History of the Seventh Squadron, Rhode Island Cavalry

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HISTORY

OF THE

SEVENTH SQUADRON

RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY.

BY A MEMBER.

1862.

'OLD TIMES" OFFICE.

YARMOUTH, MAINE.

1879.

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IpRftRY^ii^y^v

Class '^' 5t%
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BISTORT

OF THE

SEVENTH SQUADRON

J

RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY.

BY A MEMBER.

/\\x5\AS"^\AS WVi\t\:tm6-re. Cot lis
1862.

M

'OLD TIMES" OFFICE.

YARMOUTH. MAINE.
1879.

<yL-^-«^

MAJOR COMMANDIX(; SQUADRON,

HISTORY

OF THE

SEVENTH SQUADRON
RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY.

[From Adjutant-General's Report, 1865.]

The Seventh Squadron Rhode Island Cavalrv consisted of^
two companies. Company "A," Capt. Christopher Vaughn, was
enlisted mostly in Providence. Company "B," Capt. Sauford S.^
Burr, was composed of students of Dartmouth College, New Hamp-
shire, and of Norwich University, Vermont, who offered themselves
to Governor Sprague for the three months' service, and were ac-
cepted by him. J.

The Students' company arrived in Providence, June 19, 1862,
and went into camp on the "Dexter Training-Ground." On tlie
26tliofJune, a handsome entertainment was given them at tlie
rooms of H. L. Humphrey & Co. Ex-Gov. William W. Hoppin
presided, and made an address of welcome, which was responded
to by Capt. Burr. Patriotic speeches were als) made by Gover-
nor Sprague, Rev. Barnabas Sears, D. D., Presilent of Brown
University, Rev. Samuel Caldwell, D. D., Prof. Alexis Caswell,
Prof. James B. Angell, Hon. Samiel Curry, and Mr. W, C. Flagg
of the Junior Class of Dartmouth College. The entertainment
was happily conceived, and gave much satisfaction to all present.

On the 24th of June, the Squadron was mustered into the ser-
vice of the United States [error : was nnistered into service, Julv
3d, at Washington, by Capt. J. Ellwood, U. S, A., to d-ite from
June 24th], and on the 28th departed for Washington. Arriving
there, it quartered in "Camp Clark," at Gates' Woods, and after-
wards occupied "Camp Sprague." While here, the mf>n and horses-^
were exercised by marches into the country, sometimes occupving
the entire day. On the 25th of July, the Squadron was transtcVred ^
from General Wadsworth's command to that of General Sturgis,'
and removed to Alexandria. Virginia. It established tor a R'w
days, "Camp Eddy," [named for Capt. Albert C. Eddy, of Prov.]
near Fairfax Seminary, and then marched [railroad, by way of
Harper's Ferry] to Winchester, Virginia, where a considerable
force was stationed under General [Julius 11.] White.

Its encampment was named "Camp Seigel" ; and until September
the Squadron was constantly engaged in pic-ket-duty and scouting.
In August, Privates J. H. Blodgett and Cliarles H. Manton, stu-
dents of Dartmouth College, having ventured beyond the picket-
line, were taken prisoners. Lieutenant Angell and fortv men at

2 SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY.

once started in pnrsuit, and followed as far as Kearnstown with-
out overtaking them.

About the 20th of August, [Assistant] Surgeon Howard W.
King arrived in camp, and was warmly welcomed ; the Squadron
having never before been provided with a Medical Director.

While at Winchester, the term of service being nearly expired,
the officers and enlisted men agreed to remain until the rel)eLs
should be driven out of Mar3'land [error: this agreement was not
made until the Squadron had been some da^s in Pennsylvani:i,
and after the battle of Harper's Ferry.] On the 2d of September,
the Squadron was sent on a scouting expedition as far as Newtown
and Middleburg, and took several rebel soldiers prisoners. Return-
ing about 11 o'clock at night, they found the town in a blaze [only
some storehouses and the railroad station. &c.] and the troops
rapidly evacuating. This measure had lieen rendered necessaiy
in the judgment of General White [orders of General Halleck] l»y
the disaster of General Pope at Bull Run ; and by inability to hold
the place against the large rebel force then advancing uj)on it.

