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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00822 4468
" BOOTS AND SADDLES."
A HISTORY
OF THE
1st First Volunteer Cavalry of the War.
KNOWN AS THE
FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
AND ALSO AS THE SABRE REGIMENT.
ITS ORGANIZATION. CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES.
BY JAS. H. STEVENSON. CAPTAIN AND GREVET MAJOR U. S. V., A. A. A. C.
ILLUSTRATED.
HARRISBURG, P.A. : PATRIOT PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1879.
1758054
Phila. Piche Eng. Co.
THE AUTHOR.
F 1 8349 .504
Stevenson, James Hunter] IS33-
"Boots and saddles." A history of the first volunteer cavalry of the war, known as the First New York (Lin- coln) cavalry, and also as the Sabre regiment. Its organi- zation, campaigns and battles. By Jas. H. Stevenson . Harrisburg, Patriot publishing company, 1879.
xviii, 388 p. front. (port.) pl. 200m.
SOHALF CARD
Subject entries : 1. U. S .- Ilist .- Civil war-Regimental historiee-N. Y. cav .- Ist. 2. New York cavalry. Ist reg't, 1861-1865. 2-13042-
.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 150, by JAMES H. STEVENSON. In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, et Washington, D. C.
TO THE
reand Patriotic Officers and Soldiers
.
1
OF THE
.ANT FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY,
Weerans and Heroes of more than One Hundred Fights."
THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY THEIR
LATE COMRAADE.
THE AUTHOR.
...
BRIEF SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
[Inserted at the request of many personal friends-soldiers and viti- 11:10:
AMES HUNTER STEVENSON. the author of the follow- i_ pages, was born in Ireland, in 133 and, being of well- to-do parents. received a good English education. Upon attain- ing the age of fourteen years, circumstances favored his emigra- tion to the United States, where he arrived in 1847. when the war with Mexico was at its height, and military matters the principal topic of conversation.
Upon arriving he was placed under the charge of a guardian. and for several years pursued his studies at an Academy, on the banks of the Brandywine, near Wilmington. Delaware. At the age of seventeen he got tired of his books and of his guardian. and set out to "shift" for himself. In the summer of 1853, he found himself in the city of Philadelphia, with a slender purse. but in robust health: and being still under twenty years of age. he determined to see more of his adopted country than he had you sven. While considering the " ways and means. " an advertise- ment in one of the morning papers caught his eye, and decided his course. It ran thus : "Wanted :-- Able-bodied, intelligent young men. of good moral character, to serve in the United States Dragoons and Mounted Rides, on the Western Frontiers ual in New Mexico, Texas, Oregon and California. In addition to their monthly pay they will receive clothing. rations and medical attendance free. Splendid opportunity for study. ad- Mature. and promotion. Apply. &c.f . By Jove," said he. "that is intended to meet my case exactly;" and without more lo he bought the recruiting officer and enlisted.
vi
SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
He had been brought up among horses, and was a good horse- man before he was twelve years of age: so the Dragoon service just suited him. He was sent to the Cavalry School of Practice. at Carlisle Barracks. Pennsylvania, where he was thoroughly drilled. on foot and mounted, and in the manual of the carbine. sabre, and revolver. In the fall of 1853. the .. School of Practice" was removed to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, where he was pro- moted to the rank of sergeant, and attached to the " Permanent Company," as one of the drill-masters of the recruits.
Major-General Hancock was then a first lieutenant in the Sixth United States Infantry, and was acting as adjutant of the post. The late Major-General John Buford was there as a cap- tain, and General Sweitzer, as a second Hientenant of Dragoons: and General Chambless. of the late Confederate cavalry, was there as a second lieutenant of the Mounted Rifles, In the spring of 1854. the author was appointed first of orderly-sergeant of a large detachment of recruits, about to cross the plains to join their regiments.
This detachment proceeded to Fort Leavenworth. Kansas, by steamboat, and there they received their horses, arms and accout- trements. They were to form part of an expedition about to proceed to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the purpose of investigat- ing the Indian massacre of a United States Surveying Party, under Captain Giannison, which took place some time previously. on the Seviere River. in the southern part of Utah.
They left Leavenworth on the 1st of May. 1854. under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Steptoe, with two companies of the Third United States AArtillery, a long train of wagon, and one thousand lead horses to supply the wants of the mounted regiments on the frontiors.
