USA > New York > Boots and saddles. A history of the 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 > Part 13
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troops set out on the road in high spirits; but "the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley," and such was the case in this instance. On the 6th, about 3 p. m., the cavalry, seventeen in number, came in sight of Mosby's pickets, near Upperville, London county. Virginia. One of the troopers was sent back at speed to "set the trap," and the others made a dash on the pickets, who fell back a short distance to the reserve Our boys fired at long range and tried to draw the enemy into a charge, but could not succeed. Finally they rode out into the middle of the highway, so that the enemy could see the paucity of their numbers, and began to vell and fire their pistols, but made no attempt to advance. Mosby's men kept returning the fire, and having long range fire-arms they succeeded in wounding Charles Glossup, of Company C, and also Lieutenant Hawkins of the Sixth Maryland Volunteers, who had accompanied the expedition on horseback, out of pure love of adventure.
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In a short time a stir was noticed among the enemy, as if preparing for some movement, and the next instant they came charging down the road, tiring rapidly, cheer- ing and yelling as only rebels could yell. This was what our boys wanted, and being well mounted they took things easy. Sergeant J. J. Snyder, of Company C, had his horse shot in the hip with a rifle bullet, which lamed him very much, and he was left behind his comrades in the retreat.
The enemy were gaining upon him very rapidly, and the bullets were uncomfortably numerous, so that he had to apply the spurs to keep out of danger. His horse was failing fast. and the foremost of the enemy were only a short distance behind him; but he had no
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thought of surrendering. Turning . in his saddle, he blazed away at the leader of the advancing enemy, caus- ing him to crouch low in his saddle, and producing some confusion in the head of the column. This he re- peated several times as the enemy got too close, until his revolver was emptied. Then the " graybacks " put spurs to their horses and soon shortened the distance between them; and the leader, who rode a very fast horse, dashed up on a line with Snyder, taking care to keep clear of his sabre, and fired. The bullet grazed his upper lip, cutting off part of his mustache, and, fearing the next shot would finish him, he rolled from his horse, and the whole rebel squadron dashed past, think- ing he had been killed, but he was only bruised by the fall.
In a moment he was on his feet and over the fence into the woods, yet not a bit too soon. Our retreating cavalry had just got in front of our infantry, when the whole line poured a withering volley into them; which, had the infantry not been so frightened, must have killed every man and horse in the party. As it was. they killed two men and two horses, and wounded sev- eral others of our own men, and nearly all the rest of the horses. It was dreadful ! The enemy discoverel the " trap" just in time, and wheeling their horses, they dashed back past where Snyder was concealed, congratu- lating themselves on their miraculous escape, and glory- ing over the fearful blunder of our infantry.
The names of the killed in this sad affair, were : Voor- hees, of Company H, and Gleason, of Company B, of our regiment; and the wounded were Lieutenants Wye- koff and Boyd, and private Glossup, of our regiment. and Lieutenant Hawkins, of the Sixth Maryland Vol-
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unteers. The two latter had been pretty severely wounded by the enemy in the early part of the skirmish, but our infantry hit them again. Poor Glossup's leg had to be amputated, and he died from the effects.
This was the most criminal and inexcusable blunder that I have ever heard of. The arrangements were per- fect, and the infantry had been notified of the coming enemy, and yet, they were so excited, and so anxious to kill somebody, that they fired into the first mounted men that made their appearance; and they kept firing for some time, notwithstanding the shouts of our men in- forming them who they were.
On the 12th, Captain Boyd, with one hundred men, crossed the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge into " Mosby's Confederacy," determined to have satisfaction. They proceeded to Leesburg, taking several prisoners on their way, and bivouacked for the night.
Next morning they marched through Middleburg' capturing a number of Mosby's " moss troopers," and proceeded on to Upperville. On the way between those two places, the country seemed alive with guerrillas and bushwhackers; but they kept in that poetic distance, which is said " to lend enchantment to the view," only deigning to give our party an occasional salute with their rifles from the hill-tops, out of range of our car- bines.
On approaching Upperville, about fifty mounted men were discovered, and Boyd divided his force, sending Captain Jones with fifty men to flank the town, while he charged through. Captain Jones lost his way in the pine thicket, and the plan miscarried; but Boyd dashed in and captured about a dozen of the bold riders before they could escape. He then pursued Mosby and the 15
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balance of his force for several miles. During the chase. an officer, supposed to have been Mosby, would halt far in rear of his men, fire upon our advance, and then dash away at speed, bidding defiance to his pursuers. He was mounted upon a magnificent gray horse, whose speed seemed to our men almost miraculous. In this way he played with Boyd's advance for several miles, narrowly escaping the bullets from their carbines on several occasions. While engaged in this fruitless, but exciting chase, Sergeant MeKinley, of Company B, had his horse killed bya shot from Mosby's pistol. Several of our men were wounded by bushwhackers, having been left some distance in rear on account of their horses giving out. Patrick Donnelly, of Company C, was shot through the lungs by one of those despicable wretches, and had to be left in the farm house of a Mr. Fletcher. This family took good care of him, often sending to our camp for delicacies, and he recovered. Donnelly has since purchased that place, and is now using it as a stock farm.
While he was lying ill, Mosby frequently called to inquire after his welfare, and invariably treated him with consideration and kindness. Upon recovering he made his way to Harper's Ferry, and joined his company, and served gallantly throughout the war.
On the 16th, a company of Maryland cavalry stationed at Charlestown, near Harper's Ferry, was captured by the enemy, and a force of cavalry under Major Adams, was sent to intercept them. This force was to cross the Shenandoah at Berry's Ferry, pass through Ashby's Gap. and head the raiders off as they attempted to get to New Market.
On approaching the ferry Lieutenant Vermy lia and
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twenty-five men were sent ahead to reconnoitre, and as they passed through a piece of woods near Berry's Ford, they were attacked in rear by about fifty of Mosby's men, who had crossed the river in the night to way-lay the patrol of about a dozen men, which we were in the habit of sending from our regiment, to inspect the various fords every day.
Vermylia turned on them, and there was a pretty little fight going on when the main column, under Major Adams, having heard the firing in front, dashed up and turned the scales against the enemy ; who, finding them- selves between two fires, were compelled to fight, run or surrender. They fought desperately, just as rats will when cornered, but they were quickly vanquished; two of them being killed and fifteen captured, besides a good many of them being wounded who succeeded in making their escape. We had two men and several horses wounded. Major Adams charged the fleeing enemy into the Shenandoah River, and some of the prisoners were taken in the water.
In his report of this affair, Major Adams gives great credit to Major Quinn and the other officers of his com- mand, for their gallantry in the fight.
The prisoners were sent back to Berryville, and the column kept on its way. On reaching Paris, on the east side of the Blue Ridge, they met a detachment of car- alry from Winchester, composed of men from the Third Virginia, and the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Captain Dan. Meany, who had fallen in with the raiders and their prisoners. and had re-captured all of our men, together with a few of the enemy.
Our party proceeded as far as Upperville, capturing five more of Mosby's guerrillas as they passed along.
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On the 23d we had a gala day at Berryville. Our officers had laid out a race course, one mile in circuit, and had amused themselves with friendly trials of speed for some time. Finally it was arranged to have a series of races on the above date, and numerous invitations had been issued to the officers at Winchester, Martins- burg and Harper's Ferry. There was to be a trotting match for a goldl mounted riding whip; a running or flat race for an English saddle and bridle, and a hurdle race, or steeple chase, for a silver goblet, handsomely engraved. The weather was very fine, and we had a large number of visitors, civil and military, ladies and gentlemen. The troops at Berryville were reviewed in the morning, and drawn up under arms, to witness the races and to be ready in case of an attack. When Gen- eral Elliott of the regular army arrived, we gave him his first salute with artillery. The trotting match was not very exciting, and was won by Captain Bennett's cream colored horse, over three competitors. Next came the running race, and there were four horses started. Col- onel Me Reynolds rode his elegant dapple gray horse, " Light Foot," presented to him by the citizens of New York city, Captain Boyd rode his beautiful sorrel horse " Red Bird," which he had purchased in Virginia at a high figure, Captain Prendergrast rode his black race horse " Flying Dutchman," one of the best and fastest horses in the Valley, and Lieutenant Boyd rode his pow- erful and dashing gray horse " Bailey," one of the best jumpers I ever saw.
Guidons had been posted at intervals all around the course, and the riders were required to keep outside of those markers. at the risk of losing the race. The horses came up to the judges' stand in good style, and when
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the word was given, started at a slapping pace. It was a tight race for the first quarter, Prendergrast and the two Boyd's keeping their horses well in hand. When they got to the three-quarter marker, Colonel MeRey- nolds had the lead, closely followed by Captain Boyd. Lieutenant Boyd and Captain Prendergrast in the order above named; but at that moment Prendergrast's horse fell, and he was out. Then the race became very excit- ing, each rider trying hard to win the prize. Captain Boyd's horse was gaining rapidly at every jump, and the cheering was deafening. The three horses came up the home stretch putting forth every effort, their riders reach- ing forward as if to aid them, and laying on the whip.
Presently Captain Boyd's horse shot ahead, and, in spite of the efforts of Colonel MeReynolds, won the race by a neck. Lieutenant Boyd was third, and Pren- dergrast nowhere.
Then the steeple chase came off, but the following ac- count, published in the New York Herald of that day, will be more satisfactory than any attempt that I might make to describe it :
"STEEPLE CHASE IN THE ARMY."
"Account of an interesting race at Berryville, Virginia-The First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry enjoying themselves, &c."
BERRYVILLE, VIRGINIA, June 27, 183.
The readers of the Herald will be glad to hear that our soldiers in the field know how to amuse themselves when they got a chance.
We had quite an interesting time here on the Ed of May, when a stopple chase, got up by the First New York ( Lincoln) Cavalry. for a challenge cup, came off in splendid style. The arrangements for the race were perfect. The trotting and flat race being over, General Elliot and staff. with other visitors from Winchester, rode to the ground to witness the long expected steeple chase, which of all other tests, tries the qualities of the horse the most; his speed. strength. wind. power of endurance, disposition and susceptibility of a pren- Harsystem of training. The rider's ideas must be communicated to
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him, as horse and rider must understand each other; must co-operate under circumstances peculiar to the chances of the strife. The horse must know his rider's voice, which saves the use of the annoying and aggravating bit, and the constant application of the whip and spur. The light cavalry horse must be able to pursue his enemy over a rough country, and, if necessary, take flight ; and in either case, the best jumpers have the best chance. When the horse and rider are well acquainted with each other, and the art and science of horseman- ship is thoroughly understood, (which can only be learned in a long and tedious course of schooling from early youth.) there is a current of electricity passing to and from one to the other by means of the reins, which serve as telegraph wires; and the moment a sudden idea of a move strikes the rider, that moment it is known to the trained horse. In consequence of not being able to jump, cavalry horses are frequently captured. and the loss to the government and the service is considerable, being about sis-including the carbine. if attached to the saddle.
FOUR HORSES ENTER.
The four horses catered for the steeple chase, were : " Fritz," gray horse, entered and ridden by Captain Simmons, wearing a gray jacket and cap, and black pants. "General MeClellan," bay horse, entered and ridden by Captain Batter by, wearing white pants, long boots, white cap and scarlet jacket. " Flying Dutchman, " black horse, entered and ridden by Captain Prendererast, wearing white jacket and black cap. " Dandy." brown hope, catered and ridden by Lieutenant Lochr. wearing blue cap and jacket, and blue pants.
Flying Dutchman having hal a bad fall in the flat race. injuring him- self and rider, was unable to run. and the contest was between the other three. This was much to be regretted. as " Flying Dutchman " is the most magnificent horse in this division. The fences put up were four and a half feet high, and the ground was hard.
Time being calle L the horses, with their owners riding. were con- dueted by Captain Boyd to the starting post. All being ready the word was given, and all started off admirably; " Fritz " taking the lead, the brown following second, and the "General " holding back cautiously up to the
Fire Lup-" Fraze male a goal Jump, after a slight hesitation. " Bandy " came up well but refusal. The " General" taking his time. made a flying lap and pushed on after . Fritz," who was closing on the
Second Lapp" Day "again took his leap well. The . General " still following, came up 'instal ation- mariner, and rushing hurriedly, just as he approach l'ar fare. tarly few into the air. This was a Habenso much time to go " kiting " he
Black Box- Heraf I & wine malo a dashing jump, in which hls rider fost one of his stirrup irons, which, causing a slight delay,
STEEPLE-CHASE AT BERRYVILLE, VA.
