Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-23
A WAR EPISODE.
What Became of tho First Vermont Caval
ry Horses, Missing Dec. go, 1864.
Burlington Jan. IA, 1896.
To the Editor of the Free Press:

To the Editor of the Free Press:
Historians concede that the cavalry regi-
ment from the Green Mountain State was
one of the best fighting regiments in the
famous Third cavalry division army of the
Potomac, whose career in the "Shenan-
doah Valley" undeh Sheridan in 1864 was
largely Instrumental in sending the rebels
'whirling' through Winchester. subse-
quently clearing the valley of rebel troops,
and rendering that fertile region so barren
of subsistence that Gen. Sheridan in his
report to the war department. stated, "a
crow flying over the valley would have to
carry his rations." Gen. Custer, the divi-
sion commander, in a congratulatory Or
der issued soon after the battle of Cedar
Creek, October 10, 1864 said: THE history
OF this war, truthfuly written, will con-
tam no brighter page than that upon
which is recorded the chivalrous deeds
Third cavalry division"
| The following statement may clear up n
mystery and inform the surviving men,
bers OF the First Vermont cavalry what
became of the horses not only of the First
Vermont, but of other cavalry regiments
whose men could not find their animals
where they "picketed" them, when called
up so suddenly by the surprise and STAN
pede of the bitter cold morning of Dec. 20,
1864:
| Gen. Sheridan, or some one issued or
ders for the second division, Gen. Powell
and the third division, Gen. Custer, to
make demonstration against the Vir-
ginia Central railroad, cut off communica-
tions between the rebel capital and the
armies then confronting Sherman. who had
then just reached Savannah, on his march
to the sea. On the day preceding the
brief engagement of December 20 our divi-
sion, under Custer, had encamped near
Harrisonburgh. on the march that day, De-
cember 10, the First Vermont cavalry, had
the advance, reaching "Laceys Springs
carly in the afternoon. The day was cold
snow and sleet falling fast. The ground
slippery as night approached, became
worse, the cold increased, making 1t one
| or the most bitter nights during that cam
paign. The rebel commanders decided to
proht by the war of the elements and plan
another valley surprise. Gen. II. j. Ros-
SER with 600 rebel horsemen, approached
the Union lines. In tire afternoon a rebe
guerrilla, bearing the name of Lincoln, ac.
companied by two rebel soldiers. fur
Laughed home, one named Clark, residents
OF the valley, came to the farm on which
the Union troops were encamped. My in.
dormant in regard to this was a son of the
owner of the farm, then a boy of eighI
years, whom l met in Missouri two years
ago. Speaking of this occurrence, which
came about from my mentioning Lacey.
Springs, he said: When Lincoln came hi.
father. knowing his bad reputation, re-
qucsted him to go away. He declined t
do so, saying that the Yankees were com
ing and he intended to kill few, and ge
some horses. The rebel cavalry arriving
the officers used his fathers house as thei
headquarters, When the Union troop.
arrived and the picket lines were posted
that afternoon, Lincoln took in the stua
ton and when night came, disguised al
federals, these rebels entered the -Unior
camp. went among the Vermont boys IL
their bivouacs, talked. cursed and growle,
In sympathy with officers and men, thei
without trouble or molestation, united
number of horses, led them out of tn,
Union lines, and secreted them in thlcke
on the Clark farm, doing their work s,
cautiously. and yet SO boldly. that neithe
tho rebel troopers nor the unsuspectinl
Green Mountain boys knew OF their los
until boots and saddles blew and tn,
men rushed for their steeds, to find then
not During the night, the storm increas
Ing In severity, the rebel officers begal
preparations for the intended surprise
dressing detachment In federal uniform
On the arrival of the division head
quarters, Gen. Custer put up at the Spring
Hotel. The Second New York Cavalry, t,
which the writer belonged, had orders t
be saddled at 3 a, m. We noticed column
OF troops coming down tho Pike ant
thought orders had been issued for a re
turn Of the division to Winchester. Whei
they got within 80 feet of US, we seedn
the blue coats. never dreamed they wer
rebels, till they poured a volley into on
ranks, one Of tho outlets striking tn
writer. Then with yell they made dasl
on the red and green lanterns hanging II
front OF Clusters headquarters. Custer
bsdng awake. got out the back way. Gus