Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-18
The Cavalry Troops That Are Now
at Fort Myer.
A LONG RECORD OF BRILLIANT SERVICE
Noble Work During the. War of the
Rebellion
AND IN INDIAN CAMPAIGNS

States army, which was recently trans
ferred from Niobrsra to Fort Myer, pos
sesses history OF more than usual interest
The cavalry was organized as the third
cavalry, under the Presidents proclamation
of May 3, 1861, and the proclamation was
confirmed by act of Congress July g. 1861.
The headquarters were ordered established
at Pittsburg, and Col. David Hunter was
placed in command The designation of the
regiment was changed to sixth cavalry
August ~, 1861. the mounted rifles becom-
ing the third cavalry.
The regiment was recruited principally In
Pennsylvania, Ohio and western New York.
and, October Il, 1861. companies b, ID. E, F,
G, Ii. L and X having been organized the
regiment was transferred to the camp of
instruction east OF the Capitol, in this city
Companies ! , NJ and were organized soon
after. and, on December 81. 1861, the regi-
ment was ready for the field, with thirty
four officers and 30 men.
THe Peninsular Campaign.
Winter quarters were abandoned March
10. 1sss2. and the regiment crossed the Long
bridge ami marched to Fairfax Court House.
there 1t was assigned 10 Gen. Cookies COM
mana and, after making reconnaissance to
Centerville. Manassas and Bull Run, was
Monroe, which 1t reached on the Both. The
regiment. except one squadron, was equipped
with saDers and pistols, as light cavalry,
and marched in advance of the Army of the
IOtomac to the position before Yorktown,
where 1t remained until the evacuation 1t
participated In the peninsular campaign,
opened the battle of Williamsburg, and
there undertook feat of arms seldom or
never attempted by cavalry mounted.
The regiment was engaged in the actions
at Statersvile, New Kent Court House.
Mechanicsviile and Hanover Court House
The destruction of several bridges, and con-
sequeut railroad communicat ton, was effect
ed about this time by details from the regi-
ment. After successfully defending an ac-
cumuiatfon OF stores at White House Land
ing and checking rebel cavalrymen who en-
deavored TO cross Black creek, ii retired to
Williamsburg and remained about York
town Tor several weeks and then marched
to Malvern Hill and lost a number of men
during sharp engagement there. 1t was
transported to Alexandria, and for three
months was almost constantly in contact
with the enemy in the vicinity of Washing
ton.
From that time until the close of the re-
bellion the sixth cavalry was in active serv-
Ice and performed its duty meritoriously
Al the end of the war the regiment after
the grand review in Washington before the
PRESIDENT, went into camp at Frederick,
Nd, to reorganize and equip for duty on a
distant frontier, where 1t was destined to
pass the next quarter of a century.
strong Praise From Gen. Sheridan.
Subsequent to the close of hostilities the
adjutant generals Office not having given
proper credit TO the regiment for its sery-
ices in battle. Gen. Sheridan sent to the
War Department the following communica-
ton, which is cherished as a manly and
characteristic action on the part of the
great leader: Il take this occasion to strong
~ urge that justice be done the sixth cav
airy. and that the battles, as given in the
within order issued by me- be credited to
this regiment on the next Army Register
SO that its record. or 20 much of 1t as is per-
United in the Army Register. may be in a
measure correct and complete. In the fol-
lowing battles the sixth cavalry fought un-
der my personal supervision, namely: VIII
vania Court House. Yellow Tavern, Meadow
Bridge, Winchester. Fishers Hill, Cedar
Creek. Five Forks. Dinwiddie Court House.
Clover Hill. Sailors Creek and Appomattox
Court House."
The record OF casualties during the re-
bellion shows officers killed, 50 men killed
in action and 53 other deaths; 10 wounded
in action. and II by accident; 43s missing,
and In other charges. making q total of $50
enlisted men.
Service After the War.
In October. 1865. the regiment left Its
camp near Frederick, Nd, and proceeded
to Austin, Tex. The headquarters remain
ed at Austin till August "a, 1868, when
the station was changed to Fort Richard
son. Tex. During the period from 1865 to
1871, while the regiment was stationed in
Texas the duties falling to the officers and
men were of the most dangerous and va
ried kinds. After the close Of the rebellion
the country was overrun with desperadoes
end outlaws. who were even worse than
the hostile ComAnches, and the officers
and men were continually called upon to
guard the courts of Justice. to assist reve-
nue. officers, aid in executing convicted
criminals, supervise elections. pursue out
laws and murderers and in general to in
stitute lawful proceedings where anarchy
reigned- Many soldiers were assassinated
for their devotion to law ana order and
nothing but incessant vigilance and I'M
hinching courage prevented the guerrilla
community from running the border coun-
ties Of the state. During the early part of
1871 the regiment was ordered from Texas
to the Department Of the Missouri. with
headquarters at Fort Sill. 1. T. and soon
after arrival began active scouting against
the Indians. The first half of the regI.
meat in May. 1875. moved to Santa Fe,
New Mexico. where the troops were widely
hard service the regiment was relieved
from duty IN Arizona, and exchanged sta
tons. marching with the fourth cavalry in
New Mexico two troops going to Colorado.
IN the spring OF 1SS5 nearly all the troOps
were hurried to the field to head of their
old enemies. the Arizona Apaches Troop
followed the Indians for about 800 miles
into Mexico.
In Indian Campafgns
Many of the officers of the sixth cavalry
have made conspicuous records in Indian
| campaigns. Among the most prominent
are Capt. Frank West and Lieut.. Charles
b. Gatewood. Captain, then Lieut.. West,
on September I. 1874. with a party CT TWEEN
ty-seVen men, was besieged about a mile
north of the Washita river and surround
ed for four days. during which the men
suffered greatly from exposure and lack of
food. May %. 1887. Capt. west, with a
detachment. was attacked near Camp Bow
lie, Arizona. but by bravery and gaIlantry
came on victorious.
Lieut. Gatewcod entered upon service
with the Apaches within a few months af-
ter Joining the regiment. He saw much
service during the Victoria and other Ap-
ache outbreaks. taking part In several en-
gagements in New Mexico. He was com
mended later by the major general COM
! handing the army for his conduct In the
| surprise and defeat Of Chato and Bopito.
and the rescue of five captives near the
| headwaters of the Bavispe river, in the
Sierra Madres. Sonora, Mexico. An act
| which has made him known throughout the
| army and the country generally Is thus