'
■•
.
.
•
■
John A. norncr
£L nrm t is />
HA.
^
r
/■ /■< / J // rs / // .
/ ;; f s r< /- ^/y-e^z>t*>*>-c>'-m^4'.
COLES CAVALRY;
OR
THREE YEARS IN THE SADDLE
IN THE
SHENANDOAH VALLEY,
i I
C. ARMOUR NEWCOMER.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.
BALTIMORE:
( Pushing & Company,
Booksellers and Stationer?. 34 W. Baltimore St.,
1895-
\
\ *> <\s
Enter-ip v. sordiog to Act of Congress, in the year 1895,
By C. ARMOUR NEWCOMER,
In the > ' 1 1 iria I tngresa, at Washington, D. C.
HANZSCHE & CO.,
Printers and Engravers,
Bal riMi >re, Md.
DEDICATED
TO THE
SONS AND DAUGHTERS
OF THE
LOYAL SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
OF THE
LATE REBELLION, 1861-65.
INIJKX.
PORTRAITS.
THe Author fronting title.
Col. Henry A. Cole " p. 115
POETRY.
Page
Cole's Troopers, by Comrade Scott 38
Loudoun Heights, Va., January 10th, 1864. 97
Sheridan's Ride to Winchester 157
A-Fightin' with Cole 162
HISTORY.
Chapter.
I. Introduction 9
II. Formation of Code's Ca valry 11
Original Members Company A 12
The following were accidentally omitted :
Martin L. Firestone, Daniel Link,
Hanson T. C. Green, Dennis Stnll,
Devilhiss.
Original Members Company B 14
" " " C 15
Errata.— John E. Gibson should be John E. Gilson.
Charles A. Gibson should be Charles A. Gilson.
Original Members Company D 17
Recruits August 19, 1863, for Company D, 18
Skirmish with Ashby's Cavalry 20
" Royal Coffee," 21
Duel with Cavalry Sabres 22
Vi COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Chapter. Page
III. The First Battle at Winchesteb 24
Skirmish at Kernstown 24
Capture of Author and 12 men by Cap- tain Baylor 26
Breakfast of soft boiled eggs in crock. . 27
IV. Tobacco Warehouse and Belle Isle ... . 29
Disappointed in not being Paroled 31
Bet made, but not yet paid 31
V. Home Again 32
Fight at Leesburg and Casualties 33
Back at Harper's Ferry 36
How "Captain" Cox killed his man.. . . 36
VI. Siege of Harper's Ferry 41
Order of Col. Miles to Cavalry 42
Cavalry crossing into Maryland 43
Major Cole as Courier with Message to
Genl. McClellan 45
VII. Harassing the Enemy 47
Capt. Baylor, of 12th Va. Cavalry, cap- tured by Capt. Vernon 48
Stealing Confiscated Whiskey from Pro- vost Marshal 50
VIII. Engagement at Sharpsburg 51
Major Harry Gilmor driven from Fred- erick 5]
IX. Battle of Gettysburg — Retreat of
Lee's A km v 54
Burning Bridge at Harper's Ferry 55
Capture and Execution of two Rebel
Spies 55
Lieutenant Rivers' daring exploit 56
COLE'S MARYLAND I A v A i.l:V. \ ii Chapter.
JX. Raid to Rector's Cross Roads 59
Skirmish at Snickersville 60
Skirmish al Upperville 60
Retreal from Rector's ( ross Roads.... 61
X. Raid to Ne\h Market 63
Disappointment of M « * 1 1 in regard t<»
captured tobacco 64
XI. I N < 'AMI' AT BOLIVA i: II BIGHTS 66
Reconnoisance up the Valley <i~
XII. The Visit to Berryville 'i'-1
Capt. Gallagher takes supper at the
Hotel, filled with Confederates 71
Capt. Gallagher has his leg broken. .. 7.'5
X1IL Engagement at Charlestown 76
Defeat and Capture of 9th Md. Regi- ment 76
Casualties in the Engagement 7!»
XIV. Strasbjejrg — Mt. Jackson — Tin-: < Ionpede- rate "Independent Maryland Link"
at n ew m arket 81
Their Stampede 84
XV. Harrisonburg — Staunton Road 86
XVI. In Camp at Harper's Ferry — Scouting
at Leesburg 90
Falling back before Mosby 90
Cowardly shooting of Wm. Millholland 91 XVII. Mobley, the Outlaw — Surprised by
Mosby 93
Death of Mobley 93
Night Attack on Cole's Camp by Mosby 94
Repulse of Mosby 95
Captain Vernon wounded 96
Viii COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Chapter. Pago
XVIII. Pursuit of Mosby — Attempt to Cap- ture Major Cole 100
Casualties at Loudoun Heights, Jan- uary 10, 1864 102
XIX. Report of Battle and Complimentary
Letter of General Halleck 10-4
Report of Major Cole 104
Brig. Genl. Kelly's Endorsement. . . . 105
Gen. llalleck's Complimentary Letter 105
Gen. Lee's Pass to Lieut. Colston. . . . 106 XX. Sent to West Virginia — Mechanics'
Gap 108
Partaking of Confederate Banquet. . 108
Fight at Mechanics' Gap 109
Old Billy Staton— Anecdote 110
Errata— 13th line from top for " Captain," read "command," p. 111.
XXI. Re-Enlistment — List of Officers.... 113
Reception at Frederick City 113
XXII. Roster of Officers under Reorgani- zation 1 15
Field and Staff 115
Non-Commissioned Staff 117
Company A 117
2nd Lieutenant Hanson Green, private, promoted to Sergeant, to 2nd Lieutenant : resigned December, 1802.
Company B 118
C 119
" D 120
" E 121
" F, G, H 122
I, K, L 123
" M 124
Chapter. P«fi
XXIII. Shenandoah Valley 126
Sigel's Defeat al New Market 126
Battles under Hunter L26
Retreat before Early 128
Skirmish al Middletown 130
XXIV. Monocacy Bridge Scoutingen Fbed-
BRICK ( JOTJNTY L31
Fight with Early 131
Defeat of Wallace and Tyler 131
Loyal Citizen — George Blessing. . . . 132 Capture of Rebel officers at Mr.
Preston's 133
Capture of Rebel pickets (four) by
the writer 136
XXV. Return to Virginia 138
Escape of Genl. Tyler and Lieut.
Goldsborougli from being captured 138
Early's return to Virginia 139
Crook's defeat at Kernstown 140
Franklin Dickson's refusal to have
his arm amputated 141
XXVI. Return to Maryland — Fight at Ha-
GERSTOWN AND ShARPSBURG 142
Errata— 1th lint, -Jinl paragraph, " Williamsport " should be "McCoy's Ferry."
Retreat from Dam No. 4 142
Fight at Hagerstown and falling
back 143
Briscoe's fall and dislocation of hip 144
X COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALBY.
Chapter. Page
XXVII. Burning of Chambersburg 146
Failure of Mc( lausland and Johnson
to cross into Virginia 147
Prevented by "iron-clad" car bat- tery 147
Genl. Averill pursuing the Rebels. 148
X X Y 1 1 1 . Battle at Keedysville 149
Defeat of Rebel Cavalry 150
The Boy Bugler, — Allen Greer. . . . 151
X XIX. Rebels recross into Virginia 153
Sleeping Vedette 153
XXX. Under Sheridan in the Shenandoah
Valley 155
Battles participated in 155
XXXI. Brigaded by General Sheridan — objected to by Colonel Cole — and objections sustained by sec- RETARY of War 160
Conclusion 166
Cole's Cavalry;
or
THREE YEARS in the SADDLE
In the Shenandoah Valley.
CHAPTER L
INT RO 1> D CT [ON,
The following pages were written at the solicitation of a number of the survivors of Cole's Cavalry, and T herewith present a brief history of this once famous command, confining myself entirely to facts; most of the incidents related coming under my personal ob- servation.
The strong Southern feeling prevailing in Baltimore
culminated in a violent outbreak on the 10th of April, 1861. The march of the Sixth Massachusetts Regi- ment, on their way to the defence of the Nation's Capitol, in response to President Lincoln's call for troops, was obstructed l>y a mob composed of the baser elements of society, and the troops were attacked in the streets with stones and firearms ; many citizens attracted to the scene by curiosity were shot down by the soldiery, which had a tendency to further inflame the excited feeling of the populace. Any one known
10 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
as an outspoken Unionist, or giving expression to loyal sentiments, was often the subject of insult, and at times of personal violence. A number of citizens, who were opposed to Secession, left the city for safety — myself among the number. I visited relatives in the western part of the State, who were large slave- holders and Southern sympathizers, and who endeav- ored to influence me to cist my fortunes with the ( onfederaey.
Although connected by ties of birth and blood with the South, I loved my country and flag better than my State or section. A number of my relatives liv- ing in the cotton States had already identified them- selves with the Southern cause. One of my relatives, (Mr. Rench,) who had not yet crossed the Potomac, tried to persuade me to accompany him, and, failing in this, he started alone and was shot by a Union Picket at Williamsport, Maryland. I resolved to enter the Federal Army and was determined to join the first Cavalry command that was organized in my native State. Since the riot, affairs in Baltimore had assumed an entirely different aspect, owing to the occupancy of the city by the Government forces, under the command of Major General Benjamin F. Butler, and those of us who were compelled to leave so hastily on account of our Union sentiments, now had an opportunity of returning to our homes with- out fear of molestation.
CHAPTER II.
P( IBM ATHiN (H COLE'S CA VA LEY.
On the 28th day of August, 1861, myself, with four- teen other young men, enlisted for three years, or during the war. We went to Frederick City, Md., where Company A had already been mustered into the service; Company B was forming in the extreme western part of the State; and Company C had a goodly number on their rolls from Eminittsburg and drettysbnr^-, Pennsylvania. Company D, the Company I joined, had several more detachments join n- from Baltimore City and Howard County, Maryland, which enabled us to lie mustered regularly into the service of the United States. At the time of formation, the four Companies, A, B, C, and I), were separate and independent of each other.
Company A elected for their Captain, Heney A. Cole, from Frederick, who, after the consolidation of the Companies, became the Major of the Battalion, and on the reorganization of the command in 1864, became the Colonel of the Regiment, and the com- mand from its formation as a Battalion, was known as Cole's Cavaley.
Richaed ( Iooms was made First Lieutenant, Geo. W. F. Veenon was made Second Lieutenant. Lieutenant Vernon later became the Captain of his Company, and on the reorganization in 1864, became Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment.
12 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Original Men/hers Company A.
Henry A. Cole, Captain.
Richard Cooms, First Lieutenant
Geo. W. F. Vernon, Second Lieutenant.
Lewis M. Zimmerman, First Sergeant
Geo. W. Lease, Second Sergeant.
Isaac T. Devilbiss, Third Sergeant.
Martin L. Kaufman, Fourth Sergeant.
I'd ward V. Gannon, Fifth Sergeant.
.lames W. \V. Virts, Sixth Sergeant.
John A. Hudson, Seven th Sergeant.
Basil II. Alhaugh, Eighth Sergeant.
David E. Orrison, First Corporal.
William F. TJlrick, Second Corporal.
Jeremiah Everly, Third Corporal.
James H. McDevitt, Fourth Corporal.
Joseph H. Stansbury, Fifth Corporal.
Peter J. Caughlin, Sixth Corporal.
David Speck, Seventh Corporal.
Roland H. Henry, Eighth Corporal.
James W. Forsyth, Sadler.
John W. Crim, Farrier.
Charles W. Beaty, Farrier.
David W. Carnes, Wagoner. Ashmeyer, W. Cubitts, John M.
Angelberger, Thos. T. Dellet, John J.
Badeau, Edgar. Dern, Abraham.
Betson, Joseph. Dixon, Franklin.
Bishop, Charles A. Early, John W.
Cline. Frederick. Fd wards, James.
Crawford, B. F. Fogle, Henry.
Crawford, Joshua M. Fogle, Solomon.
Cromwell, Arthur H. Fouch, Temple.
Crouse, John A. Fosler, Charles.
COLE S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
I.',
Fraley, John P.
Fry, Martin.
Grams, Jonal ban < '. Grams, Prank D. Mull, John I'- ll,II. Levi M. Hargetfc, David Q. I large! t, Geo. B. Harris, Edward V. Earner, Wm. II. Hornie, Christopher. llouck, David. Jacobs, Philip A. Jones, David. Eeedy, Walter II. Kelly, John A. Kerns, John. Killian, John. Kintx, Daniel. Kreglo, Isaiah A. Lacoy, Alfred. Manderfield, II. A. Mathews, C. A. Main, Geo. W. Moore, Edward W. Me Knight, Jos. T. Miller, Henry. Miller, John. Murphy, Harvey A. Myers, John.
Null, Harvey T. Orrison, Logan. Rice, .lull. Routzahn, Alfred. Shaefer, < has. Shaefer, Jos. 1 1. Shill, Samuel D.
Sniit h, < leu. S. (Smith, Martin. Smelzer, U. W. Staley, Simon M. Stone, Edward V. Stone, Samuel.
Stott, James H. Stottlemeyer, A. .1. Sweeney, Chas. Tall, Erasmus. Tinterman, Win. Tollinger, < ''en. Wachter, (J. S. Wachter, G. R. Wachter, T. M. Washburn, I >. L Watson, John. Wheeler, Thos, Wildei'S, .lames. Wolf, William. Yoste, C. M. Young, George.
This Company during its service had over two hun- dred members, the greater portion was wounded, killed or died in prison.
14
'<Ml.s MARYLAND CAVALRY.
William Firey was selected by the members of Company B as their Captain, John Mf.tz as First Lieutenant, and A. M. Florey as Second Lieutenant.
Brush, Jacob. Bell, P. M. Boggs, William. Coppich, Charles. Carpenter, Jonathan. Craft, Andrew. Dick, David. Davis, Thomas. Diel, Reuben. Dennis, Jerry. Donaldson, Thomas. Drake, Benjamin. Ever, Isaac. Filles, Frank. Foos, Gotleib. Fink, .Michael. Good, John. Gletner, James. Hoefly, John. High, Rolla; Holland, Daniel. Holland, Joseph. Ira, Isaac. Jones, William. Jackson, John. Johnson, William.
Original Members Company B.
William Firey, Captain. Albert Metz, First Lieutenant. Alex. M. Florey, Second Lieutenant.
Jack, Mathias.
Karns, Jacob.
Keefer, David.
Keefer, Silas.
Lucas, William.
Links, Henry.
Lormon, George U.
Miller, Daniel.
Myers, John W.
Mills, Samuel.
Medea If, Otho.
Mann, Wesley B.
May hew, Harvey.
McKinny, Lake.
Miller, John.
Mills, Amos.
Pearl, Resou.
Roger, James.
Robinett, Mathias.
Rivers, Samuel.
Rivers, John L.
Rockwell, John.
Suf'acool, William.
Sufacool, Joseph*
Si i lie, J. \. Sosey, Abraham.
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. 15
Stoufer, Jacob. Spit nauss, A.
Steffey, William. Vance, William.
Smith, I [arrison. Wiley, Jerry.
Sleigh, ( 'harles. Wiley, Harrison.
Strole, Samuel. Wolf, Hamilton.
Smith, Clark. Weaver, George.
Company B during its service had more than one hundred and seventy-five members, a large percentage
was killed, wounded or died in prison.
John Horner was chosen as ( laptain of Company C, with John M. Annan as First Lieutenant, and Wash- [ngton Morrison as Second Lieutenant.
Original Members Company C.
.Mm Horner, Captain. John M. Annan, First Lieutenant. Washington Morrison, Second Lieutenant. William A. Horner, Orderlj Sergeant. Alexander M. Walker, Quarter- Master Sergeant. Oscar McMillan, First Sergeant.
Samuel J. Maxwell. Second Sergeaut. Iliram S. McNair, Third Sergeant. George Guinon, Fourth Sergeant. Oliver Johnson, First Corporal. David VV. Lougwell, Second Corporal. Andrew A. Annan, Third Corporal. Oliver A. Horner, Fourth Corporal. Mosheim S. Plowman, Fifth Corporal. John E. Gibson, Sixth Corporal. John M. Swan, Seventh Corporal. William White, Eighth Corporal. Maxwell J. Cable, Firsi Bugler. Albert M. Hunter, Second Bugler.
16
COLK's MARYLAND CAVALRY.
William B. Wenk, Fust Farrier. William F. Weikert, Second Farrier. Samuel J. Wolf, Sadler. Peter Wolf, Teamster.
Bennett, Joseph A. Hollar. John A. Buckingham, Henry. Geise, George. Coyle, John B. Crouse, William A. Currens, William H. Deihl, .Martin. Dorsey, Charles F. D upborn, Thomas W. Fites, Theodore. Flohr, lieu hen. Pritchey, Alfred H. (iehr, Henry. Gel wicks, George. Gillelan, (ieorge. Gihson, Charles A. Grimes, James. Gettier, Henry. Hartzel, Jacoh. Hollebaugh, John Z. Huber, John M. Hughes, Henry. Hizer, Lewis. Jacobs, George W. Kehn, Calvin. King, Hiram. Knott, John E. Lott, William II. McAlister, Theodore.
McCullough, James. McPharland, William. Merving, Edwin W. Mcllhenny, William A. MeNair, Samuel. Morritz, John N. Morison, Lake B. Myers, Jacob E. ( taker, John H. Reaver, Henry A. Keck, Elias 0. Richards, Isaac. Scott, James A. Seitz, John. Shaugheny, John. Sherfey, Thomas B. Shilt, David. Spangler, George. Spon seller, (ieorge. Stah 1, Jesse. Shriver, Geo. W. Test, Joseph U. Thomas, Levi F. Turl, Henry. Weigle, Daniel E. Weikert, George W. Welsh, Oliver. Weible, Joseph E. Wills, Joseph II. ('. Wilson, Samuel D.
COLE1 m \ i". i \ \ l> CAVALRY
17
Wolford, Thomas. Wolf, John I'.
Hilli ary, Hem j I '
I'm.. -i nk, Samuel.
Company C's tnembersbip during their Bervice wbm near two hundred, ;i large percentage was killed, grounded or t;i ken prisoners.
This Company made more changes in their officers than any Company in the command. [See Roster ..r Officers. |
Piebce K. Keirl became the Captain of Company D, with Robert Milling as First Lieutenant, and Francis Gallagher as Second Lieutenant.
Original Members Company 1>.
Pierce K. Keirl. Captain. Robert Millery, First Lieutenant Francis Gallagher, Second Lieutenant. Stephen George, Orderly Sergeant.
Armstrong, Benjamin. Ah. ( lonrad. Bennett, Charles. Bennett, Andrew J. Bull, Charles. Ball, Joseph. Boyd, Andrew .1. Brown, Thomas. Brown, Weorge. Buford, George. Bowman, William. Bryan, Stephen. Chamber, Ceo. W. Cox, Geo. H. Craig, Donald.
Casey, James. Craft. John. Davis, Charles. Davis. Lafayette. Dawson, Louis. Dennis, < 'harles.
Edmonds, Ea
El ton head, Thomas I >• Earnshaw, Jan Eddy, John. Forward, Samuel. Frost, John. Fowler. Randolph. ( m orge, Stephen. Goff, John W.
is
COLES MARYLAND CAVALRY
Gruber,-Charle8. Grubb, .James. Gebbins, Oliver. Godfrey, Thomas. Grogg, William. Howard, Henry. Hugg, Benjamin. Hilleary, Edward. Hitzelberger, William. Hoofnagle, Charles.
Hirshberger, .
Iseminger, A. \aw is, Arthur. McCauly, Adolphus. McOonnell, Duncan. McGregor, William. Mills, Samuel. Mills, Amos. Millholland, William. Marks, Henry. Moiiis, Hickman. Newcomer, C. Armour. Nice warner, Web. O'Brian, John. Orr, James C. Purden, Charles.
Pierce, John Q. Padgett, J. William. Rhodes, Augustus C. Stansbury, John W. Stansbury, Alphens. Shank, Otho. Smith, William. Sakers, John. Seifert, .John. Stewart, William. Stull, Henry. Sigler, Samuel B. Staton, William. Sweitzer, Jeremiah. Stead man, Wm. 13. Sullivan, J. W. Trich, Henry. Talbott, Howard. Winters, Harvey. Winters, Wm. H. Winters, Warren. Welsh, Wm. H. Welsh, Richard.
Wheeland, .
Wif-'gans, John. Williams, John B.
Ihtachnient of Recruits Company D, Aug. 19, 1863.
Allen, William. Beal, Robert B. Barthelow, George. Brown, William. Benner, Alonzo. Carr, William.
Delevan, Francis. Doherty, John. Good, Joseph. Giles, Edward. Holmes, He«ry C. Hoffman, Henry.
COLE'S makyi.an D <• \v.\ i.i:v. L9
Hawk, Thomas. Keindollar, William.
Lanning, James. Scarlet, Joseph.
Lailer, Johnson. Smith, William.
Mc( labe, .lames E. Smit h, Thomas.
Moore, John. Turner, William.
Nail. William. Valentine, Vincenl V. Pilcher, Joseph.
Company D had more men ou its rolls during the war than any Company in the command, numbering Over two hundred and fifty. Its loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was two-thirds of its mem- bership.
The Companies were now thoroughly equipped
and ready for active service, and were ordered to guard the Potomac River, which in the winter of L861-62, they were constantly patrolling from Fred- erick to Cumberland. Company B, under Captain Win. Firey, was sent to Western Virginia. The boys were commencing to look upon soldiering in a dif- ferent light from what they did when they left their comfortable homes ; the winter was severe, but there was no complaining of the hardships they were com- pelled to endure.
During the winter General Jackson's forces had made their appearance on the south side of the Po- tomac, opposite Hancock, Maryland, and on the 7th of January, 1862, had sent a flag of truce to General Landers, the commander of the small body of Fede- ral troops stationed at that point, to surrender the town. Company A o[' Com:'- Cavalry were hastily sent from Hagerstownj Company I> was patrolling
20 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
from Hancock to Williamsport ; the first Maryland Infantry, Colonel John R. Kenly, was also ordered from Williamsport to join with Landers. A fearful snow storm had set in and the weather was bitterly cold. On arriving at Hancock the Rebels had fallen back ; Cole crossed the river and followed through I'.a.t h or Berkeley Springs, within a few miles of Win- chester, and not coming upon the enemy, returned to Maryland, again crossing the Potomac at Hancock.
I will not attempt to give a detailed history of each Company; but of the incidents which came under my personal observation. The Spring of 1862 had rolled around ; troops were being concentrated at dif- ferent points along the Potomac River. It was ru- mored there would be a general advance into Vir- ginia, and we were all eager for the command to cross over, and at last the order came. How well I remember the fears that many of us had ; we wrote to our friends at home that we were about invading the enemy's country, and it was doubtful if any of us would ever return alive.
