The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-24

| The lance. of an Austrian pattern was
| adopted by the regiment. 1t was the only
lance regiment in the service during the en-
tire war, and was attached at all times to
| the Army of the Potomac.
COL Rush was an excellent organizer and
instructor, having but few superiors, if any.
He not only assumed all the responsibilities
necessary for organizing and equipping
regiment of ], 900 men, horses and accouter-
ments, but understood every detail. He
was well versed in all the requirements of
the Quartermaster, Commissary and Ord
nance Departments. His officers were all
men of high standing, and we'll qualified for
their respective positions. His memory was
excellent; he could call every member of
the regiment by name. He was exacting as
to neatness and quick appreciation of the
qualities necessary for an ideal soldier. The
"SchOol of the Soldier" was part of the
regiment from its commencement until it
was mustered out
The regiment left Philadelphia in De-
cember, 1861, for Washington, D. c., nearly
1000 strong, every man mounted and fully
equipped, accompanied by its mounted band
of 90 pieces. It encamped during the Winter
of 1861 80 on Meridian HILL out 14th street.
Just above the old Columbian College.
The regiment was joined by Capt. John
Macarthur, 5th u. S. Cav, who became Lieu
tenant Colonel, proved a valuable officer aud
instructor, and aided Col. Rush materially
in producing one of the best-drilled cavalry
regiments in the Army of the Potomac.
At Warrenton junction in May, 1863,
Just prior to Stoneman's raid, Col. Rush
resigned, owing to general debility caused
by exposure. His loss was deeply regretted.
At the time Of the reorganization of the
cavalry, under Maj Hooker, the 9Th
Pa. Cav. was brigaded with the LIST, I'd, 9Th,
and 9th U. S. Cav, forming the Reserve Bri-
gade (but mighty effective one, command
ed by Gen. JOHN Buford, and for long time
by Maj .-Gen. Wesley Merritt.
The regiment was well drilled in the use
of the lance, but after Stoneman's raid they
were abandoned and turned in to the Quar-
termaster's Department. Shapes carbines
were substituted, much to the qualification
of the officers and men. The red pennant
on the lance-pole had been veritable tar
get for the enemy when lance was out on
picket; besides they had been a decided
nuisance in wooded country.
The regiment participated in all the
marches and battles of the Army of the
| Potomac, commencing with the march to
Manassas in April, 1852 It was at Han
over Courthouse under Mai .-Gen. Fitz-John
Porter; in the seven days fight, and made
gallant charge at Gaines's Mill. After
leaving the Peninsula it was at Antietam,
charging across Burnsides Bridge. Then it
followed the Confederate army to Culpeper
and Brandy Station, and participated in the
mud march,"
In May. 1868, participated in Stoneman's
raid. 1t magnifcently encountered the
flower of Virginia's cavalry at Beverly Ford,
June 8, 1868, where it lost several of its
best officers and over 100 men, inficting,
however, an equal loss on the enemy.
1t was at Aide, Middleburg, Warrenton,
Thoroughfare Gap, and assisted in holding
in check Longstreet's infantry on the third
port on July 6, 1863 and followed up the
Confederate army until December, 1868,
when it went into Winter quarters at Mitch
| ellis Station.
In May following when Gen. Sheridan
took command of the Cavalry Corps, it was
assigned to Mai. Gen. A. T. A. Torbert's Di-
vision, and with Gen. Merritt as brigade COM
mander it participated at the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, Todd's Tavern, raid to Beaver
Dam Station, and White House Landing at
Yellow Tavern, Hawes Shop, Totopomy
Creek, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station; in the
| Shenandoah Valley while Gen. Sheridan was
operating in that section; in front of Peters
burg; at Five Forks, and was continually
employed in the advance Of the army until
the surrender at AppOmattox.
| On the Peninsula it performed picket and
scout duty, and, owing to the excellent ap-
pearance of its officers and men, squadr0ns
were selected for Division and Corps Head
quarters special duties.
| While Gen. Meade was in direct command
of the Army of the Potomac squadron from
this regiment was always at his Headquar-
tiers, and in General Orders he complimented
the officers and men for their valuable serv-
ices at Gettysburg, while Gen. Sheridan
complimented the regiment
Lieut.. Charles l. Leiper became Briga-
dier-General; Capt. George Meade was an
Abide Camp, with rank Of Colonel, on his
fathers staff, and subsequently Captain in
the Regular Army; Col. A. p. A. Morrow
was private in this regiment, subsequently
being promoted Captain, and was an Abide
Camp on Sheridan's staff. After the war he
became Colonel of the 9th Cav.
Capt. L. C.. Newhall was Assistant Adju-
tant-G General on the staff Of Gen. Sheridan.
Immediately after the war veteran asso-
citation was formed in Philadelphia. and to
/ the credit of its officers be it said, the inter-
est in the association does not wane in the
] least.-BLAsCHEK,