History of the United States cavalry : from the formation of the federal government to the 1st of June, 1863 ; to which is added a list of all the cavalry regiments, with the names of their commanders, which have been in the United States service since the breaking out of the rebellion

Front matter

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

Preface

The Cavalry Service in the United States of America has never been properly appreciated, and that is my reason for writing this book. I have served several years in the Cavalry, and know that our mounted men have not half as many friends as they ought to have, nor as many as they would have if they exerted themselves a little more in recounting their many good deeds. "We have had among us some noble men and excellent soldiers ; and while our countrymen point with pride to the names of Covington, Johnson, Coffee, Harney, Sumner, Kearney, McClellan, Thomas, Sedgwick, and Hunter, we can feel that it was in our corps they received much of their best training.

Our mounted force during the rebellion is far larger than any which has ever belonged to any nation on earth; and as time moves on, and our men become more experienced, their deeds will become brighter and their fame more extended. Our Cavalry soldiers are becoming better every year, and it is safe to say that the finishing blows to the rebellion will be dealt by them.

viii Prefcuie.

For a long time I have thouglit that a History of the United States Cavalry Service ought to be written. I thought that such a work would not only be interesting to the public,, but would be doing justice to the officers and soldiers who belonged to it. Thinking thus, and seeing that no person had undertaken the task, I took it upon myself to do it. So far as I know, no history of our Cavalry service has ever been written up to this time. I know my work has many imperfections, as, while writing it, I have been in active campaign against the rebels at Atlanta and elsewhere, and have not been able to procure the necessary books and papers to make as thorough and complete a work of it as I could have desired ; still, it contains many truths which have been hidden from the public, and does justice to our horsemen, who, in too many cases, have been entirely overlooked.

My descriptions of fights and skirmishes, in many instances, may appear too brief and unsatisfactory; to which I can only reply that very many actions, which appear of great importance to the actors, are not of much general interest. On the other hand, where our Cavalry men have done the most brilliant things, I regret to say that I have been unable, in some cases, to obtain truthful and detailed accounts with which to do them full justice.

Chapter I

First Mounted Force authorized by Goyernment. — Organized in 1793. — Battle of Fort Eeoovery. — Battle of Maumee Eapids. — Cavalry disbanded in 1802. — Regiment of Light Dragoons raised in 1808. — Cavalry at the Battle of Tippecanoe. — Second Regiment of Light Dragoons raised in 1812. — Battle on the Mississinewa. — War with Great Britain. — Death of Lieutenant Colonel Backus at Sackett's Harbor. — Battle of Stony Creek. — Colonel E. M. Johnson's Kentucky Cavalry at the Battle of the Thames. — Covington's Death. — The Creek War. — Jackson's Mounted Men. — The two Regiments consolidated. — Cavalry at Lundy's Lane and New Orleans. — Close of the War with Great Britain. — ^Dragoon Regiment disbanded Page 13

CHAPTER IL

Battalion of Mounted Rangers raised in 1832. — The Black Hawk War. — First Regiment of Dragoons formed in 1833. — Officers and Organization. — Campaign west of the Mississippi. — Death of Lieutenant Izard. — Second Dragoons formed in 1836. — The Florida War. — Harney's Fight on the Carloosahatchee ; Sampson's Account of it. — Soldier's Life. — "The Dragoon bold." — Second Dragoons dismounted and remounted. — Tactics. — Services of the Dragoons. — Close of the Florida War. — Wild Cat's Story. — Dragoon Uniform 34

CHAPTER IIL The Mexican War. — Thornton's Capture. — Lieutenant Mason killed. — Palo Alto. — Resaca de la Palma. — May's Charge. — Rio Grande crossed. — Volunteer Cavalry Regiments. — Regiment of Mounted Eiflemen ordered to be raised, 1846. — Officers. — Monterey. — Cavalry Operations in California. — Battle of San Pascual. — Captains Johnson and Moore, and Lieutenant Hammond killed. — Lieutenant Colonel Fremont 53

A 2

X Contents.