In March, 1862, my Company with others, crossed the river with General Williams, at Williamsport. We advanced upon Martinsburg, West Virginia, and without seeing a sign of the enemy we occupied the town. Colonel Ashby's Virginia Cavalry were reported to be in the neighborhood of Winchester, and Captain Cole with Company A, was ordered on a reconnoisance, and at Bunker Hill they came across Ashby's Confederates, who greatly outnumbered Cap- tain Cole; the boys of Company A charged the enemy and were driven back, then commenced their maiden
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. 21
fight, the skirmish was spirited while 11 lusted; our boys were reinforced by a Company of [nfantry, and Colonel Asliiiy fell back. Captain Cole had his fa vorite gray mare shot from under him; and a rifle ball <'nt a lock from his flowing beard. Dennis stull was killed ; Waller II. Keedy and Jonathan I ». Grimes were wounded; Captain W. II. Whittleson, Assistant Adjutant General of Williams' Brigade of Banks' Division, had his horse killed under him. Tie- loss of our comrade, and Looking noon those thai were wounded cast a feeling of sadness over the command, but we soon ceased to mind seeing wounded soldiers and others shot to death.
An amusing incident occurred while encamped near Bunker Hill, which came near proving a very serious affair. The First Maryland [nfantry Regi- ment under Colonel John R. Kenly, afterwards Gene- ral Kenly, was encamped with others at Bunker Hill, for a few days. There was a distillery close by. and a member of one of the Companies soon discovered there was liquor to be had; the boys filled their camp kettles, and it was not long before a number of the soldiers were drunk. The cook of one of the Companies, had made coffee with half whiskey and half water, and there was quite a number came near dying, after drinking the coffee. (The cook was George McCurley, of Baltimore, who called it "Royal Coffee.") Colonel Kenly placed a guard at the distil- lery to prevent any one from getting more liquor, but when an examination was made >f the premises, not one pint of whiskey was in the building, tin- boys had gotten in through the rear window, and
-'2 COLE*S MARYLAND CAVALRY".
removed all the liquor whilst the guard had been guarding the front for several days, not knowing he was guarding an empty building; it is needless to say. the guard was sent to his quarters with a reprimand. (The leader of the gang, Sergeant Bill Taylor, afterward captured and confined in "Libby Prison," from which he made his escaped, and after wandering in the mountains for three months, joined his company; and was afterward promoted to a cap- taincy.)
On March 11th, 1862, General Williams ordered an advance, with Cole's Cavalry in the lead. We came upon the enemy at Stevens' Station, five miles north of Winchester, and for many of us, we were under fire for the first time. Ashby's Cavalry fell back and on the following morning, (Sunday, March 12th, 1862,) Cole's Cavalry charged into Winchester and had the honor of being the first Union troops that had ever been in that historic town. Colonel Ashby was aga in routed.
At Stevens' Station I was called upon to witness a. duel, fought with Cavalry sabres, between two mem- bers of my Company, John Chambers, known as " Ginger," a notorious character, who enlisted from and lived at Harper's Ferry, and James Orr. It ap- pears that they had a trifling dispute in reference to their proper position in the skirmish line. I had requested them to stop quarreling and fight the Rebels; they could settle their differences when they encamped for the night ; not dreaming my advice would be taken. Chambers was a powerful man, weighing two hundred and fifty pounds ; his oppo-
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
nent, < >rr, had been In the United States Navy prior to the war, and understood the Babre exercise. The Brigade had stopped for the night. The principals stripped to the waist, and commenced a deadly << »in- bat with their Cavalry sabres; they were on the edge <>l' the camp, with no one to witness the fight but myself and a few members of Company I». Chambers, being the Larger man, was the aggressor, but his cuts and thrusts were skilfully parried. After fighting for some time Chambers made a fearful cut, his opponent's guard was broken and he received an ugly cut on his arm. Both parties being satisfied, they donned their clothing and we all re- turned to camp. It was some months before the remainder of the Company knew the fight had taken place. Chambers and Orr became fast friends for the remainder of their service in the Army.
CHAPTER III.
THE FIRST BATTLE AT WINCHESTER.
General Stonewall Jackson came down the Shen- andoah Valley. General Shields was now in com- mand of the Union forces at Winchester. The pick- ets were attacked Saturday morning, March. 22, 1862, at Kernstown, three miles south of Winchester, and by evening the skirmish became quite lively, and on the following morning, Sunday, the fight became general. After the battle liad been raging all day, General Jackson was beaten back, leaving his dead and wounded on the field; Cole's Cavalry with Gene- ral Banks' division, who had arrived, followed Jack- son for several days. General Banks assumed com- mand, with headquarters at Winchester. Our Cav- alry was constantly on the go, with an occasional skirmish with the enemy's Cavalry. General Shields was shot through the body in this engagement but recovered.
Myself, with others of the command, and a de- tachment of the First Michigan Cavalry, were de- tailed to act as General Banks' body guard and cou- riers. The day following the occupancy of Win- chester, one of our number, Tom Godfrey, an Irish- man, rushed into the quarters, very much excited; we expected to hear some startling bit of news, when he informed the officer in charge of his having wandered into the Medical College and of seeing terrible sights. A number of us concluded to make
COLE'h MARYLAND OAVALU 26
an investigation, and sure enough a number of sub jects were in the dissecting room and one colored Lad <»n the table, partly dissected, the students hav- ing lefl the town on our entrance. It was not long before the building was overrun with soldiers, and many valuable specimens of various kinds found In a medical college were destroyed. One skeleton was supposed to be that of <>M John Brown, who was hung a few years prior, or one of his sons, who was executed at the ^awr time, al Charles town, Va.
The command continued toscoutin the surround- ing country and was constantly on the move, until Banks' memorable retreat. Cole's battalion brought up the rear; Companies A and (' went to Harper's Ferry, and Company I> was the last Union troops to cross the Potomac River at Williamsport, having been continuously in the saddle for over thirty-six hours. They were ordered to Hagerstown to rest horses and men. In a few days Company D went to Harper's Ferry, and when the army again ad- vanced, Cole's Cavalry was found in the lead; Jack- son had returned up the valley and the command was constantly on the go, contending against small bands of Confederate Cavalry. Mosby's, White's and Harry Gilmor's commands had to be Looked after; and Major Cole was kept busy; his headquarters being at Harper's Ferry.
A detachment of twenty men were sent from Com- pany D to Smithfield, an outpost, fifteen miles from tin' Ferry, under command of Lieutenant Robert Milling. The men had been in the village several weeks, the citizens showing them every courtesy,
2
•2<i COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
inviting the in to their homes and entertaining them in the most hospitable manner. The boys lost their usual vigilance. Lieutenant Milling, the officer in charge, with a Sergeant and several men, accepted an invitation to attend a party, several miles from the camp ; they were promised a good time. The Lieutenant's head was turned by the psrsuasion of a beautiful woman. The party was gotten up simply for the purpose of getting the officer from the camp, and the ruse was successful. Captain Baylor, with his Company of Confederates, many of its members from this very town, were notified that the Com- manding Officer was absent. Baylor took advantage of the circumstance and charged the run}), captur- ing thirteen of our number, not however without exchanging a number of shots. Lieutenant Milling was cashiered and dismissed the service. Major Cole who had been out on a scouting expedition with the Battalion, hearing of the capture, hastened to Smithfield, but too late, Captain Baylor with his prisoners had gotten away.
Being one of the number captured, I felt some- what dejected, when it was discovered that the com- rades in pursuit failed to overtake us, but I resolved to make the best of it. About midnight our cap- tors halted at a farm house, and placed us prisoners in an outhouse. After securing the door a guard was placed outside, and we were permitted to rest until the following morning, when we were again ordered to mount our horses and rode rapidly in the direc- tion of Woodstock. Finding we were no longer pur- sued by Major Cole, Captain Baylor ordered a halt.
COI.E H MARYLAND < A \ \ Lin . -j7
We were given Bomething to eat, and the prisoners were drawn up in line in front of a farm house, and the runner's daughter brought us a large milk crock full of s<»n boiled eggs that were intended for our breakfast; the crock \v;is passed along Hih line and each prisoner was told to help himself, by drinking the eggs from the crock. When the guard thought one of us had sufficient, he would compel us to pass the vessel in the nexl man. The boys on the lower end of the line kept calling out for their turn. We got nothing more to eat that day. An amusing in- cident occurred while taking our egg breakfast. Among our number was an old Irish chap, by the name of Duncan McConnell. Duncan had been up the Valley on one Of our many raids and had stop- ped at this very house, for a drink of water. After having quenched his thirst and was about taking his leave In' remarked to the very young lady who had served us with the eggs, that he would like to marry just such a pretty Rebel girl, not thinking at
the time that he should ever see her again. The
young lady's memory was good, and as soon a- -he saw Duncan she recognized him and informed her brother, who was one of our captors. The brother naturally was very much incensed, and inquired from the (dd fellow if he had ever before been up the Valley, and was informed of the charge his Sister had made. Duncan most positively denied ever being in this section of the country, and assured the young man, if he was fortunate enough to get out of this scrape, he would never be there again.
28 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
The young lady was most positive he was the party who had insulted her, but Duncan's persistent denial got him off. A number of the Rebel Cavalrymen were eager to hang the old man, as they stated it would be a warning to others not to insult their women. After we had gotten some distance on the road, Old Duncan told the boys he had used the lan- guage, but it was simply a jest and he had meant no harm.
("II \l'l ER IV.
DOB \< ICO w A REHOUSE \ P*D BELL] [81 E.
We arrived at Staunton, and were placed on tii" cars and started for Richmond. < >n arriving ;it the
Confederate Capital, we were escorted before the Provost Marshal, who directed thai we be searched and it is useless to state everything of value was taken from us. Our names, company and command were taken down by ayouni: clerk, but it proved after- wards were not entered on the ledger, and caused as much inconvenience later on. Wespent several days in the Old Tobacco Warehouse, known as Libby Prison, and with a number of others, sent to Belle Isle. Our names were called and each man answered to his name as it was mentioned. When the officer calling the list had gotten to my name, he requested me to stop to the front, at the same time remarking he would like to speak to me; at the conclusion of the roll call he turned to me and inquired where I was from and whether 1 had any connections living in the south'.' 1 replied in the affirmative, and mentioned a number who were then in the Confederate service. In speak- ing of a relative, the officer grasped my hand and mentioned the one referred to as his own brother-in- law. The guard and prisoners looking on could not understand why the Confederate Officer was shaking my hand and speaking so kindly to me, a Union Sol- dier. I had found a friend and determined to make the best of it. The officer stated lie was in chartre of
30 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
the guard on the Island, and I should not hesitate to speak to him on the following day, as I would recog- nize him, whilst he might not know me among so many. Several days passed and I saw nothing of my new friend. After several weeks, I was informed by one of the guards, that he was sick in the hospital, a month rolled around, when one day I was gratified to see the officer coming down the line and I did not hesitate to attract his attention. He was much pleased to see me again. After informing me of his attack of sickness, lie promised to interest himself in my be- half, a very amusing incident occurred. It was posi- tively forbidden for any one to trade with the prison- ers. The officer noticed a man with a barrel of apples; he had been selling them to the prisoners. The man was placed under arrest for violating the rules and he called two of the guards and dumped the apples from the barrel upon the ground. The temptation was so great, and not having tasted fruit for so long a time, I forget for the moment that I was speaking to my relative's brother-in-law, and dropped on my knees, filling my hat with the pedler's apples. I felt so mortified at behaving so rudely that I failed to speak to the officer after this occurrence. The lieutenant was from Jackson, Mississippi.
There was now over six thousand "Yankee" pris- oners, as we were called by the "Johnnies," on the Island. It was rumored that our Cavalry were raid- ing in the rear of General Lee's Army, and an effort would be made to release us from captivity. The authorities at Richmond became alarmed, and our captors commenced paroling us, working day and
((il.ll's m \ \:\ I, \ Mi CAVA LR1 . -"'1
night for several days. Three thousand paroled men left us one Saturday morning and the remainder were to follow on the following day. The names of the thirteen members of Cole's Cavalry who had been captured with myself, could not be round, as the Blip of paper the clerk bad written our names upon, had been mislaid and Mi<' names never entered on the register. We were sent with the paroled prisoners over to Richmond, and another examination <>r the rolls failed to And our names. We went to Aikin's Landing, on the James River, and after a consultation the Confederate Paroling Officer bad a guard placed over us and we were ordered back to Richmond, sus- pected of having broken our parole and of giving fic- titious names. In witnessing our former fellow pris- oners marching upon the United States transportsand we thirteen of Cole's men sent hack again to prison, our feelings can better be imagined than described. On the following morning after being returned to Richmond, our guards delighted in showing us the papers giving an account of our return and comment- ing, stating we would he court martialed; and would Likely be shot or hung. This was not very encourag- ing for us. In prison I was speaking about what our fate would be, when 1 remarked, "I suppose our time has come," one of our number, Thos. Eltonhead, a jovial fellow, jokingly remarked "he would wager an oyster supper, that we would neither he shot nor hung." .1 replied that "1 accept the bet: it was a good one if I lost." In a short time the authorities discov- ered their error and we were released. I had lost my bet. and was happy for it.
CHAPTER V.
HOME A.GAIN.
On our trip from Richmond to Baltimore, I was taken sick and we were sent to the parole camp at Alexandria, Virginia, remaining there several weeks. In the meantime I recovered my health. A number of our command, who had been taken prisoners, and paroled at various times, had been sent to parole camp at Annapolis. I could not get away from Alex- andria by pass, my friend Eltonhead and myself fell in with a squad that had been exchanged and we suc- ceeded in getting on the north side of the Potomac River, and in a short time reported at Annapolis. I had no difficulty in getting permission to visit my home, and remained there until I was properly ex- changed, when I again reported to my commanding officer at Harper's Ferry; in my absence many changes had occurred and many of my old comrades had been killed or wounded. Harper's Ferry had surrendered; and the great battle of Antietam had been fought and won by the Union Army.
Major Cole and his Battalion were constantly on the move in the summer of 1862, averaging twenty- five days of the month in the saddle, scouting through Loudoun and adjoining counties, east of the Blue Ridge Mountains and in the Valley and through West Virginia. The command on the various raids, inva- riably subsisted upon the country; never taking any supply wagons. And it is a remarkable fact that one
COLE'fl maun i.a.n D I \ \ a i,i:v. 3-°>
hundred miles urn- repeatedly covered In twenty- four hours. It was rumored at Harper's Ferry that Genera] Pope had defeated General Lee at Manassas, and Colonel Miles, commanding at the Ferry, ordered Major <'<»!<' to go to Leesburg, the extreme right of the Army of the Potomac, to capture stragglers of the Confederate Army who were reported In that vicinity. Companies A, (' and l> were ordered to move at once. Company 1) had been for some time operating in the mountains of Wesl Virginia. Tin- three Companies crossed the Potomac Kiver at the Point of Rocks, and arrived at Leesburg, Virginia ; the advance exchanging an occasional shot with stra^r- gUng bands of Mosby's and Major White's Confeder- ate Cavalry. When the command had gone several miles south of the town, it was observed that the Confederates were becoming more numerous, the rear guard was kept busy repulsing numerous onslaughts, and upon the hills on all sides were noticed increased numbers of the enemy, Major Cole concluded to fall back to the Potomac Kiver Lieutenant Green of Company A. who had relieved Company C in the ad- vance, was confronted with a large body of the enemy's cavalry. Lieutenant Green concluded that the forces were other than Mosby's and White's, and he immediately sent Sergeant Lewis M. Zimmerman to the rear to notify Major Cole, he himself falling back with his advance upon the main column, stub- bornly contesting the advance of the Confederates. When Lieutenant Green reached Major Cole, the Major had formed the command in a held surrounded by a stout post and rail fence, and it was none too
34 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
soon, for tlie Confederates charged over the hill. It was now discovered that instead of being a few Com- panies, it proved to be a brigade of General Lee's Cavalry. The gallant Maryland Battalion fought five to one; they discharged their pieces in the face of the enemy, but it was useless to contend against such over- whelming numbers. Major Cole gave the command to draw sal >res and charge; a number of the Battalion succeeded in cutting their way through the enemy's column, whilst a few of the men took to the moun- tains and reported, at Harper's Ferry on the following day. It is not known how many of the Confederates were killed. Cole's gallant command sustained a loss of over thirty men, killed and wounded; many receiving sabre cuts.
In numerous instances the men refusing to surren- der were cut down by the enemy's sabres.
Casualties in Company A.
Leesburg, Va., September 2, 1862.
First Sergeant Hall, killed.
Corporal Julius. Apple, killed. John Hall, wounded. Basil H. Albaugh, wounded.
Tims. M. Wachter, wounded. Jas. H. McDevitt, wounded. Win, Tinterman, wounded. J. 11. Stottlemeyer, wounded. Edward Stone, wounded. C. A. Wheeler, wounded.
Casualties in Company B.
Having waited for this list until the last moment, we were compelled to go to press without it.
COLE'S makyi. \\ D 'A VAI.IIV. ( 'ASI A LTIE8 IN < 'oMI-A \ N C.
Leesburg, l'"., September 2, L862.
Gforge Ceise, killed. Corporal Wills, wounded.
Samuel Bostick, wounded. Joseph E. Wible, w< ded.
Jas. A. Scotl and Sum I. N. McNair were both Beverelj wounded, McNair receiving a muskcl ball clear through the lui
The following were captured and paroled <ni the field: Captain A. M. Hunter, wounded. Sergeant < >. I>. McMillan, wounded. Sergeant S. J. Maxwell, wounded. Sergeant <!<■<>. < Iwinn, wounded. Corporal Wills, wounded. S. J. Wolf, wounded.
E. o. Peck, wounded. W. II. Scott wounded.
Geo. L. Gillelau, wounded. Jacob FLirtzell, wounded. I ». Wright, wounded.
Orderly Sergeant O. A. Horner, Sergeant A. A. Annan, and Private W. A. Mcllhenny deserve special mention for their bravery at Leesburg.
After the command having cul their way out, Ser- geants Horner and Annan, and Private Mcllhenny were surrounded by the enemy, and single-handed tliey forced their way through the Rebel line, using their sabres to good advantage; joining with a few comrades they brought up the rear and reported at the camp at Harper's Ferry, each comrade having slain one or more of the enemy.
Casualties in Company D.
Leesburg, Va.} September 2, L862.
Charles Davis, killed. McCann, killed.
John W. Sullivan, killed. John W. Williams, wounded.
Esom Edmonds, wounded. Chas. Bennett, wounded.
36 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
The following day most of the command had got- ten safely back to Harper's Ferry, being familiar with the mountain roads; Colonel Miles in command at the Ferry, congratulated Major Cole for his gallant light against superior numbers of the Confederates, and was surprised that the entire command had not been captured.
It matters not how serious an affair may be, there is always an amusing side to the same. There was a comical fellow belonging to Company D, (George < o.\,) better known and called by every one the "Cap- tain," born and reared at Harper's Ferry; he was well acquainted in Loudoun and adjoining counties.
Many the time was when apple jack was hard to get; the Captain would swing several canteens across his shoulder, visit some of his former friends and neighbors, and invariably return to camp with can- teens full, and the Captain as full as the canteens. He would be the life of the picket post and could tell more amusing yarns than any man in the battalion, and naturally became quite a favorite. There was one peculiar thing that puzzled the boys, and that was after the fight at Leesburg, the Captain seldom could be prevailed upon to go on a scout, or could he be gotten into a fight; it had gone on for some time and the Captain was requested to explain his conduct, in his own quaint way he would remark he had killed his man and he knew it to be a fact. He stated that when he enlisted he had fully made up his mind to kill one of the enemy, and if every Union soldier would do likewise, the Confederate Army would be annihilated. Naturally the boys were much interested
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. 37
to know how and when the Captain had slain one of the enemy, and in liis own way, Baid, thai when Major Cole gave the command to charge, In- was only provoked at I he Major for not giving the order iooner, he had managed to get out of the field and had been cut off, but struck the pike, leading t<> the Poinl of
Rocks, and had <•<> lenced to congratulate himself,
he was all right, when he discovered three horsemen in his rear galloping towards him and commanding him to surrender. Visions of the horrors of Libby Prison and Andersonville loomed np before him, and he concluded he would give them a run for it. The loads had been shot from his carbine and revolver, and knowing he could not contend against the three •'Johnnies" with his sabre, he kept repeating the litt\e verse about the man, "that fought and ran away, lived to fight another day." Be refused to halt; he counted each shot as the enemy discharged their pieces and was gratified when the firing ceased, and two of them drew rein and halted, but one blood- thirsty Gray back kept thundering on behind him, and was in the act of drawing his sabre with the intention of cutting him down; (the Captain was en- couraging his horse and vowing if he succeeded in making his escape he would never be caught in such a scrape again,) he noticed a large rock in the cen- tre of the road; his horse cleared the obstruction, but the Confederate in trying to draw his sabre pulled his horse too close to the bank, and in jumping over the rock his horse stumbled and fell upon its rider and broke his neck. That is the way Captain (o\
38 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
killed his man. He contended that if the fellow had not been following him his horse would not have fallen and the rider would not have been killed.
COLE'S TROOPERS.
By ((iMiiAiiB Jas. a. Scott, of Company C.
How the memories flocking come
I >r the trial-days of war, Blast of bugle, roll of drum,
Round tin' Heights of Bolivia-!
From the mists of vanished years Cole's brave troopers come to view ;
And the past all reappears And is acted o'er anew.
We behold the col mini stand In the serried ranks of war,
Heart, to heart, and hand to hand, On the Heights of Bolivar.
Then we trace them from their camp, Oft through hat tie Bres and flames,
While their horses thundering tramp From Potomac to the dames.
And from Loudoun's hills and plains,
To and fro in strength and pride, Marched they, oft with crimson stains,
To the far Ohio's tide
On the march by day or night,
Songs of love or war they sang; How that one — their chief delight —
" Glory, Hallelujah !" rang!
i ole's ma in l, an l> cava ley.
'Neath the midnight's gloomy arch,
Weill h t he sun's meridian ray. When i he summons came i<> march
Sw ifl I luvy mounted, and aw av '
( >', r the river's rugged ford,
I her lull ami mountain crag, Subject lo t heir leader's word,
I learl: and eye upon i he flag !
Oft in hunger and distress.
Scorching heat and hitler cold Their endurance none t he less
Nor their loyal hearts less bold.
Wheresoe'er the foe was found
On they charged with shot and steel,
Or they nohly stood their ground 'Mid the cannon's thunder-peal!
Hear them shout at Winchester
As they dash into the fray — Where in battle thrice they were,
Each a dark and hloody day!
How to meni'ry rise again
Charlestown, Smitbfield, Berryville, Woodstock, Romney, MooreSeld's plain,
Cedar Creek, and Fisher's Hill !
Leesbnrg, Aldie, Rectortown,
Waterford and Upperville, Gettysburg — of world renown —
Loudoun Heights, whose niem'ries thrill !
40 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Ashby's Gap, Monocacy,
Sharpsburg's day of loyal might,
Sad Newmarket's I ragedy,
Piedmont's well-contested Bghl ;
Kail of Staunton, Lexington,
Lynchburg and its dire retreat — Empty haversack and gun —
In starvation, dust, and heat!
Some went down to bloody graves,
Struck with shot or shell or blade, Others died in mud and eaves
h\ the horrible stockade !
