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M. I
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
U ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01085 4104
THE TWENTY-SECOND Pennsylvania Cavalry
and the Ringgold Battalion 1861 - 1865
Written and Compiled by
SAMUEL CLARKE FARRAR, Company C, 22nd P. V. C., Pittsburgh, Pa.
1911 PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA RINGGOLD CAVALRY ASSOCIATION.
1764901
could laus Afine,
Oct. 11. 1911. -
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/twentysecondpenn00farr
COL. ANDREW J. GREENFIELD.
F 8349 .84.4.8
Farrar, Samuel Clarke.
The Twenty-second Pennsylvania cavalry and the Ring- gold battalion, 1861-1865; written and comp. by Samuel Clarke Farrar ... Pub. under the auspices of the Twenty- second Pennsylvania Ringgold cavalry association. [Akron, O. and Pittsburgh, The New Werner company, 1911.
x1, 3-538 p. front., Illus., plates, ports., maps (1 fold.) 231cm.
SHELF CARD 1. Pennsylvania cavalry. 22d regt., 1864-1865. 2. Pennsylvania cav- alry. Ringgold battalion, 1847-1864. 3. U. S .- Hist .- Civil War-Regi- mental histories-Pa. cav .- 228. 4. U. S .-- Ist .- Civil war-Regimen- tal histories -- Pa. cav .- Ringgold battalion.
11-23013
Library of Congress 307249
ES527.6.224
- Copy 2.
Copyright A 295450
(ª31d1)
1
Copyright, 1911, by S. C. FARRAR, Pittsburgh, Pa.
307249
The New Werner Company, Akron, O., and Pittsburgh
FOREWORD.
BY THE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE
The Twenty-second Pennsylvania Ringgold Cavalry Association has for many years considered the publication of a history and from time to time has appointed committees to take up the matter and make report. These committees, confronted with the difficulty of raising sufficient funds to secure the services of a competent editor to prepare a respectable history and to cover the extra cost of publishing a small edition, made no progress.
In 1903, the State of Pennsylvania provided for the purchase of four hundred copies of such regimental histories as met the ap- proval of a Commission, consisting of the Governor, Adjutant Gen- eral and Auditor General. This warranted the publication of a larger edition, but the editing of the book was a more serious difficulty. Other Pennsylvania regiments were spending thousands of dollars for the literary work of their histories, one or more wealthy members contributing the money for that purpose. The 22nd P. V. C. could find no millionaires on her rosters from whom to obtain such funds. The only hope left was to find among the comrades a man of the necessary literary acquirements who could be induced to sacrifice the time and effort necessary in the prepara- tion of a worthy volume to present to the public and hand down as a legacy to posterity. Prof. S. C. Farrar, formerly a private in Company C, who for more than thirty years had been principal of one of Pittsburgh's largest public schools, a capable man, well equipped for the work, was finally (in 190?) prevailed upon to write the history of the regiment from its organization until the close of the War. When this was done, he was obliged to write the history of the Ringgold Battalion and its predecessors, to con- plete the book.
Three years were devoted to the work. The search for data outside the official records was most difficult and tedious, entailing voluminous correspondence and almost countless discouragements : it was not imagined that so much time would be necessary, until the narrative was well under way.
The work was finished and submitted to the Historical Com- mittee May 2, 1910, when it was unanimously endorsed and au- thorized to be published under the auspices of the Regimental Asso- ciation. The following minute of that meeting was signed by every member of the Committee present, and is on file in the Adjutant General's office at Harrisburg.
.
iv
TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
" Whereas, There has been submitted to us for our considera- tion, a history of our regiment, together with a history of the several older organizations which were combined to form it, the whole bearing the title :
" THE TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY AND THE RINGGOLD BATTALION, written and compiled by SAMUEL CLARKE FARRAR, Co. C, ?2nd P. V. C. Published under the auspices of the Twenty-second Pennsylvania, Ringgold Cavalry Association :
" NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That, we approve and en- dorse this work and authorize it to be published under the auspices of this association."
