionofthestate.TheirinfluencewithMr.Kelloggwaspotent,and my father obtained more than he asked for. He came home with aconditionalappointmentwhichranthus:

"Headquarters6thRegt.ofMich.Cavalry.GrandRapids,Aug.28,1862.

"ToCaptainJamesH.Kidd:

"Youareherebyauthorizedtoraiseacompanyofmountedriflemenforthisregimentonconditionthatyouraisethemwithinfifteendaysfromthisdate,andreportwiththemattherendezvousinthiscity.

"F.W.KELLOGG,ColonelCommanding."

Mysurpriseandgratificationcanbetterbeimaginedthandescribed.TosaythatIwasdelightedwouldbeputtingitmildly.

ButthedocumentwiththeCongressman'ssignatureattachedtoitwasnotverymuch of itself. I was a captain in name only. There was no "company" andwouldnotbeunlessaminimumofseventy-eightmenwererecruited,andattheendoffifteendaystheappointmentwouldexpirebylimitation.Ontheoriginaldocument which has been carefully preserved appears the followingendorsementinMr.Kellogg'shandwriting:

"ThetimeisextendedforraisingthiscompanyuntilTuesdayofnextweek."

ThefifteendaysexpiredonSaturdayandMr.Kelloggkindlygaveusfourdaysextratimetogetintocamp.

Itwas, however, no easy task to get the requisite number ofmen in the timeallowed,aftersomanymenhadbeenrecruitedforotherregiments.Theterritorywhichwecoulddrawuponforvolunteershadbeenverythoroughlycanvassed,inanefforttofillthequotaofthestateunderLincoln'slastcall.Butitwaslessdifficult to raise men for cavalry than for infantry and I was hopeful ofsucceeding. I soon learned that three others had received appointments forcommissions in thesametroop—onefirst,onesecond,andonesupernumerarysecond lieutenant. The same conditionswere imposed upon them. Thus, therewerefourofuswhosecommissionshingedupongettingaminimumnumberofmenintocampwithinfifteendays.

Themandesignated for first lieutenantwasEdwardL.Craw.SomeofCraw'sfriends thought he ought to be the captain, as hewas amuch olderman thanmyself,thoughhehadnoknowledgeoftacticsandwasineverysenseanoviceinmilitaryaffairs.InafewdayswordcamethatMr.Kelloggwantedtoseeme.HehadbeentoldthatIwasa"beardlessboy"andheprofessedtowantmenforhiscaptains.Myfriendsadvisedmenottogo—tobetoobusyrecruiting,infact—andIfollowedtheiradvice.HadIgone,the"colonel"would,doubtless,havepersuadedmetochangewithCraw,sinceIwouldhavebeenmorethansatisfiedtotakesecondplace,nothavingtoohighanopinionofmydeserts.

Buttherewasnotimetowasteandrecruitingwasstrenuouslypushed.Kelloggmusthavebeenstuffedprettyfullofprejudice,forInevercametotownthatIdidnothearsomethingaboutit.Myfriendsseemedbesetwithmisgivings.Oneof themcalledmeintohisprivateofficeandinquiredifIcouldnotmanagetoraiseabeardsomehow.Iamnotsurethathedidnotsuggestafalsemustacheasatemporaryexpedient.Itoldhimthatitwouldhavetobewithasmoothfaceornotatall.Itwouldbeoutofthequestiontomakeadecentshowinayear'stimeandwithcarefulnursing.

Finally,"UncleAmos"RathbunheardofitandtoldKelloggtogivehimselfnoconcernabout "theboy," thathewould stand sponsor forhim. "Uncle"Amos,thoughlongagogatheredtohisfathers,isaliveyetinthememoryofhundredsofUnionsoldierswhomheneverfailed tohelpashehadopportunity.Andhedidnotwaitfortheopportunitytocometohim.Hesoughtit.Hehadabigheartandanopenhand,andnomaneverhadabetterfriend.Asformyself,Irecallhisnameandmemorywithaheartfullofgratitudefor,fromthemomentIentered

the service, he was always ready with the needed word of encouragement;promptwithproffersofaid;jealousofmygoodname;liberalwithpraisewhenpraisewasdeserved;appreciativeandwatchfulofmyrecord till theend. Ifhehadfaults theywereovershadowedbyhiskindnessofheartandhisunaffectedvirtues.Whentherecordismadeup, itwillbefoundwith"UncleAmos"as itwaswith"UncleToby,"whenheutteredthatfamousandpardonableoath:"Theaccusing angel flew to heavenwith the oath, blushed as he handed it in. Therecordingangel,ashewrote itdown,droppeda tearupon itandblotted itoutforever."

Iwas thefirstmantoenlist in theembryotic troopandtaketheoath.Thefirstrecruit was Angelo E. Tower, a life long friend, who entered service as firstsergeantandleftitascaptain,passingthroughtheintermediategrades.Hisnamewillreceivefurthermentioninthecourseofthisnarrative.

Themethodofobtainingenlistmentswastoholdwarmeetingsinschoolhouses.Therecruitingofficeraccompaniedbyagoodspeakerwouldattendaneveningmeetingwhichhadbeendulyadvertised.The latterdid the talking, the formerwas ready with blanks to obtain signatures and administer the oath. Thesemeetingsweregenerallywellattendedbutsometimes itwasdifficult to induceanybody to volunteer. Once, two of us drove sixteen miles and after a fine,patriotic address of an hour, were about to return without results, when onestalwartyoungmanaroseandannouncedhiswillingness to "jine thecavalry."HisnamewasSolomonMangusandheprovedtobeamostexcellentsoldier.

JACOBO.PROBASCO

Ononeofmytrips,havinghaltedatawaysideinnforlunch,Iwasaccostedbyayoungmannotmorethanseventeenoreighteenyearsofage,whosaidhehadenlisted for my troop and, if found worthy, he would be much pleased if hecouldreceivetheappointmentof"eighthcorporal."Iwasamusedatthemodestyoftherequest,whichwasthathebeplacedonthelowestrungoftheladderofrank.Therequestdidnotappearunreasonable,andwhentheenrolmentoftroop"E"SixthMichigan cavalrywas completed, he appeared on the list as secondcorporal.Fromthisrankherosebysuccessivestepstothatofcaptain,winninghiswaybymeritalone.Foratimeheservedonthebrigadestaff,but,whetherascorporal,sergeant, lieutenant,captainorstaffofficer,heacquittedhimselfwithhonorandhadtheconfidenceofthoseunderwhomheservedaswellasofthosewhomhecommanded.HisnamewasJacobO.Probasco.

Inthewesternpartofthecountyourmeetingscollidedwiththoseof"Captain"Pratt,whohadanappointmentsimilartomineandforthesameregiment.Prattwas a big man—a giant almost—full of zeal and enthusiasm. He was aMethodist preacher—a revivalist—and did his own exhorting. He was veryfatherlyandpatronizinganddeclaredthathewouldnotinterferewithmywork;

thathehadplentyofmenpledged—morethanheneeded—andwouldcheerfullyaid in fillingmy quota, in addition to his own.His promisewas takenwith agrainofsaltand,intheend,Imusteredmorementhanhedid,andhehadnoneto spare. Both troops were accepted, however, and both of us received ourcommissionsinduetime,asthesequelwillshow.

Therewasthatabout"Dominie"Prattthatimpressedpeoplewiththeideathathewould be a great "fighting parson." Hewas so big, burly and bearded, fiercelookingasadragoon,andwithanairofintenseearnestness.Hewasverypiousandusedtoholdprayermeetingsinhistent,conductedafterthemanneroftheservices at a campmeeting. His confidence in himself, real or assumed, wasunlimited. Several of the officers who had seen no service in the field, weretalking it over one evening in the colonel's tent, and conjecturing how theywouldfeelandactwhenunderfire.Mostofthemwereinanythingbutaboastfulmood,contentingthemselveswithmodestlyexpressingthebeliefthatwhentheordealcameandtheywereputtotheproof,theywouldstanduptotheworkanddo their duty like officers and gentlemen. Captain Pratt said little, but, as wewerewalkingawayaftertheconferencehadbrokenup,heplacedhisarmaroundmywaist,inhisfavorite,affectionateway(hehadknownmefromboyhood)andinhismostimpressivepulpitmanner,said:"Jimmie,"(healwaysaddressedmethus)"Jimmie,letothersdoastheymay,Iwanttosaytoyou,thatthemenwhofollow me on the field of battle go where death reigneth." As he neared theclimaxofthisdireprediction,heunwoundthearmwithwhichheheldmetohissideand,raisingit,emphasizedhiswordswithafiercegesture.IconfessthatIdrewbackastep,andfeltacertainsensationofaweandrespect,asIbeheldinhimtheincarnationofcourageandcarnage.

Itmayormaynotbepertinenttomentionthattheintrepidcaptainneverledhistrooptoslaughter;neverwelcomedtheenemy"withbloodyhandstohospitablegraves."Onaccountofillhealth,hewascompelledtoresigninFebruary,1863,before the regiment marched from Washington into Virginia. I have alwaysregretted that necessity, because, notwithstanding his apparent bravado, thecaptainwasreallyabraveman,andtherewassuchafineopportunityinthe"OldDominion," in thosedays, foronewho reallyhungered forgore todistinguishhimself. Itwouldhavebeenaglorioussight tosee thegiganticcaptain, fullofthe fiery spirit that animatedPeter theHermitwhenexhortinghis followers totherescueoftheholysepulcher,charginggallantlyat theheadofhismenintothe place "where death reigneth." There were several of those places in thesoutherncountry.

Attheperiodofthecivilwartheword"company"wasappliedindiscriminatelyto cavalryor infantry.Theunit of formationwas the company.At thepresenttimethereisadistinction.Acaptainofcavalrycommandsa"troop."Acaptainof infantry commands a "company." A troop of cavalry corresponds to acompany of infantry. For the sake of convenience and clearness thisclassificationwillhenceforthbeobservedinthecourseofthisnarrative.

Thetroop,then,theraisingofwhichhasbeenthusbrieflysketched,wasreadyon Tuesday, September 16, 1862, to begin its career as amilitary unit in thegreat army of union volunteers. It is known in the history of the civilwar asTroopE, SixthMichigan cavalry (volunteers). Itwas originally constituted asfollows:

JamesH.Kidd,captain;EdwardL.Craw, first lieutenant;FranklinP. Nichols, second lieutenant; Ambrose L. Soule, supernumerarysecondlieutenant.

AngeloE.Tower, first sergeant; JamesL.Manning, quartermastersergeant; Amos T. Ayers, commissary sergeant; William H.Robinson, William Willett, Schuyler C. Triphagen, Marvin E.Avery,SolonH.Finney,sergeants.

AmosW.Stevens, JacobO.Probasco, IsaacR.Hart,BenjaminB.Tucker,George I.Henry,DavidWelch,MarvinA. Filkins, JamesW.Brown,corporals.

SimonE.Allen,WilliamAlmy,EberBlanchard,HemanS.Brown,ShumanBelding,LesterA.Berry,GeorgeBennett,GeorgeBrown,John Cryderman, Edward H. Cook, William B. Clark, James H.Corwin,EugeneC.Croff,WilliamW.Croff,RandallS.Compton,ManleyConkrite,WilliamH.Compton, SethCarey,MarionCase,Amaron Decker, Daniel Draper, Rinehart Dikeman, ThomasDickinson,OrrinW.Daniels,MatthiasEaster,FrancisN.Friend,IraGreen, JamesGray,George I.Goodale,EliHalladay,LutherHart,Elias Hogle, George E. Halladay, Robert Hempstead, Edmond R.Hallock, Henry M. Harrison, Warren Hopkins, John J. Hammel,Miles E. Hutchinson, Luther Johnson, Searight C. Koutz, LouisKepfort, Archibald Lamberton, Martin Lerg, David Minthorn,SolomonMangus,AndrewJ.Miller, JedediahD.Osborn,TimothyJ. Mosher, Gershom W. Mattoon, Moses C. Nestell, George W.

Marchant, EdwinOlds,Walter E. Pratt, AlbertM. Parker,GeorgeW.Rall,FrederickSmith,JesseStewart,JosiahR.Stevens,DavidS.Starks,OrlandoV.R. Showerman,David Stowell, JamesO. Sliter,Jonathan C. Smith, Meverick Smith, Samuel J. Smith, JosiahThompson,William Toynton, John Tunks,Mortimer Trim, AlbertTruax,OliverL.VanTassel,ByronA.Vosburg,JohnVanWagoner,SidneyVanWagoner, Erastus J.Wall, CharlesWyman,HarveyC.Wilder,IsraelWall,LewisH.Yeoman.[2]

Thetroopthatthusstartedonitscareerwasatypicalorganizationforthattime—thatisithadthecharacteristicscommontothevolunteersoftheearlyperiodof thecivilwar.Whenmustered into theservice itnumberedonehundredandfiveofficersandmen.Thoughforthemostpartolderthanthemenwhowentoutlater, the average age was but twenty-eight years. Nineteen were twenty orunder;twenty-ninewerethirtyorunder;eighteenwerethirty-oneorunder.Onlyninewereoverforty.Forpersonnelandpatriotism,forfortitudeandendurance,theywereneverexcelled.Buttheywerenotprofessionalsoldiers.Atfirst,theywerenotsoldiersatall.Theywerefarmers,mechanics,merchants,laboringmen,students,whoenlistedfromloveofcountryratherthanfromloveofarms,andwere absolutely ignorant of any knowledge of the technical part of a soldier's"business."Themilitiahadbeenmostlyabsorbedbythefirstcallsin1861andthemenof 1862 came from the plow, the shop, the schoolroom, the countingroomortheoffice.Withfewexceptions,theywerenotaccustomedtotheuseofarmsandhadeverythingtolearn.Theofficersofthisparticularorganizationhadnoadvantageover theothers in this respect, for, savemyself,notoneof themkneweventherudimentsoftactics.Indeed,atthedateofmuster,therewerebutthree officers in the entire regiment who had seen service. These wereLieutenant Colonel Russell A. Alger, Captain Peter A.Weber and LieutenantDonG.Lovell.

CHAPTERVI

INTHEREGIMENTALRENDEZVOUS

Itwasaraw,rainydaywhenwetookupthemarchfromtherailroadstationtothegroundwhereonhadbeenestablishedtherendezvousfortheregiment.Itwasamotleycollectionofsoldiers,consideringtherecordtheyweretomakeduringthecomingyearsofactiveserviceinthefield.Allwereincitizens'clothes,andequippedwith neither uniforms nor arms.Assembled in haste for the journey,therehadbeennoopportunityeventoforminlineorlearntokeepstep.Notwoofthemweredressedalike.Theywerehungryandwet.Fewhadovercoats,noneponchos or blankets. Quarters were provided for the night in a vacant storewhere themenwereshelteredfromtherain,buthadtosleeponthebarefloorwithout cots or comforts of any kind. But, notwithstanding the gloomyconditions that attended this introduction to the volunteer service, they, in themain,keptuptheirgoodspirits,thoughsomewerevisiblydepressedandlookedasiftheyweresorrytheyhadcome.Inlessthanayearfromthattime,theyhadlearned toendureahundred-foldgreaterdeprivationsandhardshipswithequalminds.

The next morning, breakfast was served in an improvised dining-hall on thebankof theriverwhichranhardby.Thentherewasanothermarchto"camp,"the captain reported for duty to the "commandant," and a sort of routine ofmilitary exerciseswas entered upon.The officer in command andhis adjutantwerealsonew to thebusinessandhastewasmadeveryslowlywhile they felttheirwayalong.Afterafewdaysthecampwasremovedtobetterground,whichwas high and dry, and overlooked the town.Here the realwork of equipping,organizingandtrainingbegan.

There were twelve troops, each composed of about one hundred officers andmen. The officers were quartered in "wall" tents, but there were not tentsenough,sowoodenbarrackswerebuiltforthemen.Ahospitalwasestablishedinahousenearby.Thiswasprettywellpatronized,atfirst,theexposuremakingmanymen ill.Therewas a guardhouse, also, but notmuchuse for it.A largeportionofeachdaywasgivenup todrill.The rivalryamong thecaptainswasspirited, for they had been called together soon after reporting for duty, andinformedthattheywouldbegiventheirrespectiveplacesinline,byletter,from

"A"to"M,"consecutively,accordingtoproficiencyindrilluponacertaindate,thetwohighestplacesbarred,theassignmentshavingbeenmadepreviously.Asthe relative rank of these officers depended upon the letter given, it may beimaginedthattheysparednoeffortofwhichtheywereseverallycapable.Theybecameimmediatestudents,bothintheoryandinpractice,ofPhilipSt.GeorgeCooke'scavalrytacticswhereintheformationinsinglerankwasprescribed.

Soon after going into this camp, uniforms were issued and horses also. Theuniform for the enlisted men, at that time, consisted of a cavalry jacket,reinforcedtrousers,foragecap,andbootswhichcametotheknee.Arms,exceptsabers,werenotsupplieduntilafterleavingthestate.ThehorseswerepurchasedinMichigan,andgreatcarewastakenthroughasystemofthoroughinspectiontoseethattheyweresoundandsuitableforthemountedservice.Intheend,theregiment had a most excellent mount, both the horses and horse equipmentsbeing of the best that could be procured.The horseswere sorted according tocolor, the intention being that each unit should have but one color, as near aspracticable.Thus,asIrememberit,troop"A"hadbays;"B"browns;"C"greys;"D"blacks;andsoon.Thisarrangementdidnotlastlong.Afewmonths'servicesufficed todoawaywith it andhorses thereafterwere issued indiscriminately.Theeffect,however,solongasthedistinctioncouldbekeptup,wasfine.Itwasagrandsightwhenthetwelvehundredhorseswereinline,formedforparadeordrillinsinglerank,eachtroopdistinguishablefromtheothersbythecolorofthehorses.

WhentheFifthMichigancavalrywasmusteredintotheUnitedStatesserviceatDetroit there was one supernumerary troop. This was transferred to the SixthMichigan, then forming in Grand Rapids, and given the letter "A" withoutcompetition. This entitled it to the position on the right flank in battalionformations,andmadeitscommandingofficertheseniorcaptainoftheregiment.The officers were, captain, Henry E. Thompson; first lieutenant, Manning D.Birge;secondlieutenant,StephenH.Ballard;supernumerarysecondlieutenant,JoelS.Sheldon.Beforetheylefttheservice,Thompsonwaslieutenantcolonel;Birge,major;Ballard,captain;andSheldon,regimentalcommissary.Thistroopattractedagreatdealofattentionfromthetimeofitsarrivalincampfor,havingbeen organized some two or three months, it was fairly well drilled anddisciplined, fully uniformed, and the officerswere as gay as gaudy dress andfeathers could make them. They wore black hats with ostrich plumes, andpresentedaveryshowyaswellasasoldierlyappearance.Theplumes,likethecolorarrangementofhorses,didnotlastlong.Indeed,fewifanyoftheofficers

outside of "A" troop, bought them, though they were a part of the uniformprescribedinthebooks.TwoofficerswhocametotheregimentfromtheSecondMichigancavalry,andwhohadhadoverayear'sexperience in the field,gavethecuethatfeatherswerenotanecessarypartoftheequipmentforrealserviceandservednousefulpurpose.

OneofthesetwoofficersImetonthedayofmyarrivalinthetemporarycamp.Itwasthatwet,drizzlyday,whenIwassittinginthetentofthe"commandant"awaitingorders.Withabriskstepandamilitaryairayoungmanofaboutmyownageentered,whoseappearanceandmannerwereprepossessing.Helookedyounger than his years, was not large, but had a well-knit, compact frame ofmediumheight.Hewas alert in look andmovement, his facewas ruddywithhealth, his eyes bright and piercing, his head crownedwith a thick growth ofbrownhaircutrathershort.Heworeaforagecap,agumcoatoverhisuniform,topboots,andappearedeveryinchthesoldier.HesalutedandgavethecolonelaheartygreetingandwasintroducedtomeasCaptainWeber.

Peter A.Weber was clerking in a store when the war broke out and enteredserviceasacorporalintheThirdMichiganinfantry.WhentheSecondMichigancavalry was organized he was commissioned battalion adjutant and had beencalledhometotakeacaptaincyintheSixth.Byreasonofhisexperience,hewasgiven the second place, "B". Weber was a rare and natural soldier, theembodiment of courage and, had not death interrupted his career, must havecome near the head of the list of cavalry officers. The battle in which hedistinguishedhimselfandlosthislifewillbethethemeofafuturechapter.

GEORGEGRAY

In troop "F", commanded by CaptainWilliam Hyser, was Second LieutenantDonG.Lovell,oneofthethreeveteranofficers.HewentoutascorporalintheThird Michigan infantry, was wounded at Fair Oaks, and again at TrevillianStationwhileservinginthecavalry.Hewasoneofthebravestofthebrave.

Along in September, before the date of muster, I received a letter from aclassmateinAnnArboraskingiftherewasanopeningforhimtoenlist.Iwrotehim to come and, soon after joining, he was appointed troop commissarysergeant.Atthattime,LevantW.Barnhartwasbutnineteenyearsofageandaboyofremarkablegifts.Hewasoneoftheprizetakersinscholarshipwhenheentered theUniversity in1860, in theclassof1864.His rise in thevolunteerswasrapid.Passingsuccessivelythroughthegradesoffirstsergeant,secondandfirstlieutenant,hein1863wasdetailedasactingadjutant.WhileservinginthispositionheattractedthenoticeofGeneralCusterwhosecuredhisappointmentbytheWarDepartmentasassistantadjutantgeneralwiththerankofcaptain.Heservedon the staffofGeneralCuster till thewarclosed—succeedingJacobL.Greene.Foroneofhisagehisrecordasscholarandsoldierwasofexceptionalbrilliancy.Hewasbarely twenty-onewhenhewentonCuster'sstaff,whowas

himself notmuchmore than a boy in years. (Custerwas but twenty-sixwhenLeesurrenderedatAppomattox.)

GeorgeGray,"lieutenantcolonelcommanding,"wasalawyerofbrilliantparts,agood type of the witty, educated Irishman, a leader at the bar of WesternMichiganwhohadnoequalbeforeajury.Hehadmuchreputationasanafter-dinnerspeaker,andhispolishedsentencesandkeensalliesofwitweregreatlyenjoyedonoccasionswheresuchgiftswereinrequest.Thoughgenerallyoneofthemostsuaveofmen,hehadanirascibletemperattimes.Theflavorofhiswitwas tartandsometimesnotaltogetherpalatable to thosewhohad to take it. Indisciplinehewassomethingofamartinet.Heestablishedaschoolofinstructioninhistent,wheretheofficersassemblednightlytorecitetactics,andnomercywas shown the lucklessonewho failed inhis "lessons."Manyayoung fellowwentawayfromthe"school"smartingundertheironyoftheimpatientcolonel.Someofhisremarkshadapiquanthumor,otherswerecharacterizedbythemostbitingsarcasm.

"Mr.——,"saidheonemorningwhentheofficersweregroupedinfrontofhistentinresponseto'officers'call,'"Mr.——,haveyougloves,sir?"

"Yes, sir," replied the lieutenant, who had been standing with hands in histrouserspockets.

"Well,then,youhadbetterputthemonandsaveyourpockets."

It is needless to say that the young officer thereafter stood in position of thesoldierwheninpresenceofhiscommander.

NothingwassooffensivetoColonelGrayasuntidydressorshabbyhabilimentsonamemberoftheguarddetail.Onemorninginmakinghisusualinspection,hecameuponasoldierwhowasparticularlyslovenly.Orderingthemantostepoutof the ranks, the colonel surveyed him from head to foot, then, spurning himwithhisfoot,remarked:"Thatisa—prettylookingthingforasoldier;gotoyourquarters,sir."

OnceortwiceIfeltthestingofhistongue,myself,butonthewholehewasverykindandcourteous,andwemanagedtogetalongtogetherverywell.

Foratimeitwassupposedthatthecolonelcywouldgotoanarmyofficer,anditmayberecalledasaninterestingfactthatGeorgeA.Custerwasatthatverytimea lieutenant onMcClellan's staff andwould have jumped at the chance to be

colonelofaMichigancavalryregiment.Ashasbeenshown,PhilipH.Sheridan,GordonGranger,O.B.Wilcox,I.B.Richardson,andotherregulars,begantheircareers as officers in the volunteer service by accepting commissions fromGovernorBlair.Custerwasneveracolonel.Hewasadvanced fromcaptain intheFifthUnitedStatescavalrytofullbrigadiergeneralofvolunteersandhisfirstcommand was four Michigan regiments, constituting what was known as"Custer's Michigan cavalry brigade"—the only cavalry brigade in the servicemade up entirely of regiments from a single state. A petition was circulatedamongtheofficers,askingthegovernortoappointGraycolonel.Weallsignedit, though the feelingwas general that itwould be better for him to retain thesecond place and have an officer of the army, or at least one who had seenservice, for our commander. The petition was forwarded, however, and Graywascommissionedcolonel.

Soon thereafter, itwas announced, greatly to the satisfaction of all concerned,that thevacancy causedbyGray's promotionwas tobe filledby anofficer ofexperience.MajorRussellA.Algerof theSecondMichigan cavalry,whohadseenmuchservice in thesouthwest,wasmade lieutenantcolonel.MajorAlgerhadgoneoutin1861ascaptainoftroop"C",oftheSecondMichiganandhadearnedhismajorityfightingunderGrangerandSheridan.InApril,1861,hewasengagedinthelumberingbusinessinGrandRapids,Michigan,towhichplacehehad removed from Cleveland, Ohio. He had been admitted to the bar inClevelandbut,evenat thatearlyday,his tastesand inclinations ledhimin thedirectionofbusinesspursuits.He,therefore,cametoGrandriverandembarkedinlumberingwhenbutjustpasthismajorityandunmarried.Thepanicof1857depressedthelumberindustry,incommonwithallotherkindsofbusiness,andtheyoungBuckeyemetwithfinancialreverses,asdidnearlyeverybodyinthosedays,thoughitisagreedthatheshowedindicationsofthedashandself-reliancethatweremarkedfeaturesofhissubsequentcareerbothinthearmyandincivillife.Doubtless,hadnotthewarcomeonhewouldhaveachievedsuccessinhisbusinessventuresthen,ashedidafterwards.

RUSSELLA.ALGER(IN1862)

WhenLieutenantColonelAlgerreportedtoColonelGrayfordutyheappearedtheidealsoldier.Tall,erect,handsome,hewasanexpertandgracefulhorseman.Herodeasuperbandspiritedbaychargerwhichtookfencesandditcheslikeadeer. Though not foppish, hewas scrupulous to a degree about his dress.Hisclothesfitted,andnotaspeckofdustcouldbefoundonhisperson,hishorse,orhisequipments.Thedetailsofdrillfelllargelytohim—ColonelGrayattendingtothegeneralexecutivemanagement.AsabattalioncommanderColonelAlgerhad fewequals andno superiors.Hewasalwayscool and self-poised, andhisclear, resonant voice had a peculiar, agreeable quality. Twelve hundredhorsemenformedinsinglerankmakealonglinebut,longasitwas,everymancouldheardistinctlythecommandsthatweregivenbyhim.

Weber'svoicehadthesamepenetratingandmusicalqualitythatmadeiteasytohearhimwhenhewasmakingnoapparentefforttobeheard.Atthattimeitwasthecustomtogivethecommandswiththevoiceandnotbybuglecalls.

Under such competent handling the regiment soon became a verywell drilledorganization.Theevolutionswereat firstonfoot, thenonhorseback,and long

before the timewhenitwasreadytodepart for thefront, theofficersandmenhadattainedtheutmostfamiliaritywiththemovementsnecessarytomaneuveraregimentonthefield.

OnSundaysitwascustomarytoholdreligiousservicesinthecamp,andmanyhundredsof the"beautyandthechivalry"of the towncametosee thesoldiersandhearthechaplainpreach.Theregimentwouldbeformedinahollowsquare,armsandbrassesshining,clothesbrushed,andbootspolished.Thechaplainwasagoodspeakerandhissermonswerealwayswellworthlisteningto.

ChaplainStephenS.N.Greeleywasauniquecharacter.BeforeenlistinghehadbeenpastoroftheleadingCongregationalchurchofthecity.Hewasapowerfulpulpitorator,akind-hearted,simple-mindedgentlemanoftheoldschool,notatallfittedforthehardshipsandexposurethathehadtoundergowhilefollowingthefortunesofGeneralCuster'stroopersinVirginia.Armylifewastoomuchforhimtoendure,anditwasasmuchashecoulddotolookafterhisownphysicalwell-being,andthespiritualconditionofhisflockwasapttobesadlyneglected.Hestayedwiththeregimenttilltheendbut,inthefieldhewasmorelikeachildthanaseasonedsoldierandneeded thewatchfulcareofallhis friends tokeephimfromperishingwithhunger,fatigue,andexposure.Ialwaysforgotmyowndiscomforts in commiseration of those of the honest chaplain.When in camp,and the weather suitable, I always endeavored to assemble the command forSunday services, so pleased was he to talk to his "boys." I believe everysurviving Sixth Michigan cavalryman has in his heart a warm corner forChaplainGreeleywhoreturned toGilmartin,NewHampshire, theplacewherehebeganhisministerialwork,anddiedtheremanyyearsago.

Whilenotinginthiscursorywaythepersonneloftheregimentitmaybepropertomentiontheothermembersofthefieldandstaff.

Cavalry regiments were divided into three battalions, each consisting of fourtroopsandcommandedbyamajor.Twotroopsweredenominatedasquadron.Thus therewere two troops in a squadron, two squadron in a battalion, threebattalions in a regiment.The firstmajorwasThaddeusFoote, aGrandRapidslawyer. He served with the Sixth about a year and was then promoted to becolonel of the Tenth Michigan cavalry. Under President Grant he held thepositionofpensionagent forWesternMichigan.ElijahD.Waterscommandedthe Second battalion. He resigned for disability and died of consumption in1866. He did not serve in the field at all. Simeon B. Brown, of the ThirdbattalionwascalledtothecommandoftheEleventhMichigancavalry,in1863.

TheTenthandEleventhwereraisedbyCongressmanKellogginthatyearinthesamemannerinwhichhehadorganizedtheSecondandThirdin1861,andtheSixthandSeventhin1862.

Speaking of Major Waters, recalls how little things sometimes lead on tofortune.Afterleavingtheserviceheandhisbrotherstarteda"boxfactory,"onthecanalinGrandRapids.Inthewinterof1865-66hetookmeovertoseeit.Itwas a small affair runbywater power.The "boxes"which theymanufacturedweremeasuresoftheold-fashionedkindlikethehalf-bushelandpeckmeasuresmadeofwoodfiftyyearsago.Theywereofallsizesfromahalf-busheldowntoaquartandusedfor"drymeasure."Beforethetoprimwasaddedandthebottomputinitwascustomarytopilethecylindricalshellsoneontopofanotherintheshop. Looking at these piles one dayWaters saw that three of them, properlyhooped, would make a barrel. Why not put hoops on and make them intobarrels? No sooner said than done. A patent was secured, a stock companyorganizedandthesequelprovedthattherewere"millionsinit."Themajordidnotlivetoenjoythefruitsofhisinventionbutitmadeofhisbrotherandpartnera millionaire. The latter is today one of the wealthiest men inMichigan—allfromthatluckybeginning.

ThefirstadjutantoftheregimentwasLymanE.Patten,whoresignedtobecomea sutler andwas succeededbyHiramF.Halewho, in turn, left the cavalry tobecomeapaymaster.

Sutlerswereanunnecessaryevil;atleast,soitseemstome.Theywereinsomecases evil personified. Many of them went into the business solely "for themoney therewas in it," and did not hesitate to trade on the necessities of the"boysinblue,"sothatasaruletherewasnolovelost,andenlistedmenwouldraidasutlerwithaslittlecompunctionasthesutlerwouldpracticeextortiononthem. The sutler's tentwas too often the army saloonwhere "S.T.—1860—Xbitters"andkindreddrinksweresoldatinflatedprices.Therewereexceptionstothe rule,however,andMr.Pattenwasoneof these.Thewholesutlerbusinesswasamistake.Thegovernmentshouldhavearrangedforanissue,orsaleatcostthroughthecommissaryandquartermasterdepartments,ofsucharticlesaswerenotregularlyfurnishedandwereneededbytheofficersandmen.Sutlerssoldathousandandonethingsthatwerenotneededandthatthemenwouldhavebeenbetterwithout.Spiritsandtobaccocouldhavebeenissuedasafieldorgarrisonration, under proper restrictions. This was done at times but, whether a goodthingorabadthing,dependsaltogetheruponthepointofview.Totakeupthediscussionwouldbetoenterintothecontroversyastothearmycanteen,which

isnotmypurpose.

The medical department of the regiment was in good hands. No officer orenlistedmanof theSixthMichiganeverwantedforkindandsympatheticcarewhenillorwounded.Thepositionofarmysurgeoninthefieldwasnosinecure.Hehadtoendurethesameprivationsastheotherofficers.Hewasnotsupposedtobeonthefightingline,tobesure,buthadtobecloseathandtoassistinthecare of thosewhowere, and oftentimes got into the thickest of it whether hewouldornot.Tothecreditoftheprofession,beitsaid,nosoldierwaseversickorwoundedwhodidnot,unlessaprisonerofwar,findsomeoneofthegreen-sashedofficersreadytoministertohisneeds.Anditoftenhappenedthatarmysurgeonspermittedthemselvestofallintotheenemy'shandsratherthantodesertthosewhowereundertheircareandtreatment.

ThesurgeonwasDanielG.Weare,whogaveupa lucrativepractice toputontheuniformofamajorinthemedicaldepartmentofthevolunteerarmy.Hewasan elderlyman with iron grey hair and beard which became towards the lastalmostaswhiteassnow.Thisgavehimavenerablelook,thoughthisevidenceofapparentagewassingularlyatvariancewithhisfreshcountenance,asruddyasthatofyouth.Helookedlikeapreacher,thoughhewouldswearlikeapirate.Indeed, itwouldalmostcongeal theblood inone'sveins tohear theoaths thatcame hissing from between the set teeth of that pious looking old gentleman,fromwhomyouwouldlookforanexhortationratherthansuchexpletivesashedealt in. But it was only on suitable provocation that he gave vent to theseoutbursts, ashewaskindofheart, agood friend, andacapablephysicianandsurgeon.TheassistantwasDavidC.SpauldingwhoremainedwithusbutashorttimewhenhewasmadesurgeonoftheTenthMichigancavalry—thatistosay,in1863.WearestaidtillthewarclosedandsettledinFairport,NewYork,wherehedied.

SpauldingwassurgeoninchargeoftheregimentalhospitalinGrandRapids,andononeoccasioncametomyaidwithsomeveryscientificpractice.Ithappenedinthisway:Itcametomyknowledgethatamanwhohadenlistedwithoneofthelieutenantsandmusteredinwiththetroop,wasnotintheserviceforthefirsttime;thathehadenlistedtwicebeforeandthensucceededingettingdischargedfordisability.Theinformantintimatedthatthefellowhadnointentionofdoingduty,wouldshirkandshamillnessandprobablygetintothehospital,wherethechances were he would succeed in imposing on the surgeons and in gettingdischargedagain;thatitwaspayhewasafterwhichhedidnotproposetoearn;leastofallwouldheexposehispreciouslife,ifbyanypossibilityhecouldavoid

it.

Aclosewatchwasputupontheman,andsureenough,justbeforetheregimentwastoleavethestate,hedemurredtodoingduty,pleadingillnessasanexcuse.IsenthimtothehospitalbutgaveDr.Spauldingahintastotheprobablenatureof the man's illness, and he promised to give his best endeavors to the case.Aboutaweek,thereafter,themancameback,andwhatevermighthavebeenhisrealconditionwhenhewentaway,hewasunmistakably ill.Hispale faceandweakvoiceweresymptomsthatcouldnotbegainsaid.

"Well,"saidI,"haveyourecoveredandareyoureadyforduty?"

"No,Iamworsethanever."

"Whydoyouleavethehospital,then?"

"MyGod,captain,"whinedtheman,"theywillkillme,ifIstaythere."

"Butifyouaresickyouneedtreatment."

"Icannotenterthatplaceagain."

"Youprefertoperformyourdutiesasagoodsoldier,then?"

"Iwilldoanythingratherthangothere."

Hewasdirectedtogoabouthisbusinessand,soonthereafter, I inquiredaboutthecase.Dr.Spauldingsaid:"Idiscoveredtherewasnothingthematterwiththeman,onlythathewasplayingoff,andwhenhedescribedhisallegedsymptoms,I began a course of heroic treatment.Hewas purged, cupped, blistered, givenemetics,untillifereallybecameaburdenandheranawayfromthe"treatment."

Thismanneverwent to the regimental hospital again, but hemade no end oftrouble.Hewas a chronic shirk.Hewould notwork, and therewere notmenenoughintheregimenttogethimintoafight.Soonafterthecampaignof1863openedinVirginiahewasmissing,andthenextthingheardfromhimwasthathe had been discharged from some hospital for disability. He never smeltpowder,andyearsafterthewar,hewastoallappearanceanable-bodiedman.IbelievetheSixthwasthethirdregimentwhichhehadgoneintointhesameway.Whenheenlisted,thesurgeonwhoexaminedhimpronouncedhimasoundman,anditwasamysteryhowhecouldbephysicallysoundorphysicallyunsound,atwill, and soas todeceive themedical examiners ineitherevent.Hedied long

ago and hiswidow drew a pension after his death as he did before it, but heneverdidaday'shonestmilitarydutyinhislife.Peacetohisashes!Hemaybeplayingsomeusefulpartintheotherworld,forallthatIknow.Atallevents,Iam glad that his widow gets a pension, though as a soldier he was neverdeservingofanythingbutcontempt,forhewoulddeserthiscomradeswhentheyneededaidandneverexposedhispreciouscarcasstodangerforhiscountryorforafriend.

That is not an attractive picturewhich I have drawn. Iwill paint another, themorepleasingbyreasonofthecontrastwhichthetwopresent.

Onedayapartyof sixteenmencame intocampandapplied forenlistment.Aconditionof thecontractunderwhichtheyweresecuredformytroopwasthatoneoftheirnumberbeappointedsergeant.Theyweretonamethemanandthechoice,madebyballot,felluponMarvinE.Avery.Atfirstblush,hewasnotapromising candidate for a non-commissioned office. Somewhat ungainly infigure,awkwardinmanners,andimmatureinmindandbody,heappearedtobe;whileheseemedneitherambitioustoexcelnorquicktolearn.Hecertainlydidnot evince a craving for preferment. In the end it was found that these weresurface indications, and that therewere inherent inhima strengthofcharacterandarobustmanlinessthatonlyawaitedtheopportunitytoassertthemselves.

Hewasappointedsergeantbut,atfirst,manifestedsolittleaptitudeforthework,that itwas fearedhewouldneverbecomeproficient inhisduties,oracquireasufficientfamiliaritywithtacticstodrillasquad.Noonecouldhavebeenmorewilling, obedient, or anxious to learn.Hewas a plodderwhoworked hiswayalongbysheerforceofwillandinnateself-reliance,andgovernedinallthathedidbyahighsenseofduty.Heneverattainedfirstrankasasergeantwhile incamp, but in the field, he sprang to the front like a thoroughbred. From themomentwhenhefirstscentedbattle,hewasthemostvaluablemaninthetroop,fromthecaptaindown.Inthis,Iamsure,thereisnodisparagementofthescoresof fearless soldierswho followed the guidon of that troop fromGettysburg toAppomattox.

Avery was a hero. In the presence of danger he knew no fear. The moreimminenttheperil,themorecoolhewas.Hewouldgraspthesituationasifbyintuition and I oftenwonderedwhy fate did notmake him colonel instead ofmyself, andhonestly believe that hewouldhave filled the position admirably,thoughhereachednohigherrankthanthatofsergeant.Hehad,however,madeof himself the trusted assistant and adviser of the commanding officer of his

regiment andwouldhave receiveda commission,hadhe livedbut a fewdayslonger.Fromthedayofhisenlistmenttothedayofhisdeathhewasnotoffdutyforasingleday;andthecommandtowhichhebelonged,wasinnobattlewhenhewasnotatthefront,intheplaceofgreatestriskandresponsibility,fromthebeginningtotheend.Hewaskilledbyashellwhichstruckhiminthehead,inthebattleofTrevillianStation,June12,1864.Abraveroratruersoldierneverfellonthefieldofbattle.

AnotherexcellentsoldierwasSolonH.Finney,whoenteredserviceassergeant.HerosetobesecondlieutenantandwaskilledatBeaverMills,Virginia,April4,1865, just five days before Lee surrendered. Finney was a modest, earnest,faithfulman,attentivetohisduties,notself-seeking,butcontentedwithhislotandambitiousonlytodoaman'spart.Itseemedhardforhimtogothroughsoneartotheendonlytobestrickenjustasthehavenofpeacewasinsight;buthisfriendshavethesatisfactionofknowingthatSolonFinneyneverfailedtodothatwhichwasrightand,thoughhegavehislife,itwassurrenderedcheerfullyinthecauseofhiscountryanditsflag.Hewasoneofthosewhowouldhavegivenahundred lives rather than have his country destroyed—agenuine patriot and anobleman.

With theWashtenaw contingent of troop "F" came Aaron C. Jewett, of AnnArbor. Jewett was a leading spirit in University circles. His parents werewealthy,heanonlysontowhomnothingwasdeniedthatadotingfathercouldsupply. Reared in luxury, he was handsome as a girl and as lovable indisposition.Itwascurrentrumorthatoneofthemostamiableyoungwomeninthe college town—adaughter of oneof theprofessors—washis betrothed.Hewas graduated with the senior class of that year and immediately enlisted.Notwithstandinghisantecedentsandhisstationinlifeheperformedhishumbledutiesintherankswithoutamurmur,thusfurnishingonemoreillustrationofthepatriotismthatanimatedthebesttypeofyoungmenofthatday.Ah!Hewasacomely soldier, with his round, ruddy face, his fresh complexion, his brightblack eyes, and curling hair the color of the raven—his uniform brushed andbootspolishedtothepinkofneatness.

These things together with his modest mien and close attention to his dutiesmade of him amarkedman and, in a short time, regimental headquarters hadneedofhim.Hewasdetailedasclerk,thenasactingsergeantmajorand,whenearlyintheyear1863,itwasannouncedthatHiramF.Halewastobeappointedarmy paymaster, Jewett was chosen to succeed him as adjutant, but had notreceivedhis commissionwhendeathovertookhimatWilliamsport,Maryland,

July6.TherewasgriefintheSixthofMichiganonthatfatefulnightwhenitwasknownthatAaronJewettlaywithintheenemy'slinessmittenbyafragmentofashell while faithfully delivering the orders of his colonel to the troops of theregiment as they successively came into line under a heavy fire of artillery.Weberandmyselfwithourmentriedtorecoverthebody,butwereunabletodoso, a forceof confederateshavinggainedpossessionof theground. In aweekfromthattime,Weberhimselflaycoldindeath,onlyfivemilesdistant,withabulletthroughhisbrain.ThatwasinMaryland,however,northofthePotomacand,afterwehadcrossedintoVirginia,Jewett'sfathersucceededinfindingthebodyofhissonandperformedthesaddutyofgivingitpropersepulture.

All themembers of the field and staff of the regiment have beenmentioned,exceptQuartermasterCharlesH.PattenandCommissary JacobChapman.Thelattersoonresigned.Pattenstucktoittilltherewasnomoreclothingtoissue.Hewas a good quartermaster, honest, energetic and capable, and that is saying agooddeal forhim.Therehasbeenmuchuncalled for satirical commentat theexpense of the quartermasters. They were really among the most useful ofofficers—indispensable in fact. Themanwho handled the transportation for acavalry command had a position requiring tact, nerve, energy, endurance andabilityofahighorder.Mr.Pattenwassuchaman.Hiswagontrainsneverfailedtoreachthefrontwithneededsupplieswhenitwaspossibletogetthemthere.Thewhitecanvasofthearmywagonwasapleasantsighttothesoldierwornoutwith marching and fighting; and the quartermaster could always count on acordialwelcomewhenheappeared.

October11,1862,theregimentwasmusteredintotheUnitedStatesservice.ThemusteringofficerwasGeneralJ.R.Smithof theregulararmy,aveteranof theMexicanwar,inwhichhereceivedawoundinonearm,disablingit.Hehadaslit in his sleeve tied with ribbons—away he had, it was thought, of callingattention to his disability, and sort of a standing apology for being back inMichiganwhilehisassociatesof thearmywerefightingat thefront. Itwasanamiableandpardonableweakness,ifsuchitmaybecalled,andeverybodyhadalikingfortheoldMexicanwarofficer.

OneofmyfirstactsafterreachingtherendezvoushadbeentocallonColonelKellogg,whowasinhisroom,uptohiseyesinpapersandcorrespondence.Hegreetedmecordially,congratulatedmeonmysuccess,andassuredme thathewasmyfriend,whichheprovedtobe.

"Orderyouruniformatonce,"saidhe,"andgotoworkwithoutdelay."

Theresultofthisinterviewwasthatatailortookmymeasureforasuitand,induetime,IwasarrayedinUnionblue,withshiningbrassbuttons,brightyellowfacings, and the shoulder straps of a captain of cavalry. No boy in his firsttrouserseverfelthappierorprouder.

BeforethebrasseshadbecometarnishedorthetrimmingssoiledItookaruntoAnn Arbor to say good-by to the boys. They were glad to see me, and thewelcomeIhadwassomethingtoremember.Theywerelikeabandofbrothersandshowedthesameinterestasifwehadbeenofonefamily.

I think the students felt a sort of clannish pride when one of their numberenlistedandthoughtthatthealmamaterwasdoingthecorrectandpatrioticthinginsendinghersons into thearmy.Itwasplainly tobeseenthatmanyof themwereholdingbackunwillingly.Indeed,itwasnotlongtillsomeofthemdroppedtheirstudiesabruptlyandfollowedtheexampleofthosewhohadalreadygone.EverybodygavemeanaffectionateGodspeedandIwassurprisedatthenumberofmyfriends.

CHAPTERVII

THEDEPARTUREFORWASHINGTON

ItwasonabrightmoonlightnightinDecember,1862,thattheSixthcavalryofMichiganleftitsrendezvousinGrandRapidsandmarchedtothestationtotakethecarsforWashington.Itwas like tearingasunder the tiesofyears, for thosewhoselineshadbeencastevenforabrieftimeonly,inthe"ValleyCity."[3]Thehospitalityofthepeoplehadbeenunbounded.Manyoftheofficersandmenhadtheirhomesthere.Thosewhohadnot,tookshortleavesandmadeflyingvisitstotheirfamiliestosaygood-byandarrangetheiraffairsforwhatmightbeafinalfarewell.Thescenesofoursojournforafewmonths,wherewehadengagedindailydrillsandparades,inthepompandcircumstanceofmimicwarfare,weretoknowusnolonger.Thetimeforrehearsalhadpassed.Wewereabout toenterupon the real stage of action, and do our part in the mighty tragedy thenenacting.

Thecampwasbroken.Tentswerestruck.Preparationsfordepartureweremade.Adieus were said. Horses were sent away in charge of a detail. Thequartermaster took possession of the equipments. The regiment was not yetarmed, butwas to be suppliedwith all the neededmunitions on arrival in theCapitalCity.

Forsomereason, itwasdeemedbest tomakeanightmarch to thestation.Nonoticeofthiswasgiventothecitizens.Theresultwasthatwhenweleftcamp,at2a.m.,thestreetsweredeserted.Thetownwaswrappedinslumber.Nosoundwasheard,exceptthetramp,trampofthesoldiers,andtheroaroftheriverasitplungedoverthedam,whichonlyservedtointensifythestillness.

Through Michigan was a memorable trip. The same scenes with but slightvariation,wereenactedateachstation.Officersandmenalike,werewarmedbythe hearty and affectionate greetings, the memory of which followed themthroughallthedays,andmonths,andyearsoftheirservice.

On to Detroit, Toledo, Pittsburg, Harrisburg, Baltimore, quickly whirled.Flowers, music, words of cheer, everywhere. "God bless you, boys," was thecommonformofsalutation."Threecheers for theoldflag,"and"Threecheersfor 'Abe Lincoln,'" were sentiments offered amidst the wildest enthusiasm, to

which the twelve hundred Michigan throats responded with an energy thatbespoketheirsincerity.Baltimorewasreachedinthenight,andwhenmarchingthrough the streets, fromone station to theother, the strainsof "JohnBrown'sbody lies mouldering in the ground," awoke the echoes in the city that hadmobbedaMassachusettsregiment,andthroughwhichAbrahamLincolnontheway tohis inaugurationhad topass indisguise to escapeassassination. "We'llhang Jeff.Davis on a sour apple tree,"was a refrain inwhich all joined, andthere was a heartiness about it that none can understand who did not passthroughthosetroubloustimes.

ButBaltimorewasaspeacefulasPittsburg,andnomobgatheredtocontesttheright of Michigan men to invade southern soil. It was quiet. There was nodemonstrationofanykind.ThepassageoftroopshadbecomeafamiliarstorytothecitizensoftheMonumentalcity.

ItwasthethunderofBurnside'sgunsatFredericksburgthatwelcomedustothearmy of the east. The same sun that saw us bivouac beneath the dome of theCapitol, shone down upon theArmy of the Potomac, lying once again beatenand dispirited, on the plains of Falmouth. Burnside had run his course, and"Fighting'Joe'Hooker"wasincommand.

CHAPTERVIII

THEARRIVALINWASHINGTON

There was little about Washington in 1862 to indicate that a great war wasraging.Thereferenceinthepreviouschaptertothe"thunderofBurnside'sguns"wasfigurativeonly.Nogunswereheard.ItwasSundaymorning.Churchbellspealedout thecallfordivineworshipandstreamsofwell-dressedpeoplewerewendingtheirwaytothesanctuaries.Thepresenceofuniformedtroopsinsuchascene appeared incongruous, andwas the only thing that spoke ofwar, if weexceptthewhitetentsandhospitalbuildingsthataboundedoneveryside.

Restwaswelcomedafterthelongjauntbyrail,andthedaywasgivenuptoit,except for the necessary work of drawing and issuing rations. It was historicground,madedoublysobytheeventsthentranspiring.Fewrealized,however,thatweactuallywereengagedinmakingthehistoryofthemosteventfulepochinthecareeroftheRepublic,andthechiefinterestoftheplaceseemedtolieinits associations with the past. The Capitol, with its great unfinished dome,towered above us. TheWhiteHouse, theTreasury building, the Patent office,Arlington,theformerhomeoftheLees,Longbridge,Pennsylvaniaavenue,theSmithsonianinstitute,thetreewhereSickleskilledKey.Theseandotherpointsofinterestwerequicklyseenorvisited.

And theWashington of 1862 was a very different city to theWashington ofrecent years.Where now are broad avenues of concrete pavement, were thenwidestreetsofmud,throughwhichteamsofarmymules,haulingheavywagons,tuggedandfloundered.Adirtycanal,fulloffoulsmells,traversedthecitywherenowarepavedstreetsandfinebuildings.Wherethenwerewasteplaces,nowarelovelyparks,adornedwithstatues.Rowsofstatelytreesfringetheavenues,andgreenlawnsdotthelandscape,wherein1862wasavastmilitarycamp,fullofhospitals and squalid in appearance. Themanwho sawWashington then andreturnstoitforthefirsttime,wouldbeasmuchastonishedaswasAladdinatthecreations of hiswonderful lamp.Certain salient features remain, but there hasbeenonthewholeamagicalchange.

Camp was pitched on Meridian Hill, well out on Fourteenth street, nearColumbiacollege,thenusedforahospital,andpreparationsweremadetospend

thewinterthere.TheFifthMichigan,whichhadreachedWashingtonbeforeus,was located on "Capitol Hill," at the opposite end of the city.We had a finecampground,stretchingfromFourteenthstreetthroughtoSeventh,welladaptedtodrillandparadepurposes.

AfewdaysaftertheirarrivalinWashington,theofficersoftheSixth,undertheescortofCongressmanKellogg,wentinabodytopaytheirrespectstoPresidentLincoln,severalmembersofthecabinetandthegeneralofthearmy.Fulldresswas the proper "caper," theywere told, and accordingly theywere arrayed intheir finest. The uniforms were new and there is no doubt that they were agorgeous looking party as they marched up Pennsylvania avenue wearingshining brasses, bright red sashes, buff gauntlets, and sabres glittering in theirscabbards.Mr.Kelloggpronouncedthe"OpenSesame"whichcausedthedoorsof the White House to open and secured admission to the presence of thePresident.

Afterbeingusheredintothe"BlueParlor"wewerekeptwaitingforsometime.Expectancywasontip-toe,forfewifanyoftheofficershadseenMr.Lincoln.ButnointroductionwasneededwhenthedooropenedandthePresidentstoodbeforeus.Thatwastomeamemorablemoment,foritwasthefirstandlasttimethatIsawAbrahamLincoln.Therewasnomistakingthetall,gauntfigure, thethin,care-wornface,theslovenlygait,asheenteredtheroom.Inappearancehewasalmostasuniqueashisplaceinhistoryisunexampled.Butspare,haggardandbentashelooked,hewasyetastrikinglyhandsomeman,fortherewasonhisbrowthestampofgreatness.Wesawhimasinahalo,andlookedbeyondtheplainlineamentsandhabilimentsofthemantotheidealfigureofthestatesmanandpresident,strugglingforthefreedomofhiscountryandtheunityofhisrace,whomweallsawinthe"Railsplitter"fromIllinois;andheseemed,inhisabsent-minded way, to be looking beyond those present to the infinite realm ofresponsibilityandcareinwhichhedwelt.

It is the misfortune of Lincoln that his portraits have not been idealized likethose of Julius Cæsar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Washington. It remains forsomegreatartist, inspiredbythenobilityofhissubject, tomakethosehomelyfeatures so transparent that his reverent and grateful countrymen may lookthroughthemandseeapresentmentofthegreatsoulandbeautifulcharacterthatirradiatedandglorifiedtheminhislife,andwhichwillgrowbrighterandmorelovelyasthefugitiveagesglideaway.

The officerswere introduced, one by one, andMr. Lincoln gave each hand a

shakeasheutteredaperfunctory,butkindly,"Howdoyoudo?"andthenturnedquicklytowardthedoor,asthoughhismindwasstillontheworkwhichhehadleft in order to grant the interview,whichmust have trenched sadly upon histime.

Buthewasnottoescapesoeasily,fortheCongressman,risingtotheoccasion,said:

"Mr. President, these are the officers of a regiment of cavalry who have justcomefrommystateofMichigan.Theyare'Wolverines'andareonthetrackof'Jeb'Stuart,whomtheyproposetopursueandcaptureifthereisanyvirtueinaname."

"Gentlemen,"saidthePresident,withatwinkleoftheeye,andthefirstandonlyindicationofhumorthathegave,"Icanassureyouthatitwouldgivememuchgreaterpleasuretosee'JebStuart'incaptivitythanithasgivenmetoseeyou,"andwithabowandsmilehevanished.

AlthoughweremainedinWashingtonforabout twomonths,Ididnotseehimagain. He never saw "Jeb Stuart" in captivity, but it was in a fight with theMichigancavalrybrigadethatthedashingraiderwaskilled.SotheremarkoftheCongressmanwasnotsuchanidleboast,afterall.

When the SeventhMichigan arrived itwas put in camp on the Seventh streetside.Colonel J.T.Copeland,of theFifthMichigan,waspromoted tobrigadiergeneralofvolunteersandassignedtothecommandofthethreeregiments.Thebrigadewasattached to thedivisionofGeneralSilasCasey,allunderGeneralS.P.Heintzelman,whowas in charge of theDepartment ofWashington,withheadquartersinthecity.FreemanNorvellsucceededCopelandascoloneloftheFifth.ThedepartmentextendedoutintoVirginiaasfarasFairfaxCourtHouse,andtherewasacordonoftroopsentirelyaroundthecity.

Theprospectwasthatthebrigadewouldseelittle,ifanyfighting,foratime,asit was not to be sent on to the army at Falmouth. The work of drilling anddiscipliningwentonwithoutrelaxationthroughoutthewintermonths,andwhenarmswereissued,itwasfound,tothedelightofallconcerned,thatweweretohaverepeatingrifles.

Themusketsorrifles issuedtotheUnitedStatesinfantry,duringthecivilwar,were inferiorweapons,andabrigadeofMichiganmilitiaof thepresentperiodwouldmakeshortworkofamilitaryforceofequalnumberssoarmed.Itisone

of the strange things about that war that the ordnance department did notanticipatetheAustrians,GermansandFrench,intheemploymentofthefirearmloadedatthebreechwhichwassoeffectiveintheFranco-Prussianconflictand,ifIamnotmistaken,inthewarbetweenPrussiaandAustriain1866,also.Thismadeoftheindividualsoldierahostinhimself.Theoldmuzzle-loader,withitsramrodanddilatory "motions,"ought tohavebeenobsolete longbeforeGrantleft the West to lead the Army of the Potomac from the Wilderness toAppomattox. The Michigan cavalry brigade, armed as it was with repeatingcarbines,wasneverwhippedwhen ithadachance touse them. Inarming theinfantrythegovernmentwasfiftyyearsbehindthetimes.

Possiblythesamethingmightbesaidtruthfullyoftheartilleryalso,thoughtheunion artillerists, notwithstanding the handicap, did such effective work aswouldhavedelightedthe"LittleCorporal,"himself.

The "Spencer" rifle was an invention brought to the notice of the OrdnanceDepartment about that time. Among the numerous "charges" brought againstJamesG.Blainewasonethathewasinterestedinthemanufactureof thisarmand in the contract for furnishing it to the government.Howmuch truth theremayhavebeenintheassertionIdonotknow,butifMr.Blainewasinstrumentalin bringing about the adoption of the "Spencer" for the use of the Federalcavalry,heoughttohavehadavoteofthanksbyCongress,forabettergunhadneverbeenissued,andiftheentirearmyhadbeensuppliedwithitthewarcouldnothavelastedninetydaysandMr.Sewardwouldhavebeenaprophet.

The"Spencer"wasamagazineguncarryingeightcartridges,allofwhichcouldbe dischargedwithout taking the arm from the shoulder. It was loaded at thebreech and the act of throwing out an empty shell replaced it with a freshcartridge.Against sucharms theold-fashionedmuzzle-loaders,withwhich theinfantrywas equipped,were ineffective. TheMichiganmenwere fortunate inbeingamongtheveryfirsttoreceivetheserepeatingrifleswhich,afterthefirstyearinthefield,wereexchangedforthecarbineofthesamemake,alighterarmandbetteradaptedfortheuseofcavalry.

CHAPTERIX

THESTAYINWASHINGTON

Thestay inWashington thoughbrief,wasmonotonous.Timehungheavilyonourhands.Andyet,itwasnotdevoidofincident.Thereis,perhaps,littleofthisthat isworth recounting,of those things,at least, thatappearedon thesurface.Hadonebeenabletoreachthepenetralia—theinmostrecesses—ofofficialandmilitary life, hemight have brought awaywith him reminiscences thatwouldmake racy reading.But thisprivilegewasvouchsafed tobut few,and they theelect.Thelogicofwaris,learntoobeyandasknoquestions.

Onethinghappenedwhichcameverynearbreakingupmytroop,andthreatenedtodestroytheregimentitself.Itwasatthattimedifficulttogetrecruitsfortheregulars. Citizen-soldiers preferred the volunteers. But it was consideredimportant to keep the regiments in the regular army recruited up to theminimum,atleast,andanorderwasissuedfromtheWarDepartmentpermittingregularofficers to recruit from the ranksof thevolunteers. Itwasabadorder,and,assoonastested,wasrescinded.Ihadthemisfortunefirsttoexperienceitseffects,andthegoodfortunetosecureitsabrogation.

There was in the troop a man who fancied he was slighted when the non-commissionedofficerswereappointedand,always thereafter,nursedhiswrathto keep it warm. He was well-educated, but of a surly disposition andinsubordinate.Hewasmade a corporal, but thought hismerits entitled him tosomethingbetterandnevergotover the feeling.Hadhegoneonanddonehisduty,likeGeneralGrant,inthestationtowhichhewasassigned,hemighthaverisenmuchhigher.Asitwas,heneverdid.ThismanmadethediscoveryoftheWarDepartmentorder,andsoontherewasacabalwhichwasconstantlygivingoutthattheywereindependentofmyauthorityandcouldshakethemselvesfreeatanymoment.Atfirst,wedidnotknowwhatthismeant,butitsoonleakedout,thoughtheyintendedtokeepitsecret.Itwasascertained,notonlythattheyhadthe right to go, but thatwhile down town on passes, elevenmen actually hadenlistedintheregulararmy.Therecruitingofficerhadorderedthemtoreporttohimonacertaindaywhichtheyarrangedtodo,thinkingthattheywouldbesenttoNewYorkharbor,togarrisonfortsandescapedutyinthefield.

Whenthisbecameknown,therewasnotimetobelost,andColonelGraydrewupapapersettingforththatifthesemenwereallowedtogoitwouldbetheendofalldisciplineinhiscommandandaskingthattheybeorderedtoreportbackforduty.Hewellunderstoodtheartofputtingthingsandthepetitionwasbrief,pointedandconvincing.Itwasaddressedtotheadjutantgeneralofthearmy,buthad to go through the regular channels and, to save time, he gaveme a letterdirecting that I take it up in person. In two days, it had been approved byGeneralsCopeland,CaseyandHeintzelman,—andtherewasadelayofonedayat that,—due to a staff officer, who acted as a buffer at Heintzelman'sheadquarters. Proceeding then at once to the adjutant general's office, I wasreferred to Major Williams,[4] assistant adjutant general, one of the mostpolishedandcourteousgentlemenitwasevermyfortunetomeet.Hewasmostgraciousandkind,assuredmethattherequestwouldbegrantedatonce,andtoldmetogobackanddismissallfurtheruneasinessaboutthematter.Thenextday,theorderwasrescinded,onceandforall.Theelevenmenwereorderedtoreportbackforduty,andtheregularsdidnomorerecruitinginthevolunteers.

Themenwereignorantofwhathadbeendone,andonthemorningwhentheyweretoleave,theycalledonmeinabodytosaygood-by.Oneofthenumber,acting as spokesman, assuredme that it was on account of no ill-will towardcaptainortroopthattheyhadtakenthestep.Itwasdonebecausetheybelieveditwouldbebetterforthemand,astheactwasauthorized,beggedthatIwouldnotthink hard of it, at the same time assuringme of their lasting friendship. Thespeakerdoubtlessvoicedthehonestsentimentsofall,foritisprobablethattheythemselveshadbeguntosuspectthattheyweremakingamistake.Inreply,theywereassuredthatnoill-willwasharbored,unlessitwouldbeinthe"harbor"towhichtheyweregoing,andtheywereurgedtowriteandletusknowhowtheyliked New York Harbor, as we would always feel a warm interest in theirwelfare.

Thentheystarted,butwerehaltedatthe"sallyport,"andwhentheyexhibitedtotheofficer-of-the-daytheirpassesfromtheregulararmylieutenant,hepresentedto them the order from the adjutant general. They came back, looking crest-fallenenough.Thinkingthattheyhadbeenpunishedsufficiently,Iassuredthemthatiftheywoulddotheirdutylikemen,thematterwouldbeforgotten.

Itwas a good lesson and, from that timeon, no officer ever had the honor tocommandmenbraver,morefaithful,ormoreloyal,thanweretheregulararmycontingentofTroop"E"SixthMichigancavalry.Theyneverhadreasontoregretthe fate that kept them in the volunteers. Several of them are still living and

amongmymostdevotedfriends.

Atsometimeduringthatwinter,theMichiganmeninWashingtonhadabanquetinoneoftheroomsorlonghall-waysintheCapitol.Itwasafineaffair.Therewerelongtablesloadedwithviandsanddecoratedwithflowers.TheMichiganSenators—Chandler and J.M. Howard—and the Members of Congress werepresent,andtherewasspeech-makingandmusic.AmongthosewhorespondedtotoastswasSchuylerColfax,afterwardsvice-president,then,Ibelieve,Speakerof the House. Colfax's remarks, alone, left much of an impression, but Iwonderedwhyhewasregardedasagreatman.Hehadapleasant,smilingfaceandverywhiteteeth,buthisspeechdidnotstrikeoneasbrilliantinanyway.

The singing was led by Doctor Willard Bliss, surgeon-in-charge of ArmorySquare hospital, located on Fourteenth street, opposite the then unfinishedWashington monument. Bliss went out as surgeon of the "Old Third,"[5] hadalreadymadeaplace forhimselfasoneof the leadingarmysurgeons,andhishospital was a model of good management. He was at Bull Run with hisregimentanditwassaidthathesentatelegramfromWashingtontoarelativeinMichigan,saying:"Agreatbattlefought;'Zene'(meaninghisbrother)'Zene'andIaresafe."ThewagswereaccustomedtofigureoutwhatextraordinarytimehemusthavemadeinordertoreachWashingtonintimetosendthattelegram.Butitwasthefashiontoguyeverybodywhowasinthatbattle,unlesshewaseitherwounded or taken prisoner. Bliss, asmostmen are apt to do, "went with thecrowd." He remained inWashington after the war, making much money andspending it freely, and achievednotoriety, if not fame, throughhis connectionwiththecaseofPresidentGarfield,afterhewasshotbytheassassin,Guiteau.

ThecamponMeridianHillwas apleasantone, andenlivenedat timesby thepresenceofseveralladies,amongwhomwereMrs.Gray,Mrs.Alger,andMrs.Sheldon,wivesofthecolonel,lieutenantcolonelandcommissary,respectively.Theseladiesspentmuchtimeincamp,andwhentheweatherwaspleasantlivedin tents, which always were delightfully homelike, and often crowded withvisitors.'TwasbutayearortwosinceMrs.Alger'ssoldier-husbandledhertothealtar as a bride and they were a handsome couple, not less popular thanhandsome.Shewasadecidedfavoriteincamp,winningtheaffectionsofallbyhergraciousmannersandkindheart,asshehasdonesince,whenpresidingoverher hospitable home in Detroit or the mansion of the War Secretary inWashington.Mrs.Sheldon,whowasanieceofDr.WillardBliss,followedherhusband to the field andwas aministering angel tomany a sick orwoundedsoldierinhospitalandincamp.

Onedayamancametomeandwanted toenlist.Hesaidhishomewas in theStateofNewYork,buthelikedtheMichiganmenanddesiredtojointhem.Hewas a bright-looking, active youngman and, as the numbers of the troop hadbeensomewhatreducedbysicknessanddeath,hewasacceptedandmusteredinas a private. He remained with us until the morning of the third day atGettysburg, when, about daylight, he gathered up a lot of canteens andwent,ostensibly, toget themfilled.Wenever sawhimagain, andmany timeswhenthinkingofthecircumstances,Iwonderedifhewasaconfederatespy.Hewasagoodsoldieranddidnot leave to shirkdanger, forhehadbeenunder fireanddemonstrated his courage. He could hardly have disappeared so completelyunless he went into the enemy's lines, and, if he did that, must have done itpurposely.[6]

Thereisnodoubtthatintheearlyyearsofthewartheenemy'smeansofgettinginformationwerefarsuperiortooursandthereisstilllessdoubtthatnotonlythearmy, butWashington, and even theWar Department were filled with spies.Probably no union general ever succeeded in outwitting these confederateemissaries so completely as did General Sheridan. He told me in Petersburg,after the fall of Richmond, that he had Early's spies at his headquarters inWinchesterall throughthewinterof1864-65—theyhavingcometohimunderthepretenseofbeingdeserters—knowingthemtobesuch,butpretendingthathedidnotdistrustthem,andinthespring,beforethegrandforwardmovement,hesent themoff on a false scent,withwrong information for their chief—Early.Withtwoofthese,inordertokeepupthedeception,hewasobligedtosendonegenuineunionscout,whowasarrestedasaspy,inLynchburg,andwouldhavebeenhung,ifthesuddenclosingofhostilitieshadnotsuspendedsentence.Thisman'snamewasM.B.Medes,atrooperoftheSixthMichigancavalry,thenondetached service as a scout at Sheridan's headquarters, and never, since hismiraculous escape, has he been able to talk about the experiences of that lastscoutwithoutafitofnervousprostration.Inaletterwrittentomeseveralyearsago,hesaid:

"Idon'tknowwhy it is,but Icannever talkofmyadventuresandnarrow escapeswhile acting as scout and spy, that I do not breakdowncompletelyandshakeasthoughIhadahardchill."

CHAPTERX

FIELDSERVICEINVIRGINIA

ItwastowardthelastofFebruary,1863,thatthefirstordertomovecame.Ihadbeen down to the city and, returning about ten o'clock in the evening, notdreamingofanychangefromtheusualorderofthings,wassurprisedtofindallbustleandconfusion,whereafewhoursbeforeithadbeenquietandserene.Theregiment was to march at two o'clock in the morning, and preparations fordeparturewerewellunderway.Threedays'cookedrationsandfortyroundsofammunitiontothemanweretobetaken,thesickmenandunserviceablehorsestoremainincamp,andthetentstoremainstandingastheywereuntilourreturn.By this itappeared that itwas tobea raidor reconnoissance,notapermanentchangeofstation.Everyonewasbusygettingreadyforthemarch.Rationswereissued,cookedandputinthehaversacks;ammunitionwasdistributedandplacedin thecartridgeboxes;asmallbagofoatswasstrapped toeachsaddle;horseswerefedandthementookamidnightlunch.Asformyself,Ihadtheforesighttohaveatincuptiedtothecantleofmysaddleand,inadditiontothecookedmeatandhardbread,put into thesaddle-bagssomesugar,anda sackofcoffee thatmygoodmotherhadsentfromhomeandwhichwasreceivedonlyafewdaysbefore. Itwas about as large as amedium-sized shot bag, and the coffeewasbrownedandgroundreadyforuse.Ialsotookasupplyofmatches.Thesethingswereofinestimablevalueduringthenextfewdays.

Promptly at the appointedhour, twoo'clock a.m., "boots and saddles" and "tohorse" were sounded; twelve troops led their horses into line; twelve firstsergeantscalledtheroll,towhicheverymannotexcusedfromdutyresponded;and twelve troop commanders gave the order to mount; when the regiment,responsiveto thebuglecall,"forward,"brokeintocolumnoffours,movedoutinto Fourteenth street and headed for Long Bridge. The night was dark anddismal. The rain began to fall. It was cold and raw, the air surcharged withmoisture, chilling one to the marrow. But as the troopers wore gum coats or"poncho"blanketsandtopboots,theyweremeasurablyshelteredfromthestormatthesametimethattheywereexposedtoit.

Down through the silent, slumbering city themultitudinous tread of the iron-shodhorsesawokestrangeechoes,whilethesplashingrain-dropsandlowering

clouds did not serve to raise the spirits. It was an inauspicious beginning ofactiveservice,andtypicalofthemanylongandwearyweeksofwetdiscomfortthattheSixthofMichiganwasdestinedtoexperiencebeforethesummersolsticehadfairlypassed.Thepointsofinterest,—thepublicbuildings,thewhitehouse,themassiveGreekarchitectureoftheTreasurybuilding,themonument,alltheseas they glided like phantoms, through the mist, attracted scarcely a casualglance. Indeed, it isprobable that fewin that longcolumntooknote that thesehadpassedatall, sodeeplywere theyabsorbed in thereflections that the timeandcircumstancesproduced.

Thus on to the Long Bridge that spans the great water highway between theNation'sCapitalandthe"OldDominion."Thetreadofathousandcavalryhorsesdidnotservetoshakeitsmileofsolidsuperstructure.Itseemedalongjourneyfromoneendtotheother.Above,thescurryingclouds,below,theangryriver,allaround,thedrizzlingstorm,itwasasorryscene;andasullenwelcometothesoilofVirginia,thatwasthenasoftenbeforeandafterwards,aslippery,stickymud.

Halting at daylight, the column was reinforced a few miles out, by the FifthMichigan cavalry. Resuming the march, the two regiments passed throughAlexandria, looking with interest, of course, at the spot where the chivalricEllsworth was shot the year before. What a dilapidated town, its whole facemarredandscarredbytheravagesofwar!

IttooktilldusktoreachCenterville,andtherainneverstoppedlongenoughtocatchitsbreath,butkeptatit,alldaylong.Suchafirstnightoutasthatwas!Themenslept,orratherstoodintherainallnightforsleepwasoutofthequestion.Nowoodcouldbeprocured,sonofireswerebuiltandtherewasnohotcoffee.Itwas a unique experience for cavalrymen and they had not yet learned how toforage.Iwanderedaroundintherainandfinallystumbleduponthequartersofsomeinfantryofficerswhowerestationednearandhada tentandafire.Theykindlypermittedmetostaywiththemtillmorning.Butforthis,itseemedtomethatIshouldhaveperished,thoughthesequelprovedthatitwaspossibletogetthroughaworsenightwithoutfoodorshelter.

In themorning at six o'clock, threemore regiments, the FifthNewYork, theFirst Virginia, and the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, joined, and the force, thusaugmentedtoabouttwothousandmen,pushedontowardsWarrenton,SirPercyWyndham in command.This officerwas anEnglishman, an alleged lord.Butlordorsonofalord,hiscapacityasacavalryofficerwasnotgreat.Hehadbeen

entrustedwithoneortwoindependentcommandsandwasregardedasadashingofficer.Hehadnosoonerassumedcommandofourforcethanhestartedoffatarapid pace through that part of Virginia that was between Washington andFalmouth—that is, in rear of Hooker's army, andwhere therewas no enemy,unlessitmighthavebeensmallbandsofguerrillas.DuringthedayhechargedthroughthetownofWarrentonandafewconfederatescoutscoollywatchedthecolumnfromtheneighboringhills.Theywerewellmountedandevidentlydidnot fearcapture. Indeed,noattemptwasmade tocapture them,butaway rodeWyndham, as if riding for a wager, or to beat the record of John Gilpin. Heseemedbentonkillingasmanyhorsesaspossible,nottomentionthemen.Thefactwas thenewspaperswere in thehabitofreportingthatColonelorGeneralso-and-sohadmadeaforcedmarchofsomanymilesinsomanyhours,anditisprobable that "Sir Percy" was in search of some more of that kind of cheaprenown. It was a safe pastime, harmless to the enemy and not dangerous tohimself,thoughhurtfultohorse-flesh.

ThatnightwecampedbeyondWarrentonandhadthefirsttasteofpicketduty.My troopwassentoutaboutamilebeyond thecampandkeptonpicketuntilmorning.A line of videtteswas posted along the front, and so keenly did theofficersfeeltheresponsibility,thattheymadenoattempttosleepbutwereinthesaddle constantly. It would have been a smart confederate who could havesurprisedtheMichigandersthatnight.Everyfacultywasonthealert.Oftenwefanciedthatanenemywasapproachingtheline;afoelurkedbehindeverytreeandbush;eachsoundhadanominousmeaningandthevidetteswerevisitedatfrequent intervals tosee if theyhaddiscoveredanything. In thatway thenightpassed. In themorning everybodywas exhausted and, tomakemattersworse,manyofthemenranshortofprovisions.Someofthemhadneglectedtobringtheamountordered;othershadbeenimprovidentandwastedtheirrations.Sotothediscomfortsofcoldandwet,wereaddedthepangsofhunger.Thelittlebagof coffee had proven a precious boon.Whenever the columnwould halt for afewminutes,anditwaspossibletofindanythingthatwouldburn,ahandfulofthe coffee was put into a tin cup of water and boiled. It was surprising howquicklythiscouldbedone,andthebeveragethusbrewedwas"nectarfitforthegods."When the flavorof that coffee, as it tastedon that tripmore than fortyyears ago, is recalled, it iswitha smackof the lips.Thebare remembrance ismore grateful to the palate than is the actual enjoyment of the most delicateproductoftheculinaryarttoday.