Others perished by degrees
From the wounds received in strife.
Some a prey to fell disease, Slowly yielded up their life.
Now the marches long and sore, Fights by day, alarms by night,
Now the shot and cannon's roar, Call to mount and march and light
Are to them forgotten tilings ; — But in reminiscent thought,
Mem'ry oft the spirit wings To each well remembered spot.
And the rustic there at eve, 'Neath a dim and dusky sky,
In his fancy may conceive
He can hear them pass him by —
Hear the clashing of their steel,
Hear their song — now soft, now loud- See the column inarch and wheel, Men and steeds of mist and cloud!
CHAPTER VI.
si EUE <»!•' ii A i;ri;i: s PEKUY
The command, on arriving al Harper's Ferry after their disastrous ftghl a1 Neesburg, counted up their losses, and in a few days were again ready For active service.
The ( !onfederates were moving upon I [a rper's Ferry in great numbers, General Dixon s. Miles, U.S. A., in command, was being surrounded. The great guns on Maryland Heights were booming day and uight, the forces at Bolivar Heights were contending with a force in their front, and it was rumored the Confed- erates had crossed the river farther west, and the enemy was gradually working their way in the rear of (lie Union forces on Maryland Heights. It was evident to all that Harper's Ferry must fall; there was not spare sufficient to handle all the troops con- centrated at Harper's Ferry; they were in a trap; their opportunity for evacuating the Post had l>een lost and there was nothing to be done but surrender. The rank and file thought they had been sold out and did not hesitate to give expression thereto. After the capitulation, Colonel Miles was shot and killed, and it was generally supposed by one of his own men. If he was a traitor lie received his just deserts. A great injustice has been done Colonel Miles, as he was a competent officer, and the stigma upon his name should be removed. He was under orders from Washington, and it was his duty to obey. 5
42 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
There was a large force of Cavalry at the Ferry. General Jackson was expecting to get the horses that Lee's Army so much needed. Major Cole had his little band of Cavalry drawn up in line, and stated, that without a doubt, they would all be prisoners on the following day. [f the men so willed it they should endeavor to cut their way through the enemy's lines. Every officer and man in the command that had a horse fit for duty told the Major they would follow him, let it be to victory or death. Lieutenant Green and Lieutenant Samuel Mills, Of \ and 1) Com- panies, urged their men to prepare themselves for the worst, and every man was supplied with an extra amount of ammunition. The officers of the various companies personally superintended seeing that no man carried any extra luggage.
< lolonel Miles approved of the undertaking- and issued the following order:
HEADQUARTERS,
Harper's Ferry, Va., 14th Sept., 1862.
Special Order No. 120.
1st. — The Cavalry force at this Post, except detached orderlies, will make immediate preparation to leave here at 8 o'clock to-night, without baggage, wagons, ambulances or lead horses; crossing the pontoon bridge and taking the Sharpsburg road.
2nd. — The Senior Officer, Col. Voss, will assume command of the whole; which will form in the fol- low ing order: the right at Quartermaster's < >Hice; the left up Shenandoah Street, without noise or loud command, viz: Cole's Cavalry, 12th Illinois Cavalry,
COLE'h M \ UY LAN l> CAVA l.l:Y. I I
Nth New York Cavalry, Rhode Island Cavalry, Maryland Cavalry. No other Instructions can !>•• given i<» the Commander for his guidance than to fore*' his w;iy through the enemy's Lines to our army.
By onirr of Col. Mi les,
(Signed) II. c REYNOLDS
Lieut, and A. A. A. ( renl.
It wms soon known that Cole's Cavalry was going to undertake a hazardous tusk as soon as night ap- proached. Officers and men of the different Cavalry commands besieged Cole's camp .and requested that they be permitted to join with Major Cole, and Lr" out with the Maryland hoys: the request of course was granted, and at ten o'clock on the night of Sep- tember the 14th, 1862, Cole's Battalion took the ad- vance over the pontoon bridge across the Potomac River, with their brave Major in the lead, and the following regiments: L2th Illinois, 8th New York, Battalion of the 1st Maryland, and a Rhode island Regiment, making in all twenty-one hundred Cav- alrymen. Lieutenant Hanson Green of Company A, with three men, were detailed as an advance, and were the first to cross the bridge. Lieutenant Green and his companions were thoroughly familiar with the country, and their courage had been tested in many an engagement. — It was deemed necessary to have one in whom Major Cole had implicit confi- dence as advance guard. One mile above Harper's Ferry the advance was halted by Confederate pick- ets. The night was very dark. Major Cole coming to the front with the command failed to halt, the
II COLE'S MA RYLAND CAVALRY,
Rebel vedette discharged his piece and fell back. The Cavalry continuing to advance until near Sharps- burg, Maryland, where they came upon the enemy guarding a wagon train, and the Rebels supposing the Federal Cavalry to be a Brigade of their own command failed to lire upon them, Major Cole captured the train without the loss of a man. At daylight, when near Hagerstown, he discovered it was General Longstreet's ammunition wagons, and Hih capture of this train proved a greal loss to the Confederates. It has been said, that in a ureal meas- ure the battle of Antietam, which was foughl a few days later, was won to the Union side because Gene- ral Longstreet's Corps of General Lee's Army bad run out of ammunition. But for the loss of the train, captured by Major Cole, the battle of Antie- tam might have gone against General McClellan. The train was taken to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
It is needless to state that General Stonewall Jack- son was surprised and disappointed the following day, when he entered Harper's Ferry with his forces, Miles having surrendered, to find that the large body of Union Cavalry had cut their way out.
General McClellan was much gratified at having this large body of Cavalry join his army, which did good service.
Tt is just and proper that I should mention an inci- dent that occurred during the siege of Harper's Ferry. Colonel Miles desired to communicate with General McClellan, who was then at Middletou n, Maryland; Colonel Miles sent for Major Cole and communicated his wishes, as it was necessary to have some one
I "i e's M \i:yi,.\\ D < \ VALRY. lo
carry this important message who possessed un- doubted courage The message was of too great lin- portance to entrust t«> one of hi^ men, and Colonel Miles stated he desired Major Cole should deliver the dispatch to General McClellanin person. Major Cole left headquarters at midnight, and passed through tlif Rebel Lines, ;in<l Bafely delivered the message. General McClellan personally thanked Major Cole and sent him back with a reply to Colo- nel Mih^ at Harper's Ferry, where he arrived In due time to take his command and other Cavalry out of t lie besieged garrison.
Major Cole and bis command were ordered by General McClellan to annoy the enemy on the flanks. The membership of the Battalion, whilst constantly receiving recruits, had now become greatly reduced, their loss in killed and wounded had been heavy. The "command being a perfectly Independent Bat- talion which had been raised by a special Act of Con- gress, was subject to the orders of no one, except the ( leneral commanding the Department. The Battalion could perforin more valuable service than if they had been brigaded. There was now not more than one hundred and fifty men answering roll-call, but that small body of troops, captured, killed and wounded more Confederates in tin- summer and fall of 1862, than the Battalion had in active service.
1 n ( Vtober, 1862, I ieueral Stuart's ( oufederate ( av- alry made their famous raid around General McClel- lan's Army, and the only prisoners taken from Stuart was at Hyattstown, Maryland, where Cole's Cavalry charged the rear guard and captured twenty-five of Stuart's raiders.
4*> COLE'8 MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Captain Firey's Company B had nol been with, the
Battalion for sonic months, they had been detached, and operating in the mountains of West Virginia and Western Maryland. Fi ivy's ( lompany as it was known in that section, had met with severe losses during the year of 1862. They had performed much hard service, and many of the original members had been killed off, and like the other three Companies they were re- cruiting at all times. In the winter of L862, Company B again joined the Battalion at Harper's Ferry.
CHAPTER VII.
n \ i: \ssl\(i THE ENEMY.
General Geary's Division started on a reconnois- ance to Winchester in the winterof 1862. Major Cole with the command were again given the posl of honor in the advance. They captured a number of
prisoners at the various towns and villages passer] through] on arriving at Winchester the Battalion charged through the town, driving out a small body of Confederates. General Geary again returned to Harper's Ferry.
The command was kept constantly on the go. There was scarcely a day that Cole's men were not on a scout either in Loudoun or Jefferson Counties. Captain Baylor, of the 12th Virginia Confederate Cav- alry, had been annoying our pickets stationed outside of Bolivar Heights. Baylor's Company was raised in the neighborhood of Charlestown, Smithfield and vicinity, and was the same Company that had cap- lured the thirteen members of Company D at Smith- field during the summer. There was more than the usual desire to meet this particular Cavalry Com- mand ; the boys were anxious to repay them for past reverses received at their hands. They had not long to wait. Shots had been exchanged between the two commands almost daily for some time. At Halltown. six miles south from Harper's Ferry, there is a small stream of water. Baylor's men were doing picket duty several hundred yards south of the stream, and
1- COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Cole's pickets a short distance north ^f the stream. The men on picket duty arranged among themselves that hostilities should cease at a certain hour of each day, and both commands come to the stream and water their horses. It was no unusual sight to see Confederate and I'nion Cavalrymen watering their horses at the same time and frequently exchanging papers and trading cotl'ee for tobacco.
A detachment of the Battalion, under command of Captain Vernon, started on one of their daily raids, and had gone through Halltown, driving the Rebel picket from his post in the direction of Charles- town. A portion of Baylor's Cavalry attempted to in- tercept them; shots were exchanged, liaylor's men falling back, when Captain Vernon's rear guard gal- loped up and reported the Rebels were coming up the pike, in the rear. The 12th Virginia had as they supposed the " Yanks" in a trap. Both front and rear columns began to advance more rapidly upon Captain Vernon, down the pike. Captain Vernon discovered he was in a tight place, but surprised the enemy by charging the column in his front, with drawn sabres. Baylorwas completly surprised at this move, and before he could recover, Captain Vernon had him a prisoner, with a large number of his men, including Lieutenant Baylor, a son of the Captain. Captain Vernon gave the command to right about, and with the prisoners he had taken, charged the squadron who had attacked him in the rear, capturing more of their number, and the rest scattering like sheep to the fields and making I heir escape. The most of Baylor's Company, with himself and his
COLE'fl MARYLAND CAVALRY. 19
Lieutenant, were broughl Bafely into the Union li Captain Baylor's Companj of the 12th Virginia was heard of no in ore, at Leasl not in the vicinity where i hey were orga n ized.
The command received a number of recruits after the Brst of January, L863, and a large number of our members who had been captured and had survived the tortures of Libby Prison, Belle isle and Ander- sonville, had now been exchanged and returned to the co land Cor duty.
The Battalion in the Spring of 1863, was again ready for active work, and was ordered to Kearneys ville, on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road, twelve miles west of Harper's Ferry, from where detach- ments were raiding the country and capturing Con- federates who were visiting their homes, for the pur- pose of placing crops in the ground.
Captain Vernon was Provost Marshal at this point, and bis guards were patrolling thecountry. A num- ber of Government horses with the "U. S." stamp upon them had been taken from the farmers, and all citizens desiring to pass through the lines were compelled to get a pass from the Provost Marshal. The Captain had his headquarters in a simill one-story log house, and all contraband goods captured, were stored in this building before being sent to Harper's Ferry. A citizen who had been selling the soldiers liquor had been arrested, and a barrel of whiskey found on his place confiscated. The whiskey was brought to headquarters and placedill the room used as the Provost Marshal's office; the driver after unloading the liquor set the barrel on end instead of
50 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
simply rolling the same in, and it was not Long before
every one in camp knew t here was a barrel of whiskey in the house, and sonic of the men were determined to have it out. The guard was on duty day and night at the front door, and it was no easy matter to get the barrel out without being observed; at last, one of the men secured a long auger and gained entrance to the cellar, in the rear of the house. It was raining and the guard had no thought of what was going on; a number of camp kettles were brought from the camp and the soldiers in the cellar bored a hole through the flooring and through the bottom of the barred. The Liquor flowed through and was caught in the kettles, passed outof the window and hastily carried off. On the following morning, when Captain Vernon dis- covered his loss he was not in the best of humor and the guard received a severe reprimand.
CHAPTER VIII.
BKG \<; l.M ENT VI 8HARPSBURG.
\Yiu.\ General Milroy advanced up the Shenandoah Valley, Cole's Cavalry continued their headquarters ,-it Keameysville, and later,when General Milroyinel with his disastrous defeal al Winchester, June 15th, L863, the Battalion with Major Cole in command, cover- ed his retreat and were the last Union soldiers to reach i he Potomac River.
After General Lee crossed into Maryland, the com- mand met a detachment of Confederate Cavalry at Sharpsburg, and had quite a spirited Bight; we were now acting as partisans and constantly annoying the enemy, capturing their pickets and picking up strag- glers, and were on the move day and night.
Major Harry Gilmor was in Frederick ; and < 'aptain Vernon with a detachment of forty men, charged the town and drove Gilmor and li is command through the streets, capturing several of his men. The citi- zens, seeing it was Cole's men that had made the- dash into the town, raised their windows and cheered, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs as we went through.
Lieutenant Link of Company A, deserve- special mention for his bravery on this occasion. Gilmor lost one man killed and one wounded, besides three men captured.
It has been a disputed question when and where the first gun was fired on Pennsylvania soil, and at what
52 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
place the first blood was spilled; let me state, without fear of contradicl ton, t hat it was at a place called Foun- tain Hale, Adams County, Pennsylvania, near Monte- rey Springs, and by a portion of Cole's Maryland Cav- alry, under command of Lieutenant William A. Horner and Sergeant (). A. Horner, of Company C. The Con- federate Cavalry were visiting tin' farms and pressing into the Confederate service the fanners' horses; Lieutenant Horner came upon a squad of the Rebel Cavalrymen, at Fountain Dale, with twenty stolen horses in their possession; the Lieutenant and his men captured fifteen out of the twenty-five Con- federates, and recaptured the fanners' horses; the enemy lost one man killed and one wounded. Ser- geant O. A. Horner deserves special mention, having captured a Rebel officer, who was a bearer of dis- patches from General Lee to General Ewell. The dispatches were turned over to General Meade, com- manding the Federal forces and were of great im- portance. Sergeant Horner was later promoted to a Major's position.
General Lee's Army had now passed through Mary- land into Pennsylvania and General Meade had sup- erseded General Hooker of the Army of the Potomac; Major Cole was ordered to remain at Frederick with sixty men and the remainder of his command were assigned to duty as scouts, guides and couriers, owing to their fitness for this dangerous work, and their fa- miliarity with the country; later following General Lee into the Shenandoah Valley, where the com- mand was again united.
COLE S M\ i: Yl.A N i> CAVA LRV. ■>'■'>
The writer w;is one of the sixty men thai remained at Frederick with the Major; we were encamped on the western outskirts <>f the (own. The Maryland Brigade, under command of General John R. Kenly, were encamped several miles from Frederick, guard Ing the bridges over the Monocacy and the fording at th e Potomac River at the mouth of the Monocacy • Major General French was in command of all troops around Frederick, and a portion of his men were guarding the gaps in the South Mountain.
CHAPTER IX,
S»Q
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.- -RETREAT OF LEES ARMY.
The battle of Gettysburg was now being fought, the booming of cannon could be distinctly heard ; it was on tlif third day of July. A Company of Con- federate Cavalry drove in our pickets on the Har- per's Ferry Road, and had gotten into the town; "boots and saddles" was sounded by our bugler, and in lr>s time than it takes to relate this inci- dent Major Cole was in hot pursuit; we captured five men and wounded one. After pursuing the Rebel Cavalrymen to within a few miles of Harper's Ferry, we returned to our camp at Frederick. In the chase it was necessary to cross a wooden bridge; the Confederates had several of their men stationed at this bridge and as soon as their command had got- ten across they tore up the plank flooring and we were compelled to jump our horses over a, space of six feet, and had one of the horses stumbled he would have fallen into the stream twenty feet below.
On the following day we again started for Har- per's Ferry with one piece of artillery; at the town of Knoxville, four miles east of Harper's Ferry, we charged a Company of Virginia Cavalry, and kept them on the go until they reached the Railroad bridge crossing the Potomac River. The Rebels were compelled to cross the bridge in single file. Their con- federates on the Virginia side, having heard the firing
COLE'fl MARYLAND CAVALRY.
had swarmed to the river bank and opened flre upon Major Cole and liis Little band. Our forces were com- pelled to fall I >;n- k .-Hid await the arrival of the piece of artil lery thai was following In bur pear, [na Bhorl time the artillerymen arrived and opened I'm-, and aftera few rounds the Confederates fell back to Boli- var Heights.
Two of our men crossed over I lie bridge to the Vir ginia side, with several buckets of oil thai they had procured at Sandy Hook, one mile from the Kerry; they saturated the bridge with the oil and set flre to it; it was but a moment and the entire structure wa- in a blaze. A large amount of forage that had been removed from Maryland Heights by the Confede- rates, after the evacuation of the Heights by the Union forces, was also consumed. We returned to Frederick. General Lee had been defeated at Get- tysburg, and was now in full retreat. Cole*- Cavalry had destroyed the bridge at Harper's Ferry, which Lee would have utilized in crossing the Potomac River, had he been able to force a passage through the gaps in the South Mountain.
On our arrival at Frederick the following morning, two men were captured on the outskirts of the city, that proved to be Confederate spies; their actions were suspicious, which caused their arrest. One of the prisoners was a man 1 had known in Baltimore, he had been connected with the Baltimore Argus, a -'copperhead" sheet, during and before the war. as a reporter. His name was Richardson; his compan- ion was unknown. They were thoroughly searched, and in Richardson's boots, under the insole-, was
56 COLES MARYLAND CAVALRY.
found the damaging evidence. General r>u ford gave them a drumhead court martial, and they were both hung on ;i small locust tree. Their bodies re- mained hanging foi three days before they were cut down, and their clothing had been entirely stripped from their persons by the soldiers, and cut in small pieces, and retained as relics.
An incident that deserves special mention, occurred during the retreat of General Lee's Army. Lieutenant John Rivers, with twenty-five men, was following in the rear of a Confederate Brigade of Cavalry. It was near noon and Lieutenant Rivers, was informed by a citizen that if he would ride fast he would come upon the enemy not far in his front ; the Lieutenant with his twenty-five men started on a gallop over a hill, and before he could halt his command he was in among the Rebels. It was too late to turn back, down the road the Lieutenant and his men charged. The Confederates had stopped and were feeding their horses on both sides of the road, and their bridles were off their horses" heads. It was difficult to tell which was the most frightened, the u Johnnies" or Rivers and his men. Twelve hundred Confederate Cavalrymen with the bridles oil* their horses. The Rebels supposed that Lieutenant Rivers and his men were the advance of a Brigade of Union troops, an<J being taken so completely by surprise were willing to surrender. The Lieutenant gave orders to "right about" and it kept his men busy taking the revolvers from the enemy. The Rebels almost to a man had thrown down their guns, and called out that they would surrender; before they had gotten over their
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVA Lm . ■>>
surprise Ri\ ers and his Little squad were out of their midst, wit h more prisoners than their own number. A Cter t lie Confederates realized the true condition of affairs they gathered up their arms thai they had llirown down, and bridled their horses, and s portion of the command followed Cole's daring riders ;i shorl distance and then returned to their companions and
rode off in the dirert ion of 1 lie Potomac.
General Lee had gotten safely across the Tot ac
River, the Army nf the Potomac was <>n its way to' Richmond; Major Cole's command was once more united and in Virginia. Heavy work was now cut ont for the Battalion to perform, and in the fall of 1863, they were in the saddle constantly, and there was scarcely a day that some portion of the comma nd was not in an engagement. It frequently occurred that the Battalion left camp at Harper's Ferry long before daylight in the morning-, and each of the four companies taking different directions, and after scouting for several days, would concent rate at some given point, perhaps one hundred miles from their starting [dace, never failing to bring prisoners with them. In the fall and winter of L863 t hey fought the enemy at Snickersville, Leesburg, Rector's Cross Roads, LTpperville, Charlestown, Mount Jackson, Woodstock, Ashby's Gap, Front Royal, Kdinburg, New Market, Harrisonburg, Uomney, Moorefield and other places, in which they generally came out with flying colors, but in many instances not without serious loss to the command in both killed and wounded, and occasionally losing one or more of the boys by being taken prisoners by the enemy.
4
OX COLES MARYLAND ( AVALRV.
For a time the Battalion was brigaded with the First New York, known as " Lincoln Cavalry," and the Twenty-First Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Colo- nel Boyd.
Many instances of individual bravery and daring came under my observation, but it is impossible to mention each and every incident and member as they deserve, space will not permit. Suffice it to say, that every man in the command did his duty as a soldier, from their brave Major Cole, down to the most humble private in the ranks.
The main body of the Confederates had now gone out of the Valley ; Mosby's, White's and Harry Gil- mor's commands of Confederates still remained, and were continuously making raids on the Union linos, firing upon pickets and occasionally holding up a train on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Sniek- ersville, Upperville and Rector's Cross Roads were considered Mosby's stamping grounds ; many of his men lived in this particular locality. Major Cole concluded to visit this section, knowing that every man, woman and child's sympathy was with the enemy.
CHAPTER IX.
RAID TO RECTOR'8 CROSS ROADS.
The Battalion lefl ramp al Harper's Ferry, went through Charlestown and captured a few men at Berryville. It is proper perhaps to state that Lieu- tenanl John Rivers, of Company B, had his accus- tomed place with llic usual detail of sis men from each of the four Companies as an advance guard, a position Lieutenant Rivers always took when the command was on one of their many raids. The command of the advance was given the Lieutenant because of his daring and courageous action in many a bloody encounter. The writer was fortunate in being one from his company who was detailed to make up Lieutenant Rivers' squad. When I remark fortunate, I mean the men in the advance had a bet- ter opportunity of capturing prisoners, and as Cole's men usually retained the revolvers and good horses taken from those captured, the advance was a place sought for.
After leaving Berryville we crossed the Shenandoah River at Snicker's Ferry, and went through Snicker's Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the advance came upon a Rebel picket post ; after an exchange of shots, they were compelled to give way and dashed down the mountain side with Rivers and his men in hot pursuit. A scouting party of Confederates were at Snickersville, and hearing the yells and shot- and seeing their pickets were being driven in, formed in
60 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
line of battle to receive us ; Lieutenant Rivers de- ployed his men and the skirmish became spirited, when Major Cole with the command appeared in sight and joined in the fight. The Major ordered the Battalion to charge the enemy, who were soon put to flight. They proved to be two companies of M<»sby's men.
We now advanced steadily in the direction of Lees- burg where the advance captured several prisoners, and were again confronted by the enemy, who were routed. Small squads of Mosby's Cavalry were hover- ing on our flanks and a number in the rear, who kept the rear guard constantly on the move.
At Upperville the advance charged the town and received a warm reception. We were driven back upon our main line, the enemy had evidently re- ceived an addition to their forces, as their numbers now equalled that of Major Cole's command. After fighting for more than an hour the Rebels were forced back, and for a considerable distance it was a running fight, the enemy retreating in the direction of Rec- tor's Cross Roads ; Cole and his men were flushed with victory and continued pursuing, getting farther away from any relief in the event of meeting with a reverse. The command had been on the move for several days, the horses had been ridden hard in the last twenty -four hours and needed rest and provender, and as the command invariably secured forage from the farmers on the route, — we had not had the time of securing any.