They had with them the late Major-General JJohn F. Reynolds. who was then a major and commandant of the artillery. Majer- General R. O. Tyler was then a first lieutenant of artillery, and adjutant of the forces, and Major-General Rufus Ingalls was then a captain, and quartermaster of the expedition.
They had some strange and exciting adventures on the search. among the buffalos, wolves and grizzly bears: and among the Pawnee. Cheyenne, Sioux and Shoshone or Snake tribes of Indians.
vii
SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
They crossed the Rocky Mountains at the South Pass. and entered Salt Lake Valley by the great Echo Canyon, or Pass. through the Wahsatch Mountains, on the last day of August ; having been four months in the saddle in the wilderness. That fall they engaged in an arduous campaign against the Utah Indians, among the Wahsatch chain, and brought them to terms: hanging several of them for their participation in the above- mentioned massacre. They spent the winter at Salt Lake City. . and in the following spring they divided their forces ; one party going to Oregon, and the other, which the author was with, crossing the "Great American Desert." into California.
On the march this party experienced a great deal of trouble with the Utah and Pah Ute or Digger Indians, and came near perishing for want of water: but. after nearly two months' hard marching. they succeeded in reaching Fort Tejon. in the .. Pass" formed by the junction of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Range mountains, at the head of the valley of the San JJouaquin, which stretches from that point. northward, to the bay of San Fran- cisco. At Fort Tejon they found Company "A" of the First United States Dragoons, and the author became one of its ser- geants.
After some very arduous duty in California, among the Indians of the "Sierras," having had several fights with them. the author was discharged. with a pension, for injuries received. and returned to Philadelphia, cin Nicaragua, where the filibuster Walker was then fighting. late in 1856. In 1858 he got married. and his first child was not quite two years of age when the late great Rebellion burst upon the country, and his second was born only a few days after he left for the seat of war. After the close of the war. he studied law with William Rotch Wister. Esq .. of the Philadelphia bar, and has been practicing law and conveyancing in theut city ever since.
PREFACE.
THIEN a regiment of cavalry is to mount. the bugles sound the ".call" known as "boots and saddles;" and this regiment being the first mounted volunteers called out by the Government of the United States, in the late civil war, the proc- lamation was equivalent to sounding that "call :" hence the title of this book.
In the preparation of the greater part of the following history, the author has relied principally upon his diary, carefully written up every night. while with the regiment, during his whole term of service, and upon his numerous letters written home from the field, which were carefully preserved by his wife. For other parts, while he was absent. he has relied upon the statements of the principal officers of the regiment, who were present with it. A great deal of valuable information was also gleaned from a little book. entitled : "With Sheridan in Lee's last Campaign." written by Colonel F. C. Newhall, late A. A. G., on the staff of General Sheridan.
--
The campaigns and battles in which the regiment, or any part of it. participated, have been described in chronological order, and it is hoped that nothing of any importance has been omitted.
The work was commenced in 1876-the Centennial year -- and has been prosecuted perseveringly, when business would permit. ever since, and is now submitted to the survivors of the regi- Ment, and the publie generally, in hopes that the narrative may of prove wholly unworthy of their consideration.
1
$
PREFACE.
It should be borne in mind that the author did not undertake this most difficult task voluntarily, but at the earnest and oft- repeated solicitations of many of the officers and enlisted men of the regiment.
It is hoped that the illustrations used, although not in the highest style of the art, may prove interesting. and aid the reader in understanding the written descriptions. Most of them are from original sketches by Colonel J. C. Battersby, of this regiment.
It must be borne in mind that no picture, however perfect, cau do anything like justice to the thrilling incidents of a cavalry charge, nor to a battle of any kind ; nor can any written descrip- tion do more than present to the mind the main features of such a scene. leaving to the imagination the task of completing the picture.
In the Appendix will be found a register of all the commis- sioned officers of the regiment, and rolls or lists of all the en- listed men of the regiment, except the deserters.
It was intended to give a brief personal sketch of every com- missioned officer of the regiment, but as the officers themselves seemed to manifest so little interest in the matter, the idea was abandoned.
THE AUTHOR.
PHILADELPHIA. AM.7 1. 1.59.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Inauguration of the Southern Rebellion -Fall of Fort Sumter- The North Aroused-First Call to Arms-The Response 1
CHAPTER IJ.
First eCorte to raise Volunteer Cavalry-Ezra H. Bailey and o; ber- in New York City-William H. Boyd and others in Philadelphia - Carl Sehurz authorized to raise the first regiment - William If. Boyd authorized to raise the first troop-Account of the Philadel- poa " Light Horse."
