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 6
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The regiments on the right began to cheer, and the others took it up. until one hundred thousand lusty voices united in one grand chorus, making the woods and valleys ring.
When the cheering had subsided the distant strains of a brass band. playing . Hail to the Chief," came floating down the lines, and in a few minutes "little Mac." our glorious chieftain. came dashing down at the head of a magnificent cavalcade, the regiments cheering as he passed. As the cortege passed our regiment we recog- nized President Lincoln, riding with the general-in- chief, and the boys shouted : "three cheers for Unele Abe!" They were given with a will, and the "old gen- tleman" removed his hat. with a bow and a smile, and rode along the whole front of the regiment uncovered. We felt proud that day that our regiment was called " The Linedo Caraleg." Inspection over, the troops broke into column of companies, and passed in review before the general-in-chief and the President, who were surrounded by hosts of the great men and beautiful
FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY. 65
women of America, assembled to see the army which General Mcclellan had, in a few months, created out of ordinary citizens. As Boyd's troop passed in review General Franklin was observed pointing to it, and the sergeant on the right overheard him say to General Mc- Clellan: " there is one of the best troops of volunteer cavalry in the army." When we heard this you can im- agine how proud we felt. The review occupied the whole day, and it was 5 o'clock p. m. when we got back to camp; but that day's work had shown to the satisfaction of all what a perfect and powerful machine the Army of the Potomac was, and how its commanders could handle it; and laid the foundation of that "esprit de corps" which afterwards so thoroughly pervaded that army, and made it one of the best in the world.
The grand review over, our regiment was ordered to send a squadron every morning in the direction of Fair- fax Court House, or down the Orange and Alexandria railroad.
On the 24th of November, Major Buck, of General Kearny's Brigade, with infantry and artillery, and a battalion of our regiment, went to Burk's Station. We found indications of a large body of cavalry having passed over the road beyond Annandale, and some " Secesh" women, who took us for their own troops, in- formed us that a party of our men. (meaning the Con- federates.) had passed along only an hour before. An old negro, who fell into the same mistake, begged of us to hurry away, as " de Yanks were down at de Station." The old fellow had a fine team, loaded with flour, and we took him and his team along. He was very much astonished when he found we were " Yanks."
On the 27th, Boyd's and Bennett's companies were
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sent towards Fairfax to find the enemy if possible, and I was placed in command of the advance. As my men were ascending a grade about half a mile from Fairfax, they were fired upon by infantry from behind rifle pits. There were some cavalry drawn up behind the infantry ready to charge if an opportunity offered, and my car- bineers opened on them, knocking one man out of his saddle. Seeing them so dilatory about attacking us, we began to fear they had sent a force to cut us off, and were only amusing us until they had accomplished this object. So having carried out our instructions, we began to fall back. Their cavalry followed us at a respectful distance, but made no attempt to hurry us up, which only added to our suspicion that a trap had been set for us. To avoid anything of the kind, we left the turn- pike and struck off towards Falls Church. After march- ing through the woods for some distance, we came out into a large clearing, at the further side of which was a wood-crowned hill directly across the road. On ap- proaching this hill, we suddenly found ourselves con- fronted by a strong line of infantry skirmishers, who had been concealed in the edge of the woods watching our advance. We were in a narrow road, hemmed in on either side by a high post-and-rail fence, and the infan- try skirmish line lapped both our flanks in a threatening manner. Here was a cul de sac, and how were we to es- cape ? Captain Boyd, with great presence of mind, rode forward and inquired what troops they were. " The Twentieth New York," was the reply ; but we feared they were deceiving us. The Captain rode up, however, and was soon surrounded by a circle of bayo- nets and conducted to the rear. while the skirmish line seemed inclined to entirely surround us in the road
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Things were fast coming to a crisis, as we had made up our minds there was quite as much danger in the rear as in front, and were on the verge of charging up the road . between the sheltering fences, when the Captain ap- peared on the hill and sung out: "All right! Forward !" and we breathed much easier. In the report of this affair, Captain Boyd complained of the want of some system of signals by which our troops might know each other before getting into such dangerous proximity, and shortly afterwards a system of signals was adopted and put into practice in the army with good results. I have no doubt this little affair helped to bring about the speedy adoption of the system.
