The New York herald., 1865-01-22
CAvALRY CoRps,
SHERDIAS's ARMY, Jan. 10, 1885.

RESIGNATION GEN. WIN. H. POWELL
In consequence Of great family Affections this general
officer regarded by Generals Sheridan and Crook one Of
the ablest cavalry officers in their commands short time
since rendered his resignation Very reluctantly 1t was
approved passed through the regular channels Of this
army to Washington There the Secretary Of War re-
official protest against its being accepted based
on the fact that the cavalry part Of the military service
could not well afford 10 lose we'll trained, and gal
liant and successful commander, and one too who had
been looked up TO with confidence by the under
him. from the he in the line until the attain
ment Of his last and highest grade But owing TO tho
fact that General Powell pushed the NATTER through his
many friends the resignation accepted, and he re-
cevcd an official notification of the same today. He
will probably leave tomorrow for his home.
SKETCH POWELL
William II. Powell born in South Wales, Great
Britain the 10th of May, 1925 When only five years
old I'm March, 1s30) he brought TO this country by
his parents who took him to the State OF New Jersey
After remaining here year. his next seat of residence
was for two years in the State OF Pennsylvania He
thence in the spring of 1888, removed to Nashville,
Tennessee remaining until the year ls4a The spring Of
the year found him again changing his residence
this time Wheeling Virginia. where he remained until
the spring Of 1853 and then moved TO Ironon Lawrence
county Ohio his present home When the rebellion broke
out he employed financial agent and general sn
perntcnden in extensive iron mannfctory in the State
OF Ohio This position he relnqushed 10 enter the United
States SERVICE In 10 the Presidents call for vol
untecrs in August, 1851 Having raised company he
was elected captain and assigned to the Second nyal)
Virginia cavalry The rank of captain he held until Jane
25 1862 when, for meritorous conduct on the held he
was raised 10 q majorshp In October following he
promoted 10 lieutenant colonel This rnnk he attained
in Consequence OF having charged into rebel camp
Fourteenth Virginia cavalry, two hundred stronq-on
Sinking creek Grocnbriar county West Virginia. Nov.
26 1862 This charge he made with only commits
stoned officer and twenty Of his own regiment, cap.
turing IL prisoners including two c9mmi,soned so ss
equipped. His torn OF service as Lieutenant colonel
expired on the 18th Of May, 1858, at which
time he reached the full rank OF colonel Az Colonel OF
the Second Virginia. he commanded the same during the
raid made wytheville, station on the Virginia and
Tennessee Railroad in july 1865 In the course OF this
raid he led charge wythevillc aud captured from
the enemy two pieces OF artillery, and took eighty
prisoners Tho charge was so successful that the enemy
literally routed Unfortunately Colonel Powell was
wounded, supposed morally and left In town. thus fall
ing into the hands of the enemy He was taken
to Richmond and II being reported among the rebels OF
his having burned property and matrcacd the dsoya
people OF Western Virginia he was closely confined,
without bed bedding for thirty days and during
this time kept on bread and water While confined in
this he succeeded In getting letter 20 the rebel
Major General Sam H. Jones. In reply to the letter
General Jones made such representations to the rebel
authorities at Richmond TO induce them TO allow the
prisoner the privileges OF prisoner OF war. General
Jones commanded the rebel Department Of Southwestern
Virginia and would certainly have known had there been
any truth in the charges preferred against the accused
The rebel Colonel Richard II. Leo having fallen into
being anxious 10 again reach the field Of active service
the rebels also being anxious 10 get Lee back special
parole for thirty days granted TO Colonel Powell to
North TO effect exchange for Colonel Lee. The
change effected Colonel Powell had been pris-
oner six months and suffered all the ndgnities and
hardships 10 which possible for the rebels TO
duce him. On returning within the Union lines he
sumed the command of his regiment the 1lh of
March following his parole and release His regiment
was in General Dune's brigade Of General Aver
mand, and engaged in the movement Of General Hunter
against Staunton and Lynchburg
On reaching Staunton Colonel Powell was placed In
command OF the Third brigade Of the Second cavalry d
vision General Averill commanding u Col Powells
brigade that opened the engagement in front OF Lynch
burg For his conduct at Wytheve and up to the time
OF his return to the kanawha region Colonel Powell re-
ccyed complimentary notices from General Avcr which
with bis BRIGADE had again reached the Shenandoah val
| ley, via Parkersburg West Virginia and Cumberland,
Md, and formed portion Of the forces engaged In the
actions Of tho Goth Of July stevensons depot New
town. the 22d, and Winchester, the Oath Of tho same
month. He also passed, a brigade commander,
through the several battles from and inclusive OF Moore
Held August TO Winchester September ID; also the
engagement ut Fishers Hill On arriving at Mount
Jackson General Averi being relieved, Colonel Powell
was placed in command OF tho Second cavalry division,
and took u through the c0urse Of fights and movements
in the neghborhood OF Port Republic Woyers Cave and
Browns Gap. On the 10th Of October he received bis
appointment as brgadier general OF volunteers, vice
Brgadior General Bidwell Killed, for gallant CON
duct N the battles of Winchester and Fishers HUI OF
the pth and 23d OF September 1864 Tho appointment
thus made was secured exclusively FOR services rendered
In the feld
II m.