The manuscript of the history with this endorsement was sub- mitted to the State Commission, who examined, approved and au- thorized its publication. A publisher was secured and the hope of years realized in the publication of a history.
At a meeting June 21, 1911, the Committee adopted the fol- lowing :
" Whereas, The Historical Committee of the Ringgold Bat- talion and Twenty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, realizes that only through the untiring labors of Comrade S. C. Farrar has the organization secured a comprehensive and truthful history of its operations during the Civil War, and
" IF'hercas. We desire to express our appreciation of the valu- able work he has produced, and our gratitude for the time and busi- ness interests he has been obliged to sacrifice during its preparation and publication ; therefore, be it
" RESOLVED, That we commend Comrade Farrar for the faithful and efficient performance of his arduous task in the production of this great book, 'The History of the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry and Ringgold Battalion,' and that we extend to him our warmest thanks therefor and for his manly and generous course to us in our undertaking.
" RESOLVED, That we deem the three years spent by Comrade Farrar in research, investigation. correspondence, etc., incident to the gathering and telling this truthful story of the War, a service of unselfish devotion to his comrades and to his country.
" RESOLVED, That to perpetuate this record of our history's pro- duction, our esteem for Comrade Farrar. and our high regard and lasting gratitude for his honest, faithful and efficient service on be- half of his Comrades, these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Association and inserted as a foreword in the history.
JAMES B. GIBSON, Chairman. C. J. MCNULTY, Secretary. A. J. GREENFIELD, Vice Ch'man. A. R. MCCARTHY, Ass't Sec'y.
INDEX.
FOREWORD. by Historical Committee iii INTRODUCTION 3
CHAPTER I.
THE SITUATION, April, 1861. 6
CHAPTER II.
THE RINGGOLD CAVALRY COMPANY. Captain John Keys. Grafton, Va., July and August, 1861. Move to New Creek. Repulse at Hanging Rocks. Capture of Romney, October 25, 1861 ... 11
CHAPTER III.
THE WASHINGTON CAVALRY COMPANY. Captain Andrew J. Green- field. Recruits company. Mustered in at Grafton. Va .. Au- gust 19, 1861. Battle of Greenbrier. Ordered to Romney ... 23
CHAPTER IV. .
THE RINGGOLD-WASHINGTON OR PENNSYLVANIA SQUADRON. Op- posed by Stonewall Jackson. Fatal Ambush at French's Gap; first men killed. Rout the Enemy at Blue's Gap. Under Gen. Lander. A Winter Campaign. Camp at Paw Paw. Rout the Enemy from Bloomery Gap.
29
CHAPTER V.
WITH GENERAL BANKS IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY. March- April, 1862. Winchester, Va. First Battle of Kernstown. Pursuit of Enemy to Mt. Jackson. Columbia Furnace. Greenfield, with Squadron, Captures a Company of Ashby's Cavalry. £ Advance with Bank's Army to New Market. Ordered to Gen. Kelley s Department .
41
CHAPTER VI.
BACK IN GEN. KELLEY'S DEPARTMENT. The Companies Separate. The Ringgold's at Clarksburg and Beverly. Ambushed Near Huttonville. The Snyder Boys 'Killed. Lieut. Jim Hart Routs the Enemy in Gilmer. The Washington Cavalry Outpost at Romney. Greenfield Foils Imboden. Work's and Young's Companies Join Ringgold's at Clarksburg. All March to New Creek
52
CHAPTER VII.
