The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-01-10
THURSDAY, JAN. 10, 1895.
[->wx
IN. E g2g1 g j&g}
's:1:z@ ElUD -
NORTH CAROLINA WAR HISTORY
THE FIRST CAVALRY.

THE FIRST CAVALRY.
The sketch by Gen. R. Barringer,
of his old regiment, the First Cavalry,
in this issue, was prepared by him at
the request of Judge Walter Clark, on
behalf of the North Carolina Con
federate Veterans Association. 1t will
be remembered that at a meeting Of
the association during the State Fair
at Raleigh in October last, it vas
resolved TO take some practical steps
towards securing the necessary materials
for proper history of the part taken
by North Carolina in the late civil
war. Judge Clark was designated to
select suitable person from each of
one hundred and more regiments and
battalions raised by the State, 10 write
up clearly and concisely the main
facts in its history. These would, in
most instances, be published in proba
bly, both the local and general press
of the State, and thus invite criticism
and secure accuracy. Afterwards, the
whole would be revised and published
IN a suitable volume as a basis for
historic use.
Judge Clark has periodically under
taken the work assigned him and at
once selected Gen. Barringer to write
up his famous First Cavalry. The
latter, too, has promptly responded to
the call SO made upon him.
As this regiment was noted for its
superior drill and discipline, and also
for its remarkable career in the Army
of Northern Virginia, its history
becomes in fact short epitome of that
great army. Besides, Gen. Barringer
has, succeeded in giving some quite
grashic accounts of the cavalry opera
tons of that army, not generally
known, and which will doubtless bring
readily to the minds of the old tro'ps
of Stuart and Hampton 4 vivid recol-
lection of their numerous marches ana
counter marches, and of battles LOST
and won.
We are authorized by Gen. Barrineer
to say that he invites d free and frank
criticism of the work done, and will
promptly correct any well-autntnu
Gated errors or mistakes.
The present sketch, or d" Part |, Is
limited to the period from the organl
zation of the regiment in June, 1901,
to June, 1904, while Gen. Barrlnger
himself was with the First, and up to
the date of his promotion as brigadler,
June 9th of that year. The operations
of his brigade (ncluding, of course, Its
several regiments-First, Second, Third
and Fifth Cavalry were fully set fourth
i'll semiofticial report made to his
division commander. w. H. +. Lee, in
1906, as called for by Gen. X. f.
Lee.
Gen. Barringer had hoped to make
briet synopsis OF rough copy of thi:
report still in his hands as covering
the First Regiment. But his continued
failure of strength now leaves this III
doubt. He, however, promises to any
one who will undertake the work the
full benefit of all his material. W.
sincerely trust that his success in Thu
line in the present article may stimu
late others in the same direction.
The above is taken rom the Char
lotte Obsey0rr, of Sunday. We have
read the article referred to with muCl
interest. In several places the nam'
of our gallant townsman Col. W. H
Cheek, who bore a conspicuous part IL
many of the most brilliant achieve
ments Of the First North Carolin;
Cavalry, is prominently mentioned
In one place speaking of an engage
ment the details of which were recentl
published in the GOLD LEAF, as Copiet
from The Richmond Dispatch, Gen
Barringer says:
Both armies now went into white
quarters, our brigade at Milford Sta
ton, but still picketing the Rapidal
over twenty miles off. During tn
winter no special cavalry movement
occurred until about the Ist of March
when the Fitzpatrick Dahlgren raid &C
cured and three hundred men from
the North Carolina brigade, under Co
VIM. H. Cheek, made night attac
on the raiders, near Atlee's Station
and completely routed them, captur
ing many prisoners with valuable arm:
etc. This was really one of the mo:
brilliant feats of the war, and Co
Cheek was highly complimenteG for il
THE Washington correspondent {
the Richmond Dispatch remarks upo
the fact that the President is slo
about providing place for Mr.. Waite
X. Henry, Of Henderson, this State
A great many North Carolinians hav
remarked the same fact. Mr.. Henri
has performed enough service for III
Democratic party to give him a goo
claim upon it. He has not only tn
merit, from a partisan's standpoint
which not only warrants, but suggest
his recognition, but he has capacit
for public place, and it is ,rifle di:
couraglng TO party workers to see hir
overlooked while party favors 60 t
undeservers. 1t is high time his clai,r
had due Observation-Disclosures o.
ser1er.