CHAPTER IV.

Mexican Success at Encaniacion. — Buena Vista. — Third Eegiment of Dragoons formed in 1847. — Officers. — Harney's Cavalry Fight near Vera Cruz. — Cerro Gordo. — San Juan de los Llanos. — Mexican Cavalry. — Cavalry Operations near the City of Mexico. — Harney's Eeport. —Sumner's Eeport Page 78

CHAPTER V.

Doniphan's March to Chihuahua. — Affair at Sacramento.— Taos. — Fight at Huamantla. — Captain Walker killed. — Cavalry action at Atlixco. — The Pass of Galaxara. — General Lane's Night March after General Santa Anna. — Orizaba. — Padre Jarauta. — Agua Fria. — Fight at Santa Cruz de los Rosales. — Royall's Fight with Indians. — Third Regiment of Dragoons disbanded, 1848 104

CHAPTER VI.

Close of the Mexican War. — Cooke's March to California. — Mounted Rifle Regiment sent to Oregon. — Indian Depredations. — Fights in Texas. — Steen's Pursuit of Indians. — Death of Colonel Mason. — Lieutenant Stuart killed. — Captain Van Buren killed. — Fights with the Apaches. — Davidson's Fight. — Affair in the Guadelupe Mountains. — Captain Stanton killed 123

CHAPTER VIL The First and Second Regiments of Cavalry ordei-ed to be raised, 1855. — Officers. — Colonel E. V. Sumner. — Colonel A. S. Johnston. — Harney's Indian Fight on the Blue Water. — Distinctions between Heavy and Light Cavalry. — Arms of the Dragoons, Cavalry, and Mounted Riflemen. — Saddles. — Grooming. — Marching. — Riding. — Shoeing. . 140

CHAPTER VHI.

The First Cavalry in Kansas. — March of the Second Cavalry to Texas. — Skirmishes with the Indians of Texas. — Skirmishes in Oregon and New Mexico. — Indian Fights. — Captain Gibbs wounded. — Lieutenant B. F. Davis wounded. — Lieutenant John B. Hood's Fight with the Camanches. — Colonel Sumner's Fight with the Cheyennes. — Mormon Troubles. — Sufferings of the Cavalry. — Close of the Mormon Difficulties 168

Contents. xi

CHAPTER IX.

Steptoe's Defeat, and Death of Captaiu Taylor and Lieutenant Gaston. — Battle of the Four Lakes, Oregon. — Battle at the Witchita Village, Texas. — Lieutenant Van Camp killed. — Indian Skirmishes in 1858. — Camels used for Scouting in Texas. — An Officer's Life on the Frontier. — Fight in the Valley of the Nescutunga Page 182

CHAPTEE X.

The Cortinas Troubles in Texas. — Captain McLane killed. — Battle at Solomon's Fork of the Arkansas. — Skirmishes with Indians in 1859 and 1860. — Cortinas Troubles continued. — Commencement of the Rebellion. — Twiggs's Treason in Texas. — Escape of the Second Cavalry from Texas. — The Third Regiment of Cavalry added to the Army, 1861. — Its Officers. — Resignations among Cavalry Officers. — Crossing the Potomac. — Cavalry Affair at Fairfax Court-house, Virginia. — Battle of Blackburn's Ford.— Battle of Bull Run.— All of the Mounted Regiments consolidated and called Cavalry '. 202

CHAPTER XI.

The Battle of Wilson's Creek.— The Fight at Lexington, Missouri.— Fredericktown. — Zagonyi's Charge at Springfield. — Cavalry Regulations. — Cavaliy Regiments to contain twelve Companies. — Mill Spring. — Pea Ridge. — Valverde. — Shiloh.— Cavalry Operations on the Peninsula.— Williamsburg.— Gaines's Mill 220

CHAPTER XII.