THE RINGGOLD BATTALION. August 26, 1862. The Boys of 62. Captain George T. Work. Recruitment of the Keystone, Beallsville, Monongahela, Patton and Lafayette Cavalry Com- panies. New Creek, Va. Rout and Capture of Imboden's Camp. The Situation in the Valley. The Washington Cav- alry Outpost-Springfield. Lieut. Myers with 100 Battalion Boys. Routs Enemy from Moorefieldl. Battalion Moved to Romney. December 12. The Ringgold Battalion Occupies Winchester. Skirmish Near Milltown. Battalion Ordered Back to Romney. Confederate Attacks Upon Moorefield. The Battalion Quartered in Vacaut Houses of Romney
CHAPTER VIII.
GREENFIELD'S COMPANY AT SPRINGFIELD. Battalion at Mechanics- burg Gap. Supply Train Captured and Domas Barnard Killed. Enemy Exceedingly Retive Throughout Winter. Battalion Moved Back to Mechanicsburg Gap: The Fight at Purgitsville. Jones' Confederate Raid Through West Va. Mailguard Captured and Robert Rush Killed.
62
91
vi TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
CHAPTER IX.
LEE'S INVASION OF PENNSYLVANIA. June-July. 1863. Pittsburgh Fortified. Ringgold Battalion and Other Forces Fall Back to the Railroad. Battalion in the Saddle Constantly. Enemy Enter Pennsylvania. Battle of Gettysburg. Lee Falls Back to Williamsport. Gen. Kelley's Tardy Advance. Greenfield Attacks and Captures Wagon Train. Lieut, Hart's Skirmish at Clearspring: David Hart Badly Wounded. Confederate Army Crosses to Virginia on July 13. Kelley's Advance Crosses to Virginia on 15th. Battalion Captures Detachment of Hampton Cavalry. Plot to Capture Gel. Kelley's Forces. Kelley Falls Back Across the Potomac. Recrosses to Vir- ginia on 23d. Enenty Falling Back. Our Cavalry Harrass- ing His Rear
108
CHAPTER X.
BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS OF HAMPSHIRE AND HARDY. Mechanics- burg Gap, August 3 to November 1, 1863. Young's and Barr's Companies Sent to Petersburg. Barr's Company Ordered to Moorefield. Imboden and M'Neill Attack Mooretield, But Re- tire. Federal Camp at Moorefield Captured. Death of Cap- tain John Keys. Expedition to M'Dowell. Company A Sent to Cumberland for Post Duty, December 23. Ringgold Bat- talion at Petersburg
131
CHAPTER XI.
PETERSBURG. Active Winter Campaign. Confederate Raids in Force. Fitzhugh Lee Captures Wagon Train, January 3, 1864. Force at Petersburg Cut Off From Communication With Base at New Creek. Enemy Retires. Battalion Ordered to New Creek. Greenfield's Company Retained at Petersburg. Early and Rosser's Great Raid, January 30th-February 2. Greenfield in Rosser's Camp. Capture Large Wagon Train. Gallant Work of Lieut. Gibson's Rearguard. M'Nulty's Pick- ets at Claysville Repulse Enemy: M'Nulty Wounded. Rosser Attacks and Drives Captain Work's Force From Burlington. Thoburn Falls Back from Petersburg. Fruitless Pursuit. Work's and Barr's Companies Occupy Greenland Gap. Col. Root's Reconnaissance to Franklin. Work's Thrilling Ex- perience at Petersburg. Guarding Root's Train. Capt. 147
Denny's Scout Entrapped
CHAPTER XII.
THE REGIMENT. Steps Leading to Organization. The Old Bat- 171
talion
CHAPTER XIII.
THE NEW BATTALION. Former Service, for Six Months. Experi- ences in Shenandoah Valley, 1863. Re-enlist for Three Years. March to the Regimental Rendezvous at Cumberland. . .... 176
CHAPTER XIV.
ASSEMBLING THE REGIMENT. Organization. Dissatisfaction of
the Old Battalion Mon. Mounted Detachment Joins Siger's Army at Winchester. Dismounted Detachment, March to
Harper's Ferry 183
CHAPTER AV.
