Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-01-07
CAVALRY CHARGE IN GOTHAM

CAVALRY CHARGE IN GOTHAM.
Gen. siclles Describes an Exciting Scene
of Fifty Years Ago.
"Probably the only cavalry charge |
ever executed in the streets of New |
York." said Gen. Daniel L. Sickles the |
other day, was ordered by me way |
back in the forties. was a STRIPPING of
twenty -one then and aide-de-camp with
the rank of captain on the staff of
Brig. Gen. George p Morris, of the
state militia. Maj. Duff had organized
company of cavalry for service in the
Mexican war, and on the eve of their
departure had requested Gen. Morris to
| review them. Gen. Morris consented,
and the review was fixed for nine
o'clock on the day they were to en-
bark, and the place selected was in
Park place. At that time Park place
was 4 fashionable residence street, 'ex.
tending from Broadway to Church
street and abutting the grounds of Co
lumbia college. The day of the review
was clear and beautiful, and the side.
walks, the stoops of the houses and
the windows We're thronged with spec
tators. Young Woodwork, son of the
poet Woodworth, of old Oaken Buclet
fame, was my companion aid-de-camp
He was about my own age. While
knew how to ride and keep my saber
from getting between my legs and trip
ping me up, confess my knowledge of
matters military was not quite SO well
defined as at present The troop pre-
sentcd Il fine appearance drawn up in
line in the wide street, in span new
uniforms, glittering sabers and Snowy
accouterments, all being well mounted.
Gen. Morris lived up the Hudson, and
because of some delay did not reach the
city as he expected. We waited until
nearly 10 o'clock, and as the hour for
the departure of the troops approached
we were all somewhat nervous, espe.
cially since the major was anxious to
show his men to good advantage. III.
. nally, it becoming apparent that Gen
Morris would not be on hand, Maj. Duff
suggested that either Woodwork or
should conduct the review. Woodworth
declined the honor, and after some hesi.
tation / consented to act as reviewing
officer.
Then Maj Duff, with an elaborate
salute, rode up and asked me if would
order the inspection or the review first
, 1t was a poser to me whether the in.
spection precede the review or the re.
. view precede the inspection. / ordered
the inspection. ! thought the grim old
majors eyes twinkled a bit. He gave the
order, and the troops formed for inspec.
/ tion. / passed up and down the lines
: of men, complimented the major upon
; their fine appearance, the neatness OF
, their uniforms, and their soldierly bear.
ing, returning to my position beside
Woodworth.j The inspection over,
gave the order for review; the troops
paraded, the spectators applauded and
: everybody felt elated. The major again
8 rode up and asked me if would please
, order the troops to execute a maneuver.
2 For the life of med didn't know any
more about cavalry evolutions than
q knew of the canals in Mars. thought
l g moment, and then remembered that
S cavalry could charge.
y "'EXecute charge, major com
: manded, as if such orders were o.
4 everyday occurrence.
G This time the majors eye brow.
r We're elevated the sixteenth of an inch
Y and detected an expression of concerr
s that l afterward fully appreciated
However, he saluted, and placing him
r self at the head of his men trotted dowI
S the street toward Broadway ant
:. wheeled his column. The bugle sounded
= and with drawn sabres, first on Low
@ trot, then faster, and then breaking in
l. to mad gallop, the troops dashe'
down the open space between TIN
(" double line of spectators with all tn
n vigor and push as in actual battle
l. Happily no one was killed, but enough
If people came near destruction in thi
o wild charge of inexperienced troopers
v The horses, carried away by the clatter
20 plunged or were crowded to left an,
n right, menacing the terrified spectators
d who tumbled backward over one an
J. other and were nearly tiattened agains
10 the house fronts in their efforts t
A. escape from heels and hoofs. Two O
j. three were ridden down, but rolled ou
ID of the way unhurt 1T was scene o
.e terror which fortunately turned out t
1, be harmless. The troops halted L
4, grand style at the end of the street
[e "Naturally was not long in realiz
,e ing the enormity ofmy offense in order
10 ing charge in such cramped quarter
y instead of some ordinary cavalry evolu
d tions and l don't wonder that tn
sr majors eyebrows were trife elevate
when l gave my command. IN, Y. Sur