The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-02
Read Better than Pension on page s.
SHENANDOAH CAMPAIGN.
Some OF the Deeds Performed By tho CaraIrJ In
the Valley.


the Valley.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: 1t Is a we'll
recognized fact that the cavalry In service dur
ing the late rebellion have not been given the
praise due them by historians or otherwise. and
it becomes forcibly brought TO mind that their
efforts during the Shenandoah campaign seem
insignificant by members Of the infantry and
artillery branches Of the army engaged at that
time. notice that the "Caunoneer did not
think their services Of much value at Cedar
Creek, aud as i WAS engaged with the remain
der Of our regiment and cavalry forces in gois.
eral in that battle, aud all through the Shen.
andoah Valley part OF the war, / cannot ait
idly by The NATIONAL TRIBUNE's campfire
and hear our branch.of the service spoken dis.
paragingly Of; 80 come forward with convincing
evidences that wo did do something, and that
effectively. Soon after tho battle of Cedar
Creek a letter was handed the Sergeant of each
company, TO be read at roll call 10 the soldiers.
have it and will produce 10. IL showaplainly
what our portion of the cavalry did, at least.
and therefore needs no comment:
HgADQUGRTERs SECOND BRIGADE.
FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION
MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION. Nov. g. 1864
BoLDGEHs: The BrevcL Brigade General com
mandng feels that he should not allow the present
opportunity pass without referring 10 and recall
Ing the operations OF his brigade during the late
engagement.
Itapidly transferred from the Army OF the poto.
mac 10 the Shenandoah Valley, you on the second
days march engaged q brigade of mounted i'm.
fantTy, and ia short hour drove them from two
rtfong positions in utter rout. Again mt Front
Royal. smthheld, Kearneysville aud Shcpards-
town, your sturdy arms and keen sabeFs on each oc.
CASTOR hurled back tho serTed masses of the foe Al
the battle oil the Opequan after charging and rout-
inK superior force OF the enemy cavalry la your
ifohi, you whlfed ike thuuderbOlt on the left Of
his Infantry lines, aud rode them down In the face
Of whitening IRE. in two successive charges capt
urlnR over 600 prisoners and Ave battle fiaus
hnEn dctnCnEu from The division g.,
during the long pursuits OF Earlys army from
Fishers I'M TO Port Republic, your gallantry ana
daring while pressing the enemy called forth tbe
highest prnise Ia the action Of the 9th of October
taking the advance Edinburg you drove Ia.
Inaz . Division whirlihg ," through Mount Jack
son and across the Shenandoah, capturing his last
gun and his train.
On the memorable 18th of October the browning
glory was reserved for you of pursuIng the ene,uS
| aud renpiDR the fruits of that brilliant yietorv
| Alter sturdily lighting from early morn with the
gallant ola division 10 which you are attached In
Its successful efforts To check and finally drive the
eneny's right, you dashed across the bridge over
Cedar Creek under heavy fire charging n nd com.
pietely smashing tho ehemy's rearguard Dark
mess ala not relax your efforts. but you pushed
capturing guns, trains and prisoners until near
hidnght you had reached Figher's Hin, ght miles
| from the battlefield
At early dawn you charged and drove the enc
my's cavalry from the hill, and pushed ON 10 Wood
stock after the fastfying foe. who could not again
be overtaken S
| Twenty-Five OF the 43 guns captured by the cav
| airy, % wagons and ambulances over 400 nrisou.
ers Including number Of officers. and two battle
! hHgs were the trophies Of your SUCCESS You have
captured during this short campaign "A guns nine
DatIie nhgs In action, and over /. 900 prisoners
THIS brilliant success has not been effected with
out severe loss. One-thrd of your number in
Guiding 40 officers have been killed or wounded
Ihey have fallen at their post OF duty.
Praise from is superfineus The record ~,
your deeds Is sufiicient You have done your duty
and The brigade has maintained It's old reputation
THOMAS q. DEVIR
Breyet Brigadier- General
WILLIAM j. MARKHAM, Second Lieutenant
20. ID, 9th N. Y. Cay Little Valley, N. Y.