Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-02-02
CAVALRY CHARGE IN GOTHAM
Gen. Sickles Describes an Exciting Scene
of Fifty Years Ago.

Gen. Sickles Describes an Exciting Scene
of Fifty Years Ago.
Probably the only cavalry charge
ever executed in the streets of New
York said Gen. Daniel Z. Siclzles 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
Brighten. George p Morris, of the
state militia. Maj Duff had organized
a 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 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 were thronged with spec
poet Woodwork, of old Oaken Bucket
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-
sented fine appearance drawn mp 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. FL
nally, it becoming apparent that Gen.
Morris would not be on hand, Mai. Duff
suggested that either Woodwork or /
should conduct the review Woodwork
declined the honor, and after some hest
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 poser to me whether the in
spection precede the review or the re-
view precede the inspection. ordered
the inspection. l thought the grim old
majors eyes twinkled bit He gave the
order, and the troops formed for inspec-
ton. passed up and down the lines
Of men, complilnented the major upon
their fine appearance, the neatness of
their uniforms, and their soldierly bear
ing, returning to my position beside
Woodwork. The inspection over, /
gave the order for review; the troops
paraded, the spectators applauded and
everybody felt elated The major again
rode up and asked me if I would please
order the troops to execute maneuver.
For the life of me | didn't know any
more about cavalry evolutions than /
knew of the canals in Mars. / thought
a moment, and then remembered that
cavalry could charge.
. Execute a charge, major, l com
manded, as if such orders were of
everyday occurrence.
This time the majors eye brows
were elevated the sixteenth of an inch,
and l detected an expression Of concern
that l afterward fully appreciated
However, he saluted, and placing him
self at the head of his men trotted down
the street toward Broadway and
wheeled his column. The bugle sounded,
and with drawn sabres, first on low
trot, then faster, and then breaking in
to mad gallop, the troops dashed
down the open space between the
double line of spectators with all the
vigor and push as in actual battle.
Happily no one was killed, but enough
people came near destruction in this
wild charge of inexperienced troopers
The horses, carried away by the clatter.
plunged or were crowded to left and
right, menacing the terrified spectators
who tumbled backward over one an
other and were nearly fattened against
the house fronts in their efforts to
/ escape from heels and hoofs. Two or
three were ridden down, but rolled out
of the way unhurt- 1t was a scene of
| terror which fortunately turned out 10
be harmless The troops halted in
grand style at the end Of the street
Naturally / was not long in realiz-
ing the enormity Of my offense in order
ing a charge in such cramped quarters
instead Of some ordinary cavalry evola-
tions and / don't wonder that the
majors eyebrows were a trife elevated