CHAPTER III.
Colonel schurz recruiting in New York-The battalion under .Adams. Bailey and others join him-He is appointed Minister to spain-Efforts to get a Colonel-General Scott on volunteer cay- airy -Lieutenant Bailey and President Lincoln- Major MeRey- poids apointed Colonel-Captain Adams and the Secretary of War- How the regimeat was named . The Lincoln Cavalry "- Musterel in at last-Camp sernes at Elin Park and Bellevue
CHAPTER IN.
apasta Boxd'stroop mastered in-Arrival at Washington-Skulk- : from Bull Run-camp Moins -Off for Dixie-First charge by Nowy" pat to flight-First cavalry- .1 . find in the way- theopal Mettelan compliments Capita Best and his men-The New York coing ame- arrive at Washing- fon-Organization of the Field and Staff -- List of the Officers. ... 33
xii -
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
Fairfax Seminary-Franklin's Division-Camp Scenes-First ad-
Page. vance since Bull Run-Scenes and Incidents. 49
CHAPTER VI.
Meridian Hill-Review at Washington-Ball's Cross Rout --- Camp Kearny-Capture of Captain Todd-Description of the - Lineolu Cavalry"-The Bold Dragoon-General Kearny and the Sutler- Two Governors claim the regiment -- It becomes the First New York , Lincoln) Cavaly
CHAPTER VII.
Review at Bailey's Cross Roads-Scout to Burk's Stationand Fair- fax Court House-Captain Boyd appointed Provost Marshal- First Military Execution
CHAPTER VHL
Picketing at Alexandria-All quiet along the Potomate-General Kearny's trap-His letter-The Female Trooper-Winter camp Seenes 71
CHAPTER LA.
Marching orders-Burning of the High School-Kearny leads the advance-Charge at Sangster's Station-Death of Lieutenant Hid- den -Metlellan's Advance to Fairfax Court House_Visit to Bull Run. Centreville and Mamasses-Return to the seminary-Reso- Intions on the death of Lieutenant Hidden. 59
CHAPTER X.
Advance under McDowell -Ordered back to Meeleller-Song of Franklin's Division-off for the Peninsula-In front of York- town-Retreat of the confederates
CHAPTER XL.
Embark at Yorktown -- Battle of West Point- March to Cumber- land-Seen- and Ineplent -- Marginto White House - The thicka- homing-Battles of Hanover Court House and Fair OaksWe cross the thickahoming
CHAPTER XIL.
Mill-Savage Station - WhiteoakSwamp-Malvern Hill-Har- rison's Landing-Evaenation of the Peninsula-Some Reminis- centers-Bailey ar White Oak Swamp .... 102
xiii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
Page.
We join Burnside at Fredericksburg-Scouting and picketing on the left of Pope's Army-Back to Alexandria-Pope Defeated- In's Army in Maryland-Wo report to Pleasanton at Poolsville -- Skirmish at Hyattstown-Frederick City_Off to Gettysburg- Back to Boonsboro'-Battleof Antietam-Skirmish at Williams-
114
CHAPTER XIV.
tuff for Cumberland, Maryland-March to Oldtown-Capture of Captain Battersby by the Guerrillas-Capture of Imboden's Camp arl Artillery-Account of the Guerrillas and Bushwhackers- Scouting and picketing in West Virginia-Second capture of Im- hurley's Camp-Re-mounts for the regiment-Races at Oldtown-
.. 124
CHAPTER XV.
North Mountain Station-Prendergast's Fight at Bunker Hill- We ocenpy Martinsburg and Winchester-Capture of Woodstock -Inscription of the " Valley"-Winchester and its people-Picket fighting-Moshy's men capture our stage-We pursue and defeat them-The Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry " skoladille "_Off to Berryville.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Thin Brigade at Berryville-Review at Winchester-Mosby Riter our Patrols- Capture of the Guerrilla Leopard-Trap set for Mosby-Sad blunder of the Sixty-Seventh Pennsylvania Volun- Toers-After Mosby-Capture of Union cavalry at Charlestown- Major Adams' night with Mosby- Re-capture of our Troops-Race ( Berryville-Colonel Ware an. The Stock-Bushwhackers-Nar- row escape of Mosby-Scout to Fairfax 104
CHAPTER XVII.