Too late to save much of its camp-equipage fiom the destruction
then going on, it onl}' remained for the Squadron to obey orders
and join the other troops in their retreat to Harper's Ferry. IMarcli-
ing all that night and the next da}', it reached its destination at
1» o'clock P. M. [should be A. M.] On the oth of Septeml)er, thi;
Squadron crossed the Potomac with the 32d Ohio Volunteers, l»y ^
a pontoon bridge, ami camped in the woods on Maryland Heights,
opposite the Ferry ; and with the 12th Illinois [Cavalry], <Sth New
York [Cavalry], and four companies of [1st] Maryland Cavalry,
forming the Third Brigade of INLaryland Hom3 Guards, Colonel
[Thomas] Ford commanding. Picket-duty tilled up the time while
they remained at this post.

Harper's Ferry, at this period, was an important post, an 1
Colonel [Dixon H.] Miles had under him for its defence a body of
1 1 ,000 men ; a number sufticient to have held it against any force the
rel)els had it in their power to bring against him. Notwithslandiug,
while the t)attle of Antietam was raging, and it was of almost vi-
tal importance that the place should be held at all hazards. Colonel
Miles, after a slight show of defence, and for reasons that his death
will forever conceal, decided to surrender to the investing foe. He
however gave the cavalry regiments i)ermission to escape through
the enemy's lines. This permission was successfidly improved.

Longstreet. with 30,000 men, was marching to the support of
I^ee at Antietam. This body was to he passed l)ef(n-e escape cijuld
be insured. By a well-devised movement, the beleagured force
not only shunned discovery, but captured a train of more than onj
hundred wagon>^ laden with rations and ammunition, together witli
upwards of one hundred mm, and to that extent diminished the
I'tlicicncv of the re.l)el corps. The Squadron pursued its way to
(;reencastle. Maryland, [should be Pennsylvania], and on the ITili
of September was in temper and condititm to take part in the
bloody struggle of Antietam. had it been called to that duty.

With the departure of Lee from Maryland, the work of the Squad-

SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY. 3

ron closed. Setting out for home, it reached ProA'idence on the
26th of September, and was quartered in "■Silvey Barracks."

A few da^'S after, the Squadron was complimented with a dinner
at Humphre3-'s Rooms, b}' invitation of Capt. A. C. Edd}', with
whom pleasant relations had previousl}' existed.

Though the campaign had been short, the services performed
were creditable to the Squadron, to its Commander, Major Corliss,
and to the State.

The casualties of the three months appear in the catalogue.

SEVENTH SQUADRON R. I. CAVALRY.

Field and Staff.
Name and Rank. Eesidence. Date of Mustek.

Major.
Augustus W. Corliss. ' Waltham, Mass. June 24^, 1^62.

Adjutant.
Charles F. Tillinghast. Pittsburg, Penn. July 7, 1862.

Quartermaster .
George A. Smith. Greenville. R. I. July 17, 1862.

[Assistant Surgeon.]
Howard W. King. Greenville. R. L

Sergeant Major.
Charles E. Bush. Shoreham, Vt. June 24, 1S62.

Quartermaster Sergt.
Rollins H. N. Carnes. Boston, Mass. '• •• •'

Commissary Sergeant.
Calvin S. Brown. " " ''

Hospital Steward.
C S.Gill. " '^ '^

Veterinary Sergeant.
A W. White.

Troop ••A."
Captain.
Christopher Vaughn. Smithfield. R. I. June 24. I.s62.

First-Lieutenant.
John Angell. Greenville, R. I. July 17, 1862.

Note: AU of the above were mustered out of service .'?ept. 26, 18fi-2.

4 SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY.

Name and Raxk. Eesidexce.

Troop "A." continued.

Secoxd-Lieutenant .

Samuel A. Lewis.
Sergeants.

Edwin C. Pomroy.
Rollins H. N. Carnes.

George A. Smith.

John Angell.

William J. MeCall.
John C. Bartlett.

Corporals.
"William Rawlstone.

AVilliam IL Nichols.
^Lirshall E. Hunter.
Henry W. Taber.
Manly J. Fuller.
Charles A. Phillips.

John H. "Whiting.
Augustus Y. Thurston.

Musicians.

Henry [C] Fitts.
(ieorge S. Slay ton.

Farriers.
Patrick McDermott.
Isaac W. Songster.
Henry C. Colwell.
Peter Carroll.

Saddler.
Cyril Shaw.

Wa(;onki{.
Harris Havens.

Privates.
Allen, Horace F.
lilack. Alexander
liroadhent, Francis
l^arnes, George F.
Caliill, John
Cahill, Patrick H.

Pawtucket, R. I.

Date of Muster.

June 24, 1862.
June 24, 18(52.

Providence, R. I.
Boston, Mass. " '•' " }

Q. M. Sergt. July 17 '(V2. )'
Greenville, R. I. f June 24, 1802.

JQr. Mr. July 17, '02
N. Providence, R. 1. June 24, 18()2. )
First-Lieutenant July 17, '()2. j
Providence, R. I. June 24, 18(52.

Biddeford, Maine. " "

Gloucester, R. I. June 24, 1862. )

Sergt. ; Q. M. Sergt. f
Salem, Mass. June 24, 18(;2.

Marlborough, Mass. . '" '•• '■'•
Brand's I'n AV^'ks, Mass. " *' *'
Providence, R. I. " "

Oxford, Mass. " " . " [

Sergt. Jul^' 17, 'i\2. )
Wrentham, Mass. June 24, 1862.

Providence, R. L '• "

E. Douglass. Mass.
Woodstock, Vt.

Gloucester, Mass.
Philadelphia, Penn.
Gloucester, Mass.
Philadelphia, Penn.

Providence, R. T.
Centerville. R. L

Pawtucket, R. 1.
Taunton. Mass.
Millville, ••
AVrentham, Mass.
Newton U. Falls. Ma
Newton, Mass.

June 24, 1S62.

June 24, 1.S62.
July 12, 1862.
June 24, 1862.
July 12, 1X62.

June 24, 1862.

June 24.J.SG2.

June 24, 1.S62.

ss.

Note: All of the above were mustered out of .service Sejit. -Jfi, l.S(!2, ext-ept C<
Wlnting, whose date is the iSth.

SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY, o

Name xsd Rank. Eesidexce.

Troop "A." coutinued.

Can*, Owen, Jr.

Chedell, Timothy B.

Col well, Heury C.

Chace, Henry M.

Dewey, Lnke

Dwyer, Thomas

Ferriss, Samuel

Fuller, Chauncej'

Greene, John

Gay, Jabez S.

Greene, Esbou A.

Gardiner, Nicholas B.

Hall, Edwin W.

Hamilton, Melville F.

Harrison, Richard

Hay den, William R.

Hill, Charles P.

Horton, Frank M.
Jillson, Cyra M.
Jacques, Stephen
James, Louis
Kimball, George F.
Knight, Hezekiah
L3nch, Edward
Lee, George A.
McKenna, Charles
KcKenna Francis
McCarty, John
McCue, John
McCuUen, John
Miller, John R.
Martin, Joseph
McDermott, Patrick
Potter, Nicholas "NV.

Roland, Martin L.
Parmenter, Sidney K.
Proctor, Thomas B.
Packard, George A.
Rice, "William T.
R3der, James
Stockwell, Warren H.
Sherman, Clarence
Scott, Henry R.

Sharpe, Robert H.
Stoddard, Harding W.

Date of Mcsteu

June 24, 1SG2.

Salem, Mass.
Providence, R. J.
Gloucester, Mass.
Providence, R. I.
Hanover, N. H.
Central Falls, R. I.
Lonsdale, R. I.
Providence, R» L
Taunton, Mass.
Attleboro, '•
Cromptou Mills, II. I.

Crompton, R. I. " "

Medford, Mass. "■ "

Pawtucket, R. L '• '-

Cuml^erland. •• u .i

Hartford. Vt. '' "

Westmoreland, N. H. •' 2<S

Providence, R. I. "24

No. Providence. R. L '• '•

Centerville, R. I. "■ "

Salem, Mass. " "

E. Douglass, Mass. •' '•

So. Providence, R. I. " "

Chepachet, R. I. •• '^

Pawtucket, •' .. i.

