The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-28

Capt w w. Gordon, Jr., who COM
rnanded Troop A at Manassas. and who
returned yesterday to the city for the
first time since the Manassas maneu-
vers, has given the following report Of
the operations of the cavalry under his
command:
The orders for Manassas fixed the
strength of each troop of cavalry at
three officers and forty-seven men. and
provided that the commands should
leave not later than Sept 3.
On Friday, Sept. 2, men from Efing-
ham and Mcintosh counties assembled
at Savannah, spent the night at the
Hussar's Armory. and promptly at
AL M, Saturday, the three contingents
consisting of three officers and forty
six men, forming provisional Troop A,
moved out of the armory and proceed
ed to the depot, where in less than an
hour men, horses and baggage were en-
trained.
Private Meldrim reported for duty at
Manassas and swelled the strength of
the troop to fifty. the exact number
required. The trip should have occu-
pied less than twenty hours, but de-
lays heightened the journey to over
forty hours.
Arriving at Thoroughfare, the men
were landed at one spot, the baggage
and horse equipment at d second, and
the horses at a third, but after awhile
the several parties were reunited, and,
under the guidance of Lieut. Kendrick,
Seventh United States Cavalry an old
friend of the troop, they marched to
camp.
The spot selected for Troop A was
between the regular cavalry and the
Georgia cavalry, about a quarter of
mile from the railroad tracks.
The men of Troop c, Seventh Cav
airy came over at once to renew the
pleasant acquaintance of last summer
at the Savannah encampment, and,
thanks to their hearty assistance, in a
short time the tents were pitched, the
posts set up, the picket rope strung,
and the horses picketed, the field range
and field forge both erected, saddle
racks built, the horse equipment duly
lodged upon them and the personal
baggage neatly slowed away in the
tents.
About noon a late breakfast was
served At 8 in the afternoon, the
Georgia squadron took a practice
march of about ten miles to acquaint
the men and officers with the country
over which they were to operate.
That night at II all the cavalry, I'M
der command of Col. Morton, Seventh,
United States Cavalry, moved out of
camp. Troop A was in the squadron
commanded by Capt. Selah Tomkins,
well-known to Savannahians for his
fine, shooting and pleasant companion
ship.
The troop had the extreme right of
Gen. Bells army and it was expected
TO Focennoiter from Bucklands on the
east to Gainesville on the west. in con-
junction with other troops of the
Seventh United States Cavalry, and of
the Georgia Cavalry, and especially to
patrol the roads leading South. An
outpost was left at McRae's ford and
remained there until 8 the following
afternoon.
Proceeding down the Gainesville
road, the advance guard was formed
and about two miles south of Gaines
willie a mounted patrol halted our
point. Sergt. Daniel halted. but de-
clined to answer Meanwhile two of
the members of the advance party dis
mounted. and while the hostile patrol
had their attention concentrated upon
Sergt Daniel, they crawled in the
ditch beside the road to point be-
yond the patrol and suddenly rose up
and ordered them to surrender.
There was no disputing the fact that
they had been surrounded in the dark
ness, but, unfortunately, the patrol
turned out to be a party of Browns
belonging to a troop of the Seventh
Cavalry. and explanations, instead of
surrenders, were in order.
The troop were in the saddle from II
p. m. until a. M, and were on duty
until p. m. Tuesday, when they re-
turned to camp. Tuesday night con-
ference of officers was called at Col.
Of Lev
ported they could not move the fol-
lowing day on account of rough roads,
the horses requiring to be shod. Others
said they were unequal to a night
march, but they could go at daylight.
Both men and horses of Troop A
were feeling pretty jaded, but the Of
ficers reported that the troop would
move at whatever hour it was ordered.
In this, however, the troop saved its
credit and its bacon. for the cavalry
did not move until o'clock the fol-
lowing morning.
Wednesday the troop covered this
same territory as the dav before, ex.
cept that excursions were made much
further south. The country was
thiokly wooded and traversed by creeks
and ravines with such bold sides that
II was apparent even to an Impractical
eye that neither cavalry. artillery MOI
infantry could successfully operate
there. The men. however, saw some
rough riding, and ascents and desoents
att angles of sixty degrees and over
were by no means uncommon. s--
The work of the men called forth
loud praise from the umpire who &C.
companied them. who confided TO an.
other officer. a member of Gen. Bell,
STAFF, that Troop A of the Georgia Cav.
airy we're 'crack-a-jacks. t-'
At the close of the maneuvers Wed
nesday, the troop had not seen single
blue coat. On Thursday morning the.
started out again over the same coun
try, but working more to the east. Rid
ing south on the Gainesville Bristoy
road about 10 in the morning. wor,
was sent back by the point that TIL
Blues were to the west. and that
would be we'll to proceed due west
The troop was proceeding rapid
west through a wood, when firing wa
ward TO the south
The troop was Immediately dismount
ed to fight on foot action left, an
moved at a double quick towards tn
sound of the firing. Extended orde
was forward. and almost immediatel
a Blue. then another, and another wa
sighted. Fire at will" commenc
airing" was given and then the me
fred and began to yell a genuine reb'
yell.
The Blue fred one shot, but at I'll
yell they turned and ran with as muc
apparent fear as II real bullets wer
being fired al them. Presently car