Fight at Lebanon, Tennessee. — Curtis's March through Arkansas. — Fight at the Waddell Farm.— Fight at Stewart's Plantation.— Fight at Cache Eiver.—Fight at Jasper, Tennessee.— Guemlla Skirmish at Memphis, Missouri. — The Cavalry under General Pope. — South Mountain. — Antietam.— General Sedgwick wounded.— Harper's Ferry.— luka. — Skirmishes. — Lieutenant Colonel Hogg killed 237

CHAPTER Xm.

Pursuit of General Stuart by Pleasanton's Cavalry.— Fights near Lexington, Kentucky.— Skirmishes.— Expedition into Mississippi.— Fight near Coffeville.— Lieutenant Colonel McCuUoch killed.— Cavalry at Prairie Grove. — Capture of Rebel Cavalry near New Haven, Ken-

^11 . Contents.

tacky. — Snicker's Ferry, Virginia. — The Cavalry at Murfreesbor- °»g'i Page 254

CHAPTER XIV.

Gallant Fight near Barnesville, Virginia.— Indian Battle in Washington Territory.- Fight near Yorktown, Virginia.— Major Mudd killed.— Skirmishes. — Cavalry Fight at Kelly's Ford. — Fight at Brentwood, Tennessee. — Grierson's Raid. — Lieutenant Colonel Blackburn killed. — Battle of Fayetteville, Arkansas 276

CHAPTER XV.

Fight at Patterson, Missouri. — Battle at Cape Girardeau. — Rebels captured near Franklin, Tennessee. — Fight at Spottsylvania Court-house. — Lieutenant Colonel Mc Vicar killed. — Fight near Warrenton, Virginia. — Stoneman's Raid. — Kilpatriek's Operations. — Davis's Operations. — Cavalry Skirmishes. — Cornyn's Uaid. — Promotions. — Cavalry Bureau.— Cavalry Battle at Beverly's Ford 299

CHAPTER XVL A List of Cavalry Regiments which have been in the Service of the United States during the great Rebellion, with the Names of the Colonels or Commanding Officers 327

ILLUSTEATIONS.

Cavalry Column on the, March Frontispiece.

Battle of Resaca, Mexican War, May charging with his Dragoons... 57

Indian Fight, Battle of Four Lakes 186

Cavalry Charge at Gaines's Mill 234

Battle of Kelly's Ford 282

Map of Grierson's Raid 291

Map of the Vicinity of Richmond 303

HISTORY

OP THE

UNITED STATES CAVALRY.

CHAPTER I.

First Mounted Force authorized by Government. — Organized in 1793. — Battle of Fort Recovery. — Battle of Maumee Eapids. — Cavalry disbanded in 1802. — Regiment of Light Dragoons raised in 1808. — Cavalry at the Battle of Tippecanoe. — Second Regiment of Light Dragoons raised in 1812. — Battle on the Mississinevva. — War with Great Britain. — Death of Lieutenant Colonel Backns at Sackett's Harbor. — Battle of Stony Creek. — Colonel E. M. Johnson's Kentucky Cavaliy at the Battle of the Thames. — Covington's Death. — The Creek War. — Jackson's Mounted Men. — The two Regiments consolidated. — Cavalry at Lundy's Lane and New Orleans. — Close of the War with Great Britain. — Dragoon Regiment disbanded.

I SHALL attempt to write the History of the United States Cavalry Service under the present government, from the inauguration of President Washington in 1789 to this time, to show its rise,from small and almost insignificant beginnings, until it has become one of the most powerful military arms the w6rld has ever seen.

It is not my intention to go back to revolutionary times tp recount the exploits of Lee's and Washington's legions in the South, or of Sheldon's light horse in the East during that period, but to give a clear view of what has ocli History of the

curred since our regular army has been established. It would be impossible for me, even if I wished to do so, to give a history of the doings of the celebrated- partisan of&cers before alluded to; and, in truth, our mounted service in the Eevolutionary War accomplished no very notable work, and seems to have been considered as a secondary matter.