Providence, R. I. .. .,
Boston, Mass.

Hancock, N. H. •' ••

Providence, R. L "■

Olueyville, '• *i. >»

Natick, R. I. " '•

Gloucester, Mass. '' '•

Providence, R I. •• "

Corporal July 17

'02.

Millburv, Mass.
Boston, Mass.
Exeter, R. I.
E. Douglass, Mass.
Warwick, R. I.
Uxbridge, Mass.
INIillbury, Mass.
Boston, Mass.
Providence, R

June 24, 18G2.

Chelsea, Mass.
Providence, R,

I. " -

Corporal July 17. 'G2.
June 24, 1«62.
, I.

Note: All of the above wore mustered out of service s^pt. -ju, ISfiij, cxccjn (
Fuller, N. B. (iardiner, M. L. Roland and .J:unes Ryder, wliose dates are tli ■ -.'"'tli.

r. SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY

Name and Rank.

Residence.

Date of Muster.

Troop "A." continued.

Tracy, William H.

Pawtueket, R. I.

June 24

1862.

Turner, John

li

Wells, Amos J.

Foster, R. I.

Wood, Jason T.

Warwick, R. I.

Wright, George S.

Worcester. Mass.

White, Terrence

BurrillviUe, R. I.

Ward, James L.

Salem. Mass.

Williams, P^dward K.

Providence, R. L

Washburn, Charles E

Boston, Mass.

York, Francis

Manchester, N. H.

" 1

Sergeant July 1

7, '62. 1

TROOP ^'B."

Captain.

Sanford S. Burr.

Roxbury, Mass.

June 24.

1862.

FmST-LlEUTEN ANT .

Theodore H. Kellogg.

Second-Lieutenant.
William H. Stevens.

Sergeant.>.
Henry E. Alvord.

H F. Anderson.

Frank W. ti raves.
Joseph N. Whitney.
Calvin S. Brown.

Zebe (iilman.
Alonzo Jenkins.

Corporals.
Charles Caldwell,
(ieorge A. Bailey.

J W. Hugsinger

John S. Eaton.

J S. Cameron.

Douglass Lee.

N H. Clement.

D R. Nutter.

Musicians.
John H. Marsh.

Note: All of the above were
I,. WiirJ, wliosi- (late is tlu- i.itli.

Hillsboro, Ohio.

Woodstock. Vt.

June 24, 1862.

June 24, 1862.

(xreenfield, Mass. June 24. 1H62.
New York City.

Concord, N. H. " '•

Ravmond, Me. '^ " >'

Commissary Sergeant, j
Piermont, N. H. June 24, 1862.

By field, Mass.
Woodstock, ^'t.
Fayetteville. Penn.
Woodstock, Vt.
Ryegate, Vt.
Lenox, Mass.
Coucord. N. H.

AVoodstock. Vt.

June 24. 1862.

June 24, 1.S62.

mnstereil out ot s(i\ ice sept, -ifi, KSfii, excejjt .1.

SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY. 7

Nasie and Rank. Residence.

Troop "B." continued.

T. Clark.

Farrier.
— N. Ossfood.

Saddler.
Henry Williamson.

Wagoner.
Henry M. Brown.

Privates.
Armes, Charles C.
Ambrose, Edwin F.

Bayard, N F

Bod well, J —

Bur nap. Wilder L

Blaisdell, K

Blodgett, J

Chapman, John S.
Coombs, Arthur W

Clement, William
Clough, AViUard
Dewey, William S.
Davis, Owen A.
Elliott, Eugene S.

Ewens, F C.

Everett, E J

Flagg, W-

L.

Fuller, Edwin
Gage, AVilliam T.

Gare}-, G Q.

Gregg, C^ W.

Grun, D^ C.

Green, G C.

Goodwin. William S.

(lilman, F D.

Gunuerson, H

Statford, Vt.

Woodstock, Vt.

