The morning call., 1892-10-23
A NOTED CAVALRY OFFICER.
General William w. Aver
ellis Visit to California.
Annual Official Inspection Of Soldiers Homes
Yountvills Inspected Yesterday-A
Brilliant War Career.

General William w. Averell, assistant
ms pector- general of the National II ONE for
Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. paid an official
visit to the State Soldiers Home at Yount-
vile yesterday, and left for Los Angeles on
the evening train to inspect the national
branch home at Santa Monica.
Ex-Judge James A. Waymire, president,
and Major A. l.. Rockwell. secretary of the
Veterans Home Association, accompanied
General Averell to YountvIlle.
Upon their arrival the assembly was
sounded and the veterans, to the number of
about four hundred. formed line and were
inspected, after which the quarters were
visited and The whole institution thoroughly
examined. Before his departure the as
sistant inspector-general expressed himself
highly pleased with the management and
the efforts expended In providing for the
care and comfort of the inmates. He no.
ticed, however, that the accomm odations
were inadequat G for the number registered
at the home. and said there was an urgent
need for additional barrack room The
home at present is so crowded that veteran
sent there last night had TO be sent back
into the town to find lodgings. There is
also defect in that there are no separate
quarters for the officers.
Before his departure for the south
CALL reporter interviewed General Avereli.
He said that since his last visit to Yount-
vile great improvements had been made,
both i'll the buildings and grounds. and that
California was doing notable work for the
needy veterans.
He spoke in the highest terms of Judge
Waymire, saying the YOuntvlle institution
was very fortunate in having such man
at its head, and that he was thoroughly ac-
quainted with all the details and with every
thing pertaining to the home.
General Ayerell said that he had returned
only lew days ago from an official visit TO
the new Soldiers Home at Orting. Wash
ington State, where about fifty veterans are
cared for. lie also spoke very fatterngiy
OF that Institution. He said that alter he
had visited the institution at Santa Monica
he Will have completed a tour of Inspection
of every soldiers home in the United
States. OF which there are no less than
twenty-eight.
The general was enthusiastic in his
praises OF the evidences of business energy
and activity displayed all over the Pacific
Northwest coast He said he was amazed
at the prodigious development OF the coun-
try. lie thought Minneapolis with her forty
miles OF boulevards and magnificent resi-
dences was wonder, but when he came 10
look at Tacoma the sight was marvellous.
When he was there a few days ago the
people were still clearing great stretches of
forest to make room for new streets, and
this In order to reach fine dwellings built
far out in the suburbs. When he saw all
this he made up his mind that Minneapolis
was asleep.
General Averell was one of the most con-
eplcuous among the great cavalry leaders
in the war. He is still well-preseryed
man, though he has been twice wounded
| ana saw continuous service OF the severest
kind. His career in the Army of the
potoinac was marked by intrepid and bril-
liant achievements from beginning to end.
| tie commanded the first brigade OF cavalry
that took the field in the war, and won
fame Tor the skill and audacity of his raids
| In the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge
| Mountains and the hilly region Of Virginia
skIrting the eastern theater Of war.
Long before Sheridan in the closing year
| oil the war was sent into the Shenandoah
| country IN command of a large army Of both
infantry and cavalry, Averel had struck
| some very effective blows with his troopers.
In March, 1863. he began the series of raids
that made his name famous. He COM
named In the spirited engagement that
| month at kellys Ford, on the Upper Rap
| pahannock. In August he drove a large
Confederate force over the Warm Spring
! Mountains, passed through several coun-
| ties and attacked force near White Sui
phur Springs. He made his way back with
| $50 prisoners.
! Early In November, 1863, at the head of
5000 men, he drove the enemy out of Green
brier County. capturing three guns and
| 100 prisoners. In December he raided
| General Longstreets base of supplies at
! Salem, destroying the railroad and an
enormous amount of supplies and cutting
| off all communication between Lee and
| Bragg.
| Before he began his retreat the enemy
! had seized all the mountain passes IN his
rear. but, capturing bearer OF dispatches:
| he obtained clew to their plans. and
meeting force under General W. ). Jack.
son. drove through them. capturing several
| prisoners.
! Leading his command over road be.
lieved 10 be impossible. General Averei
reached the Union limos with 200 prisoner: