The National tribune., 1905-11-23
SHOES"

with them, and returned with his men
to Chicago. He there recruited a new
company, containing many of his old
command, while others Of their num-
Der entered other commands in higher
positions, and some rose to considera-
Sandy" l believe was Corporal in the
three months command. All close
readers of the annals Of the war times
know something of his career. espec-
tally Of his last battle. He still lives,
I believe. and il necessary can vouch
for at least some of our dates.
With the new company Barker re-
turned to his depot in West Virginia.
The date Of the muster of this COM
pany, now the Mcclellan Heretofore
the Chicago) Dragons, was Aug. 2,
think. They mounted with the old
equipments, and wearing the old uni
forms, gray jackets, rode as COM
mand and under very strict discipline,
to Washington where they Immediately
went on duty at McClellan's headquar-
tiers. as escort, mounted orderlies, mes
sengers, etc.
were not sufficient for this duty. So
Gen. Mcclellan instructed Capt. Bar
ker to return to Illinois and see IL he
could procure 100 more as competent
men and good horsemen as he then
commanded. II so, he would commits
sion him as Major.
AS the Chicago papers Of the date
said. Barker selected his 102 men from
a great number, and selected 80 we'll
that when he reported to headquarters
with them they were not required to
pass any surgical examination-all the
formula being holding up their hands
and mastering in
The date of this second company for
three years enlistment was Oct %,
1851. The date Of the organization of
the squadron OF two companies was
Nov. i, 81. Here is where Capt. Shears
comes I'm. He was a Lieutenant Of the
first three years company. and was Cap
tain OF Co A OF the squadron. He COM
manded the 18th Ill. Cav. on the field
of Gettysburg. and no doubt handled IT
as well as any regiment on that field.
David c. Brown, First Sergeant of the
nrst three-years company, was Captain
OF Co. b. Mcclellan Dragons. Barker
commanded the squadron as Major un-
til at Harrison's Landing, in July, 1862,
where he resigned.
The squadron accompanied Mcclellan
to the Peninsula in March, 1852.
When the Johnnies evacuated York
town. Gen. Stoneman borrowed the
Dragons. as he tried to in every emer-
gency. and with them at the head OF
his column took up the pursuit early
Sunday morning. May 4. AS soon as
We rode through the rebel works sub
terra shells commenced exploding un-
der our horses shoes. The first killed
horse and badly wounded it's rider
knobel Irish. Overtaking the rear
guard Of the retreating forces near Will
Iiamsburg, that beautiful Sunday, we
had out first regular baptism in bat.
tie. In hot contest with Jeff Davis
Legion. a mounted command. Royce
and Smith were shot dead. and severa
horses went down.
As escort naSSenUarS of ryarx
on every one Of the PeninsuIar fields
Mcclellan loaned his mounted es.
cort TO ride from Alexandria to Bull
Run No. with Gen. Franklin.
We rode with our beloved chief Il
South Mountain and Antietam, and wei
remember that dreary, wintry day thai
Mcclellan and Burnside rode together
La advance of the staff and escort, GO
ing south, and We were informed Will,
standing to horse that evening at War
renton that that was our last ride will
Mcclellan as commander Of the Arm,
of the Potomac.
The command stayed at headuuarter
through Burnside's ill-starred com
mand.
The 4th day of March, 1863. soor
after Hooker assumed his career
OF plumbers as commander of tn.
great army, the Mcclellan Dragons
with Capts. Shears and Brown still com
manding their respective companies
bidding adieu TO the headquarters will
which they had SO long been attached
rode over to Potomac Creek Landing
Went into camp with the 12th ILL., Cav.
and from A and Il Mcclellan Dragons
became Cos. III and ], 18th ILL., Cav.
This statement OF facts from one who
might say "Ail Of which saw. and par
OF which | was" is at your service. Mr.
Editor. The object of putting the truth
on record Is all that prompted its re.
cital.-J. Mark Potts, Antler. Mo.