Thereweretimesearlyinthewarwhenspiritswereissuedtothesoldiersasan

army ration. Though personally I never took a drop of liquor when on dutyduring theentireofmyarmyservice,yet Iamconfident that therewere timeswhen a reasonable amount of stimulantwas a good thing. Indeed, thereweretimeswhenamanwasafoolifhedidnottakeit,assumingthathecouldgetit.Coffeewas,however,averygoodsubstitute,andtothecreditofthegovernmentbe it said the coffee issued to the Union troops was almost invariably ofexcellentquality.Theyalwayshad itandplentyof it.Suchasolaceas itwas!Therewas nothing like it. On themarch,when therewas a temporary halt, athousandfireswouldquicklyblazealongsidethewearycolumn,andathousandtin cups would soon be steaming with the fragrant and delicious beverage.Veterans could build a fire andmake a cup of coffee almost as quickly, andunder as discouraging environments, as the traditional Irishman can light hispipe.Itseemedtobedonebymagic,andtherewasnotimeandnoplacewherethecupofcoffeewasnotwelcomeandappreciated.

Thereisasong,muchaffectedbymembersoftheGrandArmyoftheRepublic.It isstyled"TheArmyBean."Icouldneverquitemakeoutwhetheritwasnotintendedasaburlesque.Theremaybeenoughofsentimentattachedtothearmybeantoentitleittothehonorofbeingimmortalizedinsong,buttomeitwasanabomination,lesspoeticinnameandassociationthantheproverbial"sow-belly"bacon,sodeartotheheartofthesoldier.

Whydoesnot somepoet, filledwith thedivine afflatus, sing thepraiseof thearmy tin cup and its precious contents—the fragrant coffee of the camp, andmarch, and bivouac? Ambrosial nectar fit for the gods. The everyday andgrateful beverage of heroes. Here is a theme for some modern Horace, asinspiring as the fruity and fragrant wine of which his ancient namesake soeloquently sang. I doubt if the red wine of the Horatian odes was moreexhilarating to the Roman legionary than the aroma from his tin cup to thesoldieroftheUnion.

Oh,brimming,steaming,fragrantcup!Never-failingfriendofthevolunteer!Hissolaceinfatigue,andhisstrengthinbattle.Tothee,Ising.

To resume the story at the point at which this digression left it: On the dayfollowingthenighttourofpicketduty,afterhavingriddenfromoneo'clockinthemorningtillaftereighto'clockintheevening,andthemarchnotyetended,Ibecamesofamishedthatapieceofrawfatporkwasdevouredwithmorerelishthan ever before I had eaten an orange. Our valiant commander, finding thatmorningthat rationsandforagewerebothexhausted,startedforFalmouth, the

nearestpointatwhichsuppliescouldbeobtained.Late thatSaturdaynightwebivouacedwiththecampfiresofHooker'sarmyallaround.Butnoforethoughthad been taken; no rationswere drawn or issued; nowoodwas supplied; andafterthreedays'ridethroughtherain,manynothavinghadamorseloffoodfortwenty-fourhours,theentirecommandwasforcedtolieontheground,inpoolsofwater,inthemidstofadrenchingrainwithoutfood,orfire,orshelterofanykindwhatever. It was dreadful, and the experiences of that night are recalledevennowwithashudder.Itwaslikelyingdowninthemiddleofariver.Therewasnoplacebigenough tospreadablanket,where therewasnotapuddleofwater, and, all the time, the rain fell pitilessly, in torrents. The solace of hotcoffee was denied, for there was no fuel. Food was gone. The minutes werehours.Whilehungergnawedatthevitals,aclammychillinessseizeduponone,making him feel as if every vital organ was in a state of congestion. Howdaylightwaslongedfor,andsoonafterthefirststreaksofdawnbegantoappear,Idesertedmywaterycouchandmadestraightacross thecountry towardsomeinfantrycamps,andactuallyhuggedeveryfragmentofanember thatcouldbefound.After awhile I found some soldiers cooking coffee. One of themwastakingacupoffthefireforhisbreakfast.Iaskedhimforadrinkwhichhesurlilyrefused.

"Howmuchwillyoutakeforallthereisinthecup?"saidI.

Hedidnotwanttosellit,butwhenItookoutahalfdollarandofferedittohim,he took it and gave up the coffee, looking on with astonishment, while Iswalloweditalmostboilinghotandwithouttakingbreath.Thisrevivedme,andsoon after, I found a place where a meal consisting of ham, eggs, bread andcoffee,wasservedforabigpriceandtookaboutadollar'sworthforbreakfast.

Byeighto'clock,rationsandforageweredrawnandissuedandmenandhorsesweresuppliedwiththemuchneededfood.AllofSundaywasspentinFalmouthand the "fresh" cavalrymen took a good many observations as to how realsoldiersconductedandtookcareofthemselves.

Monday morning Sir Percy started by the nearest route, via Acquia Creek,StaffordCourtHouseandFairfax,forWashington,arrivingthereateighto'clockTuesday evening, having been absent just six days, accomplishing nothing. Itwas a big raid on government horses, ruining a large number. Beside that, itmademanymenill.Itwasagoodthingthough,afterall.Themenhadlearnedwhatcampaigningmeantand,thereafter,knewhowtoprovidethemselvesforamarch,andhowimportanttohusbandtheirrationssoastopreventwasteatfirst

andmakethemlastaslongaspossible.

Some idea of the damage done to horses by such raids as that of Sir PercyWyndham,maybegainedfromthemorningreportsofofficersonthedayafterthe return tocamp inWashington. I find thatoutofeightyhorses inmy trooponly twentywerefit forduty,partofwhichhadbeen left incampanddidnotaccompany the expedition. However, they quickly recuperated, and on theeleventh ofMarch following, we were off into Virginia oncemore, this timebringingupatFairfaxCourtHouse,whereweremainedaweek,encampingbythe side of the First Michigan, Fifth New York, and several other veteranregiments, fromwhombyobservationandpersonal contact,much informationwasgainedthatprovedofgreatvalueduringthefollowingmonths.

Inthemeantime,thecampsinWashingtonwerebrokenupandalltheregimentsweresentacrossthePotomac.Adivisionofcavalrywasorganized,consistingoftwo brigades. Wyndham was sent to Hooker and Julius Stahel, a brigadiergeneralwhohadbeenservinginBlenker'sdivision,ofSigel'scorps,inthearmyofthePotomac,wasassignedtocommandofallthecavalryintheDepartmentofWashington,withheadquartersatFairfaxCourtHouse.

StahelwasaHungarian,anditwassaidhadbeenonthestaffofKossuthintheHungarianarmy.Hewasa"dapper littleDutchman,"aseverybodycalledhim.Hisappearancewasthatofanattystaffofficer,anddidnotfillone'sidealofamajor general, or even a brigadier general by brevet. He affected the foreignstyleofseatonhorseback,anditwas"asgoodasashow"toseehimdashalongtheflankofthecolumnatarattlingpace,risinginhisstirrupsasherode.Ihavealways believed that had he remained with the Third Cavalry division longenoughtogetintoarealcharge,liketheoneatGettysburg,hewouldhavebeengladenoughtoputasideallthose"frills"andusehisthighstoretainhisseatinthe saddle while he handled his arms. He took great pride in his messingarrangementsandgaveelegant"spreads"toinvitedguestsathisheadquarters.Iwas privileged to be present at one of these dinners and must say that heentertainedinprincelystyle.Hisstaffwereallforeigners,andwouldhavebeen"dudes," only there were no "dudes" in those days. Dudes were types of thegenushomoevolvedatalaterperiod.Theyweredandiesandnomistake,butinthatrespecthadnoadvantageoverhim,forhecouldvieinstylewiththebestofthem.OnememberofhisstaffwasaHungarianwhoansweredto thenameofFigglemezzy,andonlytheotherdayIreadanoticeofhisdeathrecentlyinNewYork.Stahelisstillliving—oneoftheveryfewsurvivingmajorgeneralsofthecivilwar.[7]

ItisapitywedidnothaveachancetoseeStahelinafight,forIhaveanideahewasbrave,andittakesawayinaninstantanyfeelingofprejudiceyoumayhaveagainst aman on account of his being fussy in dress,when you see him facedeathordangerwithoutflinching.Fineclothesseemtofitsuchaman,butupononewhocannotstandfiretheybecomeapropersubjectforridicule.Custerwithflashingeyeandflowinghair,chargingattheheadofhismen,wasagrandandpicturesquefigure,themoresobyreasonofhisfantasticuniform,whichmadehim a conspicuous mark for the enemy's bullets, but a coward in Custer'suniformwouldhavebecome the laughing stockof the army.SoStahelmight,perhaps, have won his way to confidence, had he remained with the cavalrydivisionwhichafterwardsachievedfameunderKilpatrickandCusterbut,atthefirst moment when there was serious work ahead for his command, he wasrelieved, and anotherwore the spurs and received the laurels thatmight havebeenhis.

Leaving Washington at daylight, we went into camp about five miles out,expectingtoremainthereforatime,buthadjusttimetopreparebreakfastwhenanordercametoreport toLieutenantColonelAlgerwho,withthefourlargesttroops in the regiment, was going off on an independent expedition. Thateveningwe reachedVienna, a little town on the Loudoun railroad, wherewefoundasmallforce,includingtwotroopsoftheFirstVermontcavalry,alreadyonduty.ThiswasourfirstacquaintancewiththeGreenMountainboys,andthefriendshipthusbegunwasdestinedtolastaslongastherewasanenemyinarmsagainsttheUnion.TheFirstVermontwassometimesreferredtoasthe"EighthMichigan,"soclosewerethetieswhichboundittotheMichiganbrigade.Andtheyalwaysseemedtoberatherproudofthedesignation.

Assuming command of all the forces there, Colonel Alger informed us thatGeneralStahelhadinformationthattheplacewastobeattackedthatnightandthatweweretheretodefendit.Selectingastrongpositiononahill,acampwasstarted,butnofireswereallowedafterdark.Vigilancewasnotrelaxed,butnoenemyappeared,andon the followingdaywewentonascout throughall theregionroundaboutwithoutencounteringasinglearmedconfederate.Theairwasfull of rumors. Nobody could tell their origin. Fitzhugh Leewas a fewmilesaway,comingwithabigforce."Stonewall"Jacksonhadstartedonanotherraid,andanymomentmight seehisgray "foot-cavalry" swarming into thevicinity.SuchstorieswerepouredintoourearsatVienna,butacoupleofdays'dutytheredemonstratedtheirfalsityandwewerehurriedbacktoFairfaxCourtHouseandsent off on a day and night march through the Loudoun Valley to Aldie,

Middleburg and Ashby's Gap in the Blue Ridge mountains. Two entireregiments,theFifthMichiganunderColonelAlgerandtheSixthunderColonelGray,wenton thisexpedition, reachingAldieatmidnight, inablindingsnow-storm.Remainingoutinitallnightwithoutshelterorfire,thenextdaywemadea gallant "charge" throughMiddleburg, finding no enemy there but a few ofMosby's men who fled at our approach. During the day some of them werecapturedandonemanof troop"C,"Sixthwaskilled. Itwasevident thatLee'sarmy,noportionofit,hadbegunamovementnorthward,andthetworegimentsreturnedtoFairfax,makinganightmarchwhilethesnowcontinuedtofallandmud and slush made the going as bad as it could be. At two o'clock in themorningthecolumnhaltedandanattemptwasmadetobuildcamp-fires,butthelogsandrailsweresowetthattheywouldnotburn,andallhandsstoodaroundinthesnow,stampingtheirfeetandswingingtheirarms,inafutileefforttokeepwarm.Themarchwasresumedatdaylight.Weweremorecomfortablewheninthesaddle,onthemarch,thanduringthatearlymorningbivouac.Itwaspossibleto sleep, when snugly settled in the capacious McClellan saddles, but whendismounted,sleepwasoutofthequestion.Therewasnoplacetoliedownandtostandinthesnowonlyaggravatedthediscomfort.Butwhenmounted,themenwouldpull thecapesof theirovercoatsover theirheads,drop theirchinsupontheirbreastsandsleep.Thehorsesploddedalonganddoubtlesswereasleeptoo,doingtheirworkasasomnambulistmight,walkingwhiletheyslept.

Soon thereafter, Colonel Alger with five troops (troop "B," commanded byCaptainPeterA.Weber, havingbeen added to the four thatwerewith him atVienna) was sent to a place called "CampMeeting Hill," where a camp wasestablishedthatprovedtobeapermanentone.Atleast,weremainedthereuntilHooker's armymoved northward. Thiswas a delightful place. The tentswerepitched inagroveof large timberonapieceofgroundthatwashighanddry,slopingoffineverydirection.ItwasbythesideofthepikerunningsouthfromVienna,twomilesfromthatplace,closetotheLeesburgpikeandtheLoudounrailroad.Asemi-circularlineofpicketswasestablishedinfrontofWashington,therightandleftrestingonthePotomac,aboveandbelowthecityrespectively.Our detachment guarded the extreme right of the line.ColonelGraywas fivemilestotheleft,withtheremainderoftheSixth,andtheFifthstillfartherawayinthatdirection.Abouttwomilesinfrontofourcampranthe"Difficult"Creek,asmall,deepstreamwithdifficultbanks,thatrisessomewhereintheBullRuncountry,andemptiesintothePotomacneartheGreatFallsaboveWashington.Alineofvidetteswaspostedalongthiscreek.Anenemycouldnoteasilysurprisethem,asthestreamwasintheirfront.Wellout towardthis linefromthemain

camp, two reserveswereestablished, commandedbycaptains, and still fartherout smaller reserves,underchargeof the lieutenantsandsergeants.Each troophadatourofthisduty,twenty-fourhoursonandforty-eightoff.The"off"daysweregiventoreading,writingandexploringthecountryonhorseback.

Itwasacharmingregion,notmuchdesolatedbythewar,beingratheroutofthebeaten track of the armies. Parties of officers often used to take a run acrosscountry to Gray's camp, clearing fences and ditches as they went. In theseexpeditions,ColonelAlgerwas always the leaderwithCaptainWeber a closesecond.Ononeofthesegallopades,heandWeber,whowereridinginadvance,clearedastreamfullofwaterandabouteightorninefeetwide,butwhenItriedtofollow,myhorsejumpedintoinsteadofacrosstheditch,thewatercominguptothesaddle-girths.ThetwoluckyhorsemenontheothersidehaltedandhadagoodlaughatmyexpensewhilesteedandIwerescramblingout thebestwaywe could.My horsewas a noble fellow and jumpedwith all hismightwhencalled upon, but lacked judgment, and would leap twice as high as wasnecessary,whilefallingshortofmakinghisdistance.Herarelyfailedatafence,butditcheswereasourceofdreadtohorseandman.

The Difficult Creek duty was a sort of romantic episode in our militaryexperience—adelightful greenoasis in thedrydesert of hardwork, exposure,dangerandprivation.Manypleasantacquaintancesweremadeandtimepassedmerrily. Just across thepikewasa spacious farmhouse,occupiedbya familywhowerestaunchunionists,andwhohadbeenmadetopaywellfortheirloyaltywhentheconfederateswereintheneighborhood.ItwassaidthatLordFairfax,thefriendofWashington,hadatonetimelivedthere.TheplacehadaboutitanairofgeneroushospitalitythatwouldhavebecomeColonialdays.Theofficerswere always welcomed, and it was a favorite resort for them when off duty,partly because the people were unionists, and partly for the reason that therewere several very agreeable young ladies there. One of these, who lived inConnecticut,was the fianceeof a captain in theFirstVermont cavalry,whosecommandwasstationedthere.Anotherwasathomeanditmaybesurmisedthattheseladiesreceivedtheassiduousattentionsofhalfascore,moreorless,oftheyoungfellows,whoprovedthemselvesthoroughcavaliersingallantryaswellasin arms. There was no daywhen the two ladiesmight not be seen under theescortofhalf adozencavalrymen,exploring thecountryonhorseback.Onallthese excursionsWeber, handsome as hewas brave,was a leading spirit, andsucceeded in captivating the ladies with the charm of his manners, his goodlooks, his splendid horsemanship and his pleasing address. It was enough to

makeoneforgetthemissionthatbroughthimintotheSouthtoseehimwithtwoormoreladiesbyhissidegallopinggailyoverthemagnificentroadsforwhichthatpartofVirginiawasremarkable.Thentherewerepicnics,lunches,dancingpartiesandotherdiversionstofillinthetime.Onceoneofthesepartiesventuredacross the Difficult Creek and rode "between the lines," going as far asDrainesville—eight miles distant—in Mosby's own territory. When thelieutenant colonel commanding learned of this, he reprimanded the officersconcernedforwhathewaspleasedtotermanactof"foolhardiness."

Whilestationedatthisplaceoneoftheyoungofficerswastakenillwithfever,andourfriendsacrossthewayhadhimbroughttothehouse,whereeverythingthat goodnursing andkind attention could suggestwasdone for him.Hewasreportedveryillandthesurgeonsaidthathewasthreatenedwithtyphoidfever.Adayortwoafterhisremovaltothehouse,Icalleduponhimexpectingtofindhimvery low.Whatwasmy surprise, on being ushered into a spacious,well-furnishedapartment, tofindhimproppeduponabed,withawealthofsnowypillows and an unmistakable look of convalescence, while two good-lookingladiessat,oneoneithersideofhiscouch,eachholdingoneofhishandsinhers,while he was submitting to the "treatment" with an air of undisguisedresignation.Itmaybenotedthatthiswasbeforethedaysof"ChristianScience."Ifeltnoanxietyabouthimafterthat,andreturningimmediatelytocamp,wrotetohisfatherstatingthatifheshouldhearanyrumorsthathissonwasnotdoingwell, toplaceno relianceupon them, forhewasdoingverywell indeed.Thisyoungofficerhadthegoodfortunetosurvivethewar,andisstillliving.

DuringthesojournatDifficultCreekGovernorBlairvisitedthecamp.Herodeover in themorningonhorsebackandmadeanodd-lookingappearance inhiscitizen'ssuitandwell-wornsilkhat.Heremainedallday,madeaspeechtothesoldiersandaftersuppertookanambulanceandwasescortedbyColonelAlgerandmyself back toWashington, fourteenmiles away. Itwas avery enjoyableandmemorable ride.Thewargovernorwas fullofanecdoteandagood talkerand his companions listened with the liveliest interest to what he had to sayaboutMichigan,herpeople andher soldiers.Hewasvery solicitous about thewelfare of the troops, and impressed one as an able, patriotic man, who wasdoing all he possibly could to hold up the hands of the government and toprovidefortheMichiganmeninthefield.WelefthimattheNationalhotelandearlythenextmorningreturnedtoourpostsofduty.

About this time, rumors were rife of a projected movement of Lee's armynorthward. Washington and Alexandria alternated in spasms of fear. Twice,

what seemed like well-authenticated reports came from the former place thatStuart had passed through our lines. Chain Bridge was torn up and all thenegroes in Alexandria were out digging rifle-pits. Our force was capturedrepeatedly(withoutourknowledge)andawfuldangersthreatenedus,accordingtoWashingtonauthority.These,andmanyotherequallyfalsereportsfilledtheair.Theywereprobablytheresultoflogicalinferencesfromtheactualsituation.The time had arrivedwhen active hostilitiesmust soon begin, andwhatmorenatural thantosupposethatLeewouldinauguratethefraybyanother invasionoftheNorth?AmongthelettersthatIwrotetomyparentsaboutthattimeoneortwowere preserved, and under date of June 1, 1863, Iwrote tomymother anote,thefollowingextractfromwhichwillservetoshowthattherewasinourmindsasortofpropheticintuitionofwhatwasgoingtohappen.Referringtothefalserumorsthatwerenotonlycomingtoourearsfromthesevarioussources,butevenappearingintheNorthernpapers,Isaid:

"That Leewill attempt to raid into theNorth, after themanner of'Stonewall' Jackson, is possible, perhaps probable, but when hecomesweshallhearof itbeforehewakesupPresidentLincoln todemand that the keys to theWhite House be turned over to 'Jeff'Davis.Besideshavinganefficientandperfectlineofpickets,scoutsareoutdailyinourfront,sothattheideaoftherebelarmyreachingWashingtonwithoutourknowledgeispreposterous.Leemaymakea rapid march through the Shenandoah Valley, and thence intoPennsylvania and Maryland, but nothing would please the Unionarmymorethantohavehimmaketheattempt."

Threeweeksafter thedateof that letter,Hooker'sarmywas inmotion toheadoffLee,whohadstartedtodotheverythingthushintedat,andtherewasnotasoldierinthefederalarmyofVirginiawhodidnotfeel,ifhegavethematteranythought, that theconfederatechiefhadmadeafatalmistake,andrejoiceat theopportunitytomeethim,sincemeethimwemust,outsidehisintrenchmentsandthe jungles of Virginia. That Stahel's men were willing to do their part wasprovenbytheirconductinthecampaignthatfollowed.

Early in June a thing happened that brought a feeling of gloom into the littlecamp.ColonelNorvelloftheFifthhavingresigned,theofficersofthatregimentunited in a petition to the governor to appoint an outsider to the vacancy.Governor Blair selected Lieutenant Colonel Alger. Indeed, that was probablypart of his business on the occasion of his recent visit. Colonel Alger wasorderedtoreportimmediatelyfordutywithhisnewcommand,andleft, takingwithhimtheheartycongratulationsandgoodwishesofallhiscomradesoftheSixth.But their regretat losinghimwasprofound.Theydidnotknowhow tospare him. It gave him more rank and a larger field of usefulness. MajorThaddeusFooteassumedcommandofthedetachment.

ThisreferencetotheFifthremindsmeofNoahH.Ferryandanightrideinhiscompany, about the time of Colonel Alger's promotion. I had been over toColonel Gray's camp with some message to him from Colonel Alger, andmeetingMajorFerry,whowas fieldofficerof theday,hesaidhewas tostartthat night and inspect the entire picket line of the brigade, about fourteen orfifteen miles long and invited me to accompany him. He would reach theDifficultoutpostinthemorning,makinganallnightride.Igladlyacceptedtheinvitation,bothfortherideandtoseethecountry.MajorFerrytheninhisprime,wasastrong,vigorous,wholesome-lookingman,witharuddycomplexionand

brighteye,amanofexcellenthabitsandcorrectprinciples.Hetoldmethatnightwhatsacrificeshehadmadetogointothearmy.Hisbusinesshadclearedthatyear, $70,000, and with the right sort of management ought to go onprosperously.His leaving it had thrown the entireburden,hisworkaswell astheir own, upon the shoulders of his brothers.He had everything tomake lifedesirable,—wealth, social position, youth, health,—there was nothing to bedesired,yethe felt it tobehisduty togive itallup toenter theserviceofhiscountry.Hetalkedveryfreelyofhisaffairs,andseemedtobeweighingin thebalances his duty to himself and family. His patriotic feelings gained themastery,however,everytime,andhetalkedearnestlyofthematter,—protestingthat our duty to the government in its sore strait ought to outweigh all otherconsiderations. Itwasclear thatastrugglehadbeengoingon inhismind,andthathehadresolutelydeterminedtogoonandmeethisfate,whateveritmightbe,andwhenhewaskilledafewweeksafterwardsatGettysburg,Irecalledtheconversation of that night and wondered if he had not a presentiment of hiscomingfate,forheseemedsograveandpreoccupied,andprofoundlyimpressedwithasenseofthegreatsacrificehewasmaking.Asoldierneitherbyprofessionnor from choice, he wore the uniform of the Union because he could notconscientiously shirk the duty he felt that he owed the government, andrelinquishedfortune,home,ambition,lifeitself,forthecauseoftheUnion.

SometimeaboutthemiddleofJune,thepicketlinewastakenup.MajorFoote'sdetachment was ordered to report to Colonel Gray, and Stahel's division wasconcentrated at FairfaxCourtHouse.The rumors of themovements of armieshad become realities. Leewas inmotion. The army ofNorthernVirginiawastrying to steal a march on its great adversary. Long columns of gray werestealthilypassingthroughtheShenandoahValleytoinvadetheNorth,andtobeon hand to help the farmers of Pennsylvania andMaryland reap their goldenharvests.

Butthealertfederalcommander,gallant"Fighting'Joe'Hooker,"wasnotcaughtnapping.LeedidnotescapefromFredericksburgunobserved.Thearmyof thePotomaccavalrywassenttoguardthepassesinthemountainsandseetoitthatJackson'sandLongstreet'smaneuversoftheprevioussummerwerenotrepeated,whilesixcorpsof infantrymarched leisurely toward the fordsof thePotomac,readytocross intoMarylandassoonas itshouldappear thatLeewasactuallybentoninvasionofNorthernsoil.Hooker'sopportunityhadcomeandhesawit.ForLeetoventureintoPennsylvania,wastocourtdestruction.Allfeltthat,anditwaswithelasticstepandbuoyantspirits,thattheveteransofWilliamsburgand

FairOaks,ofAntietamandChancellorsville,keptsteptothemusicoftheUnion,astheymovedtowardthelandwheretheflagwasstillhonored,andwheretheywouldbeamongfriends.AllthetroopsintheDepartmentofWashingtonweresetinmotionbyHookerassoonashearrivedwheretheywere.Hisplanwastoconcentrate everything in front of Lee, believing that the best way to protectWashingtonwastodestroytheconfederatearmy.StahelwasorderedtoreporttoGeneralReynolds,who commanded the left grand division ofHooker's army,andwhowas tohave thepostofhonor, theadvance,andto losehis lifewhileleading thevanguardof thefederalarmyin theverybeginningof thebattleofGettysburg.Thusithappenedthatwewereatlast,partandparcelofthathistoricarmywhose famewill last as longas thehistoryofheroicdeedsandpatrioticendeavor.

Hooker's policy did not coincide with the views of the slow and cautiousHalleck,andsotheformerresigned,thuscuttingshortacareerofextraordinarybrilliancy just on the eve of his greatest success. It was a fatal mistake forHooker.Ihavealwaysbelievedthat,hadheremainedincommand,thebattleofGettysburg would have been the Appomattox of the Civil War. Such anopportunity as was there presented, he had never had before. Even in thewildernessaroundChancellorsville,wherehiswelllaidplansmiscarriedthroughnofaultofhisown,hewasstoppedonlybyaseriesofaccidentsfromcrushinghis formidable adversary. The dense woods prevented the cooperation of thevarious corps; the audacity of Jackson turned defeat for Lee into temporaryvictory;andtocrownthischapterofaccidents,Hookerhimselfwasinjuredsoasto be incapacitated for command, at the verymomentwhen quick actionwasindispensable.

Now the conditions were changed. Jackson, the ablest of all the confederategenerals,wasdead,andthearmyofthePotomac,greatlyreinforced,wastomeetthearmyofNorthernVirginia,materiallyweakened,wheretheycouldhaveanopenfieldandafairfight.EverystepthatHookerhadtaken,fromthetimewhenhebroke camp inFalmouthuntil he, in a fit of disgust atHalleck's obstinacy,tendered his resignation at Frederick, Maryland, had shown a comprehensivegraspofthesituationthatinspiredthewholearmywithconfidence.Themomentthat Lee decided to fight the army of the Potomac on grounds of its ownchoosing, and to fight an offensive battle, he was foredoomed to defeat, nomatter who commanded the federal army. Hooker possessed the veryqualifications that Meade lacked—the same fierce energy that characterizedSheridan—theabilitytofollowupandtakeadvantageofabeatenenemy.With

Hookerincommand,GettysburgwouldhavebeenLee'sWaterloo.

Sunday, June21,heavycannonading in thedirectionof thepasses in theBlueRidgemountains,proclaimedthatthebattlewasraging.Pleasanton'scavalryhadencountered Stuart and Fitzhugh Lee at Middleburg and a fierce engagementresulted.OurdivisionleftFairfaxatanearlyhour,andallsupposedthatitwouldgotowardsthesoundofbattle.Notso,however.Stahel,withasfineabodyofhorse as was ever brought together, marched to Warrenton, thence toFredericksburg, scoutingover the entire intermediate country, encountering noenemy,andallthetimetheboomofcannonwasheard,showingplainlywherethe enemywas.Wewere out three days on this scout, going toKelly's Ford,Gainesville, Bealton Station, and traversing the groundwhere Pope's battle oftheSecondBullRunwasfought,returningbythemostdirectroutetotherightofWarrenton.Themarchwassorapidthatthetrainswereleftbehindandagoodportion of the timewewerewithout forage or food. The horseswere fed butonceonthetrip.Rainshadfallen,layingthedust,theweatherwascharminganditwasveryenjoyable.Oneroadoverwhichwepassedwaslinedwitholdcherrytrees of the "Black Tartarian" and "Morello" varieties, and theywere bowingbeneath their loads of ripe and luscious fruit with which the men suppliedthemselvesbybreakingoffthelimbs.Wepassedovermuchhistoricgroundandweregreatlyinterestedinthepointswherethearmieshadcontendedatdifferenttimes.

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ROUTEOFTHEMICHIGANCAVALRYBRIGADEINTHEGETTYSBURGCAMPAIGN

CHAPTERXI

INTHEGETTYSBURGCAMPAIGN

Afteronedayofrestfromthefatiguesof thereconnoissancereferredto in thepreviouschapter,attwoo'clockThursdaymorning,June25,thebuglessounded"ToHorse,"andwebadeafinaladieutotheplaceswhichhadknownusinthatpart of the theater of war. The division moved out at daylight. The head ofcolumnturnedtowardEdwardsFerry,onthePotomacriver,whereBakerfellin1861.TheSixthwasdetailedasrearguard.Themarchwasslow,theroadsbeingblockedwithwagons,artillery,ambulances,andtheotherusualimpedimentaofabodyoftroopsinactualservice,foritwasthenapparentthatthewholearmywasmovingswiftlyintoMaryland.

AtViennatheregimentstoppedtofeed,notbeingabletomovewhile"waitingforthewagon;"inotherwords,untilallothertroopshadclearedthewayfortherearguard.ViennawasnotfarfromCamp-meetingHill,soCaptainWeberandIobtainedpermission to rideover and call onour friends in that neighborhood,intendingtoovertaketheregimentatnoon.Thisridetookustwoorthreemilesofftheroadonwhichthevariouscommandsweremarching.

Camp-meetingHilllookedlikeadesertedvillage,withnosoldiersnearandnosignofwar.Wefoundourfriendsratherblueatthethoughtofbeingabandonedand,asgood-bywassaid,itwaswithafeelingthatwemightnevermeetagain.Weber, gallant as ever,waved his hand to the ladies as he rode away, callingbackinacheeryvoicethathewouldcomeagain,"whenthiscruelwarisover."Resuming our journey, a little apprehensive of encountering some ofMosby'smen,wewerefortunateenoughtomeettentroopersoftheFirstMichigangoingacross the country to join the division. Hurrying on throughDranesville, at alittle before noon we overtook the Fifth Michigan cavalry, from whom welearnedthatwewereupwiththeadvanceandthatourownregimentwasfarinrear. Selecting a comfortable place,we unsaddled our horses and lighting ourpipes,threwourselvesdownonthegreengrass,andforhourssatwaitingwhilemile aftermile of armywagons and artillery passed.Most of the infantry hadgoneonthedaybefore,butIrememberdistinctlyseeingaportionoftheTwelfthcorps, en route. I recall especiallyGeneralA.S. ("Pap")Williams andGeneral

Geary,bothofwhomcommandeddivisions in thatcorps.Atsixo'clock in theeveningwewenttoafarmhouseandhadasupperpreparedbuthadnothadtimetopayourrespectstoitwhenbytheaidofmyfieldglassIsawtheadvanceofthe regiment coming. Itwas the rear guard of a column thatwas seven hourspassingagivenpoint.

ItwasafterdarkwhentheregimentreachedthefordatEdwardsFerry.Thenightwas cloudy and therewasnomoon.The riverwasnearly, if not quite, amilewide,thewaterdeepandthecurrentstrong.Theonlyguidetothepropercoursewas to follow those in advance; but, as horse succeeded horse, they weregraduallybornefartherandfartherdownthestream,awayfromthefordandintodeeperwater.BythetimetheSixthreachedtheriverthewaterwasnearlytothetopsofthesaddles.Marchingthusthroughtheinkydarkness,guidedmostlybythesoundofplashinghoofsinfront,therewasimminentdangerofbeingsweptaway and few, except themost reckless, drewa longbreath until the distancehadbeentraversedandoursteedswerestraininguptheslipperybankupontheoppositeshore.

Safelyacross theriver, thecolumndidnothalt forrestor food,butpushedonintoMaryland.Toaddtothediscomfort,adrizzlingrainset in.Theguidelosthisway,anditwastwoo'clockinthemorningwhentherearguardhaltedforabrief bivouac in a piece of woods, near Poolesville.Wet, weary, hungry andchilled,astheywere,itwasenoughtodispiritthebravestmen.Buttherewasnomurmuring,andatdaylight,themarchwasresumed.

That day (26) we passed the First army corps, commanded by the lamentedReynolds, and reached the village of Frederick as the sun was setting. Theclouds had cleared away, and amore enchanting vision nevermet human eyethanthatwhichappearedbeforeusaswedebouchedfromthenarrowdefileupwhich the road from lower Maryland ran, on the commanding heights thatoverlookedthevalley.Thetownwasinthecenterofamostcharmingandfertilecountry, and around it thousands of acres of golden grainwerewaving in thesunlight.Therainoftheearlymorninghadleftintheatmosphereamellowhazeof vapor which reflected the sun's rays in tints that softly blended with thesummer colorings of the landscape. An exclamation of surprise ran along thecolumnaseachsucceedingtroopercameinsightofthispictureofNature'sownpainting.

Butmorepleasingstill,weretheevidencesofloyaltywhichgreetedusoneveryhand, as we entered the village. The stars and stripes floated above many

buildings, while from porch and window, from old and young, camemanifestationsofwelcome.Themenreceiveduswithcheers, thewomenwithsmiles andwaving of handkerchiefs. That nightwewere permitted to go intocampandenjoyagoodrest,inthemidstofplentyandamongfriends.

OnSaturdaymorning (27)much refreshed,with horseswell fed andgroomedandhaversacksreplenished,theFifthandSixthmovedontowardEmmittsburg,the Seventh having gone through the Catoctin Valley by another road. Themarchwasthroughthecampsofthousandsofinfantryjuststartinginthesamedirection. Among the distinguished generals whowere leading the advance, Iremember, particularly, Reynolds and Doubleday. During the day it was aconstantsuccessionoffertilefieldsandleafywoods.Commodiousfarm-housesoneveryhandandevidencesofplentyeverywhere,we reveled in the richnessandoverflowingabundanceoftheland.Therewere"oceans"ofapple-butterandgreat loavesofsnow-whitebread that"took thecake"overanything thatcamewithintherangeofmyexperience.Theseloaveswerebakedinbrickovens,outofdoors,andsomeofthemlookedasbigaspeckmeasures.Aslicecutfromoneof them and smeared thickwith that delicious apple-butter,was a feast fit forgodsormen.Andthenthemilk,andtheoatsforthehorses,andeverythingthathungryman or beast could wish for. Those were fat days and that was a fatcountry, such as the Iraelitish scouts who went over into the land of Canaanneverlookeduponordreamedof.

Tobesurewehadtopayforwhatwehad.EspeciallyafterwecrossedoverintoPennsylvaniaamongthefrugalDutchwasthisthecase.Buttheirchargeswerenotexorbitant,andsolongaswehadadollar,itwascheerfullypartedwithfortheirfood.ButitseemedalittlehardfortheMichiganderstobetheredefendingthehomesofthoseopulentfarmers,whilethey,sofarfromtakingupthemusketto aid in driving out the army that was invading their soil, were seeminglyunwillingtocontributeacent,thoughImayhavemisjudgedthem.

It looked odd, too, to see so many able-bodied men at home, pursuing theirordinary avocations,with no thought of enlisting,while a hostile armywas attheirverydoors.It lookedsotothesoldierswhohadbeenservinginVirginia,andwhoknewthatintheSouth,everymanabletobeararmswascompelledtodoso,andthatwithinthelinesoftheconfederacy,thecradleandthegravewererobbed to fill the ranks.Lee,withahundred thousandmenwassomewhere inthat region,weknewand theyknew.Weweresearching forhimand the timewascloseathandwhen the twoarmiesmustcomeintocontact,andoceansofbloodwouldflow,before theconfederatescouldbedrivenfromNorthernsoil.

The government was calling loudly for reinforcements of short time men toserve for the immediate emergency.Yet, these selfish farmerswould drive assharp a bargain, and figure as closely on the weight and price of an articlesuppliedtothefederaltroops,asthoughtheyhadneverheardofwar.Indeed,Ibelievemanyofthemknewlittleaboutwhatwasgoingon.Theirworldwasthelittle Eden inwhich they passed their daily lives—the neighborhood inwhichthey lived. They were a happy and bucolic people, contented to exist andaccumulate,withnoambitionbeyondthat;andwhileloyaltothegovernment,inthe sense that they obeyed its laws and would have scorned to enter into aconspiracy to destroy it, yet they possessed little of that patriotism whichinspiresmentoserveandmakesacrificesfortheircountry.

OnSundaymorning,June28,1863,thetworegiments,havingpassedthenightincampnearthePennsylvanialine,resumedthemarchandpassedthroughthetown of Emmittsburg. It was a little place, with scarcemore than a thousandinhabitants,butwithseveralchurches,anacademy,an institute forgirls,andalittletothenortheastMountSt.Mary'scollege,aCatholicinstitution,foundedin1808.Likeeverythingelse,thereabouts,ithadasolid,substantialappearance.

So quiet was it, that it seemed like sacrilege to disturb the serenity of thatSabbathday.Thesanctuariesstoodinvitinglyintheway,andonecouldinfancy,almost hear thepeal of theorgan, as the choir chanted, "Gloria in excelsis"—GlorybetoGodonhighandonearthpeace,goodwilltomen—andthevoiceofthepreacher,asheread:"Andtheyshallbeattheirswordsintoplowsharesandtheirspearsintopruning-hooks."

Butourmissionwas,ifpossible,tofindoutwhatLeeandLongstreet,EwellandStuartweredoingonthatholyday.Itrequirednoprophettopredictthatitwouldnot be to them a day of rest, but that theywould bemore than ever active tocarryout theschemes that for the federalarmymeantgreathurtandmischief.LittlethatwaspositivewasknownofLee'smovements,butitwasreportedthathe had pushed on north with his whole army, and was now in dangerousproximitytoHarrisburg.HislineofmarchhadbeentothewestofHooker'sandas he was so far north, it was evident that we were making directly for hiscommunications,inrearofhisarmy.Atyrointheartofwarcouldseethatmuchofthestrategythatwasgoingon.WouldLeeallowthatandgoontoBaltimore,orturnandmeetthearmythatHookerwasmassingagainsthim?Thatwasthequestion.

Taking the Emmittsburg pike, Copelandwith the two regiments pushed on to

Gettysburg.Thusitwas,thattheFifthandSixthMichiganregimentsofcavalryhadthehonorofbeingthefirstUniontroopstoentertheplacethatwasdestinedso soon to give its name to one of the great battles of history.The road fromEmmittsburg to Gettysburg ran between Seminary Ridge on the left andCemetery Ridge and Round Top on the right. It was a turnpike, and as wemarched over it one could not help noticing the strategic importance of thecommandingheightsoneitherside.Irememberwelltheimpressionmadeonmymindatthetimebytheroughcountryofftotheright.ThiswasRoundTopandLittleRoundTopwheresuchdesperatefightingwasdonethreedayslater.Wepassed close to the historic "Peach Orchard" and over the fish-hook shapedCemeteryHill at the bend; then descended into the townwhich nestled at thefootoftheserockyeminences.

Beforewereachedthe townitwasapparent thatsomethingunusualwasgoingon.Itwasagaladay.Thepeoplewereoutinforce,andintheirSundayattiretowelcomethetroopersinblue.Thechurchbellsrangoutajoyouspeal,anddensemasses of beaming faces filled the streets, as the narrow column of foursthreaded itsway through theirmidst. Lines ofmen stood on either side,withpails of water or apple-butter, and passed a "sandwich" to each soldier as hepassed.Atintervalsofafewfeet,werebeviesofwomenandgirls,whohandedup bouquets and wreaths of flowers. By the time the center of the townwasreached,everymanhadabunchofflowersinhishand,orawreatharoundhisneck.Someevenhadtheirhorsesdecorated,andtheonewhodidnotgetasharewasaverymodesttrooper,indeed.Thepeoplewereoverjoyed,andreceiveduswithanenthusiasmandahospitalitybornoffullhearts.Theyhadseenenoughofthegraytobeanxioustowelcometheblue.TheirthroatsgrewhoarsewiththecheersthattheysentupinhonorofthecomingoftheMichigancavalrymen.Thefreedom of the city was extended. Every door stood open, or the latch-stringhunginvitinglyout.

Turningtotheright,thecommandwentintocampalittleoutsidethetown,inafieldwhere thehorseswereup to their knees in clover, and itmade the poor,famished animals fairly laugh. That night a squadronwas sent out about twomilestopicketoneachdivergingroad.Itwasmydutywithtwotroops("E"and"H")toguardthe"Cashtown"pike,andaveryvividremembranceisyetretainedof the "vigil long" of that July night, during which I did not once leave thesaddle,dividing the timebetween the reservepostand the lineofvidettes.Noenemy appeared, however, and onMonday (June 29) theMichigan regimentsreturnedtoEmmittsburg,thefirstcavalrydivisioncominguptotaketheirplace

inGettysburg.InthiswayitcametopassthatheroicJohnBuford,insteadoftheFifthandSixthMichigan,hadthehonorofmeetingtheconfederateadvanceonJulyfirst.

BeforeleavingGettysburgitwaslearnedthatmanychangeshadtakenplace.[8]HookerhadbeensucceededincommandofthearmybyMeade,oneofthebestand most favorably known of the more prominent generals. It looked like"swapping horses when crossing a stream." Something that touched us moreclosely, however,was the tidings that Stahel andCopeland had been relievedand that Judson Kilpatrick, colonel of the Second New York (Harris Light)cavalryhadbeenpromotedtobrigadiergeneralandassignedtocommandoftheThirddivision,bywhichdesignationitwasthenceforthtobeknown.HewasaWestPointer,hadthereputationofbeingahardfighter,andwasknownas"Thehero ofMiddleburg." CaptainCuster of Pleasanton's staff had also received astarandwastocommandtheMichiganbrigade,tobedesignatedastheSecondbrigade,Thirddivision, cavalry corps, armyof thePotomac.OfhimweknewbutlittleexceptthathehailedfromMonroe,Michigan,wasagraduateofWestPoint,had servedwithmuchcrediton the staffsofMcClellanandPleasanton,and that he, too, was a "fighter." None of us had ever seen either of them.GeneralCopelandturnedthetworegimentsovertoColonelGrayandwentawaywithhisstaff.Ineversawhimafterwards.

TheMichigan brigade[9] had been strengthened by adding the FirstMichigancavalry,aveteranregimentthathadseenmuchserviceintheShenandoahvalleyunderBanks,andtheSecondBullRuncampaignwithPope.Itwasorganizedin1861,andwentoutunderColonelT.F.Brodhead,aveteranoftheMexicanwar,whowasbrevettedforgallantryatContrerasandCherubusco,whileservingaslieutenant in the Fifteenth United States infantry. He was mortally woundedAugust30,1862,atBullRun.HissuccessorwasC.H.Town,thencoloneloftheregiment.HealsowasseverelywoundedinthesamechargewhereinBrodheadlosthislife.Therehadalsobeenaddedtothebrigadelightbattery"M",SecondUnited States artillery, consisting of six rifled pieces, and commanded byLieutenantA.C.M.Pennington.

TheThirddivisionwasnoworderedtoconcentrateinthevicinityofLittlestown,toheadoffStuart,who,havingmadeadetouraroundtherearofthearmyofthePotomac,crossedtheriverbelowEdwardsFerryonSundaynight,June28,andwiththreebrigadesunderHampton,FitzhughLeeandChambliss,andatrainofcaptured wagons, was moving northward, looking for the army of Northern

Virginia, between which and himself was Meade's entire army. On Mondaynight he was in camp between Union Mills and Westminster, on theEmmittsburg and Baltimore pike, about equidistant from Emmittsburg andGettysburg. Kilpatrick at Littlestown would be directly on Stuart's path, thedirectionofthelatter'smarchindicatingthathealsowasmakingforLittlestown,whichplaceisonadirectlinefromUnionMillstoGettysburg.

AlldayofMonday,June29,thetworegiments(FifthandSixthMichigan)werescoutingsouthandeastofGettysburg.Nordidthemarchendwiththeday.Allnightwewereploddingourwearywayalong,sleepinginthesaddleor,whenthecolumn in front would halt, every trooper dismounting, and thrusting his armthroughthebridlerein,wouldliedowndirectlyinfrontofhishorse,intheroad,and fall into a profound slumber. The horses too would stand with droopingheads, noses almost touching their riders' faces, eyes closed, nodding, butotherwise giving no sign, and careful not to step on or injure the motionlessfiguresattheirfeet.Thesoundofhorses'hoofsmovinginfrontservedtoarousetheriderswhentheywouldsuccessivelyremountandmoveonagain.

OnthemorningofJune30,Kilpatrick'scommandwasbadlyscattered.Apartofit, including the First and SeventhMichigan and Pennington's battery, was atAbbottstownafewmilesnorthofHanover;Farnsworth'sbrigadeatLittlestown,seven miles southwest of Hanover. The Fifth and Sixth Michigan arrived atLittlestownatdaylight.

The early morning hours were consumed in scouring the country in alldirections, and information soon came in to the effect that StuartwasmovingtowardHanover.FarnsworthwiththeFirstbrigadeleftLittlestownforthatplaceataboutnineorteno'clockintheforenoon.TheportionofthedivisionthatwasinthevicinityofAbbottstownwasalsoorderedtoHanover.TheFifthandSixthMichigan were left, for a time, in Littlestown, troop "A" of the Sixth, underCaptainThompson,goingonareconnoissancetowardWestminster,andColonelAlgerwiththeFifthonaseparateroad.

The Sixth remained in the town until a citizen came running in, about noon,reportingalargeforceoftheenemy,aboutfivemilesouttowardHanover.ThiswasFitzhughLee'sbrigade,andtounderstandthesituation,itwillbenecessarybrieflytodescribehowStuartwasmarching.WhenheturnedofftheBaltimorepike,somesevenmilessoutheastofLittlestown,hehad tenmilesduenorth totravelbeforereachingHanover.FromLittlestowntoHanoverissevenmiles,theroad running northeasterly, making the third side of a right-angled triangle.

Thus,Stuart had the longer distance to go, andKilpatrick hadnodifficulty inreaching Hanover first. Stuart marched with Chambliss leading, Hampton inrear,thetrainssandwichedbetweenthetwobrigades,andFitzhughLeewelloutontheleftflanktoprotectthem.

Farnsworthmarched throughHanover, followed by the pack trains of the tworegimentsthathadbeenleftinLittlestown.TheheadofStuart'scolumnarrivedjustintimetostriketherearofFarnsworth,whichwasthrownintoconfusionbyachargeof the leadingconfederateregiment.Thepack trainswerecutoffandcaptured.Farnsworth,however,dashingbackfromtheheadofthecolumn,facedtheFifthNewYork cavalry to the rear, andby a counter charge, repulsed theNorthCaroliniansandputastoptoStuart'sfurtherprogressforthatday.

In the meantime, when the citizen came in with the news of Fitzhugh Lee'sappearance,"ToHorse"wassoundedandColonelGrayledtheSixthMichiganontheHanoverroadtowardthepointindicated.Severalcitizens,withshotgunsintheirhands,wereseengoingonfootontheflankofthecolumn,tryingtokeeppacewiththecavalry,andapparentlyeagertoparticipateintheexpectedbattle.WhenwithinamileofHanover, theregimentturnedoff intoawheatfieldand,mountingacrestbeyond,cameuponFitzhughLee'sbrigade,witha sectionofartilleryinposition,whichopenedupontheheadoftheregiment(thenmovingin column of fours) with shell, wounding severalmen and horses. LieutenantPotter,oftroop"C"hadhishorseshotunderhim.HadGrayattackedvigorouslyhewouldhavebeenroughlyhandled,probably,asFitzhughLeewasonthefieldin person with his choice brigade of Virginians. I have always believed,however, that a larger force with the same opportunitymight havemade badworkforLee.

ColonelGray,seeingthattheforceinfrontofhimwerepreparingtocharge,andawarethatonerawregimentwouldbenomatchforabrigadeofveterantroops,made a detour to the left, and sought by a rapidmovement to unite with thecommand in Hanover,MajorWeber with troops "B" and "F" being entrustedwiththeimportantdutyofholdingtheenemyincheckwhiletheotherseffectedtheir retreat. Right gallantlywas this duty performed. Three charges upon thelittle band were as often repulsed by the heroic Weber, and with suchdeterminationdidheholdtothework,thathewascutoffanddidnotsucceedinrejoiningtheregimentuntilaboutthreeo'clockthenextmorning.ColonelAlgerwith theFifthand troop"A"of theSixth,underCaptainH.E.Thompson,alsohad a smart encounter with the same force, holding their own against muchsuperiornumbersbytheuseoftheSpencerrepeatingrifleswithwhichtheywere

armed.

Bynoon,orsoonafter,theentiredivisionunitedinthevillageofHanover.TheFirst, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Michigan regiments and Pennington's batterywereall on thegroundnear the railroad station.Theconfederate lineofbattlecouldbedistinctlyseenonthehills to thesouthof the town.Thecommandtodismount to fight on foot was given. The number one, two and three mendismountedandformedinlineto therightfacingtheenemy.Thenumberfourmen remainedwith the horseswhichwere taken away a short distance to therear.

ItwasherethatthebrigadefirstsawCuster.AsthemenoftheSixth,armedwiththeirSpencerrifles,weredeployingforwardacrosstherailroadintoawheatfieldbeyond, I heard a voice new tome, directly in rear of the portion of the linewhereIwas,givingdirectionsforthemovement,inclear,resonanttones,andinacalm,confidentmanner,atonceresoluteandreassuring.Lookingbacktoseewhence it came,my eyeswere instantly rivetedupon a figure only a few feetdistant,whoseappearanceamazedifitdidnotforthemomentamuseme.Itwashewhowas giving the orders. At first, I thought hemight be a staff officer,conveying thecommandsofhischief.But itwasatonceapparent thathewasgivingorders,notdeliveringthem,andthathewasincommandoftheline.

GEORGEA.CUSTER(IN1863)

Lookingathimclosely,thisiswhatIsaw:Anofficersuperblymountedwhosathischargeras if to themanorborn.Tall, lithe, active,muscular, straightasanIndianandasquick inhismovements,hehad the faircomplexionofa schoolgirl.Hewasclad inasuitofblackvelvet,elaborately trimmedwithgold lace,whichrandowntheouterseamsofhistrousers,andalmostcoveredthesleevesofhiscavalryjacket.Thewidecollarofabluenavyshirtwasturneddownoverthe collar of his velvet jacket, and a necktie of brilliant crimsonwas tied in agracefulknotatthethroat,thelongendsfallingcarelesslyinfront.Thedoublerows of buttons on his breastwere arranged in groups of twos, indicating therankofbrigadiergeneral.Asoft,blackhatwithwidebrimadornedwithagiltcord, and rosette encircling a silver star, was worn turned down on one sidegivinghimarakishair.Hisgoldenhairfellingracefulluxuriancenearlyorquiteto his shoulders, and his upper lip was garnished with a blondemustache. Aswordandbelt,giltspursandtopbootscompletedhisuniqueoutfit.

Akeeneyewouldhavebeenslowtodetectinthatriderwiththeflowinglocksandgaudytie,inhisdressofvelvetandofgold,themasterspiritthatheproved

to be. That garb, fantastic as at first sight it appeared to be, was to be thedistinguishingmarkwhich,duringall the remainingyearsof thatwar, like thewhiteplumeofHenryofNavarre,wastoshowuswhere,inthethickestofthefight,weweretoseekourleader—for,wheredangerwas,whereswordsweretocross, where Greekmet Greek, there was he, always. Brave but not reckless;self-confident,yetmodest;ambitious,butregulatinghisconductatalltimesbyahigh sense of honor and duty; eager for laurels, but scorning to wear themunworthily; ready and willing to act, but regardful of human life; quick inemergencies,coolandself-possessed,hiscouragewasofthehighestmoraltype,his perceptions were intuitions. Showy like Murat, fiery like Farnsworth, yetcalm and self-reliant like Sheridan, he was the most brilliant and successfulcavalryofficerofhistime.Suchamanhadappeareduponthescene,andsoonwelearnedtoutterwithpridethenameof—Custer.

GeorgeA.Custerwas,asallagree,themostpicturesquefigureofthecivilwar.YethisabilityandserviceswereneverrightlyjudgedbytheAmericanpeople.Itis doubtful ifmore thanoneofhis superiorofficers—ifweexceptMcClellan,who knew him only as a staff subaltern—estimated him at his true value.Sheridan knewCuster for what hewas. So did theMichigan brigade and theThird cavalry division. But, except by these, he was regarded as a brave,dashing,but recklessofficerwhoneededaguidinghand.Amongregulararmyofficers as a class he cannot be said to have been a favorite. The meteoricrapidityofhisrise to thezenithofhisfameandsuccess,whensomanyof theyoungstersofhisyearsweremovinginthecomparativeobscurityoftheirownorbits, irritated them. Stars of the first magnitude did not appear often in thegalaxyofmilitaryheroes.Custerwasoneofthefew.

The popular idea of Custer is a misconception. He was not a recklesscommander.Hewasnotregardlessofhumanlife.Nomancouldhavebeenmorecareful of the comfort and lives of hismen.His heartwas tender as that of awoman.Hewas kind to his subordinates, tolerant of theirweaknesses, alwaysready tohelpandencourage them.Hewasbraveasa lion, foughtas fewmenfought,butitwasfromnoloveofit.Fightingwashisbusiness;andheknewthatbythatmeansalonecouldpeacebeconquered.Hewasbrave,alert,untiring,ahero inbattle, relentless in thepursuitofabeatenenemy,stubbornand fullofresources on the retreat. His tragic death at the Little Big Horn crowned hiscareerwithatragicinterestthatwillnotwanewhilehistoryortraditionendure.Hundredsofbravemenshedtearswhentheyheardofit—menwhohadservedunderandlearnedtolovehiminthetryingtimesofcivilwar.

IhavealwaysbelievedthatsomeoftherealfactsofthebattleoftheLittleBigHornwere unknown. Probably the true version of themassacrewill remain asealedbookuntilthedeadarecalledupontogiveuptheirsecrets,thoughtherearethosewhoprofesstobelievethatonemanatleastisstilllivingwhoknowstherealstoryandthatsomedayhewilltellit.

CertainitisthatCusterneverwouldhaverusheddeliberatelyondestruction.If,foranyreason,hehaddesiredtoendhisownlife,andthatisinconceivable,hewouldnothaveinvolvedhisfriendsandthosewhoseliveshadbeenentrustedtohiscareinthefinalandterriblecatastrophe.Hewasnotarecklesscommanderor onewhowould plunge into battlewith his eyes shut.Hewas cautious andwary,accustomedtoreconnoitercarefullyandmeasurethestrengthofanenemyasaccuratelyaspossiblebeforeattacking.MorethanoncetheMichiganbrigadewassavedfromdisasterbyCuster'scaution.Thismayseemtomanyanovel—tosomeanerroneousestimateofCuster'scharacteristicsasamilitaryman.Butitisatrueone.Itisanopinionformedbyonewhohadgoodopportunitytojudgeofhimcorrectly.Inonesenseonlyisitaprejudicedview.Itisthejudgmentofafriend and a loyal one; it is not that of an enemy or a rival. As such it isappreciativeanditisjust.

Underhisskilfulhandthefourregimentsweresoonweldedintoacoherentunit,actingsolikeonemanthatthehistoryofoneisoftentimesapttobethehistoryoftheother,anditisdifficulttodrawthelinewherethecreditthatisduetooneleavesoffandthatwhichshouldbegiventoanotherbegins.

GEORGEA.CUSTER(IN1864)

The result of theday atHanoverwas thatStuartwasdriven still farther awayfrom a junctionwith Lee.Hewas obliged to turn to the east,making awidedetour by theway of Jefferson andDoverKilpatrick,meanwhile,maintaininghis threatening attitude on the inside of the circle which the redoubtableconfederatewas traversing, and forcing the latter to swing clear around to thenorthasfarasCarlisle,wherehereceivedthefirstreliableinformationastothewhereaboutsofLee. Itwas theeveningof July2,whenhe finally reached themainarmy.Thebattle thenhadbeengoingonfor twodays,andtheissuewasstill indoubt.During thatday(2)bothStuartandKilpatrickwerehastening torejointheirrespectivearmies,ithavingbeendecidedthatthegreatbattlewouldbe foughtoutaroundGettysburg.Gregg'sdivisionhadbeenguarding the rightflank ofMeade's army, but at nightfall it waswithdrawn to a position on theBaltimorepikenearthereserveartillery.

Kilpatrick reached the inside of the union lines, in the vicinity ofGettysburg,lateintheafternoon,ataboutthesamehourthatHampton,withStuart'sleadingbrigade, arrived at Hunterstown, a few miles northeast of Gettysburg. It was

aboutfiveo'clockintheafternoonwhentheThirddivision,movingincolumnoffours,washalted temporarily, awaitingorderswhere togo in, and listening tothe artillery firing close in front, when a staff officer rode rapidly along thecolumn,cryingout:"LittleMac is incommandandwearewhipping them."ItwasafutileattempttoevokeenthusiasmandconjurevictorywiththemagicofMcClellan's name. Therewas scarcely a faint attempt to cheer. Therewas nolongeranypotencyinaname.

Soon thereafter, receiving orders to move out on the road to Abbottstown,Kilpatrick started in that direction, Custer's brigade leading, with the SixthMichigan in advance. When nearing the village of Hunterstown, on a roadflanked by fences, the advance encountered a heavy force of confederatecavalry. A mounted line was formed across the road, while there weredismountedskirmishersbehindthefencesoneitherside.TheleadingsquadronoftheSixth,ledbyCaptainH.E.Thompson,boldlychargeddowntheroad,andatthesametime,threetroopsweredismountedanddeployedontheridgetotheright,Pennington'sbatterygoingintopositionintheirrear.Themountedchargewas a most gallant one, but Thompson, encountering an overwhelminglysuperior force in front, and exposed to a galling fire on both flanks, as hechargedpasttheconfederatesbehindthefences,wasdrivenback,butnotbeforehehimselfhadbeenseverelywounded,whilehis first lieutenant,S.H.Ballard,had his horse shot under him andwas left behind a prisoner. As Thompson'ssquadron was retiring, the enemy attempted a charge in pursuit, but thedismounted men on the right of the road kept up such a fusillade with theirSpencercarbines,aidedby therapiddischargesfromPennington'sbattery, thathe was driven back in great confusion. General Kilpatrick, speaking in hisofficialreportofthisengagement,says:

"I was attacked by Stuart, Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee nearHunterstown.Afteraspiritedaffairofnearlytwohours,theenemywas driven from this point with great loss. The Second brigadefoughtmosthandsomely.Itlostinkilledandwoundedandmissing,32. The conduct of the Sixth Michigan cavalry and Pennington'sbatteryisdeservingofthehighestpraise."

On the other hand, General Hampton states that he received information ofKilpatrick's advance upon Hunterstown and was directed by Stuart to go andmeetit.Hesays:

"Aftersomeskirmishing,theenemyattemptedacharge,whichwas

metinfrontbytheCobblegion,andoneitherflankbythePhillipslegionandtheSecondSouthCarolinacavalry."

The position at Hunterstown was held until near midnight when KilpatrickreceivedorderstomovetoTwoTaverns,ontheBaltimoreturnpike,aboutfivemilessoutheastofGettysburg,andsomethreemilesduesouthfromtheRummelfarm, on the Hanover road, east of Gettysburg, where the great cavalry fightbetweenGreggandStuartwastotakeplaceonthenextday.Itwasthreeo'clockin the morning (Kilpatrick says "daylight") when Custer's brigade went intobivouacatTwoTaverns.

TheSecond cavalry division, commandedbyGeneralD.McM.Gregg, as hasbeen seen, held the position on the Rummel farm on the second but waswithdrawn in the evening to theBaltimore pike "to be available forwhateverdutytheymightbecalledupontoperformonthemorrow."Onthemorningofthethird,Greggwasorderedtoresumehispositionofthedaybefore,butstatesinhisreportthattheFirstandThirdbrigades(McIntoshandIrvinGregg)wereposted on the right of the infantry, about three-fourths of a mile nearer theBaltimore and Gettysburg pike, because he learned that the Second brigade(Custer's)oftheThirddivisionwasoccupyinghispositionofthedaybefore.

GeneralKilpatrick,inhisreportsays:

"At11p.m.(July2)receivedorderstomove(fromHunterstown)toTwoTaverns,whichpointwereachedatdaylight.At8a.m.(July3)receivedordersfromheadquarterscavalrycorpstomovetotheleftof our line and attack the enemy's right and rear with my wholecommand and the reserve brigade. By some mistake, GeneralCuster's brigade was ordered to report to General Gregg and he(Custer)didnotrejoinmeduringtheday."

GeneralCuster, in his report, gives the following,which iswithout doubt, thetrueexplanationofthe"mistake."Hesays:

"At an early hour on themorningof the third, I received anorderthrough a staff officer of the brigadier general commanding thedivision(Kilpatrick),tomoveatoncemycommandandfollowtheFirstbrigade(Farnsworth)ontheroadleadingfromTwoTavernstoGettysburg. Agreeably to the above instructions, my column wasformedandmovedoutontheroaddesignated,whenastaffofficerof Brigadier General Gregg, commanding the Second division,

orderedmetotakemycommandandplaceitinpositiononthepikeleading from York[10] (Hanover) to Gettysburg, which positionformedtheextremerightofourlineofbattleonthatday."

Thus it is made plain that there was no "mistake" about it. It was Gregg'sprescience.Hesawtheriskofattemptingtoguardtherightflankwithonlythetwodecimatedbrigadesofhisowndivision.Seeingwithhimwastoact.HetooktheresponsibilitytointerceptKilpatrick'srearandlargestbrigade,turnitofftheBaltimorepike,totheright,insteadofallowingittogototheleft,asithadbeenorderedtodo,andthus,doubtless,aseriousdisasterwasaverted.Itmakesonetrembletothinkwhatmighthavebeen,ofwhatinevitablymusthavehappened,hadGregg,withonly the two littlebrigadesofMcIntosh and IrvinGreggandRandol's battery, tried to cope single-handedwith the four brigades and threebatteries, comprising the very flower of the confederate cavalry and artillery,which those brave knights—Stuart, Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee—weremarshaling inpersononCress's ridge. IfCuster'spresenceon thefieldwas,asoftenhasbeensaid,"providential,"itisGeneralD.McM.Greggtowhom,underProvidence,thecreditforbringinghimtherewasdue.Greggwasagreatandamodest soldier and itwill beproper,beforeenteringuponadescriptionof thebattleinwhichheplayedsoprominentapart,topauseamomentandpaytohimthemeritedtributeofouradmiration.Inthelightofall theofficialreports,puttogetherlinkbylink,soastomakeoneconnectedchainofevidence,wecanseethattheengagementwhichhefoughtontherightatGettysburg,onJuly3,1863,was from first to last, awell planned battle, inwhich the different commandsweremaneuveredwiththesamesagacitydisplayedbyaskilfulchessplayerinmovingthepawnsuponachessboard;inwhicheverydetailwasthefruitofthebrainofonemanwho, fromthe timewhenhe turnedCuster to thenorthward,untilhesenttheFirstMichiganthunderingagainstthebrigadesofHamptonandFitzhughLee,madenotasinglefalsemove;whowasdistinguishednotlessforhisintuitiveforesightthanforhisquickperceptionsatcriticalmoments.

ThatmanwasGeneralDavidMcMutrieGregg.

Thisconclusionhasbeenreachedbyamindnot—certainlynot—predisposedinthatdirection,afteracarefulstudyandreviewofalltheinformationwithinreachbearinguponthateventfulday.If,atGettysburg, theMichigancavalrybrigadewonhonorsthatwillnotperish,itwastoGreggthatitowedtheopportunity,andhisguidinghanditwasthatmadeitsblowseffective.Itwillbeseenhow,laterintheday,heagainboldlytookresponsibilityatacriticalmomentandheldCusterto his work on the right, even after the latter had been ordered by higher

authority thanhimself (Gregg) to rejoinKilpatrick andafterCusterhadbegunthemovement.

DAVIDMcMUTRIEGREGG

Now,havingadmitted,ifnotdemonstratedthatGreggdidtheplanning,itwillbeshown how gallantly Custer and his Michigan brigade did their part of thefighting.Uptoacertainpoint,itwillbebesttoletGeneralCustertellhisownstory:

"Upon arriving at the point designated, I immediately placed mycommandinapositionfacingtowardGettysburg.AtthesametimeIcausedreconnoissancestobemadeonmyfront,rightandrear,butfailed todiscoveranyconsiderable forceof theenemy.Everythingremainedquietuntil10a.m.,whentheenemyappearedonmyrightflankandopeneduponmewithabatteryofsixguns.Leavingtwoguns and a regiment to holdmy first position and cover the roadleading to Gettysburg, I shifted the remaining portion of mycommand forming a new line of battle at right angles with myformerposition.Theenemyhadobtainedcorrect rangeofmynew

position, and was pouring solid shot and shell into my commandwith great accuracy. Placing two sections of battery "M," Secondregular artillery, in position, I ordered them to silence the enemy'sbattery,whichorder,notwithstandingthesuperiorityoftheenemy'sposition,wasdoneinaveryshortspaceoftime.Mylineasitthenexisted,wasshapedliketheletter"L."Theshorterbranch,supportedbyonesectionofbattery"M"(Clark's),supportedbyfoursquadronsof the SixthMichigan cavalry, faced toward Gettysburg, coveringthepike; the longbranch,composedof the tworemainingsectionsofbattery"M,"supportedbyaportionoftheSixthMichigancavalryon the left, and the FirstMichigan cavalry on the right—with theSeventhMichigancavalrystillfurthertotherightandinadvance—washeldinreadinesstorepelanyattackontheOxford(LowDutch)road.[11] The FifthMichigan was dismounted and ordered to takepositioninfrontofmycenterandleft.TheFirstMichiganwasheldincolumnof squadrons toobserve themovementsof theenemy. IorderedfiftymentobesentonemileandahalfontheOxford(LowDutch)road,andadetachmentofequalsizeontheYork(Hanover)road, both detachments being under the command of the gallantMajorWeber(oftheSixth)who,fromtimetotime,keptmesowellinformed of the movements of the enemy, that I was enabled tomakemydispositionswithcompletesuccess."

GeneralCustersaysfurther,thatattwelveo'clockhereceivedanorderdirectinghim,onbeingrelievedbyabrigadeoftheSeconddivision,tomovetotheleftand form a junctionwithKilpatrick; that on the arrival ofColonelMcIntosh'sbrigadehepreparedtoexecutetheorder;but,toquotehisownlanguage:

"Before I had left my position, Brigadier General Gregg,commandingtheSeconddivision,arrivedwithhisentirecommand.Learning the true condition of affairs, and rightly conjecturing theenemy was making his dispositions for vigorously attacking ourposition, Brigadier General Gregg ordered me to remain in thepositionIthenoccupied."

So much space has been given to these quotations because they cover acontroverted point. It has been claimed, and General Gregg seems tocountenancethatview,thatCusterwaswithdrawnandthatMcIntosh,whowasput in his place, opened the fight, after which Gregg brought Custer back toreinforceMcIntosh. So far from this being true, it is quite the reverse of the

truth.Custerdidnot leavehisposition.Thebattleopenedbefore theproposedchangehadtakenplace,andMcIntoshwashurriedinontherightofCuster.Thelatter was reluctant to leave his post—knew he ought not to leave it. He hadalreadybeenattackedbyafirefromtheartilleryinpositionbeyondtheRummelbuildings.MajorWeber,whowasoutonthecrossroadleadingnorthwestfromtheLowDutchroadhadobservedthemovementofStuart'scolumn,headedbyChambliss and Jenkins, past the Stallsmith farm, to the wooded crest behindRummel's, and had reported it to Custer. Custer did, indeed, begin themovement.AportionoftheSixthMichiganand,possibly,oftheSeventh,also,had begun to withdraw when Custer met Gregg coming on the field andexplainedtohimthesituation—thattheenemywas"allaround"andpreparingto"push things."Gregg toldhim to remainwherehewasand thatportionof thebrigade which was moving away halted, countermarched, and reoccupied itsformer position. The FifthMichigan had not beenwithdrawn from the line infront,andPennington'sgunshadneverceasedtothundertheirresponsestotheconfederatechallenge.[12]

Custer says that the enemyopeneduponhimwith abatteryof sixguns at tena.m. Stuart on the contrary, claims to have left Gettysburg about noon. It isdifficulttoreconcilethesetwostatements.Agooddealoflatitudemaybegiventheword"about,"butitisprobablethattheoneputsthehourtooearly,whiletheother does not give it early enough; for, of course, before Custer could beattacked,someportionofStuart'scommandmusthavebeenuponthefield.

Officialreportsareoftenmeagre,ifnotsometimesmisleading,andmustneedsbereinforcedbythememorandaandrecollectionsofactualparticipants,beforetheexacttruthcanbeknown.

MajorCharles E. Storrs, of the SixthMichigan,who commanded a squadron,was sent out to the left and front of Custer's position, soon after the brigadearrivedupontheground.Heremainedthereseveralhoursandwasrecalledaboutnoon—heispositiveitwaslaterthantwelvem.—totakepositionwiththetroopsontheleftofthebattery.Hestatesthatthefirstshotwasnotfireduntilsometimeafterhisrecall,andheissureitwasnotearlierthantwoo'clock.[13]

When Stuart left Gettysburg, as he says about noon, he took with himChambliss'sandJenkins'sbrigadesofcavalryandGriffin'sbattery.HamptonandFitZhughLeeweretofollow;alsoBreathed'sandMcGregor'sbatteries,assoonas the latter had replenished their ammunition chests.Stuartmoved two and ahalfmiles out on theYork turnpike,whenhe turned to the right by a country

road that runs southeasterly past the Stallsmith farm. (This road intersects theLowDutchroad,aboutthree-fourthsofamilefromwherethelattercrossestheHanoverpike.)Turningofffromthisroadtotheright,StuartpostedthebrigadesofJenkinsandChamblissandGriffin'sbatteryonthecommandingCress'sridge,beyondRummel'sandmore thanamile fromthepositionoccupiedbyCuster.ThismovementwasnoticedbyMajorWeber,whowithhisdetachmentof theSixth Michigan cavalry, was stationed in the woods northeast of Rummel's,wherehecouldlookoutontheopencountrybeyond,andhepromptlyreportedthefacttoCuster.

The first shot that was fired came from near the wood beyond Rummel's.According toMajorMcClellan,whowas assistant adjutant general onStuart'sstaff, this was from a section of Griffin's Battery, and was aimed by Stuarthimself,henotknowingwhethertherewasanythinginhisfrontornot.Severalshotswerefiredinthisway.

MajorMcClellanisdoubtlessrightinthis,thattheseshotswerefiredasfeelers;but it is inconceivable that Stuart was totally unaware of the presence of anyfederal force in his immediate front; that he did not know that there wasstationed on the opposite ridge a brigade of cavalry and a battery.Gregg hadbeentherethedaybefore,andStuartatleastmusthavesuspected,ifhedidnotknow,thathewouldfindhimthereagain.Itisprobablethathefiredtheshotsinthehopeofdrawingoutanddevelopingtheforceheknewwasthere,toascertainhowformidableitmightbe,andhowgreattheobstacleinthewayofhisfartherprogresstowardtherearoftheunionlines.

Theinformationhesoughtwasquicklyfurnished.

It was then that Custer put Pennington's battery in position, and the threesectionsofrifledcannonopenedwithafiresofastandaccuratethatGriffinwasspeedilysilencedandcompelledtoleavethefield.

Thentherewasalull.Icannotsayhowlongitlastedbut,duringitscontinuance,GeneralGreggarrivedandtookcommandinperson.Aboutthistime,also,itissafetosaythatHamptonandFitzhughLeecameupandtookpositionontheleftofChambliss and Jenkins.Theconfederate line thenextendedclear across thefederalfront,andwasscreenedbythetwopatchesofwoodsbetweenRummel'sandtheStallsmithfarm.

AbattalionoftheSixthMichigancavalry,ofwhichminewastheleadingtroop,was placed in support and on the left of Pennington's battery.This formed, at

first, the short line of the "L" referred to in Custer's report, but it wassubsequentlyremovedfarthertotherightandfacedinthesamegeneraldirectionastherestoftheline,whereitremaineduntilthebattleended.Itsdutytherewastorepelanyattemptthatmightbemadetocapturethebattery.

The ground uponwhich these squadronswere stationed overlooked the plain,and the slightest demonstration in the open ground from either side wasimmediatelydiscernible.Fromthisvantagegrounditwaspossibletoseeeveryphaseofthemagnificentcontestthatfollowed.Itwaslikeaspectaclearrangedforustosee.Wewereinthepositionofspectatorsatjoustortournamentwherethe knights, advancing from their respective sides, charge full tilt upon eachotherinthemiddleofthefield.

Thelullreferredtowaslikethecalmthatprecedesthestorm.Thetroopersweredismounted,standing"inplacerest"infrontoftheirhorses,whensuddenlythereburstupontheairthesoundofthatterrificcannonadingthatprecededPickett'scharge.Theearthquaked.Thetremendousvolumeofsoundvolleyedandrolledacrosstheinterveninghillslikereverberatingthunderinastorm.

Itwas thenbetweenoneand twoo'clock. (MajorStorrssaysafter two.)Itwasnotlongthereafter,whenGeneralCusterdirectedColonelAlgertoadvanceandengagetheenemy.TheFifthMichigan, itsflanksprotectedbyaportionof theSixthMichiganon the left, byMcIntosh's brigadeon the right,movedbrisklyforward towards thewoodedscreenbehindwhich theenemywasknowntobeconcealed.Inthismovementtherightofregimentwasswungwellforward,theleft somewhat "refused," so that ColonelAlger's linewas very nearly at rightangleswiththeleftofStuart'sposition.

AstheFifthMichiganadvancedfromfieldtofieldandfencetofence,alineofgray came out from behind the Rummel buildings and the woods beyond. Astubbornandspiritedcontestensued.Theopposingbatteries filled theairwithshot and shrieking shell. Amazingmarksmanship was shown by Pennington'sbattery, and such accurate artillery firing was never seen on any other field.Alger'smenwiththeireight-shottedcarbines,forcedtheiradversariesslowlybutsurelyback, thegray line fightingwellandsuperior innumbers,butunable towithstand the storm of bullets. Itmade a final stand behind the strong line offences, infrontofRummel'sandafewhundredyardsout fromthefootof theslopewhereon,concealedbythewoods,Stuart'sreserveswereposted.

Whilethefightwasragingontheplain,Weberwithhisoutpostwasdrivenin.

His two troops were added to the four already stationed on the left ofPennington'sbattery.Weber,whohadbeenpromoted tomajorbut a fewdaysbefore,wasorderedbyColonelGraytoassumecommandofthebattalion.Ashetookhisplacebymysideinfrontoftheleadingtroop,hesaid:

"Ihaveseenthousandsofthemoverthere,"pointingtothefront."Thecountryyonder,isfulloftheenemy."