Woodstock, Vt.

H.

Date of Mustek.

June 24, 1862.

June 24, 1862.

June 24, 1862.

June 24, 1862.

June 24, 1862.

Hanover, N

Ossipee, '

Brooklyn, N. Y. " '' "

C, Jr. Framingham, Mass. " " •'

Grafton, Vt. '

-F. Goffstown, N. H. " "

H. Concord, N. H. " " " |

Taken prisoner Aug. 19, '62. J

Barton, Vt. June "24, 1862.

Thetford, Vt.
[Died at Winchester, Va., Aug. 15, '62.]

B.

Ha3es, John E.

Hoyt, N N,

Hastings, A

Hazelton. W

Handv. H-

H.
T.

- S.

T.

Hoyt, George I.
Heysinger, Isaac
.Johnston, E

1'

Woodstock, Vt.
Washington, Vt.
(^ueechee, Vt.
Great Falls, N. H.
Milwaukie, Wis.
Maiden, IMass.
Greenfield, Mass.
Littleton, Mass.
Woodstock, Vt.
Concord, N. H.
Thetford, Vt.
Boston, Mass.

Westboro, Mass.
Boston, Mass.
E. Lancaster. N. H.
(4oshen, N. H.
Boston, Mass.
Portland, Me.
West Medvva}-, Mass.
Statford, Vt."
Grafton, N. H.
Durhain, "

Haverhill. N. H.

June 24, 1862.

Note: AU of the above were mustered out of serviee Sojn. 'JG, l!^(l-2, exeejJt J.

C. Bodwell, .Ir
eept Blodsjettj

.r. H. Blodgett (prisoner)
were dated the i.^tli.

O. A. Davis, jiiid W. T. (Jajfe, who (ex-

8 SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY.

Name and Rank. Residence.

Troop "B." continnecl.

King, W A.

IMore}', Arthur
Mansou, Charles A.

JNIurdock, George H.

Noyes, E H.

Neal, J^ M.

Osgood, A M.

Date of Muster.

June 24, 18G2.

Woodstock, Vt.

Norwich, Vt. " " "

Lawrence, Mass. '' '' " |

Taken prisoner Aug. 19, '62. )'

Parker, J-

B.

Potts, James H.

Phelps, E H.

Putnam, Eugene

Perrin, W B.

Pettingill, Samuel B.

Papanti, A L.

Parker, Charles J.
Perkins, J W.

-N.

— J.

C.

Phillips, II

Pickards, A —
Randolph, H—
Roberts, Isaac

Smith, C AV.

Teal, J O.

Tewkesbury. E

Walcott, F H.

WaLcott, E P.

Walker, Isaac
Wilbur, Nelson

Woodstock, Vt.
Springfield, Mass.
Hanover, N. H.
Suncook, "
Woodstock, Vt.
Whitehall, III.
Crown Point, N. Y.
Woodstock, Vt.
Berlin, Vt.
Grafton, N. H.
Boston, Mass.
Manchester, X. H.
Hampton, N. H.
Greenfield. iNIass.
Hampton, Me,
Silvah. N. J.
Lancaster, Penn.
Washington, Vt.
Wilmot, N. H.
Woodstock, Vt.
New York Mills, N.
Utica, N. Y.
Fryeburg, Me.
Uiiadilhi', N. Y.

June 24, 1862.

July 12, 1862.
June 24, 1862.

July 12, -

,1 ., a

June 24, 1862.

Note: AU of the above were mustered out of service Sept. iC, 1862, except C.
A. Manson (prisoner), J. 11. Potts, C.J. Parker, \. .luflsou Pickards and N. WIIImii-
who (except Manson), were dated the iotli.

All of the preceding information was furnished by the courtesy
of Adjutant-General Heber LeFavour. Providence, R. I., Mny 4,
1877.

NOTES FROM THE DIARY OF

FIRST-SERGEANT HENRY E. ALVORD.

COMPANY "B." SEVENTH SQIADRON R. L CAVALRY.

