Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-08-07

died his command on any field to
selishly win glory and applause to
himself, as did some other dashing ca
valry commanders. But he fully equal
ed them in daring and dash, as he
easily excelled most of them in, true
generalship, good Judgment and sol
dierly attachments. OF him, as of Blu
ford. it may be said that Ibis extreme
care of his command removed the
rough edges of his exactions as a care
full and stern disciplinarian; those in
his command soon learned that this Of
ficer. who required the best military
duty from his men, was the one who
most cared for his own duties; his SOL
diers knew that he was ever mindful
of their wants and requirements, and
that their position as soldiers was
thoroughly respected by their noble
commander. This trait in his charac-
ter. together with his bravery and
dash. without ostentation, and without
parade. his GOODNESS and able manage
ment in times of danger and difficulty,
and. above all, his care Of his men on
tine battle field, in camp, and IN nos
initial. endeared him to the hearts OF
ALL"
Merritt's division rescue other cavalry
leaders and their commands from
threatened defeat and capture, When
rashness and headlOng, pell-meN 0ash
ran them into traps set by the enemy,
where there would have been nothlng
left to do but ANONYMOUSLY SURRENDER
had it not been for their timely ex-
trication from ruin by Merritts skill.
prudence and daring. An instance OF
this kind occurred at Trevillan statlon,
where Clusters brigade, hopelessiy sur
rounded. and about to be cut to pieces,
was rescued by the brigades OF Mer-
rift and Devin.
GALLANT PARTY AT WINCHES-
TER
In August, 1864, Merritt's division
was transferred TO the army of the
Shenandoah, under Sheridan. 1t was
then composed of seventeen regiments
of cavalry, organized in three brigades,
COMMANDED by Custer, Nevln ana
Gibbs and two batteries of horse ar
tillery. Sheridan soon found IN Merritt
his ablest and truest lieutenant, espe-
cially after Winchester, for Ayer1ll
and Torbert had both disappointed him
at supreme moments. Merrltts con-
duct at Winchester stamped him as
the commander par excellence In that
army, composed, as it was, so largely
of cavalry. In the early part OF the
day, Merritts division, by hard fight
ing AGAINST the strong infantry division
of Wharton, and Kings battalion OF ar
tillery. had prevented that large BODY
OF troops under Breckinridges coI--
mand. from joining the hard-pressed
army of Early, in spite of that gen
erals written command to join him at
once. 1t was kept fighting by Merritts
efforts near the banks of the Opequon,
several miles away from the main
field. 1t was about o'clock in the al
terncon before this necessary rem
forcement was able to reach Early,
and form on his left, and then only
in slow and careful retreat, lighting
Merritt as it fell back. There was
now a lull in the battle, as Early re-
formed his exhausted line, with the
newly arrived forces of Breckenridge
in reserve On his left, which was IL
confused, to meet terrible blow Merritt
was ready to deliver Sweeping around
the Confederate left, Merritt flrst
drove Fitzhugh Lees cavalry whirllng
into and through the infantry lines OF
Wharton and Gordon, and then grand
ly demonstrated for the first time on
American soil what cavalry charges,
repeatedly and well delivered, can do
to break and rout even the stoutest
battalions of infantry massed to resist
the attack. The Cc1federate left line
had changed front to the rear to resist
and met the onsets Of Merritt's horse
men, which were fiercely delivered,
and were decisive of the battle.