Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-05-12
FROM THE VT CAVALRY.

wear IeterhOurR, va, Aptl ZEu.
Editor Rutland Herald On the 9th day
Of last February Gen. Sheridan started on
his bold raid north Of the James; since
which time we have been in the saddle near
ly every day, and the Whole country knows
the result Of our tiresome work.
During all this time Clusters division has
done, yes, more than DONE its share of the
closing wo.k, and the LIST VI. cavalry has per-
formed fully its part with the Sd cavalry d.
vision. Since leaving our bivouac near fort
Ross on the 23d ultimo, Clusters division
has, think, made the heaviest captures Of
any one division ia this army. as many as
four trains Of cars, several trains of loaded
army wagons, hundreds Of horses and mules.
forty five pieces OF field artillery, thousands
of prisoners of war, and thirty-seven battle
flags fell into our hands. On the morning Of
the ever memorable 9th of April, at the yer,
moment Of the surrender, Clusters Division,
under heavy fire, was on terrible charge
for Lees wagon trains, which were in plain
sight short distance in front OF us. Wells
brigade was ahead-Gens. Custer and Wells
leading the chaTge-and the LIST VT. the ad-
vance regiment of the brigade. The noise of
battle was terrible, and the rebels were run
ming by thousands, but Gen Custer gave them
no heed, it g." The train, boys we will
capture it. follow me - And as we were
gong at hesdlong speed through a piece of
woods, two rebel officers dashed up to Gen.
Custer with flag of truce, and Immediately
the column halted. Silence reigned all along
the lines What's up I" when along the
whole front rang the words, Lee bias sur
rendered" and cheer after cheer filed the
morning air for miles around
But our work was done. Lee had euchred
US out of going through his wagons, which of
late had been our favorite amusement.
lieut.. Col. Hall commands our regiment
He 10 an able cavalry officer and has won the
admiration and respect OF every man in the
regiment. He is ever looking to our welfare.
and knows how to fight when he has Ver-
mont boys 20 lead.
The health OF the regiment was never bet
ter, and The boys are all in fine spirits. wait
ing for the day to come when we shall be
called home to old Vermont.
Enclosed you will find complimentary
order from Gen. Custer to the soldiers of the
Third Cavalry Division. J.B.
ORDER.
HDos. Sd Cav. Drv,
Appomattox Court House, Va, April 0. I
Soldiers of The Third Ve mont Cavalry.
With profound gratitude to the God Of
Battles, by whose blessings our enemies are
humb'ed, and our arms rendered triumphant,
your commanding General avsils himself OF
this, his first opportunity, to express to you
his admiration of the heroic manner in which
you have passed through the series Of battles
which to-day resulted in the surrender of the
enemy's entire army
The record established by your indomitable
courage is unsurpassed in the annals of war.
Your prowess has won for you even the re-
spect and admiration OF your enemies. During
the past six months, although in most instan-
ces confronted by superior numbers, you have
captured from the enemy in open battle. one
hundred and eleven pieces of field artillery,
sixty live battle-hags. and upwards Of ten
thousand prisoners of war, including seven
general officers Within the past ten days,
and included in the above, you have captured
forty-six pieces of field artillery and thirty
seven gatherings
You have never lost gun, never lost
color, and have never been defeated f; and not
withstanding the numerous engagements, in
GLIDING the memorable battles of the Shenan-
doah, you have captured every piece Of artil-
lery which the enemy have dared TO open up
on you. The near approach OF peace renders
1t improbable that you will again be called
upon TO undergo the ia,igues OF the toilsome
march, or the exposure OF the battle field
but should the assistance of keen blades,
welded by your sturdy arms, be required to
hasten the coming of the glorious peace for
which we have been so long contending, the
General commanding is proudly confident
that in the future, IS in the past, every de-
mand will meet with hearty and willing re-
sponse.
Let us hope that our work is done. and
that blessed with the comforts of peace, we
may soon be emitted to enjoy the pleasures
OF home and friends.
For our comrades who have fallen let us
ever cherish grateful remembrance. To the
wounded, and those who lsnguish in South.
ern prisons, let our heartfelt sympathy be
rendered.
And now. speaking for myself alone, when
the war is ended, and the task OF the histo-
rian begins; when those deeds of daring
which have rendered the name and fame Of
the Third Cavalry Division imperishabe. are
inscribed upon the bright pages Of our coun-
try's history. only ask that my name be
written as the commander of the Third Cav
airy Division. g. A. CUSTER,
bIevet Brig. Gen.
Detaehments OF colored troops have been
sent out from Richmond 10 the battle fields
in the neighborhood, and employed in the