The National tribune., 1900-08-02
A DESPERATE RECONNAISSANCE.
How a Lieutenant Baptized His Commission
and Showed His Mettle.

EDITOR NATIONAL. TRIBUNE: In the
Summer of 1868 there was raised in SYRIA
cuse, n. Y, and vicinity a cavalry regi-
ment that was destined to make its mark
among the troops of rhat branch OF the
service, this result being in some degree
aided by the presence among its officers
of men who had already seen two years
of hard service in the old Sd n. Y. Cav,
which was in reality the first regiment of
furnished, and the humble opinion of your
writer is that no better was ever equipped
by the Government before or since.
The last officer but one who was mus
tered into the service with this new regi-
ment in October, 1863, was the Second
Lieutenant. a sketch of whose service
with that rank will be attempted. He had
struggled hard, but had only reached the
position of regimental Sergeant during
the past two years, but kind friends
among the officers had seen the situation.
A good OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of a cav
airy regiment had no earthly show of pro-
motion. They had made the appeal, and
Col. Richardson had made the requisition
on the War Office, his discharge came,
and he was equipped to see what a Second
Lieutenant could do.
This regiment rendeZvOused southeast
of Washington, near Camp Stoneman,
and the first work of our Second Lieu
W iS a. VI Solhpd
MES as they came on the ground. Much
of the Fall Of '63 was comparatively un-
interesting. but in early part of Winter
the regiment was moved to Harpers
Ferry, thence up the b. & o. Railroad
to Cumberland, thence in a few days out
into the mountains to a point known as
New Greek, opposite Piedmont Station, on
the r. S 0. Railroad, going into Winter
quarters and putting out guards over
quite u stretch of country as a protec-
tion from raids upon that great artery of
the army's supplies.
Before camp was fully settled our ju-
nior Second was ordered to appear Mt Reg
mental Headquarters and notified that
he was to act as Regimental Quartermas-
ter, the incumbent being suddenly called
away. Protests were of no avail, and for
a month there was promptness and
efficiency in that department that was a
new feature. The first important event,
however, of our young Lieutenant's COM
missiOned career was to come just ut the
close of this month. He had been relieved
from camp duty for 10 days, and was
making his Quartermasters returns, when
the Lieutenant Colonel called at his tent
He was ordered out for several days
march and wanted Junior to go with
him. No, his company was not going; he
was to be with the commander; that was
all.
On agreement for extension of time to
finish his papers, the Lieutenant took up
the line of march with pleasure, and for
nearly two days marched through mud
and slush. a heavy rain setting in during
the last day. Just at night the command
halted on the banks of a river, then
mighty in its swift currents and over
flowed banks.
Opposite to the landing point was the
small hamlet of Moorfield, W. Va, which
proved to be the objective point of the
march, so near and yet so far" Night
being at hand, and no prospect Of cross
ing, the command went into camp on a
rise of ground little back from the river.
The Colonel treated the Junior Second as
guest everything being made comforta-
bic for him at headquarters.
The morning opened bright and all save
the Colonel seemed cheerful and in better
spirits. He alone scented carewOrn and
uneasy; he was up early and saw the
river rising, thus dampehing his hopes of
crossing into the town and being able to
report what troops if any were there,
which was the uitimatum of his orders.
Breakfast being over, the trial COM
menced. One detail and then another was
formed to cross that mighty stream, but
each and all were swept by a current
irresistible down, stream and fortunately
toward our shore. Some horses were lost,
men were rescued with difficulty, and all
hope of crossing was about to be aban-
doned. 1t was now the Lieutenant's op-
pOrtunity, and hard was the struggle for
permission TO act. He had asked permis-
sion to join the previous details only to
be peremptorily refused. Being there
more by request than command, the com
mander was not willing to take the re-
sponsibility of permission, even where the
danger was so great For more than two
hours the argument lasted. The Lieuten-
ant, among other things, pressing the
bat
swimmers in the army: that not one in
5000 could match him.
1t was 3 o'clock in the day when per-
mission was most unwillinSly given for
the start. and a First Lieutenant, with 90
men. were detailed to 90 with him. to in
teryiew whoever might be on the other
side.
So far not a soldier had been seen. All
being ready the plunge was made, and,
with a single exception, resulted about as
before. Men and horses were swept by
cross current and scrambled or were
hurled out. A single officer seemed to be
fighting that mighty current: under him
surely was a powerful beast that had
been trained to the water, and both slow
ly but surely struggling for the other
shore. The horses head turned up
stream and every nerve strained, finally
effected a landing among some brush be-
low the ford. There for moment all
1DSt, LOT tut gTOuHC WIS SOU anu
the horse sinking. With mighty rush
he lunged forward and was soon on
ground that would hold his weight.
There was no time to be lost now. 1t
was not to be supposed that there was
one lone soldier on the south side of that
river, and what was done must be done
quickly. .
Strengthening himself in his saddle our
Lieutenant made for the ford lane (at
that time a narrow lane fenced with rails,
leading to the main street of the little
hamlet from the river bank). Riding as
though taking a survey of the position,
slowly and erect, he had gone but a short
distance when McNeil's company of guer-
rilla cavalry drew up in line on n plateau
just over the tops of the few houses at
the foot of the hill. 1t was a strange
sight. At the moment the men looked as
though standing on top Of the houses. To
the right, toward the town, were some old
cornstalks of the previous years crop,
and from this point came rustling, and
in moment couple of bullets whistled
very close to the Lieutenant's head.
The deed was done, the town visited,
and the one company there had shown
themselves. If our Junior could now
reach the other shore all was well; and
he did. Starting at first leisurely. but
quickening his pace as a rush was made,
he plunged his fine steed into the water,
and for q moment was ont of sight of his
pursuers. But very quickly several were
on the bank and builets!fying close about;
but lying closely on his horses neck he
was soon but small mark, and cheers
went up from the 400 on the northern