Advance of Let's Army-Retreat from Berryville-Fight at the Opequon-Battle of Winchester-MOroy's Retreat-Skirmish at Martinsburg-Our Wagon Train Escapes 1.3
CHAPTER AVIL.
Malroy relieved- Maryland Heights-Les- Army again in Mary- utal -- Frederick City-Instruction of Let's Pontoons_General Batord hangs a supposed Spy-The First New York : Lincoln Cavalry during the Gettysburg Campaign-Major Boyd made : Jart nout Knowles. Major; Riatenant Boyd. + apatin. and Sergeant Knowles, Adjutant, of a Pennsylvania regiment- far wagons join us at Hagerstown-" Buck." the Wason-Master, 19
xiv
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIX. Page
Sharpsburg. Maryland-Major Harry Gilmore-Back in Dixie- Miss Belle Boyd-Martinsburg and its people-Death of Roland Ellis-Scouting and Skirmishing-Captain JJones at Smithfield- Account of some . Scouts "-Capture of Captain Blackford and his Men-Capture of the Ninth Maryland Volunteers. 218
CHAPTER XX.
We move to Charlestown-The town and its people -Raid after Im- boden-Sayacool's adventure-Numerousskirmishe -- Fight with Imboden-Death of Hoglan and Black-Our captures-The Harri- souburg raid-Sterns and Gilmore-Ro-enlistment of the reziment -Savacool kills Blackford -Riot with the Twenty-first New York Cavalry-Fight with Roser's Cavalry-Colonel Mulligan-Pre- paring for Veteran Furlough
CHAPTER XXL
Off for New York-Grand reception in that city-Reception of Com- pany C. in Philadelphia-Their Ball-Return to Maryland-Two " First New York's " in the field 250
CHAPTER XXII.
Return to Dixie as Veterans-A Negro regiment-Marching onder> -General Averill off on a raid-General Sigel's alvanes-Colo- nel Boyd's disaster-Battle of New Market-Siger's retreat- General Hunter in command ..
CHAPTER XXUL.
Hunter's advance-Capture of his train-Newtown to be burned- We save the town -Battle of Piedmont-Burning of Military In- stitute and Governor's house at Lexington-Capture of Colonel McDonald-Attack upon Lynchburg-Hunter's retreat-The Con- Aulerates again in Maryland
CHAPTER XXIV.
We pursue Early'Storres-Skirmish at Lovett-ville and Snickers Gap-Duffie repulsed af Ashby's Cap-Colonel Adams after Ear- it's cavalry- Battle of Winchester under Crook-Retreat to Mar- tin-burg-Burning of Chembestand. Porselvania - Pursuit of the raiders_Avenit sanches thang a Meunier -tutan Jones in the fray-Return to Harper's Ferry -- Sheridan in command of
XV
CONTENTS,
CHAPTER XXV. Page.
sheridan moves up the Valley-Mosby captures his train-He falls back to Bolivar Heights-Averill at Martinsburg-Battles of the Opequon, Fisher's Hill, Weir's Cave and Brown's Gap-Destrue- tion in the Valley-Battle of Ninerch-Paying Mosby off ...... 301
CHAPTER XXVI.
Winter of 184-5 at Winchester-The First New York Cavalry in Custer's Division-Sheridan off to join Grant-Fights at Mount Crawford and Waynesboro'- March to the White House-Results of the raid-March to Petersburg. 32:
CHAPTER XXVII.
Sheridan sets out to eut Lee's communication -- Fight at Dinwiddie Court House-Battle of Five Forks-Battle of Sailor's Creek- Charge at Appomattox Station-Surrender of Lee-Raid to North t'arolina-Races at Petersburg-Review at Washington-Recep- tion in New York City-General Grant's Congratulatory Order to the Armies of the Union-". Let us Have Peace " 310
APPENDIX 361
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
1 PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR Frontispiece.
2. " BOOTS AND SADDLES,". Face page 13 42 ..
4. MILITARY EXECUTION .. 70)
5. SANGSTER'S STATION ..
6. DEATH OF SERGEANT CUMMINGS ..
100
: HVAARISTOWN . .
11.
. CACAPON BRIDGE ..
128
9. STEEPLE CHASE AT BERRYVILLE ..
175
1. FIGHT AT THE OPERCON ..
1×5
IL. STAR FORP.
..
1 -!
. CAPTURE OF BLACKFORD'S RANGERS
..
231
EN CHARGE AT PIEDMONT ..
281
1. REPULSE AT ASHBY'S GAP
..