The following order was issued in reference to this scout :
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. WASHINGTON, D. C .. December 5, 1861.
. Special Orders, No. 170.
* * * * * *
The Major General commanding has read attentively, and with much satisfaction, the report of Captain William H. Boyd. First New York Cavalry, of the reconnaissance made on the 24th ultimo by the squadron under his command, consisting of Boyd'sand Bennett's com- panies of that regiment. The coolness and discretion displayed on that occasion by Captain Boyd, and the officers and men of his command. deserve the highest praise, and Lave won for them the confidence of the commanding General.
* * * * By command of MAJOR-GENERAL MCCLELLAN. (Signed) S. WILLIAMS, *
Assistant Adjutant- General.
Official.
E. SPARROW PURDY.
Chaplain Assistant Adjuvant - General.
HEADQUARTERS ALEXANDRIA DIVISION. Deember 7. 1-61.
On the Ist of December, Captain Boyd was appointed provost marshal, and his company detailed as provost guard of Franklin's division. We immediately left the
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regimental camp, pitched our tents near the general's headquarters, and began to erect stables, and fix up for the winter. The regiment also erected shelter of various kinds to protect the men and horses from the inclemency of the weather.
On the 12th I was promoted to first lieutenant of the company, Lieutenant Hanson was transferred to com- pany " F" under Captain Bennett, and Second Lieu- tenant C. J. Campbell was assigned to us.
On the 13th our troop was called upon to perform the most disagreeable duty that soldiers can be called upon to perform-the shooting of a fellow soldier. The man's name was Wm. H. Johnson, a member of our own regi- ment, who had attempted to desert to the enemy. HIe ran into some of General Kearny's Brigade, under Colo- nel Taylor, returning from a scout; mistook them for the enemy, told his story, and was brought back a pris- oner. He was tried by court martial; found guilty, and sentenced to be shot. He was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana; said his father was dead. and that he was siezed with a strong desire to see his mother and sister, for which purpose, he said. he had deserted. and not to join the enemy ; but this did not tally with his story to those who apprehended him.
Some of the men said he was not of sound mind, but I saw nothing in his conduct to indicate the least un- soundness of mind, or that would justify or excuse the crime of which he was found guilty.
The following order explains itself:
HEADQUARTERS ALEXANDRIA DIVISION. December 1th. 18H.
No.
The Division will be formed, to witnessa military execution, at 3 p. m., on Friday, the 13th inst. It will form three sides of a square. The front
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of each brigade will be two battalions. On one side of the square the cavalry will be formed, dismounted, and on the other side the artillery. also dismounted.
General Slocum's brigade will be formed in two lines, on the Lees- burg Road, near the camp of the Eighteenth New York Volunteers. facing north.
General Kearney's brigade will be formed in two lines. at right angles to General Slocum's, and on its right, facing west.
General Newton's brigade will be formed in two lines, at right angles to General Slocum's, and on its left, facing east.
The cavalry will be formed on the left of General Newton's brigade, and the artillery on the right of General Kearny's brigade.
The intervals between the lines will be twenty paces.
The firing party will consist of one man from each company of the First New York ( Lincoln) Cavalry, under command of a sergeant, who will report to the division provost marshal, at 2 p. m., on Friday. with carbines. The pieces will be loaded under the directions of the provost marshal, out of sight of the firing party. He will see that one of the pieces is loaded with a blank cartridge, and the remainder with ball cartridges, in the most careful manner.
The procession will approach the lines from the right, in the following order. viz :
1. Provost Marshal, mounted.
2. Music of the First New York ( Lincoln) Cavalry.
3. Firing party. on foot.
4. Coffin, in wagon, prisoner seated thereon, accompanied by the chaplain.
5. Escort of one company of cavalry. mounted.
When the procession shall have reached the right of the Division the front battalion shall face to the rear, and the procession will pass be- tween the lines, around to the left. when it will halt. and form on the fourth side of the square, facing northward.
During its passage the bands will play funeral marches, and after its passare each battalion in the front line will face to the front.
The execution will take place as soon after the procession arrives at its place as possible; time being given for such religious exercises as the chaplain may see fit to institute.
