Three years in the federal calvary

Front matter

THE UNIVERSITY

OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY

Q4-<bt

Preface

I HAVE for a long time intended the publication of this book, for I thought that such a work would not only be found interesting to the public, but would do justice to the brave men with whom it was my fortune to be associated during the dark hours of the rebellion. To serve them is imd ever will be my greatest pleasure.

The remarkable features and events of our late Cavalry movements in Virginia and elsewhere, visible to me during the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, were noted daily in my joiirnal. From that diary this story of our raids, expeditions, and fights is compiled.

My descriptions of battles and skirmishes, in some cases, may seem too brief and unsatisfactory ; to which I can only say that scores of engagements, which to the participants appear to be of vast importance, have very little general interest. On the other hand, however, it is to be regretted that where our gallant 1^

X Preface,

horsemen have done the most brilliant things, it has been impossible for me, in many instances, to secure reliable and detailed accounts with which to do them full justice.

WiLLARD Glazier.

Chapter 1. The War Fou The Union. — Contest Begun

PAGE.

1861. — Enthusiasm of the North. — "VVashmgton Threatened. — Bull Run, and Its Lessons. — General Scott and the Cavalry. — Enlistment under Captain Buel. — The Harris Light Cavalry. — Leaving Troy, New York.— Captain A. N. Duffi6. — Drilling and Fencing at Scarsdale, New York. — Bound for the Seat of War. — Philadelphia.—Baltimore. — Washington. — Camp Oregon., . . 19

Chapter II. Camp-life And Its Influences

1861. — Our unmilitary Appearance. — First Equipage. — My Black Mare. — Good and Evil Influences. — News-Boys. — Mail-Bag. — Letter-Writing.— The Bugle Corps. — Camp-Guard. — Guerillas under Turner Ashby. — Mounted Drill. — Laughable Experiences with Horses. — Southern Egotism.— Northern Fancies. . . 27

Chapter III. Preparations For Active Service

1861. — ^First Advance. — " Contrabands," their Hopes and Treatment. — Union Ranks Filling Up. — Promotion. — Foraging and its Obstacles.— Scouting and its Aim. — Senator Harris visits the Command.— Ball's Bluff. — Recruiting Service. — Interesting Incidents. — Camp Palmer. — "Contrabands" at Work. — Drilling near Arlington Heights.— Colonel George D. Bayard. — Fight at Drainesville 89 zii

Contents.

Chapter IV. The Advance To The Rappahannock

1862. — All quiet along the Potomac." — Preparations. — Army of the Potomac Moves ! — Capture of the " Quaker Guns " at Centreville. — Eeturn to Defences. —Guerillas. — Their Attacks and Stratagems. — The Bovine Foe. — Picketing ; how it is done. — Sufferings. — McClellan to the Peninsula. — Virginia Weather and tlie People. — General Augur's Advance to the Eappahannock. — Lieutenant Decker's Bravery and Death. — Night Charge on Falmouth Heights. — Fredericksburg Surrenders. — How Citizens regard us.— Guarding a Train to Thoroughfare Gap. — Fight and Captures at Flipper's Orchard. — Shenandoah Valley. — The Fifth New York Cavalry, First Ira Harris' Guard. — Death of Turner ' Ashby.— Strange Cavalry Tactics. — Personal Bravery of Captain Hammond.-— End of the Peninsular Campaign 49

CHAPTEE Y.

pope's campaign in northern VIRGINIA.

1862. — Kilpatrick at Beaver Dam. — Captain John S. Mosby. — Keturn of the Raiders. — Complimentary Orders. — The Harris Light at Anderson's Turnout. — Rebel Account of the Scare. — General John P. Hatch, his Misfortunes and Justification. — Reconnoissances. — Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Hospital at Culpepper. — ^ General Stuart in Close Quarters. — His Adjutant-General Captured.— Death of Captain Charles Walters. — Pope driven back and waiting for Reinforcements. — Kilpatrick's Fight at Brandy Station. — Waterloo Bridge. — Bristoe Station. — Manassas Junction.— Battle of Groveton. — Second Bull Run. — Chantilly and Death of Kearny. — General Pope resigns 72

Chapter VI

rebel INVASION OF MARYLAND.