1862.
June 2.S. The Scpiadron left Providence, H. I., under the com-
mand of C:ii)t. All)ert C. Eddy, and passed b3' ears and boat to
Washington, \). C, by way of Stoiiington, Conn.. New York City,
Peith Ambov, N. J., ^Philadelphia and Baltimore. 3()th. Went

SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY. 9

into camp at "Camp Sprague," Washington. That evening everv
man in the command was much pleased by Capt. Eddy's cider
announcing the promotion of Lieutenant A. W. Corliss as Mnjor
of the Squadron. Captain Eddy then passed the command over
to Major Corliss.

July 3d : Captain J. Elwood, U. S. Army, mustered the Squad-
ron into the service of the United States, the muster-rolls dating
June 24th. The same da}', each man received his horse, and there-
after drilling, mounted and dismounted, was the order of exercises
each da}'. While in Washington, the Burnside carbines delivered
to the men at Providence, were exchanged for Colt's army pistols.
19th: The Squadron struck tents at "Camp Sprague," marched
through Washington and across "Long Bridge," to Alexandria, Va.

There the Major reported to General Sturgis, ;ind the

Squadron was sent into camp near Fairfax Seminar}', The spot
was named "Camp Eddy," in honor of Captain Albert C. Eddy,
of Providence, R. I. While at this camp, the men were drilled
constantly, and improved very much. 27th : The Squadron left
•'Camp Eddy," marched about noon to Washington, and there at
midnight, men, horses and baggage, in a long train of freight cars,
passed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Harper's Ferry Rail-
road, to Winchester, Virginia ; it arrived on the 29th, and was at
once attached to the Brigade of General Julius H. White, who was
in command of the post at that place, called "Camp Seigel." .30th :
The horses, still tired out from the journey in the cars, were sad-
dled, and the Squadron, over a hundred strong, went scouting out
towards Front Royall ; gone all day : marched over thirty miles.
.'Ust: The Squadron turned out at 4 a. m. [the pickets havina-
l)een tired on] and were in the saddle until 9 o'clock.

August 1st: Sixty men detailed from the Squadron every day
for picket-duty. Remainder of the Squadron scouting Romney
pike. Horses saddled, and all the men slept on their arms that
night. 2d : lu afternoon, scouting up North Frederick pike. r)th :
A scout under Captain Burr ; obtained the trunk of a rebel Lieu-
tenant-Colonel ; rode nearly twenty miles. Gth : All the men not
on picket-duty, oft' scouting with tlie Major; gone till 10 o'clock
V. M. ; took two prisoners, live horses and thirty-two cattle. <S : The
Squadron off at 3 o'clock a. m. on a scout to White Post, Mill-
wood and other places ; marched fully thirty miles ; in the saddle
twenty-four hours ; took some \aluable horses and a huge herd of
cattle. 11th: A scouting party under Captain \'aughii ; marched
twenty miles. 15th: The Squadron relieved from picket-duty;
acknowledged by General White to have been ovei-worked. Pri-
vate Arthur W. Coombs, of Company "B," of Thetford. Vei-niont,
died in the hospital, of fever. lUth : ]\Ioved camp, to allow the
trees to be chopped, to give range to guns of the new foit. The
Squadron out scouting all night. Sunday, 17th: Lispection of the
.Squadron and camp, by General White. 18th: Alajor Coiliss,
Avith about fifty men. left at 9 v. m. on a scouting expedition.

19th: Morning; Privates J H. Blodgett and Charles A.

Manson, of Company "B." while out bcAond the pickets, on a pri-

10 SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY.

vate foraging expedition, were captured J)y a small party of rebels.
News of the capture arrived late at camp ; pursuit was inexpedient.
In the afternoon the Majoi- and men returned from last nights'
scout, after a long ride. 21st: Picket-duly resumed. 23d: The
mail-train to Winchester from Hari)ei's Ferry, was stopped, sack-
ed, and burned, by a party of mounted rebels, about ( ight miles
from camp. The Major with all the men, in pursuit of the rebels ;
rode all night and till afternoon of the 24tii, but unable to overtake
them. At night, twenty men just returned from scout, off all the
night, patrolling the Romney pike. 2ruh : All hands turned out to
reconnoitre up the Shenandoah Valley. Charged through Front
Royal ; all quiet there ; rode forty miles, returning to camp at mid-
night. 26th : Again over the same ground [captured Belle Boyd,
the noted rebel sp}']. 27th: Thirty men olf to re-inforce Front
Roj-al pickets ; up half the night.

