The National tribune., 1901-12-19

was concerned, service in its ranks was
under conditions somewhat different from
that in the ranks of older regiments on
the permanent establishment. In the
sense of education and social status the
rank and file of the 9th Cav. during the
first four years of its existence was su-
perior to the average of enlisted men IN
the Regular Army of that day. From
the military point Of view its service was
probably mere arduOus and varied than
that of any other regiment of Regular
cavalry between 1861 and 1865.
1t formed part of the comparatively
small force of its arm which went to the
Peninsula with McCielan's army in 1867.
In subsequent campaigns of the Army of
the Potomac up to the Spring of lS64
it was in the Third, or Reserve" Bri-
gade of the First Cavalry Division. This
brigade was composed wholly of ReSu-
lars, except the 9TH Pa, and its conduct,
particularly at Gettysburg, was highly
distinguished.
When Gen. Sheridan reorganized the
Cavalry Corps, in March, 1864, prepara-
tory TO Grants colossal campaign, the
9th Regular Cav, then reduced by cas-
ualties to a squadron and commanded
by a Captain-the gallant Ira Chafiin-
was selected by Sheridan as the head
quarters escort. This assignment brought
Chaffee, then Lieutenant of less than
years standing, into immediate per-
sonal contact with the great cavalry
leader, and the association was unques-
tionabIy of great advantage to young
officer of Chaffee's qualities. At all
events he quickly attracted the favorable
notice of Sheridan, who ever afterward
kept a benevolent eye on him, both dur
ing the rest Of the war and in the frontier
service afterward. Some time after the
close of the civil war Chaffee decided to
1T,,r- an1 raSiOppl
But he seems to have quickly repented
the step, because we find him forthwith
applying for reinstatement, which was
done within few weeks after his resig-
nation.
In connection with Sheridan there is an
anecdote of Chaffee that may be worth
preserving. Shortly after assuming COM
mand of the Cavalry Corps, Sheridan,
having particularly noticed the style of
the young Lieutenant, asked Capt. Cafisn
what class Chaffee belonged to- (mean-
ing, of course, the class at West Point.
ITO no class, General" replied ChaHin;
'he is Ranker" meaning, in Regular
Army phrase, an officer promoted from
the ranks.
THE devil you sayw exclaimed Shcri-
dan. why, he has all the air and bear
ing of a regularly-educated ol6ceri I'll
keep an eye on him. He will bear watch
ing!'
To anyone unfamiliar with Army tra-
ditiOns the full significance of Sheridan's
impression as to Chaffee would not be
apparent. Part-and an important part
of the West Point training has for its
| objective the cultivation of certain
air or what might be called "aplomb," :"
in the personal style and indiridual bear
ing of officers sufficiently marked at all
times to distinguish them from other men.
This objective is not always attained, but
West Pointers fatter themselves that the
exceptions are rare. AT all events, what
ever the "Ranker'' may think about it,
the West Pointer believes that the pos
sibility Of praise has been exhausted when
an officer promoted from the ranks is mis-
taken for graduate of. the Military
Academy.