The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-04-19
TREvILIAN STATION.
The 10Th \. Y. Cav. in that Famous Charge.

4
The 10Th v 7. Cav. in that Famous Charge.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In looking
through THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Of Jan. l
read an article written by Capt. N. ID. Preston,
10th \. Y. Cav, on the cavalry fight at Ire
william Station June II, 1864. Having had the
honor of being the AdiutanU of the old 10th at
that time, aud also of being engaged in that
battle, ] desire to add my testimony TO the gal
lantry of the regiment on that occasion.
When the 10th was dismounted they were
ordered to form on the left of the Second Bril-
gade and TO charge with it. In our front was
a rdil fence, behind which the regiment formed
4 line. This fence ran nearly the whole length
Of the brigade. On the other side of the fence
was a level field about 30 rods across. After
crossing this field we came to the railroad,
which here ran through a cut from six to eight
feet deep. In this cut the enemy were posted
in heavy force. Just back of this cut, on knoll,
was the rebel battery. Ali this in our immedl-
ate front to our right, and in front of the Sec
ond Brigade was the station-house and several
boX-caTs. and still further on the right was
cut similar to the one in our front The ene-
my was in force all along this line-depot, cars
and cut filled with them. We never were
on their flank from the time we were assigned
position; and as proof of this, when the enc
my were driven from their strongholds, they
retreated down the railroad to our left, and af-
ter making the charge we changed front and
followed them, moving to the left. and covering
q part of the ground over which we had previ-
ously charged.
Maj. Avery was in command. and at this time
was on the right of the regiment. When the
bugle sounded the charge, the Second Brigade
started, but for some reason unknown TO the
writer the old 10th y. Y. remained station
AIRY. Capt Weir, of Gen. Greggs staff, came
running ont of the woods to the right swing
ing his saber and shouting for US to charge.
We jumped the fence and started. By the time
that the 10th started, the Second Brigade had
reached the second fence and dropped down
behind it, having drawn the euemys fire from
our front, as well as the fire Of the artillery.
And as they were now hidden from the enemy,
we were receiving
A MOST TERRIFIC FIRE,
not only from our front, but from the depot and
cars. which were filed with Johnnies. As our
line reached the second fence we were forced
to take refuge behind it for a short time.
While lying here several of our men were
killed, and Lieut.. Van Wyel called out to me,
saying: For Gods sake, Adjutaut, what are
yen going TO do? We can't lie here much
l0nger." l ran down to the right Of the line
to see what Maj. Avery was going to do, and
meeting Capt Blynn was informed that Just as
we got over the first fence Lieut.. Preston was
either killed or wounded; and that Maj. Avery
had remained with him where he had fallen,
TO have him carried of the field. / ran back
/ TO the center and informed Lieut.. Hinckly of
the situation. ! had no time to see Maj Weed,
/ Capts. Vanderbilt or Snyder and turn over
4 the command TO them: but gave the command
/ TO the 10th \. Y. TO charge. | was none too
/ quick, for those gallant officers on the left
/ Weed. Vanderbilt and Snyder-were only wait
7 ing for orders from the commanding officer be-
/ fore moving forward, and not getting them as
sFfel-f r- a hid .f-o
1 dered their command to charge, and away we
/ went, this time with the Second Brigade. Al
I though we were obliged to cross plowed field
+ in full view Of the enemy, and subject to their
murder0us fire,
TIE LINE NEVER FALTERED,
and IN a very few moments the 10th \. Y Cav
/ jumped down IN that railroad cut to find that
4 the enemy, not thinking it possible for rs to
/ dislodge them, had remained too long to safely
retreat. and we reaped a rich harvest in pris
oners The battery meanwhile had limhered
4 up aud galloped of the field, taking the road
leading down the railroad to our left.
On reaching this cut, while cur men were
marching the prisoners we had captured to the
rear, ] sat down on the railroad track to rest
/ Mai. Weed and Capt Vanderbilt soon came up
/ expecting to find Maj. Avery in command and
/ inquired for him Of nae. Capt. Blynn, who wa:
4 just joining rs, replied to VanderDilts question
i as we started to make the charge and that Maj
Avery had remained with him. Directly
/ Maj. Avery was seen coming towards Us
! Crossing the plowcd field and coming TO me, ht
/ addressed me in these words: . Why in h
/ did not you reform the regiment aud charge
down the railroad after tho retreating enemy?
/ Ny reply, as I arose TO my feet, was: Maj
/ Avery have not the honor Of commanding
this regiment" This ended che fighting 70
that day.
Capt. Preston was gallant oflcer-no brave
man lived. He was known as the fighting
Commissary of the 10th n Y. Cav Yet, Cap
tain, cannot permit yOu to say that it wa
necessary for the 10th y. Y. to make tina
charge in order to gain q record. In the Ian
guage Of the gallant Vanderbilt, her recor,
was made before this date. 1t was written il
large letters Of blood, drawn from the veins 0
many of her gallant sons, Oh the fields of Brand,
Station Aide, Middleburg Upperville Gettys
burg, Sulphur Springs, Little Auburn, Reams'
Station, and many other engagements previou
to June IL, 1864. There was no stain to b
wiped out and in that fight we only adde,
additional luster to the glorious record alread.
made
Capt. Preston having been wounded early i
the fight, could not of his own knowledge asser
that Avery led US in that eharge-G. W. KEN
SEDY, 10th \ Y Cav, Fabus, n. Y.