Major Cole was for once indiscreet, and continued following the fleeing enemy. As the advance neared
COLE'fi m \i;yi,.\ni> CAVALRY. ,; 1
Rector's Cross Roads, it was discovered that several companies were advancing on a trot to join ili«' Con federates who were falling l>;i<'k before Cole. The Major now discovered thai we not only had our for mer antagonists, whom we had routed In the morn Ing and the day before, to contend with, but Beveral additional companies, with Fresh horses. It was evi- dent to ;ill that we could not cope with our antago- nists, and the order was given to fall back, but not be- fore we had repulsed a charge made by Mosby. Af- fairs now began to look serious. A number of our men had been wounded and several killed. Captain Vernon of Company A, Captain Firey of Company B, Captain Hunter of Company C, and Captain Frank Gallagher of Company D, had been in the front of their respective companies leading- their men on, were now encouraging the boys and cautioning them to stand firm and not become disorganized. AVe were falling back on the trot and were being hard pressed. One of our companies would form on an eminence and receive the advancing enemy, whilst the other three companies would continue moving on, and at the next hill another company would form and per- mit the company that had been in the rear to pass to the front and reload their pieces; by hard riding and constantly checking the enemy's advance we were en- abled to reach our lines in safety with some fifteen prisoners that we had captured in the different skir- mishes we had made on our raid; we also destroyed a large tannery at Upperville, that was turning out a large amount of leather, which was being utilized by the Confederates. We had met Mosby upon his own
62 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
ground, and considering that the command of Major Cole numbered only two hundred and fifty men when they left camp and had fought fully four hundred of the enemy at Rector's Cross Roads, and got safely back to camp with only the loss of three killed, six wounded and seven taken prisoners. Our forces had captured fifteen prisoners with their horses and arms and killed and wounded a number of the enemy, the number we were unable to know, and destroyed a tan- nery. We considered that we had not gotten the worst in the raid. Whilst we were more often suc- cessful, we frequently met with defeat from the ene- my's Cavalry and often had cause to remember Mosby, Gilmor and [mboden. Colonel Ashby of the Confed- erate Cavalry had been killed. Cole's men always spoke of him in the highest terms as a fighter; per- haps it is due to the fact that it was Ashby's Cavalry that Cole's men met so often in the spring and sum- mer of 1862, and had Ashby lived, I am confident he would have given the Union forces considerable an- noyance.
CHAI'TKi; X.
KAIh To NEW MAKKKT.
The command, with the li I s 1, Pennsylvania Cavalry
mid the 1st New York Lincoln Cavalry started «>n ;i ten days' raid up tin* Valley. At Berryville, the Battalion of Cole's Marylanders parted company with the 21st Pennsylvania and 1st New York, they going to Winchester, up the Valley and Cole's men from Berryville kept along the Shenandoah River, through White Post, occasionally picking up one or more < on federate Cavalrymen at the different farm houses. When the command arrived at Ashby's Gap we came upon a body of the enemy whom we put to flight and then proceeded on our way, nothing unusual occurring. We arrived at Woodstock, where later in the day we were joined by the New York and Pennsylvania Cavalrymen we had left at Berryville; we went into camp for the night. At the Hotel in Woodstock, the writer met a man whom he knew, from Maryland; he had left home for the purpose of joining the Confederate Army, but he had not yet joined any company or taken up arms. I told him of his folly and advised him to return to his home in Haiti more, and left him ; he did not take my advice, and later joined the Southern Army and returned to his home at the close of the war and served as a policeman for a number of years in Bal- timore. His having been in the Confederate Army was a good recommendation. On the following morn-
64 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
•#
ing we took up the march for New Market, Cole in the advance. We captured several prisoners and a large quantity of tobacco. We had six army wagons which we loaded with the tobacco, and I regret some of the men in the command did not observe the usual discipline, but raided the stores in the town ; we started down the Valley and it was no common sight to see a Cavalryman with one and sometimes two boxes of tobacco strapped over his horse's back, and the trooper walking by the side of his horse. In some instances other merchandise had been brought off. Had we been compelled to have gone into action it is needless to state -the plunder would have been thrown away. The second day after leaving New Market, we arrived at Charlestown, eight miles from camp, the boys were beginning to count up their gains and calculating what they would make out of their capture, when the command was halted, and after being drawn up in line, Colonel Boyd who was the commanding officer of the expedition, rode along the entire line and compelled the men to place the boxes of tobacco and other merchandise they had brought all the way from New Market with them, upon the sidewalk ; wagons were procured and the goods placed in them. That was the last seen of what they all thought was going to bring them a snug little sum ; some of the men were smart enough to break the boxes and filled their saddle pockets, and others rolled a quantity of tobacco in their blankets, which was not seen by Colonel Boyd. They had the laugh on their comrades, many of them having walked all the distance from New Market having
COLE'S ma R1 i, a $J> C wai.iiv. <;.->
their saddles packed willi lh«' merchandise. From that day to the close of the war Colonel Boyd was not ,i favorite with Cole's boys. The goods were turned over (<» the Provost Marshal as contraband goods. < >n the same raid sonic our had gotten into a farm house at New Town and took from the <>1<1 farmer a large amount of money in gold an^ Virginia stale hank notes. A Large reward had been offered for the apprehension of 1 he thief. 1 t was at first sup- posed that a member of < lole's < !avalry was t he gui liy party, and in consequence the command was deprived of their pay for more than six months. After a thorough investigation by Major Cole, ordered by the General commanding the department, the mem- bers of Cole's command were exonerated from any complicity in the matter. This little incident was very unpleasant, whilst the members did not hesi- tate to confiscate provender for their horses and food • for themselves at limes, and perhaps a good horse in exchange for one run down, they would not rob or either would they permit citizens and non-combatants to be robbed. The greater number of < lole's men were from the best families of Western Maryland, and would not tolerate such conduct anion-- its mem- bership.
CHAPTER XL
IN (AMI' AT BOLIVAR B EIGHTS..
The command was again in camp at Bolivar Heights, and the blacksmiths, as on former occa- sions, after coming from a scout were busy putting new shoes upon their horses. It was necessary to have their feet in good shape at all times, as a Cavalry horse is perfectly useless unless his hoofs are in proper condition. The blacksmiths of the different companies always supplied each man with an extra pair of horse shoes, which the trooper would carry in his saddle pocket, and could be tacked on in a few minutes in the event of his liorse casting a shoe.
The camp at Bolivar Heights was always visited by numerous soldiers of other commands on the return of the Battalion from their raids, and the citizens of Harper's Ferry never failed to welcome them back. Cole's Cavalrymen were privileged sol- diers and were permitted, when not on duty, to visit the town at pleasure ; there was no guard around the camp. It is to the credit of the boys that they never abused a privilege granted them.
The command had now been in camp for more than a week when the bugles sounded "the assem- bly." Orders were given to saddle up. It was the middle of the month of October and it had been raining for two days, and no prospect of a let up. The men donned their rubber coats, mounted their
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALBY. 67
horses, counted off by fours, and al the command, followed their Leadei across the wooden bridge over tlir Shenandoah' River. The men asked no questions,
they Lad bee e familiar with obeying orders, and
when they Btartpd oul no one knew where they were going or how long they would remain away, excepl Major Cole or the officer in command, [t continued raining a:- we passed through Hillsboro' to Leesburg, and as aight was approaching we went into camp. The detail that had been sent on ahead for forage had returned, they had confiscated a bullock,
and it was not long before the boys were I king
their coffee in their heavy tin cups and broiling
slices of beef on the hot coals of the ftre. The
pickets were detailed and placed on their respec- tive posts. The men laid around the fires and slept, not minding the rain which was coming down in torrents; there was no sign of an attack, for as Tom Godfrey, an Irishman, a member of Company I>, re- marked : "The Rebels were too sensible to be out in such weather."
Early the following morning we were on the move; the roads were muddy. After scouting all day, we had not seen or come upon one single " Johnnie." We passed through Snickersville, up the mountain through Snicker's (Jap, in the Blue Ridge Mountain, down to Snicker's Ferry at the Shenandoah river. The river was greatly swollen from the heavy rain and fording was out of the question. Major Cole stated it was necessary we should be on the other side, and the men should prepare to swim their horses across the stream. On the opposite shore
68 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
was a soldier dressed in a gray uniform. He gave instructions where the men should enter the river. Major Cole, with the entire command, was soon swimming their horses, and when we emerged from the river, on the opposite bank, the Confederate, as we supposed, came forward and to our surprise was one of our men. He had left Harper's Ferry the same day we did, and had gone alone in a different direction, and met us at this point. It now became e\ ident to us all why Major Cole was desirous to cross the river.
CHAPTER XII.
THE VISIT TO BERRYVILLE.
Oub scout Informed us lie had left the enemy's camp several hours before, near Berryville. The rain had ceased falling, but heavy clouds still con- tinued to hang over the Valley. Vivid flashes of lightning would occasionally light up the heavens. Major Cole informed the men of the true condition of affairs and said it was necessary to have a detach- ment of the command visit Berryvifte, and have tile men mingle with the enemy, if any should be in the town, and if possible ascertain the strength of the Confederates reported there by our scout. We should get all information possible, at the same time to use the utmost caution not to disclose our identity. Captain Frank Gallagher was to be in charge of the squad.
Major Cole informed the men it was a hazardous undertaking, he would not have any one detailed, but wanted five men from each one of the tour ( !om- panies to volunteer. It is useless to say that a ma- jority of the men in the command rode to the front : and as but twenty men were wanted it was decided to take the first five men in each Company's file. The writer made one of the number from his Com- pany. Our orders were to go to Charlestown, after leaving Berryville, providing we were fortunate enough to get out of the town.
70 COLES MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Captain Gallagher gave the order to "fall in" and we moved off by "twos." It was Right and very da rk, bul we were familiar with the road, and felt easy on that point. It would take two hours before we could reach Berryville, and the Captain would have ample time to explain to each man his plans and what to do in the event of being discovered that we were I'nion troops. A word was agreed upon and given to ns, and an answer to the same to be used in t he event we became scattered and should come across one-another. It had now become intensely dark and the frequent flashes of lightning were blinding. We had now gotten to within one mile of the town and had not yet come upon the enemy's picket post. It was decided if any one inquired to what command we belonged, we were to tell them a detachment of Gil- mor's. The edge of Berryville was now reached, many houses were lit up, and whilst we did not come upon the enemy's pickets, we soon discovered that the town was full of Rebel soldiers, many of them no doubt visiting their friends in the town; the side- walks were lined with armed men. In front of the Union Hotel and in the building, there could not have been less than one hundred Confederates, some with their muskets on their shoulders and others with their sabres clanking by their sides ; naturally, when we rode up and halted, they not dreaming we were any but their friends, commenced talking and asking the prospects of meeting the "Yanks." We soon learned from their conversation that we were talking to Imboden's men, and they were moving on Charlestown, and perhaps Harper's Ferry. Captain
I OLE's ma Rl la \i> i a \ a LRY. 7 1
Gallagher bad dismounted and entered the hotel, and ii was Impossible t<» see his blue uniform as 1 1 1 « • poncho he had on covered him almost to bia heels. The proprietress of the hotel was in the limine room, in the back part of the house, and when the Captain entered 1 1 » « » room she looked up and al once rei nized him, and as she remarked afterwards, Bhe came near fainting, as she at first supposed he had been captured and his captors were bringing liiin in to gel something to eat. The tables in the room were crowded with Confederate officers eating their supper, and the landlady, whose name l regrel I have for- gotten, but suffice to say, she was a loyal woman and had frequently given Cole's men information on for- mer occasions. She took in the situation and informed the Captain she had room for just one more if he did not object to eating in the kitchen; the Captain kindly thanked the lady and accepted her invitation, and in the far corner of the room, at a small table. she placed a plate for the Captain, and at the same time remarked she would sit down for a few minutes and rest herself, as she was most tired to death, h was a ruse of hers to have an opportunity to speak to Captain Gallagher privately. She gave him all the information he desired to know and let him out of a side door where he joined his men who had been waiting on the outside, and had become very impa- tient at his seemingly long absence; myself, with one of the men, had gone to the farther end of the low n and we inquired from a Rebel soldier who was coming up the sidewalk where the camp was located, he gruffly replied "damn the camp, but do you know where I can
72 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
get a canteen full of apple jack".'" 1 informed him I thought General Imboden inighl have some at head- quarters. I'll*' "Johnnie" mumbled a reply and con- tinued on up the street. Captain Gallagher had re- mounted his horse as I came up and the column moved slowly through the town; I rode by the side of the Captain, at the liead of the line. The Captain in- formed me that we should get to Charlestown as soon as possible, and notify Colonel Simpson, who was in command at that point, [mboden, with two thous- and Confederates, was in and around Berryville, and had gone out of town on two different roads, one be- ing the White Post road; the camp fires could be dis- tinctly seen from the town, in that direction. The lady at the hotel was unable to state in what direc- tion the second column of Rebels had gone.
Our little squad, under Captain Gallagher, had now come to the road leading to Charlestown, and after a short consultation we concluded that it was the better policy to get out of Berryville as speedily as possible, as we had accomplished our object. Our next inten- tion was to warn Colonel Simpson, who was stationed at Charlestown, in command of the 9th Maryland In- fantry Regiment. This Regiment had not yet seen much service, and it was evident that it was [mboden's intention to attack Charlestown. After leaving Berry- ville some three miles in our rear, and not yel coming upon any pickets, we concluded General Imboden felt perfectly secure and had n6 thought that an enemy was so close to his camp, and that he purposed start- ing for Charlestown early in the morning. On leav- ing Berryville we had taken the precaution of sending
<ou;'s ma BY I. a n D CAVA l.l: y. l'-\
three men as an advance guard. The clouds In i 1m- heavens had passed away and the moon Bhone bright ; we were now thankful it had nol cleared off whilst we were in Berryville, as our identity might have been discovered. Corpora] Gibbons, with privates Mills and McGregor, who were in the advance, came dashing buck and said they had been halted by ;i picket guard stationed some distance down the road. After a hasty consultation we concluded to flank tin- picket post, and started through ;i dense woods; we had not proceeded far before our Captain uttered a cry of pain, myself, with others, hastened to his side and discovered that lie had been kicked by one of the horses. His leg was broken and he was suffering great pain. Being a non-commissioned officer I as- sumed command and placed a man on either side of- the Captain, to prevent him from falling off his horse. We were compelled to move slowly and with great caution through the woods. After some time we came to an opening, and seeing a farm house in the distance I concluded to apply to the farmer, and if possible get information that would place us on the road leading to Charlestown; on arriving at the house the column was halted, and myself with Sergeant Alpheus Stansbury, of Company \\ entered the gate, and from the size of the mansion we concluded the proprietor must be a person of some means and de- cided we would be more successful in getting infor- mation at the negro quarters than from the master of the house. I rode with Sergeant Stansbury across the lawn without attracting attention from the inmates
74 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
of the dwelling. On reaching the quarters I dis- mounted and gained admittance; an old negro an- swered my call and after being informed we were Union soldiers who had lost our way and wished to be shown the right road, the old man woke up one of the younger boys who was very anxious and willing to act as our guide. After travelling several miles, we reached a road that our colored escort said would take us into Charlestown. It was now long after mid- night, and Captain Callagher was suffering great pain. Every man in the squad was anxious to get the Cap- tain where he could get medical attendance; day was breaking when we came upon the pickets of the 9th Maryland, at Charlestown. We immediately took the Captain to Colonel Simpson's headquarters and it was determined that he must be taken to Harper's Ferry to have his broken leg set. The Captain was placed on a mattress and made as comfortable as cir- cumstances would permit; he was given an opportu- nity to rest, having been in the saddle for over eight hours since the time his leg was broken.
The horses and men required food and rest, having been on the move and the men in the saddle for twenty-four consecutive hours; we concluded to re- main in Charlestown for a short time. Saddles wTere removed from the horses and the faithful animals given a feed and a good rub down, after which the men rolled themselves into their blankets and were soon enjoying a much needed sleep. After allowing the men to sleep four or five hours, they were awak- ened and we continued on our way to camp at Harper's Ferry; Imboden had not yet attacked the town.
COLE 8 MARYL \ s D CA VAl.KY. JO
Serjeant Alpheus 8tansbury had been untiring In his devotion fco Captain Gallagher, never Leaving his side, and on arriving al Charlestown refused the rest he so much needed, ;m<] procured an ambulance from the Surgeon of the 9th Maryland Regiment. After the Captain rested for a short time he took him to Harper's Ferry, where he had his broken leg set and properly eared for.
CHAPTER XIII.
ENGAGEMENT AT CHARLESTOWN.
Major Cole, with the Battalion, did not arrive at Charlestown until late in the evening-, and then pro- ceeded to camp, at Harper's Ferry. Major Cole in- sisted upon Colonel Simpson, commanding the 9th Maryland Regiment, to vacate Charlestown and fall back with his Regiment several miles on the Harper's Ferry road as soon as night approached; Cole telling him he would have a better chance to handle his men, instead of having them cooped up in the Court House, a position they were then occupying. Simpson re- fused to accept the Major's suggestions, saying he would not leave his post until driven out. Major Cole advised that in the event of an attack he (Simp- son) should take possession of the houses on both sides of the street, as the enemy would not shell the town and relief could come from Harper's Ferry, Simpson replied he could take care of himself if the enemy came down upon him. Major Cole reported to General Sullivan the true state of affairs, on his arrival at headquarters. General Sullivan did not send reinforcements to Colonel Simpson, and on the following morning, Sunday, October 18th, LS63, Gen- eral Imboden had surrounded Charlestown, and after a feeble resistance the 9th Maryland Infantry sur- rendered. Colonel Simpson, with his entire staff, except his Adjutant who had been wounded, mounted their horses, dashed through their own lines and made
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALBY. 77
their escape, Leaving the men to their fate. Had Colonel Simpson taken the advice of Captain Galla gher and Major Cole, the 9th Maryland would never have been taken prisoners and many lives saved, as thej were confined at Anderson ville for more than a year; when the time came for the members of the 9th Regimenl to be exchanged, not one-third were Living to return to I lieir homes.
The noise of the Bring at Charlestown, eighl miles distant, was n<> Booner heard at Harper's Ferry, than the Battalion's bugles Bounded " boots and saddles," and iiia few minutes Cole's rough riders were gallop- ing swiftly toward the echoes of battle. Captain Minor's Indiana Battery and the 34th Massachusetts Infantry, with the LOth Maryland Infantry, followed. Cole's men, without waiting for the supports, charged [mboden and drove him out on the Berryville road. Imboden's Artillery of six pieces opened upon the command with grape and canister, which caused a check in our advance. Our support of Infantry and Minor's Battery had no! yet come up, and the Battal- ion deployed as skirmishers and fought Imboden's Brigade until they arrived; [mboden fell back on the Berryville road and our forces continued following until after dark. Cur loss was very heavy. The officers and men of the command deserve the highest praise for their gallant conduct in this engagement, and in justice, I should particularly mention Captain George Vernon, Lieutenant Samuel Sigler, Lieutenant John Rivers, Sergeant O. A. Horner, Captain Hunter, Sergeants Stansbury, L. M. Zimmerman, and Private Smith, of Company D, were conspicuous for their
78 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
gallantry and bravery; private Thomas Smith dashed into the enemy's line and brought two prisoners off of the field with him. It would be an injustice to others to attempt to individualize those who did more than their fellows, although Private A. C. Roland, of Company A, who sacrificed his life for his Captain, certainly deserves special mention. Lieutenant Link was leading his men when his horse was shot from under him, and in falling the Lieutenant was severely injured. Captain Vernon who had been on the other end of the line now dashed up in front of his men, not knowing a company of the enemy's sharp-shooters were behind a stone wall not two hundred yards dis- tant, shooting any one exposing himself at that dan- gerous point. Young Roland grasped the horse's bridle in exi>ostulation, at the same time a bullet struck the faithful soldier, who died a moment later in the arms of a comrade. Roland had never missed a fight the Battalion had been engaged in ; he was of an unusual happy disposition and was liked by the entire command.
Major Cole had concentrated a number of men on the main road preparatory to making a charge upon the enemy's battery, and we had advanced to within a few yards of their line, when the writer of this book was struck in the head by a rifle ball, knocked down and the entire front portion of his hat shot away, and strange to say no abrasion of the skin was made; the hat being drawn tightly over the head when the ball struck, it glanced off. The bugle sounded "charge;" I was again in the saddle, following our gallant leader, charging the Rebel Battery; they
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. 7!>
opened upon as with grape and canister and we were met l>y the enemy's Infantry, who checked our ad- vance; after emptying our revolvers In their faces we fell back, to give the 34th Massachusetts [nfantry an opportunity to meet the enemy's column, [mboden withdrew. It had become too dark to follow, and our
forces slowly returned to CharlestOWn, where we
encamped for the night. The command had been ftghl Lng since early morning, and our forces had killed and wounded a number of Confederates, had taken seventy-five prisoners and five army wagons-, loaded with provisions. The Battalion had lost some of their best and bravest men, and on the following morning when the Orderly Sergeants called the roll, many comrades who had answered the day before failed to respond; they had answered to their last roll call.
The excitement of a Trooper's life soon "makes the living forget the dead."
Casualties in Company A.
Charlestown, W. Va., October 18, 1863. Corporal Henry H. Roland, killed.
Casualties in Company B.
Charlestown, W.Va., October 18, 1863.
Loss two men killed and three wounded, hut are unable to give the names.
80 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Casualties in Company C. Charlestown, W. Va., October 18, 1863.
Corporal W. A. Mcllhenny, wounded.
Edward Jourdon, killed. John Brown, wounded.
John Sites, wounded.
Casualties in Company 1). Charlestown, W. Va., October 18, 1863.
George Bartholow, killed. William Carr, killed.
Louis Dawson, killed.
C. A. Newcomer, wounded.
William Black, killed. Henry Eloffman, killed*. George Earl, wounded. Theophilus Brown, wounded.
CHAPTER XIV.
BTRASBURG MT. JACKSON THE CONFEDERATE "JNDE1 DENT MARYLAND LINE" AT \ l-.u MARKET.
Cole's Cavalry had removed their camp from Har- per's Ferry to Charlestown. Oi r more of the
companies would go out on a scout daily ; none of the enemy had been seen since the flghl with [mboden, and a number of new men having joined the com- mand, the different companies had their full < j u«>ta. The new men were anxious that they should get into a fight, they had not long to wait however, as orders were received to prepare fifteen days' rations for a raid up the Valley.