This fact holds good with regard to the second war with England; and, indeed, the cavalry service in this country was looked upon as comparatively worthless until a recent period.

The first mounted force which was organized under the present government was authorized by an Act of Congress of March 5th, 1792, which gave the President the power to raise at his discretion a "squadron" of cavalry to serve for three years, to be under a major commandant of cavalry. The squadron was made up of four troops, consisting each of one captain, one lieutenant, one cornet, six sergeants, six corporals, one farrier, one saddler, one trumpeter, and sixty-five dragoons. The pay allowed to the cavalry soldiers, or light dragoons, for these terms were at that time used synonymously, was not such as would at this day rouse the cupidity of our people. The major commandant received fifty-five dollars per month, captains forty dollars, lieutenants twenty-six dollars, cornets twenty dollars, sergeants six dollars, corporals five dollars, trumpeters four dollars, and privates three dollars per month.

This corps, under Major William Winston, of Virginia, was organized at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1793, and in the autumn of that year moved to Fort

Recovery, in Ohio. There were some officers of much promise in this small force, among whom, conspicuous for their subsequent usefulness, were Leonard Covington, of Maryland, and Solomon Van Rensselaer, of New York, both of whom were subalterns, and both of whom rendered signal service.

This handful of men afterward bore an honorable part in the succeeding campaigns. The defeat of General Harmar in 1790, and of General St. Clair in 1791, had emboldened the Indians of the Northwest, and they considered themselves able to overthrow the whites.

It. was reserved for Wayne to undeceive them, and in the victorious defense of Fort Recovery, on the 30th of June, 1794, and at the battle of Maumee Rapids, August 20th, 1794, they were signally defeated. In both of these actions the cavalry bore a conspicuous part ; and Cornet Daniel Torrey was the first United States cavalry officer who gave his life for his country. He was killed at the defense of Fort Recovery. Captain Robert Mis Campbell was killed at Maumee Rapids, and Captain Solomon Van Rensselaer was severely wounded at the same time. I give the following accounts of these battles :

On the 29th of June, 1794, Major McMahon marched with eighty riflemen, under the command of Captain Hartshorn, and fifty dragoons, under the command of Captain Taylor, for Fort Recovery, as an escort to three hundred pack-horses, loaded with flour for the garrison. On the morning^ollowing, after they had deposited their loading, and were preparing to set out on their return, they were attacked by a force of twelve hundred Indians. Captain Hartshorn, who had advanced with the riflemen about a quarter of a mile into the wqpds, immediately took post on a very strong, commanding piece of ground near the garrison, and with great bravery maintained the unequal fight till Major McMahon, who had put himself at the head of the cavalry, was killed, as was Cornet Daniel Torrey and Captain Taylor, and many of the men wounded. The enemy now attacked Captain Hartshorn, and, at the moment when they were pushing to cut off his communication with the garrison, Lieutenant Drake and Ensign Dodd sallied out at the head of twenty soldiers, who turned out voluntarily on the occasion, and joined him after beating the enemy at the point of the bayonet. At this instant Captain Hartshorn received a shot which broke his thigh. Lieutenant Craig was killed, and Lieutenant Marks taken prisoner. Lieutenant Drake now ordered a retreat, and, on endeavoring to hold the enemy in check so as to give the men time to save Captain Hartshorn, he received a shot in the groin. The enemy now pressed so hard as to compel the men to leave their captain.

Great numbers of the Indians must have been killed, as they came forward in column up to the very muzzles of the guns. Lieutenant Mitchel, who was with Captain Hartshorn, but whom he had detached with a few active men to the flank of the enemy, was now missing ; and while their companions in the fort were deploring their fate, and had given them up as lost, they saw him and Lieutenant Marks rushing through the thickest of the enemy at opposite directions, and although numbers of guns were fired at them "they got in safely. Lieutenant Mitchel lost every man of his party except three, and

Lieutenant Marks got off by knocking down the Indian who took him.