HehadobservedallofStuart'smovements,anditwashewhogaveCusterthefirstimportantinformationastowhattheenemywasdoing;whichinformationwastransmittedtoGregg,andprobablyhadadetermininginfluenceinkeepingCusteronthefield.

Weberwas a born soldier, fitted by nature and acquirements formuch higherrankthananyheheld.Althoughbut23yearsofage,hehadseenmuchservice.AprivateintheThirdMichiganinfantryin1861,hewasnextbattalionadjutantof the SecondMichigan cavalry, served on the staff ofGeneral Elliott, in thesouthwest, and came home with Alger in 1862, to take a troop in the SixthMichigancavalry.ThevaluableservicerenderedbyhimatGettysburgwasfitlyrecognizedbyCusterinhisofficialreport.HewaskilledtendayslateratFallingWaters, while leading his squadron in a charge which was described byKilpatrickas"themostgallantevermade."Anticipatingaspiritedfight,hewaseager to have a part in it. "Bob," he said to me a few days before, whilemarching throughMaryland, "Iwant a chance tomake one saber charge."Hethoughtthetimehadcome.Hiseyeflashedandhisfaceflushedashewatchedthe progress of the fight, fretting and chafing to be held in reserve when thebuglewassummoningotherstothecharge.

The Fifth Michigan, holding the most advanced position, suffered greatly,Hampton having reinforced the confederate line. Among those killed at thisstageofthebattlewasMajorNoahH.Ferry,oftheFifth.Repeatingriflesarenotonlyeffectivebutwastefulweaponsaswell,andColonelAlger,findingthathisammunition had given out, felt compelled to retire his regiment and seek hishorses.Seeing this, theenemysprang forwardwithayell.Theunion linewasseen to yield. The puffs of smoke from themuzzles of their guns had almostceased. Itwasplain theMichiganmenwereout of ammunition andunable tomaintainthecontestlonger.Onfromfieldtofield,thelineofgrayfollowedinexultantpursuit.BreathedandMcGregoropenedwithredoubledviolence.Shellsdroppedandexplodedamongtheskirmishers,whilethickerandfastertheyfellaround thepositionof the reserves.Penningtonrepliedwithastonishingeffect,

foreveryshothitthemark,andtheopposingartilleristswereunabletosilenceasingle union gun. But still they came, until it seemed that nothing could stoptheir victorious career. "Men, be ready," saidWeber. "Wewill have to chargethatline."Butthecourseofthepursuittookittowardtheright,inthedirectionofRandol'sbatterywhereChesterwasservingoutcanisterwiththesameliberalhanddisplayedbyPennington'slieutenants,Clark,WoodruffandHamilton.

Justthen,acolumnofmountedmenwasseenadvancingfromtherightandrearof theunion line.Squadron succeeded squadronuntil an entire regiment cameintoview,withsabersgleamingandcolorsgailyflutteringinthebreeze.Itwasthe Seventh Michigan, commanded by Colonel Mann. Gregg seeing thenecessityforpromptaction,hadgiventheorderforittocharge.Astheregimentmovedforward,andclearedthebattery,Custerdrewhissaber,placedhimselfinfront and shouted: "Come on youWolverines!" The Seventh dashed into theopen field and rode straight at the dismounted line which, staggered by theappearanceofthisnewfoe,broketotherearandranforitsreserves.Custerledthe charge half way across the plain, then turned to the left; but the gallantregiment swept on under its own leaders, riding down and capturing manyprisoners.

WILLIAMD.MANN

WILLIAMD.MANN

Therewasnochecktothecharge.Thesquadronskeptoningoodform.Everymanyelledatthetopofhisvoiceuntiltheregimenthadgone,perhaps,fiveorsixhundredyards straight towards the confederatebatteries,when theheadofcolumnwasdeflected to the left,makingaquarter turn, and the regimentwashurledheadlongagainst apost-and-rail fence that ranobliquely in frontof theRummel buildings. This proved for the time an impassable barrier. Thesquadrons comingup successively at a charge, rushedpellmell on each otherandwerethrownintoastateofindescribableconfusion,thoughthereartroops,withoutorderororders,formedleftandrightfrontintolinealongthefence,andpluckilybeganfiringacrossitintothefacesoftheconfederateswho,whentheysawtheimpetuousonsetoftheSevenththusabruptlychecked,ralliedandbeganto collect in swarmsupon theopposite side.Someof theofficers leaped fromtheir saddles and calledupon themen to assist inmaking anopening.AmongthesewereColonelGeorgeG.Briggs, thenadjutant,andCaptainH.N.Moore.The taskwasadifficultandhazardousone, thepostsandrailsbeingsofirmlyunitedthatitcouldbeaccomplishedonlybyliftingtheposts,whichweredeeplyset, and removing several lengths at once. This was finally done, however,thoughtheregimentwasexposednotonlytoafirefromtheforceinfront,buttoaflankingfirefromastrongskirmishlinealongafencetotherightandrunningnearlyatrightangleswiththeonethroughwhichitwastryingtopass.

Whilethiswasgoingon,Briggs'shorsewasshotandhefoundhimselfonfoot,withthreeconfederateprisonersonhishands.Withthesehestartedtotherear,havingnoremount.Beforehecouldreachaplaceofsafety,therushofchargingsquadronsfromeithersidehadinterceptedhisretreat.Inthemeleethatfollowed,twoofhismen ranaway, theotherundertook thedutyof escortinghis captorback to theconfederate lines.Theexperimentcosthimhis life,but thepluckyadjutant,althoughhedidnot"runaway,"livedtofightagainonmany"anotherday."

In the meantime, through the passage-way thus effected, the Seventh movedforward,thecentersquadronleading,andresumedthecharge.Theconfederatesoncemorefellbackbeforeit.Thechargewascontinuedacrossaplowedfieldtothefrontandright,uptoandpastRummel's,toapointwithin200or300yardsoftheconfederatebattery.Thereanotherfencewasencountered,thelastoneinthewayofreachingthebattery,thegunsofwhichwerepouringcanisterintothecharging column as fast as they could fire. Two men, privates Powers andInglede, of Captain Moore's troop, leaped this fence and passed several rods

beyond. Powers came back without a scratch, but Inglede was severelywounded.These twomenwere, certainly,within200yardsof the confederatecannon.

GEORGEG.BRIGGS

But, seeing that the enemy to the right had thrown down the fences, andwasforminga column for a charge, the scatteredportionsof theSeventhbegan tofallback through theopening in the fence.CaptainMoore, inwhosesquadronsixteenhorseshadbeenkilled,retiredslowly,endeavoringtocovertheretreatofthedismountedmenbut,takingthewrongdirection,cametothefenceabout100yards above the opening, just as the enemy's charging column struck him.Glancingoverhisshoulder,hecaughtthegleamofasaberthrustfromthearmofasturdyconfederate.Heduckedtoavoidtheblow,butreceivedthepointinthebackofhishead.Atthesametime,apistolballcrashedthroughhischarger'sbrainandthehorsewentdown,Moore'slegunderhim.Aninstantlater,Mooreavengedhissteedwiththelastshotinhisrevolver,andtheconfederatefelldeadathisside.SomedismountedmenoftheThirteenthVirginiacavalrytookMooreprisonerandescortedhimbacktotherearoftheirbattery,fromwhichposition,duringtheexcitementthatfollowed,hemadehisescape.

ButnowAlgerwho,whenhisammunitiongaveout,hastenedtohishorses,hadsucceeded inmounting one battalion, commanded byMajor L.S. Trowbridge,and when the Ninth and Thirteenth Virginia struck the flank of the SeventhMichigan, he ordered that officer to charge and meet this new danger.Trowbridge and hismendashed forwardwith a cheer, and the enemy in theirturnwereputtoflight.PasttheRummelbuildings,throughthefields,almosttothe fence where the most advanced of the Seventh Michigan had halted,Trowbridgekepton.Buthe,too,wasobligedtoretirebeforethedestructivefireof theconfederatecannon,whichdidnotcease tobelchforthdestructionuponeverydetachmentoftheunioncavalrythatapproachednearenoughtothreatenthem. The major's horse was killed, but his orderly was close at hand withanotherandheescaped.Whenhisbattalionwasretiringit,also,wasassailedinflank by a mounted charge of the First Virginia cavalry, which was met anddrivenbackbytheotherbattalionoftheFifthMichiganledbyColonelAlger.

Then,asitseemed,thetwobelligerentforcespausedtogettheirsecondbreath.Uptothattime,thebattlehadragedwithvaryingfortune.Victory,thatappearedabout to perch first on one banner, and then on the other, held aloof, as ifdisdaining to favor either. The odds, indeed, had been rather with theconfederatesthanagainstthem,forStuartmanagedtooutnumberhisadversaryat every critical point, thoughGregg forced the fighting, putting Stuart on hisdefense, and checkmating his plan to fight an offensive battle. But the wilyconfederate had kept his two choicest brigades in reserve for the suprememoment,intendingthentothrowthemintothecontestandsweepthefieldwithonegrand,resistlesscharge.

LUTHERS.TROWBRIDGE

All felt that the time for this effort had come,when a body ofmountedmenbegantoemergefromthewoodsontheleftoftheconfederateline,northeastoftheRummelbuildings,andformcolumntotherightastheydebouchedintotheopen field. Squadron after squadron, regiment after regiment, orderly as if onparade,cameintoview,andsuccessivelytooktheirplaces.

ThenPenningtonopenedwithallhisguns.Sixrifledpieces,asfastastheycouldfire, rainedshotandshell into that fatedcolumn.Theeffectwasdeadly.Greatgapsweretorninthatmassofmountedmen,buttherentswerequicklyclosed.Then, theywereready.Confederatechroniclers tellus thereweretwobrigades—eightregiments—undertheirownfavoriteleaders.Inthevan,floatedastandofcolors.Itwasthebattle-flagofWadeHampton,whowithFitzhughLeewasleading the assaulting column. In superb form, with sabers glistening, theyadvanced.Themenonfootgavewaytoletthempass.Itwasaninspiringandanimposing spectacle, that brought a thrill to the hearts of the spectators on theoppositeslope.Penningtondouble-shottedhisgunswithcanister,and theheadofthecolumnstaggeredundereachmurderousdischarge.Butstillitadvanced,

ledonbyanimperturbablespirit,thatnostormofwarcouldcow.

Meantime,theFifthMichiganhaddrawnasidealittletotheleft,makingreadyto spring.McIntosh's squadronswere in the edge of the oppositewoods. TheSeventhwassullenlyretiringwithfacestothefoe.Weberandhisbattalionandtheother troopsof theSixthwereonedgefor thefray,should theassault takethedirectionofPennington'sbatterywhichtheyweresupporting.

Onandon,nearerandnearer,cametheassaultingcolumn,chargingstraightforRandol's battery.The stormof canister caused them towaver a little, but thatwas all. A few moments would bring them among Chester's guns who, likePennington's lieutenants,was still firingwith frightful regularity, as fast as hecould load.ThenGreggrodeover to theFirstMichigan,anddirectedTowntocharge.Custerdashedupwithsimilarinstructions,andasTownorderedsaberstobedrawn,placedhimselfbyhisside,infrontoftheleadingsquadron.

Withrankswellclosed,withguidonsflyingandbuglessounding,thegrandoldregimentofveterans,ledbyTownandCuster,movedforwardtomeetthathost,outnumbering it three toone.First at a trot, then thecommand tocharge rangout, and with gleaming saber and flashing pistol, Town and his heroes werehurledrightintheteethofHamptonandFitzhughLee.Alger,whowiththeFifthhad been waiting for the right moment, charged in on the right flank of thecolumnasitpassed,asdidsomeofMcIntosh'ssquadrons,ontheleft.OnetroopoftheSeventh,ledbyLieutenantDan.Littlefield,alsojoinedinthecharge.

Thenitwassteeltosteel.Forminutes—andforminutesthatseemedlikeyears—thegraycolumnstoodandstaggeredbeforetheblow;thenyieldedandfled.AlgerandMcIntoshhadpierceditsflanks,butTown'simpetuouschargeinfrontwentthroughitlikeawedge,splittingitintwain,andscatteringtheconfederatehorsemenindisorderlyroutbacktothewoodsfromwhencetheycame.

Duringthelastmelee,thebrazenlipsofthecannonweredumb.Itwasahand-to-hand encounter between theMichigan men and the flower of the southerncavaliers,ledbytheirfavoritecommanders.

Stuart retreated tohisstronghold, leaving theunionforces inpossessionof thefield.

The rally sounded, the lineswere reformed, thewoundedwere cared for, andeverythingwasmadereadyforarenewalof theconflict.But thechargeof theFirstMichigan ended the cavalry fighting on the right atGettysburg.Military

criticshavepronounceditthefinestcavalrychargemadeduringthatwar.

Custer'sbrigadelostoneofficer(MajorFerry)and28menkilled;11officersand112menwounded; 67menmissing; total loss, 219.Gregg's division lost onemankilled;7officersand19menwounded;8menmissing; total,35.Inotherwords, while Gregg's division, two brigades, lost 35, Custer's single brigadesuffered a loss of 219. These figures apply to the fight on July 3, only. Theofficialfiguresshowthatthebrigade,duringthethreedays,July1,2and3,lost1officerand31menkilled;13officersand134menwounded;78menmissing;total,257.[14]

Formore than twentyyearsafter thecloseof thecivilwar, thepartplayedbyGregg,CusterandMcIntoshandtheirbravefollowersinthebattleofGettysburgreceivedbutscantrecognition.Eventhemapspreparedbythecorpsofengineersstopped short ofCress'sRidge andRummel's fields. "History"was practicallysilentuponthesubject,andhadnot thesurvivorsof thosecommands takenupthematter,theremighthavebeennorecordoftheinvaluableserviceswhichtheSecond cavalry division and Custer's Michigan brigade rendered at the verymomentwhenaslightthingwouldhaveturnedthetideofvictorytheotherway.In other words, the decisive charge of Colonel Town and his Michiganderscoincided inpointof timewith the failureofPickett's assaultupon thecenter,andwasacontributingcauseinbringingaboutthelatterresult.

CHARLESH.TOWN

About the year 1884, amonumentwas dedicated on theRummel farmwhichwas intended to mark as nearly as possible the exact spot where Gregg andCustercrossedswordswithHamptonandFitzhughLeeinthefinalclashofthecavalry fight. This monument was paid for by voluntary contributions of thesurvivorsofthemenwhofoughtwithGreggandCuster.ColonelGeorgeGrayoftheSixthMichiganalonecontributedfourhundreddollars.Manyotherswereequallyliberal.OnthatdayColonelBrooke-Rawle,ofPhiladelphia,whoservedin the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, of Gregg's division, delivered an addressuponthe"CavalryFightontheRightFlank,atGettysburg."Itwasaneloquenttribute toGregg andhisSeconddivision and to theMichiganbrigade though,like a loyal knight, he claimed the lion's share of the glory for his own, andplacedchapletsoflaureluponthebrowofhisidealheroofPennsylvaniaratherthan upon that of "Lancelot, or another." In other words, he did not estimateCuster's part at its full value, an omission for which he subsequently madegracefulandhonorableacknowledgment.Inthisaffairtherewerehonorsenoughtogoaround.

SubsequentlyGeneralLutherS.Trowbridge,ofDetroit,whowasanofficer inthe Fifth Michigan cavalry, who like Colonel Brooke-Rawle fought mostcreditably in the cavalry fight on the right,wrote a paper on the same subjectwhich was read before theMichigan commandery of the Loyal Legion. Thisvery fitly supplemented Colonel Brooke-Rawle's polished oration. In the year1889,anothermonumenterectedbythestateofMichiganontheRummelfarm,and but a hundred yards or such amatter from the other,was dedicated. Thewriterofthese"Recollections"wastheoratoroftheoccasion,andthepointsofhisaddressarecontained in thenarrativewhichconstitutes thischapter.Thosethreepapersandotherswrittensincethat time,notablyonebyGeneralGeorgeB. Davis, judge advocate general, U.S.A., and one by Captain Miller, of theThirdPennsylvaniacavalry,havebroughtthecavalryfightatGettysburgintothelimelight,sothatthereisnolongeranypretextforthehistorianorstudentofthehistory of the civil war to profess ignorance of the events of that day whichreflectsomuchlusteronthecavalryarmoftheservice.

Toillustratethepointmadeintheseconcludingparagraphsthattheparttakenbythe cavalryon the right is at last understoodandacknowledged, the followingextractfromanaddressgivenbefore thestudentsof theOrchardLakemilitaryacademy by General Charles King the gifted author of "The Colonel'sDaughter,"andmanyotherwritings,ishereinquoted.GeneralKingishimselfacavalryofficerwith abrilliant record in the armyof theUnitedStates. In thataddresstothestudentson"TheBattleofGettysburg,"hesaid:

"Andso, justasGettysburgwasthe turningpointof thegreatwar,so,tomythinking,wasthegrapplewithandoverthrowofStuartonthefieldsoftheRummelfarmtheturningpointofGettysburg.Hadhetriumphedthere;hadhecuthiswaythroughoroverthatgloriousbrigade of Wolverines and come sweeping all before him downamong the reserve batteries and ammunition trains, chargingfuriously at the rear of our worn and exhausted infantry even asPickett's devoted Virginians assailed their front, no man can saywhatscenesof routanddisastermightnothaveoccurred.Pickett'schargewasthegrandanddramaticclimaxofthefightbecauseitwasseenofallmen.Stuart'sdashupontheSeconddivisionfaroutontheright flankwashardlyheardof foryearsafter. Itwouldhave rungthe world over but for theMichiganmen. Pennsylvania and NewJersey,NewYorkandthelittlecontingentofMarylandershadbeenfighting for days,were scattered, dismounted and exhaustedwhen

the plumes of Stuart came floating out from the woods of theStallsmith farm, Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee at his back. It wasCuster and theWolverineswho flew like bull dogs straight at thethroat of the foes; who blocked his headlong charge; who pinnedhim to the ground while like wolves their comrade troops rusheduponhisflanks.

"Itmay be, perhaps an out-cropping of the old trooper spirit nowbut,asIlookbackuponthemomentousfouryears'struggle,withallitslessonsofskillandfortitudeandvalorincomparable,itseemstomethat,couldIhaveservedinonlyoneofitsgreatcombats,drawnsaber in just one supreme crisis on whose doubtful issue hungtrembling thefateof thewholeunion, Iwouldbeg to live thatdayoveragainandtoridewithGreggandMcIntoshandCuster;toshareinthewild,fiercechargeoftheMichiganmen;tohavemynamegodown to posterity with those of Alger and Kidd, Town andTrowbridge,BriggsandgallantFerry,whosedeadhandgrippedthesaberhiltandtheverygrave.TohaveitsaidthatIfoughtwiththeoldSeconddivisionofthecavalrycorpsthatdaywhenitwentandgrappled andoverwhelmed the foe in the full tideofhis career, attheveryclimaxofthestruggle,andhurledhimbacktothebanksoftheRubiconof the rebellion, to cross it then and there for the lasttime,tolookhislastuponthegreenhillsofMaryland—nevermoreto vex our soil until, casting away the sword, he could comewithoutstretchedhandandbehailedasfriendandbrother."

CHAPTERXII

FROMGETTYSBURGTOFALLINGWATERS

When the battle of Gettysburgwas ended and the shadows of night began togatherupontheRummelfields,thetroopersoftheMichigancavalrybrigadehadarighttofeelthattheyhadactedwelltheirparts,andcontributedtheirfullshareto thegloryandsuccessof theUnionarms.Theyhadrichlyearneda rest,butweredestinednottoobtainituntilaftermanydaysofsuchtoilandhardshipastosurpasseventhepreviousexperiencesofthecampaign.

Afterabriefbivouaconthebattlefield,thebrigadewasmovedtotheBaltimorepikewhence,atdaybreak,itmarchedtothevicinityofEmmittsburg.There,onthemorningofJuly4,thetwobrigadesoftheThirddivisionreunited.TheFirstbrigade, under the lamented Farnsworth, it will be remembered had beenengagedthepreviousdayupontheleftflanknear"RoundTop,"undertheeyeofthedivisioncommander.

Farnsworth,thegallantyoungofficerwhohadbeenabrigadiergeneralbutfourdays,hadbeenkilledwhileleadingachargeagainstinfantrybehindstonewalls.His brigade was compelled to face infantry because all of the confederatecavalryhadbeenmassedunderStuartagainstMeade'sright.ItwasintendedthatCustershouldreporttoKilpatrickontheleftflankbut,aswehaveseen,hewasprovidentiallywherehewasmostneeded,andwherehispresencewaseffectiveinpreventingdisaster.ThechargeinwhichFarnsworthlosthislifewasorderedbyKilpatrickandwasunquestionablyagainsttheformer'sjudgment.Buthewastoobraveamanand tooconscientious todoanythingelse thanobeyorders totheletter.Hiscouragehadbeenputtotheproofinmorethanascoreofbattles.AsanofficerintheEighthIllinoiscavalryandasanaidonthestaffofGeneralPleasonton,chiefofcavalry,hehadwonsuchdeserveddistinctionthathe,likeCuster,waspromotedfromcaptaintobrigadiergeneralonJune28andassignedto commandof theFirst brigadeofKilpatrick's divisionwhenCuster took theSecond. This was done in spite of the fact that he was not a graduate of themilitaryacademyorevenanofficeroftheregulararmy.Iknewhimbeforethewarwhenhewasastudent in theUniversityofMichigan,andamore intrepidspiritthanhepossessedneverresidedwithinthebreastofman.Itwasbutaday,

itmight be said, that he hadworn his new honors.Hewas proud, ambitious,spirited,loyal,brave,trueassteeltohiscountryandhisconvictionsofduty,andtohisownmanhood.

Hedidnothesitate foronemoment.Drawinghis saberandplacinghimself attheheadofhiscommand,heledhismentotheinevitableslaughterandboldlywenttohisowndeath.Itwasapitytosacrificesuchanofficerandsuchmenasfollowed him inside the confederate lines. The charge was one of the mostgallantevermade,thoughbarrenofresults.Thelittleforcecamebackshatteredtopiecesandwithout their leader.Thecavalrycorpshad lostanofficerwhoseplacewashardtofill.Hadhelived,thebraveyoungIllinoisanmighthavebeenanotherCuster.Hehadall thequalitiesneeded tomakeagreatcareer—youth,health,anoblephysique,courage,patriotism,ambition,abilityandrank.Hewaspoised,likeCuster,andhaddiscretionaswellasdash.Theywereanoblepair,and nobly did they justify the confidence reposed in them.One lived to courtdeath on scores of battle fields, winning imperishable laurels in them all; theotherwas cut down in theverybeginningofhis brilliant career, but his namewill forever be associated with what is destined to be in history the mostmemorablebattleofthewar,andtheonefromwhichisdatedthebeginningofthedownfalloftheconfederatecause,andthecompleterestorationoftheunion.FarnsworthwillnotbeforgottenaslongasagratefulpeoplerememberthenameandthegloryofGettysburg.

AlthoughGeneralJudsonKilpatrickhadbeenincommandofthedivisionsincethe30thofJune,atHanover,manyoftheMichiganmenhadneverseteyesuponhimuntilthatmorning,andtherewasmuchcuriositytogetasightofthealreadyfamouscavalryman.Hehadbeguntobeaterrortofoes,andtherewasawell-groundedfearthathemightbecomeamenacetofriendsaswell.Hewasbravetorashness,capricious,ambitious,recklessinrushingintoscrapes,andgenerallyfull of expedients in getting out, though at times he seemed to lose his headentirelywhenbesetbyperilswhichhe,himself,hadinvited.Hewasprodigalofhumanlife,thoughtodohimjusticeherarelysparedhimself.Whilehewasnotespeciallyrefinedinmannersandinconversation,hehadanintellectthatwouldat times emit flashes so brilliant as to blind those who knew him best to hisfaults.HewastheverytypeofoneofthewaywardcavalierswhosurvivedthedeathofCharlestheFirst,toshineinthecourtofCharlestheSecond.Hewasaready and fluent speaker—anorator, in fact—andhad the gift of charming anaudiencewithhisinsinuatingtongue.

AscloselyasIcanfrommemory,Iwilldrawapen-sketchofhimasheappeared

atthattime:Notanimposingfigureashesatwithajauntyairuponhissuperbchestnuthorse,forhewasofslightbuildthoughsuppleandagileasanathlete;asmall,thoughwell-knitform,dressedinaclose-fittingandnattysuitofblue;ablouse with the buttons and shoulder straps of a brigadier-general; theconventionalbootsandspursandsaber;ablackhatwiththebrimturneddownonone side, upon theother, in away affectedbyhimself,whichgave to thestylehisownname.Thiscompletedhisuniform—notastrikingorpicturesqueoneinanyrespect.Saveforthepeculiarstyleofhat,therewasnothingaboutitto distinguish him from others of like rank. But his face was a marked one,showinghisindividualityineveryline.Aprominentnose,awidemouth,afirmjaw,thincheekssetoffbysidewhiskersratherlightincolor,andeyesthatwerecold and lusterless, but searching—these were the salient characteristics of acountenance that once seen, was never forgotten. His voice had a peculiar,piercingquality,thoughitwasnotunmusicalinsound.Ingivingcommandshespoke inbrusque tones and in an imperiousmanner. Itwasnot long till everymaninthedivisionhadseenhimandknewhimwell.Inafewdayshehadfairlyearnedthesoubriquet"KillCavalry,"whichclungtohimtillheleftforthewest.Thiswasnotbecausemenwerekilledwhileunderhiscommand, for thatwastheirbusinessandeverytrooperknewthatdeathwasliabletocomesoonorlate,while he was in the line of duty, but for the reason that so many lives weresacrificedbyhimfornogoodpurposewhatever.

JUDSONKILPATRICK

Well, on the morning of the Fourth, General Kilpatrick sent an order toregimental commanders to draw three days' rations and be prepared for aprotractedabsencefromthearmy,asweweretogototherightandrearofLeetotryandintercepthistrains,andineverywaytoharasshisretreatingcolumnsas much as possible.We were all proud of our new commanders, for it wasevident that they were fighting men, and that while they would lead us intodanger, ifwesurvived it therewouldbe left theconsciousnessofhavingdoneourduty,andthecreditofaccomplishingsomethingforthecause.

Itmustalsobesaidthatastrongfeelingof"prideinthecorps"hadtakenroot.Men were proud that they belonged to Kilpatrick's division and to Custer'sbrigade, for it must not be supposed that the above estimate of the former isbaseduponwhatweknewofhimat that time.Wewereunderhim fora longtimeafterthat.Thiswasthefirstdaythatwefelttheinfluenceofhisimmediatepresence.

WhenitwasknownthatKilpatrickwastoleadamovementtotheenemy'srearallfeltthatthechanceswereexcellentforthecountrytohearagooddealaboutourexploitswithinthenextfewdays,andnobodyregrettedit.

Butbeforethestartitbegantorainintorrents.Ithasbeensaidthatagreatbattlealwaysproduces rain.Myrecollection isnotclearas to theotherbattles,but IknowthatthedayafterGettysburgtheflood-gatesofheavenwereopened,andas the columnof cavalry took itsway towardsEmmittsburg itwasdeluged. Itseemedas if thefirmamentwereanimmensetank, thecontentsofwhichwerespilled all at once. Such a drenching as we had! Even heavy gum coats andhorsehide bootswere hardly proof against it. It poured and poured, thewaterrunninginstreamsoffthehorses'backs,makingofeveryrivuletariverandofeveryriverandmountainstreamaragingflood.

ButLeewasinretreatand,rainorshine,itwasourdutytoreachhisrear,soalldaylongweploddedandplashedalongthemuddyroadstowardsthepassesintheCatoctin andSouthmountains. Itwasa tedious ride formenalreadywornoutwithincessantmarchingandthefatiguesofmanydays.Ithardlyoccurredtothetiredtrooperthatitwastheanniversaryofthenation'snatalday.Therewere

nofireworks,andenthusiasmwasquenchednotbytheweatheronlybutbytheknowledge that the confederate army, though repulsed,was not captured. ThenewsofGrant'sgloriousvictoryinthewestfilledeveryheartwithjoy,ofcourse,buttheprospectofgoingbackintoVirginiatofightthewaroveragainwasnotalluring.

Butpossiblythatmightnotbeourfate.VigorouspursuitmightinterceptLeeonthissideofthePotomac.Everytrooperfeltthathecouldendurewetandbravethestormtoaidinsuchstrategy,andallsettheirfacestotheweatherandrode,ifnotcheerfully,atleastpatientlyforwardintherain.

IhavesaidthatonthatmemorableFourthofJulytherewerenofireworks.Thatwasamistake.Thepyrotechnicdisplaywaspostponeduntil a latehour,but itwasaninterestingandexcitingexhibition,asallwhowitnesseditwilltestify.Itwasinthenightanddarknesslentintensitytothescene.

Towardeveningthefloodsubsidedsomewhat,thoughtheskywasovercastwithwet-looking clouds, and the swollen and muddy streams that ran along andacross our pathway fretted and frothed like impatient coursers under curb andrein.Theirbankscouldhardlyholdthem.

DuringtheafternoonandeveningthecolumnwasclimbingtheSouthmountain.A big confederatewagon trainwas going through the gap ahead of us. Ifwecouldcapturethat,itwouldbemakingreprisalforsomeofStuart'srecentworkinMaryland.

Towardmidnightwewerenearingthetop,marchingalongthenarrowdefile,themountain towering to the right, and sloping off abruptly to the left, when theboom of a cannon announced that the advance guard had encountered theenemy.Thepiece of artillerywasplanted in the road, at the summit, near theMontereyhouse,andwassupportedbytheconfederaterearguard,whichatonceopened fire with their carbines. It was too dark to distinguish objects at anydistance,theenemywasacrossthefrontandnoonecouldtellhowlargeaforceitmightbe.TheFirstMichiganhadbeensenttotheright,earlyintheevening,to attack a body of the enemy, hovering on the right flank in the direction ofFairfield, and had a hard fight, in which Captain Elliott and LieutenantMcElhenny, twobrave officers,were killed.TheFifth andSixthwere leadingand at once dismounted and deployed as skirmishers.GeneralsKilpatrick andCuster rode to the place where the line was forming, and superintended themovement.TheSixth,underColonelGray,wasontherightoftheline,theroad

toitsleft.Atleasttheportionoftheregimenttowhichmytroopbelongedwasinthatposition. I think,perhaps, apartof the regimentwasacross the road.TheFifth formedon the left; theFirstandSeventh in reserve,mounted.There isagood deal of guesswork about it, for in the darkness one could not tellwhathappenedexceptinhisimmediateneighborhood.

Theorder"Forward,"finallycame,andthelineofskirmishersadvanceduptheslope, a columnofmountedmen following in the road, ready to chargewhenopportunityoffered.Soonweencounteredtheconfederateskirmishers,butcouldlocatethemonlybytheflashesoftheirguns.Thedarknesswasintenseandinafew moments we had plunged into a dense thicket, full of undergrowth,interlacedwithvinesandbriars,sothickthatitwasdifficulttomakeheadwayatall.Morethanonceatrailingvinetrippedmeup,andIfellheadlong.Tokeepupanalignmentwasoutofthequestion.Onehadtobeguidedbysoundandnotbysight.Theforceinfrontdidnotappeartobeformidableinnumbers,buthadtheadvantage of position, and was on the defensive in a narrow mountain passwherenumberswereoflittleavail.Wehadalargeforce,butitwasstrungoutinalongcolumnformilesback,anditwaspossibletobringonlyafewmenintoactualcontactwiththeenemy,whateverhemightbe.Thislastwasamatterofconjecture and Kilpatrick doubtless felt the necessity of moving cautiously,feelinghiswayuntilhedevelopedwhatwasinhisfront.Totherightoftheroad,haditnotbeenforthenoiseandtheflashingoftheenemy'sfireweshouldhavewanderedawayinthedarknessandbeenlost.

Theconfederateskirmishersweredrivenbackacrossaswollenstreamspannedbyabridge.Thecrossingatthispointwascontestedfiercely,butportionsoftheFifthandSixthfinallyforceditandthenthewholecommandcrossedover.

In the meantime the rumbling of wagon wheels could be heard in the roadleadingdown themountain. Itwasevidentwewerebeingdetainedbya smallforcestrivingtoholdus therewhile the trainmadeitsescape.Aregimentwasordered up mounted to make a charge. I heard the colonel giving his orders."Men,"hesaid,"usethesaberonly;Iwillcutdownanymanwhofiresashot."Thiswas to prevent shooting our ownmen in themelee, and in the darkness.Inquiring,IlearneditwastheFirst(West)Virginiacavalry.ThisregimentwhichbelongedintheFirstbrigadehadbeenorderedtoreporttoCuster.Attheword,thegallantregimentrushedlikethewinddownthemountainroad,"yellingliketroopers,"astheywere,andgoodonestoo,capturingeverythingintheirway.

This charge ended the fighting for that night. Itwas one of themost exciting

engagementsweeverhad,forwhiletheactualnumberengagedwassmall,andthe casualties were not great, the time, the place, the circumstances, thedarkness,theuncertainty,allcombinedtomake"themidnightfightatMonterey"one of unique interest.GeneralCuster had his horse shot under himwhich, itwassaidandIhavereasontobelieve,wastheseventhhorsekilledunderhiminthat campaign. The force that resisted us did its duty gallantly, though it hadeverythinginitsfavor.Theyknewwhattheyhadintheirfront,wedidnot.Still,theyfailedoftheirobject,whichwastosavethetrain.Thatwecapturedafterall.TheMichiganmenbrushedtherearguardoutoftheway,theFirstVirginiagavetheaffairthefinishingtouch.

Thefightover,mensuccumbedtofatigueanddrowsiness.Ihadbarelytouchedthesaddlebefore Iwas fastasleep,anddidnotawakeuntildaylight, and thenlookingaround,couldnotseeamanthatIrecognizedasbelongingtomyowntroop.Asfarastheeyecouldreach,bothfrontandrear,wasamovingmassofhorseswithmotionlessridersallwrappedinslumber.Thehorsesweremovingalongwithdroopingheadsandeyeshalf-closed.Somewalkedfasterthanothersand, as a consequence, would gradually pull away from their companionsthroughthecolumninfront;otherswouldfallback.Soitcametopassthatfewmen found themselves in the same society in the morning with which theystartedatmidnight.Asformyself,IawoketowonderwhereIwasandwhathadbecomeofmymen.Notoneof themcouldIsee.Myhorsewasafastwalker,and I soon satisfiedmyself that I was in advance ofmy troop and,when theplace designated for the division to bivouac was reached, dismounted andawaitedtheirarrival.Someofthemdidnotcomeupforanhour,andtheywerescatteredaboutamongothercommands,insquads,afewinaplace.Itwasseveno'clockbeforewewerealltogetheroncemore.

Thenwehadbreakfast,andthemenhadachancetolookthecapturesoverandquiztheprisoners.Thewagonsweresoondespoiledof theircontentsandsuchstuff aswas not valuable or could not be transportedwas burned.Among theprisonerswasColonelDavis,oftheTenthVirginiacavalry,whoclaimedthatheledthechargeagainstourpositiononthethird.Heexpressedhimselfveryfreelyashavinghadenough,andsaid,"Thisuselesswaroughttobeendedatonce."

During the day Stuart's cavalry appeared on our flank and we pushed on toCavetown, thence to Boonsborough, harassed all the way by the enemy.WewerenowdirectlyonLee'spathtothePotomac.AtSmithburgtherewasquiteaskirmish inwhich theSixth had the duty of supporting the battery.My troop,deployedasskirmishersalongthetopofarockyridge,wasforgottenwhenthe

divisionmovedawayafterdark,andwelaythereforanhourwithinsightoftheconfederate campuntil, suspecting somethingwrong, Imade a reconnoissanceanddiscovered that our commandhadgone. I thereforemounted themen andfollowedthetrailwhichledtowardBoonsborough.AtthelatterplaceKilpatrickturnedoverhisprisonersandcapturedproperty.

Onthe6th,alongintheafternoon,wearrivedinthevicinityofHagerstown.TheroadwewereonentersthetownatrightangleswiththepikefromHagerstownto Williamsport, on reaching which we turned to the left, the position beingsomethinglikethefollowingdiagram:

Lee'sreservewagontrainswereatWilliamsportunderGeneralImboden.FromHagerstowntoWilliamsportwasaboutfivemiles.WehadStuart'scavalryinourfront,Lee'swholearmyonourright,andonlyfivemilestoourleftthetemptingprizewhichKilpatrickwaseager toseize.Besides, itwasnecessaryforLeetoreachWilliamsportinordertosecureacrossingofthePotomacriver.

TheadvanceofhisarmyreachedHagerstownsimultaneouslywithourselves,buttheskirmishersoftheFirstbrigadedrovethembacktothenorthward,andthentheMichiganbrigadepassedthroughandturnedsouthwardon thepike towardWilliamsport.TheFifthMichiganhad theadvanceand theSixth the rear.Thelatterregimenthadhardlymorethanturnedinthenewdirectionwhentheboomofacannoninfronttoldthestorythatthebattlehadbegun.

GeneralKilpatrickhadbeenattendingtomattersinHagerstown.Itwasevidentthat therewas considerable force there and that itwas constantly augmenting.TheopeninggunatWilliamsportcalledhisattentiontoanewdanger.Itlookedasthoughhehaddeliberatelywalkedintoatrap.InamomentIsawhimcoming,dashing along the flank of the column.Hewas urging his horse to its utmostspeed.Inhishandheheldasmallridingwhipwithwhichhewastouchingthe

flankofhischargerasherode.Hisfacewaspale.Hiseyesweregazingfixedlytothefrontandhelookedneithertotherightnortotheleft.Thelookofanxietyonhis countenancewasapparent.The soundof cannongrew louderandmorefrequent;wewererushedrapidlytothefront.TheFirstbrigadefollowedandtotheofficer incommandof itwasassignedthetaskofholdingbackLee'sarmywhile the Michigan brigade tried titles with Imboden. Buford, with the Firstcavalrydivision,wasfightingStuart'scavalrytotheleft,towardsBoonsborough,andonhimitdependedtokeepopentheonlyavenueofescapefromthepositioninwhichKilpatrickfoundhimself.

AARONCONEJEWETT

Inalittletimethetwobrigadeswerefightingbacktoback,onefacingnorthandtheothersouth,andeachhavingmorethanitcouldattendto.

Pretty soon we arrived on the bluff overlooking Williamsport. Imboden'sartilleryhadtheexactrangeandwerepouringshellintothepositionwherethebrigadewastryingtoform.

Just before arriving at the point where we were ordered to turn to the rightthroughanopeninginarailfence,intoafield,AaronC.Jewett,actingadjutantof the regiment, rode along the column delivering the order from the colonel.During the Gettysburg campaign Jewett had been acting adjutant and wouldhavereceivedhiscommissioninashorttime.Hismodestdemeanorandaffablemanners had won the hearts of all his comrades. He had made himselfexceedinglypopular,aswellasuseful,andwasgreatlybelovedintheregiment.Whenhedeliveredtheorderthepallorofhiscountenancewasnoticeable.Therewas no tremor, no shrinking, no indication of fear; he was intent uponperforming his duty; gave the order and, turning, galloped back to where theshellswereflyingthickandfast.WhenIarrivedatthegapinthefencehewasthere; he led the way into the field; told me where to go in; there was notrepidationonhispartbutstillthatdeathlypallor.Aswepassedintothefieldashellexplodeddirectlyinfrontofus.It tookalegoffamanintroopHwhichprecededusandhaddismountedtofightonfoot,andIsawhimhoppingaroundonhis one remaining limbandheardhim shriekwithpain.A fragmentof thesameshelltookapieceofftherimofLieutenantE.L.Craw'shat.Hewasridingatmyside.IbelieveitwasthesameshellthatkilledJewett.Hehadleftmetodirectthenexttroopinorder,andafragmentofoneoftheseshellsstruckhiminthethroatandkilledhiminstantly.AsImovedrapidlyforwardaftergettingintothefieldIdidnotseehimagain,anddidnotknowhewaskilleduntilafterdark,whenwehadsucceededinmakingourescapebyaverynarrowchance.

We were moved well over to the right—all the time under a furious fire ofartillery—andkeptthereuntilalmostdark,fightingallthetimewiththetroopsthatwerepushedoutfromWilliamsport.Inthemeantime,thefiringandyellinginrearcouldbehearddistinctlyanditseemedthatatanymomentthelittleforcewastobeclosedinonandcaptured.Finally, justafterdark, itwaswithdrawn.

Thoseontherightoftheroad—theFirstandSixth—theFifthandSeventhbeingtotheleft,wereobligedtoreachandcrossthepiketomaketheirescape.Weberstealthilywithdrewthebattalion.Hewas the lastmanto leavethefield.Whenwewere forming in the road, after rallying the skirmishers, the enemywas inplain sightonlya littleway towardHagerstownand it seemedas ifonecouldthrowastoneandhitthem.Weexpectedtheywouldchargeus,buttheydidnot,and probably the growing darkness prevented it. In fact, therewasmanifest adispositionontheirparttoletusaloneifwewouldnotmolestthem.

Wethenmarchedoffintoapieceofwoodsand,theregimenthavingallreunited,learned—thosewhohadnotknownofitbefore—ofJewett'sdeath.Hisbodywasstillwhereitfell.Thesuggestionwasmadetogoandrecoverit.Weberandhismenmade an attempt to do so, but by that time the enemy had come up andtaken possession of the field.Thiswas a terrible blow to all, to be obliged toleave the body of a beloved comrade; to be denied the privilege of aiding inplacinghiminasoldier'sgrave,andperformingthelastofficesofaffectionforafallenfriend.

ThedeathofJewettwasablowtotheregimentthemoreseverebecausehewasthefirstofficerkilleduptothattime.Aportionoftheregimenthadbeenroughlyhandled on the evening of July 2, at Hunterstown—where Thompson andBallardwerewounded—andthelattertakenprisoner.Anumberoftherankandfilewere in the listofkilled,woundedandmissing.Enoughhadbeen seenofwar tobring toalla realizationof itshorrors.Deathwasa familiar figure,yetJewett's position as adjutant had brought him into close relations with bothofficersandmenandhissuddendeathwasfeltasapersonalbereavement.Itwaslikecomingintothehomeandtakingoneofthebestbelovedofthehousehold.

After getting out of theWilliamsport affairmost of the nightwas takenup inmarchingandonthemorningofthe7th,thebrigadewasbackinBoonsboroughwhere, remaining in camp all day, it obtained amuchneeded rest, though theFourth of July rain stormwas repeated. Lee's army had reached the Potomac,andnotbeingabletocrossbyreasonofthehighwater,wasentrenchingonthenorth side.Meade's army was concentrating in the vicinity but seemed in nohurry about it. During the day some heavy siege guns, coming down themountain road, passed throughBoonsborough going to the front.A big battlewasexpectedtobeginatanymoment,andwewonderedwhytherewassomuchdeliberation, when Lee's army was apparently in a trap with a swollen riverbehind it. It did not seem possible that he would be permitted to escape intoVirginiawithoutfightingabattle.TothecavalryofKilpatrick'sdivision,which

hadbeenmarchingandcountermarchingoverallthecountrybetweentheSouthmountain and the Potomac river, the delay was inexplicable. Every trooperbelievedthattheArmyofthePotomachadtheconfederacybythethroat,atlast,andthatvigorousandpersistenteffortwouldspeedilycrushthelifeoutofit.

Butnobattletookplaceand,onthemorningofthe8th,Stuart'scavalrywhichwasnowcoveringLee'sfront,wasattackedinfrontofBoonsboroughbyBufordand Kilpatrick, and a hard battle resulted. Most of the fighting was donedismounted, the commands being deployed as skirmishers. Custer's brigadeoccupiedtheextremeleftoftheline,andIthinktheSixththeleftofthebrigade.Theenemywasalsoon foot, thoughmanymountedofficers couldbe seenontheir line.Wehadhere agoodopportunity to test thequalities of theSpencercarbinesand,armedaswewere,weprovedmorethanamatchforanyforcethatwasencountered.Thefiringwasverysharpattimes,andtookonthecharacterof skirmishing, themen taking advantage of every cover that presented itself.Theconfederateswerebehindastonefence,weinapieceofwoodsalongarailfence, which ran along the edge of the timber. Between was an open field.Several times theyattempted tocomeover thestonewall,andadvanceonourposition, but each time were driven back. Once an officer jumped up on thefence and tried towavehismen forward.A shot fromaSpencerbrought himheadlongtotheground,andafterthatnoonehadthetemeritytoexposehimselfinthatway.

At this stage of the battle (it must have been about eleven o'clock in theforenoon)asingularthinghappened.Itisoneofthosenumberlessincidentsthatdo not appear in official reports, and which give to individual reminiscencestheiruniqueinterest.

Anofficer,dressed inblue,with the regulationcavalryhat, ridingabayhorsewhichhadthelookofathoroughbred,rodealonginrearofourlinewithanairof authority, and with perfect coolness said, as he passed from right to left,"GeneralKilpatrickordersthatthelinefallbackrapidly."Theorderwasobeyedpromptly, though it struck us as strange that such a strong position should begivenupwithoutastruggle.WehadnotbeenunderKilpatrick longenoughtorecognizeallthemembersofhisstaffonsight,anditdidnotoccurtoanyoneatthetimetoquestionthefellow'sauthorityormakehimshowhiscredentials.

Thelineleftthewoodsandretreatedtoagooddefensivepositiononaridgeofhighgroundfacingthewoods,theenemymeantimeadvancingwithayelltothetimberwehadabandoned.ThenitwaslearnedthatKilpatrickhadgivennosuch

order,butthe"staffofficer"haddisappearedand,whenwecametothinkaboutit,nobodycoulddescribehimveryclosely.Hehadseemedtoflitalongtheline,givingtheorderbutstoppingnowhere,andleavingnoveryclearideaastohowhe looked. There is but little doubt that he was an audacious confederate,probablyoneofStuart'sscoutsclothedinfederaluniform,whomadeathoroughtourofinspectionofourline,andthen,afterseeingusfallback,verylikelyledhis own line to the position which he secured by this daring stratagem. Theconfederateswere up to such tricks, and occasionally the yankeeswere smartenoughtogivethemaRolandfortheirOliver.

Itwas presently necessary to advance and drive the enemy out of thewoods,whichwasdoneingallantstyle,thewholelinejoining.Thistimetherewasnostopping, but the pursuit was kept up for several miles. I can hear gallantWeber'svoicenow,asheshouted,"Forward,mymen,"andleapingtothefrontledtheminthecharge.

TheFifthMichiganwas toourright,andColonelAlgerwhowas incommandwaswoundedinthelegandhadtoleavethefield.Wedidnotseehimagainforsome time, the command devolving upon Lieutenant Colonel Gould who, inturn,washimselfwoundedadayortwolater,andMajorLutherS.Trowbridge,whodidsuchgallantfightingatGettysburg,succeededtothecommand.

From the night of the 8th to themorning of the 11th therewas an interval ofquietude. The cavalry was waiting and watching for Lee or Meade to dosomethingand,tothecreditoftheuniontroopers,itmustbesaidthattheywereeagerfortheconflicttobeginbelieving,astheydid,thatthewaroughttoendinaday.

July 11, early in the morning, an attack was made on the lines aroundHagerstown, which developed a hornets' nest of sharpshooters armed withtelescopic rifles,whocouldpickaman's earoffhalf-a-mile away.Thebulletsfromtheirgunshadapeculiarsound,somethinglikethebuzzofabumble-bee,andthetroopers'horseswouldstop,prickuptheirearsandgazeinthedirectionwhencethehumofthoseinvisiblemessengerscouldbeheard.Unabletoreachthemmounted,we finally deployeddismounted along a staked rail fence.Theconfederateswere behind trees and shocks of grain, at least half-a-mile away.Theywould get the range so accurately that it was dangerous to stand still amoment.Itwaspossible,however,tododgethebulletsbyobservingthepuffsofsmokefromtheirguns.Thedistancewassogreat that thepuffwasseensomesecondsbeforethereportwasheard,andbeforethearrivaloftheleadenmissile.

Bymoving to therightor left theshotcouldbeavoided,which inmanycaseswassoaccuratelyaimedastohavebeenfatal,haditbeenawaited.OnceIwasslowaboutmoving.Thescampinmyimmediatefronthadevidentlysingledmeout and was sending them in so close as to make it sure that he was takingdeadlyaim.Itookmyeyeoffhisnaturalfortressforaninstant,whenhefired,andbeforeIcouldjump,theballstruckarailinfrontofme,andpassingthroughtherail,felltothegroundatmyfeet.

Most of themenwere content to keep behind the fence and try and give theconfederates as good as they sent, aiming at the points whence the puffs ofsmokecame.But therewasonedaring fellow,Halleckbyname,whoclimbedover the fence and amused himself shelling and eating the wheat while hedodged the bullets. So keen an eye did he keep out for the danger, that heescapedwithout a scratch.While hewas there amannamedMattoon, a goodsoldier,cameup,andseeingHalleck,jumpedoverwiththeexclamation,"Whatare you doing here?" "Just wait a minute and you will see," said Halleck.Mattoonwasa fat,chubbyfellow,and in justabout"aminute"abullet struckhimintheface,goingthroughthefleshypartofthecheekandmakingthebloodspout."I toldyouso,"saidHalleck,whokeptoneatingwheatanddefyingthesharpshooters,whowereunabletohithim,thoughhewasaconspicuoustarget.Thesecretofitwashedidnotstandstill,butkeptmoving,andtheyhadtohithim, if atall, likeabirdon thewingwhichat thedistancewasahardshot tomake.

Theentiredaywaspassedinthiskindofskirmishing,anditwasbothdangerousand exciting.Themenhad lots of funout of it, andonly a fewof themwereshot,thoughthereweremanynarrowescapes.

On the morning of July 14, the Third cavalry division marched over theHagerstownpike,intoWilliamsport.Therewasnoenemythere.LeehadgivenMeadetheslip.Hisarmywasacross thePotomac, inVirginiaoncemore,safefrompursuit.Ashe reineduphis faithful steedupon thenorthernbankof thebroad river, theunion trooper lookedwistfullyat thecountrybeyond.WellheknewthatLeehadescaped,likeabirdfromthesnare,andcouldmarchleisurelyback to his strongholds.Visions of the swamps of theChickahominy, ofBullRun, of Fredericksburg, of Chancellorsville, passed before his mind as withpensivethoughthegazedupontheshiningvalleyoftheShenandoah,stretchingaway to the southward inmellowperspective.Hewonderedhow long the twoarmies were to continue the work of alternately chasing each other back andforth across this battle-ground of the republic. The wide, majestic river, no

longer vexed by the splashing tread of passing squadrons, with smooth andtranquil flow swept serenely along, the liquid notes of its rippling eddiesseemingtomockatthedisappointmentofthebaffledpursuer.Thecalmserenityof the scene was in sharp contrast with the stormy passions of the men whosoughttodisturbitwiththesternfatalitiesofwar.Thevalley,richwithgoldenharvests, presented a charming dissolving view, melting away in the dimdistance. On the left, the smoky summits of the Blue mountains marked theeastern limits of this "storehouse of the confederacy," the whole forming apictureinwhichbeautyandgrandeurwerestrikinglyblended.

But thisreverieof thesoldierwassoonrudelydisturbed.Wordcamethat theywerenotallacrossafterall.Fivemilesbelow,atFallingWaters,inabendoftheriver, was a fordwhere a portion of Longstreet's corpswas yet to cross on apontoonbridge.KilpatrickstartedoffinhothasteforFallingWaters,determinedtostrikethelastblowonnorthernsoil.TheSixthMichiganwasinadvance,twotroops—BandF—underMajorWeber,actingasadvanceguard.KilpatrickandCuster followed Weber; then came Colonel Gray with the remainder of theregiment.

ThemarchfromWilliamsporttoFallingWaterswasawildride.Forthewholedistancethehorseswerespurredtoagallop.Kilpatrickwasafraidhewouldnotgetthereintimetoovertaketheenemy,sohesparedneithermannorbeast.Theroadwassoftandmiry,andthehorsessankalmost to theirkneesinthestickymud. For this reason the column straggled, and it was not possible to keep asingletroopclosedupinsetsoffours.Atsucharapidratethecolumnplungedthroughthemuddyroads,Weberandhislittleforceleading.

On nearing Falling Waters, the column turned to the right through a wood,which skirteda largecultivated field.To the right and front, beyond the field,wasahighhillorknollonwhichanearthworkhadbeenthrownup.Behindtheearthwork a considerable force of confederate infantry was seen in bivouac,evidentlytakingarest,witharmsstacked.Asamatteroffact,for itwillbeaswell toknowwhatwas there, though thegeneral incommandmadevery littlenoteofitatthetime,thereweretwobrigades—anentiredivision—commandedby General Pettigrew, one of the men who participated in Pickett's charge atGettysburg.

On sighting this force,Custer orderedWeber to dismount hismen, advance aline of skirmishers toward the hill and ascertain what he had to encounter.KilpatrickhoweverorderedWebertoremountandchargethehill.Atthattime

nootherportionoftheregimenthadarrivedsoastosupportthecharge.

Weber,knowingno law for a soldier except implicit obedience toorders, firstsaw hismenwell closed up, then placed himself at their head and giving theorder"Forward,"emergedfromthewoodsintotheopenfield,tookthetrotuntilnearthetopoftheslope,closetotheearthworks,andthenwithashoutthelittlebandoflessthanahundredmenchargedrightintothemidstoftentimestheirnumber of veteran troops.The first onset surprised and astonished the enemy,who had mistaken Weber's force for a squadron of their own cavalry. Theaudacityofthethingdazedthemforaminute,andforaminuteonly.

Weber,cuttingrightandleftwithhissaber,andcheeringonhismen,piercedthefirst line,but therecouldbebutoneresult.Recoveringfromtheirsurprise, theconfederate infantry rallied, and seizing their arms, made short work of theirdaring assailants. In a fewminutes, of the three officers in the charge, two—WeberandBolza—laydeadonthefield,andtheother—Crawford—hadhislegshatteredsoithadtobeamputated.

Thetwobravetroopsweremorethandecimated,thoughaconsiderablenumbersucceededinescapingwiththeirlives.

This charge which Kilpatrick in his official report characterized as "the mostgallantevermade,"wasdescribedbyaconfederateeye-witnesswhowasonthehillwithPettigrewandwhowroteanaccountoftheaffairforasouthernpaperseveralyearsago,as"achargeofdare-devils."

PETERA.WEBER

Inthemeantime,justasWeber'scommandwasrepulsed,theothersquadronsoftheregimentbegantoarrive,andwerehurriedacrossthefieldtothefootofthehill, and there dismounted to fight, dressing to the left as they successivelyreachedthealignmentandopeningfirewiththeirSpencersatonce.Buthavingdisposedofthetwomountedtroops,theconfederatesfilledtheearthworks,andbegantosendashowerofbulletsatthosealreadyformedorformingbelow.

Mytroopwasthefourthfromtherearoftheregiment,andconsequentlyseveralprecededitontheline.WhenIreachedthefence,alongthesideofthefieldnextthewoods, I foundLieutenantA.E.Tower,who since thedeathof Jewett hadbeen acting adjutant, at the gap giving orders. He directed me to take mycommandacross the field, and formon the right of that next preceding. I hadriddensorapidlythatonlyafewmenhadkeptupthepace,andtheremainderwere strung out for some distance back. But taking those that were up, andaskingtheadjutanttotelltheotherstofollow,Idashedintothefield,andsoonfound that we were the targets for the enemy on the hill, who made the airvibrantwiththewhizofbullets.Itwashot,butwemadeourwayacrosswithoutbeinghit, and reached theplacewhere the regimentwas trying to form,under

fireofmusketryfromthehill,andgettingbadlycutup.Reiningupmyhorse,Igave the order, "Dismount, to fight on foot" and, glancing back, sawmymencominginsinglefile,reachingtothefence—probablyaneighthofamile—andthe rearhadnotyet left thewoods.The two leadingsetsof fourswhichalonewere closed up obeyed the order and, dismounting to direct the alignment, Isteppedinfrontofmyhorse,stillholdingthebridlereininmyrighthand,whenaminiebullet fromthehill infrontwithavicious thudwent throughmyrightfoot,makingwhatthesurgeoninWashingtonafterwardssaidwasthe"prettiestwoundIeversaw."

I triedtostandbutcouldnot.Thefootwasuseless.PrivateHalleck—thesamewhowaseatingwheatatHagerstownafewdaysbefore—jumpedtomyrescueandhelpedmeoffthefield.

Back of our position some distance, say 500 yards, was a log house in anorchard. To this we directed our steps, I leaning on Halleck's shoulder, andhopping along on the unhurt foot. The most uncomfortable experience I hadduring the war I believe was during the passage across the open field to theorchard.Ourbackswere to thefoeand thewhistlingbulletswhichcame thickandfastallaboutservedtoaccelerateourspeed.Iexpectedeverymomenttobeshotintheback.Onepoorfellow,alreadywounded,whowastryingtoruntotherear,wasmakingdiagonallyacrossthefieldfromtheright.Ashewasabouttopassusabulletstruckhimandhefelldeadinhistracks.Hallecksucceededingettingtothehouse,whereheleftmewiththeremark:"Youareallrightnow,captain,theboysneedmeandIwillgobackontheline."Andbackhewentintothethickestofit,andfoughtgallantlytotheendoftheengagement,asIlearnedbyinquiryafterwards.

Afteralittle,theconfederatesdroveourlinebackbeyondthehouse,anditwas,forperhapsanhour,ontheneutralgroundbetweenfriendsandfoes.Shellsfromtheopposingbatterieshurtledaround,andIdidnotknowwhatmomentoneofthem would come crashing through the building. A hospital flag had beendisplayedaboveit,whichsavedit.

Finally,sufficientforcearrivedtogiveourpeoplethebestofit,andtheenemywas driven in confusion to the river, losing about 1,500prisoners, one or twopiecesofartilleryandmanysmallarms.GeneralPettigrewwaskilledbyWeberoroneofhismen.UntilthebattlewasoverIdidnotknowwhatfearfullosseshadbefallentheregiment.Thetotalcasualtieswere33killedand56wounded.The loss in officers was heavy: Major Weber, killed; Lieutenant Bolza,

commandingtroopB,killed;LieutenantPotter,troopC,woundedandprisoner;Captain Royce, troop D, killed; Captain Kidd, troop E, wounded; LieutenantCrawford, troop F, lost a leg; Lieutenant Kellogg, troop H, wounded and aprisoner.

The story of "The Michigan Cavalry Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign,"properlyendswith thedeathofGeneralPettigrewandMajorWeberatFallingWaters. No more brilliant passage at arms took place during the war for theunion,andit isapitythatsomemoreablehistoriancouldnothavewrittenthestoryandimmortalizedthemen,bothdeadandlivingwhohadapartinit.[15]

CHAPTERXIII

FROMFALLINGWATERSTOBUCKLANDMILLS

The night following the battle of Falling Waters, July 14, 1863, was amemorable one to theMichigan cavalry brigade, especially to thosewho likemyself passed it in the field hospital. The log house intowhich thewoundedwere takenwas filledwithmaimed and dying soldiers, dressed in union blue.Theentiremedicalstaffofthedivisionhaditshandsfullcaringforthesufferers.Many were brought in and subjected to surgical treatment only to die in theoperation,orsoonthereafter.Probeswerethrustintogapingwoundsinsearchofthedeadlymissiles,ortotracethecourseoftheinjury.Bandagesandlintwereappliedtostoptheflowofblood.Splinteredboneswereremovedandshatteredlimbsamputated.Allnightlongmyearswerefilledwiththegroanswrungfromstoutheartsbytheagoniesofpain,andthemoansof themortallyhurtas theirlives ebbed slowly away. One poor fellow, belonging to the First Michigancavalry,wasinthesameroomwithme.Hehadagun-shotwoundinthebowels.Itwasfatal,andheknewit,forthesurgeonhaddonehisdutyandtoldhimthetruth.Hewasamanlyandrobustyoungsoldierwhobutafewhoursbeforehadbeen thepictureofhealth,going intobattlewithouta tremorandreceivinghisdeathwoundlikeahero.Forhours,Iwatchedandwonderedatthefortitudewithwhichhefacedhisfate.Notamurmurofcomplaintpassedhislips.Rackedwithpain and conscious that but a fewhours of life remained to him, he talked asplacidly about hiswound, his condition andhis comingdissolution, as thoughconversing about something of common, everyday concern. He was moresolicitous about others than about himself, and passed away literally like one"who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasantdreams."Hediedaboutthreeo'clockinthemorningandIcouldalmostfeeltherealityoftheflightofhistranquilspirit.

Instrikingcontrasttothepicturethuspresented,wasoneintheroomadjoining.Another trooperalso fatallywounded, suffered sokeenly fromshockandpainthathis fortitudegaveway.Hecouldnotbear the thoughtofdeath.Hisnerveappearedtohavedesertedhimandhisanguishofmindandbody,ashesawtherelentless approach of the grimmonster and felt his icy breath,will hauntmymemorytillImyselfshallhavejoinedthegreatarmyofunionveteranswhoarebeyondthereachofpainandtheneedofpensions.

Myownwoundgavelittleannoyanceexceptwhenthesurgeonrananironcalledaprobeintoit,whichattemptmetwithsovigorousaprotestfromhispatientthathe desisted and that form of treatment stopped right there, so far as onecavalryman was concerned. The wound was well bandaged and plentifulapplicationsofcoldwaterkeptouttheinflammation.

Manyoftheofficersandmencameintoexpresstheirsympathy.Someofthementertainedmewiththeusualmockcongratulationsonhavingwona"leave"andaffected to regard me as a lucky fellow while they were the real objects ofsympathy.

But the circumstances were such as to repress mirth or anything of thatsemblance.The regimentwas inmourning for its bravest andbest.TheSixth,havingbeenthefirst regiment toget into thefight,hadsufferedmoreseverelythananyother.Thelosseshadbeengrievous,anditseemedhardthatsomanybrightlightsofourlittlefamilyshouldbesosuddenlyextinguished.

At daylight I was still wide awake but, even amidst such scenes as I havedescribed, fatigue finally overcameme and I sank into dreamland only to bestartled, at first, by the fancied notes of the bugle sounding "to horse" or theshoutsofhorsemenengagedin thefray.At last,however,"tirednature'ssweetrestorer"cametomyreliefandIfellintoadreamlesssleepthatlastedforseveralhours.

When I awoke it was with a delightful sense of mind and body rested andrestored.Thewoundedfoothadceaseditspain.Agentlehandwasbathingmyface with cold water from the well, while another was straightening out thetangled lockswhich, to tell the truth,were somewhatunkempt andovergrownfromenforcedneglect.Twoladiesfullofsympathyfortheyouthfulsoldierwerethus kindly ministering to his comfort. As soon as fully awake to hissurroundings, he openedhis eyes and turned themwithwhatwasmeant for alookof gratitude upon the fair friendswho seemed like visiting angels in thatplaceofmiseryanddeath.

It was an incongruous picture that presented itself—a strange blending of thegrewsomesightsofwarwith thebeautifulenvironmentsofpeace.Thewontedtranquility of this rural household had been rudely disturbed by the suddenclangorofarms.Aterriblestormofbattle—themoreterriblebecauseunforeseen—had broken in upon the quietude of their home. In the early hours of themorning it had raged all around them. At the first sound of its approach the

terrifiedinmatesfledto thecellarwheretheyremainedtill itpassed.Theyhadcomeforthtofindtheirhouseturnedintoahospital.

The kindness of those ladies is something that the union trooper has neverforgotten,fortheyflittedacrosshispathway,atransientvisionofgentlenessandmercyinthatsceneofcarnageandsuffering.

Itwaswithamelancholy interest that Igazeduponthepallidfaceofmydeadcomrade of the First,who lay, a peaceful smile upon his featureswhichwerebathedinafloodofgoldenlight,asthehotraysoftheJulysunpenetratedtheapartment.Themaninthehallwasalsodead.Othersofthewoundedwerelyingontheirimprovisedcouches,ascomfortableastheycouldbemade.

Intheafternoontheambulancetrainarrived.Thewoundedwereloadedtherein,andstartedforHagerstown,biddingfarewelltothosewhoremainedonduty,andwho had already received marching orders which would take them back into"OldVirginia."

ThejourneytoHagerstownwasbywayofWilliamsportandthesamepikewehadmarchedoveron the6thof themonthwhenJewettwaskilled,andon themorning of the 14th when Weber was riding to "one more saber charge" atFallingWaters.

Nothingismoredepressingthantopassovergroundwhereabattlehasrecentlybeenfought.Anyveteranwillsaythathepreferstheadvancetotheretreat—thefronttotherearofanarmy.Thetruesoldierwouldratherbeontheskirmish-linethaninthehospitaloramongthetrains.Menwhocanfacethecannon'smouthwithoutflinching,shrinkfromthesurgeon'sknifeandtheamputating-table.Theexcitement,thenoise,thebugle'snoteandbeatofdrum,theroarofartillery,theshriekofshell,thevolleyofmusketry,the"zip"ofbulletor"ping"ofspentball,theorderlymovementofmassesofmen, theshoutingoforders, thewavingofbattle-flags—all these things inflame the imagination, stir the blood, andstimulatemen to heroic actions.Above all, the consciousness that the eyes ofcomrades are upon him, puts a man upon his mettle and upon his pride, andcompels him oftentimes to simulate a contempt for dangerwhich he does notfeel.Thesensesaretoo,insomesort,deadenedtothehazardsofthesceneand,inbattle,onefindshimselfdoingwithresolutewill thingswhichundernormalconditionswouldfillhimwithabhorrence.

Menfightfrommingledmotives.Pride,thefearofdisgrace,ambition,thesenseofduty—all contribute tokeep thecourageup to the stickingpoint.Few fight

because they like it. The bravest are thosewho, fully alive to the danger, arepossessed of that sublimemoral heroismwhich sustains them in emergenciesthatdauntweakermen.

But, when the excitement is over, when the pomp and circumstance areeliminated, when the unnatural ardor has subsided, when the tumult and rushhavepassed,leavingbehindonlythedismaleffects—theruinanddesolation,themangled corpses of the killed, the saddening spectacle of the dying, thesufferings of the wounded—the bravest would, if he could, blot these thingsfromhissightandfromhismemory.

ThenightinthefieldhospitalatFallingWatersdidmoretoputoutthefiresofmymilitaryspiritandtoquenchmymartialambitionthandidalltheexperiencesofHunterstownandGettysburg,ofBoonsboroughandWilliamsport.And,astheambulancetrainladenwithwoundedwounditstortuouswaythroughthetheaterofmanyabloodyrecentrencounter,itsetinmotionatrainofreflectionswhichwerebynomeanspleasing.Theabandonedarmsandaccouterments;thedebrisof broken-down army wagons; the wrecks of caissons and gun-carriages; thebloatedcarcassesofonceproudandsleekcavalrychargers;themoundsshowingwheretheearthhadbeenhastilyshoveledovertheformsoflatecompanions-in-arms;everythingwassuggestiveofthedesolation,nothingoftheglory,ofwar.

It was nearly darkwhen the long train of ambulances halted in the streets ofHagerstown.Somelargebuildingshadbeentakenforhospitalsandthewoundedwere being placed therein as the ambulances successively arrived. Thisconsumedmuchtimeand,whilewaitingfortheforwardwagonstobeunloaded,it occurred tome that itwould be a nice thing to obtain quarters in a privatehouse.Barnhart, first sergeantof the troop,whoaccompaniedme,proposed tomakeinquiryatonce,andranupthestonestepsofacomfortable-lookingbrickhouseopposite theambulanceandrang thebell. Inamoment thedooropenedandapleasantvoiceinquiredwhatwaswanted.

"Awoundedofficerintheambulanceyonderwantstoknowifyouwilltakehimin for a day or two until he can get ordered toWashington. He has funds torecompenseyouanddoesnotliketogotothehospital."

"Certainly,"repliedthevoice,"bringhimin."

AndBarnhart, takingme inhisarms,carriedme into thehouseand,guided tothesecondfloorby thesame ladywhohadmethimat thedoor,depositedhisburdenonacouch inawell furnishedapartmentandwewerebidden tomake

ourselvesathome.

Inalittlewhile,anicehotsupperoftea, toast,eggsandbeefsteak,enoughforboth,wasbroughttotheroombyourhospitablehostess,whoseemedtotakethegreatestpleasureinservingherguestswithherownhands.Laterintheevening,shecalledwithherhusbandandtheyformallyintroducedthemselves.Theywereyoung married people with one child, a beautiful little girl of six or eightsummers.Hewas amerchant and kept a store in an adjoining building. Theyspenttheeveningintheroom,chattingofthestirringeventsofthemonthand,indeed, their experiences had been scarcely less exciting than our own.Hagerstown had been right in the whirl of the battle-storm which had beenraginginMaryland.Botharmieshadpassedthroughitsstreetsandbivouackedin its environs. More than once the opposing forces had contended forpossessionofthetown.Twicetheunioncavalryhadchargedinanddriventheconfederatesout,andoncehadbeenforced,themselves,tovacateinahurry.Itwasalmost insideits limits thatCaptainSnyder,of theFirstMichigancavalry,serving on Kilpatrick's staff, had with the saber fought single-handed fiveconfederate horsemen and he was lying wounded mortally in a neighboringbuilding. Our kind host and hostess entertained us until a late hour withinterestingrecitalsofwhattheyhadseenfromtheinsideor"betweenthelines."

Thatnightafterarefreshingbath,withheadpillowedindown,Istowedmyselfawaybetweensnowysheets foradreamlesssleep that lasteduntil thesunwashighup in the easternheavens.Barnhartwas alreadyastir and soonbrought asurgeontodiagnosethecaseanddecidewhatdispositionshouldbemadeofthepatient. Then the L—s and their little daughter came in with a cheery "goodmorning" and a steaming breakfast of coffee, cakes and other things fragrantenoughandtemptingenoughtoticklethesensesofanepicure.And,notcontentwith providing the best of what the house afforded, Mr. L. brought in thechoicestofcigarsbythehandful,insistingonmyfindingsolaceinthefumesofthefragrantweed.

"Donotbeafraidtosmokeinyourroom,"saidthesunnyMrs.L.,"myhusbandsmokesandIamnottheleastbitafraidthatitwillharmthefurnishings."

Iglancedwithadeprecatorygestureatthelacecurtainsandotherrichfurnitureof the room, as much as to say, "Could not think of it," and in fact, beforelightingacigar,ItookaseatbytheopenwindowwhereIsatandpuffedthebluesmokeintotheblueratmosphere,beguilingthetimethewhile,talkingwiththesegoodfriendsaboutthewar.

Thatwastheverypoetryofasoldier'slife.Forthebetterpartofaweekthetwocavalrymenweretheguestsofthathospitablefamilywho,atthelast,declinedtoreceiveanyremunerationfortheirkindness.

ThejourneytoWashingtonwasbyrail.Inthecarsgroupsofinterestedcitizens,andsoldiersaswell,questioneduseagerlyforthelatestnewsfromthefront,andourtongueswerekeptbusyansweringasteadyfireofquestions.Noincidentofthecampaignwastootrivialtofindwillingearstolistenwhenitwastold.TheoperationsofKilpatrick'sdivisionseemedtobewellknownandtherewasmuchcomplimentarycommentuponhisenergyandhisdash.ThenameofCuster,"theboygeneral,"was seeminglyonevery tongueand therewasnodispositiononourparttoconcealthefactthatwehadbeenwiththem.

Arriving at the capital in the middle of the day, we were driven to theWashingtonhouse,atthecornerofPennsylvaniaavenueandFour-and-one-halfstreet,wherea roomwasengagedandpreparationsweremade to remainuntilthesurgeonwouldsayitwassafetostartforhome.

CHARLESE.STORRS

TheWashington housewas a hotel of the second class butmany nice people

stopped there. Among the regular guests was Senator Henry Wilson, ofMassachusetts, afterwards elected vice-president on the ticket with Grant. Hewasaverymodestman,plainindressandunassuminginmanner.Noonewouldhave suspected from his bearing that he was a senator and from the greatcommonwealth of Massachusetts. The colleague of Charles Sumner, HenryWilsonwas at that time one of the ablest,mostwidely-known and influentialstatesmen of his day. Conspicuous among the anti-slavery leaders of NewEngland, his voice always had been heard in defense of human rights. Hisloyalty to the union was equaled only by his devotion to the interests of thesoldiers.Helivedaquiet,unostentatiouslife,atthehotel,wherehiswell-knownfaceandfigurecouldbeseenwhenthesenatewasnotinsession.Hewasamanof strongmentality,of sturdy frameandmarked individuality.Aschairmanofthe committeeonmilitary affairs hehadbeen able tomakehimself extremelyusefultothegovernmentintheprosecutionofthewar,andthesoldiersfoundinhim always a friend. He was very agreeable and companionable, and did notholdhimselfalooffromthecommonherd,assmallermeninhispositionmighthavedone.Hewasseenoftenchattingwithotherguestsofthehouse,whentheywere gathered in the parlors, after or awaiting meals. Once, I met him at animpromptu dancing party, and he entered into the amusementwith the zest ofyouth.

A month in Washington, and a surgeon's certificate secured the necessary"leave" when, accompanied by Lieutenant C.E. Storrs of troop "B," who hadbeen severely wounded in one of the engagements in Virginia, after FallingWaters, I started by the Pennsylvania line, for the old home in Michigan,stoppingacoupleofdays,enroute,atAltoona,tobreathethefreshmountainair.

Resuming the journey, we reached Pittsburg, to be met at the station by acommitteestationed there for thepurposeof lookingout for thecomfortofallsoldiers who passed through the city, either going or coming. We wereconductedtoacommodiousdininghall,whereafreedinner,cookedandservedby the fairhandsof thepatriotic ladiesof the"SmokyCity,"was furnished. Itwas an experiencewhich left in ourminds amost grateful appreciationof thenoblespiritthatactuatedtheNorthernwomeninwartimes.

Itwasscarcetwo-thirdsofayearsince,asschoolboysinnocentofwar,thoughwearing theunionblue,wehadgone forth to tryourmettleas soldiers, and itneedsnottobesaidthattherewasawarmwelcomehomefortheveteransfreshfrom one of themostmemorablemilitary campaigns in all the history of theworld.Thegreetings thenand there receivedwere ample compensation for all

thatwehaddoneanddaredandsuffered.Icanneverforgethowkindthepeoplewere;howtheygatheredattherailroadstation;howcordiallytheygraspedusbythe hand; how solicitous they were for our comfort; how tenderly we werenursed back to health and strength; how fondly an affectionate mother hunguponeverywordaswetoldthestoryoftheexploitsoftheboysinthefield;howgenerouslytheneighborsdroppedintooffercongratulations;howeagerlytheyinquired about absent friends; how earnestly they discussed the prospect ofultimatevictory;howdeepandabidingwastheirfaithinthejusticeofthecauseandintheabilityofthegovernmenttomaintaintheunion;andhowdeterminedthat nothingmust beheldback thatwasneeded to accomplish that result. Forsome days there was a regular levee beneath my father's roof and the goodpeopleof the towngave theunionsoldiermuchcause to remember themwithgratitudeaslongashelives.