Sept. 1: Men out all day on a foraging expedition. 2d: The
Squadron, under Major Corliss, left camp at 8 o'clock p. m. on a
scout. Marched over thirty miles, through Middletown and New-
town ; took four rebel soldiers. Returning to Camp Seigel at 11
o'clock p. M., found the camps deserted, and all tents, stores, ifcc,
being destroyed, and orders for the town to be evacuated. Tlie
Squadron formed the rear-guard of the column retreating towards
Harper's Ferry. The depots and pul)lic storehouses burned, and
the fort blown up. 3d : On the march all day ; reached Harpei's
Ferry at 9 o'clock a. m., having been saddled thirty hours, and
marched continuously sixty-five miles. The Squadron cami>ed on
Bolivar Heights, — minus tents, blankets, and almost everything
else. 5th: General White and his Brigade returned to Martins-
burg. The Squadron crossed the pontoon bridge, to Maryland
Heights, and camped in the woods, under conunand of Colonel
Thomas Ford, commanding 3d Brigade, Maryland Home Guards.
Daily details for picket. 12th: Squadron recoimoitered towards
Sharpsburg, JNIaryland ; retreat cut off by rebel force coming over
Solomon's Gap ; returned to camp by the eanal tow-path. 13th:
Brisk skirmishing on Maryland Heights. The Squadron ordere I
back to Bolivar Heights. Witnessed the unnecessary abandon-
ment of ^Maryland Heights on Saturday l)y the United States forces.
14th, Sunday: Shelling all around the Squadron [principally from
Loudon Heights.] At I) o'clock p. m., the Squadroh. leaving
everything but their overcoats. — with the 12th Illinois Cavalry,

Colonel ^ \'oss, the 8th New York Cavalry. Colonel

Babl)itt [Colonel Davies?]. and two companies of Mary-
land Cavalry. Captain . left Harper's'Ferry to i)c

unnecessarily surrendered by Colonel Miles, and crossing ovei' into
^Maryland, jjassed swiftly over mountains, through by-ways, I'oads
and fields, safely through the relu'l lines, near Longstreel's camp
of 30,000 men at Williamsport. into lVnnsylvani:i. capturing on
the wav a baggage-train of a hundred wagons, and arrived at
(Jreencastle, Pennsylvania, at « o'clock a. m. of the liOh. a march
of fifty miles in about ten hours. At Greeucastle until the l-Sth.
when the Squadron was sent to Jones^' Cross Roads imd brigaded

SEVENTH SQUADROX RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY. 1 1

under General McClellan. 19th: Returned to Greencatlc. Ponn.
23d: Marched to Chambersbiirg, Pennsylvania. vvh?ro horses and
eqnipments were turned over to the proper officers, and tlie Sqund-
ron took cars to Harrisburg and thence to New York City, where it
arrived at midnight on the 24th. 26th: Reached Providence. 1{.
I. : two daj's after the expiration of the term of service. Rcmniii-
ed in Pro%'idence several daj'S. 28th. Captain Bm-r arrived from
Harper's Ferry, bringing the baggage of the officers which had i)eeii
left there.

Oct. 1st : Squadron mustered out of sei vice and paid off to-diiv
by Captain Silvc}', V. S. A.

ORGANIZATION.

Major Augustus W. Corliss.

Adjutant Charles F. Tillinghast.

Quartermaster George A. Smith.

Assistant Surgeon Howard W. King.

Sergeant-Major Charles E. Bush.

Quartermaster-Sergeant Rollins H. N. Carnes.

Commissary-Sergeant Calvin S. Brown.

Hospital- Steward Henr^- C. Clark.

Veterinarv-Sergeant Samuel B. Petti noil).

fj'fci 2/ W-M

LIBRARY OF CO^TGRESS

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LIBRftRY OF CONGRPcio

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