A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AND HIS PLANS. The Situation. The Armies Moving Into Position. The Shenandoah Valley ..... 187
INDEX. vii
CHAPTER XVI.
THE GREAT SIMULTANEOUS ADVANCE. A Diversion by the Enemy. Lost River Gap Affair. Detachment Back With Gen. Kelley. Deadly Ambush at Timber Ridge. In the Valley Again. . .... 194 CHAPTER XVII.
THE DISMOUNTED DETACHMENT. On to Camp Stoneman. Back to Shenandoah Valley. Serving as Infantry 209
CHAPTER XVIII.
SIGEL MOVES UP THE VALLEY. The Battle of New Market. De- feated Army Falls Back to Cedar Creek. 216
CHAPTER XIX.
THE LYNCHBURG CAMPAIGN OR HUNTER RAID. Hunter's Army Moves Forward. May 26. Detachment of 22nd Pa. Cavalry in Command of Major Myers. Battle of Piedmont. On to Staunton. In Duffee's Cavalry Brigade: A Four-day Recon- naissance. Lexington. On to Lynchburg. 227
CHAPTER XX.
THE ATTACK ON LYNCHBURG. Enemy Heavily Reinforced. Gen. Hunter Withdraws. Retreat. Destroying Virginia and Tenn- essee R. R. Enroute. On Through Salem, New Castle. White- Sulphur Springs, to Charleston; Thence to Parkersburg, and by Railroad Back to The Lower Valley. 243
CHAPTER XXI.
EARLY'S ARMY INVADES MARYLAND. Sigel in Command at Mar- tinsburg. Enemy Attacks Our Cavalry Near Darkesville. July 3. Attacks Our Infantry and Dismounted Cavalry at Leetown. Union Forces Driven Back Into Maryland. Engagement Near Solomon's Pass. General Low Wallace. Battle of Monocacy. Early Advances on Washington. Falls Back Across the Potomac
252
CHAPTER XXII.
EARLY'S ARMY BACK IN VIRGINIA. Generals Wright and Crook Join Forces and Pursue. Fighting at Snicker's Gap and Ferry. Repulse at Ashby's Gap Fords. Enemy Falls Back to Fisher's Hill. Sixth and Nineteenth Corps Return to Washington. Crook's Army at Winchester. Early Advances Against Crook. The Fighting at Kernstown, July 23, 1864. 274
CHAPTER XXIII.
BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN. Crook's Army Defeated, Falls Back. Cav- alry Fight at Martinsburg. July 25. Union Forces Fall Back Into Maryland. The Chambersburg Raid. Pursuit by Aver- ill's Cavalry. Rout and Capture of Raiders at Moorefield. Brilliant Achievement of Major Work With Detachment of Old Battalion. The Dismounted Detachment Finally Mounted
296
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE ARMY OF THE SHENANDOAH. General Sheridan Takes Command. Base at Halltown. Advances to Cedar Creek. Early Largely Reinforced, Sheridan Falls Back Slowly. Newly Mounted Part of 22nd Pa. Cavalry in Col. Lowell's Bri- Lade. Sharp Fighting at Winchester and at Opequan Cropk. Battle of Berryville. Battle of Charlestown. All Detach- ments of the 22nd Pa. Cavalry United at Hagerstown. Au- gust 26
322
viii TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE 22ND PA. CAVALRY A FULL MOUNTED REGIMENT. Sharp Cavalry Fighting at Bunker Hill, September 2. 22nd Pa. Engaged With Enemy Daily, September 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Battle of Darkesville, September 9. Grant Visits Sheridan, Septem- ber 15 348
CHAPTER XXVI.
BATTLE OF WINCHESTER. Rebecca Wright. Sheridan Advances September 19. Early Sent Whirling Up the Valley. 363
CHAPTER XXVII.