Only in a single instance was anything said that seemed obnoxious to a nicesense of propriety, or that marred the harmony of an almost universallyexpressedsentimentofpatrioticapprovalofwhatwasdoingtopreservethelifeof thenation—asentiment inwhichpartisanismorpartypoliticscutno figurewhatever. One caller had the bad taste to indulge in severe and unfriendlycriticismof"OldAbe,"ashecalledthepresident.ThatwasgoingtoofarandIdefendedMr.Lincolnagainsthisanimadversionswithallthewarmth,ifnottheeloquence,oftheexperiencedadvocate—certainlywiththeearnestnessbornofasincereadmirationforAbrahamLincolnandloveofhisnobletraitsofcharacter,his single-hearted devotion to his country. I had seen him in Washingtonweigheddownwithatremendousloadofresponsibilitysuchasfewmencouldhaveendured.IhadnotedasIgraspedhishandtheterriblestrainunderwhichheseemedtobesuffering;theappearanceofwearinesswhichhebroughtwithhimtotheinterview;thepale,anxiouscastofhiscountenance;thepiteous,far-awaylookofhiseyes;andbyallthesetokenshesaid,asplainlyasifhehadputitintowords;"Loveandsolicitudeformycountryareslowly,butsurely,wearingawaymy life." I saw shining through his homely features the spirit of one of thegrandest,noblest,mostlovableofthecharacterswhohavebeenbroughtbytheexigenciesoffatetotheheadofhumanaffairs.Thesoldierslovedhimandtheyidealizedhim.Hewas to themthepersonificationof theunioncause.Thedayforthediscussionofabstractprincipleshadlonggoneby.Theiridealhadceasedtobe an impersonal one.All the hope, the faith, the patriotismof the soldierscenteredaround thepersonalityof thepresident. In theireyesand thoughts,hestoodfortheideaofnationality,asLutherstoodforreligiousliberty,Cromwellforparliamentaryprivilege,orWashingtonforcolonialindependence.Toblame

him,was tocensure theboys inblueand thecause forwhich they fought.NomanwhoseheartwasnotwhollywiththeNorthernarmiesinthestruggle,couldrisetoanappreciationofthecharacterofLincoln.

ButthegreatheartoftheNorthneverceasedtobeatinharmonywiththemusicoftheunion.Theexceptionstotheruleweresorareastoscarcelymeritnotice.The"copperheads"and"knightsofthegoldencircle"willhardlycutsomuchofafigureinhistoryasdothetoriesoftheRevolution.

On the 11th day ofOctober, 1863, after an absence of threemonths duration,duringwhichtimeIhadbeencommissionedmajortofillthevacancycausedbythedeathofWeber,ItookpassageatWashingtononaramshackletrainovertheOrange andAlexandria railroad to go to the front again.Storrs,whosewoundhadhealed,joinedmeandwemadethejourneytogether.

The train reached Bealton Station, north of the Rappahannock river, a littlebeforedark.Theharbingersofaretreatingarmywerebeginningtotroopinfromthe front. The army of the Potomacwas falling back toward the fastnesses ofCenterville,thearmyofNorthernVirginiainclosepursuit.Meade,whoinJulywaschasingLeeacrossthePotomacbackintoVirginia,washimselfnowbeinghurriedbyLeeovertheRappahannock.Thetableshadbeencompletelyturned.Thepursuedhadbecomethepursuer.

As usual, the flanking process had been resorted to. Using his cavalry as ascreen,LeewasattemptingtomaneuverhisinfantryaroundMeade'srightand,after the manner of Stonewall Jackson in the Second Bull Run campaign of1862,interposebetweenthefederalarmyandWashington.

Thanks to the vigilance of his outposts, the union commander detected themovement in time, andwas able to thwart the strategy of his able adversary.Keepinghisarmywellinhand,heretreatedtoBullRun,FairfaxandCenterville.

While thiswasgoingon, therewasaseriesofspiritedencountersbetween theunion and confederate cavalry, commanded by Pleasonton and Stuart,respectively—theformerbringinguptherear,andcoveringtheretreat,thelatterboldandaggressiveaswashiswont.

Theseaffairs,whichbeganonthe9th,culminatedonthe11thinoneofthemostexciting,ifnotbrilliant,engagementsofthewar,Kilpatricktakingaprominentpart, second only to that performed by the heroic John Buford and his Firstcavalrydivision.

Whenthemovementbegan,ontheeveningofthe9th,FitzhughLeewaslefttoholdthelinealongthesouthbankoftheRapidanriver,Buford'scavalrydivisionconfronting him on the north side. Stuart, with Hampton's division of threebrigades,HamptonbeingstilldisabledfromthewoundsreceivedatGettysburg,spent the 10th swarming on the right flank of the confederate army, in thecountrybetweenMadisonCourtHouseandWoodvilleon theSperryvillepike.Kilpatrickwas in the vicinity of Culpeper Court House. Stuart succeeded notonly inveiling themovementsof theconfederatearmycompletely,buton themorningofthe11th,foundtimetoconcentratehisforcesandattackKilpatrickatCulpeper. Buford crossed the Rapidan to make a reconnoissance, andencounteringFitzhughLee,recrossedatRaccoonFord,closelyfollowedbythelatter. The pursuitwas kept up throughStevensburg,Buford retreating towardBrandyStation.

WhenStuartheardFitzhughLee'sguns,hewithdrewfromKilpatrick'sfrontandstarted across country, intending to head off the federal cavalry and reachFleetwood,thehighgroundneartheBrandyStation,inadvanceofbothBufordandKilpatrick.The latter,however, soondiscoveredwhatStuartwas trying todo, and then began a horse race of three converging columns toward BrandyStation, Stuart on the left,Buford followed byFitzhughLee on the right, andKilpatrick in thecenter.Bufordwas infirstand tookpossessionofFleetwood.RosserwithoneofLee'sbrigades,formedfacingBuford,sothatwhentheheadofKilpatrick'scolumnapproached,Rosserwasacrossitspath,butfrontinginthedirectionopposite to that fromwhich itwascoming.Kilpatrick,besetonbothflanksandinrear,andseeingaforceoftheenemyinfrontalso,andignorantofBuford's whereabouts, formed his leading regiments and proceeded to chargethrough to where Buford was getting into position. This charge was led byPleasonton,CusterandKilpatrick, inperson.Rosser, seeingwhatwascoming,and caught between two fires, dextrouslywithdrew to one side, andwhen therearofKilpatrick'sdivisionwasoppositetohim,chargeditononeflankwhileStuart assaulted it on the other, and therewas a generalmelee, inwhich eachsideperformedprodigiesofvalorandinflictedseveredamageontheother.TheFirstandFifthMichiganregimentswerewiththeadvance,whiletheSixthandSeventhhelpedtobringuptherear.

Therearof thecolumnhad theworstof itandwasveryroughlyhandled.Thetwo divisions having united, Pleasonton took command and, bringing hisartilleryhurriedlyintoposition,soonhadStuartwhippedtoastandstill.

Allthefightinginthisbattlewasdoneonhorseback,andnomoredaringwork

wasdonebyeitherside,onanyofthebattlefieldsofthewar,thanwasseenatBrandy Station. Those who were in it, describe it as the most stirring andpicturesque scene that they ever witnessed; especially when the three longcolumns,oneofblueandtwoofgray,wereracingonconverginglines towardtheobjectivepointonFleetwoodhill.Itmusthavebeenaprettypicture:Bufordhurryingintolinetofacetotherear;thefederalbatteriesunlimberingandgoingintopositiontoresistthecomingattack;Rossergallopingfrontintoline,tofindhimself attacked front and rear; Kilpatrick, with Rosser in his front, FitzhughLee and Stuart on his flanks; detachments breaking out of the confederatecolumns to attack the flanks and rear of Kilpatrick's flying division; federalregiments halting and facing toward the points of the compass whence theseattacks came; then falling back to new positions, stubbornly contesting everyinchofground;theflutteringofguidonsandbattle-flags,theflashofsabersandpuffsofpistolshots—altogetheramostbrilliantspectacle.

Stuartwaskeptatbayuntilafternightfall,whenPleasontonwithdrewinsafetyacrosstheriver.

IthasbeenclaimedthatBrandyStationwasthegreatestcavalryengagementofthewar.Sheridan,whowasthenstill inthewest,andconsequentlynot"there"awardsthathonortoYellowTavern,foughtthefollowingseason.Doubtlesshewas right, for the latterwas awell plannedbattle inwhich all themovementswerecontrolledbyasinglewill.ButmostofthefightingatYellowTavernwasdoneon foot, thoughCuster'smountedchargeat thecriticalmoment,won theday. Brandy Station was a battle in which all the troopers were kept in thesaddle. It was, however, a battle with no plan, though it is conceded thatPleasonton handled his commandwithmuch skill after the two divisions hadunited. His artillery was particularly effective. Captain Don G. Lovell, of theSixth Michigan, the senior officer present with the regiment, greatlydistinguished himself in the difficult duty of guarding the rear, meetingemergencies as they arosewith the characteristic courage and coolnesswhichdistinguishedhimonalloccasionsonthefieldofbattle.

ThebattleendedaboutthetimeourtrainreachedBealton,soStorrsandImissedtheopportunityoftakingpartinoneofthemostmemorablecontestsofthecivilwar.

Afteranightontheplatformoftherailroadstation,westartedatdawntofindthebrigade.Fromwoundedstragglersthesalienteventsofthepreviousdaywerelearnedand the inferencedrawnfromthe informationwhich theywereable to

givewasthatthecavalrymustbeencampedsomewherenotfaraway.Allagreedthat itwas having a lively experience. Everything, however,was at sixes andsevens and it was only after a long and toilsome search, that the regimentalquartermasterwaslocatedamongthetrains.Myhorse,equipmentsandarmshaddisappeared, but fortunately Storrs found his outfit intact and, having twomounts,heloanedmeone.Selectingfromthequartermaster'ssurplussuppliesagovernment saber, revolver and belt, thus equipped and mounted on Storrs'shorse,Irodeinsearchoftheregiment,whichweascertainedtobeincampinthewoods,somedistanceawayfromthetrains.

Whenat last found, itproved tobea sorry looking regiment,butawreckandremnant of its former self.With two troops ("I" and "M") absent on detachedservice in theShenandoahvalley, theSixthMichiganstarted in theGettysburgcampaign, June 21, with between 500 and 600 troopers in the saddle. WhenStorrs and I rode into that silvan camp, on that brightOctobermorning, therewere less than100men "present for duty" includingnot a single fieldofficer.Manyofthetroopswerecommandedbylieutenants,someofthembysergeants,and one had neither officer nor non-commissioned officer. They had beenfighting,marchingandcountermarching formonths, andhada jaded,dejectedappearance, not pleasant to look upon, and very far removed indeed from thebuoyant and hopeful air with which they entered upon the campaign. At onepoint, during the retreat of the day before, it had been necessary to leap thehorses over a difficult ditch. Many of them fell into it, and the riders wereovertaken by the enemy's horse before they could be extricated.Among thesewasHobart,sergeantmajor,whowastakentoLibbyprison,whereheremaineduntilthenextyear,whenhewasexchanged.

GEORGEA.CUSTER(ABOUT1870)

Thenextthing,wastoreporttoGeneralCusterforduty.Itwasmyfirstpersonalinterviewwiththegreatcavalryman.Hewasathisheadquarters,inthewoods,takinglifeinaslight-heartedawayasthoughhehadnotjustcomeoutofafight,anddidnotexpectotherstocomerightalong.Heactedlikeamanwhomadeabusiness of his profession; who went about the work of fighting battles andwinning victories, as a railroad superintendent goes about the business ofrunningtrains.Wheninaction,hiswholemindwasconcentratedonthedutyandresponsibilityofthemoment;incamp,hewasgenialandcompanionable,blitheas a boy. Indeed he was a boy in years, though a man in courage and indiscretion.

Afterdrawingrationsandforage,themarchwasresumedand,littleofincidentthatwas important intervening, on the14th thedivisionwas encampedon thenorth side ofBullRun, near theGainesville orWarrenton turnpike,whereweremainedundisturbeduntiltheeveningofthe18th,whentheforwardmovementbeganwhichculminatedonthe19thinthebattleofBucklandMills,whichwillbethethemeofthenextchapter.

CHAPTERXIV

THEBATTLEOFBUCKLANDMILLS

BucklandMillswas, insomesort,asequel toBrandyStation.The latterbattlewas a brilliant passage at arms, in which neither side obtained a decisiveadvantage.KilpatrickwasstillpugnaciousandbothwillingandanxioustomeetStuartagain.Thathismindwasfullofthesubjectwasevincedbyaremarkhewas heard to make one morning at his headquarters on the Bull Run battleground.Hewasquartered inahouse,hishostaVirginian tooold tobe in thearmy,andwhoremainedathometolookaftertheproperty.Itwasaclearday,andwhen the general cameout on the porch, the old gentleman accosted himwithacheery:

"Afineday,general!"

"Yes,a—finedayforafight;"wastheinstantreply.

Inmostmenthiswouldhavesoundedlikegasconade.InKilpatrick'scase,itwasnot so considered. He was credited with plenty of pluck, and it was wellunderstoodthathewasnosooneroutofoneaction,thanhewasplanningtogetinto another.He ran into one, a day or two later,which furnished him all theentertainmentofthatkindthathewanted,andmoretoo.

Reconnoissances across Bull Run on the Gainesville road disclosed aconsiderableforceofmountedconfederates.WhentheirpicketsweredriveninbytheSixthMichiganonthe15thandagainbytheFirstMichiganonthe16thstrongreserveswererevealed.Asamatteroffact,StuartwasatBucklandMillswithHampton's division, and FitzhughLeewas at or nearAuburn, but a fewmilesaway.TheyhadtheirheadstogetheranddevisedatrapforKilpatrick,intowhichherodewithhiseyesshut.

Sunday evening, October 18, the Third division moved out across Bull Run,Kilpatrick in command, Custer's brigade leading, Davies[16] with the Firstbrigade bringing up the rear. Stuart's cavalrywas attacked and driven rapidlyuntildarkbytheFirstVermontcavalry[17]underLieutenantColonelAddisonW.Preston, acting as advance guard. Early onMondaymorning,October 19, the

marchwasresumed,theSixthMichiganinadvance.

AboutmidwaybetweenBullRunandBroadRuntheconfederaterearguard,aregimentofYoung'sbrigadeofHampton'sdivision,wasencounteredwhichfellbackbeforetheadvanceoftheSixthMichiganmakingbutslightresistanceandretreating across Broad Run, where it was found that Stuart had taken up astrongposition,formingthethreebrigadesofGordon,RosserandYounginlineontheoppositeside,asiftocontestthecrossing.

The streamwas deep and difficult, spanned at the pike by a stone bridge. Itsbankswerewooded.Stuartstationedapieceofartilleryonthehighgroundsoasto command the bridge and its approaches. A portion of the regiment wasdismounted and advanced to engage the dismounted confederates across thestream.CaptainGeorgeR.MaxwelloftheFirstMichigan,whoseregimentwasatthetimeintherear,rodeupandaskedpermissiontotakeacarbineandgoonfootwith themenof theSixthwhowere infront.Thepermissionwasgrantedand, giving his horse into the charge of an orderly, hewas in a fewmomentsjustifying his already well established reputation as a man of courage, byfighting like an enlistedman, on the skirmish line of a regiment not his own,thusvoluntarilyexceedinganyrequirementsofduty.

Custer rode up with his staff and escort, and halted in the road, making aconspicuousgroup.Stuart'scannoneersplantedashellrightintheirmidst,whichcauseda lively scattering, as theyhadnodesire tobemade targetsof for thatkindofartillerypractice.Fortunatelynoonewaskilled.

Custerthenbroughtuphisentirecommandandformedalineofbattle,theSixthMichigan in the center across the pike, the Fifth Michigan on the right, theSeventhMichiganontheleft, theFirstMichiganandFirstVermontinreserve,mounted. After a somewhat stubborn resistance. Stuart apparently reluctantlywithdrew, permitting Custer to cross though he could have held the positioneasily against ten times his numberwhereas, as the sequel proved, he greatlyoutnumberedKilpatrick.TheSeventhcrossedatafordaboutamilebelow,theother regiments at the bridge. Stuart retreated towardWarrenton. It was thenabout noon, perhaps a little later than that. Kilpatrick came up and orderedCuster to draw in his skirmishers and allowDavies to pass him and take theadvance. Custer massed his command on some level ground, behind a hill,beyondthebridge,andadjacenttothestream.Daviescrossedthebridge,passedthe Michigan brigade, and took up the pursuit of Stuart. Kilpatrick, with hisstaff,followedalongthepikeinrearofDavies'sbrigade.Ashewasmovingoff,

KilpatrickdirectedCustertofollowtheFirstbrigadeandbringuptherear.

This was the very thing that Stuart was waiting for. It had been arrangedbetweenhim andFitzhughLee that he,with his three brigades,[18]was to fallbackwithoutresistancebeforethetwobrigadesoftheThirddivision,untiltheywere drawnwell away from the bridge,whenLee,whowas coming up fromAuburn through thewoods to the left,with thebrigadesofLomax,Chamblissand Wickham and Breathed's battery would swing in across the pike, cutKilpatrick off from the bridge, and then, at the first sound of Lee's guns,Kilpatrickwas to be attacked simultaneously byStuart in front and byLee inrear,andthoroughlywhipped.

Itwasaveryprettybitofstrategyandcameverynearbeingsuccessful.Theplanwasneatlyfrustratedbyoneofthoseapparentaccidentsofwarwhichmakeorunmakemen,accordingastheyarefavorableorunfavorable.

Custerrespectfullybutfirmlydemurredtomovinguntilhismencouldhavetheirbreakfast—rathertheirdinner,fortheforenoonwasalreadyspent.Neithermennorhorseshadhadanythingtoeatsincethenightbefore,andheurgedthatthehorses should have a feed and the men have an opportunity to make coffeebeforetheywererequiredtogofarther.

Custerwas a fightingman, through and through, butwary andwily as brave.Therewas in himan indescribable something—call it caution, call it sagacity,call it the realmilitary instinct—itmayhave been genius—bywhatever nameentitled, it nearly always impelledhim todo intuitively the right thing. In thiscaseitseemedobstinacy, ifnot insubordination.Itwascharacteristicofhimtocare studiously for the comfort of hismen.Andhedidnot believe inwastingtheirlives.Itismorethanprobablethattherewasinhismindasuspicionofthetruestateofthings.Ifso,hedidnotsayso,eventothegeneralcommandingthedivision. He kept his own counsel and had his way. The delay was finallysanctioned by Kilpatrick, and the brigade remained on the bank feeding theirhorses and making coffee, Davies meanwhile advancing cautiously on theWarrentonroadtoapointwithinabouttwoorthreemilesofWarrenton.Stuartmadeslightifanyattempttoresisthisprogress.

TheGainesville-Warrentonpike,aftercrossingBroadRun, isboundedonbothsidesbycleared farm lands, fringedaboutone-thirdof amilebackbywoods.FromtheplaceofCuster'shalt itwasnotmore than500or600yards to thesewoods.Theroadruns inawesterlydirectionandthebrigadewasonthesouth

sideofit.

There is very little of record fromwhich to determine the time consumed byCuster'shalt. It isapeculiarcircumstance thatnotasinglereportof thisbattlemadebyaregimentalcommanderinCuster'sbrigadeappearsintheofficialwarrecords.A similaromissionhasbeennoted in thebattleofGettysburg.Custermade a report and so did Kilpatrick and Davies, but they are all deficient indetails. There is no hint in any of them as to the duration of the delay. Theconfederatechroniclesaremuchmorecomplete.Fromthemitwouldappearthatthe stop was made about noon and that the real battle began at 3:30 in theafternoon.Memory isat faulton thispoint for the reason thataftercoffeeandwhile the horses were feeding I lay down upon the ground and fell asleep.Beforethatsomeofthemenhadgoneintotheadjacentfieldsinsearchoflongforage.ItwasunderstoodthattheSeventhMichiganaftercrossingatthelowerfordwasscoutingthroughthecountrytowardGreenwichandtherewasnohintor suspicion that an enemy could approach from that direction without beingdiscoveredbythisscoutingparty.

FinallyCusterwasreadytomove.AwakenedbyastaffofficerIwasdirectedtoreporttothegeneral.

"Major," said he, "take position with your regiment about 500 yards towardthose woods remain there until the command is in column on the pike, thenfollowandbringuptherear."

Theorderwasgivenwithacautiontobecareful,astheSeventhMichiganhadbeen scouting near Greenwich and might be expected to come in from thatdirection.GreenwichisalmostduesouthfromBucklandMills,whereasAuburn,fromwhichplaceFitzhughLeewasapproaching,layconsiderablywestofsouth.

Themovementofthetwocommandsbegansimultaneously.TheFifthMichigan,Pennington'sbattery,theFirstMichiganandFirstVermont,withCusterandhisstaff leading, were in a few moments marching briskly in column on theWarrentonpike,whichwasnotveryfarawayfromthestartingpoint.TheSixthMichiganmeantimeproceeded incolumnof fours toward theplacedesignatedbyGeneralCuster, close up to thewoods.Nothinghadbeen seenor heard ofDaviesforsometime.Everythingwasquiet.Nothingcouldbeheardexceptthetramp of the horses' feet and the rumble of the wheels of Pennington's guncarriages,growingmoreandmoreindistinctasthedistanceincreased.

DONG.LOVELL

TheSixthhadgoneabout250or300yardsandwasapproachingafencewhichdividedthefarmintofields,whenCaptainDonG.Lovell,whowasridingbythesideofthecommandingofficeroftheregiment,[19]suddenlycriedout:

"Major, thereisamountedmanintheedgeof thewoodsyonder,"at thesametimepointingtoaplacedirectlyinfrontandabout200yardsbeyondthefence.

CaptainLovellwasoneofthemostdashingandintrepidofficersinthebrigade.He was always cool and never carried away with excitement under anycircumstances. It is perhaps doubtful whether he could have maintained hiscustomaryimperturbability,ifhehadrealized,atthemoment,justwhatthatlonepicketportended.

A glance in the direction indicated, revealed the truth of Captain Lovell'sdeclarationbut,recallingwhatGeneralCusterhadsaid,Ireplied:

"ThegeneralsaidwemightexpectsomemountedmenoftheSeventhfromthatdirection."

"Butthatvidetteisarebel,"retortedLovell,"heisdressedingray."

"Itcan'tbepossible,"wastheinsistentreply,andthecolumnkeptonmoving.

Justthen,themaninthewoodsbegantoridehishorseinacircle.

"Lookatthat,"saidLovell;"thatisarebelsignal;ourmendon'tdothat."

Thetruthoftheinferencewastooevidenttobedisputed.Thingswerebeginningtolooksuspicious,andinanotherinstantalldoubt, ifanyremained,wassetatrest. The horseman, after circling about a time or two, brought his horse to astandstillfacinginthedirectionfromwhichwewereapproaching.Therewasapuffofsmokefromthemuzzleofhisrevolverorcarbine,andabulletwhizzedbyandburieditselfinthebreastofoneofthehorsesinthefirstsetoffours.

"There,—it,"exclaimedLovell."Nowyouknowitisarebel,don'tyou?"

The information was too reliable not to be convincing, and the regiment waspromptly brought front into line, which had hardly been accomplished, whenshots began to come from other points in the woods, and no furtherdemonstrationwasneededthattheywerefullofconfederates.

Thefencewascloseathand,andthecommandtodismounttofightonfootwasgiven.TheSixthdeployedalongthefenceandtheSpencersbegantobark.Thehorsesweresentbackashortdistance,undercoverofareverseslope.Theactingadjutant was dispatched to overtake Custer and report to him that we wereconfrontedbyalargeforceofconfederatesandhadbeenattacked.Beforehehadstarted, the confederates displayed a line of dismounted skirmishers thatextendedfarbeyondbothflanksoftheregimentandaswarmoftheminfront.AMichigan regiment, behind a fence, and armed with Spencer carbines, was adangerousantagonisttograpplewithbyadirectfrontassault,andFitzhughLee'smenwere not eager to advance across the open field, but hugged thewoods,waiting for their friends on the right and left to get around our flanks,whichtherewas imminentdangerof theirdoing,beforereliefcouldcome.Itdidnot,however, takeCuster long toact.Putting theFifthMichigan inon the rightoftheSixth,hebroughtbackPennington'sbattery,andstationedtheFirstVermontmountedtoprotecttheleftflank,holdingtheFirstMichiganmountedinreservetosupportthebatteryandtoreinforceanyweakpoint,andproceededtoputuponeofthegamiestfightsagainstodds,seeninthewar.OpposedtoCuster'sfiveregimentsandonebattery,FitzhughLeehadtwelveregimentsofcavalry,threebrigadesunderLomax,OwenandChamblissandasgoodabattery—Breathed's—aswasintheconfederateservice.

Before the dispositions described in the foregoing had been completed,Breathed'sbattery,whichhadbeenmaskedinthewoodstotherightandfrontofthe position occupied by the Sixth Michigan, opened fire with shell. ButPenningtoncameintopositionwitharush,andunlimberingtwopieces,inlesstime than it takes to tell it, silenced the confederate artillery, firing over theheads of the Sixth Michigan skirmishers. Fitzhugh Lee pressed forward hisdismounted line, following it closely with mounted cavalry, and made adesperate effort to cut off Custer's line of retreat by the bridge. This he wasunabletodo.TheSixthheldontothefenceuntiltheconfederateswerealmosttoit, and until ordered by Custer to retire, when they fell back slowly, andmountingtheirhorses,crossedthebridgeleisurely,withouthurryorflurry, thebatteryandtheotherregiments,except theFirstandFifthMichigan,precedingit.TheFirstMichiganbroughtuptherear.

Fitzhugh Leewas completely foiled in his effort to get in Custer's rear, or tobreak up his flanks. Unfortunately, a portion of one battalion of the FifthMichigan,aboutfiftymen,undercommandofMajorJohnClark,withCaptainLeeandAdjutantGeorgeBarsewascaptured.Beingdismounted in thewoodsontheright,theywerenotabletoreachtheirhorsesbeforebeinginterceptedbytheenemy'smountedmen.

Custer,onthewhole,wasveryfortunateandhadreasontocongratulatehimselfonescapingwithsolittledamage.Daviesdidnotfaresowell.WhenKilpatrickfoundthatCusterwasattacked,hesentorderstoDaviestoretreat.ButthesoundoffiringwhichgavethisnoticetoKilpatrickwasalsotheprearrangedsignalforStuart, and that officer immediately turned onDavieswith his entire division,andDaviesthoughheputupastoutresistancehadnoalternativefinallybuttotake to the woods on the north side of the pike and escape, "every man forhimself."FitzhughLeewasbetweenhimandthebridge,hewashemmedinonthree sides, and in order to escape, hismen had to plunge in and swim theirhorsesacrossBroadRun.TheFifthMichigan,exceptMajorClark'scommand,escaped in the same way. The wagons, which followed Davies, includingCuster'sheadquarterswagoncontainingallhispapers,werecaptured.

At first blush, it may appear that, if the vidette who fired the first shot, thusdivulgingthefactoftheenemy'spresence,hadnotdoneso,theSixthMichiganwouldhavegoneonandmarchedrightintoFitzhughLee'sarms.Itisnotlikely,however,thatsuchwouldhavebeentheresult.CaptainLovellhadalreadyseenandcalledattention to thepicket,declaring thathewasa"rebel."Theobviouscourse,underthecircumstances,beforetakingdownthefenceandadvancingto

thewoods, would have been to deploy a skirmish line and feel of thewoodsinsteadofblunderingblindlyintothem.

FitzhughLeemadeamistakeinhaltingtodismount.HeshouldhavechargedtheSixth Michigan. Had he charged at once mounted as Rosser did in theWilderness,withhisoverwhelminglysuperiorforceatthemomentofhisarrivalhemust certainly have interposed betweenCuster and the bridge.He allowedoneregimenttodetainhisdivisionuntilCustercouldbringbackhisbrigade,andgethisregimentsintopositiontosupporteachother.

MajorH.B.McClellan,Stuart'sadjutantgeneral,commentinginhisbook[20]onthisbattle,saysthat"Custerwasahardfighter,evenonaretreat."Healsosays:

"Fitzhugh Lee had come up from Auburn expecting to gain,unopposed, the rear ofKilpatrick's division, but he foundCuster'sbrigadeatBroadRunreadytoopposehim.Afiercefightensued."

MajorMcClellanalsoquotesMajorP.P.Johnston,whocommandedasectionofBreathed'sbatteryinthefight,assaying:

"Mybatterywashotlyengaged.Thebattlewasofthemostobstinatecharacter, Fitz. Lee exerting himself to the utmost to push theenemy,andCusterseemingtohavenothoughtofretiring."

The battle was opened by Wickham's brigade of Virginians commanded byColonelT.H.Owenof theThirdVirginiacavalry.Itwas theFirst,SecondandThirdVirginia that led the advance. Pennington gaveBreathed's batterymuchtheworstofit.

ThetruthisthatFitz.LeedidnotfindCusterreadytoopposehim,thoughitdidnot takehim long toget ready, afterhewasattacked.CusterwithmostofhiscommandwaswellonhiswaytofollowKilpatrick.Onlyoneregimentwasleftbehind,andthatoneregiment—theSixthMichigancavalry—wastakenentirelybysurprisewhenfireduponbythevidette,andwasallthatColonelOwenhadinfrontofhimwhenhearrivedandbegantheattack.ItispossiblethatignoranceofwhatitwasfacinghelpedtheSixthMichigantoholdontillCustercouldbenotified and brought back.And again, it is possible thatCusterwasmarchingmoreslowlythanthewriterwotsof;thathesuspectedtherusewhichwasbeingplayedbyhisoldWestPoint instructor,[21] andsent the regimentout there fortheexpresspurposeofdevelopingtheenemy,ifenemytherewas,makingafeintofmovingawaysoas todeceive,butkeepinganear towindward tocatch thefirst sound of danger. It has always seemed to the writer that General Custermusthavehadamotivewhichdidnotappearonthesurface,ingivingthatorder.Hisorderwastogo500yards.Fivehundredyardswouldhavebroughtustothewoods.Ifhesuspectedthattheremightbeanenemythere,nosurerwaytofindoutwhether his suspicionswerewell founded or not could have been chosen.Onethingiscertain.Hewasbackinanincrediblyshortspaceoftime.Itmaybethatheheard the soundof firingandwasonhiswaywhen theadjutant foundhim.

FitzhughLeefollowedCusterhalfwaytoGainesvilleandthenwithdrew.Nearthatplacewasfoundalineoffederalinfantrysentouttosupportthecavalry,butitdidnotadvancefarenoughtogetintothefight.

Thatnight,Kilpatrickinvitedalltheofficersofthedivisiontohisheadquartersandmade a sorry attempt atmerry-making over the events of the day. Thereweremilk-punchandmusic,bothofverygoodquality,butthepunch,palatableasitundeniablywas,didnotservetotakeawaythebadtasteleftbytheaffair,especiallyamong theofficersof theFirstbrigade.Custer'smendidnot feelsobadly.Theyhadsavedtheirbaconandtheirbattery,andthewariness,prudenceand pluck of their young commander had prevented a much more seriousdisasterthanhadactuallyhappened.

It may be of interest enough to mention that Fitz. Lee told the writer, inYorktown, in 1881, that Stuart was at fault in stopping to fight at BucklandMills;that,underthearrangementwithhim(Lee)Stuartshouldhavefallenbackvery rapidly, without making any resistance whatever, until he had luredKilpatrick with his entire division some distance beyond the bridge. In thatevent,GeneralLeewouldhavefoundtheopportunityhewasseeking.Buthedidnot know about Custer's action in insisting on stopping there. He was muchsurprisedwheninformedofthetruestateofthings,sincehehadfeltthatStuartwasblameworthyinthematter.HehadsupposedthatitwasStuart'sresistancetothefederaladvancewhichkeptCuster'sbrigadebackuntilhisarrival,andfoiledhiswellplannedattempt.

CHAPTERXV

WINTERQUARTERSINSTEVENSBURG

In the month of November, 1863, the army of the Potomac recrossed theRappahannock and the army ofNorthernVirginia retired behind theRapidan.GeneralMeadetookupthelinethroughCulpeper,placingtheThirddivisionontheleftflankwithheadquartersatStevensburg.

TheadvanceintoStevensburgwasstoutlycontestedbyHampton'sdivision,andtheconfederatecavalryshowedthatithadnotlostanyofitsfightingqualities,ifitsdashandspirithadbeensomewhatdampenedbythesturdyresistanceputupintherecentcampaignbythefederaltroopersledbyPleasonton,Buford,Gregg,KilpatrickandCuster.

Atthetimeofthe"MineRun"affair,theMichigancavalrycrossedtheRapidanatMorton'sFordandattackedEwell'sinfantry,fallingbackafterdarktotheoldpositiononthenorthsideoftheriver.

After that episode, the army went into winter quarters. The three generals—Kilpatrick,CusterandDavies—hadquartersinhouses,therestforthemostpartlivedintentsorhuts.TheSixthwashuttedintemporarystructuresbuiltoflogssurmounted by tents. They were fitted with doors, chimneys and fireplaces—someofthemwithsashesandglassandwereverycomfortable.Thewinterwasa very cold one.Therewas some snow, even inVirginia, and the first day ofJanuary, 1864, is still remembered as noteworthy for its extremely lowtemperaturethroughoutthecountry.

WhileinthiscamptheMichiganregimentshadavisitfromJacobM.Howard,thecolleagueofZachariahChandlerintheUnitedStatessenate.Hewasoneoftheablestmenwhoever represented thestate in thenationalcongress.Hehadservedwithhighdistinctionasattorneygeneralofthestatebeforebeingelectedtothesenate.AschairmanofthesenatecommitteeonPacificrailroads,hehadmuchtodowithpilotingthecountrythroughthemanydifficultieswhichstoodinthewayoftheaccomplishmentofthegreatenterpriseoflayingtracksfortheironhorseacrosstheAmericandesert—spanningthecontinentwithrailroads—andreducingthejourneyfromtheMissouririvertothePacificoceanfromoneofmonthstooneofdays—themostimportantoftheachievementsthatfollowed

closeon theheelsof thecivilwar.The senatormadeapatriotic speech to thesoldiersandwascordiallycheered.

Thecavalrypicketlinewastwenty-fivemileslong,anditwasnochild'splaytoserveasfieldofficeroftheday,wheneverypicketpostandeveryvidettehadtobe visited at least once each twenty-four hours. The outer line was along theRapidan river. The confederate pickets on the other side were infantry. Theunion picketsweremounted and the dutywas verywearing on bothmen andhorses.Stuart'scavalryperformedcomparativelybutlittlepicketduty,andwaskept back in comfortable quarters, recruiting and fitting for the coming springcampaign.

During thewinter therewasvery little firingbetween thepickets.Therewasasort of tacit understanding that they were not to molest each other. Indeed,officers could ride along the line without fear of being shot at. When oninspection duty, they at times rode down to the bank and conversedwith theenemyontheotherside.Thepicketsweresuspectedofcrossingandrecrossingandexchangingcivilities—tradingtobaccoforpapersandthelike.Thewordofhonorwouldbegiventoallowthefederalorconfederate,asthecasemightbe,to return in safety and it was never violated when given. These visits werealwaysinthedaytime,ofcourse,foratnightvigilancewasneverrelaxed,andavidettewasnot supposed toknowanybodyorpermit evenhisownofficers toapproachwithoutthepropercountersign.

Life inwinter quarterswas at best dull and it relieved themonotony togoonpicket. The detail as field officer of the day was welcomed, although itnecessitatedarideoffortyorfiftymilesandcontinuousactivityfortheentireofthetourofduty,bothnightandday.OntheseridesImadetheacquaintanceofanumberofVirginia families,who livednear the river andwithinour lines.OftheseIcannowrecallbuttwo.OnthebanksoftheRapidan,directlyinfrontofStevensburg, lived a man named Stringfellow, who owned a large plantation,which had been despoiled of everything of value, except the house and a fewoutbuildings. Every fence was gone, and not a spear of anything had beenpermittedtogrow.Mr.Stringfellowwasatallman,withgrayhair,andclericalin garb and aspect.Hewas, in fact, a clergyman, and the degree of doctor ofdivinity had been conferred upon him—a thing that in those days meantsomething. Degrees, like brevets, were not so easily obtained before the civilwarperiodastheyhavebeensince.

Mr.Stringfellowwasagentlemanofculture,ascholarandprofoundstudentof

Biblicalliterature.Hehadwrittenabook,acopyofwhichwastobeseeninhishouse, inwhichhehaddemonstrated, tohisownsatisfaction,at least, that the"institutionofslavery"wasofdivineorigin.Itwassaidthathewasabrotherofthe Stringfellow who became so notorious during the Kansas troubles, as aleader of the "border ruffians," who tried to force slavery into that territory,beforethebreakingoutofhostilitiesbetweenthestates.LivingathomewiththisVirginia doctor of divinity, was a married daughter, whose husband was anofficer in the confederate army.Theywerepeople of theold school, cultured,refined,andhospitable,thoughhardputtoittoshowanysubstantialevidencesof their innate hospitality, on account of their impoverished condition, whichtheyseemedtofeelkeenly,butweretooproudtomention,exceptwhendrivento it by sheer necessity.The federal cavalrymenwere alwayswelcome in thathouse and the officers in many instances were very kind to them. Indeed, Isuspect that more than once they were spared the pangs of hunger by thethoughtful kindness of officers who had found shelter in their home and hadbroken bread at their table, only to suspect that the family larder had beenstripped of the last morsel, in order to keep up the reputation for Virginiahospitality.

Aboutfivemilesfartherdowntheriver,inalonelyspot,whereasmalltributaryoftheRapidantumbleddownadecline,wasawater-poweronwhichwasarudesawmill,whereasingleold-fashioned"sashsaw"cheweditswaylazilythroughhardwoodlogs.Themillwastendedbyitsownerwho,withhiswife,livedinahouse hard by the mill, the only occupants of the dwelling and the onlyinhabitantsoftheimmediateneighborhood.Theyledalonelylife,andwhenitsmonotonywasbrokenby thearrivalof theofficerof thedayuponhis tourofduty,extendedaquiet,butwhatappearedtobeanotovercordialwelcome.Themanwasadwarf.Hewassolowinstature thatwhenhestood,hisheadcamejustabovethetopofthediningroomtable.Hisdiminutivestaturewasduetoastrangemalformation. His legs looked as if they had been driven up into hisbody, so that therewas little left but the feet.Otherwise, hewas like another,withwellformedheadandtrunk.Hiswifewasacomelyladybothinformandin feature, rather above than belowmedium height. Bothwere intelligent andwell read,pleasantpeople tovisitwith;butwhen thisman,with theheadandtrunkofanadult,thestatureofachildand,toallintentsandpurposes,nolegsatall, toddledacross thefloor theeffectwasqueerand, taken inconnectionwithhis somewhat solitary environment, it suggested a scene from the "BlackDwarf." But when one was seated as a guest of these good people at theirhospitable board his physical deformity was lost sight of in the zest of his

conversation.

Thewinterof1863-64wasoneofhardworkforthefederalcavalry.Inadditionto their other duties, the Michigan regiments were required to change theirtactical formation and learn a new drill. Up to that time, Philip St. GeorgeCooke'ssinglerankcavalrytacticshadbeenused.Thetacticalunitwasthesetoffoursandallmovementswereexecutedbywheelingtheseunits.Therewasbutone rank. For some reason, it was decided to substitute the oldUnited Statescavalry tacticsand form indouble ranks.Theutilityof thechangewas, tosaythe least, an open question, and it necessitated many weeks of hard andunremitting toilon thepartofbothofficersandmen.Therewas little time forrestorrecreation.Longandtiresomedrillsand"schoolsofinstruction"madeupthe daily routine. In one respect, however, these drills of troop, regiment andbrigadewere agood thing.Manyhundredsofnew recruitswere senton fromMichigan and, being put in with the old men, they were worked into goodsoldiersbeforethecampaignopened,andprovedtobeasreliableandefficientas theveteranswithwhomtheywereassociated.TheSixthMichigan receivedover twohundredof theserecruitsatonetime.Theywerefinesoldiersandonthemarch from theWilderness to the James, no inspecting officer could havepickedouttherecruitsof1863-64fromthosewhoenlistedin1862.

At division and brigade headquarters alone was there time for play. GeneralsCusterandKilpatrickhadaracecoursewheretheyusedtodevotesometimetothe sportofhorse racing.Therewere in thedivisionanumberofbloodedandspeedy animals, and not a little friendly rivalry was developed in the variouscommandswhenthemeritsoftheirrespectivefavoritesweretobetestedontheturf.

ItwaswhileatStevensburg thatGeneralCusterobtained leaveofabsenceandwenthometoMichigantoclaimhisbride.HewasmarriedinFebruary,1864,toMissElizabethB.Bacon,daughterofJudgeBacon,ofMonroe,Michigan.Mrs.Custeraccompaniedhimwhenhecamebackandfromthattimeontilltheendofthewar,whenevertheexigenciesoftheservicewouldpermit,shewasbyhisside.Hewasthenbuttwomonthspasttwenty-fouryearsofage,thoughhehadalreadyachieved fameasacavalryofficerandgeneralofbrigade.Hewas theyoungestofficerofhisrankwhowonanygreatmeasureofsuccess.Kilpatrickwasmorethanthreeyearshissenior,althoughbothweregraduatedfromWestPointin1861.

Some time after the beginning of the year 1864, there began to be rumors of

some daring expedition that was on foot, to be led by the dashing generalcommandingthedivision.ItwasaboutthemiddleofFebruary,whenanumberofstatesmenofnationalprominencecametoStevensburg,anditdidnottakeaprophet to tell that something of unusual importancewas in thewind, thoughnothingverydefinite leakedoutas towhat itwas.Amongthevisitorsreferredto, were Senators Chandler ("Zach."), of Michigan, and Wilkinson, ofMinnesota.Duringtheirstay,therewasameetinginapublichallinCulpeperatwhich speeches were made by both these gentlemen and where GeneralKilpatrickdemonstratedthathewasnolessanoratorthanafighter.Hisspeechwas the gem of the evening and stirred up no end of enthusiasm.Hintswerethrown out of an indefinite something that was going to happen. It is nowknown,asitwassoonthereafter,thatKilpatrickhaddevisedadaringschemeforthecaptureofRichmond,whichhadbeen receivedwith somuch favorby theauthoritiesinWashington,thathewasthenawaitingonlythenecessaryauthorityfrom thewar department before setting out onwhat proved to be an ill-fatedexpedition.

Lateinthemonth,permissionwasgivenandheproceededtoorganizeaforceofpickedmenandhorses,selectedwithgreatcarefromthevariousregiments.TheFifth, Sixth and Seventh Michigan and First Vermont were represented, theSixth furnishing about three hundred men. The First Michigan had just re-enlisted at the expirationof its three years' termof service andwas absent on"veteran furlough," so did not take part, as the officers and men of that fineregiment would have been only too glad to do, had they been given theopportunity.Itwasasmalldivision,dividedintotwobrigades.GeneralDaviesled one of them, but General Custer was taken away and entrusted with thecommand of an important diversion designed to attract the attention of theenemyby an attack on his left flank,whileKilpatrick passed aroundhis rightandbyaquickmarch reached theconfederatecapital.ThatportionofCuster'sbrigadewhichwent on the raid, as itwas called,was commandedbyColonelSawyer, of the First Vermont cavalry. Detachments from the Fifth, Sixth andSeventh Michigan were commanded by Captain Hastings, Major Kidd andLieutenant Colonel Litchfield respectively; the First Vermont by LieutenantColonelPreston.

Custer's part of theworkwas successfully accomplished.He created somuchcommotion in the direction of Charlottesville, that Kilpatrick was across theRapidan and well on his way before his purpose was either discovered orsuspected. Itwas,however,a fatalmistake to leaveCusterbehind.Therewere

otherswhocouldhavemadethefeintwhichhesobrilliantlyexecuted,butinamovementrequiringperfectpoise, therarest judgmentandthemostundoubtedcourage,Kilpatrickcouldillysparehisgiftedanddaringsubordinate;anditisnodisparagementtotheofficerwhotookhisplacetosaythattheMichiganbrigadewithoutCuster, at that time,was like the playofHamletwith themelancholyDane left out. With him the expedition as devised might well have beensuccessful;withouthimitwasforedoomedtofailure.

AttheCulpepermeetingtherewasalargegatheringofbothofficersandenlistedmen,attractedthitherfromvariousarmsoftheservicebyanaturalcuriositytohearwhatthespeakershadtosay.Therewerealsoseveralladiesintheaudience.Ontheplatformsatmanyofficersofhighrank.Idonotrememberwhopresided,butrecalldistinctlytheglitterofrichuniforms.

Afterthespeakinghadbegun,anofficerwearingtheovercoatofanenlistedmancameinfromthewingsandmodestlytookaseatatthebackofthestage."Notobvious,notobtrusive,butretired,"heseemedtoshunobservation.When,later,he removed his overcoat it was seen that he wore the dress uniform of abrigadiergeneral. InquirydisclosedthathewasWesleyMerritt,commanderoftheReservebrigadeoftheFirstcavalrydivision.Hisbrigadeconsistedofthreeregiments of regulars—theFirst, Second andFifthUnitedStates cavalry—andtwo regiments of volunteers—the First New York dragoons and the SixthPennsylvania cavalry. This was a crack brigade and after the opening of thespring campaign it was closely associated with the Michigan brigade for theremainingperiodofthewar.

WESLEYMERRITT

WesleyMerritt,whomIsawthenforthefirsttime,wasoneofthe"youngsters"whoreceived their stars inJune,1863.Hewasgraduated from theWestPointmilitary academy in 1860, at the age of twenty-four, and made such rapidprogress in rank and reputation that hewas a brigadier at twenty-seven.As acavalrycommanderhewastrainedbyJohnBuford.Thelatterwasrightlycalled,"OldReliable,"notbecauseofhisage,butfor thereasonthatherarely ifeverfailedtobeintherightplaceattherightmoment—solidratherthanshowy,notspectacular but sure. His courage and ability were both conspicuous. Hebelonged to the school of officers of which Thomas, Meade, Sedgwick andGregg were exemplars, rather than to that of which Kearney, Sheridan andCusterwerepreeminenttypes.

SuchalsowasMerritt,anaptpupilofanillustriousteacher,thelinealsuccessorofBuford.HecamebynaturalselectiontobecommanderoftheFirstdivision,and at the last was chief of cavalry of the army of the Potomac, the capablesuccessor of Pleasonton and Sheridan, a position forwhich hewas peculiarlyfittedbynature,byacquirements,andbyexperience.Modestywhichfittedhimlike a garment, charming manners, the demeanor of a gentleman, cool butfearlessbearinginaction,werehisdistinguishingcharacteristics.Hewasamost

excellentofficer,betweenwhomandCustertherewas,itseemed,agreatdealofgenerousrivalry.But,intheassociationofthetwointhesamecommandtherewas strength, for each was in a sort the complement of the other. Unlike intemperament, inappearance, and in their styleof fighting, theywereatone intheessentialsthatgotomakeasuccessfulcareer.

But, toreturntothepointinthenarrativefromwhencethisdigressionstrayed,theforcethatwasthusassembledinStevensburg,somewhatagainsttheprotests,but incompliancewithorders fromarmyandcorpsheadquarters,wasbroughttogetherwithmuchshowofsecrecy,albeit thesecretwasanopenone.Ashasbeenseen,therumoroftheprojectedmovementhadbeenforsometimeflyingabout fromear to ear, and fromcamp to camp. Its flight, however,musthavebeen with heavy pinions, for it did not extend beyond the river, where theconfederateswererestinginfanciedsecurity,innocentofthehatchingofaplotforsuddenmischieftotheircapital.

The composition of the Second brigade has already been given. Its numericalstrengthwasabout1,800officersandmen.TheFirstbrigadeconsistedofnineregiments of cavalry and one battery of artillery. That is to say there weredetachments from that number of regiments. These were distributed equallyamongthethreedivisions,asfollows:FromtheFirstdivision,theThirdIndiana,FourthNewYorkandtheSeventeenthPennsylvania;fromtheSeconddivision,theFirstMaine,theFourthPennsylvania,andSixteenthPennsylvania;fromtheFirstbrigade,Thirddivision,Davies'sowncommand,theSecondNewYork,theFifth New York, and Eighteenth Pennsylvania. Ransom's regular battery wasassignedtodutywiththisbrigade.ThedetachmentsfromtheFirstdivisionwereallconsolidatedunderMajorHalloftheSixthNewYork;thosefromtheSeconddivision under Major Taylor of the First Maine. The aggregate strength ofDavies's commandwas 1,817officers andmen, exclusive of the artillery.ThetotalstrengthofKilpatrick'scommandwasabout3,500.

TheexpeditionstartedafterdarkSundayevening,February28,1864,withthreedays'rations.TherouteselectedledtowardthelowerfordsoftheRapidan.Theadvance guard consisted of 600 picked men from the various commands, allunderColonelUlricDahlgren,anofficerofMeade'sstaffwhohadestablishedareputationforextraordinarydaringanddash.Hehadbeenespeciallydesignatedfromarmyheadquarterstoaccompanytheexpedition.Daviesfollowedwiththemainbodyofhisbrigade includingRansom'sbattery.ToColonelSawyerwiththeVermontandMichiganmenfelltheirksomedutyofbringinguptherearofthecolumn,thechiefcarebeingtokeepupthepace,notlosingsightofthosein

front,ofwhichforagoodpartofthenighttherewasmuchdanger.

Thecrossingwasmadea littlebeforemidnight atEly'sFord,Dahlgren takingtheconfederatepicketpostbysurpriseandcapturingeveryman.Noalarmwasgiven.Thestartwasthusauspicious.Wewerewithintheenemy'slinesandtheywerenotyetawareofit.

Therewasnohalt.Therapidmarchwascontinuedthroughoutthenight.Itwasclear and cold. The order for the march was "at a fast walk," but everyexperienced cavalryman knows that the letter of such an order can be obeyedonly by those in advance. The rear of the column kept closed up with greatdifficulty.Thesoundofhoofsinfrontwastheonlyguideastothedirectiontobetaken.Oftenitwasnecessarytotakethetrot,sometimesthegallop,andeventhen the leaderswere at times out of sight and out of hearing.At such times,therewasanapprehensivefeelingafterthetouch,whichhadtobekeptinordertobesurethatwewereontherightroad.Thiswasespeciallytrueoftheheadsofsubdivisions—the commanders of regiments—who were charged with theresponsibilityofkeepinginsightofthosenextinfront.

Themarchwasnotonlyrapidbutitwascontinuous.Therewasanairofunduehaste—aprecipitancyandrushnotallreassuring.Onlythestoicalwereentirelyfreefromdisquietude.Thoseofuswhowerewiththeextremerear,andwhohadnot been admitted to the confidence of the projectors and leaders of theexpedition,begantoconjecturewhatitallmeant,whereweweregoingand,ifthepacewerekeptup,whenwewouldgetthere,andwhatwouldbedonewhenthedestinationwasreached.AlltheexcitementandenjoymentwereDahlgren's;allthedullmonotonyandnerve-rackingstrainours.

TheheadofcolumnreachedSpottsylvaniaCourthouseatdaylight.Thetailcametrailing in as best it could, some time later. Here, in accordance with theprearranged plan, Dahlgren with his six hundred troopers separated from themain body, bearing to the westward and following the direct road toFrederickshallstationontheVirginiaCentralrailroad,hisobjectivepointbeingGoochland, about twentymiles aboveRichmondon the James river.TheplanwasforColonelDahlgrentocrosstheriveratornearthatplace,movedownonthesouthside,andbeinpositiontorecrossbythemainbridgeintoRichmondatten o'clock, Tuesdaymorning,March 1, at the samemomentwhenKilpatrickwouldenterthecityfromthenorthbywayoftheBrookturnpike.[22]

But,"thebestlaidschemeso'miceandmengangafta-gley."GeneralSheridan

pointedout thatsuchcombinationsrarelyworkoutasexpected,andthatwhenanengagementwiththeenemyisliabletotakeplaceatanymomentitisbettertokeepthewholeforcewelltogether.[23]

InthiscaseforKilpatricktodividehisforcewasafatalerrorofjudgment.Inthelightofwhattookplaceitisnowclear,asitoughttohavebeenatthetime,thattheentirecommandshouldhavebeenkepttogether,ononeroad.GeneralCustermadethesamemistakewhenhewent tohisdeathatLittleBigHorn, in1876.Thecombinationdidnotworkout asheexpected. Itmaybeentirely safeandproper for detachments to be sent out to make diversions for the purpose ofdeceiving the enemy. This was done when, on approaching Ashland Station,MajorHallwasdespatchedwithaforceofaboutfivehundredmentodrive inthepicketsinfrontofthatplaceandmakeafeintofattacking,leadingtheenemytosupposethatthiswasthemainbody,whileKilpatrickwithmostofhisforceproceededwithout opposition on the road leading toRichmond.But carewastakenthathecouldreuniteatanymoment.

ItwouldhavebeenbetterhadDahlgrencontinuedas theadvanceguard,goingdirectlytoRichmondbywayofoneofthebridgesoftheSouthAnnariverandthe Brook, the main column closely following. In that way, the generalcommanding might have had all the parts of his expeditionary force well inhand, under his own eye, and there need have been no halting, hesitation, orwaitingone for theother.Dahlgrenutterly failed tocarryout to fulfilment thepart of the plan prearranged for him to accomplish, and lost his life into thebargain.And the pity of it is that his lifewaswasted.Had he died leading achargethroughthestreetsofRichmond,compensationmighthavebeenfoundinthegloryofhisachievement.Buthediedinanambush,laidforhimbyasmallforce of home guards and furloughed confederate soldiers, who managed tothrow themselvesacrosshiswaywhen,afteradmitteddefeat,hewas trying tomakehisescapewithonlyasmallportionofhiscommand.Hedeservedabetterfate.

ThemainbodycrossedthePoriverinthemorningofMonday,February29,andmadeahaltoffifteenminutestofeed.Thenceitpushedon,Davies'sbrigadestillleading, by way of Newmarket, Chilesburg and Anderson's bridge across theSouthAnna river toBeaverdamStation on theVirginiaCentral railroad. Thispointwas reached late in the afternoon, the rear guard not arriving until afterdark. Here some buildings and stores were burned. A train coming into thestation,warnedbythereflectionoftheflamesinthecloudysky,backedoutandescaped capture. A small force of confederates made its appearance but was

easilybrushedaway.Thebrushingandburning,however,weredonebyDavies'smen.TheMichigancavalrymencomingtoolateforthefair,wereprivilegedtohover in the background and watch the interesting performance from a safedistance,leavingitfortheimaginationtopicturewhattheywouldhavedoneiftheyhadhadthechance.

This night was cold, raw and rainy, the atmosphere full of moisture whichgradually turned to an icy sleet. This added greatly to the discomfort of themarch, which was resumed after tearing up the track and taking down thetelegraph wires and poles in the neighborhood of the station. The stop atBeaverdamStationwasnotworthmentioningsofarasitgaveanyopportunitytomenorhorsesforrestorrefreshment.Outintothedarknight—anditwasadarknessthatcouldbefelt—rodethosebravetroopers.Onandon,forhoursandhours,facingthebitingstorm,feelingthepeltingrain,staringwithstrainingeyesinto the black night, striving to see when nothing was visible to the keenestvision,listeningwithprickedupearsforthesoundofthewell-shodhoofswhichwithrhythmicaltreadsignaledtheway.

Thenightwaswelladvancedwhenatlastahaltwasorderedtomakecoffeeforthemenandgivethepatientanimalsthemodicumofoatsthathadbeenbrought,strappedto thecantlesof thesaddles.ThebivouacwasintheneighborhoodoftheGroundSquirrelbridge.Davies inhisofficial report said thathewent intocamp at eight o'clock in the evening. Thatmay have been.Davieswas at theheadofcolumnand,after thesmalladvanceguard, the first to reach thecampground.ItwasfullytwohourslaterwhenthelastoftheSecondbrigadereachedthe place. From seven o'clock Sunday evening, till ten o'clockMonday nighttherehadbeennostoptospeakof—nochancetocookcoffeeorfeedthehorses—savethebriefhaltofbarelyfifteenminutesonthesouthbankofthePoriver.Themenwereweary,wet,coldandhungrybut therewasnocomplaining, fortheywereallhardenedveterans,accustomedtohardshipandexposure.Theyhadbeenschooledtoenduretheprivationsofcampaigningwithcheerfulfortitude.

When, at one o'clock, Tuesdaymorning,March 1, the march was oncemoreresumed,itwasfoundthattheFirstbrigadestillhadthelead.AsonthepreviousdayMichigan and Vermont were relegated to the rear. By the custom of theserviceitwasourturntobeintheadvance.Therulewasforbrigadesandevenregiments toalternate in leading.That isbecause it ismucheasier tomarch infrontthaninrear.OnthatmorningSawyer'scommandwasentitledtobeinfrontandthefirstinthefray.Thatmay,however,belookeduponasatriflingmatterand notworthmentioning.Veteranswill not so consider it. Itwas but natural

thatKilpatrick shouldbeforeallothershaveconfidence inhisoldbrigadeandthoseofficerswithwhomhehadpersonallyserved.Davieswasagallantofficerandhadsomefineofficersandregimentswithhim.Therewerenonebetter. Itwasaningloriouspartthatwasassignedtous.Still,therewasasitturnedoutnotmuchgloryintheexpeditionforanybody,leastofallforKilpatrickhimself.

ThemarchduringtheforenoonwasalongtheRichmondandPotomacrailroad,toandacross theChickahominy river, to theBrook turnpike.Daviesadvancedalongtheturnpiketowardthecity,drivinginthepicketsandcapturingafewofthem. He crossed the "Brook"[24] and succeeded in getting inside the outerentrenchments,withinamileofRichmond.From thehighgroundoverlookingtheinterveningplainitwasalmostpossibletolookintothestreetsandcountthespiresonthechurches.

ThetimewhichitwouldtaketomaketheridefromtheRapidantothe"Brook"hadbeencloselycalculated.Teno'clock,Tuesdaymorning,March1,hadbeenthehoursetwhenKilpatrickwouldarriveandbegintheassaultuponRichmondfrom thenorth,whileDahlgrenattacked it from the south.The formerwasontime to theminute.ButwherewasDahlgren?Hemadenosign.Therewasnoway to determine whether he was or was not carrying out his part of theprearrangedplan.Signalsdidnotwork.Kilpatrickwaslefttohisownresources.A condition had developed in which prompt decision and action wereimperativelydemanded.Therewasnotimefordelayorcarefuldeliberation.Todoornot todo, thatwas thequestion.And therewasbutonemanwhocouldsettleit.Therationaleoftheraidwasahurriedride,timelyarrival,greatdaring,asurprise,asuddenchargewithoutamoment'shesitation—success.

Whatever was done must needs be done quickly. It was not conceivable thatKilpatrickwith three thousandmen and six pieces of artillery—Kilpatrick thebold,thedashingcavalryman,theheroofMiddleburgandAldie—theconceiverof theexpedition,whoknew inadvanceall about theperilshemustmeet, thechances hemust take—that hewould permit uncertainty as towhat Dahlgrenwithbutfiveorsixhundredmenandnoartillerywasdoingtoinfluencehisownimmediateaction.Forallthatheknew,Dahlgrenwasalreadyinposition,readytostrike,butawaitingthesoundofbattlefromthenorthasthesignaltobegin.

Andyethehesitated.Theobjectof theexpedition,ashasbeenshown,was toride into Richmond and liberate the prisoners. It was a daring enterprise. Acouragetoexecutecommensuratetotheabilitytoconceivewaspresupposed.Sofar everything had gone by the clock.Officers andmen alike knewwhat that

forced march of thirty-six hours, without pause, meant, if it had any rationalmeaning. Each one had screwed his courage to the sticking point to followwherever our gallant commander led, prepared to share with him success orfailure,accordingtotheevent.Indeed,therewassafetyinfollowingratherthanin fallingback.Wewere far afield in an enemy's country. Itwasnecessary to"hang together to avoidhanging separately."Thegoalwas in sight.Byaboldandquick forwardmovement alone could it be reached.Anorder tomoveupintoalineofsquadroncolumnswasmomentarilyexpected.Thatadashintothecity,or at least anattemptwouldbemadenobodydoubted.Anything shortofthatwouldbefarcical,andtheexpeditionthatsetoutbigwithpromisewouldbefated to return barren of results. The good beginning was worthy of a betterendingthanthat.

Well, someofDavies's advance regimentswere dismounted and themen sentforwarddeployedascarbineersonfoot to feelof the fortificationsandmakeatentativeattackontheirdefenders.SomeofRansom'sgunswereunlimberedandopenedfireatlongrange.Replywasmadebytheenemy'scannoneers,forsomeoftheearthworksfacingusweremannedwithartillerists.

Inthemeantime,Sawyer'sbrigadeheldonthepikeincolumnoffours,mounted,anxiously awaiting orders and developments, listened intently to the desultoryfiringof thecarbineersand theoccasionalboomof thecannon in front.Therewasagrowing feelingofuneasinessand incertitudewhichbegan to frameourmindsfordoubtsandfearsastotheoutcome.

Atlength,astaffofficerwasseenridingslowlyfromthefronttowardstherear.Thethoughtthatranalongthecolumnwas,"Nowtheorderissurelycomingtomove forward at a trot." Not so, however. He had been directed by GeneralKilpatricktonotifycommandingofficersthatincaseanyoftheirmenshouldbewounded, they would be obliged to make their own arrangements for thetransportationandcareofthem,sincetherewerenoambulancesavailable.

Cheerfulintelligence,surely,andwelltimedtoputmenandofficersupontheirfightingmettle!Fromthatmoment,thementalattitudeofthebravestwasoneofapatheticindifference.Suchanannouncementwasenoughtodampentheardorofmenasbraveasthosewhohadbeenselectedtomakeupthepersonnelofthisexpedition.

Finally,anxioustogetsomeideaofwhatwasgoingonandwhattheoutlook,Irode forward to a place overlooking the battle field. Away to the front, a

thousandyardsormore,wasanopenstretchofclearedfields,acrosswhichwasa light lineofdismountedcavalry skirmishers, firing awayat thedefendersoftheearthworks.Thisdefensiveforcedidnotappeartobeformidableinnumbers;norwasitparticularlyeffectiveinitsfireuponourtroops.AlongtheunionlinerodeCaptainL.G.Estes,adjutantgeneralofthedivision,hiscapelinedwithredthrown back on one shoulder, making of him a conspicuous target. He wasexposinghimself inmostaudaciousfashion,aswashiswont.It lookedlikeanact of pure bravado. It was not necessary for him to furnish evidence of hisgallantry. His courage was proverbial among the cavalrymen of the Thirddivision.Theyhadseenhimrecklesslyexposehislifeonmanybattlefields.

ThiswasasnearastheexpeditionevercametocapturingRichmond.Kilpatrickwho,atthestart,wasboldandconfident,atthelastwhenquickresolutionwasindispensable, appeared to be overcome with a strange and fatal irresolution.DavieswasrecalledandtheentireforcewasdirectedtotaketheroadtoMeadowBridge.ItwasafterdarkwhenwewereorderedintocampsomewherebetweenMechanicsvilleandAtlee'sStation.WhenI received theorder I inquired ifweweretopicketourowncampbutwasinformedthatdetailsforthatpurposehadbeenmadeanditwouldnotbenecessary.Thisquietedmyfearssomewhatbutnot entirely. Precautions were taken against possible surprise and to ensurespeedy mounting and getting into position in the event of an emergencyrequiringit.Theregimentwentintobivouacinline,alittlebackintheshadowandawayfromthefires.Fewcampfireswerepermitted.Thesaddlegirthswereloosenedslightlybutthesaddleswerenotremoved.Eachtrooperlayinfrontofhisownhorse,pullingthebridlereinoverhishorse'sheadandslippinghisarmthrough it. In thisway theywere toget such sleepas theycould. In caseof asuddenalarmtheyweretostandtohorseandbereadyinstantlytomount.

Thinking that in any case it could be got readywhile the regimentwas beingmounted,Iallowedmyownhorsetobeunsaddledandhitchedhimbythehaltertoasaplinginfrontofmysheltertentwhichwasquicklypitched,Barnhart,theactingadjutant,andanorderlypitchingtheirsbythesideofit.Then,removingsword and belt but keeping on overcoat, boots and spurs, I crawled inwith a"poncho"underme,usingthesaddleforapillow.

Itwas a raw, rainy night, and snowwas falling. The badweather of the firstnightoutwasworsethanrepeated.ItseemedmorelikeMichiganthanVirginia.Itwasverydark.Idonotbelievethatanymanlivingcouldmakeamapofthecampswhichthetwobrigadesoccupiedthatnight—theexactlocationsoreventherelativepositionsofthevariouscommands.Idoubtiftheactualparticipants

couldpointthemoutweretheytovisittheplace.IknowthatatthetimeIhadnottheslightestknowledgeonthesubjectandcouldnothavetoldwhichwaytogo to findanyoneof themorevenbrigadeordivisionheadquarters. It lookedlikeacaseof"wisdomconsistsintakingcareofyourself."WewereonthenorthsideoftheChickahominyand,withthebridgesguarded,itwouldbedifficultforthe forceswithwhichwehadbeencontendingduring theday toget inonournight encampment. At least they could not well take us by surprise. But thismadethepositionallthemorevulnerablefromthenorth.ItwasidletosupposethatStuart's cavalrywasdoingnothing. Itwasas certainas anythingcouldbethathisenterprisinghorsemenweregatheringonourtrack,urgingtheirsteedstothedeathinanendeavortostoptheaudaciouscareerofthefederalcommander.

Duringtheearlyeveningitwasknownthroughoutthecommandthatthegeneralhadnotgivenup thehopeofcapturing thecityand liberating theprisoners.AbodyoffivehundredmenledbyLieutenantColonelAddisonW.PrestonoftheFirst Vermont cavalry was to start out from our camp by theMechanicsvilleroad,chargein,releasetheprisonersandbringthemout,Kilpatrickcoveringthemovementwithhisentirecommand.Thelatter'sofficialreportsays thereweretwo bodies, one to be led by Preston, the other byMajor Taylor of the FirstMainecavalry.ThenameofPrestonwasaguaranteethatthedash,ifmadeatall,wouldbebravely led.Therewasnomoregallant officer in thewhole cavalrycorps.

Theconditionsweresuchas tomakeonewakefulandalert, ifanythingcould.But the danger of yielding for an instant to the allurement of the drowsinessproducedby the long ridewithout sleepwasoverpowering. In an instant aftergettingundercoverof theshelter tent Iwasemulating thesevensleepers. It isdoubtful if the trumpofGabrielhimself,haditsounded,couldhaveawakenedme.Theassurance thatwewereprotectedbypickets, and theorder togo intocamphavingbeengivenunaccompaniedbyanywarningtobealertandonthewatchfordanger,had lulledme intosuchanabsolutelyfalsesenseofsecuritythatIwasforthetimedeadtoallthesurroundings.Therewasfiringamongthepickets.Ididnothearit.Acannonboomed.Ididnothearit.Asecondpieceofartilleryadded to the tumult. Ididnothear it.Shellshurtled through the trees,over the camp and thewaves of sound did not disturbmy ear.At last partialconsciousnessreturned.Therewasavaguesenseofsomethingoutoftheusualordergoingon.ThenIfoundthatBarnhartandtheorderlywerepullingmeoutof the "pup" tent by the heels. That sufficed. I was instantly wide awake.Barnhartwasordered toget his horse andmount the regiment.Theorderly to

saddlemyhorseandhisown. Ina fewmomentsallhandswere in the saddle.The regiment was wheeled by fours andmoved a short distance to the right,more in the shadow and out of range of the shells, and formed in line facingtowardwheretheenemywassupposedtobe,andheldthereawaitingorders.Noorders to advance came, norwas any brigade line of battle formed. In a veryshorttimeastaffofficercameridingfastanddirectedmetomoveoutbyfoursontheroadinrearofthealignmentandfollowthecommandwhichhesaidhadgoneandwasretreating.Hedidnotsaywhatroaditwasnorwhitheritled.Hethenrodeaway.Wheelingintocolumntheregimentwasmovedoutontheroadand,greatlyconfusedastothepointsofthecompass,andnothearingorseeinganything of the column, turned in thewrong direction. The same staff officersoonovertooktheheadoftheregimentandsetusright.Wehadtocountermarchand,asamatteroffact,weregoingtowardstheenemyinsteadofjoiningintheretreat.Itwasbymistake,however.Wehadgoneprobablyaneighthofamilebeforebeingstopped.

LEVANTW.BARNHARTWILLIAMHULL

Themarchthenledbackwithinsightofthecampwhichhadbeenvacated.As

wepassedthatpoint,farawayinthedistanceamongthetrees,bythelightoftheabandoned fires, could be seen men flitting like specters through the placeswhere the camps had been. Theywere presumably the enemy and apparentlybentonplunderratherthanconquest.ItwasagoodtimetogivethemaRolandfor theirOliverbut theredidnotseemtobeadisposition tomakeaconcertedattack or, in fact, any attack at all. Kilpatrick was in full retreat toward OldChurch,abandoninghisplanofamidnightattackonRichmond.

TheforcewhichmadetheattackonthecampswasledbyWadeHamptonwho,assoonasheknewof theexpedition,setouton the trail,pickingupoddsandendsofconfederatecavalrywhenandwherehecould.HemarchedthatdayfromHanoverCourthouse and says he came in sight of the camp fires nearAtlee'sStation and to his right on the Telegraph or Brook road. Hemust have beendeceivedas to thedirection, for it isnotpossible that anyportionof themainbodycouldhavebeen incamponeitherof those roads.ThecampheattackedwasthatoftheSeventhMichiganwhichborethebruntofit.Thisregimentlostanumber of prisoners including the commanding officer, Lieutenant ColonelLitchfield.

Wemust have marched at least a mile, perhaps more, when the column wasovertaken.ItwasmovingatawalkontheroadleadingtoOldChurch.FindingmyselfinrearwithnorearguardIdetachedthreetroops(A,EandG)andheldthemwith sufficient interval to cover the retreat.When therewas a halt theywereformedinlineacrosstheroadandfacingtotherearwithcarbinesloadedandata"ready"torepelanyattack,shouldonebemade.Oncewhenhaltedthetreadofhorsescouldbeheardapproaching.

"Halt!Whocomesthere?"wasthechallenge.

"MajorWellsandaportionoftheFirstVermontcavalry,"wasthereply.

Headvancedandwasrecognizedandfor theremainderof thenightwejointlylookedaftertherearuntilacampinggroundwasfoundnearOldChurchaboutdaylightthenextmorning.

AnamusingthinghappenedafterBarnhartandtheorderlypulledmeoutofthetent.TheorderlysaddledmyhorseandafterbucklingonswordandbeltIputmyfootinstirrupandproceededtomount.Thesaddleslippedofftotheground.Inthe excitementhehadneglected to fasten thegirths. I put the saddleon againand,makingalltight,mountedandgavethehorsethespur,whentomydismayhe proved to be still tied to the tree. It was necessary to dismount, untie and

adjustthehalter.BythistimeitisneedlesstosayIwasgetting"rattled."Buttheprecautionstakenmadeiteasytogettheregimentintoshapeandkeepitwellinhand.Themost regrettable thing about it allwas thatSawyerdidnot rushhisentirebrigade to the supportof thepicket line.Had thatbeendone, it ismorethan likely that Litchfield and his men might have been saved from capture,thoughIdonotknowhowHamptonfoundthemwhenhestoleintotheircamp.If theywere scatteredaboutandasleep itwouldhavebeen impossible to rallythem and get them into line for effective resistance. On the other hand, hadSawyerwith his other regiments, orDavieswith his brigade, or both of themtogethermadeaconcertedattackHamptonmighthavebeenworsted.Buttherewasnoattempttomakeafight.Hampton'sattackcausedconsternation,forcedaprecipitate retreat, and led to the final abandonment of the objects of theexpedition.

In a previous chapter I have sought to show that official reports are oftenmeager, sometimesmisleading.Therehasalwaysbeenagooddealofmysteryabout this affair. There is mystery still, which careful reading of the officialrecords does not dispel. Sawyer made no report; or, if he did it was notpublished. Few if any of the regimental commanders submitted reports. TheMichiganbrigadesuffereditsusualfateinthatregard.

Kilpatrick'sreportaspublishedsays:

"The command was moved out on the road to Old Church, andplaced inpositionandafterconsiderablehardfightingrepulsed theenemyandforcedhimbackontheroadtoHanoverCourthouse."

Daviesinhisofficialreportsaid:

"Theenemyduringtheeveningskirmishedslightlywithmypickets,and about 12 p.m., attacked the Second brigade in force. Mycommand at once mounted and formed, but the Second brigadeunassisted repulsed the attack and I moved to the vicinity of OldChurch."

Davies, it is seen,didnot claim tohavemadeany fight.Hewas readyand inposition,butmovedawaytoOldChurch.

WadeHampton,wholedtheattack,says:

"FromHanoverCourthouse Imarched toHughes'sCrossroadsas I

thoughtthatwouldbethemostlikelyplacefortheenemytocross.From that place I could see their camp fires in the direction ofAtlee's Station as well as to my right on the Telegraph or Brookroad. I determined to strike at the party nearAtlee's andwith thatviewmoved down to the station,wherewemet the pickets of theenemy. I would not allow their fire to be returned, but quicklydismounted100menandsupportingthemwiththecavalry,orderedColonelCheek(oftheNorthCarolinabrigade)tomovesteadilyonthecampwhiletwogunswereopenedonthematveryshortrange.*Kilpatrickimmediatelymovedhisdivisionawayatagallop,leavingone wagon with horses hitched to it, and one caisson full ofammunition.The enemywas a brigade strongherewith twootherbrigadesimmediatelyintheirrear."

Fromtheseextracts itwillbeseenhowcommandingofficers,whentheywritetheirofficialreportsofanightrencounter,areapttodrawontheirimaginationsfor the facts.The stout fight put upbyKilpatrick, and thegraphic account byHampton of how he whipped three brigades with a handful of confederateshastilyassembled,areequallymythical.

Davies'sreportgivesaveryaccuratedescriptionoftheaffair.Fromthiswefindthathepicketed towardRichmondand theMeadowbridges, takingcareof theflanks and rear. The slight skirmishing with his pickets, of which he speaks,must have been with small bodies that came out from Richmond or whichfollowedhimfromhispositionofthedayontheBrookpike.IthadnorelationtoHampton'sattackwhichwasfromtheoppositedirectionandentirelydistinct.ToSawyeritwasleft,itwouldappear,tolookoutforthefront—thatis,towardAshland and Hanover Courthouse. Sawyer sent the SeventhMichigan out onpicket,theouterlineadvancedasfarasAtlee'sStation.

WhenHamptoncameinfromHughes'scrossroads,hedidnotstoptoskirmishwiththevidettes.Hedidnotfireashotbutfollowedthepickets intothecampand opened with carbines and two pieces of artillery at close range. Noarrangementsappear tohavebeenmadetosupport theSeventhproperly in theeventof suchanattack,whichmighthavebeen foreseen.Sawyer shouldhavereinforcedtheSeventhwithhisentirebrigade.AnditwasequallyincumbentonKilpatricktosupportSawyerwithDavies'sbrigadeifheneededsupport.Neitherof these things was done. Kilpatrick's artillery made no response to that ofHampton.The only orderwas to retreat.Hamptonwas not far away from thefacts when he said that "Kilpatrick immediately moved his division off at a

gallop."Hedidnotmoveit"atagallop."Hemoveditatawalk.Buthemoved"immediately."Hedidnotstoptofight,andmorningfoundhimwellonthewaytothePamunkeyriver.ItwasanunluckyeventforpoorLitchfield.Hewasheldasaprisonerofwarverynearly ifnotquiteuntil thecurtainhad fallenon thefinal scene at Appomattox. I do not remember that he ever again had theprivilegeofcommandinghisregiment.

