The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-10-12

months of service it was almost con-
lstantly in the saddle. scouting, picket
ing, guarding, and during its term had
a number of severe skirmishcs, some of
them hand-to-hand conflicts, with the
enemy. At the expiration of the three
months for which it had been mus
tered, Gen. Rosecrans and Gen. McClel-
Ian made every effort to have it re-
| tanned, without success Many of the
members Joined another independent
| organization, known afterward as the
1st Ohio Cav.
| Col. MiIliken.
Minor Milliken was afterward dis
| tinguished on many bloody fields. He
was Colonel of the 1st Ohio Cav, which
regiment. under his leadership, had an
| illustrious career. AT the battle of Stone
| River, seeing that our troops were Civ
| ing way he sent word to the command
ing officer that he would charge with
| his troop into the advancing column of
| the enemy, but would look to him for
support. He called upon his men. less
| than $50, TO follow him, gave the order
| to charge. and struck the advancing
army an unexpected blow. driving them
from his front. Receiving no reinforce
| ments. and seeing that the enemy was
| forming il his rear, he turned and at
| tempted to cut his way out, and there
| laid down his life. Whitefaw Reid, who
/
| Col. Milliken: Justice never lost a
more faithful champion, nor his coun-
try moro promising genius or heroic
| son. Fame, on her list of favored ones
has few younger, and no brighter
| names"
Another Independent cavalry COM
pany WAS recruited in Cincinnati at this
| time, by Capt. Philip Pfau, which was
sent into West Virginia carly in Ma,
reporting to Gen: Mcclellan, This COM
lany had EXPERIENCES similar to those
| of BurdsalTs Cavalry, it's movements
! being marked by energy and success.
| At the expiration of three months, not
withstanding the remonstrances made,
| ii was mustered out of service.
One Regiment From Five States.
| Upon the representations of the Gov
ernors of Illinois, Ohio and Indiana the
| General Government consented to re-
| ceive one regiment of cavalry. and an
order to recruit it was issued by the
Secretary of War, mainly through the
| fundamentally of Governor Tod. This
| order authorized Col. Josiah Harlan to
| raise an Independent regiment of cav
airy. the intention being to recruit one
company from each of Y States Short
| ly after the order had been issued and
the recruiting commenced, the War De-
| partment decided that they had no au
thority to raise troops in this manner,
and the project was abandoned. The
| troops had been recruited, however,
and determined to continue their Or
eanization A Company was from Iowa;
| l.; and + from New York; / from New
Jersey; NJ from Ohio. and the balance
sylvania. 1t was afterward mustered
into service as the 18th Pa. Cav, but
not until October, 1861.
| When the Governor of Ohio secured
| the order authorizing the formation of
| this regiment of cavalry, the Governor
t<~r De- IL, LOTT inc fn
plish the same thing: and authority was
granted to Col. VIM. II. Young to re-
cruit regiment of cavalry to be known
as "Young's Light Kentucky Cavalry.
| A number of men were enrolled, and
an attempt made to perfect an organ
| ization. after the Government had de-
cided that it could not accept cavalry
regiments in which there were compa-
MES from different States. The men
maintained their company organiza-
tons. however. and eventually were
mustered into service in the Autumn of
| 1861. as the Sd Pa. Cav, with w. w.
| Averell as Colonel.
| Notwithstanding the continual calls
| for cavalry by the commanders then in
the field, and the constant efforts made
by the Governors of loyal States to fur
nish these troops, the Government stead
| lily persisted in declining them.
Mcclellan Wanted Cavalry.
| On the 1st of June, 1861, Gen. Nc
Clellan. then in charge Of the Depart
ment of the Ohio, wrote to Col. Town.
send Assistant Adjuta General. that
he would like some cavalry as soon as
possible, calling attention to the fact
| that there were two Independent
companies then organized in In
diana. two in Ohio. and two in
Illinois, under State laws. and ur-
| gently requested that they be sent forth
with into West Virginia. where they
were so much needed. His appeal, how
| ever, was not effectual. His next effort
was equally unavailing. At this time,
| June II, 1861, he asked to have the six
| companies of the 1st L. s. Cav, then at
! Fort Leavenworth. sent to him, stating
that his movements were hampered be-
/ cause he had no cavalry or scouts. On
the 4th of June. 1861, Maj. Fitzjohn
Porter. reporting to Col. Townsend
from Chambersburg, requested some
companies Of cavalry, for the reason
that "squadrons of the enemy's cavalry
roam the Virginia shore, depressing the
people and drafting them into their own
service" Again. on the 18th Of June,
Gen. Mcclellan reported to Col. Town.
send as follows: Il have been prevent
ed from Il forward movement on Bev-
crly by the want of transportation and
cavalry. The first defect is by this time
removed, and / am trying to secure the
second by inducing the Governor of
ONO 10 raise state cavalry. Know
the slender force of Regulars on hand.
and dislike asking for them, but If ]
could have the six companies Of LIST
Cav. now at Fort Leavenworth, / could
make excellent use of them"
In his account of the capture OF Phi
lippi. June 3, 1861. Gen. Mcclellan re-
ported to Lieut.-Gen. Scott: Had the
attack been supported by few compa-
MES OF cavalry, it is possible that many
Of the enemy would have been captured
or cut to pieces. AS / have no avail
able troops of that description in my
Department, / would very respectfully
urge upon the consideration of the Gen
eral commanding the Importance Of n
mounted force Irregular cavalry If they
can be furnished), to insure the success
Of future operations in this Depart
ment."
On the 10Th of May, 1861, Fitz John
Porter reported from Philadelphia to
Gen. Keim at Chambersburg that a col
} umn of infantry would march from
Chambersburg to Hagerstown under
) command Of Col. George HI. Thomas;
"Col. Thomas, with his cavalry from
Carlisle, will arrive from Chambersburg
| Er;d nd nj