1862. — Result of Pope's Campaign. — ^Rest and Recruit at Hall's Hill. — My Maryland ; " Its Invasion. — Offensive Policy of the Rebellion.— Pennsylvania and the Whole Country Aroused. — Battle of South Mountain. — Harper's Ferry. — Colonel Miles. — His Treachery and Death. — Bloody Battle of Antietam. — Drilling Kecruits. — The Harris Light again at the Front. — At Chantilly. —

Contents. xiii

PAGE.

Sudley Church.— Leesburg.—McClcllan again Relieved from Command .95

CHAPTER YIT.

MCCLELLAN SUCCEEDED BY BURNSIDE.

1862.— Burnside's First Campaign. — Army of the Potomac in Three Divisions. — Advance from Warrenton to Talmonth. — General Stahel's Kaid to the Shenandoah. — Laying Pontoons across the Eappahannock under Fire.— Battle of Fredericksburg.— Daring Feats and General Heroism. — Death of General Bayard. — The Hospitals. — Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — Camp "Bayard."— Camp-Fires. — Winter Quarters. — Friendly Eelations of Pickets.— Trading.— Pay -Day.—" Stuck in the Mud." . . .105

Chapter VIII

ORGANIZATION OF A CAVALRY CORPS. 1863. — General Hooker assumes Command of the Army of the Potomac.— Demoralization. — Reorganization. — A Cavalry Corps. — General George D. Stoneman in Command. — Death of Sergeant May. — Forests of the Old Dominion. — The Cavalryman and his Faithful Horse. — Scenes in Winter Quarters. — Kilpatrick. — His Character.— QuaHfications of the True Soldier. — A New Horse. — A Mulish Mule. — Kilpatrick's Colored Servants in Trouble. — Terrific Hail-Storm. — Major E. F. Cooke Honored. — Colonel Clarence Buel 124

Chapter IX. Rebel Chiefs And Their Raids

1863. — Rebel Raids by Stuart, Imboden, and Fitz-Hugh Lee. — John S. Mosby, Guerilla Chief — His Character. — His Command. — Daring and Plunder. — Aided by Citizens. — Condition of the Country Favorable for their Depredations.— Our Picket Lines too Light. — Attacks on Pickets at Herndon Station, Cub Run, and Frying-Pan Church. — Miss Laura Ratcliffe, Mosby's Informant.—Mosby at Fairfax Court House.— Capture of General Stoughton.— Fight at Chantilly.— Mosby lauded by His Chiefs. — Mosby beaten at Warrenton Junction.— Severely whipped at Greenwich, where he loses a Howitzer captured from Colonel Baker at Ball's Bluff. 143 xiv

Contents,

CHAPTER X. CHANCELLORSYILLE AND STOI^EMAN's RAID

1863.— Review of tlie Army by the President. — Deserters Pimislied. — Sports and Pastimes. — Stoneman's First Move. — Storm. — Eeconnoissance to Warrenton. — Another Move. — Other Storms. — Catching *' Eabbits."— Stoneman's Great Eaid on Lee's Communications.— On tlie Virginia Central Kailroad. — Kilpatrick at Louisa Court House. — He Marches upon Richmond. — Bold Advance near the City. — Important Captures. — Retreat over Meadow Bridge. — Destructions. — Bushwhackers. — Happy Rencounter. — Safe Arrival at Gloucester Point. — Public Prints. — Battle of Chancellorsville. — Heroism and Defeat. — Stonewall Jackson Falls. — Hooker Injured. — Retreat. — Orders 161

Chapter XI

FROM YORKTOWN TO FALMOUTH. 1863. — Curiosity Satisfied. — Pastimes on the York River. — Religious Services; their Influence. — Raid to Mathias Court House. — Sickness and Recovery. — From Gloucester Point to Falmouth. — Exciting Details. — Correspondence of Mr. Young. — The Press. — With the Army of the Potomac again. — Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station. — Bold Charge of the First Maine Cavalry. — The Chivalry iiiirly Beaten.— Death of Colonel B. F. Davis, Eighth New York Cavalry.— Interesting Letter of a Rebel Chaplain.— Casualties. — What was Gained by the Reconnoissance. — Pleasonton and Kilpatrick Promoted. — Rebels Raiding in Maryland 203

Chapter XII

SECOND INVASION OF MARYLAND. — GETTYSBURG. 1863. — Invasion of the Northern States. — Kilpatrick at Aldie. — The Bloody Battle. — Daring Deeds. — Colonel Cesnola, Fourth New Y'ork Cavalry. — Incidents. — Victory. — Advance to Ashby's Gap. — ^Pleasonton's Official Report. — Rebel Movements on Free Soil. — Difficulties in the North. — The Cavalry Corps Crosses the Potomac at Edward's Ferry. — General Meade succeeds Hooker. — Orders. — Changes in the Cavalry. — Movements. — Kilpatrick'a Fight with Stuart at Hanover Junction. — Solemn and Laughable Scenes. — Buford's Division Opens the Fight at Gettysburg. — Death of General Reynolds. — First Day's Repulse.— Second Day.