A.C.LITCHFIELD

Kilpatrick'sstrategywasbetterthanhistactics.Hisplanwasboldinconception,butfaultyinexecution.Ithasbeenshownthathemadeamistakeindividinghiscommand; that hemade anotherwhen he failed to order an immediate attackafterhisarrivalbeforethecity.HisafterthoughtofsendingPrestonandTaylor,atmidnight, in a snow storm, and on a night so dark that itwould have beenimpossibletokeeptogether,tobesureoftheway,ortodistinguishfriendfromfoe, to do a thingwhich he hesitated to do in the daytime andwith his entireforce,wouldhavebeenamoreseriousblunderthaneither.Ofcourse,ifPrestonhadstarted,itwouldhavebeenwiththedeterminationtosucceedorlosehislifeintheadventure.Thatwashisreputationandhischaracterasasoldier.Buttheservicesandlivesofsuchmenaretoovaluabletobewastedinfutileattempts.It

mighthavebeengloriousbutitwouldnothavebeenwar.

To conclude this rambling description. In October, 1907, while attending theJamestown exposition I met Colonel St. George Tucker, president of theexposition company and a well known scion of one of the first families ofVirginia. The conversation turned to certain incidents of the civilwar, amongotherssomeofthosepertainingtotheKilpatrickraid.ColonelTuckerwasatthetimeaboytenyearsofage.Armedwithagunhewasatawindowinthesecondstoryofhisfather'shousereadytodohispartinrepellingthe"vandals"shouldthey invade the streets of the city. This circumstance sheds light on the realsituation.Withtheschoolboysbandedtogethertodefendtheirhomes,andeveryhousegarrisoned in thatway, not tomention the regular soldiers and themenwho were on duty, it is quite certain that Richmond would have been anuncomfortableplacethatnightforPrestonandhislittlebandofheroes.Aman'shouseishiscitadelandboysandwomenwillfighttodefendit.

FromOld Church the commandmovedWednesday to Tunstall's Station, andthence by way of New Kent Courthouse and Williamsburg to Yorktown. AtYorktown the various regiments took transports to Washington and fromWashingtonmarchedback to theiroldcampsaroundStevensburg,noeventofimportancemarkingthejourney.TheyarrivedontheRapidanaboutthemiddleof the month, having been absent two weeks. The men stood the experiencebetter than thehorses.Theanimalswereweakenedandwornoutand the timeremainingbeforetheopeningofactiveoperationswashardlysufficientfortheirrecuperation.

CHAPTERXVI

THEWILDERNESSCAMPAIGN

In the springof1864, thecavalryof thearmyof thePotomacwas thoroughlyreorganized. Pleasonton, who had been rather a staff officer of the generalcommandingthearmythanarealchiefofcavalry,wasretiredandSheridantookhis place. Kilpatrick was sent to the west and James H.Wilson, an engineerofficer,succeededhimincommandoftheThirddivision.Buford'solddivision,theFirst,wasplacedunderTorbert,aninfantryofficerwhosequalificationsasacommander of cavalry were not remarkable. There were several of hissubordinateswhowerebothmorecapableandmoredeserving,notablyCuster,MerrittandThomasC.Devin.JohnBuford, theheroic,oneof theablestofallthe generals of division, had succumbed to the exposures of the previouscampaign. His death befell in December, 1863, on the very day when hereceived his commission as major-general, a richly deserved reward for hissplendidandpatrioticservicesintheGettysburgandothercampaigns.Hisdeathcreatedavoidwhichitwashardtofill.Greggwastheonlyoneofthethreeoldandtrieddivisioncommanderswhoremainedwiththecorps.

Ofthegeneralsofbrigade,MerrittandDevinremainedwiththeirolddivision.Davies was transferred from the Third to the Second, and Custer's MichiganbrigadebecametheFirstbrigadeoftheFirstdivision,thegeneralgoingwithit.

Pleasontonwhowassent toRosecrans, inMissouri,althoughperhapsnot, likehisillustrioussuccessor,acavalrychiefofthefirstrank,hadabrilliantrecord,and in the campaign of 1863 had performed most meritorious and effectiveservice and certainly deserves a high place in the list of union leaders of thatperiod. In all the campaigns of the year 1863, he acquitted himself with thehighest credit and in many of the battles, notably at Chancellorsville,MiddleburgandBrandyStation,hewasanequalmatchforStuartandhisablelieutenants.If,inthereadjustmentincidenttotheassumptionbyGeneralGrantof the chief command, Pleasonton could have been permitted to serve loyallyunderSheridan,whowashisjuniorinrank,itwould,doubtless,havebeenbetterforbothofthem.Hewouldhavebeenobliged,tobesure,tocrucifyhisambitionandwaivehisrank,buthisnamemighthavebeenlinkedwith thoseofGregg,andMerritt,andCusterintherecordof"LittlePhil's"picturesquemarchesfrom

the Wilderness to the James; from Harper's Ferry to Cedar Creek; and fromWinchester to Appomattox. He left the army in whose achievements he hadborne so honorable a part, and no opportunities for distinction came to himafterwards.Othersworethelaurelsthatmighthavebeenhis.

Soonafterhisarrival,GeneralSheridanreviewedthecavalrycorpsontheopengroundnearCulpeper.Thereweretenthousandmountedmeninline,andwhentheybroke intocolumn topass in reviewbefore theassembledgeneralsof thearmy,itwasamagnificentspectacle.Tothisdaythewriter'sbloodquickensinhisveinsanda flushofpardonablepridemantleshis facewheneverhe recallsthecircumstanceofoneofCuster'sstaffcomingtohisquartersaftertheparade,toconveywiththegeneral'scomplimentsthepleasantinformationthatGeneralSheridanhadpersonally requestedhim to compliment theofficers andmenofthe regiment, on its excellent appearance and soldierly bearing on the review.Only a short time before,GeneralKilpatrick had sent a similarmessage afterseeing the regiment at brigade drill. How cheering these messages were; andhow full of encouragement to the full performanceof duty in the trying timesthatwerecloseathand!Lifeisnottoofullofsuchwordsofcheer,evenwhenwedoourbest.Itisnotsomuchadmirationasappreciationthatonecravesfromhisfellowmen,especiallyfromthosewhoarebycircumstanceplacedoverhim.Butenvy,andmalice,andamean,begrudgingspiritoftenstandat thedoor tokeep itout,when itwould fainenter,bringing thesunshinewith it.TherewasnothingnarrowormeanaboutSheridan.Consciousofhisowngreatness,hewastoo broad to begrudge recognition to others. When a subordinate deservedcommendationandSheridanknewit,healwaysgaveit.

AlthoughthemovementofthearmyofthePotomac,whichinitiatedinVirginiathecampaignof1864andresultedinthebattleoftheWilderness,beganonMay3, itwas themorning ofMay 4,when theWolverine troopers left their campnear Culpeper. The Second and Third divisions, as has been shown, had thehonor of leading the advance and preceded the infantry, crossing at Ely's andGermannafords,respectively,onthedaybefore.TheFirstdivisionbivouackedonthenorthsideoftheriverduringthenightofMay4.Atthreeo'clockonthemorningofMay5,themarchwasresumedand,crossingatEly'sford,itmovedtoChancellorsville,andwasencampedthatnightatthe"Furnaces,"southoftheOrange plank road, about midway between Wilderness Church and Todd'sTavern,intherearoftheleftoftheunionlines.

EarlyonthemorningofMay6,"bootsandsaddles"and"tohorse"summonedthebrigadetoarms;andattwoo'clocka.m.,itwasonthemarchbytheFurnace

roadtowardtheintersectionofthathighwaywiththeBrockturnpike.GreggwasatTodd'sTavern,atthejunctionoftheCatharpinandBrockroads.Custerwastobe the connecting link betweenGregg's division andHancock's corps. Devin,withtheSecondbrigade,wasorderedtoreport toCuster.Wilsonhadbeenoutthe previous day on the Orange plank road and pike, beyond Parker's Store,whereheencounteredStuart'scavalryandwasroughlyhandled.Whilemovingup in the darkness,we came upon the scattered troopers of theFirstVermontcavalry,whichforsometimebeforetheredistributionhadbeenattachedtotheMichiganbrigade,butwastheninChapman'sbrigadeofWilson'sdivision.Theywere moving to the rear, and seemed much chagrined over their defeat anddeclared that they did not belong to the Third division, but were the "EighthMichigan."

"Comealongwithus,"saidtheiroldMichigancompanions-in-arms.

"Wishwecould,"theyreplied.

Arrivingathisdestinationbeforedaylight,Custerpostedhistroopssoastobereadytomeettheexpectedattack.Twotroops,onefromtheFirstMichigantheother from theSixth,commandedbyCaptainGeorgeR.MaxwellandCaptainManningD.Birge,respectively,weresentwelloutontheBrockroadtopicketthe front. The line of battlewas formed in thewoods, facing a cleared space,beyondwhichdensetimberservedasascreentopreventtheenemy'sapproachfrom being discovered. The right was held by the First and Sixth Michigan,formed in two lines, regimental front, the Sixth in rear, themen standing "inplace,rest"infrontoftheirhorses.ItwasprolongedtotheleftbytheFifthandSeventhMichiganandDevin'sbrigade,composedoftheFourth,SixthandNinthNewYorkandSeventeenthPennsylvaniaregimentsofcavalry.Devin,however,didnotarriveonthegrounduntilthebattlewaswellunderway.Therightofthelinewas"intheair,"sofaraswasatthattimeknown,theinfantrynotbeinginsight.

Theopenfielddirectlyinfrontextendedsome200yardsbeyondourposition,tothe right, and itwas,perhaps,500yardsacross it to thewoods.The timber inwhichwe formedextended from the rearcleararound the rightandacross thefront.Inotherwords, thepatchofopengroundwasenclosedonthreesides,atleast,bydensewoods.Thealignmentfacedinawesterlydirection,andwasbackinthetimberfarenoughtobehiddenfromtheapproachingfoe.Totherightandasit turnedout,somewhattotherear,laythearmyofthePotomac,whichhadbeenbattlingwithLeeall thepreviousday;andordershadbeenissuedfor the

fightingtoberesumedatfiveo'clockinthemorning.

Thuswestood,prepared,inastateofexpectancy,awaitingthesoundsthatweretosummonustobattle.

ThebrigadebandwaspostedneartheleftflankoftheFirstMichigan.

GeneralCuster, alert andwary,with aportionof his staff and escort,wasoutinspectingthepicketline.

Thehorseartilleryhadnotyetarrived.

Everytrooperwasalertandreadyforwhatevermightcome.

The field, ofwhichmention has beenmade,was bisected by a ravine, nearlydiagonallyfromleftfronttorightrear,thegroundslopingintoitfromfrontandrear.Thisravinewastoplayaprominentpartinthebattlethatensued.

Suddenly,thesignalcame.Apicketshotwasheard,thenanother,andanother.Thickerandfasterthespatteringtoneswerebornetoourearsfromthewoodsinfront. Then, itwas the "rebel yell;" at first faint, but swelling in volume as itapproached.Abrigadeofcavalry,ledbytheintrepidRosser,waschargingfulltilt toward our position. He did not stop to skirmish with the pickets but,charging headlong, drove them pell-mell into the reserves, closely following,withintenttostampedethewholecommand.

Itwasaboldandbrilliantdash,butdestinedtofallshortofcompletesuccess.

Rosserhadmethismatch.

Whentheconfederatechargewassounded,Custerwasnearhispicketlineand,scentingthefirstnoteofdanger,turnedhishorse'sheadtowardthepointwherehehadhiddenhisWolverinesinambushand,burstingintoviewfromthewoodsbeyondthefield,wesawhimridingfuriouslyinourdirection.Whenhenearedtheedgeofthewoods,circlingtothefrontandcurbingthecourseofhischargerasherode,hebadethebandtoplayand,withsaberarmextended,shoutedtothecommand,alreadyinthesaddle:

"Forward,bydivisions!"

As the band struck up the inspiriting strains of "Yankee Doodle," the FirstMichigan broke by subdivisions from the right, the Sixth following in line,regimental front and the two regiments charged with a yell through the thick

underbrush out into the open ground just as the confederate troopers emergedfromthewoodsontheoppositeside.Bothcommandskeptoninfullcareer,theFirst and Sixth inextricably intermingled, until they reached the edge of theravine,whentheystopped,theconfederatessurprisedbythesuddenappearanceandaudacityof theMichiganmenandtheirgallant leader;CusterwellcontentwithcheckingRosser'sviciousadvance.Someoftheforemostofeithersidekeptonandcrossedsabersinthemiddleoftheravine.AmongthesewasLieutenantCortezP.Pendill,oftheSixthMichigan,whowasseverelywoundedamongthevery foremost. One squadron of the confederates, possibly a small regiment,chargingincolumnoffours,wentpastourrightflank,andthen,liketheFrencharmythatmarchedupahillandthenmarcheddownagain,turnedandchargedback,withoutattempting to turn theirheadofcolumntowards theplacewhereCuster was standing at bay, with hisMichiganders clustered thick about him.Prettysoon theconfederatesranabattery into thefieldandopenedonuswithshell. Every attempt to break Custer's line, however, ended in failure, theSpencercarbinesprovingtoomuchofanobstacletobeovercome.

Meanwhile, theFifthandSeventhhadbeendoingexcellentserviceontheleft,forgingtothefrontandthreateningtherightoftheconfederateposition.

Butitwasevidentthatourownrightwasvulnerable,andCusterorderedMajorKiddtotaketheSixth,moveitbythereartothewoodsontheright,dismounttofightonfootand,tousehisownwords:"Flankthatbattery."

The regiment had become much scattered in the charge, but the "rally" wassounded,andasmanymenascouldbequicklyassembledon thecolors,werewithdrawn from the field and, obeying the order with as much alacrity aspossible, in a fewmoments theywere in position andmoving forwardbrisklythroughthethickwoods.But,theyhadnotproceededfar,whenastronglineofdismounted confederates was encountered. Both commanders seem to haveorderedasimultaneousmovementwithasimilarpurpose,viz:Toflanktheotherandattackhisrear.

The two forces met very nearly on the prolongation of the line held by themountedmenof theFirst,FifthandSeventhMichigan,eastof theravine.Theconfederate lineextendedbeyondtherightof theSixthasfaraswecouldsee,anditwasatonceevidentthatweweregreatlyoutnumbered,andliabletohavetheright flank turnedatanymoment.The little forcestoodbravelyup to theirwork, using the Spencerswith deadly effect, and checking the advance of theconfederatesintheirimmediatefront.MajorCharlesW.Deanewhowashelping

todirectthemovement,hadhishorseshotunderhim.Seeingthattheleftoftheconfederateswere trying topass aroundour right flank, the captainof the lefttroop was directed to hold on to his position and the right was "refused" toprotect the rear.At the same timeanofficerwasdispatched toGeneralCusterwithanappealforreinforcements.

TheentireoftheSecondbrigadewasnowupandabatterywhicharrivedonthefieldafter thewithdrawalof theSixth,hadbeenplacedinpositionandopenedupontheenemy.Thebattlewasstillraginginthefield,butGeneralCustersenttheFifthMichigan,ColonelRussellA.Algercommanding,andtheSeventeenthPennsylvania, LieutenantColonel J.Q.Anderson commanding, to the relief oftheSixthMichigan.

The reinforcements came none too soon. The confederates, confident in theirsuperiornumbers,werepressinghardandthreateningtoenvelopuscompletely.

In a solid line of two ranks, with Spencer carbines full shotted, the twomagnificentregimentsdeployedintolineonourright.Thenmovingforward,bya left halfwheel, turned the tables on the too exultant foe, and hewas forcedslowlybutsurelyback.ByvirtueofhisrankColonelAlgerwasincommandofthe line and, in response tohis clear-voicedorder, "Steadymen, forward," thethree regiments,witha shout, swepton through thewoods,drivingeverythingbefore them. At the same time, the mounted men of the First and Seventhcharged the force in their front. The enemy, thereupon, gaveway in disorder,wasroutedandfled,leavinghisdeadandwoundedinourhands.Hisrepulsewascompleteandcrushingandwesawnomoreofhimthatday.TheMichiganmen,withtheaidofDevin'sNewYorkandPennsylvaniatroopers,hadwonasignalvictory, momentous in its consequences, for it saved the union left from adisastermuchdreaded,thefearofwhichneutralizedone-halfofHancock'scorpsduringtheentireday.

Noonewhowitnessed it,canever forget thesuperbconductofColonelAlgerandhismenwhentheyswungintolineontherightoftheSixthMichiganandturnedathreatenedreverseintoamagnificentvictory.

Among the wounded, besides Lieutenant Pendill, already mentioned, wereCaptainBenjaminF.Rockafellow,oftheSixthMichigan,andLieutenantAlvinN.Sabin,oftheFifthMichigan.Alloftheseofficerswereseverelywoundedandallbehavedwiththemostconspicuousgallantry.

Inthemeantime,whatwastheinfantrydoing?AfterRosserwasdrivenfromthe

field,itwasfoundthattherewasalineofinfantrynotfartotherightandrear.Indeed,theleftoftheinfantrylineoverlappedtherightofthecavalry.Attentionwas called to the factwhen, after the fight, some of the cavalrymen began tostraggle to therearandreturning,said that theTwenty-sixthMichiganinfantrywas only a littleway off, and a goodmany of themenwent over for a briefhand-shakewithfriendstherein.

TheTwenty-sixthMichiganwasinBarlow'sdivision.Theyhadbeeninterestedlistenersto,ifnotactualwitnessesofthecavalryfight.Thecontestbetweenthedismounted men of Rosser's and Custer's commands had been almost, if notquite,intheirfrontandoccasionalshotshadcometheirway.

WhydidnotBarlow,orindeed,Gibbon'sentirecommand,moveupatthetimewhen the SixthMichigan cavalry was contending alonewith a superior forcedirectlyintheirfront?

Theanswer to thatquestion is in thesealedbookwhichcontains thereasonofGrant'sfailureinthe"Wilderness."

Letussee!

Grant's orders to the corps commanders—Sedgwick, Warren and Hancock—weretoattackLee'sarmyatfiveo'clocka.m.,May6.Longstreethadnotarrivedbut was expected up in the morning, and prisoners said he would attack theunionleft.Hancockwasdirectedtolookoutfortheleft.Barlow'sdivisionwaspostedfor thatpurpose.Hancock'scorpswasdivided into twowings, therightwingunderBirneyconsistingof the threedivisionsofBirney,MottandGetty;theleftwingofGibbon'sandBarlow'sdivisionsunderGibbon.Barlow,ashasbeen seen, was to look out for the left. "The left" was well looked after bySheridan'scavalryfor,asidefromCuster's twobrigadeswhichweredirectlyincontactwithBarlow's leftflank,Gregg'sdivisionwaspostedatTodd'sTavern,stillfarthertotheleft.

Sedgwick and Warren attacked Ewell at the hour, but were unsuccessful.Hancock's assault upon Hill was completely successful, although LongstreetarrivedinthenickoftimetosaveHill.ButHancock'sattackwaswithhisrightwingunderBirney,andLongstreetstrucktheleftofBirney'scommand.WherewerethetwodivisionsofGibbon,postedfortheverypurposeoflookingoutforLongstreet?

InGeneralA.A.Humphrey's,"VirginiaCampaigns,"page40,weread:

"At seven a.m., General Hancock sent a staff officer to GeneralGibbon, informing him of the success of his right wing, anddirecting him to attack the enemy's right with Barlow's division.This order was only partially obeyed. Had Barlow's divisionadvanced as directed, he (GeneralHancock) felt confident that theenemy's forcewould have been defeated. The cause of his failurewasprobablyowing to theexpectedapproachofLongstreetonhis(Barlow's)left."

Again:

"At 8:30 a.m., Hancock began an attack with Birney's wing andGibbon'sdivisionoftheleftwing."

GeneralGrant,inhismemoirs,(pp.196-197):

"Hancockwas ready to advance, but learning that Longstreet wasthreateninghisleftflank,sentadivisionofinfantry,commandedbyGeneralBarlow, tocover theapproachesbywhichLongstreetwasexpected."

GeneralSheridan,(memoirs,vol.I,pp.362-363):

"On the sixth,GeneralMeadebecamealarmedabouthis left flankandsentadispatch,saying: 'Hancockhasbeenheavilypressedandhis left turned.Youhad better draw in your cavalry to protect thetrains.'"

Andagain:

"Onthemorningofthesixth,Custer'sandDevin'sbrigadeshadbeenseverely engagedbefore I received the abovenote.Theyhadbeenmostsuccessful inrepulsingtheenemy'sattacks,andIfelt that theline could be held. But the despatch from General Hancock wasalarming,soIdrewallthecavalrycloseinaroundChancellorsville."

Grant'smemoirs,oncemore:

"ThefiringwashardlybegunwhenHancockwasinformedthattheleftwingwasseriouslythreatenedsoastofullyoccupyBarlow.Theenemy'sdismountedcavalryopenedonhim(sic.)withartilleryandpressed forward his skirmish line. The rapid firing of Sheridan's

attackhelpedtoconfirmtheimpressionthatthiswasaseriousflankattack by the enemy. These repeated reports prevented Hancockfromthrowinghisfullstrengthintotheattackalongtheplankroad."

"TherapidfiringofSheridan'sattack"isgood.SheridanisentitledtothecreditofplacingCusterwherehewas.Butthatisall.Sheridanwasnotonthegroundtodirecttheattackinanyway;norwasthedivisioncommanderontheground.ItwasCuster'sattackanditwasCuster'svictory.Theonlydismountedcavalrythat attacked Barlow was Rosser's cavalry, and Custer's cavalry was betweenRosser and Barlow. The only artillery with which the dismounted cavalryopenedonBarlowwasRosser'sbatteryandCuster andhismenwerebetweenBarlow and that battery. Had Barlow taken the trouble to ascertain what wasreally going on in his front, an easymatter, hewould have found that, so farfromthisdismountedcavalryendangeringhisflank,theyhadbeendrivenoffthefield in headlong flight, leaving their dead and wounded. There was never amomentduringtheentireday(May6,1864,)whenBarlowwasintheslightestdanger of being flanked. His failure to advance, enabled Longstreet to swingacrosshisfrontandattackBirney'sleft,thusneutralizingHancock'svictoryoverHill.IfBarlowandGibbonhadadvancedastheywereorderedtodo,theywouldhavestruckLongstreet'sflankand,probably,crushedit.

All ofwhich seems to demonstrate that, in battle, as in theordinary affairs oflife,imaginarydangersoftentroubleusmorethanthosewhicharereal.

ThefearofbeingflankedwasaneverpresentterrortothearmyofthePotomac,and the apparition which appeared toMcDowell atManassas, to Pope at theSecondBullRun,toHookeratChancellorsville,flittedovertheWildernessalso,andwastheprincipalcausewhythatcampaignwasnotsuccessful.

And then again,GeneralMeadeplaced too lowan estimate upon thevalueofcavalryasafactorinbattleandfailedutterlytoappreciatetheimportanceofthepresenceofSheridan's troopersuponhis left.HadMeadeandHancockknownSheridanthen,as theyknewhimayearlater,whenheinterceptedtheflightofthearmyofNorthernVirginiaatFiveForksandSailor'sCreek,therewouldhavebeenintheirmindsnonervousapprehensionthatLongstreetmightreenactintheWildernessthepartplayedatChancellorsvillebyStonewallJackson.Asitwas,Grant's strategy andHancock's heroismwere paralyzed by these false rumorsaboutLongstreet'smenacingthesafetyofthePotomacarmybymovingagainstitsleftandrear.Ifsuchathingwasseriouslyintended,itwasmetandthwartedby Custer and Gregg who, alone and unaided as at Gettysburg, successfully

resisted every effort on the part ofStuart's cavalry to break through the unionlines. The noise of the successful battlewhich the union cavalrywaswaging,insteadofreassuringthefederalcommandersasitshouldhavedone,servedonlyto increase the alarm which extended to General Hancock and to armyheadquarters,aswell.Ifaproperratinghadbeenplacedupontheservicesofthecavalry all apprehensionwould have been quieted.Barlow andGibbonwouldhavemoved promptly to the front as directed, andHill andEwellmight havebeencrushedbeforeLongstreetwasinpositiontosavethem.

General Sheridan's report gives a very meager and inadequate account of thecavalry fight in theWilderness. In his book he dismisses itwith a paragraph.Major McClellan, Stuart's adjutant general, in his "Campaigns of Stuart'sCavalry," makes no mention of it at all, though he devotes much space toRosser's victory overWilson, on the fifth.That is not strange, perhaps, in thecaseof theconfederatechronicler,whosetout inhisbook towriteeulogiumsupon his own hero, and not upon Sheridan or Custer. He has a keen eye forconfederatevictoriesand,ifhehasknowledgeofanyother,doesnotconfesstoit.AsforSheridan,hiscorpswasscatteredoverawidearea,itsdutytoguardtheleftflankandallthetrains,andhewasnotpresentinpersonwhenCusterputanabrupt stop to Rosser's impetuous advance. It is now known that he was sohamperedbyinterferencefromarmyheadquartersthathisplansmiscarried,andtherelationsbetweenhimselfandhisimmediatesuperiorbecamesostrainedthatthe doughty littlewarrior declared that hewould never give the cavalry corpsanotherorder.ByGeneralGrant'sintervention,however,thesedifficultiesweresofarreconciledthatSheridanwassoonoffonhismemorablecampaignwhichresulted in the bloody battle of Yellow Tavern and the death of the foremostconfederatecavalier,GeneralJ.E.B.Stuart.

CHAPTERXVII

THEYELLOWTAVERNCAMPAIGN

ThesequeltothefalsealarmaboutHancock'sleftflankbeingturnedwasthatallthe cavalrywas drawn in to guard the trains andprotect the rear of the army.Custer'sbrigademovedbacktothefurnaceswhereitremainedduringthenight.Themorning of the seventh hewas ordered to resumehis position of the daybefore. Gregg's division was returned to Todd's Tavern. Before the arrival ofGregg's command the First Michigan cavalry had a spirited encounter withFitzhugh Lee, in which Captain Brevoort, in command of the mounted men,particularly distinguished himself. There was pretty sharp fighting during theentire day, mostly on foot, the nature of the ground practically precludingmovementsonhorseback.

TheengagementofthecavalryontheseventhofMayisknowninhistoryasthebattle ofTodd'sTavern. Itwasmadenecessary in order to retake the positionsurrendered by Meade's order of the sixth. Much blood was shed and manyvaluableliveswerelostinretrievingtheerror.Intheeventsofthetwodaysmaybefoundagoodillustrationoftherulethatanofficer(evenagreatsoldierlikeSheridan) must obey orders, right or wrong. Sheridan must have known thattherewas no need towithdraw his cavalry from the left of the army. On thecontrary he knew that by all means it ought to remain where it was. Yet heobeyedandhadtofightanoffensivebattletoregainwhathewasthusforcedtogiveaway.Theconditionsofthetwodayswerereversed.OnthemorningofthesixthSheridanwasinpossessionandStuartwastryingtodrivehimout.OnthemorningoftheseventhStuartwasinpossessionandSheridanhadtodrivehimout.ThematerialdifferencewasthatStuartfailed,Sheridansucceeded.Sheridanoutgeneraled Stuart in both offensive and defensive tactics. The names of therespectivechiefsaregivenherebut,onthesixththeactualfightingoftheunionforces was directed by Custer and Gregg, of the confederates by Rosser andFitzhughLee;ontheseventh,byGregg,MerrittandCusterforthefederalside,byFitzhughLeeonthepartoftheconfederates.GreggandCusterstoodtogetherin theWilderness as they had done at Gettysburg. At Todd's TavernMerritt,DaviesandDevinwereadded to thecombination.And itwasone thatneitherStuart,FitzhughLeenorHamptonwaseverabletomatch.

AtnighttheFirstandSeconddivisionswereencampedintheopenfieldseastofTodd'sTavern, and in front of the positions held by themduring the previoustwo days.Mounted pickets and patrols guarded the front and it soon becameapparent thatamovementofbotharmieswas inprogress.Fromfrontandrearcamesignificantsoundswhichthepracticedearhadnodifficultyininterpreting.Grant,breakingoff successively fromhis right,waspassingby the rear to theleft,concentratingaroundTodd'sTavernforaforwardmovementinthemorningtowardsSpottsylvaniaCourthouse.TheprincipleinvolvedwastomaneuverLeeout of the Wilderness into more open country by threatening hiscommunications. Once again his strategic plans were thwarted by the faultymanner in which the tactics of the movement were executed. Sheridan hadplannedtoseizeSpottsylvaniawithhiscavalryandhisorderswereforallthreedivisionstomoveatdaylightwiththatendinview.Wilsonwastoleadandbefollowed up and supported by Merritt and Gregg with the First and Seconddivisions.WeshallseehowWilsonwassuccessfulincarryingouthispartoftheplan, but how theotherswere stoppedbyorders fromMeade, thuspreventingtheaccomplishmentofawellconceivedenterpriseandneutralizingtwo-thirdsofthecavalrycorpsjustwhenitwasabouttoopenthewaytovictory.

By his peculiar tactical night movement Grant held his line of battle intactexceptasthevariouscorpsbrokesuccessivelyfromrighttoreartomarchtotheleft. Thus Hancock's corps, though on the extreme left, was the last corps tomove.

Lee,quicktodivinethepurposeofhisadversary,movedhisarmybytherightflank on a parallel line.All night long the ears of the alert cavalrymen couldcatch the indistinct murmur of troops moving with their impediments which,comingfrombothfrontandrear,bespokethegrandtacticsofbothcommandersand presaged a great battle on the morrow. The "pop," "pop," "pop," of thecarbines along the line of videttes was well nigh continuous, showing theproximity of the enemy's prowling patrols and scouts, and the necessity ofconstant vigilance. So closely did the confederates approach the outposts thattherewasunceasingfearofanattackandneitherofficersnormenwereabletoobtainmuchrest.Tosleepwasoutofthequestion.TheFirstMichiganwasheldin readiness tomake amounted charge,while the other regimentswere underorderstodeploydismounted,incasetheattackwhichwaslookedforshouldbemade.TheofficersoftheFirstcouldbeheardencouragingandinstructingtheirmen,keepingthemalertandpreparedforbattle.

From the timeof the organization of theMichiganbrigade, theFirst regiment

had been designated as distinctively a saber regiment, the Fifth and Sixth forfightingonfoot,astheywerearmedwithSpencerrifles,andtheresultwasthatwiththem,dismountingtofightwhenincontactwiththeenemyintheearlypartoftheirtermsofservicebecameasortofsecondnature.TheFirsthadayear'sexperiencewith the cavalry before the otherswent out, and it was in a saberchargeat theSecondBullRunbattlethatBrodheaditsfirstcolonelwaskilled.TheFirstVermont,liketheFirstMichigan,wasasaberregimentandwentoutin1861.When this regimentwas attached to the brigade,Custer had three saberregiments, and it fell to the lot of theFifth andSixthMichigan tobe selectedmore often than the others, perhaps, for dismounted duty. It often happened,however, that the entire brigade fought dismounted at the same time; andsometimes, thoughnotoften,allwouldchargetogethermounted.Owingtothenature of the country, most of the fighting in Grant's campaign from theWildernesstotheJameswasdoneonfoot.IntheShenandoahvalleycampaigninthelatterpartoftheyear1864,thereversewasthecaseandatthebattlesofTom'sBrook,WinchesterandCedarCreekthetroopersinthecommandforthemostpartkepttothesaddlethroughouttheengagements.

WhenCusterwantedtoputasingleregimentintoamountedchargehegenerallyselectedtheFirstMichigan,becauseitwasnotonlyolderandmoreexperiencedbut hadmany officers who possessed both great personal daring and the rareabilitytohandlemeninaction,keepingthemwelltogethersoastosupporteachotherandaccomplishresults.Thisregimentwasnotexcelledbyanyotherinthearmyforthatpurpose.TheSeventhwasanunderstudyfortheFirst.TheFifthandSixthworkedwelltogetherontheskirmishlineordismountedlineofbattleandhadnosuperiors in thiskindofwork.That theywereprettyreliablewhencalled upon mounted also, is shown by the conduct of the Sixth in theWildernessandoftheFifthatTrevillianStation.Itisonlynecessarytomentionthe gallantry of the Seventh at Hanovertown and at Yellow Tavern todemonstratethatitwasanaptpupiloftheFirst.Alltheofficersandallthemenof the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh took off their hats and gracefully yielded thepalm to the First. It is doubtful if there was another regiment in the federalcavalry service which contained so many officers highly marked for theirfearless intrepidity in action. The circumstance of their talking to their menbefore an expected engagementwas characteristic.Theywere always ready tofacetheperilandleadtheirmen.

Laterintheevening,awaytotheleftwheretheinfantrywasgoingintobivouaca union band began to play a patriotic air. This was the signal for loud and

prolonged cheering. Then a confederate band opposite respondedwith one oftheirsoutherntunesandthesoldiersonthatsidecheered.Successively,fromlefttorightandfromrighttoleftthiswastakenup,musicandcheeringalternatingbetweenfederalsandconfederates,thesoundsrecedingandgrowingfainterandfainter as the distance increased until they died away entirely. It was a mostremarkableandimpressivedemonstrationunderthecircumstancesandlingeredlonginthememoryofthosewhoheardit.

Thoughthefightingonthe5th,6thand7thhadbeenforthemostpartfavorableto the union troopers, it was disjointed and, therefore, neither decisive nor aseffectiveasitmighthavebeen.Sheridanbelievedthatthecavalrycorpsshouldoperateasacompactorganization,adistinctentity,anintegralconstituentofthearmy,thesameastheothercorps.HelookeduponhisrelationtothegeneralincommandasbeingpreciselythesameasthatofHancock,SedgwickorWarren,andinsistedthatorderstothecavalryshouldbegiventhroughthecavalrycorpscommander just as orders to the Second corps were given through GeneralHancock. He could not bring himself to consent to be a mere staff officerdanglingat theheelsofGeneralMeade,butconceivedhimself tobeanactualcommander,notinnameonlybutinfact.

ProceedingonthistheoryheissuedorderstothevariousdivisioncommanderstomoveatdaylightonthemorningofMay8,andcooperatewitheachotherunderhis personal direction in a plan which he had devised to seize SpottsylvaniaCourthouse inadvanceofLee's infantry.Theywere toadvanceonconvergingroads insuchamanneras toarrivesuccessivelybut tosupporteachotherandopenaway for the infantry columns.WilsoncrossedCorbin'sbridge, chargedthrough the towndrivingoutsomeofFitzhughLee'scavalrymenandpursuingthemseveralmilesbeyond.MerrittandGreggmadeagoodstartandiftheyhadbeen allowed to proceedwould have had no difficulty in accomplishingwhatSheridan desired to have them do. But without notice to Sheridan, Meadecountermanded the orders to those two officers directing them to halt at thebridgesandnotcross.TheresultwasthatWilsonwasisolated,Merritt'scavalrybecame inextricably entangled with Warren's infantry, so that neither one ofthem reached Spottsylvania, as they were both expected to do, Gregg wasneutralized, Wilson's safety jeoparded, Sheridan's combinations broken upwithout his knowledge, and the way was left open for Lee's infantry, so thatAnderson with Longstreet's corps took advantage of the situation and droveWilson out and took possession—thus paving the way for Lee to form adefensive line there instead of farther south, probably inside the defenses of

Richmond. Then it befell that a series of bloody battles had to be fought toregainwhatwas thus foolishly surrendered; to regainwhat indeedmight havebeenheldwithslightloss,ifSheridanhadbeenletalone,andpermittedtohavehisway.Ifhehadbeengivenafreehand,andassumingthatWarren,Burnside,SedgwickandHancockwouldhavecarriedouttheirpartoftheprogramwiththesame zeal and skill displayed by Sheridan, it is certain that the battle ofSpottsylvaniawithits"bloodyangle"wouldneverhavetakenplace.

Theaffairwasafiasco,butforthatnoblamecanbeattachedtoeitherSheridanor Grant, unless the latter be considered blameworthy for not directing themovementsinpersoninsteadofleavingthetacticsofthebattletobeworkedoutbyMeade.

Oncemore,asintheWilderness,thecavalrywasdrawnin.Theentirecorpswasmassedinrearoftheinfantryandrenderedinert.SheridanwithhistenthousandtrooperswasheldidleandinactivewhileWarren,SedgwickandBurnsideweregiven the taskofdefeatingLee'sveteranarmywithoutSheridan'shelp.Allhisplanswererenderednugatory.Hebecamesatisfiedthathiseffortswereuseless.AboutnoonhewenttoMeade'sheadquartersandtheyhadaninterviewwhichisone of the famous historical episodes of the civil war. He told Meade that,inasmuchashisplansweretobeinterferedwith,hisorderscountermanded,thusdestroyingtheefficiencyandusefulnessofthecavalrycorps,hemustdeclinetogiveitfurtherordersandGeneralMeadecouldtakeitandrunithimself,asheevidentlydesiredtodo.Hekepthispoise,however,sufficientlytointimatethathewouldlikeanopportunitytotakehiscorpsandgooutafterStuart,sincehebelievedhecouldwhipStuart ina fair fight ifhecouldhaveachance.MeadereportedthisconversationtoGrantwhotoldMeadetolethimgoandtry.Granthad confidence enough in Sheridan to believe that he would make his wordgood.

Theoutcomeofthiswasthattheentirecorpswasorderedthatveryafternoontoconcentrate at Alrich's, on the plank road leading to Fredericksburg, and beprepared tostartatdaylightonanexpeditionaroundLee's right flank, into theenemy'scountry.Itwastobeasecondedition,onlyonamuchlargerscale,andunderaverydifferentcommander,of theKilpatrick raid, anaccountofwhichwas given in a previous chapter.The route selectedwas verymuch the same.But, unlike Kilpatrick and others who had led cavalry expeditions up to thattime, and whose idea was to ride rapidly through the country and avoid theenemy as much as possible, never fighting unless forced into it unwillingly,Sheridanwentoutwiththeutmostdeliberation,lookingfortrouble—seekingit

—anddesiringbeforeeveryotherthingtofindStuartandfighthimonhisnativeheath.Theconfidencewhichhemanifestedinhimselfandintheprowessofhiscommand was of its own kind, and a distinct revelation to the army of thePotomac, in which it had long been a settled article of belief that Stuart wasinvincible and, indeed, up to that time he had beenwell nigh so, as Sheridanpointsoutinhismemoirs.

In themeantime, the battle was raging around Spottsylvania. Lee's armywasgetting into position, his various corps concentrating and intrenching, andmakingeverypreparationforanewbaseandastoutresistance.Grant'splanshadallmiscarried,thusfar.Still,hehadtakenuphisbridgesandresolvedtofightitoutonthatline.Itwasalreadyevidentthattherewastobenomoreretreating.TheofficersandmenofthearmyofthePotomacmadeuptheirmindsthattheyhad crossed theRapidan and theRappahannock for the last time and thatLeewouldneverbepermittedtomakeapermanenthaltoutsidetheintrenchmentsofRichmond.

Whenthelongcolumnwasmarchingalongtherearofthearmy,thesoundsofthebattlegoingoncouldbedistinctlyheard.Hundredsofwoundedmenwerecoming from the front, mostly so slightly injured that they were helpingthemselves off the field to a place of safetywhere they could receive neededtreatment.Itfilleduswithastonishmenttoseethenumberofthem.TheofficialrecordsshowthatGrantlostmorethantenthousandmenintheseriesofbattlesaroundSpottsylvania.Itseemedwickedtotaketenthousandmenwellmountedandequippedawayfromthearmyatsuchatimeasthat.QueerideasMeadehad.AndqueererstillthatGrantshouldhaveyieldedtohiminamatterofsuchvitalimportance.And themen that Sheridanwas taking away,were the very sametroopswithwhomhebrokeEarly's flank atWinchester; andwho stood like astone wall in the way of Early's advance at Cedar Creek after two corps ofinfantryhadbeen routed, only a fewmonths later. Just imagine for amomentwhat might have been the result if Sheridan had been permitted to make thesameuseofhiscavalryintheWildernessoratSpottsylvaniawhichhemadeofitatWinchesterandCedarCreek.

We camped at Alrich's for the night. And it was Sunday night. It will beremembered that the Kilpatrick expedition left Stevensburg on Sunday night.Threedays'rationsweredrawnandissuedtothemen.Therewasbutone-halfofoneday'srationofgrainforthehorses.Soitwassettledthatouranimalswouldhave to depend on the country for their forage. The force thus assembledconsistedofthreedivisions—abouttenthousandtroopers—underMerritt,Gregg

andWilson—sevenbrigadescommandedbyCuster,Devin,Gibbs,Davies,IrvinGregg,McIntoshandChapman.Thesewereallveteranofficers,oftentriedandnever found wanting. Of these brigade commanders, two, Custer and Davies,held the rankofbrigadiergeneral;Devinwas colonelof theSixthNewYork;Gibbs of the FirstNewYork dragoons;Gregg of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania;McIntoshoftheThirdPennsylvania;ChapmanoftheThirdIndiana.

Thereweresixbatteriesofartillery,all regularsbutone—theSixthNewYorkindependent—CaptainJ.W.Martin.PenningtonwasstillwiththeThirddivision,as was the First Vermont cavalry also. The four Michigan regiments werecommandedbyLieutenantColonelPeterStagg,ColonelRussellA.Alger,MajorJamesH.KiddandMajorHenryW.Granger,respectively.

Themovementbeganatanearlyhour.Thestartwasmadelongbeforedaylight.GeneralCuster,whowastolead,orderedthattheSixthMichiganmoveoutfirstandthusitfelltomylottobeinthevanattheoutsetofthathistoricexpedition.Aguidewasfurnished,withdirectionsthattheroutetakenbebytheplankroadtoTabernaclechurch,thencetotheTelegraphroadrunningfromFredericksburgtoRichmond,thenduesouthtowardThornburg.Thelongcolumnwounditswayslowly out of the wilderness on a single road, marching by fours, Merritt infront,Gregg in rear,Wilson in the centre—seven brigades and six batteries—beyond doubt the most superb force of mounted men that ever had beenassembled under one leader on this continent, and amore formidable body ofhorsethanhadbeenseeninthatwaroneitherside,uptothattime,orwaseverseenafterwards.Thecolumnwhenstretchedoutlikeahugesnakewasthirteenmiles in length,so thatwhen the lastofGregg's regiments turnedsouthon theTelegraphroad,theheadofCuster'sbrigademusthavebeennearingChilesburg.

Thenightwasclearandquiet; theairwassoftandrefreshing.Totheright thetwogreatarmiesweresleeping.Therewasnonoteofbugle,noboomofcannon,nocrackofrifletodisturbthetranquilityofthenight.Asthedawnapproachedthe baying of dogs in the distance gave notice that the echoes of the marchwouldsoonreachtheearsoftheenemy'soutposts.

Butthemorningwasfaradvanced,theheadofcolumnwellonitswaypasttherightflankofLee'sarmy,whenthefirsthostilepatrolswereencountered.Atacrossroad leading to the right a small force of cavalrymade its appearance. ItwasputtoflightbyCaptainBirgewithtroopA.AtthispointtroopE,CaptainA.E.Tower,wassenttothefrontasadvanceguard,SergeantM.E.Averywitheightmen going aheadwith orders to charge any enemy that appeared on the

road, the troop to follow him closely and the regiment to support the troop.GeneralCusterwithhisstaffandescortrodecloseuptotherearoftheregiment.Behindhimcame theotherMichigan regiments,Devin'sandGibbs'sbrigades,thenChapman,McIntosh,IrvinGregg,andDaviesinsuccession.Davieswastolookoutfortherear.Thusthelatter,wholedtheKilpatrickexpedition,foundhisposition reversed on this. The responsibilitywas great and hemet it with hisaccustomedcourageandability.Davieswasoneofthefewmenwhoearlyinthewarfoundhisnicheandstucktoit.Hewasanidealgeneralofbrigade;andhekepthisplaceassuchwithoutacheckuntilthewarclosed.

ANGELOE.TOWER

TothoseofuswhohadbeenwithKilpatrickbutashorttwomonthsbeforethecontrastpresentedbyamentalcomparisonofSheridan'smannerofconductingamarch with that of his predecessor was most marked and suggestive. Thismovementwasataslowwalk,deliberateandbyeasystages.Soleisurelywasitthatitdidnottaxtheenduranceofmenorhorses.Therewasasteadinessaboutitthatcalmedthenerves,strengthenedself-reliance,andinspiredconfidence.Itwas a bold challenge for the confederates to comeout and fight a duel to thefinish.Thattheywouldbecompelledtotakeupthegagethusthrowndownthere

wasnoshadowofdoubt.

The advance guard was kept active in the pursuit of confederate scouts andpickets,smallbodiesofwhomwereconstantlyappearinginfrontorhoveringontheflanks.BeforereachingthepointwheretheroadleadingtoBeaverDamwastobetaken,theguide,eitherbyignoranceordesign,misledAveryandhismenandtookthemtotheeastward.Averysuspectingsomethingwrongputahalteraround theguide's neck and started to swinghimup to the limbof a tree.Heimmediatelydiscoveredhismistakeandatrooperwassentwithwordtotaketheotherroad,whoreachedtheintersectionjustastheheadofcolumndid,sotherewasnotamoment'sdelay.Averysooncame inwithasquadofprisonerswhowiththeguidewereturnedovertotheprovostguard.AfterreachingChilesburgwewereonthesameroadoverwhichwemarchedwithKilpatrickandneededno guide. The confederate prisoners looked with astonishment upon this bigbody of cavalrywhich had stolen into their territory like a thief in the night,unexpectedandunannounced.

During the day, as long as I had the advance, Captain Craig Wadsworth ofSheridan's staff rode bymy side to represent and report to his chief.No veryimportant incident happened, but the weather was pleasant, the air wasexhilarating, the companionship was congenial, and there was sufficient ofexcitement to make it interesting. Things were kept moving, and it was veryenjoyable,asservicewiththeadvanceofamarchingcolumnalwaysis.

Late in the afternoon we passed Chilesburg and the country began to have afamiliar look. It was not yet dark when we crossed the North Anna river atAnderson'sbridgeandtheFirstdivisionpreparedtobivouaconthesouthside.GreggandWilsonwentintocampforthenightnorthoftheriver.

After crossing the river, Custer was ordered to proceed with his brigade toBeaver Dam station. Here the First Michigan was given the advance, MajorMelvin Brewer with one battalion as advance guard. The Sixth followed theFirst.Otherwisetheorderofmarchwasthesameasduringtheday.Amileorsobefore reaching Beaver Dam, Brewer came upon several hundred unionprisonerswhowerebeinghurriedundertheescortofconfederateinfantrytothestation,wheretrainswerewaitingtoconveythemtoRichmond.Hisappearance,ofcourse,resultedinthereleaseoftheprisoners,thoseoftheirguardswhodidnot succeed in escaping by running away in the woods being captured. Theengineers began to sound their locomotive whistles, as a signal for theconfederateescorttohurryupwiththeirprisoners,andBrewerfollowedbythe

FirstandSixthdashedintothestationbeforethepresenceof theMichiganderswassuspected,takingthembysurpriseandcapturingthetwolocomotiveswiththeir trains.InafewminutesCusterwiththeentirebrigadewasonthegroundanditwasfoundthat,besidesthetrains,hehadcapturedanimmensequantityofcommissary, medical, and other stores belonging to Lee's supply departmentsandwhichincludednearlyallhismedicalsupplies.Everythingthatcouldnotbecarried away was destroyed. While this destruction was going on someconfederatesmade their appearance in theadjacentwoodsandopened firebuttheyweredrivenawaywithoutmuchtrouble.Thismusthavebeenaveryseverelosstotheconfederates.

Thebrigadethenmarchedawayandrejoinedthedivision,everytrooperhavinghis horse loaded to the limit with such supplies as he thought he could use.GeneralMerritt in his official report refers to this destructionof property as amistakeandcharacterizestheactionas"gaucherie."Itis,however,quitecertainthat theonlywaytohavesavedthesuppliesfor issue to thecorpswouldhavebeentomovethedivisiontoBeaverDamthatnight,forStuartwasconcentratinghisforceatthatpointandmighthavebeenabletoreclaimaportionofthemiftheyhadnotbeendestroyed.Atallevents,CusterwasonthegroundandMerrittwasnot.Custer'sactionmusthavebeenapprovedbyhisjudgment.

EarlyonthemorningofMay10themarchwasresumedbytheNegrofootroadtoward Groundsquirrel bridge across the South Anna river. It was evenmoreleisurely than on the day before. Flankerswere thrown out in both directions.Thelongcolumnoffoursthusproceededslowlybytheroadwhiletotherightandtotheleft,about500yardsout,wereparallelcolumnsofflankers,marchingby file, thus assuring that should the enemy attack either flank, it was onlynecessary towheelbyfours in thatdirection tobe in lineofbattlewithaverystronglineofskirmisherswelloutinfront.

But Stuart did not attack. He seems on that morning to have begun tocomprehendSheridan'splanwhichwasnodoubtthensufficientlypuzzlingbut,aswecan seenow,very simple. In aword, a slowand steadymarch, straighttoward the confederate capital, all the time in position to accept battle shouldStuartoffer it. Ifheshouldnot, tohold to theunyielding tenorofhispurpose,and with exasperating persistence continue to invite it. Stuart had turned offtoward the east andwasmaking a forcedmarchwithFitzhughLee's division,consisting of the brigades of Lomax and Wickham, Gordan's brigade stillhanging on to the rear of Sheridan's column.Our columnmade themarch ofeighteenmiles toGroundsquirrelbridgewithoutmolestationandcamped there

thatnightonthesouthsideoftheriver.StuartafteramuchlongermarchwentintocampatHanoverJunction.Atoneo'clockinthemorningMay11hemovedout towardYellowTavern, arriving there at about teno'clock in the forenoon,before Sheridan's advance, whichwas headed in the same direction,made itsappearance. Stuart had thus by a long and hard march brought his commandwhere itcould interposebetween theUnioncavalryandRichmond.Heseems,however,tohavebeenhaltingbetweentwoopinions—whethertoformsquarelyacrossSheridan'sfrontortoholdhispositionontheflankuntilnearenoughtoRichmondtobewithinreachofreinforcementsfromthetroopsthatwerebeinghurried into the city from the south to aid in the defense.He appears to havechosenthelatteralternative,forheformedhiscommandinalinerunningnorthandsouth,facingwest,Wickhamontheright,Lomaxontheleftwithbatteriesnearbothhisrightandleftflanks.TheleftofhislinecrossedtheTelegraphroadinfrontofYellowTavernwherewasquiteanelevatedpieceofgroundonwhichacrosstheroadwasabatterywellstationedandwellmanned.Hismen,however,musthavebeenprettywellexhaustedbythelongmarch.

YellowTavern,whichgaveitsnametothebattlethatensued,isahamletatthejunction of the Telegraph and Old Mountain roads, about six miles north ofRichmond, where the first named road coalesces and becomes the BrookTurnpike, as I understand it. The Old Mountain road comes down from thenorthwest,theTelegraphroadfromtheeastofnorth.Sheridanstrucktheformerat Allen's Station on the Fredericksburg railroad and followed it to YellowTavern.TheReservebrigadereachedthatplacealittlebeforenoonandfindingStuart in possession immediately began skirmishing.Devin came up next andwas put on the line to reinforceGibbs.WhenCuster's brigade cameupprettysharpskirmishfiringcouldbeheardinfront.Merrittwasinchargeandthebattlewason.Stuarthaddismountedhisentireforceandformedtheminaverystrongdefensive position on a commanding ridge beyond the tavern. Merritt haddismounted a portion of Gibbs's and Devin's commands and was feeling ofStuart's position. Custer's regiments as they successively arrivedweremassedmountedincolumnofbattalionsontherightoftheroad,inafield,thusclearingtheroad.Themarchthatdayhadbeenaneasyone,therestthenightbeforehadbeencomplete,andneverweremenandhorsesinbetterconditionorspiritsforbattlethanwereSheridan'stroopers.

PHILIPH.SHERIDAN

Thentherewasananxiouspause.GlancingbackIsawthatwewereattherearof the division. Down the road about 100 yards a column of cavalry wasapproaching very slowly. Something at the head of the column attracted myparticularattentionandinamomentImadeoutthatitwasageneral'sbattleflag.ButIdidnotrecognizeitasonethatIhadseenbefore.Therewereagoodmanystaffofficersandaprettylargeescort.Astheycameoppositetheregiment,theofficerat theheadlookedbackandsawthat theflagwashanginglimparoundthestaff, therenotbeingairenoughstirring tomakeit floatout.Henoted thisandsaidtothecolorbearer,"Shakeoutthosecolorssotheycanbeseen."Thevoicewasmildandagreeable.Thecolor-bearerdidasdirectedandthegenerallooked our way with a keen glance that was characteristic and took in everydetail. Then instantly I knewwho he was. I saluted and said, "Men, GeneralSheridan,"andtheygavehimacheer.

That was the first time I had seen Sheridan except as I "looked toward" himwhenpassing in review.Onemaydoagooddealof service,evenbe inmanyskirmishes and battles without getting a good look at the corps commander,much less the commander of the army. There was nothing about Sheridan's

appearance at first glance to mark him as the principal figure in the scene.Exceptforthefactthatherodeinfrontonemighthavemistakenoneoftheotherofficers for chief. But close inspection easily singled him out. He was wellmountedandsathishorselikearealcavalryman.Thoughshortinstaturehedidnotappearsoonhorseback.Hisstirrupswerehighup,theshortnessbeingoflegandnotoftrunk.Heworeapeculiarstyleofhatnotlikethatofanyotherofficer.Hewas square of shoulder and therewas plenty of room for the display of amajorgeneral'sbuttonsonhisbroadchest.Hisfacewasstrong,withafirmjaw,akeeneye,andextraordinaryfirmnessineverylineament.Inhismannertherewasanalertness,evincedratherinlookthaninmovement.Nothingescapedhiseye,whichwasbrilliantandsearchingandat thesame timeemitted flashesofkindlygoodnature.When riding amongor past his troopers, hehad awayofcastingquick,comprehensiveglancestotherightandleftandinalldirections.Heoverlookednothing.Onehada feeling thathewasundercloseandcriticalobservation,thatSheridanhadhiseyeonhim,wasmentallytakinghismeasureand would remember and recognize him the next time. No introduction wasneeded.

It would be as difficult to describe the exact physical traits that markedSheridan'spersonalityastomakealistofthecharacteristicmentalattributesthatdistinguished him from others. There were perhaps no special, single, salientpoints.Atleastnonewereabnormallydeveloped.Inmakinganestimateofthemanitwastheensembleofhisqualitiesthathadtobeconsidered.Hehadtobetaken"allinall."Sotaken,hewasSheridan.Hewasnotanother,orlikeanother.Therewasnosoldierofthecivilwarwithwhomhefairlycanbecomparedwithjustice toeither.Asa tacticianon the fieldofbattlehehadnoequal,with thepossibleexceptionof"Stonewall"Jackson.InthisrespecthetomymindmorenearlyresembledJohnChurchill,thegreatdukeofMarlborough,thananyotherhistoricalcharacterofmoderntimesofwhomIhaveanyknowledge.Ifhehadnot the spark of genius, he came very near to having it. This is a personaljudgmentputdownhere,thewritertrusts,withbecomingmodestyandwithnodesiretoputhimselfforwardasamilitarycritic.

Sheridan was modest as he was brave, reticent of his plans, not inclined toexploithisownmerits,andhedidnotwearhisheartorhisminduponhissleeve.Hisinmostthoughtswerehisown.Whatimpressedusatthisfirstsightofhimwashiscalm,unruffleddemeanor,his freedomfromexcitement,hispoise,hisapparentlyabsoluteconfidenceinhimselfandhistroops,hismasterfulcommandofthesituation.Herodeawaytowardthefrontasquietlyashehadcomefrom

the rear, with no blare of bugles, no brandishing of swords, no shouting oforders, no galloping of horses. In his bearing was the assurance that he wasgoingtoaccomplishwhathehadpledgedhimselftodo.HehadfoundStuartandwas leisurely going forward to see for himself, to make an analysis of hisadversary's position, and, so far as necessary, togivepersonal direction to thecomingconflict.Buthewasinnohurryabout itandtherewasinhisfaceandmanner no hint of doubt or inquietude. The outcome was to him a foregoneconclusion.

Suchwasourchiefandsuchwas thebeginningof thebattlefromwhichdateshisfameasacavalryleaderandindependentcommanderofthefirstrank.

Merritt and Custer were already at the front. Experience taught us that sharpworkwasathand.Itwasnotlongdelayed.TheordercamefromGeneralCusterfortheFifthandSixthtodismounttofightonfoot.TheFirstandSeventhwereheldinreservemounted.NothavingvisitedthisbattlefieldsincethatdayIamunabletogiveaveryaccuratedescriptionofitstopographicalfeaturesandshallnotattempt todoso.Thepublishedmapsdonot throwaveryclear lightuponthe matter, neither do the official reports. I am in doubt as to whether theTelegraphroadandBrookturnpikearesynonymoustermsafterpassingYellowTavernorwhether the former lies east of the latter.As I have shown,Stuart'slineranalongtheTelegraphroad,therightnorthofHalfSink,theleftonahillnearYellowTavern.MyauthorityforthisisMcClellan.Lomaxheldtheleftandhad twopiecesofartilleryposted"immediately in the road;"onepiecebehindthem"onahillontheleft."Thiswouldmakehislineextendduenorthandsouthandourapproachtoattackitmusthavebeenfromthewest.Devininhisreportsays Stuart was driven off the Brook pike to a position 500 yards east of it.Whether thatwas at the beginning or near the close of the engagement is notquiteclear.Iftheformer,thenthelinereferredtobyMajorMcClellancouldnothavebeenontheBrookturnpike.Ishallhavetodealingeneralterms,therefore,andnotbeasspecificandlucidasIwouldliketobeindescribingCuster'spartinthebattle.

Justwhere theMichigan regimentswere posted at the time theywere orderedintothefightIcannotsay.TheycamedowntowardYellowTavernontheOldMountain roadand Ihaveno recollectionofcrossing thepike. It seems tomethattheymusthavebeenwestofit.Weweremovedacrosstheroad,fromwherestationedwhenSheridancameup,anddeployedinthewoods,theSixthontherightof theFifth.The line advancedandpresently reacheda fence in frontofwhichwas a field. Beyond the field, and to the left of it were woods. In the

woodsbeyond the fieldwere thedismountedconfederate cavalry.Skirmishingbegan immediately across the field, each line behind a fence. After a little,CaptainBaylesofCuster'sstaffcamefromtherightwithanordertomovetheSixthbytheleftflankandtakepositionontheleftof theFifth.Justashewasgivingthisorderagreatshoutarosetotheleftand,lookinginthatdirection,wesawthattheentireoftheFifthcavalrywasclimbingthefenceandstartingforacharge across the field. The Sixth instantly caught the infection and, before Icouldsay"aye,yesorno,"bothregimentswereyellingandfiringandadvancingon the enemy in the opposite woods. "You can't stop them," said Bayles. Iagreedandinamomenthadjoinedmybravemenwhowereleadingmeinsteadofmyleadingthem.

The wisdom and necessity of Custer's order was, however, immediatelyapparent.Someconfederateslurkinginthewoodstotheleft,openedfireintotheflank of the Fifth Michigan, which for the moment threatened seriousconsequences.Thelinehaltedandtherewastemporaryconfusion.Quickerthanit takes to tell it, Custer had appeared in the field mounted. One of Alger'sbattalions changed front and charged into the woods on the left and the tworegimentsadvancedanddrovetheenemyclearthroughandoutofthewoodsinfront.Barring the temporarycheck, itwasamostgallantandsuccessfulaffair,forwhichCustergavethetworegimentsfullcreditinhisofficialreport.

ThelinewasthenreformedwiththeSixthontheleftoftheFifth.AtthattimethiswastheextremeleftoftheFirstdivisionandofthelineofbattleaswell,theThirddivisionnotyethavingbecomeengaged.

Itwasthenfoundthattheforcewithwhichwehadbeenfightinghadretreatedtotheirmainlineofbattle,alongahighridgeorbluff.Infrontofthisbluffwasathinskirtoftimberandafence.HereFitzhughLee'ssharpshooterswerepostedinaverystrongposition indeed.Between theridgeand theedgeof thewoodswhereourlinewashaltedwasabigfieldnotlessthanfourhundredyardsacross,slopingdownfromtheirpositiontoours.Toattacktheconfederatelineinfrontitwouldbenecessary toadvanceacross that fieldandup that slope. It lookeddifficult.Theconfederateartillerywasstationedtotherightfrontontheextremeleftof their line.WewereconfrontedbyLomax'sbrigade.BeyondtherightoftheFifthMichigan,CusterhadtheFirstMichigan,ColonelStagg;theSeventh,Major Granger; and First Vermont, Lieutenant Colonel Preston; all mounted.Theywereacrossaroadwhichranatrightangleswiththelineofbattle,andinthedirectionofLomax'sbattery.

Assoonasour lineappeared in theopen—indeed,before it left thewoods theconfederate artillery opened with shell and shrapnel; the carbineers andsharpshootersjoinedwithzest inthefrayandthemanwhothinkstheydidnotsucceed in making that part of the neighborhood around Yellow Tavern anuncomfortably hot place, was not there at the time. It was necessary to takeadvantage of every chance for shelter. EveryWolverinewho exposed himselfwasmadeatargetof.Manymenwerehitbybullets.Theartilleristsdidnottimetheirfusesrightandmostofthedamagewasdonetothetreesbehindus,ortheywereontoohighgroundtogettherange.Thelinegraduallyadvanced,creepingforwardlittlebylittleuntilitreachedapartialshelteraffordedbythecontourofthegroundwhereitslopedsharplyintoasortofditchthatwascutthroughthefieldparallelwiththelineofbattle.Hereithaltedandthebattlewentoninthismannerforalongtime,possiblyforhours.Inthemeantime,Chapman'sbrigade,ofWilson'sdivision,hadcomeintopositionon the leftof theSixthMichigan,thusprolongingthelineandprotectingourflankwhichtillthenhadbeenintheairandmuchexposed.Off totheleft, infrontofChapman, thelayof thelandwasmorefavorable.Therewerewoods,thegroundwasmorenearlylevel.Theconfederatepositionwasnotsodifficultofapproachandgraduallyhisleftbeganto swing forward and threaten the right flank of Lomax's position or, moreaccurately,theconfederatecenter.

Thus for several hours the lines faced each other without decisive results. Atlength Sheridan determined upon an assault by mounted troops supported bythoseonfoot.ToCusterwasassignedtheimportantdutyofleadingthisassault.Itwastowardfouro'clockwhenSergeantAverywhohadasquickanintuitiveperception inbattleasanyman I everknew,andwhose judgmentwasalwaysexcellent and his suggestions of great value, called my attention to whatappeared to be preparations for a mounted charge over to the right whereGeneral Custer was with his colors. "They are going to charge, major," saidAvery, "and the instant they startwill be the time for us to advance."That iswhatwas done. The regiment forming for the chargewas the FirstMichigan.Two squadronsunderMajorHowrigan led thevanguard.Thebugles sounded,"forward," "trot," "charge." Heaton's battery farther over was served withsplendid effect. Custer's staff passed the word along for the entire line toadvance.Therewasnohesitation.TheFifthandSixthandChapman'sregimentssprangforwardwithashout.Therewasagallantadvanceuptheslope.FitzhughLee'smenheldongrimlyas longas theycould,but therewasnocheck to thecharge.Howrigankeptontillhewasamongthegunssaberingthecannoneers,capturingthetwopiecesintheroadwiththeirlimbersandammunition.Inafew

minutesCusterandChapmanwereinpossessionoftheridgeandtheentirelineoftheenemywasinfullretreat.Backabout500yardstheenemyattemptedtomakeastandandtheSeventhMichiganwasorderedtocharge.ThischargeledbyMajorGrangerresultedinhisdeath.Hewaskilledjustbeforehereachedtheenemy'sposition,causingatemporaryrepulseoftheregiment,buttheentirelinecameonandtheenemywasputtoflightinalldirections.

StuartwasmortallywoundedwhiletryinginpersonwithafewmountedmenoftheFirstVirginiacavalrytostemthetideofdefeatwhichsetinwhentheFirstMichigan captured the battery. There is a controversy as to how he met hisdeath.ColonelAlger claimed thatStuartwaskilledby a shot fromoneof themen on his dismounted line. Captain Dorsey, of the First Virginia, who wasriding with Stuart at the time, quoted byMajor McClellan, says that he waskilled by a pistol shot fired by one of themenwhohad beenunhorsed in thechargeonthebatteryandwhowasrunningoutonfoot.InthatcaseitmusthavebeenaFirstMichigan[25]manwho,very likely,paid thepenaltyofhis life forhistemerity.Itdoesnotmatter.Onethingiscertain.Stuart'sdeathbefellinfrontofCuster'sMichiganbrigadeanditwasaMichiganmanwhofiredthefatalshot.

Stuartwas taken toRichmond,wherehedied, leavingbehindhima record inwhich thosewhowore theblueand thosewhowore thegray takeequalpride.HewasatypicalAmericancavalryman—oneoftheveryforemostofAmericancavaliersandit isaprivilegeforoneof thosewhostoodin thelineinfrontofwhichhefellinhislastfighttopayasinceretributetohismemoryasasoldierandaman.

It fell to that other illustrious Virginian—Fitzhugh Lee—to gather up thefragmentsandmakesuchresistanceashecouldtothefurthermarchoftheunioncavalry.

CHAPTERXVIII

YELLOWTAVERNTOCHESTERFIELDSTATION

Daylight, May 12, found the entire corps concentrated south of the Meadowbridges,onthebroadtable-landbetweenRichmondandtheChickahominyriver.Sheridan still kept his forces well together. Having accomplished the mainpurposeof theexpedition—thedefeatofStuart—it remained forhim toassurethesafetyofhiscommand,tohusbanditsstrength,tomaneuveritsoastobeatalltimesreadyforbattle,offensiveordefensiveastheexigencymightdemand.

Thenext stage in themarchof his ten thousandwasHaxall'sLanding, on theJamesriver,wheresupplieswouldbeawaitinghim.Byallthetokens,hewasinatightplace,fromwhichallhisgreatdexterityanddaringwereneededtoescapewithcreditandwithoutloss.Hisplanwastopassbetweenthefortificationsandthe river to Fair Oaks, moving thence to his destination. Its futility wasdemonstrated when Wilson's division attempted to move across theMechanicsvilleroad.Itwasfoundthatallthegroundwascompletelysweptbythe heavy guns of the defenses, while a strong force of infantry interposed.ReinforcementshadbeenpouredintoRichmond,wherethealarmwasgenuine,and it was clear that an attempt to enter the city or to obtain egress in thedirectionofFairOakswouldbringonabloodybattleofdoubtful issue.Eithercoursewould at least, invite discomfiture. To return by theBrook turnpike orTelegraphroad,evenifthatcoursecouldhavebeenconsideredasanalternative,wasalikeimpracticable.ThecavalryforcewhichhadbeentrailingthecommandallthewayfromtheNorthAnnariverstillmaintainedamenacingattitudeinthatdirection.Theonlygatewayout,eithertoadvanceorretreat,wasbytheMeadowBridge,overtheChickahominy,unlessfordscouldbefound.Theriverhadtobecrossedand,owingtotherecentrainsitwasswollen.

All the signspointed toa sortie in force from the fortifications.Thedefendersemboldenedbythehope,ifnotbelief,thattheyhadSheridaninatrap;inspiredby the feeling that they were fighting for their homes, their capital and theircause; and encouraged by the presence at the front of the president of theconfederacy—JeffersonDavis—wereveryboldanddefiant,andeventhelowerofficersandenlistedmenknewthatitwasaquestionofhoursatmostwhentheywouldmarchoutinwarlikearrayandofferbattle.Sheridandecidedtoawaitand

accept it. Indeed, he was forced to it whether he would or not, as the sequelproved.

HesentforCusterandorderedhimtotakehisbrigadeandopenthewayacrosstheChickahominyattheMeadowbridges.Whereworkwastobedonethathadtobedone,anddonequicklyandsurely,Custerwasapttobecalledupon.Thevitalpointoftheentireaffairwastomakeabsolutelysureofthatcrossing,andSheridanturnedconfidentlytothe"boygeneral"ashehaddonebeforeandoftenwoulddoagain.

TheMichiganmenwere justbeginning tostretch their limbs fora little rest—havingfoughtalldaythedaybeforeandriddenallnight—whencalledupontomount.Theyhadnothadtimetopreparetheirbreakfastorcooktheircoffee,buttheyrodecheerfullyforwardfortheperformanceofthedutyassignedtothem,appreciatinghighlythehonorofbeingchosen.

The road leading toMeadow bridge descended to low ground and across theriverbottoms.Thewagonroadandbridgewereatthesamelevelasthebottoms.Somedistancebelowwastherailroad.Thegradeforthetrackmusthavebeenatleasttwentyfeetabovethelevelwhereitreachedthebridgewhichspannedtheriver.Sotheapproachbytherailroadwasalongtheembankment.

WhenCuster reached the riverhe found that thebridgewasgone.Theenemyhad destroyed it. The railroad bridge alone remained. A force of dismountedcavalry and artilleryhad taken apositionon theother sidewhich commandedthecrossing.Theirpositionwasnotonlystrongbutitsnaturalstrengthhadbeenincreasedbybreastworks.Twopiecesofartillerywerepostedonaslighthilllessthanhalfamileback. In frontof thehillwere thebreastworks; in frontof thebreastworkswoods.Alineofskirmishersfiringfromtheedgeofthewoodskeptthepioneersfromproceedingwiththework.

ButCustercouldnotbebalked.Hisorderswereimperative.Hewastomakeacrossing and secure a way for the entire corps to pass "at all hazards." Heordered theFifthandSixthMichigan todismount,crossby the railroadbridgeon foot and engage the enemy.The enemy's artillery swept the bridge, and assoon as it was seen that the Michigan men were climbing the railroadembankmenttomakethecrossingtheytrainedtheirpiecesuponit.Yetthetworegimentssucceeded.TheFifthled,theSixthfollowed.Oneman,oratmosttwoorthree,atatime,theytip-toedfromtietotie,watchingthechancetomakeitintheintervalsbetweentheshells.Thoughthesecameperilouslyneartothebridge

noneofthemhitit,atleastwhilewewerecrossing.Theywentoverandstruckintheriverorwoodsbelow.Itlookedperilous,anditwasnotdevoidofdanger,butIdonotrememberthatasinglemanwaskilledorwoundedwhilecrossing.Itmayhavebeenacaseofpoorammunitionorpoormarksmanshiporboth.Theworstofitwasthenatureofthegroundwassuchthatourartilleristscouldnotbringtheirgunstobear.

Onceover,thetworegimentsdeployedasskirmishersandadvancingwiththeir8-shottedSpencers, drove the confederate skirmishersback through thewoodsand behind their breastworks, where we held them until a bridge was built,whichmusthavebeenfortwoorthreehours.Theskirmishinginthewoodswasfierce at times, but the trees made good cover. It was here that LieutenantThomasA. Edie, troopA, Sixth,was killed by a bullet through the head.Noattempt was made to assault the breastworks. The confederates behind them,however,werekeptsofullyoccupiedthattheywereunabletopayanyattentionto the bridgebuilders,whowere left unmolested to complete theirwork.ThiswastheworkwhichthetwoMichiganregimentsweresentovertodoandtheyaccomplished it successfully—something for which they never received fullcredit.Atonestageofthisfightmyattentionwasattractedtothecoolnessofatrooper, troopA,Sixth,whowashavingsortofaduelwithaconfederate.Thelatterwas lyingdown inhisworks, the formerbehinda tree.Wheneitheroneexposed any portion of his anatomy the other would shoot. Some of theconfederate'sbulletsgrazedthetree.TheMichiganmanwouldshowhiscaporsomethingandwhentheotherfired,stepout,takedeliberateaimandreturntheshot,thenjumpbehindhisnaturalfortressandrepeatthemaneuver.Finallytheconfederate ceased firing and there was little doubt that a Spencer bullet hadfound its mark. Making my way to the tree I asked my man his name. Hiscoolness and courage had much impressed me. "Charles Dean," he replied."Reporttomewhenthefightisover,"Isaid.Hedidso,andfromthatdayuntilthewarendedhewasmypersonalorderly.Abetter,braversoldier,oramorefaithful friendnomaneverknew thanCharlesDean, troopA,SixthMichigancavalry.

Afterthecompletionofthebridgetheentiredivisioncrossedover.TheSeventhMichigan, tworegiments fromDevin'sbrigade, twofromGibbs's—whichwiththe Fifth and Sixth Michigan made seven in all were put on the line asreinforcementsandanassaultordered.Theentirelineadvancedandeventhenitwasnochild'splay.Theconfederatesfoughtwellbutwerefinallydrivenoutoftheirworksandrouted.Pursuitwithdismountedmenwasuseless.Assoonasthe

horsescouldbebroughtovertheFirstMichiganandtwooftheReservebrigaderegiments were sent in pursuit mounted, but were too late, most of theconfederateshavingmadegoodtheirescape.

Whilethiswasgoingon,GregghadahardfightwiththestrongforceofinfantryandartillerywhichcameoutfullofconfidencetocrushSheridan.Byabrilliantruse he took them by surprise and whipped them so thoroughly that theyretreatedwithin their innerfortifications,completelydiscomfited,andSheridanremained on the groundmost of the daywith no one tomolest ormake himafraid.Gregg'sfightwascharacteristicofthatfineofficerwhoneverfailedtofillthe fullmeasure ofwhatwas required of him. Indeed, itwas one of themostcreditableactionsofthewarandoneforwhichheneverreceivedfullcredit.Thefeeling throughout the First division, at the time, I know,was that the superbcourageandsteadinessofGreggandhisdivisionhadextricatedSheridanfromagraveperil.ThesameGreggwho,with thehelpofCuster'sMichiganbrigade,savedtheUnionrightatGettysburg,stoodinthewayandstoppedathreateneddisasterbeforeRichmond.

FITZHUGHLEEANDSTAFF(INCUBA)

AfterGregg'srepulseoftheinfantry,Custer'ssuccessinopeningthewayacrossMeadow bridge andMerritt's rout of Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, the Second andThirddivisionsremainedunmolestedfortherestofthedayonthegroundofthemorning'soperations,theFirstdivisiongoingtoGaines'sMills.

General Sheridan tells a story of two newsboyswho came out after the fight,with Richmond papers to sell. They did a thriving business and when theirpapersweredisposedofdesiredtoreturntothecity.Buttheyweresobrightandintelligent that he suspected their visit involved other purposes than themeresellingofpapers,andheldthemuntilthecommandwasacrosstheriverandthenpermittedthemtogo.ThereisaninterestingcoincidencebetweenthisstoryandtheonetoldtothewriterbySt.GeorgeTucker,ofRichmond,andwhichappearsonpage259ofthisvolume.

Late in the afternoon the entire corpsmoved to Gaines'sMills andwent intocampforthenight.

Themarch fromGaines'sMills to the James river was uneventful.When theheadof thecolumn,on the14th,debouchedonMalvernHill,agunboat in theriver,mistakingusforconfederatecavalry,commencedfiringwithoneoftheirbigguns,andasthehugeprojectilescuttheairoverheadthemendeclaredtheywere shooting "nail-kegs." The signal corps intervened and stopped thisdangerouspastime.

Three dayswere taken here for rest, recuperation, drawing and issuing forageandrations,shoeinghorses,caringforandsendingawaythesickandwounded,and ineverywayputting thecommandona field footingagain. Itwasabriefperiod of placid contentment. Satisfaction beamed from every countenance.Complacencydweltineverymind.Thesoldierssmokedtheirpipes,cookedtheirmeals,readthepapers,wroteletterstotheirhomes,sangtheirsongsand,aroundtheeveningcampfires,recalledincidents,humorous,thrillingorpathetic,ofthemarchandbattle-field.Therewasnotashadowonthescene.

