The National tribune., 1894-12-06
FOUGHT FoR THE FLAG.


The 9th u. =. Cav, which has recently been
transferred from NiobTsra to Fort Niger, oppo-
site Washington, was organized under Presi-
dent Lincolu's proclamation of May 3. 1861. as
the Sd Cav. The headquarters were established
at Pittsburg, and Col. David Hunter was placed
in command. The designation of the rcgi-
ment was changed 70 the 18TH Cav" Aug. 10
1861, the Mounted Rifles becoming tho 81 Cav
The regiment was recruited principally in
SnDsylyania, Ohio, and western New York
and, Oct. IL. 1861, companies Il, ID, F. +, G.. IT.
/, aud X having been organized, the regiment
was transferred TO the camp of instruction east
of the Capitol. in Washington. Companies 4,
NJ. and @ were organized soon after, and on
Dec. 81, 1861, the regiment was ready for the
field, with 81 officers and $50 men.
The regiment was actively engaged IN the
Peninsular Campaign. 1t made Reconnaissance
to Centervile, Manassas. Bull Run. IL marched
in front of the Army of the Potomac to York
town. The regiment was engaged in the &C.
tions at Slatersvillc, New Kent Courthouse
MechanicsyIllc. and Hanover Courthouse The
destruction of several bridges, and cOnse-
quent railroad communication, was effected
about this time by details from the regiment.
After successfully defending an accumulation
of stores Mt White House Landing, and check
ing rebel cayalrymen who endeavOred to cross
Black Greek, il retired to Williamsburg. and
remained about Yorktown for several weeks
and then marched to Malvern Hill, and lost a
number of men during % sharp engagement
there. 1t was transported 10 Alexandria and
for three months was almost constantly in con-
tact with the enemy in the vicinity of Wash
iugton.
At the close of the war the regiment was re-
organized and semitic the frontier. Gen. Sheri-
dan, in letter addressed to the War Depart
ment, says:
al take this occasion to strongly urge that
tnz ha he Gel, 4LoA
the battles. as given in the within order issued
by me. be credited TO this regiment on the next
Army Register, go that its record, or so much
Of it as is permitted in the Army Register,
may be. in measure, correct and complete.
In the following battles the 9Th Cavalry
fought under my personal supervision, namely:
Wilderness 1odd's Tavern, Furnaces, Spottsyl-
vania Courthouse, Yellow TaverE, Meadow
Bridge, Winchester, Fishers Hill Cedar
Creek, Five Forks. Dinwiddie Courthouse,
Clover Hill. Sailors Creek, and Appomattox
Courthouse"
Since the war the regiment has had varied
experience. From 1865 to 1871 it was sta
toned in Texas. In 1871 it was transferred to
the Department of Missouri with headquarters
at Fort Sill, j. L. Part OF the regiment was
moved to Santa Fe.- N. NJ, in 1875. In 1885
they were engaged with the Arizona Apsches.
Several OF the officers of this command have
made enviable records in the West. Among
them are Capt. Frank West and Lieut. Charles
u. Gatewood. Captain (then LIEUT. West. on
sept. z. 1874. with a party of q men, was
besieged about mile north of the Washita
River, and surrounded for four days, during
which the men suffered greatly from exposure
aud lack of food. May %, 1887, Capt. West,
with a detachment, was attacked near Camp
Bowie. Arizona, but by bravery and gaIlantry
came off victorious. Lieut. Lakewood entered
upon service with the Indians soon after join
ing the command. His conduct in these cam
palgns won for him the praise of his superior
officers, and for bravery in the defeat of Chato
and Bonito he was commended by the Major
General commanding the army. In General
Order of the War Department be is commended
" for bravery in boldly and alone riding into
Geronimo's camp of hostile Apache Indians in
Arizona and demanding their surrender"