MAINLY FROM THE LOYAL LEGION COLLECTION, BOSTON, BY PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT, BY J. A. & R. A. REID. 1888. PREFACE. THE CAVALRYMAN. ABOUT the man who fights on horseback the romance of war has always centred. From the first chronicled battle the horseman has been not only the most picturesque, but the most dramatic figure in warfare. Writers who have recorded the history of armed conflicts have found the most thrilling climaxes in the sweep of riding squadrons. Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade" will be read when the stories of greater combats have been forgotten. In the days of chivalry the mounted man was the main reliance in war. But gradually the more deadly musket became the chief instrument of death. Drill and discipline were reduced to a science. The art of war was revolutionized. There have been still greater changes since. The duties of mounted men have greatly expanded. They not only rush upon the solid lines of infantry, in battle array, but in a thousand minor ways lend aid and inspiration to great armies. They flash upon the flanks of the enemy, and make daring raids for the destruction of lines of communication or war supplies. They are the swift annoyance of the enemy, the restless messengers of defeat and death. The hoof-beats of the horseman fall through every gap in the lines, and the reckless charge marks the end of battle, and the beginning of pursuit. The cavalry feels the enemy, and reports upon the presence and condition of his armies. It is the resistless support of the infantry in the horrible clash of steel which forces the final decision. Such, in greater or less degree, has been its place and function for many years. But in our late war it largely increased its usefulness, and won a broader recognition than ever before. The cavalryman still maintains his romantic preeminence. The poet who sings of battle instinctively makes the trooper his model. Read " Paul Revere's Ride" to arouse the men of Middlesex, "Lochinvar," Tom Hood's "Wild Steed of the Plains," and a dozen other. songs, where even a single trooper has made his cause famous. The rush of Murat's squadrons is heard through all the long story of Napoleon's struggle for existence. With us the record has been the same. The history of the Revolution is enriched by the exploits of Marion's horsemen. Black-horse cavalry has been ever a conspicuous figure in the romance of all wars. In our latest conflict, the music of battle comes to us laden with the blare of Sheridan's bugles and the rush of Stuart's rough riders. Custer's resistless charges, Kilpatrick's raids, Pleasonton's, Torbett's, Wilson's, Merritt's, Gregg's swift dashes by day and by night, are filled with the vigor of movement and the charm of success. Buford, Bayard, Grierson, and a hundred other generals, knights of the sabre and the stirrup, fill in a wonderful picture of dashing heroism that will live in song and story as long as the record of war is read. These horsemen taught the world new lessons of the uses of cavalry. The story of Brandy Station, Kilpatrick's raid on Richmond, the charge at Yellow Tavern, the cavalry fight at Trevilian Station, Sheridan's first battle at Booneville, the romance of Wilson's raid, and the rough experiences of Averill's battalions, will form for all mankind a thrilling and instructive story. To record the heroism of the men on horseback, directed, as it was in our war, by the best intelligence and the loftiest patriotism, as embodied in the person of their commanding general, Philip H. Sheridan, is the purpose of these pages. F. A. B. CHAPTER I. Grant's Estimate of Sheridan — His First Impressions of the Great Cavalryman His Qualities as a Commander - His Second Meeting with Grant- Sheridan's Place in History - Closing Scenes of the Rebellion, Pages 17-21 - The Humble Home in Ohio - His Family and Early Life - Traditions of the Country-Side Concerning Him—A Clerk in the Country Store - Appoint- ment to West Point -Anecdotes of Sheridan's Youth — His Early Educa- His Life at the Military Academy on the Hudson — Early Experiences in the Army after Graduation — Interesting Stories of Frontier Life How Sheridan was Made a Colonel — Captain Alger's Ride and Its Results — Corinth and Pittsburg Landing - Governor Blair's Hesitancy - The Ap- pointment - Notified of His Advancement - Satisfied with the Rank of Colonel - Takes Command of His Regiment - Its First Impression of Sheridan's First Battle-It was at Booneville, Mississippi - Strength of His Command Its Perilous Position - How He Managed His Troops -Send- ing for Reinforcements - The Scout and the Negro-Fooling the Enemy - Captain Alger and the "Forlorn Hope" - The Last Charge, and a Com- - Sheridan's Place in the Army of the Cumberland - Preparing for Murfreesboro' - Sheridan Leads the Way - Battle of Stone River - Deadly Wrestle with Cheatham - Commended for Distinguished Services, Pages 75-92 The Tullahoma Campaign - Sheridan's Part in Rosecrans' Movements - on Time and in the Right Place - Incidents of His Life on the March and The Field in which Sheridan was Trained Rosecrans' Movements Commander of Cavalry was Made-The Deadly Chickamauga — Sheridan and Davis Save the Right Wing — Holding the Gap at Dry Valley — Long- street's Veterans - Fighting Cheatham Again — Always a Power on March A Desperate Situation - Helping a Starving Army - Taking Part in the Battle of Missionary Ridge-Leading a Desperate Charge up the Heights- A Singular Story of War - With Grant on Orchard Knob - Looking at Hooker's Fight - A Great Day's Work · Commended for Gallantry and Cole's Cavalry Have a Fight-Moseby Attacks and is Beaten Off— A Battle to the Death - "Fire the Tents and Shoot by the Light"- Suffering of the |