On the 17th the camp was broken and we marched by way of Charles CityCourthouse,across theChickahominyatLongbridge toBaltimoreCrossroads,arrivingthereontheeveningofthe18thwhenanotherhaltwasmade.May19,Iwas sentwith the SixthMichigan to destroyBottom's bridge and the railroadtrestleworknearit.Myrecollectionisthatthiswasaccomplished.

The next morning General Custer was ordered with his brigade to HanoverCourthouse, the object being to destroy the railroad bridge across the South

Anna river,a fewmilesbeyond.Thisnecessitatinga rideofmore than twentymiles,anearlystartwasmade.TheSixthwasgiventheadvanceanditprovedtobe one of the most pleasant experiences of the campaign. The road led pastNewcastle,HanovertownandPrice's; thedaywasclear, therewasdiversityofsceneryandsufficientofincidenttomakeitsomethingworthremembering.Noenemy was encountered until we reached the courthouse. A small body ofcavalrywas there,prepared tocontest theapproachof theadvanceguard.Theofficerincommandoftheadvancedidnotcharge,butstoppedtoskirmishandthecolumnhalted.Foght,Custer'sbugler,rodeupandofferedtoshowmeawayintothestationfromwhichtheconfederatescouldbetakeninflank.Acceptinghissuggestion,Itooktheregimentanddashedthroughthefieldstotheleftandcaptured the station, which brought us in on the left and rear of the forceconfrontingtheadvanceguard.Seeingthistheytooktoflight,theadvanceguardpursuingthemforsomedistance.Aquantityofcommissarystoreswerecapturedhere,someofwhichwereissuedtothemen,thebalancedestroyed.Therailroadtrackwastornupandtwotrestlesdestroyedwheretherailroadcrossedthecreeknearthestation.CustermovedhisbrigadebacktoHanovertownandencampedforthenight.ThenextmorninghereturnedtoHanoverCourthouseand,sendingthe First and Fifth ahead, left the Sixth and Seventh to guard the rear. TheyadvancedtoneartheSouthAnnariverandfoundthebridgeguardedbyinfantry,cavalry andartillery,which, en route fromRichmond toLee's army,hadbeenstoppedtherefortheexigency.Custerdecidednottotaketherisk,ashelearnedthat a forcewas alsomovingonhis flank, and returned leisurely toBaltimoreCrossroads.

One incident of the first day seems to me worth narrating. The brigadebivouacked on a large plantation, where was a colonial house of generousproportions. It frontedonaspacious lawn,whichslopedfromthehouse to thehighwayandwasfringedwithhandsomeoldspruceandAustrianpines.Infrontandrearthehousehadbroadporches.Awidehallranthroughthecenterofthehouse from one porch to the other and on either side of the hall were wellfurnished roomsof ample size. In rear, in an enclosure asbroad as thehouse,wasawellkeptflowergarden.Itwasatypicalsouthernhomeofrefinementandcomfort. There were several ladies. The men were, of course, in the army.General Custer with several of his officers called upon the ladies to pay hisrespectsandassurethemofprotection.Hewasreceivedwithquietdignityandrefined courtesy and for an hour chatted with them about the events thentranspiring. They knew all the confederate cavalry leaders and hewas greatlyinterestedinwhattheyhadtosayaboutthem.Beforehisdepartureheleftwith

oneoftheladiesapiquantandchivalricmessageforhis"friendRosser,"whichshepromisedtodeliverfaithfully.CusterandRosser,inwarandinpeace,wereanimatedbythesameknightlyspirit.Theirfriendshipantedatedandoutlivedthewar.Themessagewasreceivedandprovokedoneofasimilartenorinreply.Hetookespecialcarethatnoharmwasdonetotheplaceandmarchedawayleavingitasgoodashefoundit.

UponourreturnitwasfoundthattheSecondandReservebrigadesbythemostextraordinaryactivityandskillhadsucceededinrestoringthebridgeacrossthePamunkeyatWhiteHouseonwhichtheentirecorpscrossedoverMay22.May24,SheridanreportedtoGeneralMeadeatChesterfieldstation,ontheRichmondand Fredericksburg railroad, north of theNorthAnna river, oppositeHanoverStation.The twodays'march fromAylett'swashotanddusty, andmarkedbynothingworth recalling,unless it be that the roadafter the cavalryhadpassedoveritwasdottedatregularintervalswiththebodiesofdeadhorses,theorderhavingbeen thatwhenhorsesgaveoutandhad tobeabandoned theymustbeshot.

CHAPTERXIX

HANOVERTOWNANDHAW'SSHOP

June 26 the First and Second divisions, followed by Russell's division of theSixth corps started down the north bank of the Pamunkey river to secure thecrossings,Granthavingdeterminedonanothermovementbytheleftflank,andto throw his entire army across into the territory between the Pamunkey andChickahominy.FeintsweremadethatdayatthefordsnearHanoverCourthouse,butafterdarkbothTorbertandGregg,leavingasmallforceondutyateachofthesefordsrespectively,quietlywithdrewandmadeanightmarchtoDabney'sFerry opposite Hanovertown, the First division leading. At daylight Custer inadvancereachedtheFerryandtheFirstMichiganunderColonelStagggallantlyforced the passage, driving away about one hundred cavalrymen who wereguarding it andmaking a number of them prisoners. The entire division thencrossedandmovedforwardthroughthetown.

GeneralCusterdirectedmetotaketheroadfromHanovertownandpushoninadvancetowardHanoverCourthouse.Wehadgonebutamileorsowhen,inthemidst of a dense wood, a force which proved to be dismounted cavalry wasencountered, strongly posted behind temporary earthworks hastily thrown up.The regiment was dismounted on the right of the road, the First Michigan,following closely,went in on the left and the two regimentsmade a vigorousattack, butmetwith a stubborn resistance and did not succeed in carrying theworksatonce.Abandwasplayinginrear,indicatingthepresenceofabrigade,atleast.

Noticing that a portion of the enemy's fire came from the right, I sent thesergeantmajortotherearwithwordthatthelineoughttobeprolongedinthatdirection.Thenoncommissionedofficerreturnedandreportedthatthemessagehadbeendeliveredtothebrigadecommander,butthat itwasoverheardbythemajor general commanding the division, who exclaimed with a good deal ofimpatience: "Who in—— is this who is talking about being flanked?" I wasmortifiedatthisandresolvedneveragaintoadmittoasuperiorofficerthattheideaofbeingflankedhadanyterrors.ButGeneralTorbert,notwithstanding,didreinforce the line with a part of General Devin's brigade in exact accordancewithmysuggestion.

Custer,however,didnotwaitforthis,but,takingtheothertworegimentsofhisbrigade (theFifth andSeventhMichigan)madeadetour to the left bywayofHaw'sShop,andcameinontheflankandrearoftheforcewhichtheFirstandSixth,withDevin's helpwere trying to dislodge from its strong position, andwhichheldontenaciouslysolongasitwassubjectedtoafrontattackonly.But,as soon as Custer made his appearance on the flank, the enemy, Gordon'sbrigadeofNorthCarolinians,abandonedtheearthworksandfled, theFirstandSixthwithDevin'sregimentspromptlyjoininginthepursuit.

Custer'sapproachwasheraldedbyanamusingincident.Thebandthathadbeenchallenginguswithitslipsofbrassstoppedshortinthemidstofoneofitsmostdefiantstrains,andthelastnoteofthe"BonnieBlueFlag"hadscarcelydiedontheair,whenfartotheleftandfrontwereheardthecheerystrainsof"YankeeDoodle."[26] No other signal was needed to tell of the whereabouts of ourMichigancomrades,anditwasthenthatthewholelinemovedforward,onlytosee as it emerged into the open, theTar-heels of theSouthmaking swift timetowardsCrump'sCreek,closelyfollowedbyCusterandhisMichiganders.Thelatterhadaccomplishedwithoutlossbytheflankingprocesswhathehadtriedinvaintodobythemoredirectmethod.

ThechargeoftheFifthandSeventhMichigan,commandedbyCaptainMagoffinandMajorWalkerrespectively,andledbyGeneralCusterinperson,wasmostbrilliantandsuccessful,theSeventhcontinuingthepursuitforaboutthreemiles.FirstSergeantMortimerRappelyeof troopC,Sixth, andoneofhismenwerekilledatthefirstfire.Rappelyewasincommandoftheadvanceguardandhadbeenslatedforacommissionwhichhewouldhavereceivedhadhelived.

ThatnightthecavalryencampedonCrump'sCreek.ThenextdaythearmywasalloverandGranthadtakenupanewlineextendingfromCrump'sCreektotheTotopotomoy. Still, he was uncertain of what Lee was doing and it becamenecessary to find out. This led to what was one of the most sanguinary andcourageously contested cavalry engagements of the entire war—the battle ofHaw's Shop—in which Gregg and Custer with the Second division and theMichigan brigade, unassisted, defeatedmost signally, two divisions under thecommandofWadeHampton inhisownperson. Indeed it isnot certain that itwasnotevenamorenotablevictory than thatoverStuarton theright flankatGettysburg.ItwaswonatagreatersacrificeoflifethaneitherBrandyStationorYellowTavern.

After the death of Stuart, though so short a time had elapsed, the confederate

cavalry had been reorganized into three divisions, commanded by WadeHampton, Fitzhugh Lee, and W.H.F. Lee, the first named being the rankingofficer.Hisdivisionhadbeenlargelyreinforced,notablybyabrigadeofSouthCaroliniansunderM.C.Butlerwho,afterthewar,wasthecolleagueofHamptonin the United States senate. This brigade consisted of seven large regiments,numbering in all about four thousandmen. It was a brigade that honored thestatewhichproducedSumter,Marion,theRutledgesandtheHamptons.

AllthiscavalryhadjoinedthearmyofNorthernVirginiaandwasinpositiontocover the movements which Lee was making to confront the army of thePotomac.Sheridan'scorps,nowthatithadreturnedtothearmy,wasoncemoresomewhat dispersed. Wilson was still north of the Pamunkey, covering thetransferoftheseveralinfantrycorpsandguardingthefords.TheFirstdivision,aswe have seen, led the crossing on the 27th andwas covering the front andright of the infantry along Crump's Creek. Gregg, who had followed Torbert,wasatHanovertown.

On the morning ofMay 28, Gregg was sent out by Sheridan to discover themovementsofLee,whowas skilfullymaskinghisdesignsbehindhis cavalry.GregghadadvancedbutashortdistancebeyondHaw'sShopwhen, inadensewood, protected by swamps, behind breastworks of logs and rails, and withbatteriesadvantageouslyposted,he found theenemy'scavalrydismountedanddisposedinorderofbattle.Hepromptlyattacked,notwithstandingthedisparityin numbers and in position, Davies going into action first, followed by IrvinGregg, and the entire division was quickly engaged. Gregg was resolute,Hampton determined, and for hours the battle was waged with the mostunyielding bravery on both sides. The list of killed and wounded wasunexampled in any other cavalry contest of the Civil war, aggregating in theSecond division alone two hundred and fifty-six officers and men. Davies'sbrigadelosttwenty-threeofficers.TheFirstNewJerseycavalryhadtwoofficerskilledandninewounded.Theenemy'slosseswereevengreater.

M.C.BUTLER

Itwasanunequalcontest—onedivisionagainsttwo,twobrigadesagainstfour—with the odds in favor of the confederates. Hampton who, in the beginning,maintainedapostureofdefense,begantoassumeamoreaggressiveattitudeandshowed a disposition to take the offensive. In the afternoon, towards fouro'clock,hebroughtupButler'sbrigadetoreinforcethecenterofhisline.Thesetroopswerearmedwithlongrangeriflesandmanyofthemhadnotbeenunderfire before. This was their first fight. They came on the field with the firmpurposetowinordie,andpreferreddeathtodefeatorsurrender,as thesequelproved.

Then,andnottillthen,itbegantolookasthoughthehithertoinvincibleGreggmighthavetheworstofit.Therewasdangerthatthecenterofhislinewouldbecompelled to yield. Itwas in front of this new and valorous foe that the FirstNewJerseysuffereditsfearfullosses.Theattackwassuchthatonlythebravestmencouldhavewithstoodit.

Atthiscriticaljuncture,SheridanorderedCustertothefronttoreinforceGregg.Itwastime.TheMichiganmenwerehavingarest,thinkingitwastheirturnfor

"a day off." But, as in the "Wilderness" and at Meadow Bridge, they wereinstantly in the saddle and en route.Marching by fours along a country road,hearing the sounds, but not yet within sight of the conflict, lines of federalinfantry were seen marshaled for action, and a knot of officers of high rankgazingtowardthefront.Passingto therightof these, thecolumnturnedto theright into the road leadingpastHaw'sShop,and through thewoodswhere thetwolineswerefiercelycontending,andwhichroadbisectedthebattle-field.Animpressive scene came into view. Beyond the wood, less than a mile away,whichextendedonbothsidesoftheroad,oneofHampton'sbatterieswasfiringshellwith the utmost rapidity.These shellswere explodingboth in thewoodsandinabroadplainbehindthemandtotherightofthecolumnasitadvanced.Hundredsofnoncombatantswerefleeingtotherearacrossthisopenspace.Thewoods, like a screen, hid the battery from view. Only the screaming andexploding shells could be seen.When the headof theMichigan column cameintotheirlineofvision,theconfederatecannoneerstrainedoneoftheirgunsontheroadandtheshellsbegantoexplodeinourfaces.Arightobliquemovementtookthecolumnoutofrange.

Gregg'smenhadbeengraduallyforcedbacktotheveryedgeofthewoods,andwerehangingontothislastchanceforcoverwithbulldogtenacity.Theenemywerepressingthemhardand,apparentlyconsciousthatreinforcementsforthemwerecoming, seemed to redouble their firebothofartilleryandsmallarms. Itwasafearfulandaweinspiringspectacle.

Custer lostno time.MassingthebrigadeclosebehindGregg's lineofbattlehedismountedittofightonfoot.Everyfourthmanremainedwiththehorseswhichwere sentbackoutofdanger.The line formed in two ranks like infantry.TheSixthwastotheright,itsleftrestingontheroad;theSeventhtotheleft,itsrightontheroad.TheFirstformedontherightoftheSixth,theFifthontheleftoftheSeventh.Thetimeforactionhadcome.Itwasnecessarytodoonethingortheother. No troops in the world could have been held there longwithout goingforwardorback.

Custer, accompanied by a single aide, rode along the line from left to right,encouragingthemenbyhisexampleandhiswords.PassingtheroadhedashedoutinfrontoftheSixthandtakinghishatinhishand,waveditaroundhisheadand called for three cheers. The cheers were given and then the line rushedforward.Custerquickly changed to the flankbut, though thus rashly exposinghimself,withhisusualluck,heescapedwithoutascratch.Christiancy,hisaide,hadhishorseshotunderhimandreceivedtwowounds,oneasevereonethrough

thethigh.

Gregg'smenpermittedtheMichiganmentopass.InamomenttheWolverinesandthePalmettomenwerefacetofaceandthelinesveryclose.MichiganhadSpencers.SouthCarolina,Enfields.Spencerswererepeaters,Enfieldswerenot.The din of the battle was deafening. It was heard distinctly back where theinfantry was formed and where Grant, Meade, and Sheridan anxiously wereawaiting the event. The Spencers were used with deadly effect. The SouthCarolinians, themoststubborn foeMichiganeverhadmet inbattle, refused toyieldand filled theairwith lead from themuzzlesof their long rangegunsasfast as they could load and fire. The sound of their bullets sweeping theundergrowthwaslikethatofhotflamescracklingthroughdrytimber.Thetreeswereriddled.Menbegantofall.MilesHutchinson,sonofmyfather'sforeman,who had left home to go to thewarwithme, fell dead atmy side. "Jimmie"Brown, the handsome and brave sergeant, dropped his piece and falling, diedinstantly.CorporalSethCareymethisfatelikeasoldier,hisfacetothefoe.Amember of troop H, shot through the breast, staggered toward me andexclaiming, "Oh, major," fell literally into my arms, leaving the stains of hisblooduponmybreast.

Thisstrenuousworkdidnotlastlong.Itmayhavebeentenminutesfromstarttofinish—fromthetimewereceivedtheSouthCarolinians'firetilltheworstofitwas over and they began to giveway. But, in that brief tenminutes eighteenbravemenintheranksoftheSixthMichiganhadbeeneitherkilledormortallywounded;andasmanymorewerewoundedbutnotfatally.Theenemysufferedevenmore severely. The brigade lost forty-one killed—eighteen in the Sixth;thirteenintheFifth;fiveintheFirstandfiveintheSeventh.ThelossesoftheFifthinofficersandmenwoundedbutnotfatallywerelargerthanthoseintheSixth, the total of killed andwounded aggregating something like fifty in theregiment. The First, though it did not meet with so sturdy a resistance in itsimmediatefront,wasabletoworkaroundtheflankoftheenemy,thusmateriallyaidinginbreakingtheirspiritandputtingthemtorout.

Some of the South Carolina men exhibited a foolhardy courage never seenanywhereelsesofarasmyknowledgeextends.

"Surrender," said SergeantAvery to one of themwho had just discharged hispieceandwasholdingitstillsmokinginhishands.

"Ihavenoorderstosurrender,——you,"returnedtheundauntedconfederate.

Hesurrendered,nothisperson,buthislife.Suchafatebefellmorethanoneofthoseintrepidheroes.Itwasapitybutitwaswarand"warishell."Theenemy'sline,atthattime,hadbeendrivenbeyondthewoodsintoaclearingwherewasahouse.Whilecrossingashallowravinebeforereachingthehouseitwasnoticedthatshotswerecomingfromtherear.Anofficerwithatroopwasorderedbackto investigate. It was found that at the first onset the regiment had obliquedslightlytotheright,thusleavinganintervalbetweentheleftflankandtheroadinconsequenceofwhichaboutfifteenconfederateshadbeenpassedunnoticed.Someofthemhadthetemeritytobegingivingusafireintherear.Theywereallmadeprisoners.

The force in frontwasdriven from the field, leaving their deadandwounded.Eighty-threedeadconfederateswerecountedbythosewhosedutyitwastoburythe dead and care for thewounded in the field andwoods throughwhich theMichiganmencharged.Thosewhowerekilled in frontof theSixthMichiganwereSouthCaroliniansfromCharlestonandevidentlyofthebestbloodinthathistoriccityandcommonwealth.Theywerewelldressedandtheirapparel,fromoutergarmentstothewhitestockingsontheirfeet,wascleanandoffinetexture.Intheirpocketstheyhadplentyofsilvermoney.

Inthisengagement,aswellasinthatatHanovertownthedaybefore,theFifthMichigan was commanded by Captain Magoffin, Colonel Alger havingremained atWhiteHouse for a fewdays on account of illness.ColonelStaggandMajorAlexanderWalkerledtheFirstandSeventh,respectively.

GeneralSheridannarratesthatwhenhecalleduponMr.LincolninWashingtonthepresidentmadeafacetiousreferencetoGeneralHooker'sallegedflingatthecavalry, when he asked: "Who ever saw a dead cavalryman?" It is perhapsdoubtfulwhetherHookerutteredsopointlessasaying,devoidalikeofsenseandofwit.Ifsuchaquestionwaseverseriouslypropoundedbyhimorbyanyoneelse,itssufficientanswercouldhavebeenfounduponthebattlefieldofHaw'sShop. And not there alone. The First Michigan cavalry had sixteen killedincludingitscolonelatthesecondBullRunandtwelveatGettysburg.TheFifthMichigan lost fifteen killed at Gettysburg; the SixthMichigan twenty-four atFallingWatersandtheSeventhMichigantwenty-twoatGettysburg—allofthesebefore General Sheridan had that interview with Mr. Lincoln in the WhiteHouse. This record was enough of itself, to render the cavalry immune toironicaldisparagement.IftherewereanyhonestdoubtsastotheefficiencyandfightingqualitiesofthePotomaccavalry,theyweredissipatedbythecampaignof 1864. After Todd's Tavern, Yellow Tavern, Haw's Shop, Cold Harbor and

Trevilian Station no slurring remarks aimed at the cavalry were heard. Itsprestige was acknowledged in and out of the army by all those who hadknowledgeofitsachievementsandwerewillingtogivecreditwherecreditwasdeserved.

Anallnightmarch followed thebattle,after thedeadhadbeenburiedand thewounded cared for. The morning of May 29 found the two divisions in theneighborhoodofOldChurchandthenceintheafternoonofMay30CusterandMerritt marched out toward Cold Harbor, the Reserve brigade in advance, toreinforceDevin,whowashavingahotfightatMatadequinCreekwithButler'sSouthCarolinans, posted on the opposite side in a strong position. The entiredivision became engaged, the fighting being mostly dismounted and theopposingforcewasdriveningreatconfusionfromthefield.TheSixthMichiganwasheldinreservemountedandexpectedtobeorderedinforamountedchargebut for some unexplained reason the order did not come. The First, Fifth andSeventhwereinthethickestofitandrenderedexcellentservice.Thepursuitwaskept up for severalmiles and the enemy retreated toColdHarbor, leavinghisdead andwounded on the field, as atHaw's Shop.Butler'smen behavedwithgreat gallantry, but were ready to surrender when the logic of the situationdemandedit.Theymadenosuchresistanceasintheformeraction.

May31,intheafternoon,theFirstdivisionadvancedonColdHarbor,Merrittinadvance,ontheroadleadingfromOldChurch.CusterfollowedMerritt.Devinwassentbyanother road to the leftwith the intentionofhavinghimattack inflanktheforcewhichtheothertwobrigadeswereengaginginfront.TheSixthMichiganmovedby a country road tomake connectionbetween theFirst andSecondbrigades.Gregg'sdivisionfollowedTorbertasareserveandsupportbutdidnotbecomeengaged.

ColdHarborwasaveryimportantstrategicpoint,ascanbeseenbyaglanceatthe map, roads radiating from it in all directions. It was strongly held byHampton'sandFitzhughLee'scavalry,supportedbyabrigadeofinfantry.Theyhadthrownupbreastworksofrailsandlogs,andmadepreparationsforastoutresistance.

I reached the intersection of the country road with the left hand road beforeDevin appeared. My orders being to connect with him, I awaited his arrival,sendingafewmenouttokeepwatchinbothdirections.WhenDevin'sadvancecameuptheysawthesemenandappearedtobesuspiciousofthem,anddidnotadvanceverypromptly.AssoonasIcouldIgave themtounderstandwhowe

wereandwhatweweretherefor.DevinthenmovedalongthemainroadandtheSixthdeployedthroughthewoodsuntiltouchwithitsownbrigadewasobtained.

Inthemeantime,ahardfightwasinprogress.Torbert,nothearingfromDevin,changedhisplansandattackedtheenemy'sleftflankwiththeReservebrigadeandtheFirstandFifthMichigan.Thiswasmostskilfullyandsuccessfullydone.TheflankingmovementwasledbytheFirstandSecondUnitedStates,andtheFifth Michigan, still under Captain Magoffin. The final blow was struck byMajorMelvinBrewerwith one battalion of the FirstMichigan,whose chargemountedatthecriticalmomentdecidedthefateofthefield.Theenemywhohadbeenputtingupaveryhardfightdidnotawaitthischargebutthrewdowntheirarmsandfled,thepursuitbeingfolloweduptoapointamileandahalfbeyondthe town. The Sixth took little part except to fill the gap betweenCuster andDevin.Thelatterfoundtheconfederaterightflanktoostrongtocircumvent,andaddedonemoretothelonglistoflostopportunities.

Thus, Cold Harbor, the key to the maneuvers of the two armies, came intopossession of theUnion cavalry, but therewas no infantry supportwithin tenmiles,theresulthavingbeenunexpectedbyMeade,andSheridandecidedthatitwouldnotbesafeforhiscommandtotrytoholdit,unsupported.He,however,notifiedthegeneralofthearmywhathehaddoneandwithdrewhiscavalryafterdark to thepositionof thenightbefore.Grant, realizing the importanceof thecapture,directedSheridantoreturnandholdColdHarboratallhazards,untiltheinfantrycouldgetup.Themarchwasretracedand,reachingthepositionbeforedaylight, the breastworks which the enemy had thrown up were brought intoservice,strengthenedasmuchaspossibleandthedivisiondismountedplacedinlinebehindthem.Ammunitionboxesweredistributedonthegroundbythesideofthemensotheycouldloadandfirewithgreatrapidity.Thiswasastronglineinsinglerankdeployedthickalongthebarricadeofrails.Behindthelineonlyafew yards away were twelve pieces of artillery equally supplied withammunition.Thebrigadewasthusinreadinesstomakeadesperateresistancetoanyattackthatmightbemade.TheonlymountedmanonthelinewasGeneralCuster,who rodeback and forth givinghis orders.TheSixthwas lyingdownbehindtherailsanddirectlyinfrontoftheartillery,thepiecesbeingsodisposedastofireoverourheads.Idonotrememberanyotherengagementinwhichsomanypiecesofartillerywereposteddirectlyonaskirmishlinewithnolineofbattle behind it and no reserves. It was an expedient born of a desperateemergency.

In front of the line was open ground. Two hundred yards to the front were

woods.Inthewoodstheconfederateinfantrywasinbivouac.Kershaw'sdivisionwasinfrontoftheMichiganbrigade.Beforethefirststreaksofdawnbegantoappear in the east, their bugles sounded the reveille, and therewas immediatecommotion in the confederate camps. So close to us were they that thecommands of the officers could be heard distinctly. Soon after daybreak anattackwasmadeontherightoftheline.AssoonastheenemyemergedfromthewoodsGeneralCusterorderedallthetwelvepiecesofartillerytofirewithshelland canister which they didmost effectively. So furiouswas the fire that theconfederate infantrydidnotdare tocomeoutof thewoodsinfrontofCuster'sleftwheretheSixthwas,theartilleryandthefirefromtheSpencersfrombehindtherailskeepingthemback.AnattemptwasmadetochargethepartofthelinewheretheFirstMichiganwaspostedbuteachtimeitwasrepulsed.HereCaptainBrevoort,oneofthebravestandbestofficersinthebrigade,waskilled.CaptainWilliamM.Heazlett,anotherfineofficer,waswounded.TheybothbelongedtotheFirstMichigan.

During the progress of the engagement, when the first attempt of Kershaw'sinfantrytocomeoutofthewoodshadbeenrepulsed,andtherewasatemporarysuspension of the firing, General Custer riding along the line, in rear of theartillery,noticed that severalofuswhowere lyingdownbehind thebarricade,weredirectlyinfrontofoneofthebrasspieces.Thoughthesepieceswerefiringover our heads, they were very nearly, if not quite, on the same level as thebarricades. He, with characteristic thoughtfulness, called my attention to thedangerofremainingwherewewereandImovedawayfrominfrontoftheguntoapositioninfrontoftheintervalbetweentwoofthem,directingtheotherstodolikewise.ThethreemenwhowerewithmewereLieutenantWilliamCreevy,CorporalJohnYax,andprivateThomasW.Hillof troopC.Hillmovedto therightwhenImovedtotheleft,butCreevyandYaxwereslowaboutit.Theverynexttimethegunwasfired,therewasaprematureexplosion,whichkilledYaxandwoundedCreevy.Hillwas a boy only seventeen years of age, one of therecruits of 1863-64.He survived thewar and is now cashier of theClevelandnationalbank,ofCleveland,Ohio,andoneofthemostinfluentialandrespectedbusinessmenof thatcity.Anotheroneof thoseyoungrecruitsof1863-64wasA.V. Cole, corporal in the same troop asHill. Hewas badlywounded in theactionatHaw'sShop,May28.Formanyyearshewasadjutantgeneralof thestateofNebraska.

THOMASW.HILL

Thislinewassuccessfullyheld,amostmeritoriousperformance,bythecavalryuntilnearlynoon,whentheSixthcorpscameonthegroundandrelievedit.

Neverwerereinforcementsmorecordiallywelcomed.NeverdidtheuniformandarmsoftheinfantrylookbetterthanwhentheadvanceoftheSixthcorpsmadeits appearance at Old Cold Harbor. In solid array and with quick step theymarchedoutof thewoods in rearof the line,and tookourplaces.The tensionwas relaxed and for the first time sincemidnight the cavalryman drew a longbreath.

Thiswas thebeginningof the intimateassociationof theFirstcavalrydivisionwiththeSixthcorps.Socloseabonddiditbecomethatitsholdwasnotreleaseduntil the war closed. It was a bond of mutual help, mutual confidence andrespect. The Greek cross and the cross sabers were found together on all thebattlefieldsoftheShenandoahvalleyandweshallseehowatCedarCreektheyunitedlymadeamarkforAmericanvalorandAmericandisciplineunexcelledinall the annals of war. There, side by side, Wright and Ricketts, Getty andWheaton stoodwithMerritt andCuster in the face of an enemy flushedwith

success,andrefusedtobebeatenuntilSheridancameonthefieldtoleadthemtovictory.

ThedivisionthenmovedbacknearOldChurchandwentintocamp.June2wentinto camp at Bottom's bridge, where we remained skirmishing with cavalryacross the river. June 6 found the First and Second divisions in camp atNewcastleFerryon thePamunkeyriver, in readiness forwhat isknown in therecords and inhistory as theTrevilian raid, conductedbyGeneralSheridan inperson.


CHAPTERXX

THETREVILIANRAID

Thecontentsofthischapterconstitutethelatestcontributionoftheauthortotheliterature of the events recorded in this book. Much of that which has gonebefore and all of what follows was writtenmany years ago. But in this finaldraft,everylinehasbeenrevised.Timeandtheripenessofyearshavetemperedandmellowedprejudice;thehastyandsometimesintemperategeneralizationsofcomparativeyouthhavebeencorrectedbymaturer judgment;somethingof ill-advisedcommentandcrudityhasbeeneliminated.Manyofhisconclusionsandeven theaccuracyofsomeofhis statementsof fact,he realizes fully,maynotremainunchallenged;yetithasbeenhishonestendeavorandpurposetogive,sofarasinhimlies,atruthfulandimpartialrecitalofthosesalientmemoriesthatremaintohimofthestirringexperiencesoftheyouthfuldayswhen,asaboyhe"followedthefortunesof theboygeneral" in thecampaignsof1863-64, in thegreatcivilwar.

The outlines of the sketches herein made have been drawn from the official"recordsoftherebellion"whichhavebeencarefullyconsulted;thedetailsforthemostparthavebeentakenfromthestorehouseofasomewhatretentivememory;somethingofcolorandatmospherenecessarilyhasbeenlefttotheimagination.Itisapicturethathewouldpresent,ratherthanadryrecitalofdatesandplaces,orameretableofstatistics.Theimportanceofthesethingsneednotbelessenedbyseekingtogivethemanattractiveform.

Thewritermustconfess,alsotoanambitiontocontributesomething,albeitbutalittle,towardgivingtotheMichigancavalrybrigadetheplaceinhistorywhichitrichly earned; so that itmay receive in its due proportions the creditwhich itdeservesforthepatrioticandvaliantservicesrenderedonsomanybattlefields.Andespeciallydoes it seem tobe tohimaduty todo this for the regiment inwhichitwashisprivilegeandgoodlucktoserve.

Thisambition,however,wasnearlystifled,soonafteritsbirth,byanexperienceverygallingtotheprideofawellmeaning,ifsensitiveandfalliblehistorian.

ItwassomethingliketwentyyearsagothatapaperonthebattleofCedarCreek,preparedwithconscientiouscareandscrupulousfidelitytothefactsasthewriter

understood them, was mailed to General Wesley Merritt, with the request,couched inmodest andcourteousphrase, thathepointoutafterhaving read itany inaccuraciesof statement thathemightmakeanoteof, as the articlewasintendedforpublication.

Thedistinguishedcavalryofficerreplied, inastyle thatwasbland, thathehad"longsinceceasedtoreadfiction;"thathenolongerread"eventheCenturywararticles;" that an officer one month would give his version of things whichanother officer in a subsequent number of the same magazine would stoutlycontradict;andthathewasheartilytiredofthewholebusiness.

General Merritt was, however, good enough to give in detail his reasons fordissenting from thewriter's account of a certain episode of the battle, and hisletterlentemphasistothediscussioninoneoftheearlychaptersofthisvolumeconcerningmen occupying different points of view in a battle.This particularmatterwillbemorefullytreatedinitsproperplace.Onemustnotbetoosureofwhatheseeswithhisowneyesandhearswithhisownears,unlessheisbackedbyacloudofwitnesses.

Moreoverthiswasnoticeplainasholywrit, thatnomereamateurintheartofwar may presume, without the fear of being discredited, to have known andobservedthatwhichdidnotatthetimecomewithinthescopeofthosewhohada recognized status as professional soldiers and find itsway into their officialreports. Indeed, a very high authority as good as told the writer in the warrecordsofficeinWashingtonthatnoman'smemoryisasgoodasthepublishedrecord,orentitledtoanyweightatallwhennotinentireharmonytherewith.

Itisevidentthatthisrule,thoughperhapsaproperandnecessaryone,toprotectthe literatureof thewar against imposition and fraud,mayvery easilybaroutmuchthatisvaluableandwellworthwriting, ifnotindispensabletoafairandcomplete record,provided it can in somewaybeaccreditedand investedwiththestampoftruth.

Itwasquitepossibleforbrigadeandevenregimentalcommanders,nottodrawthe line finer still, to have experiences on the battle field of which theirimmediatesuperiorswerenotcognizant;norisitnecessarytobegthequestionbyarguingthatallcommandingofficerswereallowedtoexerciseadiscretionoftheirownwithincertainlimits.

Officialreportswereoftentimesbuthastilyandimperfectlysketchedamidstthehurryandbustleofbreakingcamp;orontheeveofbattle,whenthemindmight

beoccupiedwithotherthingsofimmediateandpressingimportance.Sometimestheywerepreparedlongafterwards,whenitwasasdifficult torecall theexactsequenceandorderofeventsasitwouldbeafterthelapseofyears.Someofthe"youngsters"ofthosedaysfailedtorealizethevaluetheirreportswouldhaveinafteryearsasthebasisformakinghistory.Othersweresounfortunateastohavethem "lost in transit" so that, although theywere duly and truly prepared andforwarded through the official channels, they never found their way into theprintedrecord.

AttentionalreadyhasbeencalledtotheabsenceofreportsofthecommandersoftheMichigan cavalry brigade regiments for theGettysburg campaign.GeneralGeorge B. Davis, U.S. army, when in charge of the war records office inWashington,toldthewriterthathehadnoticedthiswantandwonderedatit.Hecouldnotaccountforit.Alikemisfortunebefellthesameregimentswhentheyparticipated in the Kilpatrick raid. Only a part of their reports covering thecampaignof1864, including theTrevilian raid,werepublished. In this respecttheSixthMichigansufferedmorethaneitheroftheothers.Notasinglereportoftheoperationsofthatregimentforthatperiod,appearsintherecord,thoughtheywerecertainlymadeasrequired.GeneralCuster'sreportscoverthatregiment,ofcourse,astheydotheothersinthebrigade,butitisunfortunatethatthesearenotsupplemented by those of the regimental commander. Until the volumessuccessivelyappeared,hewasnotawareofthisdefect;nordidheeverreceivefromanysourceanintimationofit,orhaveopportunitytosupplythedeficiency.Hence,itappealstohimasadutytoremedy,sofarasitcanbedoneatthislateday,theomissionsintherecordaspublishedofthisgallantregiment.

Fromthebeginningtotheendofthecampaignof1864,inVirginia—fromtheWilderness, May 4, to Cedar Creek, October 19—except for a single monthwhen he was in command of the brigade, the writer was present with andcommanded theSixthMichigan cavalry.Not a single daywashe absent fromduty,nordidhemissabattleor skirmish inwhich the regimentwasengaged.Reportsweremade,butaswehaveshowntheydidnotfindtheirwayintothewardepartment.Nocopieswereretained,sothereisahiatusintherecord.Therearenumerouscasesofasimilarkind.Someofficers, thereisreasontobelieve,weresmartenoughtoseekandweregiventheopportunitytorestorethemissinglinks.

The Trevilian raid resulted from the seeming necessity of drawing theconfederatecavalryawayfromthe frontof thearmyof thePotomacwhile themovement of the latter from theChickahominy to the Jameswas in progress.

SheridanwasorderedtotaketwodivisionsandproceedtoCharlottesville,ontheVirginia Central railroad. Incidentally he was to unite there with the forceoperating underGeneral Hunter in the direction of Lynchburg. He decided totaketheFirstandSeconddivisions(GreggandTorbert).WilsonwiththeThirddivisionwas to remainwith the army, taking his orders directly fromGeneralMeade.

As we have seen, the expeditionary force, before making the start, was atNewcastleFerry,onthesouthbankofthePamunkeyriver.Threedays'rationstolast five days were ordered to be taken in haversacks; also two days' foragestrapped to thepommelsof the saddles; onehundred roundsof ammunition—fortyontheperson,sixtyinwagons;onemedicalwagonandeightambulances;Heaton's and Pennington's batteries; and a pontoon train of eight boats. Thebrigade commanderswere:Custer,Merritt,Devin,Davies and IrvinGregg. IntheMichiganbrigadetherehadbeensomechangessinceColdHarbor.ColonelAlger had returned and resumed command of his regiment. Major MelvinBrewer, of the First Michigan, had been promoted to lieutenant colonel andassignedtocommandoftheSeventhMichigan,hisappointmentdatingJune6.

Thereisacertainsomethingabouttheeventsofthatwarthatmakesthemstandout in bold relief, like architectural images on the facade of an edifice. Theythrow all other recollections of a lifetime into the shade. As I sit atmy deskwriting,withmemoryatelbowasaprompter,itisdifficulttobelievethattoday(May7,1908)itlacksbutoneshortmonthofbeingforty-fouryearssincethosepreparations were making on the banks of the Pamunkey river for a cavalryexpeditioninsomerespectsmorestrenuous,moredifficult thananywhichhadprecededit.Yetthoseincidentsareburnedintothememory,anditseemsthat,after all, it may have been but yesterday, so deep and lasting were theimpressionsthenproduced.Asthewellfocusedopticalimageistransferredtoasensitized surface, reproducing the picture, so were those scenes fixed in themind with photographic certainty, to be retained as long as memory lasts,somewhatfadedbytime,itmaybe,butcompleteinoutlineifnotindetails.

Thecampaignofthepreviousmonthhadbeenahardoneforthecavalry.Asidefromthefactthathewasleavingonethirdofhisforcebehind,Sheridan'scorpshad been decimated. A large number of his troopers had been killed andwounded, or rendered hors de combat in otherways. The horses had sufferedterribly and many of them had been shot. So only about half the number ofmountedmenfitfordutythatfollowedthecolorsofthecavalrycorpsoutoftheWilderness,May8,marchedacrossthePamunkeyonthepontoonbridge,June

6.Readerswhohavefollowedthisnarrativethroughtheprecedingchapterswillreadilyunderstandthis.

Sheridan's plan[27] was tomove along the north bank of theNorthAnna to apointoppositeTrevilianStation,ontheVirginiaCentralrailroad;thencrosstheNorthAnnabyoneofthebridgesorfords,andbyarapidmovementcapturethestation, destroy the railroad from Louisa Courthouse to Gordonsville, andproceedthencetoCharlottesville,wheretheexpectedjunctionwithHunterwasto be made. If this plan should succeed, the two forces thus united were toadvance on Lynchburg and do what, as a matter of fact, Sheridan did notaccomplish until the spring of 1865. Instead of marching to Charlottesville,Hunter went the other way, and that feature of the expedition was a failure.Breckinridge's corps of infantry was sent to Gordonsville, the confederatecavalry succeeded in interposing between that place andTrevilian Station andSheridanadvancednofartherthanthelatterpoint.

WADEHAMPTON

Sheridan's march began on the morning of June 7. Passing between thePamunkey and the Mattapony rivers, he reached Polecat station on the

Richmond and Potomac (Fredericksburg) railroad the evening of June 8, andencamped there for the night. The next day the march was resumed, passingthrough Chilesburg to the North Anna, and along the bank of that river toYoung'sMills,wheretheentirecommandbivouacked.June10,hejourneyedtoTwyman's store and crossed theNorthAnna atCarpenter's Ford, nearMiner'sbridge,betweenBrock'sbridgeandNewbridge,encampingforthenightontheroadleadingpastClayton'sstoretoTrevilianStation.

Inthemeantime,assoonasSheridan'smovementwasdiscoveredtwodivisionsof confederate cavalry (Hampton's and Fitzhugh Lee's) under Hampton—thelatter's division commandedbyButler—started by the direct road between theAnnasforGordonsville, for thepurposeof interceptingSheridan.Breckinridgetimedhismovements tomakehis lineofmarchparallelwith thatofSheridan.Hampton,havingtheshorterdistancetocover,althoughhestartedtwodayslaterthanhisadversary,wasabletoanticipatethelatterinarriving,andwasbetweenGordonsville and Trevilian Station the night that Sheridan crossed the NorthAnna. Fitzhugh Lee at the same time was near Louisa Courthouse, the twoconfederatecommandersthusbeingseparatedbyadistanceofsomesixorsevenmiles on the evening of June 10. The federal cavalrywas all together and inpositionfavorableforpreventingaunionoftheconfederateforcesbyasuddenmovement in themorning.Both commanderswere looking for a battle on thefollowingdayandhadmadetheirplansaccordingly.

Hamptonhadwithhim the threebrigadesofRosser,Butler andYoung;whiletheotherdivisionconsistedofthebrigadesofLomaxandWickham.Itwillthusbe seen that,while the federal commanderhadamuch smaller force than thatwhichfollowedhimontheraidofthepreviousmonth,hisopponentwasabletomeet himwith nearly twice the relative strengthwithwhichStuart confrontedhimatYellowTavern. Inotherwords,whileStuart fought himwith the threebrigadesofLomax,WickhamandGordon(Hamptonnotbeingpresent)thelatteratTrevilianStationhadfivebrigades,includingthebigSouthCarolinabrigadewhichfoughtsogallantlyatHaw'sShop.Morethanthat,Breckinridge'sinfantrywasbehindthecavalry,readytoreinforceit,ifneeded.

Sheridan's camp was in the woods north of Clayton's store, and extendingeastwardasfarasBuckChiles'sfarm,Greggonhisleft,Torbertontheright.Hisplanwas to advance onTrevilian Station, at an early hour on themorning ofJune11,bythedirectroadfromClayton'sstore.ItwasgiventoGreggtolookout for Fitzhugh Lee, who was expected to come into the action from thedirectionofLouisaCourthouse.

HamptonplannedtoadvancefromTrevilianStationwithhisowndivisionandattack Sheridan at Clayton's store. Lee was to take the road from LouisaCourthousetothesamepointandformonHampton'sright.Aglanceatthemapwill show that the two roads intersect. Still another country road runs fromLouisaCourthousetoTrevilianStation.

Sheridan formedhis lineofbattlewithMerritt on the right,Devin toMerritt'sleft, Custer andGregg, en echelon, still farther to the left. Custer covered theroad toward Louisa Courthouse. The Seventh Michigan picketed that roadduringthenight.Ataveryearlyhourthepicketsofthatregimentwereattackedby Lee's advance. The FirstMichiganwas sent to reinforce the Seventh.OnebrigadeofGregg's divisionwas also sent out tomeetLee.Theother onewasformedonDevin'sleft.SheridanthenadvancedandattackedHamptoninsteadofawaitinghisattack.

Hampton moved from Trevilian Station with the two brigades of Butler andYoung,Butler on the left.Rosserwas sent to guard a road farther to the left,protecting that flank. Thus Rosser was isolated when the battle began andHamptoncameintoactionwithbuttwobrigadesontheline.FitzhughLeewasheaded off by the First and Seventh Michigan and Gregg's brigade, so that,insteadofcomingtoHampton'sassistanceasintended,hewasfinallycompelledto take the road leading directly to Trevilian Station instead of the one toClayton'sstore.ItwillbeseenlaterthathearrivedthereatanopportunemomenttopreventthecompletedestructionofHampton'sdivision.

Theentirecountrybetween theNorthAnnariverand therailroadwascoveredwith timber and a dense undergrowth, except where there were occasionalpatches of cleared farm lands.WhenTorbertwith his two brigades came intocontactwithHampton,hislinewasfoundstronglypostedinwoodssodensethatitwasdifficult tomakeheadwayagainst thedefense.From thestart,however,SheridanwastheaggressorandHamptonwasforcedtofightadefensivebattle.

InviewoftherulelaiddownbyGeneralSheridanhimself(quotedinafootnoteonpage241)acriticismmightbemadeonthetacticsofthebattle.Butwhethertheerror,ifitwasanerror,shouldbelaidatthedoorofthechiefofcavalryorofGeneralTorbertthereisnowayoffindingout,thoughthereisreasontobelievethat the former left the tactics on the field to be worked out by the divisioncommanders. Custer was ordered to take a country road and pass around theflank to the rear of the enemy confrontingTorbert. The exact location of thisroad was unknown and Torbert states in his report that he was under a

misapprehensionaboutit;thatitdidnotcomeoutwherehesupposeditdid;andthatCusterbytakingitlosttouchwiththeotherbrigadeswhichhewasnotabletoregainuntilitwastoolatetoaccomplishthebestresults.

Such"combinationsrarelyworkoutasexpected"andCustershouldhavebeenput intoactionon the leftof the lineofbattle; shouldhaveadvancedwith thedivision,keepingtouchtotheright,allthebrigadesinpositiontosupporteachother. Then, by directing the entire movement in person, it is probable thatSheridanmighthavethrownhisleftforward,completelyenvelopingHampton'sright and crushing it before there was any possibility of receivingreinforcements. In thatevent, this turningmovementwouldhavebeenCuster'spartof thebattle,his regimentswouldhavebeenkept together,underhiseye,and well in hand for a combined movement at the right moment. Completesuccessmusthavefollowed.

TheroadwhichCustertookleavestheNorthAnnariveratNewbridge,andrunstoTrevilianStation.ItcrossestheLouisaCourthouseandClaytonstoreroadeastofBuckChiles's farm. It intersects the direct road fromLouisaCourthouse toTrevilianStationataplacedesignatedonthemapas"Netherland."

WhenCusterstartedoutinthemorningthechanceswerethathewouldhaveahard fightwithFitzhughLeeat theoutset.But ithasbeenshownhow,by theinterpositionoftheFirstandSeventhMichiganandoneofGregg'sbrigades,thatofficerwasobligedtoabandontheplanofreachingClayton'sstoreandtaketheotherroad.SoCuster,beingrelievedfrompressureinthatdirection,startedwiththeFifthMichiganinadvance,followedbyPennington'sbattery,tocarryouthisorderstogetinHampton'srear,atornearTrevilianStation.TheadvanceguardwasledbyMajorS.H.Hastings,oneofthemostdaringofficersinthebrigade.At some point beyond the crossroads, east of Buck Chiles's farm, the exactlocationbeingamatterofgreatuncertainty,uponwhichtheofficialreportsshedno lightwhatever,Hastings discovered a train ofwagons, caissons, led horsesand other impedimenta, which he reported to the brigade commander andreceived orders to charge upon it, the charge to be supported by the entireregimentunderColonelAlger.Thischargeresultedinthecaptureoftheoutfit,butwascontinuedforalongdistancebeyondthestation,thisbeingnecessaryinorder to head off the train, which made a desperate effort to escape in thedirection of Gordonsville. Custer's order to the Fifth did not contemplatecontinuing the pursuit beyond the station, since he was supposed to make ajunction there with the other brigades of the First division. But those twobrigadeswerestillfightingwithHampton,andtheFifthMichiganwasdirectly

inthelatter'srear.

When this tumult arose in his rear, Hampton immediately recalled Rosser'sbrigade posted to protect his left flank, thereby leaving theway open for thisforay around his right. Rosser, coming quickly upon the scene, not onlyinterceptedAlger'sretreat,butproceededtocontestwiththeFifthMichiganthepossessionofthecaptureswhichthatregimenthadmade.

But,Iamoutrunningmystory:

Thechargeof theFifthMichigan leftCuster's frontuncovered, anda forceofconfederateswhichbelongedtoYoung'sbrigadeandhadprobablybeenlookingout forHampton's right flank and rear, threw itself across his path andboldlychallengedhis right toadvance.Thiswasnota largebodyof troops,probablythe Seventh Georgia cavalry, but it made up in audacity what it lacked innumbers.Atthattime—immediatelyafterthechargeoftheFifthMichigan—andbeforeRosserhadbegunhisinterference,Custerhadwithhimonlyhisstaffandescort,andbehind themwasPennington'sbatterywhichhadnoopportunity tocomeintoaction.Thesituationwasapparentlycriticalintheextreme.

Theonlyavailableregimentat the timeto throwinto thebreachwas theSixthMichiganandthatwasjuststartingtomoveoutofthewoodswhereithadbeenencampedduringthenight.Itwasnotsupposedthenthat thebattlewasjoinedand,indeed,theexpectationwasthatthemarchwastobeacontinuationofthatofthepreviousday,althoughthepicketfiringintheearlymorningindicatedthecloseproximityoftheenemy.Butthathadbeenthecaseforamorningortwobefore.Beforemounting, theofficer incommandhad thoughtlesslyacceded tothe request of a brother officer to ride a spirited and nervous black horsebelonging to the latter, ashe expressed it, "To take thegingeroutofhim." Inplace of the regulationMcClellan saddle the horsewas equippedwith one ofthosesmallaffairsusedbyjockeysinridingracehorses.Thishadbeenpickedupen route.Horse and saddle certainlymadeanattractive lookingmount, butnot suchanoneasa cavalryofficerwitha soundmindwould select for closework on the battle line. The narration of these circumstances will enable thereadertojudgeofhowlittlethesubordinateofficersknewoftherealimpendingsituation. It can be statedwith absolute certainty that the officers of the Sixthwere innocent of any knowledge of the fact that Custer had started out for afight,uptothemomentwhentheywereorderedtomountandmoveoutofthewoodsintoaroadrunningalongtheeastside.

Thecommanderoftheregiment,mountedasdescribed,andleadingthecolumnof files, nothavingyet formed fours, onaccountof thewoodsandbrush,hadbarelyreachedtheedgeofthewoodsbytheroad,whenamemberofthebrigadestaffbroughttheorderto,"Takethegallopandpassthebattery."Itisprobablethat this order was sent at the same time that the Fifth was sent forward tocapture the train. Custer of course supposed that the Sixth was in column offours in the roadbehind thebattery.Thecommandingofficerof theSixthhadmovedoutincompliancewithordersandknewnothingabouttheconditionsinfront.Thecommand,"Formfours,gallop,march"wasgivenandatouchofthespursenttheblacksteedflyingtowardthefront,followedasquicklyaspossiblebytheleadingsquadronoftheregiment.Aregimentalstaffofficerremainedtorepeattheordertotheothersquadronsastheycameintotheroad,successively.

Approaching the crossroads, the conditions were revealed as described in aprevious paragraph. Custer and his escort were exchanging shots with theirrevolvers, at short range, with the confederates in their front. The mostremarkable coolness and courage were being displayed on both sides. Theenemycertainlywascommandedbyanofficerofresourceswhorealizedtothefullestextenttheresponsibilityrestinguponhimtodelayourfurtheradvanceaslongaspossible.Custernever losthisnerveunderanycircumstances.Hewas,however,unmistakablyexcited."Chargethem"washislaconiccommand;anditwasrepeatedwithemphasis.

LookingbacktoseethattheleadingsquadronwasprettywellclosedupIgavethecommand,"Drawsabers"and,withoutwaitingtoformfrontintoline,orfortheremainderoftheregiment,thecolumnoffourschargedstraightatthelineofconfederates, the black horse leading. In amomentwewere through the line.Justhowitwasdoneistothisdaymoreorlessofamystery.Theenemygaveway—scatteredtotherightandleft—anddidnotawaitthecontact.Ondowntheroad,onehundred,twohundred—itmayhavebeenfivehundred—yards,butnotmorethanthat,atbreakneckspeed,thechargecontinued.Thenitwasseenthattherewasnoenemyinfrontofus.Wherewastheenemy?

CustersaysinhisreportthatAlger'sordersweretostopatthestation.Thesingleword"charge"comprehendedhisordertome.Nothingwassaidaboutstopping.NowarningwasgiventhattheFifthhadalreadychargedandwasaheadofus.Nor did I know it. The order had been obeyed to the letter. The enemy hadapparentlybeendispersed.Atalleventshehaddisappearedfromourfront.Atsuchtimesthemindactsquickly.Theobviouscoursewastohalt,rally,reform,seewhatwasgoingoninrear,rejointhebrigadecommander,gettheregiment

alltogether,forworkwhereweweremostneeded.Findingthatbothhandswererequired to curb the excited steedwhich, up to thatmoment had not allowedanotherhorse to comeupwithhim, I returnedmy revolver to theholster and,when his speed began to slacken, and Captain Vinton, commander of thechargingsquadron,camealongside,gavethecommand,"Halt"whichwastwicerepeated.Myhorseswervedtotherightand,whenbroughttoastandstill,wasalittle way in the woods. The clatter of hoofs behind had told me that I wasfollowed,andIsupposeditwasbymyowntroopers.Notso,however.Vintoneither did not hear, or was too much "under the influence of a pardonableexcitementandzeal"toheedtheordertohalt,andcontinuedondowntheroadtoandbeyondthestation,whereheovertooktherearoftheFifthandproceededtoassistintheendeavortobringawaythecapturedproperty.HewasattackedbyRosserwhomadealotofhismenprisoners.Thedetachmentthatwentwithhimdidnotrejointheregimentuntillateintheafternoonandthenlessthemenwhohadbeencaptured.

Theword,"Surrender"utteredin imperioustonessalutedmyearand,glancingovermyleftshouldertofindwhenceitcame,Ifoundthatawellmountedandsturdyconfederateofficerhadcomeupfrommyleftrearand,addressingmeinlanguage both profane and apparently designed to cast reflections on myancestry, declared that if I did not comply instantlywith his polite request hewouldcompletethefrontcutonmyhead.Hismencirclingaroundinfrontwiththeircarbinesinthepositionof"ready"seemedtohintthattheyconsideredhisdemandareasonableoneandexpressedapurposetoassistinenforcingit.Now,itisamaximthatnocavalryofficermaysurrendersolongasheisnotunhorsed.ButinthesituationinwhichIfoundmyselftheredidnotseemtobeanavailablealternative. I surrendered, gave up the black horse and the jockey saddle, andneversaweitherofthemafterwards.AftertheexperiencedescribedIwasgladtoberidofthemonmostanyterms.Severalotherswerecapturedatthesametimeandinthesameway.Oneofthemafterbeingdismountedtriedtorunawaybutwasquicklybroughttoahaltbyashotfromaconfederate'sgunwhichwoundedhim.

Itappearsthatwhenwewentthroughtheirlinetherascallyconfederatesralliedand, leavingCuster'sfrontchargedourrear.Custersays inhisreport thatafter"theSixthMichiganchargedtherebelschargedthatregimentinrear."Whenhewrotethatreporthehadforgottenthatitwasonlyaportion—lessthanathirdoftheSixthwhichcharged.Two-thirdsoftheregimentwasstillbackwherehewasandnotyetintheaction.Thereweretwosquadrons,onecommandedbyCaptain

ManningD.Birge,theotherbyCaptainDonG.Lovellinreserve.InusingthetermsquadronhereImeanwhatinthecivilwarwasknownasabattalion(fourtroops).Vinton'ssquadrondidnotalltakepartinthecharge.

Four confederate cavalrymen undertook the duty of escorting myself and ayoung Sixth cavalryman who had been trapped in the same way to the rearthrough the woods. Anticipating that our attack would be followed up, wemanagedtodelayourguardsasmuchaspossible,andhadgonenotmorethanahundredyardswhenayellingintheroadproclaimedthatthecurtainhadrisenonthesecondsceneofourlittledrama.CusterhadorderedBirgetocharge.Birge'sadvanceputtheconfederatestoflight,whattherewereleftofthem.Thenoiseofthepursuitdisconcertedourcaptorsso thatwe took thechancesandmadeourescapeundercoverofthethickundergrowth.Theyfiredatusasweranbutdidnot succeed inmakingahit.FortunatelyBirgedirectedhis course through thewoodsoutofwhichtheenemyhadcomeandintowhichtheyhadgoneintheirflight. In aminutewemet him comingwith a squad ofmen.Hewas greatlyrejoicedtofindthathehadrescuedmefrommydisagreeablepredicamentand,lookingbackacrosstheyears,IcanseeandfreelyacknowledgethattonomanonthisearthamIundergreaterobligations than toManningD.Birge.Butforhis approach itmight not have been possible for us to successfullymake ourbreakforfreedom.ThatwastheonlytimeIeverwasaprisonerofwarandthenonly for about ten minutes. Custer, referring to my capture, says that I wasrescuedbyachargeofmyownregimentledbyCaptainBirge.

MANNINGD.BIRGE

BiddingBirgetofollowmylatecaptorsIhurriedouttotheroadandthencetothecrossroadsfromwhichwehadstartedsoshortatimebefore.Custerwasstillthere.Hisbatterywasthere.MostoftheSixthwashaltedthere.Myrecollectionis that the First and Seventh about that time joined Custer, after finding thatFitzhughLeehadwithdrawnfromtheirfrontlookingtowardLouisaCourthouse.Birge's charge had cleared the road of the enemy, for the time being. Custerordered that a railbarricadebe thrownupacross the road leading to the right,from which direction the attacks had been made on him. Putting the men ofVinton'sandBirge'ssquadronswhowereavailableatwork,Lovell'ssquadronoffourtroopswhichwasintactandwellinhandunderasgoodanofficerastherewas in the brigade, was posted in line mounted, parallel with the road, andbehindascreenoftimber,inreadinesstorepelanyfurtherattack.

InafewminutesSergeantAvery,oneof themenwhohadgonewithBirge inpursuit of the enemy from whom I had escaped, came in with a confederateprisoner splendidly mounted. Avery with cocked revolver was making hisprisoner ride ahead of him and thus brought him in. Receiving orders todismount,themangavethehorseacaressandwithsomethingverylikeatearin

hiseyesaid:

"ThatisthebesthorseintheSeventhGeorgiacavalry."

Thehorse,withAvery'sconsentwasturnedovertometotaketheplaceofthecapturedblack.Heprovedtobeaprize.Handsomeasapicture,kindandwellbroken,sound,spiritedbuttractable,withaglossycoatofsilkyluster,hewasamountthatarealcavalrymanwouldbecomeattachedtoandbeproudof.Irodehim and he had the best of care until he succumbed to the cold weather andexposurenearWinchesterinthewinterfollowing.Hewasafinelybredsouthernhorseandcouldnotenduretheclimate.

Birgewasnotsofortunate.WhenhewentafterhisprisonershecaughtaTartar,orcameverynearit.Thebarricadewasonlypartiallycompleted,whenyellinginfront,—that is in theroadleadingto theright,—causedeveryoneto lookinthatdirection.Birgeandafewofhismenwereseencomingatfullspeedwithwhatlookedlikeagoodbigsquadronoftheenemyattheirheels.MountingtheSeventh Georgia horse, I rode around the barricade and into the field whereLovell was with his battalion. He had been placed there for just such anemergency.Birgedidnotstopuntilhehadleapedhismareover thebarricade.When the confederate column came up, Lovell surprised them with a volleyrightintheirteeth,whichsentthem"whirling"backintothewoodsoutofwhichtheyhadcome.

This was the end of the fighting at that point. Taking with him the Seventh,underLieutenantColonelBrewer,andthebatteryCusterthenmovedontowardTrevilianStation,leavingtheFirstunderLieutenantColonelStaggandtheSixthtobringupandlookoutfortherear.Theaffrayatthecrossroadshadoccupiedlesstimethanit takestotell it. Ingivingthestoryithasbeendifficult tosteerinto themiddle coursebetweena seemingdesire togiveundueprominence toone'sownpartintheaction,ononehand,andaffectationofunduemodesty,ontheother.Theonlycourseappearedtobetonarratetheincidentsastheybefellandleaveittothekindreadertojudgethematteronitsapparentmerits.

WhenCusterapproachedthestationhefoundRosserinhiswayonhisfrontandrightflank.FitzhughLee,comingfromLouisaCourthouse,alsoattackedhisleftflank. For a time there was a melee which had no parallel in the annals ofcavalry fighting in thecivilwar,unless itmayhavebeenatBrandyStationorBucklandMills.Custer'slinewasintheformofacircleandhewasfightinganenterprising foeon either flank andboth front and rear.FitzhughLee charged

and captured a section of Pennington's battery. The SeventhMichigan led byBrewer recaptured it. Fragments of all the regiments in the brigade ralliedaroundCuster for themounted fighting, ofwhich therewas plenty,while theFirstandSixthdismountedtookcareoftherear.Custerwaseverywherepresentgiving directions to his subordinate commanders, andmore than onemountedchargewasparticipatedinbyhiminperson.

Torbert'sattackwithMerritt'sandDevin'sbrigadeswasat lengthsuccessful inroutingHampton,whosemenweredrivenintoandthroughCuster'slines.Manyof them were made prisoners. An officer and twelve men belonging to theSeventhGeorgia cavalry,making for the rear as they supposed, came into thearms of the SixthMichigan skirmishers at one time. The officer gave up hisrevolvertomeanditprovedtobeaveryfinefiveshootingarmofEnglishmake.

In the final stages of the battle, Gregg concentrated against Fitzhugh Lee,TorberteffectedhisjunctionwithCuster,andthelatterwasextricatedfromhisdifficult and dangerous predicament, after performing prodigies of valor. Thelines changed front and the confederates were driven across the railroad,HamptontowardsGordonsville,Leetotheeastward.Thetwodidnotsucceedincomingtogetherthatnight,andLeewasobligedtomakeawidedetourinordertoreunitewithhischiefontheafternoonofthenextday,Sunday,June12.

The entire command encamped on the battle field in the neighborhood ofTrevilianStationforthenight.ThenextmorningGreggwassetatworktearingup the railroad towardLouisaCourthouse.TheFirst divisionwas given a restuntil the afternoon when, at about three o'clock, although it was Sunday, theordercamefortheFirstdivisiontoproceedinthedirectionofGordonsville.Inthemeantime, the forcesofHamptonandLeehadunitedand,aswillbeseen,had planned to stop Sheridan's further progress at all hazards. There is somereason to believe that a part of Breckinridge's infantry had come out fromGordonsville to reinforceHampton. Suchwas the impression at the time, andone at least, of Sheridan's commanders, states in his report that he wasconfronted by infantry. The writer is of the opinion that the "infantry" wasButler's dismounted cavalrywhich,when in a goodposition as theywere thatday,coulddoasgoodfightingasanyinfantryintheconfederateservice.

TheMichiganbrigademovedoutfirstandtheSixthhadtheadvance.Theorderwas toproceed toacertainpointnamedand thenhaltuntil thedivisionclosedup.Memorydoesnotrecallwhattheplacewas,butisquiteclearastothatbeingthespecificdirectiongivenbyGeneralCustertotheofficerincommandofthe

advanceregiment.Wehadgonebutashortdistance,notmorethanamileortwoatmost,whentheadvanceguardreportedtheenemyentrenchedacrosstheway.Skirmishingbeganatoncebetweenourmountedmen in frontanddismountedconfederates behind breastworks of considerable strength. A squadron wasdeployedandSergeantAverywasdirectedtomakehiswayfarenoughintothewoodstofind,ifpossible,whatwehadinourfront.Hecamebackinabouttenminutes and reported that the breastworks in our immediate front werethoroughlymanned,and thathehadseenacolumnofat leasta thousandmenmovingintotheentrenchmentsontheenemy'sright,infrontofourleftflank.Hewas sent back to give Custer this information, and the general came up andorderedtheentireregimenttobedismountedtofightonfoot.TheSixthwasputinontherightoftheroadanddirectlythereaftertheSeventhwassentinontheleft.ItdidnottakelongtodemonstratethattworegimentswerenotenoughandtheFirstandFifthwent into theactionon the rightof theSixth.ThenTorbertreinforced the line with the Reserve brigade and a portion of the Second, allunderMerritt.Theentiredivisionbecameengaged.Severalassaultsweremadeupon the confederate line but without success. They were in each instancerepulsed. Fitzhugh Lee got in on the right flank of the division and inflictedsevere damage upon the Reserve brigade. We have never been able tounderstandwhy, if itwas intended tobreak the enemy's line,Gregg's divisionwasnotbroughtintotheengagementtoprotectthatflank.GeneralMerrittinhisreportintimatesthathehadtodomorethanhisshareoffighting;thatwhentheReserve brigade advanced to the assault on the right itwas supposed that theattack would be pressed on the left; that it was not so pressed and that hisbrigade suffered unduly on that account. This is another case of aman beingunable toseeall that isgoingoninabattle.TheMichiganbrigadewasontheleftoftheline.Itwasthefirstbrigadeengaged.Itbeganthefightandstayedinittill the end. Harder fighting has rarely been done than that which fell to theMichiganmen in that battle. Several attempts weremade to drive the enemyfrom their front. The FirstMichigan especiallymade a charge across an openfieldinthefaceofaterriblefirefrombehindbreastworks,goinghalfwayacrossbefore theywere repulsed.When the FirstMichigan could not stand before astorm of bullets, no other regiment in the cavalry corps need try. That is acertainty.Thelossesinkilledandwoundedwereverysevere,aswillbeshowninatableprintedattheendofthischapter.

SERGEANTAVERY

The fighting continued till ten o'clock that night, when Sheridan decided towithdraw and abandon the expedition. It is worthy of remark that the entiredivisionwas unable to advance one inch beyond the placewhere the advanceguard first encountered the enemy and where Sergeant Avery made thereconnoissancewhichrevealedtoGeneralCusterthetruesituation.PoorAverywaskilledwhiledoinghisdutyashealwaysdidintheveryfrontofthebattleintheplaceofgreatestdanger.CaptainLovellandLieutenantLutherCanouseoftheSixthwerewounded;CaptainCarr, andLieutenantsPulver andWarren oftheFirstMichiganwerekilled,andCaptainDugganandLieutenantBullockofthe same regiment wounded. Captains Hastings and Dodge of the Fifth werewounded;alsoLieutenantColonelBrewerof theSeventhwaswoundedon theeleventh.

The casualties in the two days' fighting at Trevilian Stationwere very severe.Thelossesinkilledanddiedfromwoundsreceivedintheactionaggregatedinthebrigadefortyone,asfollows:[28]

FirstMichigan 13FifthMichigan 8

FifthMichigan 8SixthMichigan 17SeventhMichigan 3

——Total 41

Of prisoners lost there were in all two hundred and forty-two, distributed asfollows:

FirstMichigan 39FifthMichigan 102SixthMichigan 58SeventhMichigan 43

——Total 242

Of thosewhowerecapturedandheldasprisonersofwar,eighty-eightdied insouthernprisons—mostoftheminAndersonville—asfollows:[29]


——Total 88

ThebattleofTrevilianStationpracticallyendedthefightingwhichwasdonebytheMichiganbrigadeinthecampaignfromtheRapidantotheJames.Sheridan'sretreat was skilfully conducted but was not especially eventful. A tabulatedstatementofthelossesinthecommand,beginningintheWilderness,May6,andendingatTrevilianStationJune12,isappendedhereto.BylossesImeankilledinactionordiedofwoundsreceivedinaction.Itisnotpossibletogiveareliablestatement of the wounded, reports of regimental commanders being verydeficientinthatparticular.Thetableiscompiledfromtheofficialrecordsintheofficeof theadjutantgeneralofMichiganand isbelieved tobeapproximatelycorrect:

First Fifth Sixth Seventh Total

FirstMichigan

FifthMichigan

SixthMichigan

SeventhMichigan Total

Wilderness 2 3 4 — 9Todd'sTavern 3 — — 1 4

BeaverDamStation 1 — — — 1

YellowTavern 14 7 3 9 33

MeadowBridge — — 2 — 2

Hanovertown — — 3 — 3Haw'sShop 5 13 18 6 42OldChurch 2 — — 1 3ColdHarbor 5 1 1 3 10TrevilianStation 13 8 17 3 41

—— —— —— —— ——Total 45 32 48 23 148

Recapitulation—Killedanddiedofwounds,theRapidantotheJames:


—Total 148

In General Merritt's official report[30] for the period May 26 to June 26, hemakesthefollowingstatement:

"The losses in killed and wounded, (in the Reserve brigade,) areannexedintabularstatement.Astheynumbermorethanthelossofthe entire rest of the command they sufficiently attest the severeservicesofthebrigade."

WhenGeneralMerritt says "the entire rest of the command"we shall assumethathemeans"theentirerest"oftheFirstdivision.Wehavenodesiretomakeinvidious comparisons, and have avoided doing so throughout theserecollections.TheReservebrigadewasa finebrigadeandalways foughtwell,and never better than at Trevilian Station and in the battles immediatelyprecedingthatengagement.Toprovethathiscomparisonwasnotwarranteditisnecessaryonlytorefertotheofficialrecords.Onpage810ofthesamevolume,[31] appended to the reportofGeneralTorbert, for thesameperiodcoveredbyGeneralMerritt'sreport,wefind:

ReserveBrigade—Officerskilled 6Officerswounded 17Officerskilledandwounded 23

ReserveBrigade—Menkilled 57Menwounded 275Menkilledandwounded 332

——Totalofficersandmenkilledandwounded 355

SecondBrigade—Officerskilled 2Officerswounded 15Officerskilledandwounded 17

SecondBrigade—

Menkilled 42Menwounded 163Menkilledandwounded 205


FirstBrigade—Officerskilled 3Officerswounded 12Officerskilledandwounded 15

FirstBrigade—Menkilled 62Menwounded 192Menkilledandwounded 254


TotalkilledandwoundedFirstandSecondBrigades 491TotalkilledandwoundedReserveBrigade 355

TheReservebrigadecomprised five regiments, twoofvolunteers and threeofregulars. The Michigan brigade consisted of four regiments, of course, allvolunteers.OnethirdofthelossesinkilledandwoundedatTrevilianStationintheReservebrigadewereinthesingleregiment, theFirstNewYorkdragoons.My authority for this is still the official records. See page 186 of the volumealreadyquotedandreferredto in thefootnote.Closeanalysis, therefore,showsthatthereareinconsistenciesintheofficialrecords,andunguardedstatementsintheofficialreports.

The restof themonthof Junewasconsumed in the returnmarch to thearmy.Owingtothenecessityofcaringforalargenumberofwoundedandofguardingseveral hundred prisoners, to say nothing of an army of colored people of allages and of both sexeswho joined the procession, it was necessary to take atortuous course which traversed the Spottsylvania battle ground, touched atBowlingGreen,followedthenorthbankoftheMattaponyriver,reachingKingandQueenCourthouseJune18.Fromthisplacethesick,woundedandprisoners

weresenttoWestPoint.Onthe19thwemarchedtoDunkirk,ontheMattaponyriver, which was crossed on a pontoon bridge and thence to the Pamunkey,oppositeWhiteHouse. June 21, the entire command crossed thePamunkey atWhite House and marched the next day (June 22) to Jones's bridge on theChickahoming. June 25 reached the James river and on the 28th crossed thatrivertoWindmillPoint.FromheretheFirstandSeconddivisionsweresenttoReams'sStationtothereliefof theThirddivisionunderWilsonwhichhadrunintoasituationsimilarto,ifnotmoreseriousthanthatwhichCusterfacedonthe11thatTrevilian.Findingthatofficersafe,wereturnedtoLighthousePointandsettleddown—afterhavingfoughtandmarchedforfifty-sixconsecutivedays—foraperiodofrestandrecuperation.DuringtheentiremarchfromTreviliantotheJames,HamptonhoveredontheflankofSheridan'scolumn,watchingforafavorable opportunity to inflict a blow, but avoiding a general engagement. IncrossingfromthePamunkeytotheJames,Sheridanwaschargedwiththedutyofescortingatrainof900wagonsfromtheWhiteHousetoDouthat'sLandingontheJames.GeneralGreggwasentrustedwiththeresponsibilityofprotectingthe right flank, which placed him in the post of danger, and the brunt of thefighting aswell as the greater part of the honors of themovement fell to hisshare.Indeed,GeneralSheridaninhisofficialreport,writteninNewOrleansayearafterthewarclosed,gaveGreggcreditforsavingthetrain.

ThetimefromJuly2,whenwereturnedtoLighthousePointontheJamesriver,toJuly26wasquietanduneventful.Manyhundredconvalescentwoundedandsickmenreturnedfromhospitaltoduty;manyalsowhohadbeendismountedbytheexigenciesof thecampaignreturnedfromdismountedcamps.Afine lotofnewhorseswere received.During themonth theconditionof theanimalswasverymuchimproved,goodcareandaplentifulsupplyofforagecontributingtothe result. The duty performed was to picket the left flank of the army, theMichiganregimentsconnectingwithCrawford'sdivisionoftheFifthcorps.

The story of the participation of the cavalry with the Second corps in themovementtothenorthsideoftheJames,whichbeganontheforenoonofJuly26,hasbeensofullyandsowelltoldbyGeneralSheridaninhisreportsandinhismemoirsthatnothingislefttobeadded.Infactthereislittle,ifanything,intheparttakenbyanyportionoftheforcetakenacrossbySheridanandHancockto differentiate it from that played by thewhole.The object of themovementwas to draw the enemy's attention away from the lines around Petersburgpreparatoryfortheexplosionoftheminewhichwastotakeplaceonthe30th.Inthisitwassuccessful.GeneralLeemistooktheattackonhisleftforrealinstead

ofafeint,anddetachedenoughtroopstomeetittonotonlyassurethesuccessoftheattackonPetersburg,ifithadbeenmadewithdetermination,buttoseriouslymenacethesafetyofthetwocorpsengagedinthemovement.GeneralSheridantruthfully says that, "The movement to the north side of the James for theaccomplishmentofourpartoftheplanconnectedwiththemineexplosion,waswellexecuted,andeverypointmade;butitwasattendedwithsuchanxietyandsleeplessnessastoprostratealmosteveryofficerandmaninthecommand."

ThiswasthelastincidentofimportanceconnectedwiththeservicesoftheFirstcavalry division with the army of the Potomac in the year 1864. August 1,SheridanwasorderedtotheShenandoahValleyandselectedtheFirstandThirdcavalrydivisionstogowithhim.

Since this is in somesortapersonalnarrative itmaybeof interest tomentionthatwhileatLighthousePointIreceivedmycommissionascoloneland,July9,wasmusteredoutoftheUnitedStatesserviceasmajor—withwhichrankIhadbeen commanding the regiment—andwasmustered in in the new grade. Thepromotion, which was unsought, was due to a request made to the governor,signedbyalltheofficersoftheregimentservinginthefield,andrecommendedby General Custer. On the original petition, on file in the adjutant general'sofficeinLansing,isanendorsementinthegeneral'sownhandwriting.[32]

CHAPTERXXI

INTHESHENANDOAHVALLEY

WhenGrant sentSheridan to take chargeof things in theShenandoahValley,andclose thatgateway to thenorth,hegavehimonecorpsof infantry (Sixth)and two divisions of cavalry (First andThird) from the army of thePotomac.TheMichigancavalrybrigade, still commandedbyGeneralGeorgeA.Custer,wasapartofthatforce.ItembarkedontransportsatCityPoint,Virginia,August3,1864,andproceededtoWashington,D.C.,thencebythewayofPoolesville,Maryland, to Halltown, Virginia, in front of Harper's Ferry, arriving thereAugust10,intimetojoinintheadvanceofthenewarmyoftheMiddleMilitaryDivision,[33]underitsnewcommander.