After the execution the troops will be marched to their respective camps, and there will be no other military exercises during the re- mainder of the day.
By order of BRIGADIER-GENERAL. FRANKLIN.
E. SPARROW PURDY. Amix ant Adjutant-Genere !.
.. "Twa-evening-on a texted field, and through the heated her,
Flashed back. from lines of burnished arms, the sun's effulgent blaze While from a sombre prison-house. seen slowly to emerge.
A sal procession. o'er the sward, moved to a muffled dirge,
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And in the midst, with faltering step. and pale and anxious face, In manaeles, between two guards, a soldier had his place.
". Still on before the marshall'd ranks, the train pursued its way U'p to a designated spot, whereon a coffin lay-
His coffin ! An with reeling brain, despairing, desolate, He took his station by its side, abandoned to his fate ! Then came across his wavering sight, strange pictures in the air; He saw his distant Southern home ; he saw his mother there.
". Yet once again. In double file, advancing, then he saw Twelve comrades, sternly set apart to execute the law ; But saw no more ; his senses swam, deep darkness settled round, And shuddering, he awaited now, the fatal volley's sound !" FRANCIS LE HAES JANVIER.
It fell to my lot to load the carbines, and our com- pany formed the escort which I had to command, Cap- tain Boyd being " master of ceremonies." The prisoner sat on the end of the coffin, blindfolded, facing the firing party. At a signal from the provost marshal the party fired, and three bullets pierced the prisoner's heart; but he seemed to be still alive, and a file of the firing party, whose fire had been reserved for such an emer- gency, dispatched him, while many a manly cheek was wet with tears at the sad spectacle.
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MILITARY EXECUTION ---- Fairfax Seminary, V ..
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FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
CHAPTER VIII.
Picketing at Alexandria-All Quiet Along the Potomac-General Kearny's Trap-His Letter-The Female Trooper-Winter Camp Scenes.
D URING the remainder of the winter of 1861, we were kept from rusting. Seout, scout, scout, was the order of the day, and when not on scout or picket, we were kept hard at drill. The weather was very fitful, often very inclement, and the roads became almost im- passible.
The different captains in the regiment vied with each other in having the best drilled troop; the majors vied with each other in regard to their battalions : the colonel established a school of instruction for the officers; and the regiment soon became very proficient in horseman- ship and the use of the sabre.
Every clear day witnessed the various companies gal- loping over the fields, in the vicinity of Cloud's Mills, taking fences and ditches as they came to them. This was what Captain Battersby styled " rough-riding,"and served, as he said, to shake the men well into their sad- dles. He believed in the men having a good seat in the saddle, so that they could "cross the country as the crow flies," and bid defiance to their pursuers. This rough exercise yielded its legitimate fruit, in making the men fearless riders, which served a good purpose afterwards in Western Virginia and in the Shenandoah Valley.
Many a bitter cold night our poor fellows passed on the picket line, in the vicinity of Benton's Tavern and
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Annandale, in the course of that winter. No fires dare be lighted, except back at the reserve post, and the poor vidette sat upon his horse shivering with cold and often wet to the skin, his carbine and pistol rendered almost useless from the dampness, and his poor horse, with drooping head and tail, trying to keep his croup to the storm, to the great annoyance of his rider. At night some of the horses would neigh, which was sure to give the cue to the skulking " bushwhackers."
The position of the videttes was always changed after dark, so that the " bushwhackers," who might have dis- covered their whereabouts in daylight, could not find them on approaching that place at night.
Picket duty is one of the most important of all the other duties of the soldier, and the cavalry are always on the outposts. As well might a man be without eyes as an army without cavalry videttes. In fact, the cavalry are the eyes and cars of the army.
Their duty is never done. The infantry when in camp rest securely and have little to do; while the cavalry are scouring the country in front and rear, and on the flanks. to prevent surprise.
When in camp they are always busily engaged in look- ing after their horses and equipments. If the general hears of the enemy, "To Horse" awakes the poor car- alryman from pleasant dreams of home and friends, and off he goes to find out the cause of the alarm, riding fifteen to twenty miles before daylight, through rain and snow, mud and mire, only to find that it was caused by the story of some " intelligent contraband."(?) These people thought they must tell something, in order to be well received, and they often gave us long and wearisome rides without any sufficient cause. So that "reliable
-
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contraband " became an ephithet of contempt in the army.
Many a poor fellow " bit the dust " that winter along our extended front, leaving loved ones to mourn his un- timely end, while the papers daily proclaimed :
" All quiet along the Potomac !"
until the people began to think that the army did nothing but eat and sleep and draw their pay, without the least risk to their personal safety. In justice to the "boys," and for the purpose of dispelling this illusion. Mrs. Howland penned the following immortal lines :
" All quiet along the Potomac," they say, " Except now and then a stray picket Is shot, as he walks on his beat, to and fro. By a rifleman hid in the thicket. 'Tis nothing-a private or two, now and then, Will not count in the news of the battle; Not an officer lost-only one of the men. Moaning out. all alone, the death-rattle."
All quiet along the Potomac to-night, Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming; Their tents in the rays of the clear autumn moon. Or the light of the watch-fires are gleaming. A tremulous sigh, as the gentle night wind Through the forest leaves softly is creeping: While stars up above, with their glittering eyes, Keep guard-for the army is sleeping.
Their's only the sound of the lone sentry's tread, As he tramps from the rock to the fountain, And thinks of the two in the low trundle-bed Far away in the cot on the mountain. His musket falls slack-his face, dark and grim, Grows gentle with memories tender. As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep -- For the mother-may Heaven defent her.
The morn seems to shine just as brightly as then, That night, when the love yet unspoken Ivaped up to his Is _when low murmured vows Were pledged to be ever unbroken. Then drawing his sleeve roughly over his eyes, 1-
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He dashes off' tears that are welling, And gathers his gun closer up to its place, As if to keep down the heart-swelling.
He passes the fountain, the blasted pine tree- The footstep is lagging and weary ;
Yet onward he goes, through the broad belt of light,
Toward the shades of the forest so dreary. Hark! was it night-wind that rustled the leaves? Was it moonlight so wondrously flashing"
It looked like a rifle-" Ah! Mary, good-bye!"
And the life blood is ebbing and plashing.
All quiet along the Potomac to-night, No sound save the rush of the river ; While soft falls the dew on the face of the dead. The picket's off duty forever.
Early in December, Major A. W. Adams was sent on a scout, towards Fairfax Court House, with the second battalion of the regiment. He approached near enough to that place to discover a large force of Confederates, protected by rifle pits, and then began to fall back slowly, with a strong rear guard thrown out to watch the enemy. It was discovered that a force of the enemy's cavalry was following him, and he sent a courier in advance, at full gallop, to inform General Kearny, who had ordered the scout to be sent out. The general at once proceeded to set a trap for the " Johnnies," and sent the following note; the original of which is now in my possesion :
HEADQUARTERS N. J. VOLUNTEERS. Near 4 p. m.
To Colonel MCREYNOLDS
or Senior Officer Lincoln Horse :
SER :- Send at once two squadrons (gait eight miles an hour) to.the neighborhood of Annandale, with these instructions to Major Adams. To beat the enemy or draw him under our infantry fire, and charge him home " instanter" on the ambush fire.
Respectfully. P. KEARNY.
A strong wire was stretched across the turnpike, just beyond Annandale, in advance of our infantry pickets.
!
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FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN ) CAVALRY.
and some of our cavalry were sent to draw the enemy on; with instructions to retreat around both ends of the wire. The decoy was successful, and when the charging enemy ran into the wire their front rank was almost cut through. At that instant a volley was poured into them by the infantry in ambush. killing and wounding quite a number, and Major Adams and his men wheeled and "lit" on them with the sabre; and quite a number of them were captured. In obedience to the above notice we had sent Lieutenant-Colonel Von Schickfuss out, with the first battalion ; but Major Adams had performed his work completely, before their arrival, and soon after- wards returned with his prisoners, when he was loudly cheered by the whole camp.