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gave the "General" the leal; which he took up quietly, keeping his place up to the
Fourth Leap-Which he took "kiting, " closely pursued by . Fritz." who seemed to think he could master the " General, " and made a safe leap, pressing on the " General's " heels up to the
Fift'i Leup-Which was higher than any other, and the " General," as if scorning the slight impediment before him, made the most splendid and dashing leap of the race. His rider now put him on his speed. " Fritz." in the most gallant and good natured manner, took his jump. and stretched himself, closely following the " General," who flew over the last fence and ran in towards the winning post, around which a crowd of men and horses had gathered, hiding the winning post, so that Captain Battersby, supposing he had passed it. slackened his pace and allowed " Fritz" to pass him; thus winning the race by a neck. The excitement now became uproarious, and Captain Battersby was called, who, not imaginging but that he had come in first, was aston- ished when informell by the judges that he had lost the cup. On seeing his mistake he promptly challenged Captain Simmons on the spot, to put up the cup for another contest, then and there, between the samty horses. Simmons, having the pluck and dash of a cavalry officer, in a manly spirit accepted the challenge, and in a few minutes the horses wore again conductel to the starting post.
SECOND RACE.
At the word " go." both horses made a fair start. " Fritz" soon taking the legal; his ridder keeping him well to his purpose, and Battersby. as usual, following closely, making splendid flying leaps, until both here's came haaland girth to the fifth and highest fence; to witness which the whole field rushed en masse. As both horses rose together a al elvare I the force in regular steeple chase sporting style, a general uprecarious cheer reat the air. Battersby now applied his propelling powers, and the . General," taking the hint, rushed ahead and flow over the sixth and last fence, closely followed by Simmons; who, al- though in the rear, war evidently determined on giving a hard crush to hisopponent, who was close by the judges stand as " Fritz" was making a splendid leap over the last fence. The " General" coming in first the judges decided in his favor. His rider thea taking the cup in his Land galloped through the field, under the excitement of a storm of applause.
Now there was made up an impromptu race between Colonel Me Reynolds and Major Adams, both officers to ride their own horses. Colonel MeReynolds entered his dappled gray again, and Major Adams his favorite brown gelding. Much fun was anticipated at this race. as Major Adams weighed about two hundred and thirty
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pounds, and it was believed by many that his horse would never be able to reach the "home stretch" with such a weight upon his back ; but to the astonishment of every- body he came in ahead of Colonel Me Reynolds, beating his beautiful gray with little effort. In the evening there was a grand banquet at the camp of our regiment ; and with " wine galore, but fun far more" we spent the " wee sma' hours." When the guests separated many of them seemed weak in the knees, and very partial to the green sward. General Elliott and his aide-de-camp, F. A. Nims, a son-in-law to Colonel MeReynolds, set out for Winchester in a buggy. Unfortunately the "moon had gone down behind the hills," and the horse becom- ing frightened at some object, ran into the posts of the toll-gate, upsetting his drivers, bruising them severely. but not fatally. Thus ended our first day's field sport at Berryville.
On returning to camp that evening the following challenge was handed Captain Battersby by Captain Simmons :
HEADQUARTERS FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY. BERRY VILLE. May Be. 1863.
CAPTAIN BATTERSBY :- Hereby you are challenged to appear before the judges of the steeple chase. on Saturday. Both inst .. at &p. m., to contest for the challenge cup. Same course. Same rules.
Yours.
L. I. SIMMONS.
THIRD RACE.
Accordingly, on Saturday, the 30th, all parties met on the same course, where a large crowd of anxious spectators, including officers of cavalry, artillery and infantry from Winchester, awaited the arrival of the contestants. Captain Simmons had changed his horse " Fritz." for his famous horse " Rank" (who hal previously beaten . Fritz" on the same course, by thirty yards; hoping by this means to give the ยท General" a still harder run than " Fritz" hal done. " Rank" is do- cidedly the finest looking horse in the regiment, being well bred. pow- erful and active.