GreggwiththeSeconddivisionwasleftbehind,undertheimmediatedirectionof General Meade, and thus, much to their regret, the Michigan men partedfinallywiththatfineofficerandhissuperbcommand,withwhomtheyhadbeenassociatedsointimatelyandhonorablyatGettysburg,Haw'sShop,andinmanyotherplaces.WhentheyrejoinedthearmyofthePotomac,inthespringof1865,hehadretiredfromtheservice.Theyneversawhimagainbut,fromtheeventfuldaysof1863and1864tothepresenttime,theyhaveneverceasedtorespecthimas a soldier and a man; and he always had their entire confidence as acommanderofcavalry.

Sheridan wanted Early to cross intoMaryland or to fight him in and aroundWinchester,butwasinthedarkastohisadversary'sintentionsormovements,soatdaylight,August11,hestartedareconnoissanceinforce.CusterledthewayacrosstheOpequoncreek,towardWinchester,andsoonranintoEarly'sinfantry.A sharp fight followedwhich showed that Earlywas retreating up the valley.Ransom's regular battery, attached to the brigade,was charged by confederateinfantry,whichwasmetandrepulsedbyacounterchargeofonebattalionoftheSixthMichigancavalryledbyCaptainJamesMathers,whowaskilled.SheridanhadleftthegatewayviathefordsofthePotomacriveropen,butEarlywastoofoxytotakethelure.Hewasgettingawayasfastashecouldtoaplaceofsafety.

Thepursuitwasinstantlytakenupandthenextday(12th)foundusupagainstinfantry again at Fisher'sHill, betweenCedarCreek and Strasburg, a position

impregnableagainstdirectassault.ForthreedaysweremainedfacetofacewithEarly'sinfantry,constantlysocloseastodrawtheirfireandkeepthemintheirintrenchments.

Onthe16thwemarchedtoFrontRoyal.SheridanhadinformationthataforceofinfantryandcavalryhadbeendespatchedfromRichmondtoreinforceEarlyand,incidentally, to strikeSheridan in flankor rear, ifhecouldbecaughtnapping.The force consisted of Kershaw's division of infantry and Fitzhugh Lee'sdivision of cavalry, all commanded byGeneralR.H.Anderson.The route bywhichtheyweresupposedtobeapproachingwasthroughChesterGapandFrontRoyal.IftheycouldhavereachedtheShenandoahriverandeffectedacrossingundiscovered,ashortmarchwouldhavebrought themtoNewtown,directlyinrearofourarmy.

CustercrossedandmarchedthroughFrontRoyalbutnoenemywasfound.Hethenrecrossedandtookpositiononcommandinggroundhalfamileorsobackfromthe river,andordered thehorses tobeunsaddledandfedand themen tocooktheirdinner.Headquarterswagonswerebroughtup,messcheststakenout,andwewere justgatheringaround themtopartakeofahastilypreparedmeal,whenFitzhughLee'scavalry,whichhadstealthilyapproachedtheford,chargedacrossandmadeadashatourpickets.MajorH.H.Vinton,oftheSixthMichiganwas in command of the picket line and promptly rallying on his reserves, hecourageously met Lee's attack and checked it. That dinner was never eaten.Custer'sbuglersounded"tohorse."Asifbymagic,themenwereinthesaddle.Custerdashedoutwithhisstaffandordered theFifthMichiganforward, tobefollowedbytheotherregiments,Isupposedhewouldchargeinthedirectionofthe ford, where Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry was still contending with the SixthMichigan.Hedidnothingofthekind.Movingdiagonallytotheleft,hereachedthe crest overlooking the river just in time to surprise Kershaw in the act ofcrossing.TheFifthMichigandeployedintolineinfinestyleandopenedsuchahotfirewiththeirSpencers,thattheheadofKershaw'scolumnwascompletelycrushed.Everyconfederatewhowasacrosswaseitherkilledorcaptured.Manyofthosewhowereinthewaterweredrownedandthoseontheothersidewerekept there.Just then,Devin'sbrigadecameup,andhelped todrive thecavalryacross the river. The prisoners, all infantry, numbered from three to fivehundred.

This rencounteratFrontRoyalwasoneof themostbrilliantaffairsof thewarand it illustratedwell themarvelous intuitionwithwhichGeneralCusteroftengrasped the situation, in an instant of time. He did not anticipate Kershaw's

movementorhewouldnothavegiven theorder tounsaddle. Itwasasurprisebut he was alert, and equal to the emergency. He was as bold to act as hisperceptionswerekeen,andtheincidentrecallstheintrepiditywithwhichhemetRosser in the Wilderness under somewhat similar circumstances. Had hecharged the cavalry, Anderson would have effected a crossing, and in a veryshort time might have had theMichigan brigade at such disadvantage that itwould have required all of Custer's boldness and skill to extricate it. Custerdivined that the dash of Lee's advancewas amask for the infantry, and by amovementthatwouldhavedonecredittoMuratorNey,caughtKershawastridethe riverand trappedhimcompletely.Thebehaviorof theFifthMichiganwasnevermore"superb." Idonotbelieve thata single regiment,oneither side,atanytime,duringtheentirewar,performedamorebrilliantdeed.MajorVintonandhisdetachmentalsoearnedespecialpraiseby interruptingwithoutaid, thefirstonsetofFitzhughLee'sadvance.TheFirstandSeventhMichigansupportedtheFifthinamostgallantmanner.GeneralCusterhadalockofhairshotawayfrom his temple and Lieutenant Granger of his staff was killed. LieutenantLuciusCarveroftheSeventhalsolosthislifeintheengagement.

After this fight it was found that Sheridan had begun a retrogrademovementdown thevalley to takeadefensiveposition in frontofHalltown.Thebrigadebroughtuptherear,theSixthMichiganactingasrearguard.

From the 16th to the 25th of August, it was marching and countermarching,picketing, reconnoitering and skirmishing, continually. Both armies weremaneuvering for position and advantage.Anderson's reinforcement had joinedEarly and, with the esprit of the Army of Northern Virginia, was constantlypushingcloseuptoourlinesandharassingus.TheMichiganbrigadewasmostlyengagedwith infantry and did not once, I believe, come into contactwith theconfederatecavalry. Itwasa lonesomeday, indeed,when theirmettlewasnotput to the proof in a skirmish with either Kershaw or Breckinridge. But oneincidentoccurredtobreakthemonotony.ApartoftheFifthMichigansentoutto destroy some buildings supposed to contain supplies, was surprised byMosby'scommandandfifteenmenwerekilledoutright.Theywerecaughtinafieldwhereescapewasimpossibleandshotwithoutmercy.TheSixthwassentouttoreinforcetheFifthandwesearchedfarandnearforthedashingpartisanbutdidnotsucceedincomingupwithhim.Hedepartedasswiftlyashecameandmadehisescapetothemountains.

Sheridanhad,inhisturn,beenreinforcedbyWilson'sdivisionofcavalry(Third)and,onthe25th,Torbert[34]wassentoutwithMerritt'sandWilson'sdivisions,

tohuntupFitzhughLee,whowasreportedtohavegoneinthedirectionofthefordsleadingintoMaryland.AtornearKearneysville,asmallforceofcavalrywas encountered which was driven rapidly along the road toward Leetown.Nearingthelatterplace,theinevitableinfantrywasfoundanditturnedouttobeBreckinridge'scorps,goingnorthalongtheSmithfieldandShepherdstownpike.Shepherdstownison thePotomacriver,oppositeSharpsburgand theAntietambattleground.

ItneverwillbeknownwhatBreckinridgewasintendingtodo,forheturnedonTorbertanddidnotresumehisjourney.Thecollisionwasacompletesurprisetobothparties,butEarly'sdesign,whateveritmayhavebeen,wasdisarranged,themovementwasdiscoveredand,thoughthecavalryhadrathertheworstofit,theinformation gained was worth all it cost. If Early had been contemplating aninvasionofMaryland,herelinquishedthedesignanddidnotreviveit.

Torbert, finding that he had more than he could handle, fell back towardHalltown,leavingCusterwithhisbrigadeforarearguard.Custer,comingtoapieceofwoodssouthofShepherdstown,neithertheenemynorourowncavalrybeinginsight,haltedandhadhismendismounttorest,theyhavingbeeninthesaddlesinceearlymorning.Wewereallsittingorlyingdownwithbridlereinsin hand, taking our ease with more or less dignity, when a small body ofconfederatehorsemade its appearance in thedirectionofShepherdstown.Thebrigademountedandstartedinpursuitbuthadhardlybeenputinmotionwhenalineof infantry suddenlyappeared in thewoodswewerevacatingandopenedfire upon us. The confederate horsemen were driven away by the First andSeventh and, when General Custer rallied his brigade to confront the newdanger,hefoundthatBreckinridgehadinterceptedhisretreatinthedirectiontherest of the cavalryhadgone, andwas closing inwith a line that threatened toenvelopthebrigade.Inafewmoments,theenemy'srightandleftflanksbeganto swing in towards the river and he found himself face to face with twoalternatives:Tocuthisway through,or fallbackand take the riskychanceoffording the river,withBreckinridgecloseathisheels.Ofcourse therewasnothought of surrender and Custer was not much given to showing his heels.Torbert left Custer to shift for himself. So far as I everwas able to learn, hemadenoeffort tosavehispluckysubordinateandthereport that theMichiganbrigadehadbeencapturedwasgenerallycredited,inandaroundHarper'sFerry.

Custer,withsurprisingcoolness,puthisbrigadeintoline,theSixthontheright,theFirst,FifthandSeventhtotheleftoftheSixth,thebatteryinthecenter,withbackstotheriverandfacestotheenemy,andpresentedsoboldafrontthatthe

infantry did not charge, butmovedup slowly,maneuvering to get around andobtainpossessionofthefordinrear.Custerhadthemencheeranddaredthemtocome on.With characteristic audacity, he actually unlimbered his pieces andgavethemachargeortworightintheirteeth;thenlimberingtotherearhetooksuccessivenewpositionsandrepeatedtheperformance.

Whileholdingoneofthesepoints,asquadronoftheFirstNewYorkdragoons,of Devin's brigade, which also in some way had been separated from itscommand, was driven in from the right, and, riding up to where I was, thecommandingofficer,CaptainBrittain,salutedandsaid:

"Colonel, I am cut off frommy own regiment and wish to report to you forduty."

"Form your men to the right," I said. "It looks as if your aid would be veryacceptable."

"Ihavenocartridges.Wehaveshotthemallaway."

"Youhavesabers."

"Yes,andby——theyareloaded,"heretorted,ashebroughthismenfrontintolineontheright.

CaptainBrittain survived thewar and came toMichigan to live.He often hassentmekindlyremindersofhis remembranceof thecircumstancesasnarratedabove.FormanyyearshehadahomeinWexfordcounty,andIlastheardofhimasprosperingonthePacificcoast.

At thatmoment, the thing had a critical look.Wewere inside a horseshoe ofinfantry, the extremitiesofwhichverynearly reached the river.Wehad togothrough that line,or through the river,or surrender.Breckinridge's linewas inplainsight,notahalfmileaway,intheopenandmovingupinsplendidorder.So faras Iam informed,Custerwas theonlyman in thecommandwhoknewthat therewas a ford and thatweweremaking for it. The restwere screwingtheircourageuptothetaskofbreakingthrough.IneverhaveceasedtoadmirethenerveexhibitedbyCaptainBrittain,whenItoldhimitlookedasifthatwaswhat we would have to do. He was an excellent officer and belonged to anexcellentregiment.

"Mysabersareloaded."

ThegreatestcoolnesswasdisplayedbyGeneralCusterandhisentirecommand.Therewasnot a hint ofweakness or fear in anyquarter.Thebrigade, at eachfallingback,ployedfromlineintocolumnanddeployedintolineagain,asifonparade,withBreckinridgeandhiscorpsforthespectators.Everymovementwasat awalk.Therewasnohaste—noconfusion.Everyofficerwasonhismettleandeverymanahero.

Presently,Custerfinallywithdrewhisbattery,thentheregimentsoneatatime,andslippedawayintoMarylandbeforetheenemyrealizedwhathewasdoing.

ThedelicatedutyofbringinguptherearwasentrustedtoColonelAlgerwithhisownregimentandtheSixth.Iwasorderedtoreporttohim.Thebatterycrossedfirst,thentheFirstandSeventh,thebrigadestaffandgeneralcommanding.

Thetworegimentsstoodinline,watchingtheenemyclosingincloserandcloseruntil this was accomplished. Then Colonel Alger toldme to go. He followedleisurelyand,astheFifthandSixthweremarchinguptheMarylandbank,alineof confederates cameupon the other side, and so astoundedwere they to seehowwehadescapedfromtheirgrasp,thatsomeofthemactuallycheered,soIhavebeeninformed.TheyhadbeendeceivedbytheaudacityofCusterandhismen in the firstplaceandby theclevernesswithwhich theyeludedcapture inthesecond.

ThebattleofShepherdstownwasthelastinwhichColonelAlgerwasengaged.While thebrigadewaslyingincampontheMarylandsideawaitingorders,hewastakensickandwassenttohospitalbyorderofthebrigadesurgeon.Hewasassigned to special dutybyorderofPresidentLincoln anddidnot rejoin.TheesteeminwhichhewasheldbyGeneralCusterand theconfidencewhich thatofficerreposedinhimtothelastmomentofhisserviceinthebrigadeisamplyevidencedbytheselectionofhimtoleadtheattackonKershawatFrontRoyaland to bring up the rear at Shepherdstown. The coolness and ability of theofficers and the intrepidity of the men in theMichigan cavalry brigade werenevermore thoroughly tested than in those twobattles.Custerwas theheroofbothandAlgerwashisrightarm.AtMeadowBridge,atYellowTavernandinallthebattlesofthateventfulcampaign,wherevertheywereassociatedtogether,wherever the one wanted a man tried, true, trained and trustworthy, there hewould put the other. No misunderstandings that arose later can alter thesignificanceorbreaktheforceofthesecoldfacts.

In the battle of ShepherdstownCaptain FrederickAugustus Buhl, of the First

Michiganwasmortallywounded,dyingafewdayslater.HewasaDetroitboy,and a classmate ofmine inAnnArborwhen thewar broke out. Iwas deeplygrieved at his death as I had learned to love him like a brother. He wasconspicuous for his gallantry in all the engagements inwhich he participated,especiallyatFrontRoyalandShepherdstown.

For two days the brigade was lost. For a time the report of its capture wasgenerallycredited.That itescaped,nothankswereduetoGeneralTorbert, thechiefofcavalry.ItisnotlikelythatheknewanythingaboutwhatapredicamenthehadleftCusterin.Thelatterwas,asusual,equaltotheemergency.

Imustpassnowrapidlyoveraperiodofnearlyamonth,devoted,forthemostpart,toreconnoiteringandretreating,totheeveofthebattleofWinchester.

September18,about8o'clockintheevening,IwenttoheadquarterstoconsultDr. Wooster, brigade surgeon, about the condition of my health. I was veryfeeble,unable toeat,myeyesandskin thecolorofcertainnewspapersduringtheSpanish-Americanwar.ThedoctortoldmeImustgohomeandinsistedonmaking out a certificate of disability, on which I might obtain a "leave ofabsence." General Custer and most of his staff were present. I recall thecircumstances very well, for a conversation in which the general asked meconfidentiallycertainquestions,wasincautiouslyrepeatedbysomeonewhowaspresent and returned to vexme aftermany years. I returned tomy own campaboutnineorhalfpastnine,muchcastdownoverthedoctor'sdiagnosisofmycase. Imention all this to showhow secretly the preparations for the eventfulnextdayhadbeenmade.NotawordwasdroppedduringmylonginterviewwiththegeneralandhisstafftoarousethesuspicionthatthearmywasabouttoattackEarly.Yet,atmidnight,orderswerereceivedtobereadytomoveattwoo'clockinthemorning.Beforethathour,horseswereinlinesaddled,themenreadytomount.Mycookmadeacupofteaandasliceoftoast.Idrankhalfoftheteabutcould not eat the toast. At three o'clock I mounted my favorite saddle horse"Billy" and by order of General Custer, led my regiment in advance of thedivision, toward Locke's Ford on the Opequon creek. Nothing was said, buteveryoneknewthatthearmywasinmotionandthatgreatthingswereinstoreforus.


BATTLEFIELDOFWINCHESTERVA.

Wenearedthefordaboutdaylight.Therewasafainthopethattheenemymightbetakenbysurpriseandthefordcapturedwithoutresistance,asitwasadifficultcrossing when bravely defended. In this, however, we were doomed todisappointment,foranalertfoewasfoundawaitingtheattack.Indeed,theymusthaveknownofthefederalapproach.Haltinganeighthofamilebackandoutofsight,Custerdirectedmetodismounttheregimentandmoveincolumnoffoursthrougha ravine at right angleswith the creek.This ravine ranout at the top,whereitreachedtheedgeofaplowedfield.Thisfieldextendedsome100or150yards to the crest overlooking the ford. Along the crest were fences,outbuildings,andthefarmhouse.Thence,therewasanabruptdescenttothebedoftheOpequonCreek.Thissidehillslopeconsistedofclearedfieldsdividedbyfences.Thehillwherethehouseandbarnswere,alsoslopedofftotheleft.Theroadtothefordskirtedthehilltothelefttillitreachedthebank,thenranparallelwiththecreektoapointaboutonalinewiththefarmhouse,whereitturnedtotheleftand,crossingthestream,tookaserpentinecourseuptheoppositeslope.This latterwaswoodedanddottedonbothsidesof theroadwithpilesofrailsbehindwhichwerepostedinfantrysharpshooters.

The leading files had barely reached the summit, at the edge of the plowedground,whentheenemyopenedfireontheheadofthecolumnoffours,beforethe regiment had debouched. There was momentary confusion, as thesharpshootersappearedtohavetheexactrange.Theregimentdeployedforwardintolineunderfire,andwithGeneralCusterbymysidewechargedacrossthe

field to thecrest.Custerwas theonlymountedman in the field.Reaching thehousesandfences,theSixthproceededtotrytomakeitasuncomfortablefortheconfederates as they had been doing for us.General Custer had gone back todirectthemovementsoftheotherregimentswhichwerestillundercoverintherear.

Thechargeprostratedme.Isucceededingettingacrossthefield,cheeredonbythegallantCuster,whorodehalfway,butthenfelldownandforaminuteortwocouldnotstandonmyfeet.Isupposemypalefaceandweakconditionmadeavery fair presentment of a colonel demoralized by fright. It was a case ofcompletephysicalexhaustion.Whileitisprobablyforthemostpartmoralratherthan physical courage that spurs men into battle, it is equally true that goodhealthandasoundbodyareagoodbackgroundforthedisplayofmoralcourage.If any of my friends think that jaundice and an empty stomach are a goodpreparation for leading a charge across a plowed field in the face of anintrenchedfoeIhopethattheynevermaybecalledupontoputtheirbelieftotheproof.

CusterthensentorderstoengagetheenemyasbrisklyaspossibleanddirectedtheTwenty-fifthNewYork[35] followed by the SeventhMichigan, to take thefordmounted.Theattemptwasafailure,however,fortheheadoftheNewYorkregiment afterpassing thedefile around the left,when it reached the crossing,instead of taking it, kept on and, circling to the right, came back to the pointfromwhichitstarted;thus,ineffect,reversingtheroleoftheFrencharmywhichchargedupahilland thenchargeddownagain.TheSeventhMichiganhavingreceivedorderstofollowtheotherregiment,obeyedanddidnotseethemistakeuntiltoolatetorectifyit,muchtothechagrinofthatgallantofficer,LieutenantColonelBrewer,whocommandedit,andwholaterintheday,laiddownhislife.

The First Michigan was then ordered up to make the attempt. That regimentmovedincolumndowntheroadtothefootofthehillattheleftandhalted.Twosquadrons,commandedbyCaptainGeorgeR.Maxwell, anofficerof themostundoubtedcourage,weredetailedasanadvanceguardtoleadthecharge.Someminutespassedand the sharpshootersbegan to annoy themountedmenof theFirst.MajorHowrigan,ofthatregiment,thinkingthattheSixthoughttooccupytheattentionoftheenemysocompletelyastoshieldhismenfromannoyance,gallopeduptowhereIwas,andexcitedlyaskedifwecouldnotmakeithotterforthem.

"Theyareshootingmymenofftheirhorses,"heshouted.Ashehaltedtodeliver

thismessage,abulletstruckthesaddlebaginrearofhisleftleg.Reachingbackheunbuckledthestrap,liftedtheflap,andpullingoutacorkinsertedintheneckofwhat had been a glass flask, exclaimed: "Blankety blank their blank souls,they have brokenmywhisky bottle." Sayingwhich, hewheeled and gallopedbackthroughashowerofwhistlingbullets.

General Custer then sent orders by a staff officer for the Sixth to advancedismountedandsupportthechargeoftheFirst.TheSeventhwasalsobroughtupmounted to charge the ford at the same time.Preparations for this final attackwere just about completedwhen it was discovered that the confederateswereleaving theircoverand fallingback.Lowellhadeffectedacrossingat anotherford andwas threatening the flankof the force in our front.TheSixthmovedforwardwithacheer.All theregimentsadvancedto theattacksimultaneously,andthecrossingoftheOpequonwaswon.Asharpfightfollowedontheothersidewith Early's infantry inwhich a portion of the FirstMichigan led by thegallantCaptainMaxwellmadeamostintrepidchargeoninfantrypostedinthewoodsbehindarailfence.

The cavalry soon had the force opposed to it fleeing towardWinchester, butmakingastandfromtimetotime,sothat it tookfromdaylight inthemorninguntilnearlythreeo'clockintheafternoontocoverthedistanceofthreeorfourmilesbetween thecrossingof theOpequonand theoutskirtsof the townafterwhich the battle has been named, though, perhaps, it ismore correctly styled"ThebattleoftheOpequon."Breckinridge'sinfantryandFitzhughLee'scavalry,the samegallant adversarieswhohustledusover intoMaryland in such livelyfashionduringthepreviousmonth,stoodinthewayandmadevigorouseffortstostopourprogress. ItwasacaseofhuntedturnedhunterandtheWolverinesmorethanbalancedtheaccountchargedupagainstBreckinridgefortheaffairatShepherdstown,August25.ToborrowanillustrationfromtheRugbygame,thecavalrykeptworkingaroundtheendforgainsuntilatouchdownandgoalwerescoredatfiveo'clockintheafternoon.

Thebattlewas foughtalong theMartinsburgpike, theenemybeing flankedordriven from one position to another until all the brigades of Merritt's andAverell's[36] divisions, which had been converging toward a common point,cametogetheraboutamileoutofWinchester.

As that place was approached, the signs and sounds of a great battle becamestartlinglydistinct.Theroarofartilleryandtherattleofsmallarmssalutedtheear. Within sight of the fortifications, around that historic town, a duel was

ragingbetweentheinfantryofthetwoarmies.Thelinesofblueandgraywereinplain sight off to the left. Puffs of smoke and an angry roar told where theopposing batteries were planted. Densemasses of smoke enveloped the lines.Fromtheheightstothefrontandright,cannonbelchedfireanddestruction.

TheUnioncavalrymenwerenowallmounted.TheMichiganbrigadewasontheleftof the turnpike; to its left, thebrigadesofDevinandLowell;on the right,Averell'sdivisionoftwobrigades—fivebrigadesinall—eachbrigadeinlineofsquadron columns, double ranks. Thismade a front ofmore than half amile,three linesdeep,ofmountedmen.That is tosay, itwasmore thanhalfamilefromAverell's right toMerritt's left.At almost the samemoment of time, theentire line emerged from thewoods into the sunlight. Amore enlivening andimposing spectacle never was seen. Guidons fluttered and sabers glistened.Officersviedwiththeirmeningallantryandinzeal.Eventhehorsesseemedtocatchtheinspirationofthesceneandemulatedthemartialardoroftheirriders.ThenalefthalfwheelbeganthegrandflankingmovementwhichbrokeEarly'sleftflankandwonthebattle.

When the Michigan brigade came out of the woods, it found a line ofconfederate horse behind a stone fence. This was the last stand that FitzhughLee,whocommandedEarly's cavalry, attempted tomake. Indeed, itwashere,probably, that he received the wound which rendered him hors de combat.GeneralWickhamsucceededhim.Inthestonefencetherewereplaceswherethestones had fallen or had been thrown down, making openings through whichhorsescouldpassone,oratmosttwo,atatime.TheUnioncavalrymenmadefortheseopenings,nothaltingorhesitatingforaninstant.Thefencewastakenandbreakingthroughtheyputtoflighttheconfederatecavalrymenwhodidnotstopuntiltheyfoundrefugebehindtheirinfantrylines.

Theunionlinewasbrokenuptoo.Thecountryforamilewasfullofchargingcolumns—regiments,troops,squads—thepursuittakingthemineverydirectionwhere amounted enemy could be seen. The cavalry disposed of, the infantrywasnext taken inhand.Early's lieutenants, finding their flank turned,changedfront and tried hard to stem the tide of defeat. The brigade became badlyscattered.Custerwithaportionof it charged rightup toaconfederatebattery,but failed to get it, not having force enough at that point. The portion of thecommandwithwhichIfoundmyselffollowedLee'scavalryforalongdistancewhen,reachingthetopofaslopeoverwhichtheyhadgoneintheirretreat,wefoundourselves face to facewith a strong lineof infantrywhichhad changedfront to receive us, and gave us a volley that filled the air with a swarm of

bullets. This stopped the onset for the time, in that part of the field, and thecavalryfellbackbehindthecrestofthehilltoreformand,totellthetruth,togetundercover, for the infantryfirewasexceedinglyhot.Theywerefiringat justtherightelevationtocatchthehorses,andtherewasdangerthatourcavalrymenwouldfindthemselvesdismounted,throughhavingtheirmountskilled.

Asmyhorseswervedtotheleft,abulletstruckmyrightthighand,peelingtheskinoffthat,cutadeepgashthroughthesaddletotheopeninginthecenter.Thesaddlecausedittodeflectupwards,oritwouldhavegonethroughtheotherleg.At themoment I supposed it hadgone through the right leg.MeetingGeneralCusterItoldhimwithsomepridethatIwaswoundedandneededasurgeon.NotfindingoneIinvestigatedformyselfandfoundthatitwasoneofthosenarrowescapes which a pious man might set down to the credit of providence or amiracle.ThewoundwasnotseriousandIproceededtoassistinrallyingasmanymenoftheregimentaspossibletoreporttoGeneralCusterwhowaspreparingfor what proved to be the final charge of the battle. This was made upon abrigade of infantry which was still gallantly trying to make a stand towardWinchester and in front of a large stone house. The ground descended fromCuster'spositiontothatoccupiedbythisinfantry.Custerformedhismeninlineand, at the moment when the enemy began a movement to the rear, chargeddownuponthemwithayellthatcouldbeheardabovethedinofthebattle.Inabrief timehewas in theirmidst.They threwdowntheirarmsandsurrendered.Several hundred of them had retreated to the inside of the stone house. Thehousewassurroundedandtheywereallmadeprisoners.

Thischarge,inwhichtheMichiganbrigadecapturedmoreprisonersthanithadmenengaged,wasforperhapsaneighthofamilewithinrangeofthebatterieson theheights aroundWinchester, anduntil it becamedangerous to their ownmen,theartilleryenfiladedourline.

Afragmentofoneof thoseshellsstruckmyhorse,"Billy," in thenose, takingoutachunkthesizeofmyfistandhecarriedthescartillthedayofhisdeath(in1888).Thislastchargefinishedthebattle.EarlyretreatedthroughWinchesterupthevalleyandnothingwasleftbuttopursue.SheridanbrokeEarly'sleftflankbythemovementofthecavalryfromhisownright.Itwasthefirsttimethatproperuseofthisarmhadbeenmadeinagreatbattleduringthewar.Hewastheonlygeneral of that war who knew how to make cavalry and infantry supplementeachotherinbattle.Hadthetacticsofthebattlebeenreversed,—thatistosay,ifSheridan had moved against Early's right flank instead of his left,—nothingcould have prevented the capture or destruction ofEarly's army, as his retreat

would have been cut off. But the way to the south was left open, and Earlyescapedoncemore toFisher'sHill,wherehewas found thenextdaywith theremnant—averyrespectableremnant—ofhisarmy.

Itmaybeof interest tosomeofmymedicalfriends toremarkhere inpassing,that thebattleofWinchester curedmy jaundice.After crossing theOpequon Ibegan to be ravenously hungry, and begged and ate hardtack until there wassome danger that the supply would be exhausted. The men soon saw thesituation and when one saw me approaching he would "present hardtack"withoutawaitingtheorder.SoIwentintothemountedpartoftheengagementwith a full stomach and inmore ways than one with a "better stomach for afight."

Iregretthatitisimpossibletogiveacompletelistofcasualtiesinthebrigade.Intheappendixtothisvolumemaybefoundarollofhonorofallthosewhowereeitherkilledordiedofwoundsreceivedinbattle.

MELVINBREWER

Oftheofficers,LieutenantColonelMelvinBrewerwasmortallywounded.Thebulletwhichkilledhimcomingfromthestonehouseinwhichtheconfederates

had taken refuge.ColonelBrewerwent out in theFirst, ofwhich regiment hehadrisentobeamajor.WiththatrankhewasassignedtocommandtheSeventhandonlyinthepreviousJunehadbeenpromotedtolieutenantcolonel.Hewasanofficermodestashewasbrave;coolandreliableonalloccasions.LieutenantAlbertT.Jackson,oftheFirst,killedearlyintheaction,wasayoungofficerofmuchpromise.CaptainWilliamO.Northof theFifth,who lost his life in themelee near Winchester, was also a most excellent officer. Captain A.S.Matthews,of theFirstwaswounded.Thecasualtieson thewholewerenot sonumerousasinsomeotherlesshistoricengagements,mostofthembefallingintheattacksoninfantry,earlyandlateintheday.Breckinridge'sinfantryseemstohavefiredlowwhenresistingthemountedcavalry,forthehavocamonghorseswasverygreat. I findbymyofficial reportmadeto theadjutantgeneralat thetime,thatsevenofficersintheSixthalonehadtheirhorsesshot,andthereisnoreasontosupposethatthisrecordexceededthatoftheotherregiments.

For thenext threedays, thebrigadewasinfrontof infantryatFisher'sHill,soclosetotheirlinesastodrawtheirfireandkeepthemintheirintrenchments.

Onthe22nd,Torbertwassent toMilford in theLurayValley, takingWilson'sandMerritt'sdivisions.HisordersweretobreakthroughoneofthepassesintheMassanutten mountains and come out in rear of Early's army when Crook'sflankingmovementontheothersidewouldhavedriventheconfederatesoutofthestrongpositionatFisher'sHill.Crook'sattackwascompletelysuccessfulandEarlywassoon"whirlingupthevalley"again.Torbertmadeafiascoof it.HeallowedWickham,who succeededFitzhughLee after the latterwaswounded,with, at most, two small brigades, to hold him at bay and withdrew withoutmakinganyfighttospeakof.IrememberverywellhowtheMichiganbrigadelayinasafepositioninrearofthelinelisteningtothefiringandwasnotorderedinatall.IfCusterorMerritthadbeenincommanditwouldhavebeendifferent.WhenSheridanfoundthatTorberthadretreated,hegavehimaveryperemptoryordertoretracehisstepsandtryagain.Custer,followedbyLowell,wassenttothefrontandin theforenoonof the24thWickham's trooperswerescatteredinflightandthewayopenedforTorberttocarryouthisinstructions.Eventhenthemarchwasleisurely,andthetwobigdivisionsarrivedinNewmarketonthe25thonlytofindthatitwastoolate.Earlyhadescapedagain.

Onthe26thatHarrisonburg,Custerassumedcommandof theSeconddivisioninplaceofAverellandIsucceededtothecommandofthebrigade.

Onthesameday,thebrigadewasorderedtoPortRepublicandseeingawagon

trainontheotherside,theSixthandSeventhweresentacrossthesouthforkoftheShenandoahrivertoattackit.It turnedouttobeKershaw'sdivision,whichhadbeen shuttle-cockedback and forth betweenLee's army and thevalley allsummerandwhich,oncemoreonthewingtoreinforceEarly,wasjustcomingfromSwiftRunGap.The tworegimentsweredrivenback,but retired ingoodorderandrecrossedtheriver.SheridanthenwithdrewtoCrossKeys,hopingtolureEarly to thatpoint,butwasunsuccessful.ThenextdayPortRepublicwasreoccupiedandthebrigadeestablishedapicketlineextendedthencetoConrad'sFerry,adistanceoftwentymiles.

Whileoccupying thisposition, thediscoverywasmade that therewereseveralgoodgrist-millsalongtheriverthatwerealsowellstoredwithgrist.Therewereplenty ofmen in the brigadewhowere practicalmillers, and putting them incharge,Ihadallthemillsrunningveryearlyinthemorning,grindingflourandmealwhichthecommissarieswereproceedingtoissuetotheseveralregiments,accordingtotheirneeds,andweallflatteredourselvesthatweweredoingafinestroke of business. This complacent state ofmindwas rudely disturbedwhen,about seven o'clock (the mills had been running some two hours, or more)General Merritt accompanied by his staff, dashed up and, in an angry moodwhichhedidnotattempt toconceal,began to reprimandmebecause themillshadnotbeensetonfire.

ThefiathadgoneforthfromGeneralGranthimself,thateverythinginthevalleythatmight contribute to the support of the armymust be destroyed before thecountry was abandoned. Sheridan had already decided on another retrogrademovementdownthevalleyanditwashispurposetoleaveatrailoffirebehind,obeyingtothelettertheinjunctionofthegeneralinchieftostarveoutanycrowthatwouldhereafter have the temerity to fly over theShenandoahvalley.Theorder had gone out the day before and the work was to begin that morning.Custerwas to take thewestandMerritt theeastsideandburnallbarns,mills,haystacks, etc.,within a certain area.Merrittwasprovoked.Hepointed to thewestandonecouldhavemadeachartofCuster'strailbythecolumnsofblacksmokewhichmarkedit.ThegeneralwasmanifestlyfrettinglestCustershouldappeartooutdohiminzealinobeyingorders,andblamedmeashisresponsiblesubordinate,forthedelay.Itoldhim,withanappearanceofhumilitythatIamsure was unfeigned, that thosemills would never grind again, after what hadpassed.

The wheels were not stopped but the torch was applied and the crackling offlamesintermingledwiththerumblingofthestonesmadeamournfulrequiemas

theoldmillswentupinsmokeandGeneralMerritt'sloyaltywasvindicated.

Itwas adisagreeablebusiness and—wecanbe franknow—Ididnot relish it.One incident made a lasting impression on the mind of every man who wasthere. The mill in the little hamlet of Port Republic contained the means oflivelihood—the food of thewomen and childrenwhom the exigencies ofwarhad bereft of their natural providers and, when they found that it was theintention todestroy thatonwhich theirveryexistenceseemed todepend, theirappeals tobepermitted tohave someof the flourbefore themillwasburned,wereheartrending.Worsethanallelse, inspiteofthemosturgentprecautions,enjoinedupontheofficersincharge,theflamesextended.Themillstoodinthemidst of a group of wooden houses and some of them took fire. Seeing thedanger, I rodeacrossandorderedeveryman to fall inandassist inpreventingthefurtherspreadoftheflames,aneffortwhichwas,happily,successful.WhatIsawthereisburnedintomymemory.Womenwithchildrenintheirarms,stoodinthestreetandgazedfranticallyuponthethreatenedruinoftheirhomes,whilethe tears rained down their cheeks. The anguish pictured in their faceswouldhavemeltedanyheartnotsearedbythehorrorsand"necessities"ofwar.Itwastoomuchformeandatthefirstmomentthatdutywouldpermit,Ihurriedawayfrom the scene. General Merritt did not see these things, nor did GeneralSheridan,muchlessGeneralGrant.

Thearmybegantofallbackonthe6thofOctober,thecavalrybringinguptherear,asusual,Merrittonthevalleypike,Custerbythebackroad,alongtheeastslopeoftheLittleNorthmountain.Theworkofincinerationwascontinuedandclouds of smoke marked the passage of the federal army. Lomax with onedivisionofcavalryfollowedMerritt,whileRosserwithtwobrigadestookupthepursuitofCusteronthebackroad.Thepursuitwasrathertameforacoupleofdays but the sight of the destruction going on must have exasperated theconfederatetroopers,manyofwhomwereontheirnativeheath,andputtheminafightingmood,foronthe8ththeybegantogrowaggressiveandworriedthelifeoutofourrearguard.TheMichiganbrigadehadtherear.TheSeventhwassent ahead to see that nothing escaped that came within the scope of Grant'sorder;theFifthactedasrearguard;theFirstandSixthinpositiontosupporttheFifthifneeded.ThepikeformedthemainstreetofthelittletownofWoodstock,thehousescomingclosetoitoneitherside.Onnearingthatplace,itwasfoundthatafirestartedinsomesmallbarnsandhaystacksintheoutskirts,hadcaughtin the adjoining buildings and the town was in flames. Dismounting the tworegiments,andsendingtheleadhorsesbeyondthevillage,ordersweregivento

havethefiresputout.Themenwenttoworkwithawill,butwereinterruptedintheirlaudablepurposebyLomax,whochargedtherearguardintothetown,andtherewassomelivelyhustlingtogettothehorsesintime.ThebrigadewasthenformedinlineinagoodpositionfacingWoodstockandawaited,indeedinvitedattackby theconfederates.Lomax,however,keptata respectfuldistanceuntilthe march was resumed, when he took up the pursuit again. Thus it went,alternatelyhalting,formingandfacingtotherear,andfallingback,untilTom'sBrookwas reached late in the afternoon.ThenGeneralMerritt directedme tosendoneregimenttoreinforceCuster,whowasbeinghardpressedbyRosseronthebackroad,andtaketheothersanddriveLomaxback.TheSeventhwassenttoCusterandtheFirst,FifthandSixth,theSixthleading,drovethecavalrythathadbeenannoyingourrearatajumpbacktoWoodstock,adistanceofaboutsixmiles.Bythattime,Lomaxhadhisentiredivisionupandwhenwestartedtofallback again, gave us a Roland for our Oliver, following sharply, but alwaysdeclining the invitation to come on, when we halted and faced him. It wasparticularly annoying to theFifthwhichbrought up the rear anddistinguisheditself greatly by the stubborn resistance which it offered to the attacks of theenemy. Captain Shier's squadron of the First, supported the Fifth with muchspirit.

Onthemorningofthe9th,SheridantoldTorberttogooutandwhipthecavalrythatwasfollowingusorgetwhippedhimself.ItwasashortjobandthebattleofTom's Brook is regarded as one of the humorous incidents of the war.Withslightloss,inaverybriefengagement,RosserandLomaxwerebothroutedandthepursuitof the latteron thepikewascontinuedforabout twentymiles.Thebattle known in history as that of "Tom's Brook," was facetiously christened"TheWoodstockRaces,"andtheconfederatecavalrycutlittlefigureinVirginiaafterwards.TheMichiganbrigadehadaprominentpartinthebattle,beinginthecenterandformingtheconnectinglinkbetweentheFirstandThirddivisions.IntheopeningattacktheconfederatecenterwaspiercedbythemountedchargeoftheFifth,SixthandSeventhMichigan,assistedbytheTwenty-fifthNewYork.The First being on picket during the previous night had not returned to thecommand.IbelieveIamrightinclaimingthatthefirstimpressionmadeontheenemy'slineofbattlewasbytheseregiments,thoughthelinewasratherthin,forthe reason that theheaviestpartofRosser's forcehadbeenmassed in frontofCusterandonthepike,makingthecenteranespeciallyvulnerablepoint.Whenthe flight began, they took to the roads, and the Michigan men being in thewoods did not get very far into the "horse race," as it was called. The First,comingfromthepicket line, trailed the leadersalong thepikeandmanaged to

getagooddealofsportoutofitwithverylittledanger.

I must now pass over the few intervening days to the crowning glory of thecampaign,TheBattleofCedarCreek.

CHAPTERXXII

THEBATTLEOFCEDARCREEK

TheengagementwhichtookplaceintheShenandoahValleyofVirginia,onthenineteenth day ofOctober, 1864,will take its place high up in the list of thedecisivebattlesofhistory.LikeBlenheimandBalaklava,CedarCreekwill berememberedwhile literature lasts. One of its dramatic incidents furnished thethemeforthepoet'ssong,and"Sheridan'sRide,"likeHoratius,willremainuntilthe imaginationcanno longerbe thrilledby the recitalof the recordofheroicdeeds.Thusdothpoesyerectmonuments,moreenduringthanbronzeormarble,tothememoryofthebrave.

Yet,theeventsofthatdayhavebeengreatlymisconceived.[37]Theimagination,inflamedbytheheroicverseofRead,andunaidedbytheremembranceofactualpersonal experiences in the battle, sees only the salient points—Gordon'sstealthy march along the Massanutten mountain; the union troops, in fanciedsecurity, sleeping in their tents; the absence of their great leader; themorningsurprise; the rout; themassof fleeing fugitives; thevictors inexultantpursuit;Sheridan'sridefromWinchester;themagicinfluenceofhisarrivalonthefield,in arresting theheadlong flightof thepanic strickenmob; the rally; the refluxtideofenthusiasm;thechargebackintotheoldcamps;thegloriousvictorythatsucceededhumiliatingdefeat.

Withalldueallowanceforpoetical license, theconceptionof thisbattlewhichlongagobecamefixed in thepublicmind,doesacruel injustice to thegallantmen who were maimed or killed on that hard fought field. Enveloped in themistsofrecedingyears;obscuredbytheglamourofpoetry;beliedbythevividimaginationof stragglersandcamp-followerswho,on the firstnoteofdanger,madeafranticrushforWinchester,seekingtopalliatetheirownmisconductbyspreadingexaggeratedreportsofdisaster,theunionarmythatconfrontedEarlyatCedarCreek,formanyyearsmadeasorrypicture,whichtheaureoleofglorythatsurroundeditscentralfiguremadeallthemorehumiliating.

Itisduetotruthandjusticethateverydetailofthatfamousfightshouldbetold,to theend thatnoundeservedshadowmayrestupon the fameof themenandofficerswhotookpartinit—nounjuststainupontheirrecord.

History,socalled,hasbeenmisleading.ItistruethatSheridan'snarrativeshedsmuch new light upon his part in the battle, and General Merritt, one of theleadingactors,wroteapaperuponitfortheCenturyseriesthoughIdoubtifithasbeengenerallyread,orifread,effectiveinmodifyingpreconceivednotions.An idea of thatwhich has beenwritten in the nameof historymaybe gainedfromanextracttakenfromtheAmericancyclopedia(vol.xvi)whichsays:

"He (Sheridan) met the fugitives a mile and a half from town,(Winchester),andwithabrigadewhichhadbeenleftinWinchester,movedupontheenemy,whohadbeguntointrenchthemselves."

Theabsurdityofsuch"history"oughttobeselfevident.Imagine,ifyoucan,abrigade of infantry followingSheridan on hiswild ride of "twentymiles" andthenrushingtoattackanarmywhich,accordingtothetraditionofwhichIhavespoken,hadjustwhippedfourarmycorps.Ofcourse,thestatementisanabsurdone. No brigade came from Winchester. No brigade could have come fromWinchester;andhadsuchathingbeenpossible,itwouldhaveconstitutedbutaslightfactorinthecontest.

There were in the federal army on that eventful morning, seven brigades ofinfantry(theSixthcorps)sevenbrigadesofcavalry,nottomentiononedivision(Grover's)oftheNineteenthcorps,(fourbrigades),makingeighteenbrigadesinall, that were neither surprised in their camps, nor in the slightest degreedemoralizedatanytimeduringtheprogressofthebattle;andwhichhadforcedEarlytostopshortinhisheadlongcareerofvictorylongbeforethefamousblackchargerbroughthisfieryridertothefield.TheEighthcorpswhichwassurprisedwas a small corps of only five brigades, and although after Kershaw's onset,conductedbyGeneralEarlyinperson,itwaspracticallyeliminated,therewasafinearmyleftwhich,crippledasitwas,wasfullyequaltothetaskofretrievingthe disaster, andwhich, as the event proved, needed only the guiding handofSheridantoputitinmotionandleadittovictory.

It isnot,however, thepurposeof thispaper togiveall thedetailsof thatgreatbattle,buttonarratewhatasingleactorinitsaw;tomakeanoteinpassingofsomethingsthatdonotappearintheofficialrecords, thatarenotapartofthewrittenhistoryofthewar;someincidentsthatareimportantonlyastheythrowlight on that which is bathed in shadow, though having for one of Custer'stroopersaninterestinthemselves;todojusticetothesplendidcouragedisplayedbythecavalry,especiallytheMichigancavalry,onthatoccasion;topayatributeofadmirationtothegallantryandsteadfastnessoftheoldSixthcorps;andtothe

courageandcapacityofthegallantColonelLowell,whowaskilled.

CedarCreekisasmallstreamthatrisesintheBlueRidge,runsacrossthevalley,atthatpointbutfourmileswide,andpoursitswatersintotheShenandoahnearStrasburg.Itisverycrooked,fordable,butwithsteepbanksdifficultforartilleryorwagons, exceptwhere away has been carved out at the fords. It runs in asoutheasterly course, so that its mouth is four miles or more south of a linedrawndueeastfromthepointwhereitdesertsthefoot-hillsonthewestsideofthevalley.Thevalley,itself,isshutinbetweentheBluemountains,ononeside,and theMassanutten, a spur of the Great North mountain, on the other. It istraversed,fromnorthtosouth,byaturnpikeroad,alittletotheleftofthecenter,whichroadcrossesCedarCreekbetweenMiddletownandStrasburg.

On thenight ofOctober 18, 1864, the federal armywas encampedon the leftbankofCedarCreek,Crook'sEighthcorpsontheleftflank,eastofthepikeandnearlyinfrontofMiddletown;Emory'sNineteenthcorpstotherightandrearofCrookandwestofthepike;then,successively,eachfarthertotherightandrear,theSixthcorps,temporarilycommandedbyGeneralJamesB.Ricketts;Devin'sandLowell'sbrigadesofMerritt's(First)cavalrydivision;theMichigancavalrybrigade;andlast,butnotleast,CusterwiththeThirdcavalrydivision.Allfacedtoward the south, though posted en echelon, so that, thoughCrookwas somethree or fourmiles south ofMiddletown, a line drawn due east fromCuster'scamp, intersected the pike a little north of that place. For this reason, Early'sflankingmovement,being from the left through thecampofCrook, couldnotstrike the flank of the other corps, successively, without shifting the line ofattacktothenorth,whiletheSixthcorpsandthecavalrywereabletoconfronthis troops,after their firstpartial success,bysimplymoving to the left, takingthemostdirect route to the turnpike.Thepositionwhich theMichigancavalryoccupied was somewhat isolated. Although belonging to the First division, itwaspostednearerthecampoftheThird.

ThebrigadeconsistedofthefourMichiganregimentsandCaptainMartin'sSixthNewYork independent horse battery.TheFirstMichiganwas commanded byMajorA.W.Duggan,agallantofficerwhowaswoundedatGettysburg;theFifthbyMajorS.H.Hastings;theSixthbyMajorCharlesW.Deane;theSeventhbyLieutenant Colonel GeorgeG. Briggs, the latter officer having only just beenpromoted to thatposition.TheNewYorkbatteryhadbeenwithusbutashorttime, but Captain Martin and his lieutenants ranked among the best artilleryofficersintheservice.

For a fewdays, only, I had been in commandof the brigade.GeneralCuster,who had led it from the time he was made a brigadier, in June, 1863, waspromoted to the command of the Third division and, hastily summoning me,wentaway,takinghisstaffandcolorswithhim.Iwasobligedwhileyetonthemarch,toformastaffofofficersasinexperiencedasmyself.Itwasanunsoughtandanunwelcomeresponsibility.

For two or three days before the battle, our duty had been to guard a ford ofCedarCreek.Oneregimentwaskeptconstantlyondutyneartheford.Thelineof videttes was thrown out across the stream, connecting on the left with theinfantrypicket lineandontherightwithCuster'scavalrypickets.TheSeventhMichiganwasonduty thenightofOctober18, thebrigadecampbackaboutamilefromtheford.

Nointimationofexpecteddangerhadbeenreceived—noinjunctiontobemorethanusually alert. Itwas the habit of the cavalry,whichhad somuchoutpostduty toperform, tobealways ready,andcavalryofficerswere rarely takenbysurprise.Early'sprecautionshadbeencarefullytakenandnohintofhispurposereachedtheunionheadquarters,andnowarningofanyimmediateormorethanusuallypressingdangerwasgiventothearmy.

But,somehow,Ihadavaguefeelingofuneasiness,thatwouldnotbeshakenoff.Ibelievenowandhavebelieved, formanyyears, that therewas inmymindadistinct presentiment of the coming storm. I could not sleep and at eleveno'clock,wasstillwalkingaboutoutsidethetents.

It was a perfect night, bright and clear. Themoonwas full, the air crisp andtransparent.Amoresereneandpeacefulscenecouldnotbeimagined.Thespiritof tranquility seemed to have settled down, at last, upon the troubledShenandoah. Far away, to the left, lay the army, wrapped in slumber. To theright,theoutlinesoftheBluemountainsstoodoutagainsttheskyandcastdarkshadows athwart the valley. Three-quarters of amile away the white tents ofCuster'scamplookedlikeweirdspectersinthemoonlight.Scarcelyasoundwasheard.Asolemnstillnessreigned,brokenonlybythetreadofthesinglesentry,pacinghisbeatinfrontofheadquarters.Inside,thestaffandbrigadeescortweresleeping.Finally,alittlebeforemidnight,Iturnedin,tellingtheguardtoawakenmeatonce,shouldtherebefiringinfront,andtosoinstructtherelief.

Icannotgivetheexacttime;itmaybeIdidnotknowitatthetime;butitwasbeforedaylightthatthesentinelawokeme.Nothavingundressed,Iwasoutin

aninstant,andlistening,heardscatteringshots.Theywerenotmany,butenoughtoimpelmetoaquickresolve.Rousingtheneareststaffofficer,Ibadehimhavethecommandreadytomoveatamoment'snotice.

In an incredibly short space of time, the order was executed. The tents werestruck, the artillery horses attached to the gun carriages and caissons, and thecavalryhorsessaddled.Nobuglecallwassounded.Thefiringgrewheavier,andfrom the hillwhereCusterwas, rang out on the air the shrill notes of Foght'sbugle, telling us that our old commander had taken the alarm. Rosser hadattackedthepicketsatthefordsandwasdrivingthemin.Hehaddonethesameon one or two mornings before, but there was an unwonted vigor about thisattack that bodedmischief. The federal cavalry had, however, recovered fromtheir earlier habit of being "away fromhome"whenRosser called.Theywerealways"in"andreadyandwillingtogivehimawarmreception.Hefoundthatmorning that both Merritt and Custer were "at home." In a moment, a staffofficerfromGeneralMerrittdashedupwithorderstotaketheentirebrigadetothesupportofthepicketline.Movingoutrapidly,weweresoonontheground.The SeventhMichigan hadmade a gallant stand alone, andwhen the brigadearrived,theenemydidnotseefittopresstheattack,butcontentedhimselfwiththrowing a few shells from the opposite bankwhich annoyed us so little thatMartindidnotunlimberhisguns.

CHARLESR.LOWELL

Aheavyfoghadbythistimesettleddownuponthevalley.Thefirststreaksofdawnbegantoappear,anditsoonbecameevidentthatthecavalryattackupontherightflankwasbutafeintandthattherealdangerwasinanotherquarter.Faraway to the left, for some time,volleysofmusketryhadbeenheard.With theroll ofmusketrywas intermingled, at intervals, theboomof cannon, telling tothe practiced ear, the story of a general engagement. The sounds increased involumeandinviolence,anditwasnodifficultmattertoseethattheunionforceswere falling back for, farther and farther to the left and rear, were heard theominoussounds.Fromthepositionweoccupiednoinfantrylineofbattlewastobeseen.

Soon after the Michigan brigade had taken its position at the front, ColonelCharlesR.Lowell rodeupat theheadof theReservebrigade.ColonelLowellwasayoungman,notmuchpasthismajority,andlookedlikeaboy.Hewasarelative of James Russell Lowell, and had won distinction as colonel of theSecondMassachusettscavalry.HehadsucceededMerrittascommanderof theReserve brigade.He had a frank, open face, amanly, soldierly bearing, and acouragethatwasnevercalledinquestion.HewasagraduateofHarvard,notof

WestPoint,thoughhehadbeenacaptainintheSixthUnitedStatescavalry.

ColonelLowellinformedmethathisordersweretosupporttheMichiganmeniftheyneededsupport.Nohelpwasneededatthattime.Itoldhimso.Theenemyhadbeeneasilycheckedand,atthemoment,hadbecomesoquietastogiverisetothesuspicionthathehadwithdrawnfromourfront,asindeedhehad.Agreatbattle was raging to the left, and in response to the suggestion that the armyseemedtoberetreating,hereplied:

"Ithinkso,"andafterafewmomentsreflection,said:

"Ishallreturn"andimmediatelybeganthecountermarch.

Isaidtohim:"Colonel,whatwouldyoudoifyouwereinmyplace?"

"I think you ought to go too" he replied and, presently, turning in his saddle,continued: "Yes, Iwill take the responsibility togiveyou theorder,"whereat,the twobrigades tookup themarch toward thepointwhere thebattle, judgingfrom the sound, seemed tobe inprogress.How little eitherofus realized thatLowellwasmarchingtohisdeath.Itwasintothethickestofthefightthatheledtheway,Michiganwillinglyfollowing.[38]

Astartling sightpresented itself as the longcavalry columncameout into theopen country overlooking the battle-ground.Guided by the sound, a directionhadbeentakenthatwouldbringustothepikeasdirectlyaspossibleandatthesame time approach the union lines from the rear. This brought us out on acommandingridgenorthofMiddletown.Thisridgeasitappearstoaparticipantlookingatitfrommemory,runstoandacrossthepike.Thegrounddescendstothesouthahalfmile,ormore,thengraduallyrisesagaintoanotherridgeaboutonalinewithMiddletown.Theconfederateforceswereonthelastnamedridge,alongwhichtheirbatterieswereplanted,andtheirlinesofinfantrycouldbeseendistinctly.Memorymayhavelostsomethingofthedetailsofthepicture,buttheoutlines remain as vivid, now as then. The valley between was uneven, withspotsoftimberhereandthereandbrokenintopatchesbyfences,someofthemofstone.

Thefullscopeofthecalamitywhichhadbefallenourarmsburstsuddenlyintoview.Thewholebattlefieldwasinsight.Thevalleyandinterveningslopes,thefieldsandwoods,werealivewithinfantry,movingsinglyandinsquads.Someentire regimentswere hurrying to the rear,while the confederate artillerywasrainingshotandshellandsphericalcaseamongthemtoacceleratetheirspeed.

Someof theenemy'sbatterieswere theveryones justcapturedfromus. Itdidnot look likea frightenedorpanicstrickenarmy,but likeadisorganizedmassthat had simply lost the power of cohesion. A line of cavalry skirmishers[39]formedacross thecountrywasmaking ineffectualefforts tostop thestreamoffugitiveswhohadstolidlyandstubbornlysettheirfacestotherear.Dazedbythesurpriseintheircamps,theyactedlikemenwhohadforfeitedtheirself-respect.They were chagrined, mortified, mad at their officers and themselves—demoralized;but,afterall,moretobepitiedthanblamed.

Butallthesethousands,hurryingfromthefield,werenottheentirearmy.TheyweretheEighthcorpsandapartoftheNineteenthonly,afractionofthearmy.There,betweenourselvesandtheenemy—betweenthefugitivesandtheenemy—wasalonglineofblue,facingtothefront,bravelybattlingtostemthetideofdefeat.Howgrandlytheystoodtotheirwork.Neithershotnorshellnorvolleysofmusketrycouldbreakthem.ItwastheoldSixthcorps—the"ironsides"fromthe Potomac army, who learned how to fight under brave John Sedgwick.Slowly,inperfectorder,theveteransoftheWildernessandSpottsylvaniawerefalling back, contesting every inch of the way. One position was surrenderedonlytotakeanother.Therewasnowavering,nofallingoutofranks,exceptofthose who were shot down. The next morning, one passing over the groundwherethoseheroesfought,couldseewheretheysuccessivelystoodandbreastedthestormbythedeadmenwholayinlinewheretheyhadfallen.Thereweretwoorthreelinesofthesedeadskirmishers.TheofficialrecordshowsthattheSixthcorpsonthatdaylost255menkilledand1600wounded.

The twobrigades had reached a pointwhere the entire fieldwas in view, andwere in position to resume their relation to the line of battle, whenever thescatteredfragmentsofthearmycouldbeassembledandformedforanorganizedresistancetotheenemy.

In themeantime it hadbeendecided tomass all the cavalryon the left of theline,oppositetowhereithadbeeninthemorning.TheordercamefromGeneralMerritt to continue the march in that direction, and the long column led byLowell turneditsheadtowardthe leftof theSixthcorps[40]andformedontheother side of the pike. Moving across, parallel with the line which had beentakenupbythatcorps,thecavalrywasexposedtoagallingfireofartillery.Oneshell tookanentire setof foursoutof theSixthMichigan.Not aman left theranks. The next set closed up the gap. Custer was already there, having beentransferredfromrighttoleftwhilethetwobrigadesoftheFirstdivisionwereout

onthepicket line.Crossingthepike,wepassedinfrontofhisdivision.Itwasformedinlineofbrigades,eachbrigadeincolumnofregiments,mounted.Itisneedless to say that they were faced toward the enemy. Custer, himself, wasridingalong the frontofhiscommand,chafing likeacaged lion,eager for thefray.Devin,withTaylor'sbatteryhadbeen there forsome timeand,under thepersonal direction of General Merritt, had been most gallantly resisting theadvanceofthevictoriousenemy.TheMichiganbrigadetookpositioninfrontofCuster, Martin's battery next the pike. Lowell with the Reserve brigade wasstationedstill farther inadvance towardMiddletown.TheSixthcorpsmade itsfinalstandontheprolongationof thecavalryalignmentandfromthatmomenttheattacksoftheenemywerefeebleandineffective,thebattleresolvingitself,for the time being, into an artillery duel in which Martin's battery took aprominentpart.

It couldnot havebeenmuch later thannineo'clockwhen the twobrigadesofcavalryarrived.Theircomingwasopportune.WhocansayhowmuchithadtodoinstoppingthefurtherprogressofEarly'sattack?ItisnowknownthatEarlydreaded a flankingmovement by the body of horsewhich he sawmassing infrontofhisrightflank.ThegallantLowell,whosobravelydidhisdutyandwhoexhibited in every stageof thebattle thehighest qualitiesof leadership, a fewhoursafterhisarrivalontheleftlaiddownhislifeforthecausehesovaliantlyserved.HewaskilledbyabulletfromthegunofasharpshooterinMiddletown.HedidnotlivetomakeareportandthestoryneverhasbeentoldofficiallyofhowhemarchedfromrighttoleftatCedarCreek.

Sheridan had not yet come up, but after his arrival, which he states in hismemoirs was not later than ten o'clock, Custer wasmoved to the right flank,arriving in time to thwart a threatened flanking movement by Gordon andKershaw. It is evident that every strategic attempt of the enemy, save themorning surprise, was checkmated by the union cavalry and, it must beremembered, that itwas the absenceof cavalryon the leftwhich rendered themorningsurprisepossible.

The First division was now all together with General Merritt personally incommand.ApartofLowell'sbrigade,dismounted,waspostedwelltothefront,the Michigan brigade, mounted, in its rear. While in this position, havingoccasiontorideupintothebatterytospeaktoCaptainMartin,asharpshooterinMiddletowntookashotatus.Thebulletnarrowlymissedthecaptainandburieditselfinmyhorse'sshoulder.UnliketheshellatWinchester,thiswounddisabledthe old fellow, so that he had to go to the rear and giveway to a temporary

remount,—furnishedby thecommandingofficerof theFirstMichigan,—muchto the regret of the old hero, for hewas a horsewho loved the excitement ofbattleandrelisheditsdangers.

Thus, for perhaps an hour (it may have beenmore) we stood in line invitingattack.Buttheenemy,stronglypostedbehindfencesandpilesoflogs,withtworavines and fences separating us, seemed anxious to "let well enough alone."Then Merritt rearranged his line. Devin's brigade was posted next the pike,Lowellinthecenter,theMichiganbrigadeontheextremeleft.Martin'sbatterytookpositioninanorchard,onarisingpoint,whichcommandedtheentirefrontandslopedofftotherear,sothatonlythemuzzlesofthepieceswereexposedtotheenemy'sfire.DirectlyinfrontwasasectionofabatterywhichMartinseveraltimes silenced butwhich had an aggravatingway of coming into action againandmakingitextremelyuncomfortableforus.TheFirst,SixthandSeventhwereformedinlineofsquadroncolumns,theFifthalittletotherearasareserveandsupport. A strong line of mounted skirmishers held the front. The left wasthrownsomewhatforward,menacingtheconfederateright.

Soonaftertheformationwascompleteandprobablynotfarfromeleveno'clock,GeneralMerrittwithhis staff camealong inspecting the line, andhaltingnearMartin'sbattery,heexpressed themostheartyapprovalof thedispositions thathadbeenmade.Whilehewasstilltalking,aroundshotfromoneoftheenemy'sgunsricochettedandnearlystruckhishorse.Hewasverycoolandgavehisviewofthesituationinafewencouragingwords.

"Theenemy,"saidhe,"isalmostasmuchsurprisedasweareanddoesnotknowwhattomakeofhismorning'sworkandinmyopinion,doesnotintendtopresshis advantage, butwill retreat as soon as a vigorous assault ismade upon hisline."

Theseare,Iamsure,almosttheprecisewordsutteredtomebyGeneralMerrittbeforeSheridancameup.Atleast,ifhewaswiththearmyatthetime,certainlyGeneralMerrittdidnotknowit.Theyshowwhatwasthefeelinginthatportionofthearmywhichwasnotsurprised,andwhichdidnotfail,fromthemomentwhenthefirstshotwasfiredintheearlymorning,tothelastchargeatdusk,tokeepitsfacetothefoe.GeneralMerrittalsosuggested,thoughhedidnotorderit, that I send a regiment to feel of the confederate right flank. He had animpression that it might be turned. The Seventh Michigan was sent withinstructionstopassbythereartotheleft,thencetothefront,andattempttogetbeyondtheflankoftheenemy,and,ifsuccessful,toattack.Afteranabsenceof

aboutanhour,itreturnedandthecommandingofficerreportedthathefoundalineof infantryas far ashedeemed itprudent togo.The force in frontof thecavalry was Wharton's (Breckinridge's) corps, reinforced by one brigade ofKershaw's division. Early's fear of being flanked by the union cavalry causedhimtostrengthenandprolonghis right.Rosser'scavalry, forsomereason,didnotputinanappearanceafterthedashinthemorning.

Therewasalull.Afterthelapseofsomanyyears,itwouldbeidletotrytorecallthehours,wheretheywentandhowtheysped.Therewasnothoughtofretreat,slight fear of being attacked.All werewonderingwhatwould be done, whencheering and a great commotion arose toward the right. "Sheridan has come;Sheridanhascome;andthereistobeanadvanceallalongtheline,"spedfromrighttoleft,asifanelectricbatteryhadsentthemessage,soquicklydiditfly.

Sheridandidnotpassto theleftof thepikewherethecavalrywas,butdashedalong in frontof the infantry for thepurposeof letting thearmyknow thathewasthereandgive it the inspirationofhispresence.Historyputs inhismouththewords:"Itisallright,boys;wewillwhipthemyet;wewillsleepinouroldcampstonight."Iwasnotnearenoughtohearanddonotpretendtoquotefrompersonal knowledge, but whatever may have been his exact words, theenthusiasmwhichtheyarousedwasunmistakable.Theanswerwasashoutthatsentathrillacrossthevalleyandwhoseominousmeaningmusthavefilledtheheartsoftheconfederateswithmisgivings.ThiswasthefirstintimationwehadthatSheridanwasontheground,thoughhesaysinhismemoirs,thatitwasthenaftermiddayandthathehadbeenupabouttwohours.

ButtheSixthcorpsneedednoencouragement.Noblyhaditdoneitsdutyduringthe entire progress of the battle. Sheridan and his staff, therefore, busiedthemselves reforming and posting the Nineteenth corps and strengthening theright where Custer was to be given the post of honor in the grand flankingmovementabouttobegin.

Anominoussilencesucceeded.Eventhebatterieswerestill.Itwasthecalmthatprecedes thestorm.Tothoseonthe left, itseemedthat thedispositionswerealong time inmaking.Whenonehashiscouragescrewed to the stickingpoint,themorequicklyhecanplungeinandhaveitoverthebetter.Thesuspensewasterrible.

TheMichiganbrigadehadampletimetosurveythefieldinitsfront.First, thegrounddescendedabruptlyintoabroadravine,ordepression,throughwhichran

asmallcreek.Beyondthetopoftheoppositeascentwasawideplateauofratherlevel ground, then another ravine and a dry ditch; then a rise and anotherdepression,fromwhichthegroundslopeduptoabeltoftimberstretchingclearacross the front,almost to thepike. In theedgeof the timberwas theenemy'smainlineofbattle,behindpilesofrailsandlogs.Halfwaydowntheslopewasastrong skirmish line along a rail fence. Behind the fence, on a knoll, was thebattery,whichhadannoyedussomuch.ThebrigadewasformedwiththeFirstMichiganontheright,theSeventhontheleft,theSixthandFifthinthecenter,in the order named.Each regimentwas in column of battalions,making threelinesoftworankseach.Martin'sbatterywastocontinuefiringuntilthecavalrycameintothelineoffire.

At length, the expected order came. The bugles sounded, "Forward."Simultaneously,fromtherighttotheleftthemovementbegan.Atfirst,slowly,thenfaster.Itwasaglorioussighttoseethatmagnificentlinesweepingonwardinthecharge.Far,farawaytotherightitwasvisible.Therewerenoreserves,noplans for retreat, only one grand, absorbing thought—to drive them back andretake the camps. Heavens, what a din! All along the confederate line, thecannonvolleyedandthundered.Theunionartilleryreplied.Therollofmusketrybecameincessant.Thecavalrycrossedthefirstravineandmovingoverthelevelplateau, came into a raking fire of artillery and musketry. Pressing on, theycrossedthesecondravineandditch.Theslopewasreachedand,charginguptotherailfence,thefirstlineofhostileinfantryfellback.Butthecavalryhadgonetoofastfortheinfantry.Sheridansaysfasterthanheintended,forhisintentionwastoswinghisrightwinganddrivetheenemyacrossthepikeintothearmsoftheleftwingontheeastside;thetooswiftadvanceoftheFirstcavalrydivisionfrustratedtheplan.Thebrigadenexttothepike,exposedtoagallingcrossfire,waveredandslowlyretired.Theentirelinethengavewayandretreatedrapidly,but in goodorder, to the first ravine,where it halted and reformed. In a shorttimethechargewasagainsounded.Thistimethefencewasreached.TherightoftheSixthMichiganwasdirectlyinfrontofthebattery,aswasalsotheFirstMichigan.GeneralMerritt,whowas riding by the side ofMajorDeane, said:"Major,wewantthoseguns.""Allright,wewillgetthem,"gallantlyrespondedthemajor,andthroughandoverthefencerodethebravecavalrymen.TheFirstMichiganmadeadashfor thebattery,but itwasnotours this timefor,seeingthattheSixthcorpshadreceivedatemporarycheck,thecavalryoncemorefellback to the nearest ravine, and whirling into line, without orders, was readyinstantly for the last supreme effort, whichwas not long delayed. The chargewassounded.Theinfantryrespondedwithashout.Thistimethecavalrypressed

rightonup theslope.Theenemydidnot stand tomeet thedeterminedassaultbutgavewayindisorder.Thelinepushedintothewoodsandthenitwaseveryregimentforitself.TheFirst,underMajorDuggan,chargedtowardthepike,butDevin, being nearer reached the bridge first. The Seventh, under LieutenantColonelBriggs, charging through a field, captured, seemingly,more prisonersthanithadmen.TheSixth,underMajorDeane,whoknewthecountrywell,didnotpauseuntilitreachedBuckton'sFord,ontheShenandoahriver,returninglateatnightwithmanyprisonersandabattleflagforwhichPrivateUlricCrocker,ofTroop"M,"receivedoneof themedalsawardedbyactofcongress.TheFifth,underMajorHastings, chargeddowna road leading tooneof the fordsof theShenandoah,MajorPhilipMothersill,withonebattalion,goingsofarthathedidnotrejointhecommandtillthenextday.[41]

ThusendedthebattleofCedarCreek.Darkness,alone,savedEarly'sarmyfromcapture.Asitwas,mostofhisartilleryandwagonsweretaken.

It is needless to tell how Sheridan broke Early's left by an assault with theNineteenthcorpsandCuster'scavalryatthesamemomentofthelastsuccessfulchargeuponhis right. Itwasa famousvictory, thoughnotabloodlessone.Ofthe gallantmenwhowent into the fight that morning on the union side, 588nevercameoutalive.Three thousandfivehundredandsixteenwerewounded.Earlydidnot losesomanybuthisprestigewasgone,hisarmydestroyedand,from that moment, for the confederacy to continue the hopeless struggle wascriminalfolly.

CedarCreekwas theendingof thecampaign in theShenandoahvalley.Therewassomedesultoryskirmishing,butnorealfightingthereafter.

Among the wounded were Captain Charles Shier, jr. and Captain Darius G.Maynard,bothoftheFirstMichigancavalry.CaptainShierdiedonthe31stofOctober. He was wounded in the charge on the confederate battery. CaptainShierwasasgallantanofficerasanywhoperiledhislifeonthatfamousbattlefield; and not only a fine soldier but a polished scholar and an accomplishedgentlemanaswell.Hewasadistinguishedsonof thestateofMichiganandofthenobleuniversitywhichbearsitsname.Inhislifeandinhisdeathhehonoredboth.Massachusetts remembers the name and reveres thememory of CharlesLowell.Mothers recite to their children the circumstances of his heroic death,andinthehallsofHarvardatablethasbeenplacedinhishonor.CharlesShierisanamewhichoughttobeasproudlyrememberedinMichiganandinAnnArborasisthatofCharlesLowellinMassachusettsandinCambridge.Butfate,inits

irony,hasdecreedthatthenimbuswhichsurroundsthebrowofanation'sheroesshallbe reserved for the fewwhomshe selects as types, and thesemoreoftenthan otherwise idealized types chosen by chance or by accident. These alonemaywearthelaurelthatcatchestheeyeofidealityandfurnishesthethemeforthe poet's praise. Others must be content to shine in reflected light or to beforgotten.Thebestwayis tofollowWilliamWinter'sadviceandneithercraveadmiration nor expect gratitude.After all, the best reward that can come to amanisthatintimateknowledgeofhimselfwhichisthesurefoundationofself-respect. The adulation of the people is a fugitive dream, as Admiral Deweyknowsnow,ifhedidnotsuspectitbefore.

In the original manuscript of the foregoing chapter, written in the year 1886,Lowellwasrepresentedasmarching"withoutorders"fromrighttoleftwithhisownbrigade and theMichiganbrigade. In the text thewords "withoutorders"havebeenomitted.Thisisnotbecausemyownrecollectionoftheeventsofthatdayisnotthesamenowasthen,butforthereasonthatIamreluctanttoinvitecontroversybygivingasstatementsoffactthingsthatrestupontheevidenceofmyownunsupportedmemory.

Afterthemanuscripthadbeenprepared,itwasreferredtoGeneralMerrittwitharequestthathepointoutanyerrorsorinaccuraciesthathemightnote,asitwasintendedforpublication.Thisrequestelicitedthefollowingreply:

"WestPoint,December2,1886.

"GeneralJ.H.Kidd,

"MyDearGeneral:

"Somuchhasbeenwritten as to thedetailsof thewar that I havestopped reading the war papers in the best magazines, even. Anofficerwritesonemonthwhatistohimatruthfulaccountofeventsand thenextmonth thataccount iscontradictedby threeor four inprint with dozens of others who content themselves withcontradictingitintalk.TheaccountyousendmeofCedarCreekisnotmoreaccuratethantherest.

"The morning of the attack Lowell's brigade had been ordered tomakeareconnoissanceonthe'Middleroad.'Thisorderwasgivenbyme the evening before. The picket line of the First brigade wasattacked before the Reserve brigade moved out, and Lowell wasordered toholdhisbrigade inhand tohelp theFirstbrigade if theattackwaspressed.

"Soonafter,thefightingontheleftofourarmywasheavy,asshownby the artillery fire, and stragglers commenced coming acrosstowards the back road. These were stopped and formed as far aspossiblebymyheadquarters escort—theFifthU.S. cavalry.AboutthistimeDevin'sbrigade(mySecond)wasorderedtotheleftofourlinetocoverandholdthevalleypike.

"Aboutteno'clock,theremainderoftheFirstdivisionwasmovedtothe left of the infantry line anddisposed so as to connectwith theinfantryandcoverthevalleypike.Thiswassoondone,theSecondbrigade (Devin's) occupying the right, the Reserve brigade(Lowell's) the center, and the First brigade (Kidd's) the left of thedivisionlineofbattle.

"This is the account of the first part of the battle taken frommyreportwritten at the time. Themovement of Lowell's brigade andyour own by agreement, and without orders, was impossible.Wehadallbeenpostedwherewewereaspartofalineofbattle,andanysoldierwhotookacommandwithoutordersfromonepartofalineto another subjected himself to the penalty of being cashiered, assuchactionmightjeopardizethesafetyofanarmy.

"The principle of marching to the sound of battle when you aredistant and detached and without orders that contemplate thecontingency iswelldefined,but foracommander to leavewithoutordersonepartofalineofbattlebecausethereappearstobeheavierfightingatanotherisallwrongandcouldnotbetolerated.

"Ishouldbegladtorenewouracquaintanceandtalkover thewar,though as I have intimated I am sick of the fiction written withreferencetoit.

"Trulyyours,

W.MERRITT."

GeneralMerritt in his letter omits one clause in his quotation from his reportwrittenat the timewhich seems tome tohavean importantbearingupon thisquestion.Theclauseisasfollows:

"TheFirstbrigadewasatonceordered to the supportof itspicketline."

Ortoquotethepassageinitsentirety:

"About4a.m.onthe19thanattackwasmadeonthepicketsoftheFirstbrigadenearCupp'sford,whichattack,coupledwiththefiringon the extreme left of the infantry line, alarmed the camps, andeverything was got ready for immediate action. The First brigadewas at once ordered to the support of its picket line, while theReservebrigade,whichhadthenightbeforereceivedorderstomakeareconnoissanceontheMiddleroad,wasorderedtohaltandawaitfurther orders. This brigade had advanced in the execution of itsreconnoissancetothepicketline,andsubsequentlyactedforashorttime with the First brigade in repelling the attack of the enemy,feeblymadeonthatpartofthefield.Soonaftermovingfromcamptheheavyartilleryfiringandimmensenumberofinfantrystragglersmaking across the country to theBack road fromour left, showedthat it was in that direction the heavy force of the enemy wasadvancing. The Fifth U.S. cavalry attached to the divisionheadquarters was deployed across the field and, together with theofficers and orderlies of the division staff did much towardpreventing the infantrygoing to the rear.About the same time theSecondbrigade(GeneralDevin)wasorderedtomovetotheleftoftheline,coverandholdthepike,andatthesametimedeploymeninthatpartofthefieldtopreventfugitivesgoingtotherear."