General Averill's Cavalry Brigade was moving od Lynchburg and destroying the Railroad between thai point and Knowille, Tennessee, in order to prevent the forwarding of reinforcements by Lee to the be- sieged Confederates at Knowille. The old Battalion Brigade, with the 1st New York Lincoln Cavalry, -1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, 34th Massachusetts Infantry. Minor's Indiana Lattery, and one Battalion each of the 13th and 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, had been ordered to protect Averill's raiding brigade by inter- posing themselves between that gallant leader and Lee's Army. They moved down the Shenandoah Valley to a point beyond Harrisonburg; after Averill had accomplished his purpose, the brigade retreated before Fitz Lee's division of Confederate Cavalry. bringing in a large number of prisoners without sua-
82 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
taining any great damage. During the retreat from Harrisonburg the Battalion covered the brigade and
was under constant fire.
«
The command left camp at Charlestown the first part of the month of December, 1863, with the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, Colonel Boyd, the 1st New York Lincoln Cavalry, 34th Massachusetts Infantry, Minor's Indiana Battery, and two Battalions of Penn- sylvania Cavalry, one from the 13th and one from the 14th — it may be possible that I am mistaken in the number of the regiments the two battalions belonged to; they were new men and had seen but little service. At Winchester the 1st New York left the main body and joined the brigade further up the Valley. Perhaps it may be proper to state that Cole's Cavalry and the 1st New York Lincoln Cavalry were fast friends and had the greatest confidence in the fighting qualities of one another ; if a fight was on hand each command could rely upon the other to stand by them to the last.
Cole's men were in the advance through Strasburg, where we came upon a small body of Confederate Cavalrymen, who fell back at our approach. The advance had a skirmish at Woodstock; at Edinburg the Confederates were increasing in numbers. The Major of one of the Pennsylvania Battalions came to the front and requested that his men be given an op- portunity to go in the advance and have something to do; Major Cole granted his request and permitted the Pennsylvanians to pass to the front; an hour had perhaps passed by, when, in turning an angle in the road, the advance came upon the enemy who had dis-
COLE'S MARYLAND « AVALRY.
mounted and entrenched themselves behind logs and rails. The Rebs opened a lively ore upon the advance, who "right aboul faced" and came to the rear Borne what hurriedly. Major Cole deployed one of his companies as skirmishers, who drove the enemy from behind Mieir entrenchments; the other three com- panies charged down the road and we booh had them on the run.
Before Mount Jackson was reached, Major Cole, with thirty men, left the command. ( ralloping down the road a small body of the enemy's Cavalry were noticed on our (lank; we got in the rear of them before being observed, capturing half a dozen, the others making their escape. Two men took the prisoner- to the rear, and the Major with the remainder of his squad struck the main pike and was at least one mile in advance of the Battalion; the column was fully five miles in the rear. At Mount Jackson the Rebels saw the small number of men in the advance and made a stand; they had partially destroyed a small wooden bridge crossing a stream, and when Major Cole's men charged down the hill the horses jumped over the chasm, which was fully eight feet wide. The most of us got over in safety; as the Major's horse jumped the ditch he stumbled and threw the Major com- pletely out of the saddle on the horse's neck, and the horse going at full speed towards the enemy, he having lost all control over him. Private Charley Fosler, known as "Cole's forager," and called the "flying Dutchman," took in the situation at a glance and galloping up to the side of Major Cole's horse he grasped the bridle and succeeded in checking him.
84 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
The Battalion bad driven the enemy through Mount Jackson and were advancing upon New Market. Any one standing at the Latter place can look down the Valley pike for a distance of ten miles; before we had gotten to New Market the Confederate Cavalry- men could be plainly seen forming in line of Battal- ion on the outskirts of the town, and we knew a warm reception awaited us. There had been several pris- oners captured, and from them we were informed that the troops we were fighting called themselves the "Independent Maryland Line." We had never heard of this command before, and after this particu- lar day at New Market they were never heard from again.
On entering New Market from the north side, it is uecessary to ascend a steep hill. The Rebels com- menced shooting at long range, our command advanc- ing steadily to within several hundred yards without firing a shot; Major Cole then gave the order to ''charge." The enemy continued firing and stood their ground until we were almost among them, when they broke and through the town they went at break- neck speed; for over four miles we kept up the chase. It reminded one of a great Derby race; the men were scattered over the road for a great distance. A number of prisoners were captured and half a dozen of t lie enemy killed and wounded. After discharging our pieces we did not take time to reload, but con- tinued following the fleeing Confederates, who would turn off the road at every convenient point, scattering through the fields. Captain Vernon, Bugler Thomas Amj;elberger and myself sat upon our horses and
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. 85
looked at the Rebels running write n<> one In pur-nit, our men having been halted, we watched them until they disappeared over the hills in the distance.
The Maryland Line was certainly greatly panic stricken, and il Ls a question if the commander, Col onel O'Farrell, was ever able to gel them together again. Colonel O'Farrell is now the Governor of the State of Virginia. I captured a man by the name of Chambers, whom I knew in Baltimore before tli e Weir, — and strange to state, I met this same gentle- man but a few weeks ago, thirty-one years since the above occurrence. Mr. Chambers had his horse shot from under him in the fight, and it was he that in- formed me that Colonel O'Farrell was in command of their forces. The only person on our side that got hurt was a correspondent of the " Philadelp7iia Bulletin" who was in the advance with the command; he was shot through the body on our entering the town. F never found out whether the correspondent died or recovered from his wound.
We returned to New Market, where the main column had gone into camp for the night.
CHAPTER XV.
HARRISONBURG — STAUNTON ROAD.
Bright .and early the following morning, "boots and saddles" was sounded by the buglers. Colonel Boyd, of the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, who was in command of the expedition, ordered Cole's Cavalry in the advance, towards Harrisonburg, which place was reached in the afternoon, not having seen one Confederate in our front. A detachment of Gilmor's Rebel Cavalry were following in the rear of our column, which had the effect of preventing any straggling. On reaching Harrisonburg the Battalion charged through the town, the 1st New York and 21st Pennsylvania had come up, Minor's Battery and 34th Massachusetts Infantry had halted and gone into camp some miles back; the two Battalions of Penn- sylvania Cavalry had gone on a reconnoisance to our right and did not arrive at Harrisonburg until late in the evening; one of our scouts reported to Colonel Boyd that the enemy were coining down the Valley in considerable force; Colonel Boyd concluded to go into camp at this place. Major Cole was ordered out on the Staunton road, after going a short distance from Harrisonburg the command came upon several companies of Confederate Cavalrymen, and after a lively skirmish they retired up the Valley. Major Cole, after tearing down the telegraph wire, returned to Harrisonburg and went into camp for the night. The pickets were thrown out and at night the enemy's
COLE'S ma i:yi, \ M) CAVALRY. s7
cam 1 1 lircs could bo seen in the distance. There was every prospeel of a tight in the morning. Colonel Boyd destroyed a large amount o£ forage that bad
been stored in ;i warehouse. Some of Ins men raided
;i. number of stores in the town, the Latter without orders. On returning to Harrisonburg after our skirmish on the Stauntou road, the writer rode down
a side street in the suburbs of the town, the inhabi- tants appeared to be very poor people, the houses were small frame structures. I noticed in coming
down the street a soldier with a Large package oil his back and apparently trying to avoid me. 1 demanded
him to halt, lie dropped his bundle and made off ; what was my astonishment to find he had thrown down a large full bolt of muslin, evidently a pari of the booty taken from the store that the Pennsylvania Cavalry had looted. I dismounted, and whilst won- dering what disposition I should make of the goods, two poorly (dad women, with some half a dozen children clinging to their dresses, came to the door of one of the houses. A happy thought came to my mind that perhaps these poor people needed this muslin, and I determined to let them have it instead of turning it in at headquarters. 1 called the women to me and they told me their husbands were in Jackson's Army. I gave them the bolt of muslin and advised that they should make it up into clothing for their children. They thanked me, and with tears in their eyes saying. "< Jod ble<s ( 'ole's ( Javalry, if our husbands are in Jackson's Army." I have often wondered if these two Stonewall Jackson's men lived
88 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
to return to their families. I started down through the town to join my command; in passing the hotel, Colonel Boyd, who was standing on the porch, called me to him and informed me that I should accompany a gentleman whom he had been speaking to, and tie (the gentleman) would direct me to a house where a Mrs. Johnson lived, one mile down the road, to whom I should report and remain at tier house until re- lieved; I should permit none of the soldiers to molest this lady's property. I obeyed the Colonel's orders so far as reporting to Mrs. Johnson, but I must con- fess that I left the following day without being re- lieved. If I had not done so I would have been 1 licked up by Fitz Lee's Cavalry. Mrs. Johnson and her daughter were two ladies who had lived in Alex- andria, Virginia, and their strong Southern feeling, and giving expression to the same, was the cause of their being sent through the lines; they had located at Harrisonburg. I remained at the house of these ladies until the following morning; at early dawn the reports of firearms could be distinctly heard ; a detachment of Cole's men, under Captain Vernon, had made an early start and come upon the enemy in greater numbers than they had yet seen; it proved to be Fitz Lee's Division of Cavalry sent from Lee's Army. I bade Mrs. Johnson farewell, she kindly thanked me for what she supposed a service I had rendered her, and I hastened to join my command.
The object of our expedition up the Valley had been accomplished, and we were ordered to fall back. Fitz Lee was following us and getting further away from Lynchburg. General Averill, seeing his oppor-
COLB'h MARYLAND l \ V.\ u:V.
tunity, destroyed the Railroad between Lynchburg, Virginia, a.nd Knoxville, Tennessee.
Cole's Cavalry, whilst having the advance in ^r<>iimr up the Valley, were now I ransf erred to the rea r guard, in falling back, and were fighting constantly for sev- eral days. The expedition had been successful, a Large amount <>f property had been destroyed and over one hundred prisoners captured.
CHAPTER XVI.
IN (AMI' AT HARPER'S FERRY — SCOUTING AT LEESBURG.
After the fifteen days raid up the Valley the men and horses required a much needed rest, the horses were reshod and the command left Charlestown and went into camp at Harper's Ferry. Their stay how- ever was of short duration ; the weather had become extremely cold, and the men had not had time to prepare winter quarters before they were ordered to move their camp across the Shenandoah River into Loudoun County, two miles from Harper's Ferry, on the east face of the Blue Ridge Mountain, known as "Loudoun Heights." Tents were pitched and after several days a portion of the command went on a scout through Leesburg, to Upperville, under com- mand of Captain Hunter of Company C.
It was New Year's day, 1864; the thermometer in this mountain country was below zero. The com- mand ran across a large number of Mosby's Cavalry ; our scouting party being greatly outnumbered were compelled to fall back, and in crossing Goose Creek, at Leesburg, the men were compelled to swim their horses across the stream, and when they arrived at camp many of the boys were nearly frozen to death. Their heavy boots had gotten full of water which had frozen, and their boots were cut from their feet ; A number of the men were compelled to go to the hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate their toes, and in several instances their feet ; which
I oI.k's ma ijvi.ami CAVALRY. '-'I
had become terribly frostbitten. The command had Lost a number of their best men In killed and wounded, and five or sis taken prisoners in this raid.
\YilIi;ini Millholland was among tin- number who was Beverely wounded near Rector's Cross Roads. After being Bhot ;in<l falling from his horse a cow- ardly Rebel dashed up and emptied his revolver Into Millholland's prostrate body, then riding off supposing him to be dead; some time after the en- gagement Millholland came to, and was unable to move; the thermometer was down to zero. He had despaired of ever seeing any one again, when a citizen (•.line through the woods and Millholland attracted his attention. The man succeeded in getting him upon Ids back, and carried him several hundred yards to his humble home, where lie remained for four days. A scouting party passing by, the lady of the house reported that a Union soldier was wounded at her house; the officer in charge of the company had Millholland placed in the ambulance and on the following day they arrived at Warrenton, where the soldier had his wounds dressed six days after being wounded. He was never able to perform any more service, and was mustered out of the army at the expiration of his three years. Millholland was a brave soldier and had been in many an engagement.
The Battalion had been for some time very fortu- nate and had been coming out with flying colors, but this last reverse had somewhat put a damper upon the spirits of the men for a few days; it was not long however before the boys regained their accustomed
92 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
self-assurance and were willing and anxious to meet their late antagonists.
Snow had fallen to a considerable depth; every- thing about the camp on the mountain side looked dreary in the extreme. With the large number of our comrades who were under treatment in the hos- pital, and those who had been lost in our disastrous fight on New Year's Day, left the Battalion with less than two hundred men for active duty. Those who were not on detail kept to their tents, as the weather was very cold.
CHAPTER XVir.
MOBLEY, THE OUTLAW- -SURPRISED BY tfOSBY.
An occasional Bcouting party from one or more of tlir companies would frequently Leave camp and go as
t;ir;is 1 1 i llsix >r<>', nine miles distant, and after dark would visit farm houses a few miles from camp. An outlaw, by the name of Mobley, with Less than one dozen men with him, had been reported as being in the neighborhood, and it was for the purpose of cap- turing him that our men were making their nightly raids in the surrounding country. Mobley, with his few men, were never known to take a prisoner; any- one falling into their hands would be instantly shot, as they wanted nothing but the soldier's horse and arms. A large reward had been offered by the Gov- ernment for Mobley, dead or alive, and our men were anxious to get this reward; this is why the scouting parties were hunting for him and his followers among the farmers in the vicinity, whom he wras known to be visiting at intervals. He was afterwards killed by a member of Major Means' Loyal Virginia Cavalry, who claimed the $1,000 for his dead body. After the death of Mobley, his few followers disappeared from the neighborhood of Loudoun County.
We had now been occupying our new camp for two weeks. It was two o'clock, Sunday morning, January 10th, L864; the stable guard had just been relieved, when the tramp of horses' feet was heard on t lie icy road, but a few hundred yards distant. The night was
94 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
dark and bitter cold; our guard on the edge of the camp halted a column of horsemen he saw advancing upon him. The Rebels, for Buch it proved to be, refused to obey the command of the guard, who then fired off his carbine. The Rebel yell resounded through the mountain fastness; Cole's camp was surprised.
Colonel Mosby, their old antagonist, had captured the pickets; he and his followers, many of whom were natives of Loudoun County, had crossed the mountain and fell upon the camp, and then fired a volley into the tents where Cole's men lay sleep- ing, many of them no doubt dreaming of their sweethearts and loved ones at home. No one who has not experienced a night attack from an enemy can form the slighest conception of the feelings of one awakened in the dead of night with the din of shots and yells coming from those thirsting for your blood. Each and every man in that attack, for the time, was an assassin. But we should remember that war means to kill ; the soldier in the excitement of battle forgets what pity is, and nothing will satisfy his craving but blood.
The rude awakening brought Cole's hardy veterans out into the deep snow covering the mountain, and they promptly picked up the gauge of battle. Long experience in border warfare had taught these gal- lant Marylanders to shoot at the horsemen, and not attempt to mount their own faithful chargers.
For several nights Cole's men had slept on their arms, as they had been accustomed to do, whilst on their many raids in the enemy's country, but a fan-
COLE'S M \i;vi,an i> i \ VALRY.
eied security Led them on that fateful night to re move their heavy boots and coats, and In some In stances, all their outer garments; they rushed to repel the attack, without, waiting to dress, and for some minutes the Qghting was tierce. Lieutenant Colston, of the Confederate Army, with Mosby's command, fell Immediately in front of my tent, ;it the head of a Rebel company.
Duringthe fight every man was for himself. There was no time to wait for orders, the cry rang out on the cold frosty air "shoot every soldier on horseback." Many of the Confederates who were killed or wounded were burned with powder, as Cole's men used their carbines. It was hand to hand, and so dark, you could not see the face of the enemy you were shooting. It was a perfect hell! Every man cursing and yelling, and the horses were plunging and kicking in their mad efforts to get away. When one of the poor beasts would get wounded he would utter a piercing shriek that would echo throughout the mountain. Mosby's men had emptied their revolvers. The night was too dark for them to see to reload their pieces. They were now completely at the mercy of Cole's Rangers, who were using their carbines with good effect. Cap- tain Smith, one of Mosby's most gallant leaders, had shouted, "fire the tents, shoot by the light," but his order was never executed. A well-aimed bullet sped through his brain and he fell dead from his horse. The Confederates, who had expected that Cole's men would make but a feeble resistance, having been taken so completely by surprise, now found then- selves in a trap in our camp. They were dumb-
96 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
founded. Captain Vernon, of Company A, had dis- charged the last load from his second revolver when he fell with a ghastly wound in the head ; as soon as his brave followers discovered that this gallant officer was shot the vengeful bullets of the hardy veterans flew the faster. The Rebels seeing that the bloody struggle was fruitless, the Confederate chief reluctantly gave the order to retire.
Mosby had been badly used up; our comrades w ho had lost their lives on the last New Year's day, and in other engagements, where he had been defeated, were now avenged. It was difficult to tell how many had been lost until after daylight.
The boys whe had been fighting so gallantly in the snow, many of them with nothing on except their underclothing, were now too glad to have an oppor- tunity to dress, and as many of them jokingly re- marked, they did not mind the fighting so much but the next time that Mosby came, they would thank him to send word so they would have an opportu- nity to dress and be in proper condition to receive company.
LOUDOUN HEIGHTS, VA., JANU \i:Y loth, I
ii\ Comradb J. \. Si oti, of Compaht C, Wabbimotov, I' C
U poii i he \\ i 1 1 ( IV mountain side,
From succor far away, Wit h hearts in peril often tried,
Cole's hardy veterans lay.
The winds swept cuttingly and flee!
Across I he frozen snow . The shivering sentry on his I" al
Walked briskly to and fro.
Their white tents rising from the ground
The wind, w itli curious art, Had so embanked with snow around,
They seemed of i arth, a part.
The nighl closed down in bitter cold,
And as its gloom grew deep. The soldier, in his blanket rolled, Soughi rest and peace in sleep.
From war and. elemental strife, Perchance his thoughts did roam
Afar to sweetheart, child or wife, 'Mid quiel scenes i^\' home.
Perhaps he dreamed his toils were o'er, His armor laid from sight,
The sun o\' peace ablaze mice more,
Had closed war's dreadful night.
98 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
But hark ! what din is in the air?
What rush the ear alarms — And here and now with fitful glare,
What crash and roar of arms!
Alas! alas! that man should be
A more relentless foe Than tempest on the land or sea —
Than winter's frost and snow.
Rise, soldier, rise ! thy sleep forego ;
Death rides upon the wind In other shapes than frost and snow ;
On, on, thine armor bind.'
Rise, soldier, rise! thy soul in arms, Strike, for thy Country's weal;
For her, in dangers and alarms, Thy heart and limbs be steel.
And up they rose, those soldiers proud, Grasped arms with eager haste,
And dashed into the battle-cloud, Upon the wintry waste.
And now, both to and from the foe, Death-shots like fire-flies flew,
And here and there the trampled snow Soon bore a crimson hue.
Some sank upon the icy ground
Whom naught but death could quell,
And, fore-front, struck with ghastly wound, Brave Vernon lighting fell.
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALBV. 99
Fierce shout and oath and yell and shot
Were mixed in horrid tnirl h, Night's dee pes! gloom upon the spo!
No light from beaven or earth.
Our thought possessed the breasi of each — To yield they did not know —
A lesson of respecl to teach
The daring Rebel foe.
A iiinl i he horrors of the eight,
With frozen hands ami feet. They Btood and fought, nor ceased to light
Till victory was complete.
The rolling years may come ami go,
Survivors may grow old, Hut not till death shall lay them low
And turns life's current cold,
Can they forbear to speak with pride
That makes the dim eye glow, Ahout the lonely mountain side
And battle in the snow ?
While Loudoun rears her height sublime,
Her stream runs to the sea, Her airs shall in all coining time Breathe of Cole's Cavalry.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PURSUIT OF MOSBY — ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE MAJOR COLE.
Down at the Ferry, General Sullivan, the District Commander lay. The ringing rifle volleys and echo- ing pistol shots awoke his forces and the 34th Massa- chusetts Infantry, Cole's comrades in many a bloody fray, sprang at a double quick for the camp on the mountain side, two miles distant. They arrived too late to be of service to the Cavalry, which had won the fight and was already in the saddle in pursuit of their ancient enemy. Sullivan rode over at daylight, with words of soldierly praise for the brave fellows who had so gallantly defeated the wily partisan in his desperate attempt to "gobble them up" — an ex- pression frequently made use of in military parlance, —nor were Sullivan's congratulations the only ones; a unique bit of war time history is the fact that the General-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States sent a congratulatory telegram to a mere liattalion, — the only instance of this kind during the entire war.
The detachment who had followed Mosby returned to camp ; blood stains on the snow marked the enemy's retreat, and it was evident that a number had been wounded. During the day, a citizen living four miles from camp reported to Major Cole that an officer had been left at his house severely wounded; the writer was ordered to take a squad of men and go to the tanner's house, after dark, and bring the wounded man to camp. On arriving at my destination, I found
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALB I1 'I
everything as the citizen had represented. II fficer
was a Lieutenant, a man mud la rger than the average size, a fine specimen of manhood, and perhaps twenty- flve years of age. The Lieutenant had been Bhol in the breast, the ball going clear through his body; it w;is evident he could not Live; I spoke to him kindly and told him my orders were to bring him t<> camp, but if he would give me his word <»r honor as a soldier and gentleman, not to be removed from the farm house without ftrsl acquainting Major Cole, I would assume the responsibility and permit him to remain where lie was. The soldier grasped my hand and thanked me, and said he did not -re h<>\\ one of Cole's men could be so kind to one of Mosby's com- mand, after trying to murder us in our beds. I told him to think no more of worldly affairs, but turn his thoughts to heaven and ask forgiveness from God, the Great Father of as all. I returned to camp with- out my man, and on the following day wo received word that the Lieutenant was dead.
When Mosby charged the camp, a special detail of twenty men, under an officer, attempted to capture Major Cole at his headquarters, which was in a two- story house on the edge of the camp, and by the side of the mountain. As the officer and a portion of his command entered in at the front door of the house, the Major made his escape from the rear of the build- ing into the mountain, ami hastened to the camp, where his presence greatly encouraged the men. ( lap- tain Gallagher, who was still suffering with his broken leg in an adjoining room to the Major's quarters, escaped unnoticed. The Captain would not consent
102 COLE's MARYLAND CAVALRY.
to be taken to the hospital, and from the time his leg was broken, near Charlestown, he was never able to perform any hard service up to the time of his being mustered out of the army.
The 34th Massachusettes Infantry remained at our camp during Sunday.
The officers and men of the Battalion were recount- ing their individual encounters with the enemy, and some of the yarns were extremely amusing. In justice to all, every officer and man deserves the highest praise for their action ; they fought as soldiers never fought before.
General Sullivan sent Major Cole twenty gallons of whiskey to be distributed among the men. It is needless to say they all pronounced the General a royal good fellow, and drank his health. If a suit- able medal had been presented to the officers and men, it would have been more appropriate, and even at this late day Congress should recognize the sur- vivors of this fight for their gallantry, and place them upon the roll of honor.
Casualties in Company A.
Loudoun Heights, Va., January 10, 1864.
Samuel Stone, killed. Harvey A. Null, killed.
Edward Stone, killed. Captain Geo. W. F. Vernon, wounded. First Sergeant Lewis M. Zimmerman, wounded. John Killian, wounded. Edgar Badois, wounded.