F. FISHER'> HILL. 310
5. BATTLE OF NINEVEH. NO. 1. ..
' BATTLE OF NINEVEH. NO 2 ..
..
. .
3-14
41. CHARGE AT SAILOR'S CREEK. ..
. LAST CHARGE-APPOMATTOX STATION ..
348
..
209
12. CAPTURE OF LEE'S WAGON TRAINS.
. .
321
!. BATTLE OP NINEVEH. NO. 3 CHARGE AT WAYNESBORO'
List of Battles, Fights and Skirmishes. - -
1. Pohick Church, Va.
2. Accotink Creek, Va.
3. Annandale, Va. 39. Strasburg, Va.
4. Fairfax Court House, Va.
5. Falls Church, Va.
6. Sangster's Station. Va.
7. Siege of Yorktown. Va.
4. West Point. Va.
9. Mechanicsville. Va.
10. Fair Oaks or Seven Pines. Va.
11. Hanover Court House. Va.
12. Oak Grove, Va.
13. Beaver Dam. Va.
14. Gaines' Mill. Va.
15. Savages' Station, Va.
16. White Oak Swamp, Va.
17. Glon Dale. Va.
14, Malvern Hill. Va.
19. Harrison's Landing, Va.
W. Hyattstown. Mdl.
21. Frederick City, Md.
22. Emmitt burg. Md.
D. Antietam. Md.
M. Williamsport, Md.
25. Blues' Gap, W. Va.
5. Capon Bridge. W. Va.
5. Hanging Rock, W. Va.
A. South Branch, W. Va.
2. Springfield, W. Va.
30. North Biver Mills, W. Va.
. Frenchy's Store. W. Va.
32. Puchtown. W. Va.
B. Lockand's Gap, W. Va.
1. Paw Paw Tunnel. W. Va.
" Pomney Bridge, W. Va.
36. Bunker Hill. Va.
: 37. Woodstock, Va.
38. Newtown. Va.
40. Devil's Hole, Va.
41. Snicker's Ferry. Va.
42. Berry's Ferry, Va.
43. Milwood, Va.
44. White Post, Va.
45. Front Royal, Va.
46. Paris, Va.
17. Upperville. Va.
4%. Rectortown. Va.
49. Tweesburg, Va.
50. Goose Creek. Va.
51. Berryville. Va.
52. Opequon, Va.
73. Winchester. Va.
St. Milroy's Retreat, Va.
35. Martinsburg. W. Va.
56. Williamsport. Md. 57. Keadysville. Md.
- 5. Hancock. Ma.
50. MeConnelshurz. Pa.
60. Mercersburg. Pa.
61. Lee's Pontoons, Ma.
62. Lee's Wagon Train. Pa.
3. Green Castle, l'a. @1. Shippensburg. Pa.
65. Carlisle, Pa.
66. Fayetteville, Pa.
67. Arendisville, Pa.
cs. Waterloo. Pa.
69. Bendersville, Pa.
To. Quaker Valley, Pa.
71. Pine Grove Furnace. Pa.
72. Mount Rock. Pa.
B
xviii
BATTLES. FIGHTS AND SKIRMISHES.
73. Oranstown, Pa.
14. Waynesboro', Pa.
75. Hagerstown, Md.
76. Sharpsburg, Md.
116. Gerrardtown. Va. 117. Bunker Hill, Va. 115. Martinsburg. W. Va.
7. Sheppardstown, W. Va
74. Martinsburg. W. Va.
79. Kearnysville. W. Va.
119. Moorfield. W. Va. 120. Leetown, W. Va. 121. Charlestown. W. Va.
50. Smithfield. W. Va.
$1. Back Creek Valley. W. Va.
122. Bolivar Heights. W. Va.
$2. Summit Point. W. Va.
13. Falling Waters. W. Va.
3. Winchester. Va.
124. Sheppardstown. W. Va.
$4. Newtown. Va.
125. Summit Point. W. Va.
126. Martinsburg, W. Va.
M6. Woodstock. Va.
15. Darksville. W. Va.
128. Buckletown. W. Va.
120. Bunker Hill. Va.
1.30. Stephenson's Depot. Va.
131. Opequon or Winchester. Va.
132. Fisher's Hill. Va.
133. Woodstock, Va.
134. Mount Jackson. Va
135. Harrisonburg. Va.
136. Brown's Gap, Va.
107. Weir's Cave. Va.
13 -. Luray Valley. Va.