BATTLE OF FISHER'S HILL
382
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. Advance Up the Valley. Averill Relieved of Command. 22nd P. V. C., With Powell's Division on Right. Pursue to Mount Crawford. Sheridan Retires Down the Val- ley, Destroying Crops. Battle of Weyer's Cave. September 27. Custer in Command of Our Division. The Cavalry Fight at Tom's Brook. Sheridan's Army Encamps at Cedar Creek. 391
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK. 410
CHAPTER XXX.
AFTER THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK. The Regiment at Martins- burg 430
CHAPTER XXXI.
BACK TO NEW CREEK. A Five-day March Through Snow and Mud in a Drizzling Rain. New Creek Burned and Destitute of Lumber, Fuel and Forage. Very Severe Winter. Many Horses Die From Exposure and Insufficient Forage. Cap- ture of Generals Crook and Kelley. Pursuit of the Captors. Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes Commands Post. Glorious News. The War is Over. The Third Pennsylvania Provisional Cav- alry. Final Muster Out, October 31, 1865. 442
THE REGIMENTAL AND COMPANY ROSTERS. 468
APPENDIX. The Regimental Flag. Daughter of the Regiment. List of Engagements. Prisoners of War in Southern Prisons. Some War Relies. 532
---
ix
INDEX.
INDEX TO PORTRAITS.
Col. A. J. Greenfield Frontispiece
Prof. S. C. Farrar.
3
Captain John Keys
11
Captain Henry A. Myers 11
Captain James P. Hart
11
Lieut. John Holland
11
Lieut. Thomas Nutt
11
Serg't H. B. Hedge
11
Serg't Adam Wickerham
11
Captain A. J. Greenfield
23
Captain George W. Jenkins
23
Captain William E. Griffith
23
Lieut. John Dabinett
23 23
Lieut. Joshua B. Deems
Serg't S. G. Rogers.
23
Captain George T. Work
64
Captain James Y. Chessrown
64
Captain Andrew J. Barr
64 64
Captain Caleb J. M'Nulty
64
Lieut. Robert C. Welch
70
Lieut. F. H. Crago.
70
Lieut. James B. Gibson
70
Lieut. R. S. H. Keys.
70
Lieut. Joseph J. Lane.
70
Lieut. B. F. Hassan.
70 66
Corporal Robert G. Rush
104
General B. F. Kelley .
124
Colonel Andrew J. Greenfield
184
Major George T. Work
184
Major Henry A. Myers.
184
Major Elias S. Troxell.
184
Adjutant Joseph G. Isenberg
184
Captain John H. Boring. 186
186
Lieut. S. Web. French
186
Lieut. Wm. H. Sharrer
186
Livut. Wmn. Hedge
186
Q. M. Serg't David Hart
186
Dr. Samuel Dodds 186
Cillor Serg't Michael II. Core 186
4. M. Serg't David H. Williams 186
Gen. U. S. Grant .. 187
Sorg't Samuel W. Gehrett: 209
Con, Franz Sigel 216
Captain B. W. Denny
Serg't Samuel Donaldson
Chaplain Thomas Patterson.
x
TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
Gen. David Hunter
227
John M. Sutman
24℃
Gen. George Crook 296
Col. James A. Mulligan. 298
Gen. Philip H. Sheridan
322
Dr. A. R. M'Carthy.
343
Rebecca Wright
363
Gen. A. T. A. Torbert.
371
Gen. W. W. Averill
371
Gen. P. H. Sheridan.
371
Gen. George H. Custer
371
Gen. Wm. H. Powell 371
Col. Joseph Thoburn 429
Dr. Samuel M. Finley 457
Gen. R. B. Hayes. 460
Amanda Jane M'Nulty, Daughter of the Regiment. 531
Group of Ringgold Battalion Veterans at Fredericktown Reunion. 532
Shan. Margerum 538
MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
Map of Sections of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. 63
Map of Shenandoah Valley 193
Map of New Creek, West Virginia 72
Map of Early's Invasion of 1864. 258
Map of Cavalry Action at Martinsburg, W. Va. 301
Map of Action at Weyer's Cave 394
Map of Battle of Winchester. 375
Map of Battles of Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill. 411
View of Hanging Rocks, near Romney, W. Va. 62
View of Petersburg Gap. 140
Harper's Ferry, W. Va. 264
Camp of the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, May, 1865. 462
INDEX. xi
LIST OF ENGAGEMENTS.
