Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-11-10
From, the Vermont Cavalry.
HEADQUARTERS 1sT VT. CAVALRY, !
Near Middletown, Va, Oct. 30. J

HEADQUARTERS 1sT VT. CAVALRY,
Near Middletown, Va, Oct. 81. J
Editor Rutland Herald Our division
remains quietly encamped here on the
right flank Of our army, where it has
been ever since the Goth. We are doing
picket duty on Cedar Greek, and are
having fine rest Nothing occurs to
disturb the peace and quietude of Sheri-
dams whole army. Scouting and re
connoitering parties are daily sent out
towards Mount Jackson, but they gen
orally return without meeting any con-
siderable force of the enemy. Bush
whacking is kept up by the "Chivalry, /"
but it does not amount to much. All
the "old boys"-excepting those who re-
enlisted-have gone home; they left US
on the 23d. Captain Cummings CON-
mands the First Vermont now, and Col.
Wells commands our brigade, the I'd.
The weather here among the noun
tains is getting quite cool; but we sol
diers hardly believe we shall be ordered
to put up winter quarters where we Gre
now. Many of the recruits for our regi-
ment have arrived at our camp. Some
of them have been with us sometime
and have shown themselves true Yer
monters, and good men to chase skedad-
ding rebels.
Enclosed you will find copy of the.
order of General Custer, complimentary
to the soldiers of the Sd cavalry divi-
sion. Respectfully yours, J.B.
(C9py Of Order.J
HEADQUARTERS 3D. CAVALRY DIVISION, !
Nj. M. D., Oct. 21st 1864.
Soldiers of the Sd Capalyy Diviston:
With pride and qualification, your
commanding General congratulates you
,,ron your glorious achievements of the
nast few days Oh the 9th OF the pres
emit month you attacked vastly supe-
nor force c. c. t.hhe enemy's cavalry strong
" posted with artillery in position, and
commanded by that famous Savior OF
the Valley" Rosser. Notwithstanding
the enemy's superiority in numbers and
position, you drove him twenty miles
from the battle field, capturing his artil-
lery, six pieces in all, also his entire
train of wagons and ambulances, and a
large number of prisoners. Again dur
ing the memorable engagement of the
10Th instant, your conduct throughout
was sublimely heroic and without a
parallel in the annals of warfare. In
the early part of the day, when disaster
and defeat seemed to threaten our noble
army upon all sides, your valor and de-
termined bravery whilst exposed to a
terrible fire from the enemy's guns, add
ed not little to restore confidence to
that portion of our army already broken
and driven back on the right. After
wards rapidly transferred from the right
flank to the extreme left, you material
ly and successfully assisted in defeating
the enemy in his attempt to turn the
left flank Of our army. Again ordered
upon the right flank, you attacked and
defeated a division of the enemy's cav
airy, driving him in confusion acros.
Cedar Greek. Then changing your from
to the left at a gallop, you charged ant
tarned the left flank Of the enemy's lint
of battle, and pursued his broken anC
demoralized army a distance of fiv,
miles night alone put an end to you
pursuit. Among the substantial fruit'
OF this great victory, you can boast o
having captured FIVE battle flags, a larg
number OF prisoners including Majo
General Ramseur, and forty-ave of tn