Smyrna times., 1868-09-23

the combat at Rappshannock Station and
MINE hun. April, 1864, he was placed in COM
mand OF the First Division of cavalry, Army of
the Potomac, and moved with it in the grand
advance. In May he was assigned to the
command of all the calvary (about 3OOO) with
that army, General Sheridan being on the
Klchmond road with the corps proper. He
commanded at the calvary fight at Milford
Station, and on the North Anna, May 2l, "a,
and In the engagement at Hanovertown, and
at Haws Shop on the 9th and 2Sth. For gal
liant and merltOriOus services at Haws shop he
was breveted Lieut.. COL, U. s. A., and May
3Oth commanded at the fight at NJ ltadequn
Greek, and also at Cold Harbor 3st He par
tlclpated also in the contest at Trevillian Sta
tiOu June llth and at Tunstall's Station June
2lst: July 30th he was ordered to embark
at City Point with his division proceed to
Washington, and report to General Sheridan,
at Harpers Ferry. Reporting August Sth, he
was promoted to chief of calvary of the Mid
die Military Division, on the staff of the Cen
eraf commanding. His command consisted of
the First and Third Calvary Divisions from
the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Gen
erals Merritt and Wilson, and the Second Di-
vision OF the Army of the Shenandoah COM
manded by General Averill. In the fighting
IN that department, Torbert had a conspicuous
part, commanding at the battle of Winchester
August 18th, and at Kearneyvie August 25th.
In the famous battle at Opequan, September
18th, he commanded in person the First and
Second Divisions, sharing also personally in
other engagements succeeding that victory.
In the fight at Mount Crawford, October 2d
and at Jones River on the 9th, he commanded
| the First and Third Divisions, under Merritt
and Custer. In the general engagement at
Cedar Greek, October 18th, he commanded
the First, Second and Third Divisions, and
November 18th, was present at the engage
ment near Middetown. He then commanded
at Llbrety Mills and at Gordonsvie On the
9th Of September he had been promoted tt
brevet Major General, and assigned to duty By
President Lincoln according to his brevet rank
April 23d, 1865, he was assigned to the com
mand OF the Army of the Shenandoah, head
quarters at Winchester, the command embrac
ing three divisions of infantry one of cavalry
and six batteries. On the 18th of July thi
army was broken up, and he was assigned t,
the command of the district of South easter
Virginia, headquarters at Norfolk. He WA
breveted Colonel, September 18th, 1864, fo
gallant services at the battle of Winchester
brevet Brgadier General, March 18th, 1868
for bravery at Cedar Greek brevet Majo
Genreal, March 18th, 1865, for gallant service
during the war.
Few officers were more highly esteemed b,
the authorities OF New Jersey than Genera
TOrbert, and during the war he was claimed a
citizen of that State. 1t was owing in
large degree to his industry and fidelity tha
the authorities of that State were enabled t
promptly fill all the acquisitions made upo
them for troops
AS a soldier, General Torbert was courage
Gus, vigiant and skiful with excellent natu
raj capacities for command, he united muc
acquired knowledge as to the high arts an
rules OF war, which made him vastly superio
to many ranked him in the service. A
cavalry officer he displayed peculiarl
brilliant qualities. Sheridan, under who's
eye he fought held him in the highest estima
ton. In the battles of the Shenandoah, dul
ing the summer and fall of 1864 he was ever fore
most in graphing with the enemy, and no blow
were sharper or more severe than those whic
his divisions inflicted upon Early, as he wer
"Whirng down the valley" utterly route
and broken Commercial.