The Indians were observed to carry off numbers of killed and wounded on pack-horses. The loss of the Americans was twenty -three killed and about forty wounded. The party commanded by Captain Hartshorn brought in ten scalps of the enemy.

I copy the following extract from General Wayne's official report of the battle of Maumee Rapids to the Secretary of War, as I can show the doings of the cavalry in this way better than by attempting to write an account of the fight myself.

" It is with infinite pleasure that I announce to you the brilliant success of the Federal army under my command in a general action with the combined force of the hostile Indians and a considerable number of the volunteers and militia of Detroit, on the 20th of August, 1794, on the banks of the Miamis, in the vicinity of the British post and garrison at the foot of the Eapids.

" The army advanced to Eoche de Bout on the 15th, and on the 19th we were employed in making a temporary post for the reception of our stores and baggage, and in reconnoitring the position of the enemy, who were encamped behind a thick, bushy wood and the British fort.

"At eight o'clock on the morning of the 20th the army again advanced in columns, agreeably to the standing order of the march ; the legion on the right, its right flank covered by the Miamis ; one brigade of raounted volunteers on the left, under Brigadier General Todd; and the other in the rear, under Brigadier General Bar-

18 Hiskrry of the

bee. A select battalion of mounted volunteers moved in front of the legion, commanded by Major Price, who was directed to keep sufficiently advanced, and to give timely notice for the troops to form in case of action, it being yet undetermined whether the Indians would decide for peace or war.

" After advancing about five miles, Major Price's corps received so severe a fire from the enemy, who were secreted in the woods and high grass, as to compel them to retreat.

"The legion was immediately formed in two lines, principally in a close, thick wood, which extended for miles on our left, and for a very considerable distance in front, the ground being covered with old fallen timber, probably occasioned by a tornado, which rendered it impracticable for the cavalry to act with effect, and afforded the enemy the most favorable covert for their mode of warfare. The savages were formed in three lines, within supporting distance of each other, and extending for near two miles at right angles with the river. I soon discovered, from the weight of the fire and extent of their lines, that the enemy were in full force in front, in possession of their favorite ground, and endeavoring to turn our left flank. I therefore gave orders for the second line to advance to support the first, and directed Major General Scott to gain and turn the right flank of the savages, with the whole of the mounted volunteers, by a circuitous route. At the same time, I ordered the front line to advance and charge with trailed arms, and rouse the Indians from their covert at the point of the bayonet, and when up to deliver a close and well-directed fire on their backs, followed by a brisk charge, so as not to give them time to load again or to form their lines. I also ordered Captain E. M. Campbell, who commanded the legionary cavalry, to turn the left flank of the enemy next the river, which afforded a favorable field for that corps to act in.

"All these orders were obeyed with spirit and promptitude ; but such was the impetuosity of the charge by the first line of infantry, that the Indians and Canadian militia and volunteers were driven from all their coverts in so short a time that, although every possible exertion was used by the ofi&cers of the second line of the legion, and by Generals Scott, Wood, and Barbee, of the mounted volunteers, to gain their proper positions, but part of each could get up in season to participate in the action, the enemy being driven in the course of one hour more than two miles through the thick woods already mentioned by less than one half their number.

" From every account, the enemy amounted to two thousand combatants. The troops actually engaged against them were short of nine hundred. This horde of savages, with their allies, abandoned themselves to flight, and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving our victorious army in full and quiet possession of the field of battle, which terminated under the influence of the guns of the British garrison.

" The bravery and conduct of every officer belonging to the army, from the generals down to the ensigns, merit my approbation.

"Lieutenant Covington, upon whom the command of the cavalry devolved (Captain Campbell being killed),

20 History of ike

cut down two savages witH his own hand, and Lieutenant Webb one in turning the enemy's left flank.