THOMASC.DEVIN

TheruleaboutmovingtowardthesoundofbattleissuccinctlystatedbyGeneralMerrittinhisletteranddoesnotadmitofcontroversy.ButImayinallfairnesscallattentiontotheconditionsthatexistedatthetimewhenitwasassertedthatColonelLowelltooktheresponsibilitytomovehisbrigadefromthepicketlinetotherear,ifnottotheleft,andordertheFirstbrigadetofollow.Thedivisionlineofbattleofwhich the threebrigadeshadbeenaparthadbeenbrokenup.There was no division line of battle. The First brigade had been ordered toreinforceitspicketline.TheReservebrigadewhichonthenightbeforereceivedtheordertomakeareconnoissanceinthemorningwasheldtosupporttheFirstbrigadeandhad"advancedasfaras thepicket line."Devin'sbrigadehadbeenorderedtothevalleypiketoholditand"deploymentopreventfugitivesgoingtotherear."Mayitnotthenbesaidwithtruththathewas"distantanddetached"and"withoutordersthatcontemplatethecontingency?"Theenemythatattacked"feebly"haddisappeared.Therewasinsightnopicketlineeitheroftheenemy'sorofourown.Therewasvisiblenolineofskirmishersorofbattle.The"fightingontheleftofourarmyasshownbytheartilleryfire"wasnotonly"heavy,"asdescribedbyGeneralMerritt, but indicatedclearlyby the sound that thearmywas falling back. Lowell's movement was under the circumstances entirely

justifiable.Thathemovedfromthepicketlinetotherearvoluntarily,andthathetooktheresponsibility toorder theMichiganbrigadetofollow, isascertainasthatwhenthemoonpassesbetweentheearthandthesunitcausesaneclipse.

Themarchfromthepicketlinetothepikewascontinuous.Therewasnohaltingfor formations of any kind. It is quite possible, however, that the staff officerwho conveyed the order fromGeneralMerritt found Lowell inmotion in theright direction and delivered the order to him to cover themovement of bothbrigades. I do not remember receiving any order except the one from Lowelluntilafterreachingthepike.

Onemorepointandthissubject,whichhasbeengivenmorespaceperhapsthanitoughtto,willbelefttothereader.GeneralMerritt'sreporttakesupthematterofarrangingthedivisionlineofbattlewiththeformationat"aboutteno'clock,"withtheSecondbrigadeontheright,nexttothepike,theReservebrigadeinthecenter,andtheFirstbrigadeontheleft.Thatwassometimeafterthearrivalofthetwobrigades.ThefirstpositiontakenbytheFirstbrigadewasnextthepikeinrearofLowellandDevin.Martin'sbatterywaspostedoriginallyclosetothepikeanditwaswhiletherethatmyhorsewasshot.Istillbelievethatitwasnotmuchafternineo'clockwhenwefirstformedontheleftofGetty'sdivision.ThesubsequentrearrangementofthelineisreferredtointhetextandwasexactlyasdescribedinGeneralMerritt'sreport.

The following tableofkilledandwounded in theMichigancavalrybrigade inthe ShenandoahValley campaign is compiled from the official records in theofficeoftheadjutantgeneralofMichigan:

FirstMichigan

FifthMichigan

SixthMichigan

SeventhMichigan Total

Winchester 16 8 7 8 39Shepherdstown 1 5 1 0 7Middletown 1 — — — 1Smithfield 2 4 2 3 11OnPicket 1 — — — 1CedarCreek 3 5 6 2 16ByMosby'sMen — 18 — — 18FrontRoyal — 2 — 2 4Newtown — 4 — — 4Tom'sBrook — — 1 1 2

Tom'sBrook — — 1 1 2Berryville — — — 1 1

—— —— —— —— ——Total 24 46 17 17 104

Recapitulation—Killedanddiedofwounds,ShenandoahValley:


——Total 104

The following table of killed andwounded in theFirst cavalry division in thebattleofCedarCreekistakenfromtheofficialwarrecords:[42]

FirstBrigade—Officersandmenkilled 10Officersandmenwounded 43

—Officersandmenkilledandwounded 53SecondBrigade—Officersandmenkilled 3Officersandmenwounded 16

—Officersandmenkilledandwounded 19ReserveBrigade—Officersandmenkilled 9Officersandmenwounded 27

—Officersandmenkilledandwounded 36

Totalkilledandwounded,FirstBrigade 53

TotalkilledandwoundedSecondand

ReserveBrigades 55

ItisthusseenthattheFirstbrigadelostinkilledandwoundedwithintwoofasmanyasboththeotherbrigades—almostfiftypercentoftheentirelossesofthedivision.

Custer'sdivisionoftwobrigadeslost2killedand24wounded.

Powell'sdivisionoftwobrigadeslost1killed,8wounded.

In other words, while the entire of the Second and Third divisions—fourbrigades—lostbut35killedandwounded,theMichiganbrigadealonelost53inthis battle. Thirty-four per cent of the entire losses killed andwounded in thecavalrycorpswereinthisonebrigade.[43]

ThesefiguresgivepointtothestatementofGeneralMerrittinacommunicationto the adjutant general of the First cavalry division, datedNovember 4, 1864,that the list of killed andwounded in a battle is presumptive evidence of thedegree and kind of service performed.[44] General Merritt also gives theMichiganbrigadecreditfor"overwhelmingabattery,anditssupports,"inotherwordscapturingthebattery.

CHAPTERXXIII

AMYSTERIOUSWITNESS

Inthelatterpartofthewinterof1864-65Iwasdetailedaspresidentofamilitarycommission,calledtomeetinWinchestertotryamanchargedwithbeingaspy,a guerrilla, a dealer in contraband goods, and a bad and dangerousman. ThespecificationsrecitedthattheaccusedhadbeenamemberofthenotoriousHarryGilmor's band of partisans; that he had been caught wearing citizen's clothesinside the union lines; and that hewas in the habit of conveying quinine andother medical supplies into the confederacy. He was a mild mannered,inoffensive appearing personwho had been an employe of the Baltimore andOhiorailroadcompany.Heappearedunderguard,beforethecommission,atitsdaily sessions, accompanied by his counsel, a leading attorney ofWinchester,whoselearningandabilitywerenotlesspronouncedthanwasthequalityofhiswhisky,samplesofwhichhe,atirregularintervals,broughtinforthesolace,ifnot for the seduction of the court. It was no more like the article commonlycalledwhiskythanMumm'sextradryislikethepinklemonadeofcircustime.Ithadanoilyappearance,anaromaticflavor,andthelawyeraverredthattherewasnot aheadache in abarrel of it, thoughhewas theonlyonewhoeverhad anopportunitytotestthetruthofthestatementandthereisnodoubtthatheknew.

Theprisoner exhibited a surprisingdegreeof sang froid considering the gravecrimes with which he was charged, the penalty of conviction for any one ofwhich was death. This attitude of the accused puzzled the commission not alittle,forheactedlikeeitheraveryhardenedcriminal,oramanwhowasbothconsciousof innocence and confident of acquittal, andhedidnot look like "averybadman."

The casewas on trialwhen the armymoved.General Sheridan seemed to laymuch stress on the matter for he refused the request of the president of thecommissiontoberelievedinordertorejoinhisregiment.ApersonalletterfromGeneralMerritttoGeneralForsythe,chief-of-staff,makingthesamerequestwasnegatived and an order issued directing the commission to remain in sessionuntil that particular casewas disposed of and providing that suchmembers asshouldthendesireit,berelievedandtheirplacesfilledbyothers.

During the progress of the trial the commission was informed that a veryimportantwitnesshadbeendetainedunderguard,byorderofGeneralSheridan,inorder thathis testimonymightbe taken.On thewitness's firstappearance itwasnoticedthattheguarddetailwasverycarefultogivehimnoopportunitytoescape.Heprovedtobeapersonofmostnoticeableappearance.Ratherabovethanundersixfeet,well-built,straight,athletic,withcoal-blackhairwornratherlong, a keen, restless black eye, prominent features, well-dressed, and with aconfident,devil-may-carebearing,hewasaltogether,amoststrikingfigure.Hisname was Lemoss; his testimony to the point and unequivocal. Heacknowledgedhavingbeenaguerrilla,himself.Hehad,hesaid,beenamemberofGilmor'sbandandofotherequallynotoriouscommands.HehaddesertedandtenderedhisservicesasascoutandtheyhadbeenacceptedbyGeneralSheridan.He swore that he knew the prisoner; had seen him serving with Gilmor; andknewthathehadbeenengagedinthepracticescharged.

Afterthiswitnesshadgivenhistestimonythecourtsawnomoreofhim,butheleftaverybadimpressiononthemindsofthemembersandtherewasnotoneofthemwhodidnotfeel,andgivevoicetothesuspicionthattherewassomethingmysterious about himwhichwas not disclosed at the trial.When news of theassassination of the president came toWinchester, all wondered if he did nothavesomethingtodowithitandthename"Lemoss"wasinstantlyonthelipsofeveryoneofus.Hehad,inthemeantimedisappeared.

WhenImetGeneralSheridaninPetersburg,afterthesurrender,andheinquiredwhat disposition had beenmade of that case I told him of the distrust of theprincipalwitnessandthatitwastheunanimousopinionofthecommissionthatthe witness was a much more dangerous man than the prisoner. The generalsmiledandremarked,rathersignificantlyIthought,thathekeptEarly'sspiesathisheadquartersallwinter, letting themsuppose that theyweredeceivinghim,and that before the army moved he had sent them off on false scents. TheinferenceIdrewfromtheconversationwasthatLemosswasoneofthosespiesandthatthetrialwasablindforthepurposeofkeepinghimwherehecoulddonoharm,without lettinghimknowthathewasundersuspicion.Nothingmorewassaidaboutthematter,andIpresumethat,atthetime,GeneralSheridandidnotknowwhathadbecomeofLemoss.

Soonafterthegrandreview,myregimentwasorderedtothewestand,whileenroutetoLeavenworth,Kansas,IstoppedovernightinSt.Louis.Whenreadingthemorningpaperatthebreakfasttable,IcameuponanitemwhichwasdatedinsomeNewEnglandcity,HartfordorNewHaven,Ithink,statingthatamanby

the name of Lemoss, who had been a scout at Sheridan's headquarters in theShenandoahvalley,hadbeenarrestedby thepolice in thecity inquestionandpapers found on his person tending to show that he had been in some wayimplicatedintheplottoassassinatePresidentLincoln.ThisrecalledtomymindthesurmisesinWinchesteronthedayoftheeventandalsothehintthrownoutbyGeneral Sheridan in reply tomy question in Petersburg. I cut the slip out,intending tokeep it,butbeforemy return to the statesa long timeafterwards,hadbothlostitandtemporarilyforgottenthecircumstance.ItwasnotuntilmanyyearshadelapsedandIbegantothinkofputtingmyrecollectionsofthewarintoformforpreservation,thatallthesethingscamebacktomymind.Ihaveoftentoldthestorytocomradesatregimentalorarmyreunions.Theconjecturesofthemembers of themilitary commission; the suggestion ofGeneral Sheridan thatLemoss was a confederate spy; and the newspaper clipping in St. Louis; allseemed so coincident as to form a pretty conclusive chain of evidenceconnectingtheWinchesterwitnesswiththeconspiracy.IneverlearnedwhatwasdonewithhimafterthearrestinNewEngland.

Recently,whenconsultingSheridan'smemoirs toverifymyownremembranceofthedatesofcertaineventsintheShenandoahcampaign,whatwasmysurpriseto find that the purport of a passage bearing directly upon this subject hadentirely escapedmy attention on the occasion of a first reading soon after thebookappeared.

Onpage108,volume2,appearsthefollowing:

"AmannamedLomas,whoclaimedtobeaMarylander,offeredmehis services as a spy, and coming highly recommended fromMr.Stanton,whohadmadeuseofhiminthatcapacity,Iemployedhim.Hemademanypretensions,wasmorethanordinarilyintelligent,butmy confidence in him was by no means unlimited. I often foundwhathereportedcorroboratedbyYoung'smen,butgenerally,therewerediscrepanciesinhistaleswhichledmetosuspectthathewasemployedbytheenemyaswellasbyme.Ifelthowever,thatwithgood watching, he could do me very little harm and, if mysuspicionswere incorrect,hemightbeveryuseful, so Iheldon tohim.

"Early inFebruaryLomaswas very solicitous forme to employ aman,who,he said,hadbeenwithMosby,butonaccountof somequarrelhadabandonedthatleader.ThinkingthatwithtwoofthemI

might destroy the railroad bridge east of Lynchburg, I concludedafter the Mosby man had been brought to my headquarters, byLomas about 12o'clockonenight, togivehimemployment at thesame time informingColonelYoung that I suspected their fidelityandthathemusttestitbyshadowingtheireverymovement.WhenLomas'scompanionenteredmyroomhewascompletelydisguisedbutondiscardingthevariouscontrivancesbywhichhisidentitywasconcealed he proved to be a rather slender, dark-complexioned,handsomeyoungman,ofeasyaddressandcaptivatingmanners.Hegave his name as "Renfrew," answered all questions satisfactorily,andwent into details aboutMosby and hismenwhich showed anintimacywiththematsometime.IexplainedtheworkIhadlaidoutforthem,*Theyassentedanditwasarrangedthattheyshouldstartthe following night. Meantime Young had selected his men toshadow themand, twodays later, they reportedmy spies as beingconcealed in Strasburg without making the slightest effort tocontinue on theirmission.On the 16th of February, they returnedandreportedtheirfailure,tellingsomanyliesastoremovealldoubtas to their double-dealing.Unquestionably, theywere spies, but itstruckmethatthroughthemImightdeceiveEarlyastothetimeofopening thespringcampaign. I therefore, retained themenwithoutevenasuggestionofmyknowledgeof their truecharacter.Young,meantime,keptclosewatchoveralltheirdoings."

GeneralSheridanthen,aftergivingasummaryofthescatteredlocationsofthevariousportionsofEarly'sarmycontinuesasfollows:

"Itwasmy aim to getwell on the road beforeEarly could collectthese scattered forces and as the officers had been in the habit ofamusing themselvesduring thewinterby fox-hunting, Idecided tousethehuntasanexpedientforstealingamarchontheenemyandhaditgivenoutthatagrandfox-chasewouldtakeplaceonthe29thof February. Knowing that Lomas and Renfrew would spread theannouncementsouththeywerepermittedtoseeseveralredfoxesaswellasapackofhoundswhichhadbeensecuredforthespurtandwere then started on a second expedition to burn the bridges. Ofcourse, they were shadowed, and two days later were arrested inNewtown.On thewaynorth, theyescapedfromtheirguardswhenpassingthroughBaltimore,andIneverheardofthemagain,though

I learned that, after the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, SecretaryStanton strongly suspected his friend Lomas of being associatedwith the conspirators and it then occurred to me that the good-lookingRenfrewmayhavebeenWilkesBooth,forhecertainlyboreastrongresemblancetoBooth'spictures."

There is no doubt that "Lemoss," the witness, and the "Lomas" of GeneralSheridan'snarrative,wereoneandthesameperson.Whenhewrotetheaccountfrom which the foregoing is an extract, General Sheridan had, probably,forgotten about leaving the spies in Winchester under guard where theyremained until hewaswell on hisway towardsAppomattox.After giving histestimony, Lomas and Renfrew were sent north under guard by GeneralHancock,Sheridan's successor as commanderof theMiddleMilitaryDivision,andmakingtheirescapeasexplainedinSheridan'snarrative,WilkesBooth,aliasRenfrew,wasabletocarryouthispartoftheplot.Itis,also,quiteprobablethatLomas's part in the conspiracy was to assassinate either General Sheridan orSecretaryStanton,but, that theschemewas interruptedby thedetentionof thetwo spies in Winchester coupled with the unexpected opening of the springcampaign. It is likely that the arrest of the two conspirators led to apostponementof thedateof theassassinationand that thescopeof theplotasoriginally conceived in the fertile brain of Booth, was very much abridged.Therewasneverinmyownmindaparticleofdoubt,fromthemomentweheardthenewsofthepresident'sdeath,thatthemanLomasorLemosshadsomethingtodowithit.ThefactthathewasontermsofintimacywithSecretaryStantonand contrived to be stationed at Sheridan's headquarters, seems to pointconclusivelytotheparthewastoplayinthetragedy.Atthattime,Sheridanwasconsidered,perhaps,themostdangerousenemytheconfederacyhadtofearandhisnamemusthavebeenhighupinthelistofthosemarkedbytheconspiratorsforassassination.

Anamusingincidentoccurredasthistrialneareditsclose.ThedefenseaskedtohaveWilliamPrescottSmith,masteroftransportationoftheBaltimoreandOhiorailroad, summoned as a witness. His residence was Baltimore and he wassummoned by wire, the telegram bearing the name of General Hancock,commanderof thedepartment.Mr.Smithdidnotwant tocome toWinchesterandurgedthecommissiontogotoBaltimore.Failingtosecureacquiescenceinthatproposition,hesuggestedasacompromise, that thecommissionmeethimhalf-waybygoing toHarper'sFerry.Thiswasagreed toandon theappointedday,thecommissiontookpassageonaspecialtrainconsistingofalocomotive

andonepassengercoach takingalong theprisonerandaguard.Harper'sFerrywasreachedalittleafterdarkandamessengerfromMr.Smithmetuswiththecomplimentsofthatgentlemanandarequestthatweproceedtohisprivatecar.Theinvitationwasacceptedandthepartywasreceivedbytherailroadmagnatewitheverymanifestationofwelcomeandacourtesythatseemedtobeentirelyunaffected. It was found that themost generous and thoughtful provision hadbeenmade for our comfort. The colored chef prepared a dinnerwhichwouldhave tickled thepalateof an epicure,muchmore thoseof a quartet of hungryofficersdirectlyfromthefront.TherewerechampagneandcigarsinabundanceofaqualitysuchaswouldhavebeengoodenoughhadGeneralHancockhimselfbeen the guest. The host was courtesy itself, an excellent raconteur, a goodfellow,andagentleman.Hecouldnothavetreatedthepresidentandhiscabinetwithmoredistinguishedconsiderationthatthatwithwhichhehonoredthatlittlepartyofvolunteerofficers.

Late in the evening his testimonywas taken and he gave the prisoner a verygood character. We slept in his car and in the morning had a breakfast thatsuitably supplemented the elegant dinner. Somemore choice cigars, and thenMr. Smith's private car was attached to an ingoing train and he departed forBaltimore.Attheverylastmomentbeforehistrainstarted,Mr.Smithsaid:

"Pardonme,gentlemen,butitistoogoodajoketokeepandIamsurethatyouwill appreciate it now better than youwould have done last night.When youwired me to come, you know, General Hancock's name was signed to thetelegram.IsupposedIwastoentertainhimanddon'tmindtellingyou,frankly,that the dinnerwasprovidedwith especial reference to his supposedpartialityforthegoodthingsoflife.Idon'tmeantosayIwouldnothavedonethesamethingforyou.IcertainlywouldnowthatIknowyou,but,all thesame,pleasesaytothegeneralthatIexpectedhimandregretmuchthathewasnotoneoftheparty so that I might have had the pleasure of entertaining him as well asyourselves. And, by the way, he continued, when I urged you to come toBaltimoreithadbeenarrangedthatthemayorandalargenumberofprominentcitizens of the city were to meet you at a banquet to have been given at theEutawHouseinhonorofGeneralHancock."

The refined courtesy of the gentleman was something that has been rarelysurpassed.

Mr.Smithwasathoroughbred.

CHAPTERXXIV

AMEETINGWITHMOSBY

At the time of the surrender of Lee and the fall of Richmond about the onlyconfederate force in the Shenandoah Valley was Mosby's band. The last ofEarly'sarmyhadbeensweptawaybySheridan'sadvance,ledbyCuster,andforthefirst timesince1860,thatbeautifulvalleywasfreefromthemovementsofarmed forces confronting each other in hostile array. The bold and dashingpartisanwas,however,capableofdoingmuchmischiefanditwasthoughtbestby General Hancock to treat with him and see if he would not consent to acessationofhostilitiesand,possibly,taketheparole.Accordingly,anagreementwas made to meet him at Millwood, a little town a few miles distant fromWinchester and near themountains. General Chapman, a cavalry officer, wasselected to conduct the negotiations and with an escort of two regiments leftearlyonthemorningofthedaydesignatedfortherendezvousagreedupon.Notyet having been relieved from duty there I readily obtained permission toaccompanytheexpedition.Iwasearlyinthesaddleandjoiningapartyofstaffofficers, struck across country, arriving at about the same time as the escortwhichtookthemainroad.

TheregiontowhichweweregoingwasoneofthefavoritehauntsofMosbyandhis men and it produced a queer sensation to thus ride peacefully through acountrywhereforfourlongyears,thelifeorlibertyoftheunionsoldiercaughtoutside the lineshadbeenworthnota rush,unlessbackedby forceenough tohold its ownagainst an enemy.Thereneverhadbeen a time sinceour adventinto this land of the philistines (a land literally flowingwithmilk and honey)whenwecouldgotoMillwoodwithoutafight,andhereweweregoingwithoutmolestation,rightintothelairofthemostredoubtableofallthepartisanleaders.

ButMosby'swordwaslawinthatsection.Hisfiathadgoneforththattherewastobeatruce,andnounionmenweretobemolesteduntilitshouldbedeclaredoff. There was, therefore, no one to molest or make us afraid. No picketchallenged. Not a scout or vidette was seen. The country might have beendeserted, for all the indications of life that could be heard or seen. Theenvironment seemed funereal and the ride could hardly be described as acheerfulone.Eachonewasbusywithhisownthoughts.Allwonderediftheend

hadreallycome,orwasityetafaroff?LeehadsurrenderedbutJohnsonhadnot.Wouldhe?

Thechiefinterest,forthetimebeing,however,centeredinthecominginterviewwithMosby, under a flag of truce. If he could be prevailed upon to take theparoletherewouldnotbeanarmedconfederateinthatpartofVirginia.

Ithadbeenexpectedthathewouldbetherefirstbuthewasnotandhisarrivalwaseagerlyawaited.Theescortwasmassednearalargefarmhouse,theownerof which was very hospitable and had arranged to give the two commands adinner.

Theofficersweresoondispersedineasyattitudesabouttheporchesandlawnorunder the shade of friendly trees, smoking and chatting about the interestingsituation.Eagerglanceswerecast in thedirection fromwhichourold foewasexpected to come, and therewas some anxiety lest he should fail tomeet theappointmentafterall.But,at length,when the forenoonwasprettywell spent,thesoundofabuglewasheard.Allsprangtotheirfeet.Inamoment,theheadofa columnofmountedmenemerged fromawoody screenon thehighground,toward theeast, as thoughcoming straightoutof themountain, andpresently,thewholebodyofgraytrooperscameintoview.

Itwasagallantsight,athrillingscene,foralltheworldlikeapicturefromoneofWalter Scott's novels; and to the imagination, seemed a vision ofWilliamWallaceorofRobRoy.Theplace itselfwasapicturesqueone—alittlevalleynestlingbeneaththefoot-hillsatthebaseofthemountainswhosetopstoweredto the sky.Hills andwooded terraces surrounded it, shutting it inonall sides,obstructing the view and leaving the details of the adjacent landscape to theimagination.

Mosbyevidentlyhadarrangedhisarrivalwithaviewtotheatriceffect—thoughitwasnomimicstageonwhichhewasacting—for itwas to thesoundof thebugle's note that he burst into view and, like a highland chief coming to alowland council, rode proudly at the head of his men. Finely uniformed andmounted on a thorough bred sorrel mare, whose feet spurned the ground, heprancedintoourpresence.Nextcameaboutsixtyofhismen,includingmostoftheofficers,all,likehimself,dressedintheirbestandsuperblymounted.Itwasagoodlysighttosee.

GeneralChapmanadvanced tomeet thecommanderashedismountedand thetwoofficersshookhandscordially.Therewerethenintroductionsallaroundand

inafewmoments,theblueandthegraywereinterminglingonthemostfriendlyterms.

Itwasdifficult tobelieve thatwewere in thepresenceof themostdaringandaudaciouspartisanleader,atthesametimethathewasoneofthemostintrepidandsuccessfulcavalryofficersintheconfederateservice.Hewaswary,untiring,vigilant,bold,andnofederaltroopereverwentonpicketwithoutthefeelingthatthismanmightbecloseathandwatchingto takeadvantageofanymomentofunwariness. He had been known in broad daylight, to dash right into federalcamps,wherehewasoutnumberedahundredtoone,andthenmakehisescapethroughthefleetnessofhishorsesandhisknowledgeoftheby-roads.Onmorethanoneoccasion,hehadchargedthroughaunioncolumn,disappearingononeflankasquicklyashehadappearedontheother.Hismen,inuniongarb,wereoften inour campsminglingunsuspectedwithourmenor ridingby their sidewhenonthemarch.

Wewereprepared toseea large, fierce-lookingdragoonbut, instead,beheldasmall,mild-manneredman not at all like the ideal.But, though small, hewaswiry,active,restlessandfulloffire.

"Howmuch do youweigh, colonel?" I asked as I shook his hand and lookedinquiringlyathisratherslenderfigure.

"Onehundredandtwenty-eightpounds,"saidhe.

"Well, judging from your fighting reputation, I looked for a two hundredpounder,atleast,"Ireplied.

Hisspareformwassetoffbyaprominentnose,akeeneyeandasandybeard.Therewasnothingferociousinhisappearancebutwheninthesaddlehewasnotamanwhomonewouldcare tomeetsingle-handed.Therewas thatabouthimwhichgaveevidenceofalertnessandcourageofthehighestorder.

ItwasastonishingtoseeofficersofMosby'scommandwalkuptounionofficers,saluteandaccostthembyname.

"WheredidImeetyou?"wouldbethereply.

"Therewasnointroduction.Imetyouinyourcamp,thoughyouwerenotawareofitatthetime."

MajorRichards,aswarthy-lookingsoldier, remarked tome thathewasoncea

prisoneroftheFifthandSixthMichigancavalry.HewascapturednearAldie,inthespringof1863,andmadehisescapewhentheMichiganregimentswereonthemarchbacktoFairfaxCourtHouse,inthenight,whenhisguardswerenotnoticing,byfallingoutofthecolumnandboldlyorderinghiscaptorsto"closeup"astheywerecomingoutofanarrowplaceintheroadwhenthecolumnoffourshadtobreakbytwos.Inthedarknessandconfusionhewasmistakenforoneofourownofficers.Afterhehadseenthecolumnall"closedup"herodetheotherway.

After awhile the farmer called us in to dinner and the blue and the graywerearrangedaroundthetable, inalternateseats.Isatbetweentwomembersof thecelebrated Smith family. One of them, R. Chilton Smith, was a relative ofGeneral Lee, or of his chief-of-staff, a young man of very refined manners,highly educated andwell bred.He sent a package and amessage byme to afriendinWinchester,acommissionthatwasfaithfullyexecuted.TheotherwasthesonofGovernor,betterknownas"ExtraBilly"Smith,ofVirginia;ashort,sturdyyouth,fulloflifeandanimationandvenom.

"Mosbywouldbeablankedfooltotaketheparole,"saidhe,spitefully."Iwillnot,ifhedoes."

"ButLeehassurrendered.Thejigisup.Whytrytoprolongthewarandcausefurtheruselessbloodshed?"

"I will never give up so long as there is a man in arms against your yankeegovernment,"hereplied.

"Butwhatcanyoudo?Richmondisours."

"Iwillgoandjoin'Joe'Johnston."

"Itisaquestionofbutafewdays,atmost,whenShermanwillbaghim."

"ThenIwillgowestoftheMississippi,whereKirbySmithstillholdsthefort."

"Grant,Sherman,SheridanandThomaswillmakeshortworkofKirbySmith."

"Then,ifworstcomestoworst,"hehotlyretorted,"IwillgotoMexicoandjoinMaximilian.Iwillneversubmittoyankeerule;never."

Igreatlyenjoyedtheyoungman'sfervorandloyaltytohis"cause"and,inspiteof his bitterness,we took quite a liking to each other and, on parting, hewas

profuse in his expressions of regard and urgedme cordially not to forget himshouldfortunetakemehiswayagain.

A day or two later, I was ordered to Petersburg, and soon thereafter, was inRichmond,Johnstonhaving,inthemeantime,surrendered.Intheeveningofthedayofmyarrival, after havingvisited thepointsof interest,Libbyprison, theburnt district, the state house, etc., Iwas in the office of theSpotswood hotelwhere were numbers of federal and confederate soldiers chatting pleasantlytogether,whenIwassalutedwithahearty:

"Hello;howareyou,colonel!"and,onlookingaround,wassurprisedaswellaspleasedtoseemyyoungfriendoftheMillwoodconference.

I was mighty glad to meet him again and told him so, while he seemed toreciprocatethefeeling.TherewasacordialshakingofhandsandafterthefirstfriendlygreetingshadbeenexchangedIsaid:

"But what does this mean? How about Mexico and Maximilian? Where isMosby?Whathasbeengoingoninthevalley?Tellmeallaboutit."

"Mexicobeblanked"saidhe."Mosbyhas taken theparoleandsohave I.ThewarisoverandIamgladofit.Iownup.Iamsubjugated."

ThenextdayImethimagain.

"I would be only too glad to invite you to our home and show you a littlehospitality," said he, "but your military governor has taken possession of ourhouse,fatherhasrunaway,andmotherisaroundamongtheneighbors."

Iassuredhimofmyappreciationofbothhisgoodwillandofthesituationandbeggedhimtobeateaseonmyaccount.Heverypolitelyaccompaniedmeinawalkaroundthecityanddidallhecouldtomakemystayagreeable.

I never saw him afterwards. When in Yorktown in 1881, I made inquiry ofGeneralFitzhughLeeaboutyoungSmithandlearnedthathewasdead.Ihopethatherestsinpeace,foralthougha"rebel"anda"guerrilla,"aswecalledthemin those days, he was a whole-hearted, generous, and courageous foe who,thoughbutaboyinyears,wasreadytofightforthecausehebelievedinand,intruechivalrousspirit,graspthehandofhisformeradversaryingenuinekindnessandgood-fellowship.

OneotherincidentoftheMillwoodinterviewisperhapsworthnarrating.

A bright eyed young scamp of Mosby's command mounted the sorrel mareridden by his chief, and flourishing a roll of bills which they had probablyconfiscatedonsomeraidintoyankeeterritory,rodebackandforthinfrontofthelawn,cryingout:

"Here are two hundred dollars in greenbacks which say that this little, lean,sorrelmareofColonelMosby's,canoutrunanyhorseintheyankeecavalry."

Thebetwasnottaken.

THEEND

ROLLOFHONOR

LISTOFKILLEDINACTION

Followingisalistofthosekilledinaction,orwhodiedofwoundsreceivedinaction in the four regiments which constituted the Michigan cavalry brigade,commandedbyGeneralGeorgeArmstrongCuster,inthecivilwarof1861-65.Itconstitutesaveritablerollofhonor:

FIRSTMICHIGANCAVALRYNAMEANDPOSITION COMPANY BATTLE DATEOFDEATH

Adams,William,Private H ColdHarbor June1 1864

Alcott,Richard,Private L Cedar

Mountain August9 1862

Altenburg,William,Corporal B BullRun August30 1862

Andrus,John,Private K Winchester September19 1864

Anson,ElishaB.,Sergeant E Haw'sShop May28 1864

Babcock,EdwinH.,Private K Gettysburg July3 1863

Bachman,Robert,Sergeant G Appomattox April9 1865

Banker,EdwardS.,Private C Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Barney,LorenzoJ.,Private A YellowTavern May11 1864

Bartlett,OrrinM.,Lieutenant H FiveForks April1 1865

Lieutenant H FiveForks April1 1865

Bateman,CyrusA.,Corporal M Shenandoah

Valley August11 1864

Battison,William,Sergeant H Piedmont April17 1862

Bell,CharlesS.,Private E Todd'sTavern April7 1864

Beloir,Michael,Sergeant B Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Bentley,AugustusW.,Corporal I Gettysburg July3 1864

Brown,Dexter,Corporal E YellowTavern June11 1864

Blount,LemuelK.,Private A YellowTavern June11 1864

Bovee,JohnS.,Sergeant F Gettysburg July3 1864

Brevoort,WilliamM.,Captain K ColdHarbor June1 1864

Brewer,CharlesE.,Private A BullRun August30 1862

Brodhead,ThorntonF.,Colonel BullRun August30 1862

Bucklin,LymanD.,Private C Unknown May13 1863

Buhl,AugustusF.,Captain C Shepherdstown August25 1864

Butler,AbnerK.,Private F Middletown April4 1862

Byscheck,John,Private C Dinwiddie

Courthouse March30 1865

Campeau,Eli,Private K Unknown DiedJuly3 1865

Carr,AlpheusW.,Captain I Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Chatfield,WilliamH.,Private B BullRun August30 1862

Private B BullRun August30 1862

Chilson,AlphonsoW.,Sergeant I YellowTavern May11 1864

Chittenden,Adelbert,Private G Gettysburg July3 1863

Cicotte,David,jr.,Private C Winchester February

23 1865

Clarke,JohnR.,Private K Winchester September

19 1864

Cole,Benjamin,ChiefBugler Winchester September

19 1864

Colles,DavidW.,Private I Unknown May26 1865

Crawford,CharlesC.,Private M Todd'sTavern May7 1864

Crosby,Henry,Private E Unknown DiedJune1 1864

Cummings,GeorgeW.,Private A YellowTavern May11 1864

Cunningham,Barnabas,Private A Smithfield August29 1864

Davis,Joseph,Private I Unknown DiedJune20 1864

Davison,Joseph,Private G Unknown DiedApril

7 1865

Dibble,Darius,Private L CedarMountain August9 1862

Dorsay,John,Private B Appomattox April9 1865Durkee,Robert,Private K BullRun August30 1862

Eagle,Ellwood,Private H ColdHarbor June1 1864

Eastman,OscarA,Sergeant I Winchester September

19 1864

Eaton,WilliamO,Private H Accident October28 1862

Edgerton,GeorgeW,

Edgerton,GeorgeW,Private L BeaverDam May9 1864

Elliott,WilliamR,Captain C FairfieldGap July4 1863

Ellis,Henry,Private L CedarMountain August9 1862

Ensign,Leroy,Private M Winchester May4 1862

Fisher,Peter,Private E TrevilianStation June11 1864

Follett,IrvingB,Sergeant L Winchester September

19 1864

Foss,Andrew,Private I OnPicket December14 1864

Frost,Joel,Corporal L CedarMountain August9 1862

Falcher,John,Private K Gettysburg July3 1863Gillett,GeorgeM,Corporal B Hagarstown July 1863

Gordon,Alexander,Corporal H Winchester September

19 1864

Graves,BenjaminF,Private A ColdHarbor June1 1864

Grimes,Micah,Private M Unknown

DiedSeptember2

1864

Handy,LuciusF,Private F Todd'sTavern May7 1864

Hart,Lorenzo,Corporal L Dinwiddie


Hicks,CharlesEugene,Private F FortScott January12 1863

Hobbs,David,Private B BullRun August30 1862Hoffman,Peter,Corporal B Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Hough,AlbertorRobert,Private H Unknown DiedApril

8 1865

DiedJune

Hovey,Henry,Private A Unknown DiedJune18 1864

Hughes,PatrickH.,Corporal E Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Hutton,Thomas,Private C Snicker'sFerry March26 1862

Hymen,Ralph,Private I BullRun August30 1862Iott,Harrison,Private I Harper'sFerry August31 1864

Irwin,H.II.,Private F UnknownDiedSeptember5

1864

Irwin,Stephen,H.,Sergeant I OldChurch May30 1864

Jackson,AlbertT.,Captain F Winchester September

19 1864

Jackson,William,Private K RapidanRiver September

14 1863

Jacob,Henry,Private A YellowTavern May11 1864Jacobs,GeorgeA.,Private I YellowTavern May11 1864

Jayne,WilliamH.,Sergeant G Unknown

DiedSeptember23

1863

Kidder,HiramO.,Private A Haw'sShop May28 1864

Keferly(Keferle)Frank,Private H BullRun August30 1862

Kilbride(Kilride)William,Private H Piedmont April17 1862

Kling,Henry,Private G Gettysburg July3 1863

Kroop,Albert,Private H Unknown DiedApril8 1865

Lambert,Jacob,Private K Unknown DiedJune

16 1864

Lewis,LewisJ.,(Lucius)Private K Unknown DiedJune

15 1864

Long(Lozo)Henry,Private I CedarCreek October19 1864

Longdo,Jeremiah,Private B Unknown DiedJune 1864

Lyon,JamesB.,Sergeant L Unknown DiedJune

4 1864

McDermott,James,Corporal A BullRun August29 1862

McElheny,JamesS.,Captain G FairfieldGap July4 1863

Manuel,Peter,Private K Unknown DiedJuly29 1864

Marshner,FrankA.,Private A Winchester September

19 1864

Martin,David,Private C FairfieldGap July4 1863Mathews,SamuelM.,Private A Indians August13 1865

Merriam,JohnG.,Private K BullRun August30 1862

Michaels,WilliamH.,Private C Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Miller,John,Private E YellowTavern May11 1864Moran,Thomas,Private A Haw'sShop May28 1864

Morse,SidneyG.,FirstSergeant M BullRun August30 1862

Moss,DanielB.,Sergeant A Dinwiddie


Murray,EliasM.,Private M YellowTavern May11 1864

Nesbit,James,Private L TrevilianStation June12 1864

Orth,Adam,Private A Haw'sShop May28 1864Owen,Perry,Private F CedarCreek October19 1864Phelps,RalphZ.,BattalionAdjutant Accident April1 1862

BattalionAdjutantPierce,HenryC.,Sergeant B BullRun August30 1862

Piper,Leo,Sergeant C FiveForks April1 1865Pixley,John,Private K Gettysburg July3 1863Power(Tower)MortimerF.,Private C Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Pulver,AndrewJ.,Lieutenant A Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Price,WilliamH.,Private L Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Ransom,WilliamW.,Sergeant K Unknown Died

August3 1864

Reed,CharlesD.,Private K Smithfield August29 1864

Rennan,Frederick,Private E ColdHarbor June1 1864

Reynolds,SamuelW.,Private F YellowTavern May11 1864

Rhoades,Willard,Q.M.Sergeant B Centerville November

6 1863

Robertson,William,Sergeant I Wilderness May6 1864

Robins,CharlesH.,Private A Winchester September

19 1864

Robinson,GeorgeW.,Lieutenant A Winchester September

19 1864

Rose,WilliamL.,Com.Sergeant G Unknown

DiedDecember25

1864

Rush,Thomas,Private K Unknown DiedJuly13 1864

Ryder,AlfredG.,Corporal H Gettysburg July3 1863

Saulsbury,Charles,Private K BullRun August30 1862

Sawyer,HenryO., I Gettysburg July3 1863

Sawyer,HenryO.,Private I Gettysburg July3 1863

Schintzler,Leonard,Private H OldChurch May30 1864

Shanahan,Thomas,Corporal H Fountaindale July4 1863

Shaughnessy,William,Private B BullRun August30 1862

Shier,Charles,jr.,Captain K CedarCreek October19 1864

Sitts,Charles,Private L FairfieldGap July4 1863Smith,Marcus,Private I Accident May20 1864Snyder,CharlesF.,Captain F Hagarstown July6 1863

Stanley,HenryC.,Private F FiveForks April1 1865

Stewart,William,Private C Winchester September

19 1864

Sterling,Richard,HospitalSteward Unknown

DiedNovember6

1864

Teebles,WilliamH.,Private C Brentsville June7 1863

Thomas,Abel,Private H TrevilianStation June11 1864

Thomas,Benjamin,Private B BullRun August30 1862

Thomas,CassiusM.,Private M Wilderness May6 1864

Thomas,SamuelH.,Private C Gettysburg July3 1863

Truesdale,LewisB.,Sergeant K Winchester September

19 1864

Vance,George,Private K BullRun August30 1862

Vandecar,ThomasH.,Private L Unknown DiedMay

26 1865

Private 26Vashaw,John,Private K BullRun August30 1862Warren,RobertS.,Lieutenant C Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Waterman,W.E.,FirstSergeant H Unknown DiedJune

20 1864

Watson,ColbertR.,Sergeant L FallingWaters July14 1863

Welch,JayMichael,Private A Winchester August11 1864

Welton,RansomW.,Private E Gettysburg July3 1863

Wescott,JamesM.,Private K Haw'sShop May28 1864

Whitney,Ambrose,Private H ByAccident March7 1862

Whitney,GeorgeC.,Lieutenant F FiveForks April1 1865

Wideroder,JohnC.,Private F Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Wilcox,AlonzoW.,Sergeant H Brentsville June7 1863

Wilcox,Philip,jr.,Private L Gettysburg July3 1863

Williams,Isaac,Private K YellowTavern May11 1864

Winfield,GeorgeD.,Corporal D Salem April1 1862

Warwick,William,Private K YellowTavern May11 1864

Wieg,Orren,Private L FallingWaters July14 1863

FIFTHMICHIGANCAVALRY

NAMEANDPOSITION COMPANY BATTLE DATEOFDEATH

Ackerman,Hiram,Corporal A Haw'sShop May28 1864

Allen,NelsonA.,Private D Gettysburg July3 1863

Allison,GeorgeS.,Private B Winchester September

19 1864

Alverson,ThomasJ.,Private G Winchester September

19 1864

Anderson,AlfredC.,Private D Boonesborough July8 1863

Atherholt,Peter,Private F Winchester September

19 1864

Axtell,BenjaminF.,Captain F YellowTavern May11 1864

Ball,William,Private M Haw'sShop May28 1864Barbour,FrankA.,Sergeant A Gettysburg July3 1863

Barse,HoraceS.,Corporal E Gettysburg July3 1863

Beebe,HenryC.,Corporal A Morton'sFord November

27 1863

Bemis,AndrewJ.,Private K Haw'sShop May28 1864

Benning,John,Private F Unknown DiedAugust7 1865

Bishop,Abraham,Private B Haw'sShop May28 1864

Bliss,HenryG.,Private I RaccoonFord September

16 1863

Brennan,William,Sergeant B MontereyGap July4 1863

Brink,SimeonL.,Private B BucklandMills October19 1863

Brown,CliftonE.,Private A Haw'sShop May28 1864

Brown,William, Trevilian

Brown,William,Private H Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Buell,John,Private K Gettysburg July3 1864Burdick,Reuben,Private I Haw'sShop May28 1864

Burnett,Henry,Corporal D Shepherdstown August29 1864

Burson,Joseph,Private L Haw'sShop May28 1864

Busley,Levi,Private M Richmond March1 1864Cathcart,AlbertJ.,Private B Unknown DiedJuly

5 1864

Chapman,Edward,Private E BucklandMills October19 1863

Chart(Chant),Private G Salem October23 1864

Clark,Frederick,Private F Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Clark,Henry,Private M DinwiddieCourthouse April4 1865

Clyde,CharlesB.,Private M Berryvilleby

Guerrillas August19 1864

Colf,Levinas,Private K Wilderness May6 1864Comte,VictorE.,Wagoner C Unknown DiedJuly

11 1864

Connor,James,Private A Morton'sFord November27 1863

Corcelins,Frederick,Private K Gettysburg July3 1863

Corser,AugustusF.,Private C Stevensburg October

30 1863

Coston,Peter,Private M BerryvillebyGuerrillas August19 1864

Craft,Charles,Private M BerryvillebyGuerrillas August19 1864

Day,AlpheusG., E Berryvilleby August19 1864

Day,AlpheusG.,Corporal E Berryvilleby


Dean,HenryJ.,Private D YellowTavern May12 1864

Decker,GeorgeR.,Private K Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Dell,MartinV.,Private H Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Derwin,Lewis,Private C Winchester September19 1864

Dockham,ReubenK.,Sergeant C Unknown DiedJune

18 1864

Duffey,James,Corporal F Falmouth August4 1863

Eggleston,AndrewJ.,Sergeant K Unknown DiedJuly

1 1864

Essler,SamuelK.,Private C Berryvilleby


Evans,AndrewR.,Private A Gettysburg July3 1863

Felt,John,Private H TrevilianStation June11 1864

Ferry,NoahH.,Major Gettysburg July31 1863

Fox,Josiah,Sergeant M TrevilianStation June11 1864

Friday,Adolph,Private F YellowTavern May11 1864

Gale,HenryD.,Corporal C Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Garvelink,Herman,Corporal I Haw'sShop May28 1864

Gibbs,Levi,Private G Gettysburg July3 1863Gillett,WilliamH.,Corporal K Wilderness May6 1864

Granger,EdwardG.,Lieutenant C FrontRoyal August16 1864

Gudith,JohnD., D CedarCreek October 1864

Gudith,JohnD.,Corporal D CedarCreek October

19 1864

Hammond,Smith(NobleS.)Sergeant G BrandyStation October

11 1863

Hanly,Richard,Private E Middletown August15 1864

Harmon,AllenM.,Lieutenant B ByAccident April20 1863

Henry,AlfredA.,Private C Berryvilleby


Hichler,George,Private E Gettysburg July3 1863

Hicks,GeorgeH.,Corporal I Smithfield August29 1864

Higgins,CharlesW.,Private D CedarCreek October

19 1864

Hill,PhilipH.,Corporal E Gettysburg July3 1863

Hirner,Louis,Private I YellowTavern May11 1864Hobbs,Levant,Sergeant C Unknown DiedJune

6 1864

Hodge,Milton,Private K BrandyStation October11 1863

Huff,JohnA.,Private E ColdHarbor June1 1864Jackson,AndrewT.,Private A BrandyStation October

11 1863

James,AaronB.,Sergeant H Newtown November

12 1864

Johnson,JuliusC.,Private D Newtown November

12 1864

Kennedy,Philip,Private H FrontRoyal August16 1864

Kennicut,JamesC.,Private I Berryvilleby


Kent,FrancisP.,Private G Gettysburg July3 1863

Lewis,Eaton,Private M Berryvilleby August19 1864

Lewis,Eaton,Private M BerryvillebyGuerrillas August19 1864

Little,JohnM.,Private M BrandyStation October11 1863

Lusk,JohnF.,Sergeant K Winchester October

19 1864

Lutz,JohnG.,Private C BerryvillebyGuerrillas August19 1864

McChusen,J.B.,Private G BucklandMills October19 1863

McCormick,WilliamJ.,Private D Dinwiddie

Courthouse April1 1865

McCrary,Calvin,Private M Haw'sShop May28 1864

McGuire,John,Private F Appomattox April8 1865

McIntyre,JohnD.,Private C BrandyStation October

12 1863

Maguire,Christopher,Private I YellowTavern May12 1864

Mann,HarveyW.,Corporal I Shepherdstown August25 1864

Marshall,NortonC.,Sergeant I Hanovertown

(?) May27 1864

Mather,ZelotesH.,Sergeant M Boonesborough July8 1863

Meyer,GeorgeW.,Private M Luray September

24 1864

Miller,DanielF.,Sergeant L Unknown DiedJune

14 1864

Mills,JamesF.,Private M Richmond March1 1864

Morgan,IsaacC.,Private E Newtown November

12 1864

North,WilliamO.,Captain F Winchester September

19 1864

Notting,John,Private I Gettysburg July3 1863

Notting,John,Private I Gettysburg July3 1863O'Brien,Anthony,Private A YellowTavern May11 1864

O'Brien,John,Private A ByGuerrillas December2 1864

O'Brien,Matthew,Private A LoudonCounty November 1864

Olaphant,David,Captain B Haw'sShop May28 1864

Osborn,IsaacC.,Private M Berryvilleby


Perkins,Isaac,Private A Smithfield August29 1864Phelan,Thomas,Sergeant L CedarCreek October

19 1864

Phillips,EdwardH.,Sergeant H Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Prouty,Wallace,Private E Newtown November

23 1864

Purdy,Robert,Private H TrevilianStation June12 1864

Ragan,Alexander,Corporal C Appomattox March31 1865

Rathburn,ChaunceyJ.,Private D Hanover June30 1863

Reed,Arthur,Private H Haw'sShop May28 1864Roberts,Ephraim,Sergeant E CedarCreek October

19 1864

Rockwell,Floyd,Private L Ashby'sGap July21 1863

Rockwell,WilliamH.,Corporal I BrandyStation October

11 1863

Roe,Alva,Private B Smithfield August29 1864Russell,MajorW.,Private M SummitPoint September

5 1864

Ryan,Michael,Private K Gettysburg July3 1863Ryder,Stephen,Sergeant D Haw'sShop May28 1864

Sergeant D Haw'sShop May28 1864

Scates,Charles,Private A Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Shafer,AbsalomB.,Private C Berryvilleby


Shattuck,Oscar,Private K Boonesborough July8 1863

Shrontz,MortimerJ.,Sergeant M Smithburg July5 1863

Sickman,Simon,Private F JamesCity

DiedNovember1

1863

Skeels,SquireE.,Sergeant M Berryvilleby


Skinner,IrwinM.,Private G Gettysburg July3 1863

Smith,JosephW.,Private H Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Smith,Stephen,Private B BrandyStation October

11 1863

Spencer,LucienH.,Private A Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Sprague,Almerin,Private H Haw'sShop May28 1864

Stewart,HarrisonC.,Private E Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Taggart,RobertG.,Private H Winchester September

19 1864

Taylor,DavidP.,Corporal I ByAccident March27 1863

Tenney,Wayland,Corporal H Winchester September

19 1864

Todd,Andrew,Private F Newtown November12 1864

Tuller,Calvin,H.,Private H Shepherdstown August25 1864

VanBree,Garrett, Trevilian

VanBree,Garrett,Private L Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Vicory,WilliamL.,Private M Smithfield August29 1864

Warner,OliverM.,Private C Berryvilleby


Warren,MilanS.,Private K Newby's

Crossroads July24 1863

Watkins,Jarius,Corporal M Wilderness May6 1864

Wire,George,Private M BerryvillebyGuerrillas August19 1864

Whirehead,RichardH.,Sergeant A Haw'sShop May28 1864

Withington,HiramA.,Corporal M Berryvilleby


Wixsom,George,Private I Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Wood,EdwinW.,Sergeant A Shepherdstown August25 1864

Wood,Fletcher,Sergeant A CedarCreek October

19 1864

Wright,FrancisM.,Corporal M Unknown

DiedSeptember10

1864

Yoek,George,Private E YellowTavern May11 1864

SIXTHMICHIGANCAVALRYNAMEANDPOSITION COMPANY BATTLE DATEOFDEATH

Andrus,JamesL.,Sergeant H Smithfield August29 1864

Avery,MarvinE.,Sergeant E Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Bacon,TrumanJ.,

Bacon,TrumanJ.,Private F FallingWaters June14 1863

Barber,George,Private E Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Barnes,AugustusM.,Private D OnSultana

Explosion April26 1865

Barnum,Andrew,Private A Winchester September

19 1864

Bass,NathanB.,Private E Woodstock October8 1864

Batson,Charles,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Beckwith,George,Private C Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Bolza,CharlesE.,Lieutenant B FallingWaters July14 1863

Bowman,Lewis,Private B Battle

Mountain July24 1863

Briggs,George,Private F CedarCreek October19 1864

Brockway,WilliamF.,Corporal H CedarCreek October19 1864

Brockway,WilliamM.,Private H RapidanRiver September

16 1863

Brown,GeorgeF.,Private I Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Brown,JamesW.,Sergeant E Haw'sShop May28 1864

Brownell,GeorgeH.,Private K Gettysburg July3 1863

Buck,Charles,H.,Private D Haw'sShop May28 1864

Burden,John,Private B CedarCreek October19 1864

Burns,James,Private D TrevilianStation June12 1864

Butler,Edward,Private M Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Private M Station June11 1864

Campbell,Duncan,Private M Haw'sShop May28 1864

Campbell,WilliamP.,Private C Winchester September

19 1864

Carey,Seth,Corporal E Haw'sShop May28 1864Curliss,William,Private G FallingWaters July14 1863

Chandler,GeorgeB.,Private D Somerville

FordSeptember16 1863

Chase,Albert,Teamster L Somerville


Clark,George,Corporal G Boonesborough July11 1863

Clark,JoshuaP.,Private F MuddyBranch July21 1864

Cole,OsmerF.,Captain G ByIndians August31 1865

Coon,AlexanderH.,Private A Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Cox,CharlesW.,Private C Hunterstown July2 1863

Cranston,ThomasC.,Private C Haw'sShop May28 1864

Cryderman,John,Private E YellowTavern May11 1864

Daily,WilliamH.,Sergeant D Hanovertown May27 1864

Day,John,Private F Washington April27 1865Decker,Almeron,Private E YellowTavern May11 1864

Dexter,Dallas,Private M Waterford August8 1863Dixon,WilliamG.,Private C BucklandMills October19 1863

Dudley,Jerry,Private, I CedarCreek October19 1864Earl,BenjaminF., I Somerville September 1863

Earl,BenjaminF.,Private I Somerville


Edie,ThomasA.,Lieutenant A Meadow

Bridge May12 1864

Edwards,WilliamH.,Private E YellowTavern May11 1864

Eldridge,MarvinJ.,Private C Haw'sShop May28 1864

Elmore,ByronA.,Private B Haw'sShop May28 1864

Fairbanks,Forrest,Private D Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Farrell,Thomas,Private M Harper'sFerry August17 1863

Fay,GeorgeW.,Private H Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Finney,SolonH.,Lieutenant E BeaverMills April4 1865

Foe,James,Private C Hatcher'sMills April4 1865Foote,MartinW.,Private C Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Francisco,JamesK.,Sergeant K Winchester September

19 1864

Galusha,SearsE.,Corporal G FallingWaters July14 1863

Gooch,HoraceN.,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Griffith,GilbertD.,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Gross,CharlesH.,Private M Haw'sShop May28 1864

Hanna,John,Private A Haw'sShop May28 1864Harding,IraC.,Private D Somerville


Harrison,HenryM.,Private E HighBridge April6 1865

Hart,Horace, D Hanover June30 1863

Hart,Horace,Corporal D Hanover June30 1863

Hawkins,OscarJ.,Private K Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Hayes,WilliamO.,Private C ByIndians September

13 1865

House,Martin,Private M Haw'sShop May28 1864Hughson,Franklin,Private K Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Hulet,JamesH.,Private K OnSultana

Explosion April26 1865

Hutchinson,MilesE.,Private E Haw'sShop May28 1864

Ingersoll,GeorgeB.W.,Sergeant G Shepherdstown August28 1864

Inman,Elisha,Private K ByGuerrillas December4 1864

Jewell,Leander,Sergeant A Hanovertown May27 1864

Jewett,AaronC.,ActingAdjutant Williamsport July6 1863

Johnson,WarrenE.,Private I Seneca June11 1863

Johnson,WilliamW.,Private M Unknown Died

October11 1864

Jolly,Toussaint,Private I Haw'sShop May28 1864

Jones,LeviF.,Private D Haw'sShop May28 1864

Kelsey,Ira,Private K Newby'sCrossroads July24 1863

Kilbourn,Joseph,Private C Winchester September

19 1864

Kirkby,Henry,Private I Haw'sShop May28 1864

Krauss,CharlesC.,Private A Hunterstown July2 1863

Larime,Joseph,

Larime,Joseph,Private C Wilderness May6 1864

Livingston,Albert,Private C ThorntonGap July24 1863

Livingston,Monroe,Private F FallingWaters July14 1863

Lorsey,Charles,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Lyons,James,Private F Unknown July30 1864McClure,Alexander,Private C Haw'sShop May28 1864

McDonald,Jeremiah,Private F FallingWaters July14 1863

McLean,Peter,Corporal G Haw'sShop May28 1864

Martin,AlonzoR.,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Mathers,James,Captain L Winchester August11 1864

Mayfield,OaklandW.,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Morre,EzraP.,Private A Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Mosher,Merritt,Corporal A Wilderness May6 1864

Morrison,EdwinM.,Private K Wilderness May6 1864

Moulthrop,Albert,Private I Tom'sBrook October9 1864

Neal,FlaviusJ.,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Nellins,John,Private H Winchester November18 1864

Onweller,William,Private B Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Otis,Albert,Private D FallingWaters July14 1863Patten,GeorgeT.,

Patten,GeorgeT.,Sergeant B FallingWaters July14 1863

Pelton,Francis,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Perkins,William,Private E BeaverPond

Mills April4 1865

Pixley,Austin,Private A Drowned June15 1864Potter,HarveyB.,Sergeant B FallingWaters July14 1863

Powers,Wesley,Private I Seneca June11 1863

Pray,Stephen,Private C TrevilianStation June12 1864

Provin,JamesJ.,Private M Smithfield February5 1864

Rappelye,Mortimer,Sergeant C Hanovertown May27 1864

Rodder,John,Private I TrevilianStation June11 1864

Richardson,FrancisD.,Private F FallingWaters July14 1863

Rider,Carlos,Corporal D Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Rogers,FrederickV.,Private G Haw'sShop May28 1864

Rogers,Remus,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Roney,CharlesE.,Private C Dinwiddie

Courthouse April9 1865

Rossell,Abram,Private D FallingWaters July14 1863

Royce,DavidG.,Captain D FallingWaters July14 1863

Ruckel,George,Private I Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Sliter,JosiahT.,Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Private B FallingWaters July14 1863

Smith,JonathanW.,Private K Newby's

Crossroads July24 1863

Soule,JohnW.,Corporal D Boonesborough July8 1863

Stafford,Ananias,Private D Haw'sShop May28 1864

Stanton,Andrew,Private K Winchester September

19 1864

Stowe,StephenL.,Sergeant B Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Streeter,Seth,Private H Unknown DiedAugust2 1863

Sweet,LorenzoD.,Private I FallingWaters July14 1863

Telling,George,Corporal D Boonesborough July8 1863

Trager,George,Private F FallingWaters July14 1863

Tucker,Ephraim,Private D CedarCreek October19 1864

Tucker,Harvey,Sergeant C Wilderness May6 1864

Tuttle,Milo,Private M Waterford August8 1863VonHelmerich,Frederick,Private I Seneca June11 1863

Wadeweitz,Frederick,Private I Meadow

Bridge May12 1864

Ward,ErastusE.,Private F FiveForks April1 1865

Weber,PeterA.,Captain B FallingWaters July14 1863

Whalen,David,Private I Seneca June11 1863

Wheaton,HenryF.,Private H Unknown February2 1865

White,WilliamC., Trevilian

White,WilliamC.,Private D Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Wightman,GeorgeH.,Sergeant L Unknown

DiedSeptember1

1864

Williams,EdwardL.,Sergeant I CedarCreek October19 1864

Williams,JohnD.,Corporal I Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Winters,John,Private H Accident July28 1864Yax,John,Corporal C ColdHarbor June1 1864Yeoman,LewisH.,Private E BrandyStation October11 1863

SEVENTHMICHIGANCAVALRYNAMEANDPOSITION COMPANY BATTLE DATEOFDEATH

Adams,OscarH.,Corporal A Trevilian

Station June12 1864

Adams,WilliamH.,Private D Gettysburg July3 1863

Armstrong,Harrison,Private F YellowTavern May11 1864

Baker,George,Private B KilledbyIndians August5 1865

Bedel,Harlin,Corporal F FiveForks April1 1865

Bedel,JamesT.,Private F Gettysburg July3 1863

Bouchard(Bershall),Eli,Private K FrontRoyal August16 1864

Brewer,Melvin,LieutenantColonel Winchester September

19 1864

Brickwell,EdwardJ.,Private A Gettysburg July3 1863

Private A Gettysburg July3 1863

Brownell,HoraceR.,Private A Gettysburg July3 1863

Bush,Christian,Corporal D Winchester September

19 1864

Bush,Frederick,Corporal D Haw'sShop May28 1864

Carver,Lucius,Lieutenant M FrontRoyal August16 1864

Chapman,Frank,Private A Richmond March1 1864

Cheesman,Jeremiah,Private F Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Church,Benjamin,Sergeant C Gettysburg July3 1863

Churchill,AlfredW.,Corporal G CedarCreek October

19 1864

Clark,EdgarA.,Private A ByAccident July5 1865

Clark,Jonas,Private K Richmond March1 1864Cochran,HarlanB.,Sergeant F FallingWaters July14 1863

Cochran,WilliamJ.,Corporal I FrontRoyal August16 1864

Campau,Peter,Private D Boonesborough July 1863Cook,ElliottA.,Sergeant C RobinsonRiver October8 1863

Cooper,Eugene,Private F Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Cornell,LlewellynC.,Private B Gettysburg July3 1863

Crampton,P.H.,Private G Hagarstown July6 1863

Croman,William,Private E BrandyStation October

11 1863

Dann,Daniel,Private K YellowTavern May11 1864

Dann,Daniel,Private K YellowTavern May11 1864Diehl,Henry,Private C SalemChurch June2 1864Delamater,MartinR.,Corporal G ColdHarbor June1 1864

Dumphrey,Edwin,Sergeant A Winchester September

19 1864

Edwards,William,Private C Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Filbern,Owen,Private I BucklandMills October19 1863

Finch,Robert,Private E Gettysburg July3 1863Firman,JosiahB.,Corporal H YellowTavern May11 1864

Fisher,Mathias,Bugler B Berryville September

4 1864

Fordham,Albert,Corporal D Gettysburg July3 1863

Fox,WilliamH.,Corporal M Winchester September

19 1864

Granger,HenryW.,Major YellowTavern May11 1864

Guio,Henry,Corporal F FallingWaters July14 1863Haines,Henry,Private D Gettysburg July3 1863Hall(Hull),William,Private M BucklandMills October19 1863

Hamel,Harrison,Private K Winchester September

19 1864

Haskins,James,Sergeant B DuckPond

Mills April3 1865

Hassart,Andrew,Private B Winchester September

19 1864

Hasty,Robert,Private I Gettysburg July3 1863Heinck,John,Saddler A Gettysburg July3 1863Hoag,Robert,Private F Gettysburg July3 1863Hopkins,Horace,Private E Gettysburg July3 1863

House,BarnumB.,

House,BarnumB.,Private E OldChurch May23 1864

Jackson,OrlandoD.,Private D Gettysburg July3 1863

Jessup,CharlesH.,Private F Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Karcher,Jehial,Private D Gettysburg July3 1863

Keller,HenryH.,Private B Todd'sTavern May7 1864

Kisner,Samuel,Private C ByAccident July18 1863

Koster,Frederick,Private H CedarCreek October

19 1864

Laird,WilliamJ.,Sergeant B CedarCreek October

19 1864

Lake,JohnW.,Private A Haw'sShop May28 1864Larrue,HiramJ.,Private B ByGuerrillas March28 1864

Long,Edward,Private B Winchester September19 1864

Lundy,GeorgeW.,Private H Gettysburg July3 1863

McClure,Ralph,Private H YellowTavern May11 1864

McComber,William,Private C ColdHarbor June4 1864

McDonald,JohnJ.,Sergeant C Gettysburg July3 1863

McLaine,Alexander,Private E Marselas May22 1863

Martin,FrancisD.,Private H Gettysburg July3 1863

Matchett,Noel,Private A TrevilianStation June11 1864

Mead,JosephL.,Lieutenant L Smithfield August29 1864

Lieutenant L Smithfield August29 1864

Mercer,Thomas,Private F Smithfield August29 1864

Milbourn,JohnL.,Corporal D Gettysburg July3 1863

Miller,JacobL.,Private C Unknown DiedJune

21 1864

Mills,Harry,Private H YellowTavern May11 1864Miner,CharlesE.,Sergeant F Gettysburg July3 1863

Moll,Cornelius,Private F WhiteFord September

22 1863

Motley,Thomas,Private G Gettysburg July3 1863

Nay,Harmon,Private E Hagarstown July6 1863Nichols,WilliamH.,Private H Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Nolan,ArthurD.,Sergeant I Haw'sShop May28 1864

O'Brien,WilliamH.,Sergeant A YellowTavern May11 1864

Olin,OscarO.,Private M CedarCreek October19 1864

Page,Truman,Bugler F YellowTavern May11 1864Parks,AllenC.,Private A CedarCreek October

19 1864

Paule,Jacob,Sergeant F YellowTavern May11 1864Perkins,MyronH.,Sergeant B Haw'sShop May28 1864

Ploof,DewittC.,Private K Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Pomeroy,DavidH.,Private L TrumbleRun June9 1864

Ralph,OscarS.,Corporal F FallingWaters July14 1863

Richards,WilliamH., H Emmittsburg July4 1863

Richards,WilliamH.,Private H Emmittsburg July4 1863

Robinson,JamesB.,Teamster E Tom'sBrook October9 1864

Shafer,CharlesF.,Private A Winchester September

19 1864

Smith,Alonzo,Private C Gettysburg July3 1863Smith,Eli,Private K Gettysburg July3 1863Smith,PerryW.,Private H Hagarstown July13 1863

Spear,Truman,Private G Gettysburg July3 1863Stearns,WilliamA.,Sergeant B ColdHarbor June1 1864

Stephens,Charles,Private K FrontRoyal August16 1864

Taber,WinfieldS.,Sergeant M Culpeper September

13 1863

Thompson,Henry,Private D Smithfield August29 1864

Treat,Gordon,Private K FrontRoyal August16 1864Vancourse,Henry,Private K FrontRoyal August16 1864

VanDuzer,CharlesE.,Private M Unknown September 1864

VanNess,GeorgeE.,Corporal M Gettysburg July3 1863

Walters,Nelson,Private A Gettysburg July3 1863

Whittaker,WilliamS.,Private B Trevilian

Station June11 1864

Wilcox,Charles,Corporal A Gettysburg July3 1863

Williams,Squire,Corporal I Haw'sShop May28 1864

TOTALNUMBERKILLEDINACTIONFirstMichiganCavalry 157FifthMichiganCavalry 144SixthMichiganCavalry 141SeventhMichiganCavalry 106

——Total 548

FOOTNOTES:

Quotedfrom"MichiganintheWar."

Theoriginalrosteroftheregimentmaybefoundinappendix"A"tothisvolume.

GrandRapids,Michigan,sonamedonaccountofitslocationintheheartofthevalleyofGrandriver.Alsoknownasthe"FurnitureCity,"referringtoitschiefindustry.

RobertWilliams, a Virginian, grandson of JamesWilliams, of the Virginia line in the Revolution. HemarriedthewidowofStephenA.Douglas.

ThirdMichiganinfantry.Itservedthreeyears,andwasthenreorganizedasthe"NewThird."

SincetheabovewaswrittenIhavebecomesatisfiedthatthismanwasreallytakenprisonerandthathediedassuchintheConfederateprisonatAndersonville.Hisnameappearsononeofthemarkersinthenationalcemeterythere.

September,1907.

OfficialRecords,Series1,Vol.XXVII,PartIII,page276.

TheMichigancavalrybrigadewastheoutgrowthofthereorganizationoftheFederalcavalrythatfollowedLee'sinvasionoftheNorthandHooker'sconsequentmovementintoMaryland.Itconsistedoriginally,ashasbeenshown,ofthreeregiments—theFifth,SixthandSeventh.Theywereallorganizedin1862,spentthewinterof1862-63 incamponMeridianandCapitolHills,Washington,D.C.,andduring thespringmonthsofthelatteryear,wereengagedindoingoutpostdutyinFairfaxCounty,Va.,withinthedefensesofWashington.Theywere, therefore, inthelanguageofanother,"freshfrompasturesgreen"whenGeneralHooker,enroutetoMarylandinJune,1863,pickedthemupinpassingandmadethemapartofthatgrandArmyofthePotomacwhich,onthebattle-fieldofGettysburg,wonarenownaslastingashistoryitself.

The commanding officer was Brigadier General J.T. Copeland, a Michigan man, promoted from thecolonelcyof theFifth.Thebattalioncommanderswere, respectively,ColonelsRussellA.Alger,GeorgeGrayandWilliamD.Mann.ThefirsthadseenserviceintheSecondMichiganascaptainandmajor,underColonelsGordonGranger andP.H.Sheridan; the last in theFirstMichigan, underBrodheadandTown.ColonelGraywasappointedfromcivillife,andwashavinghisfirstexperienceof"war'srudealarums."

CusterinhisreportmistooktheYorkfortheHanoverroad.

GeneralCustermistooktheLowDutchfortheOxfordroad.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

AletterfromGeneralGreggtothewritersays:"Thereisnoconflictbetweenyourrecollectionandmineastotheeventsofthatday."—J.H.K.

A possible solution of this difficulty has come to my mind. It is this. That Custer originally wrote "1o'clock"andthatincopyingthe"1"andthe"o"weremistakenfor"10,"ando'clockadded—J.H.K.

InthisconnectionitmaybestatedthatColonelFox'shistoryofthecasualtiesinthewarshowsthattherewere260cavalryregimentsintheserviceoftheUnion.Ofthese,theFirstMichiganlostthelargestnumberofmenkilledinactionofallsaveone—theFirstMaine.Inpercentageofkilled,inproportiontonumbersthe Fifth and Sixth Michigan rank all the rest, not excepting the two first named, and it must beremembered that the Fifth and Sixth went out in 1862 and did their first fighting in the Gettysburgcampaign.Theystandthirdandfourthinthenumberkilled,beingrankedinthatrespectbytheFirstMaineandFirstMichigan alone.The four regiments in theMichiganbrigadeduring their termsof service losttwenty-threeofficersand328menkilled;eightofficersand111mendiedofwounds;nineofficersand991mendiedof disease—agrand total of 1470officers andmenwhogaveup their lives during those fouryearsofwar.—J.H.K.

Itmay be proper to state that during theGettysburg campaign theMichigan brigade lost thirty officerskilledandwounded,whosenamesareheregiven.

KILLED

FirstMichigan—Capt.W.R.Elliott,Capt.C.J.Snyder,Lieut.J.S.McElhenny—3.

FifthMichigan—MajorN.H.Ferry—1.

SixthMichigan—MajorP.A.Weber,Capt.D.G.Royce,Lieut.C.E.Bolza,ActingAdjutantA.C.Jewett—4.

WOUNDED

First Michigan—Capt. D.W. Clemmer, Lieut. E.F. Baker, Capt. A.W. Duggan, Capt. George W.Alexander,Capt.H.E.Hascall,Capt.W.M.Heazlett,Capt.G.R.Maxwell,Lieut.R.N.VanAtter—8.

FifthMichigan—Col.R.A.Alger,Lieut.Col.E.Gould,Lieut.T.Dean,Lieut.G.N.Dutcher—4.

SixthMichigan—Lieut.GeorgeW.Crawford;Capt.H.E.Thompson,Capt. J.H.Kidd,Lieut.E. Potter,Lieut.S.Shipman—5.

SeventhMichigan—Lieut.J.G.Birney,Lieut.J.L.Carpenter,Lieut.E.Gray,Lieut.C.Griffith,Capt.Alex.Walker—5.

BrigadierGeneralHenryE.Davies, formerly colonelSecondNewYork cavalry, assigned as permanentsuccessorofFarnsworth,killedatGettysburg.

AttachedtotheMichiganbrigade.

Rosser,YoungandGordon.

Sincereportingforduty,October12,Ihadbeenincommandoftheregiment.

CampaignsofStuart'sCavalry.

FitzhughLeewasCuster'sinstructorinWestPointbeforethewarbrokeout.

Kilpatrick'sReport,OfficialRecords,seriesI.vol.XXXIII.p.133.

"Unless the separate commands in an expedition of this nature are very prompt inmovement, and eachequal to overcoming at once any obstacle it may meet combinations rarely work out as expected."—PersonalMemoirsofP.H.Sheridan,vol.I,p.373.

Asmallstreamcrossingtheturnpikeandafterwhichthehistoricalpikewasnamed.

Onpage813,Vol.XXXVI,SeriesI,Part1,oftheWarRecords,inthereportofGeneralMerrittappearsthefollowing:"Achargemade,mounted,byoneregimentoftheFirstbrigade,(theFifthMichigan)."ThewordsinparenthesisshouldbetheFirstMichigan.It isapitythattheofficialrecordsshouldthusfalsifyhistory.

Iamnotpositivethattheseweretheparticulartunesthebandsplayed.

PersonalMemoirsofP.H.Sheridan,Vol.I:page417.AlsoRecords,SeriesI,Vol.XXXVI,part1.

TakenfromtheofficialrecordsintheofficeoftheadjutantgeneralofMichigan,Lansing,Michigan.

TakenfromtheofficialrecordsintheofficeoftheadjutantgeneralofMichigan,Lansing,Michigan.

OfficialRecords,SeriesI,Vol.XXXVI,partI,page851.

OfficialRecords,SeriesI,Vol.XXXVI,partI,page810.

"Headquarters1stBrig.1stDiv.CavalryCorps,June3,1864.

ToHisExcellencyGovernorBlair,

Imost cheerfully and earnestly recommend that the foregoing petitionmay be granted.MajorKidd hascommandedhisregimentforseveralmonths.Hehasdistinguishedhimselfinnearlyallofthelatesevereengagementsof thecorps.Michigancannotboastofamoregallantorefficientofficer thanMajorKidd,andIamconfidentthathisappointmentascolonelofthe6thwouldnotonlyproduceentiresatisfactioninhisregiment,butwouldservetoincreasethealreadyhighbutwellearnedfameoftheMichiganCavalryBrigade."

"Veryrespectfully,etc.,G.A.CUSTER,Brig.Gen'lComdg."

ThetitlegiventothedepartmentoverwhichSheridanwastohavesupremecommand,andwhichincludedWestVirginia.

Torberthadbeencreated"chiefofcavalry,"andMerrittassignedtocommandoftheFirstdivision.ColonelCharlesR.Lowell,SecondMassachusettscavalrysucceededMerrittincommandoftheReservebrigade.

AttachedtemporarilytotheMichiganbrigade.

SeconddivisionofcavalryfromWestVirginia,GeneralW.W.Averell.

Writtenin1886.

TheonlyorderIhadreceivedatthetimewastosupportthepicketlinewiththeentirebrigade.SeeGeneralMerritt'sreport,Officialrecords,Vol.XLIII,seriesI,partI,page449.

TheFifthUnitedStatescavalry,GeneralMerritt'sescort.GeneralMerritt'sreport.

GeneralSheridan'sreportstatesthatitwasGetty'sdivisionoftheSixthcorpsonlythatwasinthispositionwhenhecameup—thattheotherdivisionswerefarthertotherearbutwerebroughtuptothealignment.

"Onarrivingatthefront,IfoundMerritt'sandCuster'sdivisionsofcavalry,*andGetty'sdivisionoftheSixthcorpsopposingtheenemy.IsuggestedtoGeneralWrightthatwewouldfightonGetty'sline,andthattheremainingtwodivisionsoftheSixthcorps,whichweretotherightandrearabouttwomiles,shouldbeorderedup,beforetheenemyattackedGetty."—Sheridan'sreport,Records,Vol.XLIII,partI,page53.

"TheFirstbrigade,incolumnofRegimentsinline,movedforwardlikeanimmensewave,slowlyatfirst,but gaining strength and speed as it progressed, overwhelmed a battery and its supports amidst adevastatingshowerofcanisterandadeadlyfireofmusketryfrompartofKershaw'sdivision,atshortrangefromaheavywoodtoourleft.Neverhasthemettleofthedivisionbeenputtoaseverertestthanatthistime,andneverdiditstandthetestbetter.Thechargewasmadeonanenemywellformedandpreparedtoreceiveitwithgunsdouble-shottedwithcanister."—GeneralMerritt'sofficialreport,Records,Vol.XLIII,PartI,page450.

Records,SeriesI,Vol.XLIII,partI,page136.

Records.SeriesI,Vol.XLIII,partI.pages136-37.

Records.SeriesI,Vol.XLIII,partI.page453.

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Personal Recollections of a Cavalryman / With Custer's Michigan Cavalry Brigade in the Civil War

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