The National tribune., 1906-07-19

in this section of the country, who rem
dered -Iost valuable assistance to our
troops.
Not the least important result of
this expedition was the accumulation of
500 horses and mules, SO much needed
in our service. These animals are. with
few exceptions. far superior to those
airy service. After a few days rest the
Sth Ill. Cav. will be the best-mounted
regiment in the service. 1t may be
mentioned here that the most service
able horses the cavalry have had dur
ing the past year have been those cap
tured from the enemy. One company
that I know has, out of so horses, 35
which were formerly in the Confeder-
ate service, and this company has not
had a horse condemned in six months.
The reason for this is. the rebels press
into their service the best horses to be
found within their lines. while our
Government buys the poorest horses to
be had for a very limited price. Yet,
with all this advantage in favor of our
enemies. our cavalry have thus far had
vim and pluck enough to capture two
of their cavalrymen to every one lost.
What we could do, IL properly mount
ed, it is impossible to imagine.
"The Sth Ill Cav. reached their camp
last night, and a more ludicrous process
sion was never formed than this caval-
cade of cavalry, negroes. captured
horses. mules, carts, wagons. oxen. reb-
el soldiers, trotting sulkies. top car
riages, etc. There were about 100 pris-
| oners, some of them guerrillas. for
whose crimes the punishment is death;
| three officers ana a few smugglers. Up
ward of $1,000 in Confederate money
was also secured, beside some Govern
ment securities. OF the negroes, 800
| were stout. healthy field hands. who
have been assigned to duty as laborers
in the Quartermaster's Department.
where they will earn for themselves the
fair wages of $40 per month and ra-
tions. The remainder were old men
and the wives. children or mothers of
| the first lot. To feed this large family
and his command as well. Col. Glen
| denim made heavy levies upon the
granaries of Secesh, took possession OF
| their grist mills, turned his soldiers into
| millers, and thus succeeded In obtain
| ing abundant supplies of meal and
| flour. 1t was ascertained that some OF
| the wealthiest citizens on the Neck
were engaged in the smuggling busi-
ness. or contributing in some way to
| the support of the rebellion, and these
gentlemen were made to pay dearly foi
| their Secession sympathies. AS theil
| negroes have left them. 1t was thought
| but just that the soldiers should take
| their rations. So these Illinois eman-
cipators Jared sumptuously during theil
| trip. The official reports of the raid
show that upward of s1,000,000 worth
of rebel property was destroyed, aside
| from what was brought into camp
| while the blow struck at the smuggling
| trade was the severeSt one yet dealt
| This is by no means the first raid ir
which the Sth III. has distinguished
itself, while as a fighting regiment 1t /:
| excelled by none. Gen. Pleasanton':
Division, to which 1t has been attached
heretofore, has always had the mos
work and the most fighting 10 do oi
any cavalry command in the army, bu
has had less publicity given to it.
movements. That division, as indeed
all the cavalry, only need the proper
authority to make their raids and fight:
more frequent. and If permitted to dc
so would do more by dealing sturdy
blows to effect peace than all the
! Copperheads' or peace men in the
country. Yours-K."