" The wounds received by Captains Slough, Prior, Van Eensselaer, and Eawlins, and Lieutenants McKenny and Smith, bear honorable testimony of their bravery and conduct In fact, every officer and soldier who had an opportunity to come into action displayed that true bravery which always insures success. And here permit me to declare that I never discovered more true spirit and anxiety for action than appeared to pervade the whole of the mounted volunteers ; and I am well persuaded that, had the enemy maintained their favorite ground for one half hour longer, they would have felt most severely the prowess of that corps.

"But, while I pay this just tribute to the living, I must not neglect the gallant dead, among whom we have to lament the early death of those worthy and brave officers, Captain Campbell and Lieutenant Towles, who fell in the first charge."

Wayne's victory settled the Indians of the Northwest for a number of years ; and the scJldiers who had borne so honorable a share in the campaign were sent eastward, where the volunteers disbanded.

The term of service of the cavalry (three years) expired in 1795 and 1796, and on the 31st of October of the latter year, all of the regular light dragoons, with the exception of two small companies, were also disbanded.

On the 16th of July, 1798, the mounted force of the Federal army was augmented by the addition of six troops of light dragoons, which, together with the two then in service, formed a regiment, which was placed under command of "Lieutenant Colonel Commandant" John Watts, of Virginia, who received his appointment on the 8th of January, 1799. The men of this regiment were ■ " to be enlisted for and during the continuance of the existing differences between the United States and the French Eepublic, unless sooner discharged."

By an Act of Congress of March 2d, 1799, three regiments of cayalry were authorized to be raised for the United States army. Each regiment was to have consisted of five squadrons of two companies each, but they were never filled up. On the 14th of May, 1800, Congress ordered the officers and men heretofore raised to be discharged, with the exception of the officers and men of two troops of dragoons ; and on the 16th of March, 1802, under President Jefferson, these two companies were legislated out of service, and our army was left without any mounted men.

In the cavalry force organized in 1799 appear the names of several officers who subsequently gained distinction. Prominent among them is the name of Alexander Macomb, junior, who was born in Detroit on the 3d of April, 1782. He entered the service as cornet of cavalry, January 10th, 1799, and became a second lieutenant in 1801. He was retained in service when the cavalry was disbanded, and, after a most honorable life, died while major general and general -in -chief of the army, at Washington, June 25th, 1841. ' John De Barth Walbach, born in Germany, and who had seen service as an officer in the Eoyal Alsace Eegiment of Prance, and in the Eohan Hussars of Germany, left Europe during the French Eevolution, and entered our service as first lieutenant and adjutant of cavalry, January Sth, 1799. He continued in it until the time of his death, in June, 1857, at which time he was a brevet brigadier general. George W. P. Custis, the protege of "Washington, also entered the service as cornet of cavalry in 1799, though he remained in it but a short time.

On the 12th of April, 1808, Congress ordered a regiment of light dragoons, of eight troops, to be raised, to serve as light infantry until mounted.

Wade Hampton, of South Carolina, was appointed colonel; Leonard Covington, of Maryland, was appointed lieutenant colonel ; and Electus Backus, of New York, was appointed major. The young Cornet Haxtun, of this regiment, was killed in a duel at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, December 29th, 1809.

This was the mounted force of the republic at the time of the commencement of the War of 1812. Hampton was promoted brigadier general February 15th, 1809, when Covington became colonel ; Backus, lieutenant colonel ; and Jacint Laval, of South Carolina, major. After the death of Backus and the promotion of Covington to the grade of brigadier general, Laval became colonel ; Major Nelson Luckett, of Virginia, lieutenant colonel ; and Captain Arthur P. Hayne, of South Carolina, major.

In Harrison's campaign against the Indians in 1811, a volunteer cavalry battalion was in service, and acquitted itself most admirably. This was Major Jo Daviess's battalion of Kentucky and Indiana cavalry. At the battle of Tippecanoe it rendered very important service ; and Major Daviess was mortally wounded while leading it against the Indians, under Tecumseh, on the 7th of November, 1811. Jo Daviess, at the time of his death, was one of the most eminent men in the Western States, and his untimely fall cut short a career which would, no doubt, have been of the greatest benefit to his country. His bearing during the battle was gallant in the extreme, and he was ably seconded by the brave men of Kentucky and Indiana, who on that day won a renown which has since been cherished as one of the brightest pages of American history.