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Time being called both parties were conducted to the starting post. The word being given, away they went to contest for the final owner- ship of the cup. " Rank" took the lead. the " General," as usual slow and sure, following him closely to the-
First Leap-When " Rank" made a sweeping jump, thus giving the spectators great confidence in his powers, and causing many bets to be made in his favor. The " General" came scooting along and made one of his careful jumps, following " Rank" closely between the first and
Second Leap-When " Rank" rushed " right and left," but finally rose beautifully, making a clean jump and passing on safely. The " Gen- eral" now came tearing along, knowing that it would not do to allow " Rank" to take such liberties with him as " Fritz" had done. So com- ing up in good style, and evidently well gathered, he made a splendid leap, actually throwing himself into the air, and alighting smoothly. pressed on and gave " Rank" no time to get very far away. By this time they had approached the
Third Leap-Over which " Rank" carried his rider in dashing style. closely pursued by the " General." whose leap over this fence exceeded any other leap, perhaps, made in this valley during many years. Still the crowd bet on " Rank." who was the favorite up to the
Fourth Leap-When the " General" made one of those proverbial bounds that overtook " Rank." who made a safe and splendid jump over this fence. Still the " General" followed closely, and as " Rank" came between the fourth and fifth fences the " General" rushed up to him and taking the
Fifth Leap-Led " Raak" up to the sixth and last. Now was the time for " Rank" to take his turn in coming up. The " General" took the lead and hell it up to the
Birth Loup-When he made a tremendous bound. " Rank" following. but evidentiy giving way. As " Rank" came to the fence, he seemed unable to rise to his leap, and fell over, throwing his rider heavily, but without injury toeither. The " General" came in in dashing style. and won the cup for the third time, amid the cheers of the excited and crestfallen crowd, who had all the while bet on " Rank." Scrub rates were thea gotten up by the men of the First New York ( Lincoln) Cav- alry, for purses of ten dollars each heat. This created great sport. and after much good running the crowd dispersed to their respective camps.
Captain Battersby was a most skillful and accom- plished horseman and swordsman, and always held that " skill in horsemanship and the use of the sabre" were in- dispensable requisites of a cavalryman. He, therefore. sought and embraced every opportunity to teach those requisites to the men under his command, observing :
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" that men thus instructed would be respected by their friends and feared by their enemies." His example in this respect had a good effect upon the other officers, and upon the whole regiment, which excelled any other volunteer cavalry, that I ever knew of, in fearless horse- manship and in a skillful use of the sabre.
The result of this days sport was peculiarly gratify- ing to Captain Battersby, as he was the first to intro- duce into the regiment the practice of "rough riding," which served, as he said, to " shake the men down into their saddles," and give them a good seat. Our boys were exceedingly fond of good horses-and what good cavalryman is not ?- and they always managed, when in the enemy's country, to keep well mounted.
They were a suaey, jaunty looking set of " bloods " when mounted, so that the "Valley" people, who are great admirers of good horsemen, gave us the name of " The Gallant First New York." And said that not even their own cavalry, under the idolized General Stuart, could excel us in those indespensable qualifica- tions of a cavalry soldier.
There were a great many first class people in the She- nandoah Valley-people who might well claim to be called the " F. F. V's." of Virginia. They were seces- sionists, of course, but they were high-toned ladies and gentlemen notwithstanding. Most of them were descen- dants of the best English families that originally settled in that good old Commonwealth ; and lineal descendants of the patriots, soldiers and statesmen who helped to make usa Nation. Their manners were refined, and their hospitality, even to us, whom they considered enemies, worthy of imitation everywhere. Colonel Ware, who resided on a fine old plantation near the Shenandoah,
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was a true type of the old Virginia gentleman. He treated our officers and men in the most hospitable man- ner, although he made no secret of his southern views ; but neither did he obtrude his views upon us. He had some of the finest blooded stock in Virginia, and had spent a great deal of money in importing horses and sheep ; some of his sheep costing $500 a head, and his horses fabulous prices. I gave him a pass to be present at the races, and he seemed to appreciate the civility very much. He came to Philadelphia during the Cen- tennial, and I was about the first person he called upon. He said that half the anticipated pleasure of his visit lay in his hope of seeing me and expressing his thanks for the kindness I had shown him in those troublous times. I was very sorry to hear from him that the Union troops had, after we left that place, killed all his fancy sheep, and carried off all his fine horses. Hle in- vited me to visit him and spend as much time as I chose. fishing and gunning in the " Valley," making his house my home while there. "Kindness begets kindness," and this is only a fair sample of the many friendships which were made between the officers of our regiment and the good people of the classic Valley of the She- nandoah.
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