Contents.

XV

PAGE.

— Eebel Advantages. — Tliird Day. — Last Grand Effort. — Death of General Farnsworth.— The Kepublic just Saved. . . .225

Chapter XIII. Retkeat Of The Bebels From Gettysburg

1863. — National Rejoicing. — The Enemy Retreating. — Feebly Pursued.—Reconnoissances. — Kilpatrick Gives the Enemy a Fourth of July Entertainment at Monterey Pass. — Storm and Terror. — Immense Train Destroyed, and Hosts of Prisoners Taken. — Pitiable Condition of Stuart's Cavalry. — ^Battle of Hagerstown. — Captains Peufield and Dahlgren Wounded. — Wonderful Exploits of a Union Scout. — Kilpatrick and Buford at Williamsport. — Cavalry Fight at Boonsboro. — Stuart Defeated. — Hagerstown Retaken.— Orders to Advance, One Day Too Late. — Kilpatrick Chases the Flying Foe. — Fight at Falling Waters, Last Act in the Drama. — Great Bravery of Union Troops. — Last Vestige of , the Invaders Wiped Out. — Bivouac and Best 267

CHxiPTER XIY.

KILPATRICK's GimBOAT EXPEDITION.

1863. — Escape of Lee into Virginia. — Eeasons. — Cavalry Advance into the Valley ma Harper's Ferry.— Riot in New York and other Northern Cities. — Again Across the Potomac on " Sacred Soil." — Blackberries and Discipline. — Mails. — Battle of Manassas Gap. — Mosby Again, and His Bands. — Kilpatrick's Gunboat Expedition on the Eappahannock.— Cavalry Captures Navy.— Complimented by Superiors. — General Advance of the Army. — Third Cavalry Battle at Brandy Station. — Stuart's Cavalry Worsted at Culpepper Court House. — Sharp Artillery Practice at Raccoon Ford, on the Rapidan.— Special Duties and Special Dangers. — . Good Living Along the Hazel and Robertson Rivers. — Important Reconnoissance and Raid. — Hard Fighting and Narrow Escape.—Needed Rest Received. — The Paymaster. — Rebel Plan of Attack Foiled by a Citizen Informer.— Suspicious Activity on Our Front 298

CHAPTER Xy.

CAPTURE OF THE AUTHOR.

1868.— Fight at James City.— Music of Eetreat.— Fourth Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station.— Critical Situation. — Kilpatrick Unxvi

Contents, daunted. — Davics and Caster. — The Grand Charge. — The Escape. — The Scene. — Subsequent Charges and Counter-charges. — The Cavalry Kouted. — The Eappahannock Recrossed in Safety. — Infantry Eeconnoissance to Brandy Station. — Comical Affair at Bealeton Station. — Thrilling Adventure of Stuart.— His Escape. — Battle of Bristoe. — Casualties.— Eetreat Continued.— Destruction of Eailroad by the Eebels. — Kilpatrick at Buckland Mills. — Unpleasant Surroundings. — Sagacity and Daring. — The Author's Capture. — Fall, Insensibility, Change of Scene. — The End. — Introduced to Prison Life 827 of MllxxBtxatiouB.

PAGE.

1. Portrait of the Author, - FroutiBpiece.

2. Our Cavalry Leaders, - -- -- -- 17

3. Cavalry Column on the March, - - - - . - 37

4. IS'ight Attack on Falmouth Heights, - - - . 61

5. Burial of Captain Walters at Midnight, during Pope^s Retreat, - 87

6. Federal and Rehel Pickets Meeting on the Rappahannock, - 119

7. Cavalry Scouting Party Halting for the ISTight, - - - 173

8. Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station, ----- 215

9. The Cavalry Bivouac, - - 277

10. Cavalry Battle at Bucklaud Mills, Ya., and Capture of the Author, 323

THREE YEARS IN THE FEDERAL CAVALRY.