The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-01-11

| w
| 'kA'SssS k,vNlNAS$$z of July 1 the 2nd
| IH1 ~ Mich. Cav. and 2nd
,l E Iowa Cav. under
- - n ? the command OF
~. Col. p II. Sheridan,
. is-S~ was camped at the
village of Boonvilc, Mis- About sunrise
on the morning of July l we heard sharp
firing at our pictet-posts, which was in com.
mand of Lieutenant Scranton. of the 2nd
Mich. Col. Sheridan ordered me to sound
boots and saddle. In 10 minutes tha com
nand was ready to mount
Capt. r. A. Alger, of Go. q, 2nd Mich was
| ordered to take two companies and make
detour to the rear of the enemy. and charge
through, II possible IL not, to come back
the way he went Capt. Campbell, Co. X,
2nd Mich, was ordered to take the balance
Of the End Mich. to the support of the
picket line.
How we'll remembe The noble Capt Al.
ger "a he rode out of camp at the head
OF that small but devoted band of rough
riders on that calm July morning 30 years
ago with orders to charge the rear of
| whole division of the enemy, under the
command of the rebel Gen. Chalmers. But
| Alger and the noble officers aud men of his
command was never known to finch when
duty called. They rode to the rear OF
! Cha liners Division and struck the Black.
land road short distance in rear of Chal.
| mers Headquarters. Capt. Alger gave the
command, ''On right into lines; draw sab
ers; charge" In an instant 30 bright sabers
flashed in the sunlight, 30 brave voices rang
out shrill and clear on the morning air, and
away they rode pel-mel into and through
| the rebel ranks, cutting and riding down
the enemy in their front until they met the
forces, or front line OF Chalmers. which
| 9heridsn had driven back, but had in no
way demoralzed, as they showed solid
| front.
Alger then gave Tn command to re'u urn
saber and draw pistols. BY this time the
| rebs In the rear of Alger had somewhat re-
| covered from their surprise, and were mass
| ing their forces on his rear and hanks. evil
| IDENTIFY intent on wiping him from the face
| Of the earth
After firing the first shot from their Colts
revolvers, Capt. Alger ordered his command
| to about-face and charge to the rear; which
| was obeyed in grand style, although men
| aud horses went down like the falling leaves
in Autumn all along the line of that fearf
| charge to the rear. Capt. Algers horse be-
| came unmanageable by the breaking of his
bridle-bit and ran under the limb of tree,
| knocking him off, and he was left for dead
on the field. But happily he was only stun
| ned, and soon returned to his command to
carve n name in history that all old vets are
proud of. Now, 10 return to the balance of
The command under Sheridan, do not
recollect what disposition was made Of the
| grand old ID Iowa, but will say that they
always stood shoulder TO shoulder with the
| old 2d Mich. in every emergency in which
they were placed while briga,led with us. A
| short time alter Capt. Campbell went TO the
support OF Scranton on the picket.line Col.
| Sheridan rode out to the front and found
| Capt. Campbclns command dismounted ut
the forks Of the Blackland road with led
| horses III the rear. Al the forks of the road
there was heavy timber with underbush on
each side of the road with a cleared field
south or in front. Capt. Campbell sat on
his horse like a statue ut the forks OF the
| road with but few of his men IN sight. The
| rebels were coming out ofthe timber on the
other side Of the clearing in columns of
fours and forming in line OF battle, They
| in rear Of the other. They formed In line
| as though they were on dress parade. Col.
| Sheridan rode mp to Capt Campbell and,
| not seeing many Of his command, said;
Capt, Campbell, where are your men?'
| "Oh, they are around here said Camp
bell.
| Great Cesar" said Sheridan, 'the enemy
are forming for charge; they will be o. TO
| JOu in a minute"
| Well. let 'em come. - 'em let 'em
come" said Campbell.
About this time Campbell sang out to his
| men. STEADY. boys steady" His men were
In line, and every man under cover. The
rebel bugle sounded forward, and they NOV
| sd out towards us on a walk In splendid or
Ter. Then the bugle sounded trs', eallop.
and charge. On they came in wo lines
about 100 yards apart.
| Capt. Campbe | now rode along the line to
hold the boys steady to the work that was
| knfn han aud q ,l; ,l.a nl,al< -