About the Ist of January, 1862, a rosy-cheeked, fair- skinned young soldier of our regiment, was sent as a prisoner to the provost guard house. Rumor had it that this young person was a female in disguise, and our curiosity was very much excited to know the particulars. We sent for the stranger and quizzed him, but nothing satisfactory could be elicited. Several of the men had attempted familiarities, but the young trooper had proved himself both able and willing to keep them at bay. Then they resolved on spying all his movements, and some one professed to have discovered enough to warrant the suspicion. He had been badly treated by the men of the regiment and did not want to go back ; and, as no charges had been preferred against him, we did not know what to do with him. At length Captain Boyd had him detailed as an orderly, and he served in that capacity until we reached the Chickahominy, where he was discharged : the thet that he was really a female having been discoverd while sick in hospital. This
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young woman had enlisted under the name of George Weldon; her right name being Georgianna Weldon. It never was discovered, to my knowledge, why she had thus disguised herself and submitted to the hardships and dangers of a soldier's life; but there must have been some powerful motive for such an undertaking. The subject is worthy the pen of romance, and might be wrought up into a very exciting and interesting story.
The month of February set in with heavy snow storms, and the ground was covered to the depth of six or eight inches. The men of our regiment amused them- selves, while in camp, with snowball fights, and we had some very excellent sport. The Thirty-first New York Volunteers also had a set-to. Lieutenant-Colonel Brown commanded the right wing, which was pitted against the left, under Major Dougherty. They pelted each other mercilessly for a time ; but finally the lieutenant- colonel was captured and his men driven into their tents, amid the shouts and cheers of the victors. They went through all the manouvres of battle ; throwing out skirmishers, executing flank movements, and charg- ing in fine style. Nearly the whole division turned out to witness the performance, and we had a great deal of fun. The several generals and their staff's seemed to en- joy it very much.
Colonel Pratt, of the Thirty-first, requested Captain Boyd to allow his troop to make a charge upon that regi- ment, to see how the men would behave.
A day was fixed and I was placed in command of the troop to execute the charge. The Thirty-first was drawn up in " battle array." and we formed line about eight hundred yards in their front. We set out at a trot, and at five hundred yards from the regiment took the gallop.
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At that moment the infantry commenced firing blank cartridges, but our horses were used to firing and didn't mind it. At three hundred yards I commanded : charge ! and we went down at a rattling pace. The front rank of the infantry dropped to their knees, at a charge-bay- onets, and the rear rank kept firing away as we advanced. My front rank had the sabres raised, in "tierce," and the rear rank at "front cut". The infantry seemed a little " shakey," not knowing the whole programme, and required to be encouraged by their officers to remain firm. When we got within a few yards of their front my men broke to the right and left, as they had been instructed, and the infantry set up a yell of derision. This provoked my boys and some of them dashed close up to the infantry, and, with a tremendous " parry," swept away half a dozen bayonets with the backs of their sabres. Seeing this, some of the infantry made a rush, and a lively engagement was the result. Several of the horses were slightly hurt with bayonets, and a good many of the infantry had sore heads, but this did not for a moment interrupt the good feeling which had always existed between us and the gallant Thirty-first. As soon as the affair was over the men were together again, discussing, in a lively manner, what cach party could have done if the other had been a real enemy. General Franklin was very much amused at this little episode.
One of the great features of camp life is the arrival of the mail, which is well illustrated in the following lines :
·· Some are sitting-some are stunning- Some are trying bread to bake: Some are sound asleep and dreaming ; Some are dreaming wide awake: Some are patching up their futters ;
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Some are polishing their guns; Some are reading ragged letters ; Some are popping sorry puns- Each is using his endeavors, Thus to pass the time away ; All are anxious, all are ready, All are wishing for the " fray." When soon there comes a murmur, With the rising of the gale- " Corporal Casey's got a letter From his sister. by the mail !"
With frequent interruptions
Does he read it, line by line .- How the corn crop is progressing, And how flourishes the vine, Then all that father's doing. And something mother said. How Sally Brown is married. And Mary Smith is dead.
" Too soon the sheet is ended : How very brief it seems; But it sets us long a talking. And it lengthens out our dreams. For our feet in fasey wander O'er the hills we know so well. And we linger near the roof-trop. Where our heart's affections dwell."
Thus the time was spent in camp, the " sublime and the ridiculous," the " grave and the gay," often succeed. ing each other in rapid succession.
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