130. Milford. Va.
110. Cedar Creek, Va.
141. Nineveh. Va.
112. Rhude's Hill. Va.
143. Mount Crawford. Va
144. Waynesboro', Va.
115. Raid to White House, Va.
116. Dinwiddie Court House. Va.
107. Buford's Gap. Va : Big Sewell Mountain. W. Va. 1. Five Forks, Va.
1.5. Martinsburg. W. Va
1. Harper's Ferry, W. Va
10. Monoracy. Md.
110, Whites' Ford. Md.
111. Lovettsville. Va. 112. Hillsboro'. Va.
18. Snicker's Gap, Va.
118. Mamozine Chapel. Va.
11%, Scott's Corners, Va.
10. Deep Creek. Va.
151. Amelia Court House. Va.
1.2. Farmville. Va.
13 Sailor's Creek. Va.
: 14. Appomattox, Va.
0
$5. Middletown, Va.
4. Edenburg. Va. 8. Mount Jackson. Va.
>9. Harrisonburg. Va. 50). Mechansburg Gap, W. Va.
91. Moorfield. W. Va
92. Millwood. Va. :3. Paris, Va 94. Salem, Va.
. Luray Gap, Va.
1. New Market. Va.
6. Harrisonburg. Va.
98. Piedmont. Va.
!. Waynesboro'. Va.
10, Lexington. Va.
In1. Buchannan. Va. 102. New London, Va.
13. Lynchburg. Va.
14. Liberty, Va.
114. Ashby's Gap, Va. 115. Kearnstown, Va.
CHAPTER I.
Inauguration of the Southern Rebellion-Fall of Fort Sumter-The North Aroused-First Call to Arms-The Response.
IWIE regiment whose campaigns are here recorded was the first volunteer cavalry which the Govern- ment of the United States authorized to be raised, in 1861, to aid in suppressing the Southern Rebellion.
In the history of a single regiment an extended ex- planation of the causes which led to the Rebellion will not be expected. It may be necessary to state, how- ever, that for many years the Southern or Slave States had regarded their union with the Northern or Free States as a galling yoke, which they were determined to cast off, if possible. the moment they could find a plaus- ible pretext, so that they might be enabled to regulate and enjoy their favorite "institution" without let or hin- drance.
It had been predicted that the American Union could not long exist half' slave and half free. Slavery was an accident, and not a natural product of American insti- tutions. It was at war with the liberty-breathing spirit of those institutions; and "a house divided against itself cannot stand." It is not strange, therefore, that the agitation of the slavery question finally resulted in civil war.
One of the first results of the controversy was the formation of an anti-slavery party in the North, which, in
1
2
HISTORY OF THE
course of time. became known as the Republican party; and in the fall of 1860 this party, though greatly in the minority, succeeded in electing their candidate, Abra- ham Lincoln, of Illinois, President of the United States.
Humanly speaking, his election was due to a division in the ranks of the Democratic or pro-slavery party, which resulted in the nomination, by that party, of two candidates for the Presidency, thus virtually giving that office to their weaker opponents; but it is said this was done advisedly, for the purpose of bringing about a state of affairs that might furnish the Southern leaders with a plausible argument in favor of secession.
The election of Mr. Lincoln was in strict accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States ; but because he had been elected by a plurality, and not a majority, of the popular vote, and had received nearly all his support from the Northern States, the Southern States, in accordance with their pre-determination, seized upon this as a sufficient pretext, and at once be- gan preparations for seceding from the Union; with the . avowed intention of setting up a confederacy of their own, whose chief corner-stone should be slavery.
Encouraged by the imbecility of James Buchanan, then President of the United States, and by the seem- ing apathy of the Northern people, the South proceeded to appropriate all the Government property within her borders, and prepared to defend herself against any in- terference from without.
The people of the North were but little acquainted with the spirit that animated the Southern leaders. and still less with the preparations they had made for carry- ing out their plans, and seemed to think matters would all come right as soon as the excitement caused by the
3
FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
election of Mr. Lincoln had subsided; but they were grievously mistaken.
'Tis said : " Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad." And it certainly looked as though the Southern people had incurred the displeasure of those fabled deities, or rather of DEITY itself, and were being urged on blindly to their fate. Their object was to de- stroy the Union, in order that they might be enabled to perpetuate human slavery ; but the means they adopted for that purpose were ordained by Providence, it would seem, to put an end to slavery in the United States, and thus not only preserve the Union, but fix it upon a firmer basis than ever before.
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