Three Years in the Federal Cavalry

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Glazier Willard W.. Three Years in the Federal Cavalry

PREFACE

CHAPTER I. THE WAR FOR THE UNION. – CONTEST BEGUN

CHAPTER II. CAMP-LIFE AND ITS INFLUENCES

CHAPTER III. PREPARATIONS FOR ACTIVE SERVICE

CHAPTER IV. THE ADVANCE TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK

CHAPTER V. POPE'S CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

CHAPTER VI. REBEL INVASION OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER VII. McCLELLAN SUCCEEDED BY BURNSIDE

CHAPTER VIII. ORGANIZATION OF A CAVALRY CORPS

CHAPTER IX. REBEL CHIEFS AND THEIR RAIDS

CHAPTER X. CHANCELLORSVILLE AND STONEMAN'S RAID

CHAPTER XI. FROM YORKTOWN TO FALMOUTH

CHAPTER XII. SECOND INVASION OF MARYLAND. – GETTYSBURG

CHAPTER XIII. RETREAT OF THE REBELS FROM GETTYSBURG

CHAPTER XIV. KILPATRICK'S GUNBOAT EXPEDITION

CHAPTER XV. CAPTURE OF THE AUTHOR

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The eleventh of April, 1861, revealed the real intention of the Southern people in their dastardly assault upon Fort Sumter. The thunder of Rebel cannon shook the air not only around Charleston, but sent its thrilling vibrations to the remotest sections of the country, and was the precursor of a storm whose wrath no one anticipated. This shock of arms was like a fire-alarm in our great cities, and the North arose in its might with a grand unanimity which the South did not expect. The spirit and principle of Rebellion were so uncaused and unprovoked, that scarcely could any one be found at home or abroad to justify them.

President Lincoln thereupon issued a call for seventy-five thousand men to uphold and vindicate the authority of the Government, and to prove, if possible, that secession was not only a heresy in doctrine, but an impracticability in the American Republic. The response to this call was much more general than the most sanguine had any reason to look for. The enthusiasm of the people was quite unbounded. Individuals encouraged individuals; families aroused families; communities vied with communities, and States strove with States. Who could be the first and do the most, was the noble contention which everywhere prevailed. All political party lines seemed to be obliterated. Under this renovating and inspiring spirit the work of raising the nucleus of the grandest army that ever swept a continent went bravely on. Regiments were rapidly organized and as rapidly as possible sent forward to the seat of Government; and so vast was the number that presented themselves for their country's defence, that the original call was soon more than filled, and the authorities found themselves unable to accept many organizations which were eager to press into the fray.

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Such a patriotic and fearless individual among the white population of that section of country was a great rarity, and his protestations of friendship were at first received with some suspicion. He was, however, brought to General Augur's headquarters, where he gave satisfactory proof of his kind intentions, and then gave the General a full description of the position and strength of the enemy.

A plan for a night attack was thereupon laid and committed to Bayard and Kilpatrick. Our instructions were conveyed to us in a whisper. A beautiful moonlight fell upon the scene, which was as still as death; and with a proud determination the two young cavalry chieftains moved forward to the night's fray. Bayard was to attack on the main road in front, but not until Kilpatrick had commenced operations on their right flank by a detour through a neglected and narrow wood-path. As the Heights were considered well nigh impregnable, it was necessary to resort to some stratagem, for which Kilpatrick showed a becoming aptness.

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