On the 11th of January, 1812, Congress ordered another regiment of twelve companies of light dragoons to be added to the army. James Burn, of South Carolina, was appointed colonel, and James V. Ball, of Virginia, major. On the 17th and 18th of December, 1812, Major Ball greatly distinguished himself, and was breveted lieutenant colonel. This was at what is known as the actions on the Mississinewa, near the head of the Wabash Eiver, in Indiana, fought by the United States dragoons and a body of volunteer troops under Lieutenant Colonel John B. Campbell against the Delaware and Miami Indians. First Lieutenant James Hedges, of the 2d Dragoons, was wounded at this battle. On account of the lateness of the season, many of the men in this campaign were badly frostbitten, and the horses of the dragoons were completely broken down.

On the 12th of June, 1812, war was declared against Great Britain, and on the 29th of May, 1813, Sackett's Harbor was attacked by a British force under the personal command of Sir George Provost, governor of Canada. The garrison at that place consisted of about two hundred and fifty dismounted dragoons of the 1st regiment, sixty artillery men, and about eighty recruits, the whole being under command of Lieutenant Colonel Blectus Backus, of the 1st Dragoons. As soon as Backus learned of the approach of the British, who were coming up on the water, he sent word to General Brown, who was some twelve miles distant, to come to his assistance at once. Brown immediately called together all of the available militia force, and upon reaching the town the fight commenced. The militia soon gave way, and Backus was left to do the best he could. The fight was obstinate, and he soon fell mortally wounded. In the mean time General Brown had used all his efforts, eventually with success, to reform a portion of the militia, and force the British back to their boats. They retreated, but had done considerable damage to our people, as during the fight the ship -yard had been set on fire, and property worth more than half a million of dollars had been destroyed.

Backus's death was a severe blow, and our loss, considering the forces engaged, considerable.

The battle of Stony Creek, Upper Canada, was fought on the 6th of June following. This was a most singular affair, and reflected no great credit either upon our troops or the enemy. It appears that Generals Cnandler and Winder, of the United States Army, with about 1300 men, were detached for the purpose of making an attack upon a British force under General Vincent. The latter, upon learning what was going forward, himself became the attacking party, and, with about 800 men, in the night made his way into Chandler's camp, capturing both Generals Chandler and Winder, five officers, and ninetythree men, besides four pieces of artillery. In addition to this, we had seventeen, killed and thirty-eight wounded. But our people, getting some insight into the state of affairs, drove the British off, they losing about two hundred and fifty, of which number one hundred were taken prisoners. Colonel Burn, with the whole of the 2d regiment of Dragoons, was near by, but took no part in the action, though the command devolved upon him after the capture of the generals. He gave as his excuse for not pursuing the enemy his ignorance of knowledge of infantry tactics. On this account the British got off, though it is not at all certain what would have been the result had he followed even with a superior force. His excuse would not at this day be considered as exactly valid.

In the West the volunteer cavalry did well, particularly at the battle of the Thames.

General Harrison had prepared himself for battle during the night, and early on the morning of October 5th, 1813, seeing the British infantry in front and on the right in open order, he gave the order to Colonel Eichard M. Johnson to charge with his regiment of Kentucky cavalry. This was promptly executed ; and the only movement worthy the name of a cavalry charge which occurred during the second war with Great Britain was gallantly carried out. By it, in fact. Proctor's infantry force was entirely broken up and captured. Johnson then turned to the left, and attempted to charge a large Indian force which was stationed in the edge of a growth of timber, but he found the ground was swampy, and his horses commenced sinking. Seeing this, he ordered his men to