Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-06-03
HEADo'Rs. ist VI. Cav.
Nav %, 1865.

"Alove at seven hurry up your breakfast
Dan" These were the words to which lopene'
my eyes on the morning of Sunday, 2lst
turned once more in my bunk, "a couch Whici
Sybarite might envy. arti.tically built of foui
stake, two poles and as many forage sacks, plui
roll Of blankets for last delicious morning
dream but all too soon the invitable Sam en-
tered the tent, with pair Of boots in hand
which he could not coax to shine. and announc-
el. "Breakfss' ready, gemmen." Thereupou
We tore ourselves from our sumptuous conches,
sailed forth forth from our fly tent, ian excel
lent house, when you don't need any, and
after hasty toilet seated ourselves Ia Turqus
upon the ground about piece Of shelter tent and
smoking cups Of coffee. These were but half
dispatched, when the general rung out from
the bugles. This means, pack up and make
ready to break camp" By eight O'Clock the
whole cavalry corps was in motion, and the
head Of the column crossing the Potomac into
Washington by way of Long Bridge.
Why il should have beeu thought necessary TO
choose Sunday for marching over to our present
camp. (Bladensburg. Md has not transpired-
We had lain on the side Of Arlington Heights
since the 18th and had made ready for this same
move on Saturday but the order had been
couutermanded and We thought ourselves sure at
Iss, Of Sunday that should be Sabbath.
some thought they saw good military reason
for moving. in the rain that was falling eopious-
ly. aud the muddy. sloppy roads The men
would look splendidly in uniform Of poncho
and mud. mounted on horses caparisoned like
wise in the rich and frsgrsn filth Of
the District Of Columbia 1t was re-
ported. though, that Cavalry" Sheridan WAS
to leave on Monday for Texas, and wanted to
see once more the boys who had followed bis
dashiug flag 50 long. and won for themselves and
him 50 much Of prsise and glory.
Any how. there was his bright saucy, red and
white Tag. hung out from the ladies' entrance
AZ Wflard's. and as squadron after squadron
charged by with loud hurrshs and brandished
sabres. .Iittle Phil must have drained as
svee, drsught OF military glory as was ever
pressed to the lips Of victorious leader. These
were the men who had shared bis risks, and
won Tor him and with him his successes. They
had tested each other. Campaign after cam
paigu. and victory upon victory, had brought
zach to rely more and more upon the other. II
Ill ssrhf g
they said when they left Winchester IN Febru-
Any on the Great Raid. and the black s;eed and
gay dag dashed along the column "Phil's
along. its all right, now = and every mans
heart was light and confident
And now. what he had asked Of them, they
hal done. They opssef the final struggle when
they ret out up the Valley. They ended it.vhen
they headed of Lee at AppomattOx Court
House. having swept around both armies and
almost touched again on The blaokened path
trscei by them in the carly part Of March
The land was safe. and none had done more to
save 1t. than themselves.
The column turned and came down again to
nPen. Avenue. and passed out BY the Capt.
t5l toward Bladensburg. On the Avenue, We
met Custer and staff, and the Third Division
-ree,ei him with the loudest and heartiest
cheers. emphasized BY the swing Of sabres. He
had 60 dof his hat again aud again, and uncover
ihe golden locks 50 well known TO the men who
have been went to perss with him TO the very
front Of battle. and especially when there were
any guns to capture. They feel his fame to be
theirs. They know their victories to have been
gained for them BY his leadership and daring.
They claim for him a arnk with the foremost, as
slesder Of cavalry. They used to say last sum
ulsr that the glory Of cavalry fighting had gone
bv, since Wilson came in command. There were
no more any charges" as Of old under ki-
patrick Il was always "Prepareto dismount and
fight afoot. Wilson, s greater fsvorite with
higher powers than with hi, men, left US for the
West. and Custer came into his plsce; and with
him came back the celebrity and suddenness that
make this branch Of the service 50 effective; and
with the dash and sweep sud shout Of the charge
came victory once more to rest upon our stan
daris and with victory came the enthusiasm
and the fearless daring that make it easy to
gam victories The men Of the division resumed
their high spirits, and felt again that confidence
in their leader. without which battles cannot be
Won.
Il is the prevalent opinion among US that the
cavalry i. second to no other arm Of the service,
though the artillery often puts on exclusive and
aristocratlc airs. We think, too. that Sherid,n's
cavalry has q high claim to precedence. for the
things it has dared and done, over that which
has fought, however brsvely and with whatever
success, under other leadership. Yet, Of this
force, it was the Division under Custer that
routed most rebels, and took most Hsgsand can
non. VIII any one 6nd a parallel to their
achievements, and 50 prove the language Of the
Generals congratulatory order TO be but rhetor-
ic, Their deeds challenge comparison with
those of any other horsemen that ever rode q
charge"
As for the First Vermont Cavslry.it is enough
to say that it yields place to no regiment in the
Third Division. vermonters ought to know
something of the fields it has fought. and the
capture, II has made. Such IS, knowing these,
sre not proud Of it. IL Is to be hoped viii emf
CRATE to Canada, before the regiment returns to
the State. Neither the Gag Of the stats nor the
name Of Green Mountain Boys has ben dshon-
cred by them 1t will be enough for suy man
to he able to say hereafter. tina. be served under
Custer in the First Vermont. To have hsd CON-
mand of the regiment should ensure place in
history. ss it will
Why this regiment should have had no flag
or color of any sort. not even guidon, since the
sold corps" went home in Oct. last, does not
sufficiently appear. What we have done or lett
undone, that we should have no standard nor
emblem, we know not We have marched
through Petersburgh. through Richmond. through
AleIsndris, through Washington even, with
banners before and behind US and We sppearinr.