The National tribune., 1900-07-12
ROUGH RIDING WITH PALMER.
By HON. j. W. OVER.

heroic defender OF Fort sumter. WIS dp
pointed to the command of the armies
In kentucky, ". }. Palmer, Pennsyi
vanian, recruited a company of picked
Young men in his State. which Was called
the Anderson Troop, for special services
at his Headquarters. II was mustered
into service on Nov. so, 1851, ana per
formed arduous and responsible duties foI
the different commanders of the Army ol
the Cumberland until il was mustered Out
in the Spring of 1855.
That army operated over a vast extent OF
country, its divisions and corps being ire
quently widely separated; and to enable
the Commanding General to keep up COM
munication with them il became necessary
to have a larger body of men for special
service. Capt. Palmer was accordingly
authorized TO raise in this State battalion
for that purpose. Recruiting offices were
opened at Pittsburg by Frank B. Ward,
Orderly-Sergeant of the troop. and at
Philadelphia and other points. The
specialduty phase impressed patriotic
young men of our State so favorably that,
Instead of a battalion, a regiment OF over
1000 men was soon recruited, and on Aug.
% 1852, was mustered into service at Car
isle, Pa, and called the Anderson Cav
airy.
Here a provisional organization was
made such members OF the Anderson
Troop as had been detailed for recruiting
service being appointed officers pro tenn.
and the work of drilling us in the mysteries
of right and left moulinet, rear cut and for
the head parry. and cavalry evolutlonS
was prosecuted diligently under the di-
rection of the amiable Corporals and Ser
geants OF the Regular Army stationed at
Carlisle. They were very efficient drill
masters. but much given 10 profanity.
Most of the regiment came from cities
and towns, and the ignorance of some, as
to horses and their accOutermentS. was
painful to witness II was related of one
hot yfret OF. hn hn
on his steed wrong end foremost, made des-
perate efforts 10 put the crupper over both
ears, and that he only discovered his mis-
take when after mounting he found him
Self facing the rear.
ANTIETAM.
in September, when Lee invaded Mary
land, we proceeded by rail to Chanbersburg
and Greencastle. where horses, saddles
and brides belonging TO the thrifty farm
ers of the Cumberland Valley were pressed
into service. and Fart of the regiment
mounted. Longstreet was then in Hagers-
town. about 10 miles distant. and our whole
force was placed on picket along the State
line. By keeping up bold front though
lnwardly quakIGg, We prevented the rebel
cavalry from making incursions into the
State.
Two of our boys whilst returning from
scout beyond orr lines to the vicinity OF
Hagerstown. barely escaped capture. OBJ
serving a squad of cavalry on the road
between them and our picket line and a
horseman gallopirg furiouSly towards
them, they halted, concealed III the woods,
a citizen, they joined him in his ride, and
discovered that rebel Colonel was visiting
his home, near our lines, and that the cav
airy in sight belonged To his command.
The citizen was an ardent rebel, carrying a
message to the Celonel's relatives, and was
.aiH tod
for Confederates: talked very freely TO them,
and seemed to enjoy their company. This
enjoyment terminated suddenly when they
halted him, and after some talk. punctuated
by the muZzleS of their reyolvers close 10
his face. succeeded in making him under
stand that they were Yankees: that he was
their prisoner. and that he would have to
guide them across the country TO our yidets;
which he did very unwiliingly.
On the trip through the woods and fields
a number OF refugees from Hagerstown
were discovered hiding. The two scouts
thought their safety depended upon max
Ing them prisoners, and they arrived safely
inside of our lines with the rebel citizen
riding between them and about 50refugees.
white and black, men. women and
children, driven in front like a flock Of
sheep.
When the rebel force left Hagerstown
We followed al a respectful distance. and
Joined the Army Of the Potomac on the day
OF the battle Of Antietam. Whilst the i'm
preston made upon green troops by the
sights, rumors and sounds which are seen
ana heard IN the rear OF an army when a
battle Is progressing are very vivid. they
are not such as inspire courage. or make
them very anxious to join in the fray.
remember, as if 1t were yesterday. how,
as we We're sitting on our horses, near a
hospital waiting FOR orders. hearing the
thunder of the cannon. the rattle of the
musketry, the cheers OF the soldiers at
the front, the tales of Stragglers that our
army WAS cut 10 pieces. and seeing the
wounded carried into the hospital. | in
wardly philosophical on the barbaritv
and stupidity OF war, and wished, oh 50
earnestly, that the swords Of bOtlf armies
might be instantly beaten into plOwshares
and their spears INTO pruning hooks.
We took no actual part in the battle, and
lost but one man killed and one, Col.
Palmer, captured. He, disguised as a
granger, had penetrated the enemys lines
TO obtain information for Gen. Mcclellan,
and maulfested 50 much interest in watch
ing them crossing the Potomac, that he
was arrested and confined in Castle Thun-
der. he managed 10 deceive them as 10 his
purpose and Identity. and Was finally re-
leased and ioiIed the regiment al Nash
VILE III February, 1862.
STONE RIVER
We joined the Army Of the Cumber.
1and at Nashville i'm December, 1862 and
part ot the regiment was engaged in the
battle Of Stone River leading the ad.
vance OF the right wing OF the army on
the 29th and pushing the enemy at full
charge for six miles. Late in the evening
Mai Rosengarten was killed and Mai
Ward MORALLY wounded whilst gallantly
leading the regiment in a charge upon two
regiments Cf rebel infantry Our loss IL
this battle was 13 killed and 90 wounded
and missing.
a detachment Of the regiment was de
tailed in December by Gen. Il. y. Mitchell
commanding at Nashville. for duty at his
Headquarters. Il was engaged in carry,
ing dispatches and escort duty until tho
following March.
Some Of them had very exciting anC
amusing ride one day while escoriinl
Col. Dan NCCook and a high official o
Kansas OH a visit to a plantation outside
Of our lines. The Colonel was an eXcelleu
horscmau. and in frolicsome mood lee
us wIid chase across the country. over tin,
widest bitches and highest fences he coulC
find. His horse easily leaped them. h,
moving with II as II nodded III the saddle
while the officials horse followed au
parentlX much against the riders will
tossing him III me air at every leap. For
tunately, his grip on the pOmmel was 81
firm as 10 prevent him being dismolnted
Then the Colonel would ride in a circle al ;
full gal!Op, in true Indian fashion, Will
regular war-whOop accompaniment, arount
the dIgnified official. shooting imaginar,
arrows into him and doing the scalping ac
in pantomime. The ride was much en-
pyed by all, except the high official.
= a. Z.