Wesley Carnes, wounded. Martin L. Kaufman, wounded.
Simon Staley, wounded.
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALBY, 1";;
Casualties IN Company B.
Loudoun Height 8) January l", 1895.
Sergeant Games, killed. Captain John Rivers, wounded.
Sergeant Wesley Mann, wounded. Samuel Rivers, wounded. Gotleih Fuss, wounded.
Casualties in Company C. Loudoun Heights, Va., January 10, 1864. Win. II. Weaver, wounded. I). W. Longwell, wounded.
Casualties in Company D.
Loudoun Heights, Va., January 10, 1864.
George Burford, killed. Reson Cross, killed.
Henry Howard, wounded.
CHAPTER XIX.
REPORT OF BATTLE AND COMPLIMENTARY LETTER OF GENERAL HALLECK.
On the following day, after the fight, Monday, January 11th, Major Cole sent this report to Gene- ral Sullivan the Brigade Commander :
"Sir: — I have the honor to report that my camp was attacked, between three and four o'clock this morning-, by Major Mosby's command of Rebel Gue- rillas, some four hundred strong, augmented by vol- unteers from Lee's Army. They cautiously avoided my pickets and made an impetuous charge, with a loud yell, on the right of the camp. In consequence of t lie charge, the right Company, B, offered but a feeble resistance, but in the meantime, the second Company in line, Company A, was speedily rallied by its commanding officer, Captain Vernon, who con- tested their further advance in such a sanguinary manner as to form a rallying point; in the mean- time, the enemy had charged the left Company, C, and centre Company, D. The command was now thoroughly aroused to the danger that threatened them, and one and all, from the officers to the pri- vates, entered into the contest with such a deter- mined zest as led to the utter rout and discomfiture of the enemy, leaving three prisoners in our hands and a loss in killed, (left on the field,) of five, divided as follows: one Captain, two Lieutenants and two
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. LOS
privates. They removed ;i Large portion of their wounded, as my detachment In pursuit observed blood stains lor miles along their Line of retreat. Our loss was four enlisted men killed and Bixteen men wounded, among whom are Captain Vernon, Company A, seriously shot through the head, left eye destroyed, and Lieutenant John Rivers, slightly in the leg. I am happy to state that there are hopes of Captain Vernon's recovery."
Brigadier General B. P. Kelly, the Department Commander, upon receiving General Sullivan's ac- count of the fight forwarded it to Brigadier Gene- ral Cullum, Chief of Staff of the General-in-Chief, adding :
"I cheerfully comply with the request of General Sullivan, in calling the attention of the General-in- Chief to the gallant conduct of Major Cole and his brave command ; his repulse of a murderous attack, made by an overwhelming force, at 4 o'clock, on a dark, cold morning, evidences a discipline, a watch- fulness and bravery most commendable."
In due time, through the hands of Generals Kelly and Sullivan, Major Cole received this dispatch :
" Headquarters of the Army,
Washington, January 28th, 1864.
"Brigadier General B. F. Kelly, Cumberland, Md.,
" General : — I have just received, through your headquarters, Major Henry A. Cole's report of the repulse of Mosby's attack upon his camp, on Loudoun Heights on the 10th inst. Major Cole and his coin-
7
10() COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
maud, the Battalion of Cavalry, Maryland Volunteers, deserve high praise for their gallantry in repelling the Rebel assault.
Your obedient servant,
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief."
Lieutenant Colston, of Mosby's command, was killed immediately in front of my tent ; after the repulse of the enemy there was taken from the Lieutenant's per- son two passes, reading:
" Pass Lieutenant Colston in and out of lines at pleasure.
ROBERT E. LEE,
General."
I was compelled to turn the passes into headquar- ters, by order of General Sullivan. It is presumed the passes were used by our scouts to great advantage. The Lieutenant also had on his person the picture of a beautiful young woman, and on the reverse side was written "Your sister, Florence." The picture was sent by myself to Baltimore, to be returned to the young lady. I was never positive whether the lady received the picture I had sent to my home until a few days since. A member of my family had given it to a Mr. John Fowler, who was personally acquainted with the Colstons, to be delivered to them. A few days ago, over thirty years after this occurrence, I was in- troduced by Captain Dudley P. Barnett, formerly on the staff of General Rhodes, of the Confederate Army, to Mr. Frederick M. Colston, of the firm of Wilson,
GOLEMS MARYLAND CAVALRY' 1<>7
Colston & Co., bankers, In Baltimore, who told me he was a brother of the Lieutenant killed In Cole's camp on Loudoun Heights, January I Oth, L864, and his mother had received the picture. Mr. Colston had also served as Major in the Confederate Army, and is a member of an old Maryland family, being a cousin of the late Honorable John P. Kennedy, historian.
The Battalion remained in their camp on Loudoun Heights until the middle of the month of January, after which they moved to Harper's Ferry and en- camped on Bolivar Heights.
CHAPTER XX.
SENT TO WEST VIRGINIA.. — MECHANICS' GAP.
The latter part of January, 1X64, the Battalion was again ordered to leave camp for West Virginia, and join the forces sent to pursue a Confederate Division operating in that locality; the Confederates had captured and destroyed a train on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Colonel James A. Mulligan, with a Brigade, including his famous Irish Regiment, the 23d Illinois Infantry, were in pursuit of the Rebels. General Thomas L. Rosser, with his Brigade of Cav- alry, and General McCausland, were in command of the Division of Confederates.
Cole's Cavalry, with a number of Federal troops, left camp at Harper's Ferry and marched to Win- chester; thence to Romney. The Battalion in advance captured the pickets at the latter place. A force of Confederates were occupying a position at Mechanics' Gap, four miles from Romney. Major Cole, after capturing the pickets, continued to the foot of the mountain and awaited the arrival of Colonel Fitz- simmons, commanding a New York Regiment, who was in command of our forces. A number of Con- federate officers, who had been invited by a citizen living one mile from the Gap, to partake of his hospi- tality, were compelled to leave hi in and his family rather hastily, at our approach, mounting their horses and making their escape in the mountain; myself, with others of Cole's men, however partook of the
('Ohio's MAIIYI.AND CAVALRY. 109
roy;i,l feast thai had been prepared f'<»r the bo Rebel friends, to the great disgust <»r ;i number of
fair Indies who bad non it from Romney to help
entertain the Confederate officers. Perhaps it was somewhat rude for the boys to sent themselves al the
table Without being invited, u.url eat that whieli li;id
been prepared for others, to the great disappointment of the mistress of the house and her old colored cook. I however insisted upon paying for the meal and counted out fifty dollars in good Confederate money.
The command was ordered to attack the enemy in their stronghold ; the mountain on either side of the road running through towers fully four hundred feet in height, and the gap in the mountain is not one hun- dred yards wide. One Regiment of Confederate In- fantry were stationed at this point to contest our ad- vance. If we could succeed in forcing a passage, we would then be in the rear of the Confederates retreat- ing before Colonel Mulligan. We crossed a small stream of water at the foot of the mountain, a small body of the enemy's Cavalry falling back at our ad- vance. When we had gotten to within a few hundred yards of the Gap, the Rebel Infantry, stationed on the top of the mountain opened fire. The Battalion fought this Regiment the entire half day, using their trusty carbines with good effect. On one side of the road the mountain is almost perpendicular, and at times when one of our bullets took effect the Rebel soldiers shot would plunge out in open air and tumble clear to the bottom of the mountain. Why the Colonel commanding our forces failed to use the
110 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
two twelve pounder cannon and shell the enemy from their elevated position, lias always been a mystery to me, but I suppose the commanding officer had an ob- ject in not doing so, that he did not see fit to divulge to those under him. At the close of the day we fell back out of range of the enemy's guns. Orders had been given out that the command would make an early start on the following morning.
Old Billy Staton, a member of Company D, (who in general appearance very much resembled Colonel Miles, who had been killed at Harper's Ferry,) the men would always address as the " Colonel." The old gentleman was extremely neat in his dress and the buttons on his uniform were always bright and shining. He wore a large brass wreath on the front of his hat, with the letter of his Company in the centre, that could be seen at a great distance. Uncle Billy had been in the thickest of the fight. A rifle ball struck the old man's hat, passing through the brim, without injuring him in the least; one of the boys dismounted and handed him his hat. He coolly remarked that "he was thankful to the 'Johnnies' for not spoiling the handsome brass wreath on the front of his hat." The old man was a good soldier, he had served in the Mexican war and could always be relied upon in the time of a fight.
The command lost several men in killed and wounded; the exact loss of the enemy was not known, at least five were known to be killed, as they fell from their lofty height to the foot of the canyon, or mountain.
COLE'S MABYL \ M« OAVi iitV. 11 1
()ur pickets had exchanged shots with the enemy during the first pari of the night. At two o'clock the following morning the mon were again In the saddle and on the move, we rode rapidly through the moun- tains until daybreak, when we halted and fVd our horses; each man had been provided with Bufficienl forage the night previous. We were now within a few miles of Moorefield, in West Virginia. The smoke from a large camp (ire could be plainly Been In that vicinity. A body of soldiers was seen advancing upon Moorefield, some distance off. It proved to be Colonel Mulligan, who had been following the enemy, on the west side of the mountain. Our Captain, who had ridden hard from Mechanics' Gap, joined with Mulligan and prepared to attack the enemy. The Regiment of Confederates whom we had fought the day before, at Mechanics' Gap, had retreated after dark, leaving only a small squad on picket, who had been doing the tiring at our pickets the night pre- vious. The Rebels could now be seen falling back in the direction of Strasburg, with Iiosser's Cavalry covering their retreat; our Cavalry following, the advance exchanging shots with the enemy. The order was given to trot, gallop, and before the com- mand was given to ''charge" a courier dashed up and our command was halted, and for some cause known only to the Commanding Officer, the enemy were per- mitted to retire without giving them battle. Mutter- ings of discontent could be plainly heard throughout the ranks. The men were anxious to engage the enemy, but they could do nothing without orders.
112 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
I am stating plain facts, but do not wish to criticise the action of any one.
Cole's Cavalry, with a Pennsylvania Cavalry Regi- ment, returned to Romney and back to Harper's Ferry. The defeat of Mosby at Loudoun Heights had given Cole's Cavalry a great reputation, and on our return from the mountains of West Virginia, it was rumored that the Battalion would be raised to a full Regiment.
CHAPTER XXI.
RE-ENLISTMENT.- -LIST OP OFFICERS.
On February L3th, 1864, fchreerfourths of the Old Battalion re-enlisted for the war. They were granted a furlough of thirty days, and at once set out for their homes, not however before visiting old Freder- ick City, where tliey were given a reception such as no command ever received. Captain Vernon who had been so severely wounded in the head, on the night of Mosby's attack, and whose home was in Frederick, was now sufficiently recovered to be up and about. The Captain, with the Mayor of the town, the corporate and County authorities, a large concourse of citizens formed into line, and the whole body marched through the streets. Church and fire bells rang, flags waved from every available point and cannon boomed a welcome to the returning Bat- talion. It was certainly a gala day, and the recep- tion made the boys feel proud. The Honorable Madi- son Nelson, one of the Judges of the Court of Ap- peals of Maryland, made a speech to them in the city hall, into which they were conducted to the strains of "Home, sweet home." A banquet followed, after which the members of the Old Battalion sought their respective homes.
Honorable Augustus Bradford, the Governor of the State of Maryland, sent for Major Cole and person- ally congratulated and complimented his Battalion in the highest terms, and suggested that he augment
114 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
the Battalion to a full Regiment. The Governor stated he had taken the greatest interest in the Cav- alry command. There was no difficulty in obtaining the necessary authority.
Before the furlough had expired two additional Battalions, of four Companies each, had been raised in different parts of the State and reported for duty at Frederick. Major Cole became the Colonel of the Regiment ; Captain George W. F. Vernon, of Company A, Lieutenant Colonel; Lieutenant A. M. Flory, of Company B, Major of the First Battalion ; J. T. Dan- iels, a new recruit, Major of the Second Battalion; Robert S. Mooney, Major of the Third Battalion ; Ser- geant O. A. Horner of Company C, Adjutant; Lieuten- ant Daniel Link, succeeded Captain Vernon, of Com- pany A; Lieutenant John Rivers, was made Captain of Company B; Sergeant Henry Buckingham was made Captain of Company C; Captain Frank Gallagher continued as Captain of Company D, but in the hos- pital, not yet recovered from a fractured leg, and Lieu- tenant Samuel Mills was in command of the Company.
A very small percentage of the old non-commis- sioned officers had been promoted in the new Com- panies, which caused much disappointment and dis- satisfaction among the members of the Old Battalion. Colonel Cole said in speaking to the writer, of this slight to the men who had assisted in making the name of Cole's Cavalry a househald word in Western Maryland, that it was a mistake he had often regret- ted. Influence had been brought to bear upon the Governor and he had commissioned a number of new officers without consulting with the Colonel of the command.
Colonel HENRY A. COLE.
CHAPTER XXII.
ROSTER OF OFFICERS UNDER REORGA NIZATION.
The full Roster of the Officers of the Regiment wras as follows :
COLE'S MARYLAND VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
Original organization of First Battalion, August 10th, 1861. Augmented to a full Regiment April 20th, 1864.
Field and Staff:
Henry A. Cole — Colonel, promoted from Captain ( !om- pany A to Major, August 1st, 1862, to Lieutenant Colonel, March 7th, 1864, to Colonel, April 20th, L864.
George W. F. Vernon — Lieutenant Colonel, promoted from Second Lieutenant Co. A, to First Lieutenant, June 8th, 1862, to Captain, October loth, 1862, to Major, March 7th, 1SC>4, to Lieutenant Colonel, April 20th, 1864; wounded January 10th, 1864, having left eye shot out in midnight attack on camp by Mosby's Guerrillas.
J. Townsend Daniel — Major, March 19th, 1864.
A. M. Flory — Major, promoted from First Lieutenant Co. B, to Major, April 20th, LS64; honorably dis- charged, October 2nd, 1S64.
Robert D. Mooney — Major, promoted from First Lieu- tenant Co. I, to Major, April 20th, 18(34.
116 COLE'.S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
O. A. Horner — Major, promoted from private Com- pany C, to Corporal, August 31st, 1861, to First Sergeant, June 10th, 1862, to Second Lieutenant, January 15th, 1864, to First Lieutenant and Adju- tant, April 20th, L864,to Major, February 1st, 1865; captured July 7th, 1S(!4, and escaped same day.
Charles Ostrelli — First Lieutenant and Adjutant, pro- moted from private Company I, to Sergeant Major, May 1st, 1864, to First Lieutenant Co. E, Decem- ber 30th, 1864, to Adjutant, February 1st, 1865.
Walter R. Way — Surgeon, promoted from Assistant Surgeon, April 20th, 1864; honorably discharged and appointed Assistant Surgeon United States Volunteers, December 3rd, 1864, by order Secre- tary of War.
D. W. Onderdonk — Surgeon, promoted from Assistant Surgeou, January 24th, 1865.
John Mcllvaine — Assistant Surgeon, promoted from Hospital Steward to Assistant Surgeon, May 17th, 1865.
H. F. Winchester — First Lieutenant and R. Q. M., (dismissed.)
H. H. Vernon — First Lieutenant and It. C. S., died at Frederick, Md., June 23d, 1864.
Samuel J. Maxwell — First Lieutenant and R. C. S., pro- moted from Sergeant Co. C, to Company Commis- sary Sergeant, January 1st, 1863. Re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer, February 13th, 1864, pro- moted to First Lieutenant and K. C. D., July 7th, 18(54; captured September 2d, 1862; exchanged December 18th, 1862.
Charles Cole — Chaplain.
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALBY. 117
Non-commissioned Staff.
Charles L. K. 8umwalt- Sergeanl Major, promoted f'l-oin private Company K, t<» Sergeant, September 1st, L864, to Sergeanl Major, January 6th, L866.
H. G. Winter — R. Q. Sergeant, promoted Prom <^. M. Sergeant Co. D, to R. Q. M. Sergeant, May 1st, 186 I, Veteran Volunteer.
W. L. Curreno — R. C. Sergeant, promoted from pri- vate Co. C, to Corporal, June LOth, L862, to Ser- geant, May 7th, 1864, to R. C. Sergeant, Septem- ber 1st, 1864, Veteran Volunteer.
Samuel J. Wolf — R. Saddler Sergeant, promoted from Saddler Co. C, to R. C. Sergeant, November 1st, 1864, Veteran Volunteer; captured September 2nd, 1862; exchanged December 18th, 1862.
Charles S. Long — Chief Trumpeter, promoted from private Co. F, to Chief Trumpeter, May 1st, 1865.
.lames R. Scott — Hospital Steward, promoted from private Company C, to Corporal, January 1st, 1863, to Hospital Steward, December 1st, 1864, Veteran Volunteer; wounded at Leesburg, Va.. September 2d, 1862 j captured September 14th, 1862; exchanged February 18th, 1863.
James McDonald — Veterinary Surgeon.
Company A.
Captain Daniel Link — Promoted from private to Ser- geant, to First Lieutenant, to Captain : honorably discharged, January 24th, 1865.
118 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Captain Franklin Hitchcock — Promoted from private in Company C, to Second Lieutenant Company A, to First Lieutenant, to Captain.
First Lieutenant Cooms — Deserted, 1861.
Second Lieutenant Hanson Green — Resigned, Decem- ber, 1862.
First Lieutenant Charles W. Beatty — Promoted from Farrier to Fifth Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant, to First Lieutenant, Veteran Volunteer.
Second Lieutenant D. E. Orison — Promoted from pri- vate to Corporal, to C. Sergeant, to First Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant.
Company R.
Captain William Firey — Dismissed May 30th, 1864.
The dismissal of Captain Firey from the Army was greatly deplored by not only the members of Company B, but by the rank and file of the entire Old Battalion. Captain William Firey was a brave, conscientious gentleman and soldier, and ever ready to do a kindness for those under him. The Captain had been sick for some time, and when he became convalescent he took command of his company on a scout, and when the command went into camp for the night, near Upperville, Va., the ground was very damp, some one suggested that he, the Captain, lodge at a house not far distant; unfortunately the building .was outside of his picket line. During the night the enemy charged down upon the picket post and cap- tured several men. Charges were preferred against Captain Firey for being outside of his lines in the
cou.'s \i.\ uvn.w D ' \ \'.\ i.kv. " 119
enemy's country, and placed the blame upon him for lack of discipline. He was courl tnartialed and dishonorably dismissed the service, after serving his country so gallantly fur over two years.
Second Lieut ei unit A I her t Metz Killed in act inn .lune
l. -Hi, 1863. Captain John L. Rivers Promoted from private to <^.
M. Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant, to < 'aptain. First Lieutenant Frank Burr. Second Lieutenant Charles W. Mann Promoted from
private to (£. M. Sergeant, to First Sergeant, to
Second Lieutenant, Veteran Volunteer.
Company C.
Captain John R. Horner — Resigned June 10th, 1862.
First Lieutenant Washington Morrison — Resigned June LOth, 1862, promoted from Second Lieutenant to succeed Annan.
First Lieutenant John Motter Annan — Killed acci- dently at Frederick, Md., November 14th, 1861.
Captain A. M. Hunter — Promoted from Bugler to Second Lieutenant and to Captain ; captured Sep- tember 2d, 1862; exchanged December 18th, 1862; honorably discharged, September 28th, 1864.
Captain Henry Buckingham — Promoted to Corporal from Private, Corporal to Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant, to Captain; mustered out with Re- giment June 28th, 1865.
First Lieutenant William A. Horner — Promoted from First Sergeant to First Lieutenant, June 10th, 1862; captured September 14th, 1862; exchanged
120 ' COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
February 1863 ; honorably discharged, September 28th, 1864.
First Lieutenant. O. D. McMillan — Promoted from First Sergeant to First Lieutenant, Veteran Vol- unteer ; captured September 2d, 1862 ; exchanged December 18th, 1862; mustered out with Re- giment.
Second Lieutenant H. I. McNair — Promoted from Ser- geant to Second Lieutenant ; resigned January 2d, 1864, to accept promotion in 3d Maryland Cav- alry.
Second Lieutenant William A. Mcllhenny — Promoted from private to Corporal, to Q. M. Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant, Veteran Volunteer; wounded at Charlestown, October 18th, 1863; mustered out with Company.
Second Lieutenant O. A. Horner — Promoted from pri- vate to Corporal, August 31st, 1861, to First Ser- geant, June 10th, 1862, to Second Lieutenant, Jan- uary 15th, 1864, to First Lieutenant and Adjutant, April 20th, 1864, to Major, February 1st, 1865; captured July 7th, 1864, and escaped same day at Middletown, Md.
Company D.
Captain Pierce K. Keirle — Resigned June 18th, 1863.
Captain Francis Gallagher — Promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant; captured Sep- tember 2d, 1862 ; exchanged December 18th, 1862; honorably discharged, September, 1864.
First Lieutenant Robert E. Milling — Dismissed Sept. 1st, 1862.
COLe'h MARYLAND CAVALKY. I 21
First Lieutenanl Samuel 8. Mills Promoted from private l«> Q. M. 8ergeant, to 8econd Lieutenant, to First Lieutenant; captured al Leesburg, Va., September 2d, L862, and ai Winchester, August 20th, 1864, escaping 1 >* » 1 1 1 times; honorably dis- charged I December 2d, 186 I.
Captain Tapham Wright Kelly Independent Com- pany consolidated with Company 1> and com- manded the Cdmpany until close of war. First Lieutenant Henry A. Bier, Second Lieutenant C. F. Benchoff.
Lieutenant Sam Sigler — Promoted from private to Bugler, to Second Lieutenant ; captured at Smith Held, August 22d, 1862; exchanged December, 1862; honorably discharged, September, 1864.
Company E.
Captain G. -I. P. Wood — Dismissed September 26th, 1864, revoked May Llth, 1865, by order of the President of t he I fnited States.
Captain John I*. Forrest — Promoted from private to ('. Sergeant, to First Sergeant, to ('attain.
First Lieutenant Charles V. Duncan— Resigned June 8th, L864.
First Lieutenant E. V. Gannon — Promoted from pri- vate to Sergeant Company A, to First Lieutenant, Veteran Volunteer.
Second Lieutenant John T. Hickman — Wounded in action at Charlestown, Va., August 22d, 1864; honorably discharged on Surgeon's Certificati Disability, November 2d, 1864.
L22 COLE'S MAIIVI.ANH CAVALRY.
Second Lieutenant P. Walsh — Promoted from private to Q. M. Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant.
Company F.
Captain William F. Bragg.
First Lieutenant H. B. Younger — Captured August
5th, 1864, at Keedysville, Md.j exchanged April,
1865. Second Lieutenant Uriah Garber.
Company G.
Captain George M. Kerslmer.
First Lieutenant Frank D. Kerr.
Second Lieutenant Thomas McAtee — Resigned June
11th, 1864. Second Lieutenant John T. Xoile — Promoted from
private to First Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant.
Company H.
Captain B. F. Hauck — Killed in action at Charles- town, Va., August 22d, 1865.
