The National tribune., 1901-02-07
MAJ.=GEN. FITZPATRICK
An Enthusiastic Cadet, Who Won
a Maior-GeHeral's Stars.
By WILLARD GLAZIER.

Like the French Murat, Kilpatricl
seems to have been born to become a yer.
demi-god of cavalry. Daringly heroic oil
the field, he displayed supreme genius
for war, especially for that department o
the service whose alarum cry is "Tt
herse!" and whose sweeping squad
rons, with wild clatter of hoofs, seem Il
the fervid Imagination to be making 6
race for glory, even though it be through
the gates of death.
The beginning of his war career was
one OF romance, and his previous life in.
dicated an unusual range of abilities. He
first figures as a boy orator, speaking in
favor of Congressional candidate, with
all the warmth and enthusiasm of his
young nature.
Then you see him as cadet at West
Point, from which he graduates 18th in
his class, and is given the honor of vale
dictorian. The day of graduation is hast
ened a few months by the startling guns
Of Sumter, which proclaim treason ram
pant and fire all loyal breasts with a de-
sire to rush to the rescue of their coun-
try's beloved flag.
The impatience and enthusiasm of Kill
patrick could not be restrained, and
through his influence a petition was signed
by 81 of his class to be allowed to grad
uate at once and go to the front. The
request was granted, and that day was
one of especial significance at West Point.
1t was also one of equal significance in his
life, for the little chapel where had rung
out the words of his farewell address also
witnessed the sacred ceremony of his mar
riage with the lady of his love, and on that
evening the young soldier and his bride
took the train for Washington and the
front.
We know little of the bride except that
she was enshrined in her husbands love,
and that her name-"Alice"-was in
seribed on the silken banner under which
he fought and so Sloriously led his troops
10 victory and renown. No one can tell
how much that name may have had to do
with his future marvellous success. To na-
lures like his the magic of q name thus
loved, iuttering aloft in the smoke of bat
tie, becomes talismanic and inspires al
most supernatural heroism.
HIS FIRST BATTLE.
Kilpatrick's first battle was fought at
Big Bethel on June II, 1861, where, in
command of a portion of Duryea's
Zouaves, he led the advance, and in the
first charge received a grapeshot wound
IN his thigh; but though covered with
blood he led his men in several subsequent
charges, and was finally borne from the
field fainting from exhaustion. After this
engagement he returned to New York, and
was not able to take the field again before
During that month he went to Wash
ington, received the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel in the Harris Light Cavalry, and
began preparations for the front. He
had also received promotion to First Lieu
tenant in the 1st Art. in the Regular
Army. In addition to this he became In
spector- General of McDowell's Division, !
and was also on the board for examining !
cavalry officers of the volunteer service.
In the grand movement on Manassas, |
March S, 1862, Kilpatrick's cavalry had |
the advance and drove the rear-guard of |
Lees army from that place. He advanced I
to CatIett's Station on the next day, where |
he remained until April.
When Mcdowell marched to Falmouth |
he was once more at the front, and in
conjunction with Col. Bayard and the 1st !
Pa. Cav. made a brilliant night attack |
on Falmouth flights, routing Lees cav
airy and capturing the place. For this .
dashing achievement Fitzpatrick received ,
the thanks of the Commanding General.
DREAMING sToNEwALL's LINE.
Afterwards, under Pope's command, he
made his first famous raid in breaking
up Stonewall Jackson's line Of communi- /
eation with Richmond from Gordonsville,