Hanging Rocks. W. Va .. September 24. 1861. Greenbrier. W. Va., October 3, 1861. Romney. W. Va .. October 25. 1861. French's Gap. W. Va .. November 13, 1861. Blue's Gap, W. Va., January 7. 1862. Bloomery Gap, W. Va .. February 14. 1862. Kernstown. Va .. March 22, 23, 1862. Woodstock and Stony Creek. Va .. April 1, 1862. Hudson Corners, Va., April 15, 1862. Two Churches, Va .. April 17, 1862. Near Huttonville. W. Va., August 18. 1862. Glenville. Gilmer Co .. W. Va., September 29. 1862.
Lunice Creek. W. Va .. October 30, 1862. South Fork, or Dasher's Mill, Va .. November 9, 1862. Moorefield. W. Va., December 3, 1862.
Winchester, Va .. December 25. 26. 1862.
Pancake Gap. W. Va., February 24, 1863. Purgitsville, W. Va., April 6. 1863. Near Williamsport. Md., July 8, 1863. Clearspring, Md .. July 10. 1863. Near Martinsburg. W. Va .. July 17. 1863.
Near Moorefield. W. Va .. August 22. 27, 28, 1863.
Moorefield. W. Va .. September 11, 1863.
Medley. W. Va., January 30, 1861.
Burlington and Claysville. W. Va., February 1, 1864. Near Moorefield. W. Va., March 3, 1864. Moorefield, W. Va .. May 8. 1864.
Lost River Gap. Va .. May 10, 1864. New Market. Va., May 15. 1864.
Timber Ridge, near Moorefield, Va., June 5, 1864. Piedmont. Va., June 5. 1864. Tye River Gap, Va .. June 12. 1864.
Lynchburg, Va., June 17, 18, 1864.
Leetown, Va., July 3. 1864. Near Darkesville. Va .. July 3. 1864.
Solomon's Pass, Md .. July 8. 1864.
Monocacy. Md .. July 9. 1864. Snicker's Gap Fords, July 17, 18, 1864.
Ashby's Gap Fords. July 19. 1864.
Kernstown. Va .. July 23. 21. 1861.
Martinsburg. W. Va .. July 25. 1864.
Moorefield. W. Va .. August 7, 1861. Winchester. Va .. August 17. 1864. Opequan Creek, Va. August 18. 20. 1864. Berryville. Va .. August 21. 1864. Charlestown. Va .. August 22. 1864.
Halltown. Va .. August 23, 21, 25. 1861.
Martinsburg. W. Va .. August 31. 1864. Darkesville to Stephenson's Depot. September 3, 4, 5. 6, 7, 1864.
barkesville, Va .. September 11, 1864. Martinsburg. W. Va. September 18, 1861. Winchester. Va .. September 19. 1861. Fisher's Hill. Va .. September 22. 186%. Brown : Gap. Va. September 26. 1861. Wover's Cave. or Mount Vernon Forge, September 27. 1864. ^^Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864.
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INTRODUCTION.
The Twenty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry was formed by an order of the War Department, issued February 22, 1864, consolidating the seven independent companies of cavalry recruited from Washington County in 1861 and 1862, generally known as the Ringgold Battalion, and five new companies of cavalry recruited mostly from Bedford, Fulton, Franklin and Huntingdon counties. It is our purpose to give the history of each organization, so far as it operated prior to or separately from the others; where two or more companies have operated together, we have made one narrative suffice.
