The National tribune., 1888-01-19
MINTYS CAVALRY.
Tho Story Of The 9Th aleh. Cav.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: IN your IS
sue of Dec. 6 I saw an account Of Gen. Eli
Long do not wish TO take one leaf from Gen.
Longs weil-earned iauTels, for he was brave,
capable General, and q very gallant cavalry
leader. The brigade IN which / served for
three years belonged 70 the same division that
Longs Brigade did, and for part Of the tine
Gen. Long commanded the division.
] wish 10 say good word for commander
that was III 10 respect inferior 10 any officer in
the service; inferior % none IN military educa-
ton; never using strong drink or prOfanc Ian
guagc, and justly strict alike TO bis officers and
men. ! DO not think that there was an officer
IN the service that was rs universally loved aud
respected as the officer ] refer 70, Gen. Z. II.
q. Minty.
First Captain, then Major Of the ID Mich
Cav. next q Lieutenant-Colonel Of the Sd
Mich. Cav, which be commanded IN the field
for about one year; the Colonel Of the Sd being
on detached service. The Sd Mich sounds his
praise 70 this day, and says there was no bet
ter 0iicer in the service.
During the year lie was with the Sd he vas
in tie West, under Gems. Pope and Haleck
While serving under Haleck that General for
some cause, real o. fancied. became dispieased
with Col. MIntys and always retained the
grudge IS long IS he was ia power.
ia July, lsG2 AliDty was made Colonel Of
the 9Th Mich Cav and, with the regiment.
was sent 10 the Army of the Cumberland. Gen.
HaIleCk co1ld lot prevent that promotion bat
headed CT all other promotions as long as he
had tie power. In the Spring OF 1853 Blinty
was earnestly recommended for promotion by
Alaj.-Gcns Stanley, Chief Of ayalry and BY Gen.
RosocraGs, Department Commander: in the
Autumn OF 1863 by Gems. Stanley, Thomas aud
Elliott and in 1864 By Gems. Sherman and
Thomas.
The Governor Of Michigan. with the two
TTr1rfaF 81.
tives ia Congress from Michigan, united IN
asking star for Our successful and brilliant
commander. His friends had almost ceased "a
look l0r justice - the truly worthy officer, but
after Gen. Galleck was removed from power
MiDty not only received the star but the dou.
bic star, which be had worthily won
IN his paper on Gen. Long. II. W. Diclznar
writes particularly about Lovejoy Station, and
he gives Gen. Long greater credit than doe
history OF the Official reports Of either Kilpat
rick o., ainty. Col. Long and his brigade Wer.
under Minty's command al that time
The Second Cavalry Division was command
Cd by Gen. 6arrard, the First Brigade BY Col
Minty the Second by Col. Long, and the Thirt
by Col. Miller.
The First and Second Brigades were ordered
70 report 10 Gen. Fitzpatrick. Gen Garrarc
did not 20 along, and the two brigades ger
under tic command Of Col Minty, then rank
ing Colonel in the division.
4he following IS from the official report 0
Col. Miuty:
In obedience TO orders received from Gen Gar
Eard, reported 10 Gen. Fitzpatrick with the Firs
and Second BFigades Of the Second Cavalry Diyis
ion.
Further along IN his report, where he tells q
being almost entirely surrounded by eavalr
N and infantry, be says:
Gen. Fitzpatrick ordered me 20 withdraw my wv
brgades form them facing to the rear and Erepar
TO charge. formed the First Brigade in line OF reg
mental columns Of fouFs; The 9TH Pa on the RICH
1Lh Mich. in the center 4th u. :. on the left Long
brigade was formed IN tie rear. We moved FOL
ward 81 a tnot until, getting under the enemy
Ere, gave The command TO gallop and charge Til
enemy held their position until we were almost o
thenn, when they turned and fed in confusion W
were soon among them aud hundreds fell beneai
our keen blades The race and slaughter throng
lhe woods and fields continued for about thre
niles when i collected and reformed my con
nand.
Gen. Fitzpatrick says it was one of the fine.