Captain J. \V. Kraft — Raised Company of Heavy Ar- tillery, consolidated with Cole's Cavalry, assumed command Company II, August, L864.
First Lieutenant E. H. Johnson — Dishonorably dis- missed, January 25th, 1865.
First Lieutenant Joseph B. Swaney — Promoted from Second Lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant Robert Butler — Promoted from private Company I to First Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant.
dole's MARYLAN l» ' a v \ LBV. 123
Company I.
( laptain W. L. At kinson.
First Lieutenant A. Woodhull Dismissed April 6th, 1865.
Second Lieutenant Alexander M. Briscoe Pr oted
from private to Q. M. Sergeant Company I". to Second Lieutenant Company I, to First Lieuten- ant ; captured at Hagerstown, July 29th, L864; <is- caped from Hospital, ;it. Columbia, South Caro- lina, with assistance of Miss Carrie Karey, ;i Southern Lady, February I 1th, 1865.
( lOMPANY K.
Captain L» M. Zimmerman— Promoted from private to Corporal Company A, to Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant, to Captain of Company K; captured at Leesburg, Va., September 2d, 1862; exchanged December LOth, 1862; wounded at Loudoun Beights, January loth, 1864.
First Lieutenant George E. Owens.
Second Lieutenant P>. F. NfcAtee — Resigned Novem- ber I Ith, 1864.
Second Lieutenant Charles II. Barto — Promoted from Sergeant Company II to Chief Trumpeter, to Second Lieutenant.
Company L.
Captain John II. McCoy — Promoted from private Corporal Company F 2nd Maryland [nlantry, to Second Lieutenant, to Captain, and transferred
to Company L.
124 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
First Lieutenant A. A. Troxell. Second Lieutenant Charles J. Gehring.
Company M.
Captain L. H. Greenewald — Promoted from private Company F, to Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant, to Captain.
First Lieutenant George M. Lease — Promoted from private to Q. M. Sergeant Company A, to First Lieutenant of Company M, Veteran Volunteer; wounded August 24th, 1864.
Second Lieutenant C. A. Santmyer — Promoted from private to First Sergeant, to Second Lieutenant.
CHAPTER Will.
-II IN AM'OA II V.\ LLE1 •
A.fteb the Regiment had been properly equipped they saw much hard service and 1< « * i > t up the reputa- tion the Old Battalion had made; they participated in the Valley Campaign, with Sheridan, and Lost a number of men in killed and wounded.
The members of the first, or Veteran Battalion, as they were called, had returned to camp at Frederick City, their thirty day's furlough having expired, and were now thoroughly equipped and ready for duty, and were ordered to join General Sigel, then moving up the Shenandoah Valley, participating in the disastrous fight at New Market, May 15th, 1864. The Battalion was only saved from annihilation or surrender by their desperate courage, and superb fighting qualities, that had before enabled it to out its way through opposing ranks of the enemy. The Battalion suffered severely and many a poor fellow bit the dust in this engagement. In this battle Sigel was badly beaten by Breckinridge, and his Germans completely routed, and many of them captured by the Boys' Brigade of Cadets, from the Virginia Mili- tary Institute, commanded by Colonel Scott Shipp. Colonel Shipp was wounded and the command de- volved upon Professor Captain Henry A. Wise, who after the war became Superintendent of the PubliG Schools of Baltimore City. The Cadets charged and captured a battery. Senator Faulkner, John A. Wise,
126 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALBY.
and many others who have since risen to eminence, were in the Cadet Brigade, which lost a large per- centage of their membership in killed and wounded.
On the return of the command to Harper's Ferry, the Battalion was again sent to Loudoun; they had not met Mosby since the latter's defeat on the 10th of January. After scouting several days, we came upon a portion of his command at Qpperville, and also at Snickersville ; defeating them at both places and capturing several prisoners.
The two new Battalions of Colonel Cole's Regiment went from Frederick to Camp Stoneman, near Wash- ington, for the purpose of being mounted and equipped.
After the defeat of Sigel, he was superseded by General Hunter, who was ordered to clear the Valley of all Confederate forces, and these two Battalions were temporarily armed with muskets and assigned to Colonel Mulligan's Brigade of Infantry, which had charge of a wagon train loaded with ammunition and provisions sent to General Hunter, whilst on his famous raid to Lynchburg, Virginia. Two-thirds of the old Battalion who were mounted and a number of the new men owning their own horses, under command of Major Daniels, and Captain Daniel Link of ( lompany A, had been detailed to take the advance of Hunter's army, destroying a large amount of Confederate property, including a wagon train cap- tured near Lynchburg. They participated with Hun- ter in the battle at Harrisonburg, June 3d, 1864, Pied- mont, June 5th, Tye River, June 7th, and Lynchburg,
i OLE'S MARYLAND C IVALBY. 1 27
June 17th and L 8th, and also at Lexington, Buckhan- noii and Salem.
Lee hastened Early's Corps to the aid of the Con- federates at Lynchburg. Hunter was several hun- dred miles from his base <>t' suppl ics, and Early massed such an overwhelming force in front of him that he \v;is compelled to fall back; retreating up the Kanawha Valley, in Wesl Virginia. Early, instead Hi' continuing in pursuit of Hunter, changed his course to the Shenandoah Valley, and had gotten to Leetown, within ten miles of the Potomac River, where he struck ( lolonel Mulligan's Brigade, who had started with ;i supply train for Hunter's army, and was repulsed. A portion of the old Battalion, who had not gone on the raid with General Hunter, had been sent from Leetown by Colonel Mulligan in the direc- tion of Winchester. Mulligan had sent his train back to Harper's Ferry, [n leaving the camp Cole's men wcid to Charlestown, and then out the Berryville road. In going through Charlestown it was observed that the citizens were congregating upon the street coiners, and from their general manner something unusual was up. Lieutenant 8am Sigler, of Company H was in command of our scouting party of sixty-five men. Night was approaching when we met a farmer who informed us that Early was at Winchester and was expected to be in Charlestown next day. After this information we concluded to return to camp, but halted several miles outside of Charlestown, on the Summit Point Road, supposing that if Early was at Winchester, the men of his command living around Charlestown, some of them would get to their homes
128 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
in advance of the Confederate Army, and our conjec- tures were correct. I had charge of the pickets; the lntMi were dismounted in a strip of woods standing by their horses. I hud relieved the guard after mid- night, and had gotten but a short distance from one of the pickets when I beard the man on duty halt- ing some one, and called upon me to return to his post. The comrade I had relieved from duty I sent to the reserve, with instructions to have the command ready to mount. When 1 approached the sentinel lie had under arrest a horseman, who upon investigation I discovered was a mounted Infantryman, and he in- formed me that he belonged to Early's Army, and had left his command at Winchester. After a short con- sultation among ourselves we concluded to return to camp and started at once. In passing through Charles- town on our return, many houses were lit up; we knew the occupants were expecting their friends, and at daylight we came into the camp at Leetown. Lieu- tenant Sigler started at once to Colonel Mulligan's headquarters, with the prisoner we had brought in. The men unsaddled their horses, and the next instant we heard the pickets on the outpost firing. The bugle sounded "boots and saddles," the men had scarcely time to mount their horses when the enemy was upon them ; had our scouting party remained away thirty minutes longer than we had, the Rebels would have gotten to the camp first. Our detachment of Cav- alry were instantly thrown out in advance of Mulli- gan's brigade as skirmishers and engaged the enemy. Sigel who had been restored to the command of the lower Shenandoah Valley, had his headquarters at
« OLE'B MAKVI.AMi I w w.uv. I !fl
Martinsburg. Mulligan, with liis Brigade, repulsed the enemy, and Sigel immediately evacuated Martins- burg without coming to Mulligan's assistance, and fell back into Maryland, after which he ordered Mulligan to fal I buck across the Potomac at Shepherdstown, and from thence Sigel teok his entire command to Mary- Land Heights.
Cole's iirw Battalions were under 1 1 1 ■ < - for the first time at Leetown ;in<l they behaved most admirably, forming line of battle in face of an arl illery fire with promptitude that would have done credit to older veterans.
1 do not wish to criticise General Sigel's move- ments. It is a well known fact thai it Left Early a clear ]>ass over South .Mountain to Frederick, and resulted in his nearly capturing Washington. The Capital was defenceless until the arrival of the <!th Army 'Corps, which General Grant promptly threw around it.
On .July 6th, 1864, Adjutant 0. A. Horner had charge of a wagon train sent from Harper'.- Ferry to Freder- ick, and reported to ( 'olonel 1 1 iggins, in charge of tin- post. Rumors of Rebels advancing upon Frederick from Boonsboro', had been received at headquarters; Colonel Higgins ordered a scouting party, composed of members of the L2th Pennsylvania Cavalry and Means' Loudoun Rangers, an independent Virginia Battalion, to go in the direction of Middletown under command of a Major Thorp ; about seventy-live men in all. Colonel Higgins requested Adjutant Horner with his few men, some eight or ten, to accompany Thorp, and take the advance. The column had
l.°,0 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
advanced to within one mile of Middietown, when they came upon the enemy's picket post; Adjutant Horner immediate ordered his men to charge and drove the pickets upon their reserve, about twenty- live men, who in turn charged Horner's small squad. Major Thorp with his entire command "right about" and dashed back towards Frederick, in the greatest disorder, and behaving in the most cowardly manner. Adjutant Horner finding it was impossible to cheek the enemy, was compelled to fall back and in doing so, the Adjutant's horse was shot and fell upon its rider, who was captured by the Rebels, but succeeded in making his escape ; concealing himself in a small negro cabin. The Confederates re-established their picket post immediately in front of the house ; Adjutant Horner found an old coat and hat belonging to the former occupant of the building which he donned and leisurely walked out into the yard and succeeded in making his escape to the mountains, walked to Frederick and reported at headquarters in his unmilitary garb. After procuring suitable cloth- ing and a fresh horse he returned to his regiment at Maryland Heights.
< II \PTKi; XXIV.
\mmii \i"i BRIDGE SCOUTING l\ FREDERIC! COl N l 5 .
On July the 9th, 1864, ( lenera I Early was confronted ;it Monocacy, Maryland, by Lew Wallace and General E. r>. Tyler, who had iii their commands a dumber of new regiments who were under Are for the first time, some of these regiments had only been in the Bervice Imi a few days and were unfamiliar with the tactics. Alexander's Maryland Battery and the 1st Regiment Potomac Home Brigade of Maryland [nfantry, Col- onel Maulsby, did good service. After fighting for one-half day against the flower of the Southern Army, | Early's Corps,) Wallace and Tyler were defeated with a loss or nearly two thousand men.
The Sixth Army ( lorps had arrived and Washington was saved.
During Early's invasion of Maryland, Cole's ( 'a va iry was not idle; a number of the men of the new Bat- talions had secured horses and had been in several minor skirmishes. Lieutenant Colonel Vernon, with a detachment of the old Batallion, were for a time separated from the Regiment, who were at Maryland Heights and Pleasant Valley, Maryland. The Colo- nel's instructions from the General in command, were to harass the enemy, capture their pickets, and i\o all the damage he could accomplish. We were for the most part of the time inside the enemy's lim-<. and performed a great deal o\' hard and dangerous service, capturing a large number of prisoners, among
132 cole's maeyland cavaley,
which was a Confederate Major with the mail for Bradley T. Johnson's Brigade.
The battle of Monocacyhad boon fought. Lieuten- ant Colonel Vernon and his small force of sixty-five men were familiar with the country. The enemy's Cavalry were overrunning Frederick County in small detachments, gathering up horses from the farmers. Cur detachment had conic upon several small squads of Rebel Cavalrymen and either captured or dis- persed them. On our arrival in the neighborhood of Middletown we were informed by the citizens that an old gentleman, a farmer by the name of George Blessing, living several miles distant, had shot one or more Rebels, and Colonel Vernon started at once with his men for Blessing's farm. As our advance was proceeding up the lane leading to the farmer's house they were halted by an old gray- haired man, fully sixty-five years of age, who de- manded that they should go back, or he would shoot. The old gentleman was partially concealed behind a large tree, with a rifle in his hand. Colo- nel Vernon called him by name and informed him we were Cole's men and had come to protect him. Mr. Blessing gave us a hearty welcome and said he had mistaken us for the Confederates whom he had exchanged shots with a number of times during the day, and had driven off the enemy not an hour be- fore, who threatened to return and hang him and burn his property. To prove his assertion, ho led the way up to his barn yard, where lay a dead Rebel and one in the barn, wounded. The old farmer had some half dozen guns of different patterns; when
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. I 3 3
ihr roving bands of Confederates approached hi house lie would warn them off, they would Are upon him, and this old patriot stood Mis ground. He would do the shooting whilst his small grandson would Load the pieces. Our command remained ;it the farm house over night and the "Johnnie failed to put in an appearance; they would have received a warm reception If they had returned. Our men buried the dead soldier and 1 < * f t the wounded prisoner in the hands of his captor, who promised to have him properly taken care of. <>n the following morning we made an early start in the direction of Frederick, picking up an occasional straggler.
Our advance came near running into a large body of the enemy's Cavalry. They turned off the main road however, and we permitted them to go by with- out following them up, as we had received informa- tion that several Confederate officers had stopped over night with a Mr. Preston, who lived but a short distance from the road. Colonel Vernon was very anxious that these officers should be taken, and in- structed me to ride on ahead with two men, and cap ture them, which I did. When I got to .Mr. Preston's house we captured four officers, who were enjoying themselves under the shade of the trees in the yard. We pounced upon them so suddenly, they did not have an opportunity to make their escape. One of the officers, a Major, handed me his revolver, which I carried during the remainder of the war. My two comrades each captured a man; we were about to return to the command which I knew would be
134 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
awaiting us out on the road, when I was told by a colored servant, that one of the officers had ran into the house. <>n investigating, I discovered him under the bed in Miss Preston's bed-chamber. He quietly crawled out, at the same time requesting me not to shoot. After turning our prisoners over to the guard Colonel Vernon and myself again went back to the house. The Colonel was personally acquainted with the Prestons, and wished if possible to get some in- formation from them. On arriving at the house we were invited to dismount and come in, which invita- tion Colonel Vernon very politely declined, but sat upon his horse talking to Mr. and Miss Preston, when two Confederates came riding down the lane. I was concealed behind an outhouse, Colonel Vernon was in plain view, they evidently imagined he did not see them, and no doubt it was their intention to capture him. Miss Preston in the meantime trying to warn the Rebels to go back. The ( 'olonel reminded her of her intention, and just as the two Confede- rates were in the act of opening a gate to let them- selves through I moved from behind the outhouse and told them to throw up their hands. Before they recovered from their astonishment, 1 had their arms in my possession. We bade Mr. and Miss Preston good day and joined our com maud on the main road, cont inning on our way.
We had now reached a point three miles West of Frederick, on the main road, advancing cautiously, having been told by the citizens that the enemy's picket post was not far off. John Fraley, one of
COLE'S makyi.an I) OAV \ LRY. L35
Company A's first and bravest men, who' was riding by my side, proposed we Bhould ride on ahead of the advance and stop ;it ;i public bouse, kept by a Mr. John HaginSj who was a persona] friend of Fral< although a strong Southern sympathizer, havin bod in the Confederate Army. Hagin advised u turn back, as there was a Rebel picket p<»~t at the toll-gate, one quarter <>f ;i mile down the Freder- ick turnpike, and but ;i short time before a -mull squad of Confederate Cavalry had passed in thai direction.
Fraley insisted that we should try and capture the picket post before Colonel Vernon came up, and if T refused lo accompany him he would go alone, which I of course would not permit. From Hagin's house to the toll-gate there was almost a continuous line of trees growing by the side of the road. Fraley and myself approached the pickets, keeping well under cover of the trees, until we had gotten up to within one hundred yards of them, when we dashed out with a loud yell, at the same time discharging our revolvers.
The Confederates went pell-mell into a small one room house, used by the toll-gate keeper as an office, and (dosed the door after them. Fraley was unable to hold his horse, and he continued at break neck speed in the direction of Frederick. I became alarmed fearing the Confederates would discover that I alone was on t he outside, and perhaps turn the tables and capture me instead of surrendering to one man. Fra- ley had gotten completely out of sight.
136 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRV.
The frame building the Confederates were in had a small window at the side, the door was closed. Thrusting my revolver in at the window, I enquired who was in command; the Sergeant who had charge • if the post was much excited, and I demanded he should open the door and come out backward bring- ing his gun, and the remainder to follow in rotation. The small room was so completely packed they could scarcely move on the inside, and had great difficulty in opening the door. The Sergeant was the first to come out, as I directed, closing the door with his back to me, and I ordered the Sergeant to place his gun against the side of the building, after which he returned to the inside, sending another one of his men out. There were but four soldiers in all, and some six or eight citizens who had been visiting the picket post when Fraley and myself charged down upon them. One old gentleman assured me he was a Union man, and had advised the Rebels to surren- der. Colonel Vernon had heard our shots and came galloping to the front and was greatly surprised to find me guarding the building, with the prisoners on the inside. Fraley had succeeded in checking his horse and was now returning up the road and was much chagrined at not being present at the surren- der of the pickets. It is useless to state that Colo- nel Vernon was much pleased with the capture. We stationed our pickets at this point, and the command removed a short distance, fed our horses and re- mained over night.
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. L37
Iii the morning the command cautiously advanced upon Frederick. The pear guard of Early's Army had gone <>n( the aighi before in the direction of Washington. The command returned («» Harper's Ferry. Early returned to Virginia pursued by Emory and Crook.
CHAPTER XXV.
RETURN TO VIRGINIA.
When Early's command crossed the Potomac into Maryland, before Colonel Vernon had been sent with his detachment to harass the enemy, Cole's Cavalry fought a force of Confederates at Brownsville, Mary- land, driving them out of Pleasant Valley, through Crampton's Gap. The new Battalions lost a number of men in killed and wounded in the two days skir- mishing ; the officers and men behaving and fighting in the most soldierly manner.
There is an incident connected with the battle of Monocacy that perhaps should be mentioned. After the Union forces were compelled to fall back before Early, a number of raw recruits became panic-stricken ; the officers failed to control their men. General E. B. Tyler, who had achieved distinction on more than one occasion upon the battlefield, was powerless to check the rout, and was one of the last to leave the field. In his anxiety for the safety of his men he failed to notice that his own retreat was cut off. Lieutenant E. Y. Goldsborough, a brave and gallant M.-irylander, a resident of Frederick City, was a special Aide upon General Tyler's staff and could have made his escape, but he refused to leave his chief as other members of the staff had done. The General and this faithful officer were now entirely surrounded by the enemy's cavalry and were com- pelled to seek safety in a dense thicket of under-
Cole's Maryland cavalry. 139
brush, near Mount Pleasant, ttve miles east of Frederick. These two officers remained concealed for over two days, when myself, with twenty men who Lad been sent on a reconnoisance, got Infor- mation from ;i loyal citizen thai ;i Union officer <»r high rank hud been nit off and could be found at the point designated.
r took the liberty of pressing into service a carriage, — the driver said lie was then on the way to attend a funeral; his story may have been correct, bul al thai time it m.-i.l tered little to us. General Tylerand Lieu- tenant Goldsborough both expressed their thanks al being relieved from their perilous position; they oc- cupied the carriage and 1 had them conveyed to Fred- erick City, where our forces were again in possession. After the war I became intimately acquainted with both of these officers. The carriage was not returned to the owner, a Mr. Ulrich, who kept a livery stable in Frederick for several months after this occurrence, it having been sent to Washington. Mr. Ulrich no doubt realized a handsome sum from the Govern- ment for its use.
Early had now returned to Virginia, pursued by Emory and (/rook. Colonel Cole, with the entire mounted portion of the command, were attached to General Crook's division, and those of the new Bat- talions who had not been mounted, were sent to Ila- gerstown and given condemned horses from the cor- ral; they later joined the Regiment, and saw much hard service. Early was retreating in the direction of Winchester, through Snicker's Gap, and across the Shenandoah River at Snicker's Ferry. Cole's Cav-
L40 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
airy assisted in capturing a portion of Early's wagon train near Snickersville. Many of the wagons cap- tured contained merchandise that had been stolen from storekeepers during Early's raid in Maryland. One wagon captured had been used by the Paymaster of the Rebel Army, and contained thousands of dol- lars in Confederate money, and several thousand dol- lars in United States greenbacks, *which were secured by two members of Company B, of Cole's command.
On July 24th, Crook attacked Early at Kernstown, and was defeated. The mounted portion of Cole's new Battalions suffered severely. Colonel Mulligan who had distinguished himself upon more than one occasion, was killed in this fight. His death was a great loss to the Federal Army in the Shenandoah Valley. General ( rook fell back to Harper's Ferry ; his loss at Kernstown being over twelve hundred men.
Private Franklin Dickson, of Company A, was se- verely wounded in this engagement, and was sent to the hospital at Winchester, The doctor in charge, after an examination, decided his arm should be am- putated. Dickson refused to have his limb taken off, and overheard the surgeon tell one of his attendants that the enemy would be in town in a short time and those in the hospitals would be prisoners. Dickson, although suffering with his shattered arm, got out of the window and took possession of an ambulance that was standing at the door, with several wounded men, and placing the reins in his one hand, drove out of Winchester in the direction of Martinsburg, as the Confederates came in at the other end of the
OOLB'a mm; vi, wii CAV \u:v. 1 Jl
town. ( Mi arriving at Marti nsburg he reported to < Ik* Burgeon in charge of the hospital at thai place. The comrades In' had brought with him were taken In charge and the Burgeon stated Dickson should re- main. After examining the arm, which had become greatly inflamed, he said thai his life depended upon the amputation of it. Dickson again refused to have his arm amputated, and walked from Marti nsburg to Williamsport, Maryland, a distance of twelve milt-, taking a stage coach at thai place to Hagerstown and from thence to Frederick City, in an army wagon. At the hospital in Frederick, the surgeon operated upon the arm ; an old Army surgeon stating his arm might he saved. Dickson suffered for more than ten years after the war, when Dr. Stone, of Mount Pleas- ant, Frederick County, performed an operation, tak- ing a large amount of decayed bone from the arm, after which the wound healed up. Private Dickson had been wounded on two former occasions ; once receiving a severe sabre cut over the head. He was one of Cole's most daring men ; lie was born in Fred- erick County, Maryland.
CHAPTEB XXVI.
RETURN TO MARYLAND — FIGHT AT HAGERSTOWN AND SHABPSBURG.
A portion of tlio old Battalion was sent to Ha- gerstown and joined with the new Companies, who
had secured horses from the corrals at that point. Lieutenant Colonel Vernon was in command and Captain Louis M. Zimmerman was acting as Provost Marshal. Colonel Cole, with the remainder of the Regiment, was stationed at Sharpsburg, and two com- panies at Williamsport, under command of Captain William Bragg, and Company I, under command of Captain Atkinson, near Dam No. 4.
On the morning of July 29th, 18(J4, having been at Hagerstown but a few days, one of our scouts re- ported the enemy crossing the Potomac River at Williamsport and going north. Colonel Vernon at once sent me to Williamsport, with a dispatch to Captain Bragg, who was then the senior officer in command at that post. The Rebels had not yet made their appearance at Williamsport.