The two companies which enlisted in 1861, the " Ringgold Cavalry Company " and the "Washington Cavalry Company," usually spoken of in subsequent years as "The Old Companies," had more than a year's active service before they were joined by the " Boys of '62."
In the autumn of 1862, the " Old Companies," then operating about the headwaters of the Potomac in Virginia, were joined by five new independent cavalry companies, also recruited from Wash- ington County. From that time until the organization of the " Regiment," the seven companies generally operated together and were known as "The Ringgold Battalion." The history of their operations during that period will be found under that title.
The history of the "Regiment," covering the period from its organization in the early spring of 1864 until mustered out after the close of the War, will appear under the title, "The Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry."
The seven independent companies from the beginning of their service until the spring of 1864, operated almost entirely in Gen- eral B. F. Kelley's department. An officer of the Regular Army, who had charge of the publication of the "Official Records of the War of the Rebellion," stated that General B. F. Kelley made less
4
INTRODUCTION.
written history for the amount of fighting he did than any other general officer in the service. A similar statement is true of the officers of the "Ringgold Battalion." This modesty on the part of the officers has made the task of the historian most difficult.
The "Records of the Rebellion," published by Congress, a library of more than 100 large volumes-upwards of 100,000 pages in all-containing the official reports and correspondence of both Union and Confederate officers, is the fountain of information from which the writer of a " Regimental History " must obtain the main historical facts. The Personal Memoirs of Generals Grant and Sheridan furnish valuable additional information, "search lights," as it were, that we have occasionally flashed on the scene for an instant. By permission of Charles Scribner's Sons, we have used several paragraphs from their excellent publication, "The Shenan- doah Valley in 1864." Many of the brilliant minor achievements of a company, squadron or battalion, are not mentioned in the "Official Records." The history of these operations has been ob- tained from diaries and journals of soldiers, personal letters written at the time, personal memoirs and reminiscences of the War, pub- lished soon after its close, and from contributions drawn from the memory of surviving comrades. An earnest effort has been made to verify the last named so far as possible, and to exclude inventions, half-truths and exaggerations. The history of many of these affairs has been obtained from several participants : each usually began his story with the word " we." These several accounts generally sup- plement each other and, together. furnish the historian with the essential facts. In writing the story, he has very frequently re- tained the use of the word "we" that it may not lose the zest of being told by the participants.
It is not claimed that the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cav- alry was the best in the United States service. or that any of the companies of which it was formed had an unbroken record of valor and achievement : each rendered the Nation a valuable service and has to its record much to be proud of, yet each would gladly forget one or more performances far from meritorious; nor were the officers all Sheridans or Custers.
5
INTRODUCTION.
The purpose of this book is to preserve for the State of Penn- sylvania a record of the troop, battalion and regiment that stood as a living wall of defense out before her border, on Virginia soil, and, facing south, held back the surging billows of cruel, relentless, desolating war, while to the rear, were the free, fair homes of Pennsylvania, where her citizens dwelt in safety; and the further purpose of this book, is to preserve and hand down to our children and children's children, this record of patriotic service and sacrifice, as an incentive to loyalty and love of country, their country, the United States of America, the Union for which their fathers fought and which they helped maintain.
Grateful acknowledgment is due to Col. A. J. Greenfield for the use of his excellent personal memoirs and for much valuable assistance; to Rev. Samuel W. Gehrett, D.D. (Sergeant of Com- pany K) for the use of his series of newspaper letters, entitled, " Reminiscences of a Boy in Blue," published many years ago; and to Lieut. F. H. Crago, of Company D, for a series of newspaper "War Reminiscences," published back in the 80's. The diaries of Sergeant Samuel G. Rogers of Company B, Sergeant Samuel Donaldson of Company C, Sergeant H. B. Hedge of Company A, and Dr. A. R. McCarthy of Company K, have been of valuable service in supplying details.
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