Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-30
every thoueht wasfor the preservation Of |

every thought wasfor the preservation OF
the union OF the States. He loved
the old flag. under whose waving folds
the republic had made wonderful pro-
gress, and commercs, arts, agriculture,
and manufacturers had hourished.
| While admitting the growth and pcliti-
cal progress OF party at the North
which WAS hostile TO the South and her
institutions, he did not think secession
was the remedy He would have pleaded
to the end forthe correction OF all wrongs
rather than not have the Union. And
when at last. III the proceedings OF that
convention the question was put whether
Virginia would withdraw from the
Union, TO whose glory she had con-
tributed so much, among those who
voted in favor OF her being still repre-
sented upon the starry hsg OF the re.
public. and against secession, were Jubai
A. Early and Williams g. Wickham.
This decision of his State TO secede
had been reached after prolonged de-
liberation and after every effort had been
made for pchce by her highest consti-
tutional body. q convention OF the repre-
seniatives of her people.
The clear. ringing notes OF her bugle
then summoned her sons from every
cline TO her defence. Her trumpet voice
was heard over the Atlan,ic's blue bill
lows, and they came from foreign shores.
II was beard where frozen fingers bind
with ICY fetters the lakes at the North.
1t was heard along the shoreso the warm
gulf Mt the South, and from .he East,
to where the waves break in shining frag-
ments on the golden sands OF the Pacific,
and they fastened from every point to
her support. Men born within her limits
hurried back to their old homes. and
everywhere within her borders citizens
were moulded into soldiers eager to rush
to battle as to banquet, and to embrace
death with rapture, if necessary to de-
fend her soil from the tramp Of the in
vader.
II Wickham had been a strong Union
man previous to the passage of the ordi-
nance of secession by the convention.
after that act was passed. as II touched
by magical wand, he was transformed
into devoted son of Virginia, whose
only desire was to obey her commands,
whose only prayer was for her success ;
and when later in the proceedings OF
the convention Robert K. Lee stood
within the walls OF the Capitol modestly
accepting in appropriate manner the
command Of the Virginia forces in reply
to the eloquent address OF its president,
Mr.. Janncy, he bad no moro loyal. no
more ardent. no more enthusiastic sup
porter than Williams c. Wickbam, the
Union member from Henrico. go Nir-
einia and Virginians," we fancy him ex.
claiming. Whittier thou goest | will
90, and where thou lodgest | will lodge.
Thy people shall be my people and thy
God my God.
COMMISSIONED CAPTAIN OF CAVALRY.
Three wears before these occurrences.
having love for horses and an inclina-
ton for military life, he had been com
missioned as captain OF a cavalry OF Nir-
cinia volunteers. He was, therefore, in
position to rapidly respond to tn,
summons OF his State, and lost
no time in going to his home
to make the requisite prepara-
TOPS TO enter Immediately into the
opening campaign. 1t was not many
davs thereafter before company OF
cavalry was marching through the old
county OF Hanover on its way to Rich
mond TO be mustered into the service OF
the Confederate States. At the head of
the Hanover Dragons rode Captain
Wickham. and behind him as gallant a
body of troopers rs ever drew sabre Tor
a cause they knew TO be right, and who
were destined, rs Company q OF the
Fourth Virginia cavSlry, to write with
brilliant pen the record of their deeds
upon the scroll of fame.
While Virginia could be invaded from
: West Virginia up her great Valley along
the Peninsula route, or from the direc'
, ton of Norfolk, it soon became appa
rent that the first point OF contact be
, tween the armies of the North and Soutt
would take place at or near Manassas
Junction. The respective armies were
being rapidly organized by Winfield
Scott. native Of Virginia, at Washing
ton. and by Robert +. Lee at Richmond
, vino n few DAYS before had declined the
command OF the armies OF the UnlteC
! States that he might draw his sword II
behalf of his State and enlist under
banner borne by Virginia troops.
The irrepressible conflict which Sew
ard had talked about had indeed arrived
Tho angel of peace had plumed hi
wings for fight; the demon OF wal
reigned supreme in the land.
Wickham's Hanover Dragons were
promptly ordered to the neighborhooC
Of Bull Run and added to the army
then being formed there under Beaure
gard.
At that early period the use OF cavalry
was not well understood by the arm,
commanders on either side.
At Manassas the cavalry was distri
buted to the various brigade commander
to be used as scouts and couriers and 81
escorts or body-guards.
After the junction Of Johnston s forces
with those of Beauregard, during th'
battle of the 2lst of July, 1861, ther'
were but thirteen companies OF cavalry
IN the whole army-enough, however. /
the employment OF tnat arm vi 5c.'ic'
had been well understood, to have beer
placed under an enterprising officer lik'
Stuart and sent in active pursuit OF Nc
Dowell's fugitives in order to reap the
fruits of victory. Mcdowell, with &
: force of nearly 10000 men, had only
five companies of cavalry. After thi
battle the organization OF the cavalry
received more attention. Companies
we're formed into regiments and regi
ments into a brigade, and General Jel
Stuart was assigned.
Wickham conductan services durinl
these operations did not escape the eye
of his commander, and he was recon
mended for lieu enant-colonel OF tn
Fourth Virginia cavalry, and wasso com
missioned by Virginia great war Cover
/ nor, John Letcher. His company, tn
Hanover Dragons, had been assigned +
that regiment.
Stuart's original brigade consisted 0
the First, Second, Fourth. and Sixtl
, Virginia cavalry, First North Carolin
, cavalry, and the JEFF. Davis Legion fror
: Mississippi.
9 When Mcclellan. the successor c