Captain William Atkinson, of Company I, sent a detail, under command of Lieutenant Alexander M. Briscoe, to the fording, at Dam No. 4; during the afternoon two Companies of the 10th West Virginia Cavalry and one Company of the 12th Pennsylvania * Cavalry were driven back upon Captain Atkinson's position. Captain Atkinson being the senior officer, commanded the four Companies and retreated in the
COLE'fl MARYLAND CAVALBY' 1 13
direction of Pennsylvania, pursued by ili«' enemy's Cavalry, not however before Bending a courier down to the fording, with Instructions for Lieutenant Bris- coe, to fall back. The enemy had attempted to cross the river at Dam No. I and were repulsed by the small force at that post. Lieutenant Briscoe seeing lie had a full Company to contend against, had given the order for the men to bill back, but before lie mounted his horse lie Bred his carbine at the Rebel Captain, killing him, and the body floated down the river. The Confederates seeing their Captain was killed, became confused. Briscoe ordered his men to again open fire, the enemy retreating on the south bank of the river. Lieutenant Briscoe fell back to Hagerstown going with Major Mooney.
I returned to Hagerstown, and had scarcely time to report to Captain Zimmerman, the Provost Mar- shal, when firing was heard on the southern outskirts of the town; the pickets had been attacked and were falling back. "Boots and Saddles" were being sounded by the buglers, and Major Robert Mooney was in command of our four Companies. Lieuten- ant Colonel Vernon had taken a small portion of the command down to the river, and joined with Bragg, who had been attacked by a superior force and fell back on Sharpsburg, joining with Colonel Cole. Major Mooney deployed the men and fought through the streets of Hagerstown. We were forced back by the Confederates, after fighting three hours, falling back on the road leading to Greencastle, Pennsylva- nia. After being driven out of Hagerstown a short distance, what was our astonishment to find General
144 COLE*S MABYLAND CAVALRY.
Averill's Brigade drawn up in line; they did not engage the enemy as the Rebels halted on the north- ern edge of the town. General Averill fell back to Greencastle and encamped for the night.
In the fight at Ilagerstown the command lost a number in killed and wounded, and a few taken pris- oners, including Lieutenant Briscoe, who behaved so gallantly in the early part of the day, at Dam No. 4. The Lieutenant's horse was shot from under him and in falling Briscoe's hij) was dislocated ; he was sent to Columbia, S. ( !. Major Mooney distinguished him- self for bravery, and was the last of our men to leave the town. Adjutant O. A Horner had his horse shot from under him, and deserves special mention for his bravery. Captain Zimmerman had a number of men in his Company who had not yet received bridles or saddles, but the men insisted upon taking a part in the fight, and mounted their horses bare-back, with nothing on the horse's head except a halter. I regret that I have not the names of these comrades as they should be mentioned individually.
( olonel Cole, after being joined by Lieutenant Colonel Vernon, near Sharpsburg, where they en- gaged the enemy, had been more successful, having routed the Confederates and captured, some prison- ers, after which Vernon proceeded to the Gaps in the South Mountain, leading to Frederick.
On arriving at Greencastle, I remained over night at the house of a relative, and on the following morn- ing joined my command with Averill, who had fallen back to a small town, six or seven miles east of Cham- bersburg. Before overtaking Averill I was joined on
COLE'S MARYLAND I AVW.LV. ll'i
the road by one of our scoots, who Btated 1 1 1 « - Rebels were making for Chambersburg, and if Averill wished t«> prevenl them from entering the town be had bet- ter b>> up and moving. We remained at the little vil- lage, within one hour's rid** of < ftambersburg, for one half day, — the r;ink and file could not understand the delay. We were evidently giving the Confederates, under General McCausland, an opportunity to enter Chambersburg, as there was but a small force <>f state troops with one Company vof the Maryland Pa- tapsco Guards, Captain Thomas McGowan, and one gun, from a New York battery, at this point.
CHAPTER XXVII.
BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG.
About the middle of the day, on July 30th, 1864, a dense volume of smoke was observed ascending to the heavens; every man in the command knew the town was on fire, and wondered why our forces were lying idle. Chambersburg could have been saved; some one had blundered. When orders came to mount, every man in Averill's command, including those of Cole's Cavalry, who were with him, were eager and anxious to avenge this act of incendiarism, but on our arrival at Chambersburg the enemy had gone; they had accomplished their hellish work and were retreating in the direction of the Potomac. Those of us, who were in the advance, went through the burning town, bending forward upon our horses' necks, as fast as our faithful steeds would carry us. We had no knowledge of the great destruction and devastation that we should witness, and when we had once started it was necessary to continue through the burning streets. Houses on fire on both sides, it was no time to turn back, and to stop was to be burned up ; our poor horses were mad with fright. Each and every one of us felt relieved when we got to the outer edge of the town. The atmosphere was stifling, with the smoke that settled over the earth like a pall. The citizens were gathered in groups; strong men with bowed heads, women wringing their hands and the little children clinging to their mother's dresses
I OLE'S M.Mivr, an D GA v kLBY. 1 17
and crying. Desolation on all Bides! It was 8 Bad picture, long to be remembered.
Myself, wit h two members of Company A, Charley Fosler, known as the " Flying Dutchman1' :m<l John
Kelly, a splendid soldier, were sen! by General A.ve- rill on the extreme advance. The Confederates had fallen back on the Pittsburg road. Arerill wbm now pressing McCausland, exchanging shots with his rear guard. In going through the country my two com- rades and myself came upon a number of farmers who had their horses concealed in a dense thicket of underbrush; we came upon them without being ob- served, ami they mistook ns for Rebel Cavalrymen, and pleaded to spare them, and not run oft' their stock. We assured them that there was no danger, as we were members of* Cole's Maryland Cavalry. We advised them to remain in the woods over night, and return to their homes in the morning, as the Rebels by that time would be far away.
Merchandise of every description was strewn along the road, boots, clothing, window curtains and even infants' shoes and little slips, and women's dresses, that had been stolen from the houses in Chambers- burg and along the route, were now thrown away by the raiders, no doubt not wishing to be captured with stolen plunder in their possession.
McCausland and Johnson tried to cross the Potomac River at Hancock, but were prevented by Federal troops, who had erected a battery on gondola cars, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, on the Virginia side of the river; the battery on the cars was desig- nated as "ironclads.'' Averill forced the Confede-
148 COLE'S MARYLAND CAA'ALRY.
rates through Hancock and they retreated in the direction of Cumberland, crossing the river the day following; General Averill following into West Vir- ginia, coming upon them at Moorefield, where he captured four pieces of artillery and a large portion of Bradley T. Johnson's Brigade, including a num- ber of officers.
On arriving at Hancock, Maryland, and after the skirmish we had with the "Johnnies," General Averill informed me that Cole's men had been sent back to Hagerstown from Chambersburg, and myself with Fosler and Kelly should return and report to our commanding officer. We rejoined Major Mooney at Hagerstown, and went to Frederick, where Colonel Cole, with the remainder of the Regiment had gone.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BATTLE AT KEEDYSVILLE.
Colonel Cole was now in command of his full Re- gimentj all the men being mounted, and Captain Zimmerman's Company K, had been provided with proper accoutrements. General Hunter, who bad re- turned from his famous raid to Lynchburg, was now in command at Frederick. On August 4th, 1864, Hunter received information that Early was again advancing upon Maryland, and ordered Cole's Cav- alry to Hagerstown ; the Regiment left Frederick in conn i land of Lieutenant Colonel Vernon, Colonel Cole having been detained at headquarters on busi- ness, expecting to overtake the command when they went into camp a few miles outside of Frederick. Lieutenant Colonel Vernon hearing from a citizen that the Confederates had established a picket post at Boonsboro', concluded to take the Regiment to the summit of the South Mountain, where he encamped for the night. Our advance, under command of I Jap- tain Zimmerman, stationed his pickets at the foot of the mountain, three miles from Boonsboro'. On the following morning, Lieutenant Colonel Vernon con- cluded to make an early start. One of our trusted scouts, who had left camp during the night had re- turned and reported the enemy in large numbers at Keedysville, five miles south of Boonsboro*. We were ordered to mount, and took up our line of march in that direction ; the Confederates had stationed a
150 COI.e's makvi.am> < ayaliiv.
vedette on the road leading into Boonsboro', who iired upon our advance and fell back. Captain Zimmer- man, with his company following, and on the out- skirts of the town of Keedysville, met the enemy's first line of skirmishers; Captain Zimmerman de- ployed his men. Lieutenant Colonel Vernon hear- ing the firing in his front, ordered the Regiment up on the trot, and taking in the situation at a glance concluded a larger body of Confederates were con- fronting him than he had supposed were on the north side of the Potomac River. Vernon immediately formed his entire command in line of battle and attacked Vaughn's advance Brigade of Tennessee Cavalry, and drove them back upon Early's Infantry, then in position on the south bank of the Antietam; in this engagement the Regiment lost heavily. Cap- tain Louis M. Zimmerman and the members of his Company K, deserve special mention for their brav- ery ; they held the enemy's line of battle in check until Colonel Vernon brought the Regiment up. This Company alone lost eighteen men, out of a member- ship of thirty-five.
After Lieutenant Colonel Vernon had defeated this Brigade of Cavalry, and having retarded the advance of Early's Rebel Army for a period of four or five hours, the command retreated in good order under a heavy fire of artillery, over the South Mountain, bringing off our wounded and a large number of prisoners.
Those captured could scarcely credit that they were fighting only a single Regiment and said they knew it was Cole's Cavalry, but supposed it was a
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. 1 6 1
Brigade Instead of a Regiment. The command fell hack (o Middletown, where they encamped for the night.
Colonel Cole, who had been detained at General Hunter's headquarters in Frederick, hearing the Ar- tillery Bring, hastened to join his Regiment; arriv- ing at Keedysville too late to engage in the Bght. The Colonel made a narrow escape from being cap- tured by the enemy's Cavalry, and joined the com- mand at Middletown during the night. Lieutenant Colonel Vernon sent the writer with a dispatch to General Hunter, at Frederick, who was much sur- prised to know the enemy had crossed into Mary- land in sik'Ii great numbers.
The General was gratified at Lieutenant Colonel Vernon's report, and remarked to his Adjutant Gen- eral, that "Cole's Maryland Cavalry were the flower of his Division."
I remained at General Hunter's headquarters over night and joined the Regiment on the following day. General U. S. Grant came to Frederick the same ev- ening and stopped with General Hunter, and for the first time I saw the great Commander-in-Chief.
At Keedysville, the young bugler of Company K, Allen Greer, a mere boy, was at the head of the Company with his Captain, when the Company made the charge on the enemy's line, and when soldiers were being shot all around him, he continued blow- ing his bugle, sounding the various calls, such as "Charge and rally," Ac, the sound of this young bugler's trumpet could be heard above the din and roar of musketry and artillery firing.
L52 cole's Maryland cavalry.
Sergeant John G. Maynard, of Company K, also deserves special mention for his bravery and gal- lantry, and I regret not to have space to mention each and every officer and man in the command per- sonally, as they deserve.
CHAPTER XXIX.
REBELS RECR08S [NTO VIRGINIA.
The Confederates started to recrosa the Potomac River at Shepherdstown, on the following day, Aug- ust lith. Colonel Cole was now in command of the Regiment and again advanced in the direction of
Boonsboro*. We encamped forthe night on the si
ground we had stopped at two days before, <>n the summit of the South Mountain; on the following day Colonel Cole with liis orderly and myself Lefl camp for the purpose of getting information in ref- erence to Early's movements. The three of us charged into Boonaboro' and exchanged shots with some half a dozen Rebels, who left the town in the direction of Keedysville. After following them for some distance we returned and remained at Boonsboro5 during the remainder of the day, getting hack to camp late at night. A loyal citizen from Sharpsburg reported that Early's command had re- crossed the river and only straggling Cavalry re- mained in Maryland. On our return to camp, after having advanced to the foot of the Mountain, we came upon our outpost. The vedette had dismounted. seated himself on the ground, and had fallen asleep, with his horse standing by his side. The penalty of a soldier sleeping on his post, in the face of the ene- my, is death. The Colonel on discovering thai tin- picket was asleep, drew his sabre from the scabbard and struck the soldier across his shoulder, who awoke
154 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
and for the moment supposed that he was in the hands of the enemy. The soldier was placed under arrest and taken to the reserve picket post, the Sergeant of the Guard receiving orders to bring him before the Colonel in the morning. The boy, for he was not more than eighteen years of age, be- longed to one of the new companies, and had no thought of sleeping. He was completely exhausted from being in the saddle for so long a time, but had committed the fatal error of dismounting, and sitting down. I felt deeply interested in the young soldier and knowing the kindness of heart of our generous and gallant leader, thought I would exert myself in his behalf on the following morning, so I spoke to the Colonel and urged upon him not to prefer charges against the prisoner, as he had been in the service but a short time and did not know the great re- sponsibility resting upon a man on picket duty. By giving him a severe lecture it would have its effect. Whether the Colonel had decided upon this course before I spoke to him I know not. The young man was let off, and for the remainder of his service in the Army he proved himself a good soldier.
CHAPTER XXX.
UNDER SHERIDAN IN SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
General Sheridan Mad now superseded General Hunter, and later od Cole's Regiment was assigned to duty under General Merritt, in the Shenandoah Valley, participating in the battles with Sheridan at Charlestown, Halltown, Summit Point, Berryville, Opequan Creek, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, where it is reported in verse and song thai Sheridan made his famous ride from Winchester, which is cited at the close of this chapter.
The command was with Sheridan in all his cam- paigns up the Valley, and lost a large number of its membership.
The latter part of August and the first part of Sep- tember, 1864, the few survivors who had not re-en- listed when the Battalion had been raised to a Re- giment, had now served Miree years. Their time having expired, they were now mustered out of the United States service. Captain Frank Gallagher and Lieutenant Sam Sigler of Company I\ took their hon- orable discharges, after serving for three years ; their records had been honorable ones. Lieutenant Samuel Mills, of Company D, was acting Quartermaster of the Regiment until a regular Quartermaster was ap- pointed ; the former quartermaster having been dis- missed the service. Company D had been greatly reduced in killed and wounded, and after the few
150 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
men had taken their discharges, left but a small por- tion of Company A, without commissioned officers.
Captain Tappan Wright Kelly, a son of General B. F. Kelly, had command of an independent Company, and had seen some service in the western part of Maryland and West Virginia, was assigned to Cole's Regiment and took command of Company D, with Henry A. Bier as first Lieutenant and Columbus F. Benchoff as second Lieutenant.
sil ERIDAN'S i: I DE.
Ill THOHH IlKMlNAN KBKn.
Vv from ili»' South at break of day, Bringing to Winchester fresh dismay, The affrighted air with a shudder bore, Like a herald in haste, to the Chieftain's door,
The terrible grumble and rumble and roar, Telling the battle was on once more, And Sheridan twenty miles away.
And wider still those billows of war
Tbundering along the horizon's bar,
And louder yet into Winchester rolled
The roar of that red sea uncontrolled,
Making the blood of the listener cold,
As he thought of the stake in that lirey fray,
With Sheridan twenty miles away.
But there is a road in Winchester town,
A good, broad highway leading down;
And there through the flash of the morning light.
A steed as black as the steed of night,
Was seen to pass as with eagle flight —
As if he knew the terrible need,
He stretched away with the utmost speed ;
Hills rose and fell — but his heart was gay,
With Sheridan fifteen miles away.
158 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
Still sprung from those swift hoofs thundering South,
The dust, like the smoke from the cannon's mouth,
< >r the trail of a comet sweeping faster and faster,
Foreboding to traitors the doom of disaster ;
The heart of the Bteed and the heart of the master
Were beating like prisoners assaulting their walls,
[inpatient to he where the battle-field calls;
Every nerve of the charger was strained to full play,
With Sheridan only ten miles away.
Under his spurning feet the road
Like an arrowy Alpine river flowed,
And I lie landscape sped away behind
Like an ocean flying before the wind ;
And the steed like a hark fed with furnace ire,
Swept on with his wild eye full of lire;
But, lo! he is nearing his heart's desire,
He is snuffing the smoke of the roaring fray,
With Sheridan only live miles away.
The first that the General saw were the groups Of stragglers, and then the retreating troops: What was done — what to do — a glance told him both, And striking his spurs with a terrible oath, He dashed down the line 'mid a storm of huzzahs, And the wave of retreat checked its course there because The sight of the master compelled it to pause. With foam and with dust the black charger was gray, By the flash of his eye, and his nostril's play He seemed to the whole great army to say, "I have brought you Sheridan all the way From Winchester, down to save the day!"
OOLE^S MARYLAND I 1VALBY. 169
Hurrah ! hurrah for Sheridan !
Hurrah ! hurrah for horse and man !
And when their statues are placed <m high,
Under the dome of the Union sky, —
The American Soldier's Temple of Fame, —
There with the glorious General's name
Be it said in letters both bold and bright:
" Here is the steed thill saved the day
By carrying Sheridan into the fight Prom Winchester — -twenty miles away!"
CHAPTER KXXI.
BRIGADED BY GENERAL SHERIDAN— OBJECTED TO BY COL- ONEL COLE -\M> OBJECTIONS SUSTAINED BY SECRETARY OP WAR.
General Sheridan had brigaded the Regiment and had intended hiking the command with him when lie moved from the Shenandoah Valley. Colonel Cole objected to being Brigaded, claiming that inasmuch as the Battalion had been an independent Command, raised by special act of Congress, the Regiment should remain the same. The matter was reported to the Secretary of War who sustained Colonel Cole. Genera] Sheridan refused to have independent Regi- ments in his command, and ordered Colonel Cole with his Regiment to West Virginia to guard the lines of communication, where he remained until the close of the war.
The command was mustered out of service at the close of the war, at Harper's Ferry, on the 28th day June, 1865.
During the term of service of Cole's Cavalry, from 1861, to the time of its being mustered out, it has to its credit over one thousand prisoners captured ; had fought in nearly two hundred battles or skirmishes, had wounded or killed more men than it numbered itself ; and had captured or destroyed an immense amount of the enemy's property.
But a small fragment of the original Cole's Cav- alry, the first or Veteran Battalion, remained. Had
COLE'S M\l:vr,\M> i LVALBY. 161
the first Battalion nol been Increased to a Regiment, their percentage of Loss would have been greater than nine-tenths <>r tin' Regiments in the service, i m t by adding eight new Companies In 1864, the full Ri men t was credited with the entire loss, which greatly reduced tin* percentage <>t' losses. The majority of the survivors of the Old Battalion were maimed and scarred. The bones <»t' the most of the brave Mary- Landers, who lct'i Frederick City in 1861, and cheered the flag and their gallant commander, whom they were ever ready to follow, in the paths of duty and glory, were strewn from Gettysburg to Lynchburg, and many reposed in the graveyards of Belle isle, Salisbury and Andersonville.
On the following page will be found a poem from "Frank Leslie" in regard to Cole's Cavalry.
"no fellow MAS got enough money to buy HIM.
A-FIGHTIN' WITH COLE.
By Harry Shellman.
That hoss! Why, yes, he's the knowin'est mind;
He knows Decoration an' Fourth of July; An' w'enever the bugles, or tilings of that kind,
Comes 'round, both his head an' his tail git up high, An' he goes cavortin' in a way that'll win ye;
He knows the music. Why, Lord bless your soul! We was together down there in Virginia ;
Down in the valley a-lightin' with Cole.
COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY. 163
Ain't worth Dothin'l No; he's I Id for the plow,
Or the carriage, or such like. Joel do for the bo The young ones, to climb on. That's all thai hi now
Amounts to, 'cept prancin' around ;ii the noi» Of music an' guns. Would I sell him? Why, no;
No man's thousand dollars will ever come nigh him. While I've gol a spol where thai old boss kin go,
No fellow has gol enough money to buy him.
Never heerd tell of Cole's fightin' battalion,
Maryland cavalry? Well, now, I declare! We went in together, me an' that stallion,
Right from the farm -a lively young pair. All through the Rebellion together we Bcouted,
At Winchester, Leesburg, Loudoun, a whole Grisl of fights, where sometimes we won — or was routed —
Down in the valley a-fightin' with Cole.
We botli belonged to blue-blood a'istoc'acy,
An' inclined to be wild, then, was Lion an' me, So we skipped from our home here on the Mouocacy,
An' went in the fighl for the flag of the free. Excitement ! We got enough. Main's the close call
We had. Why, the thought even now takes my breath. Me an' that boss, we went plumb through it all
An' came out all right from that cyclone of death.
The swish an' tin' swash an' the jinglin' of spurs.
The clang of the Babres, the carbine's dull rattle: The rush an' the crush when the tierce charge occurs :
The mad, wild excitement of bloodshed an' battle;
164 COLE'S MARYLAND CAVALRY.
The scout an' the bivouac, the long raid ; — what's in ye Shows up when alone on a midnight patrol;
An' they showed they was men that was down in Virginia; Down in the valley a-fightin' with Cole.
Once, worn out, we stopped by the roadside a sportin'
An' I went to sleep. I woke with a cry; That hoss was alickin' my face an' a-snortin';
The boys had rode on an' the rebels was nigh, I jumped in the saddle, an' he was so glib he
Dashed off 'fore I fairly got fixed in my seat ; He knowed that for me it were leg it or Libby,
An' he knowed how to dust w'en we had to retreat.
Yes, we was together a-scootin' an' scoutin' ;
Sometimes we was comin', sometimes we was goin'; One day it was Mosby's men doin' the routin',
Another to us their heels they was showin'; Dashin' an' fightin', you bet we was, down there.
Me an' old Lion went in heart and soul, Ripe for the chase, charge, or scrimmage we foun' there,
Down in the valley a-fightin' with Cole.
One day up at Winchester we got surrounded;
The Johnnies was thick an' they charged like a storm; Minie-balls whistled an' big hoss-guns pounded —
We had to hustle; you bet it was warm. Three comes right at us, w'en Lion, he wheels,
Gits on his hind legs an' paws, then comes down; One I shot, while he let fly with his heels,
Then we scooted off out of Winchester town.
COLE'b \iai:vi,ami 0 \ V a i i:v. 165
There is the marie of the ballet thai caught him,
Right on the Bank as we galloped away. The reba tried to down bin, but they never come oigh him,
For we wasn't born t<> be killed by the gray, Why, stranger, for truth, I have Dothin' to Bay,
But you can'i ,<,rit thai boss to save your soul ; Why, we was together down there in Virginia,
Down in tlic valley a-fightin' with Cole.
CONCLUSION.
And now Comrades of Cole's Independent Cavalry and old Soldiers, whose friendships were formed and welded in the strifes and turmoil of that faithful struggle which raged for four years to maintain the unity of the States and the preservation of our liber- ties, let us be thankful for all the favors and bless- ings we have received under the shade of " Old Glory," and the beneficence of a kind and overruling Provi- dence, and with the hope of recalling to your memo- ries the years gone-by — I close my labors.
THE AUTHOR.
-*
•
•
i