The National tribune., 1906-01-25

and the mercury hOyered in unpleasant
proximity to the zero point for days ir
succession. The railroad had beer
completed to Stephenson's Depot, fou1
| miles from Winchester, and supplies
| were hauled from that point i'm wagons;
thus providing a well-stocked commits
| sary for officers and men, and abundan1
| forage for the horses; a condition OF
affiuence which went far towards com
pensafing for the adversties of the
weather.
Rumors there were of other allevia-
lions Afforded by the social life OF the
town; the assurance of the continued
| protection of the Union troops bringing
to the surface the loyal element which
had been overwhelmed and crushed by
the weight of Secession sentiment II
was even whispered that the allegiance
| of some of the fair Confederates TO the
sacred cause" had not been proof
against the wiles of the blind god
and that the "hated Yankees" had been
found less black than they had been
painted. But. alas! these pleasures
were not for the line. Those fortunate
fellows of the staff were on the ground
and, as usual had the inside track
AS the days wore away a restless feel
ing seemed to pervade the camps. All
the talk and discussion about the camp
nreS indicated an eagerness to be up
and doing, to finish the work that still
remained. 1t was not thought that the
task was light one, but there was an
agreement of opinion that the Spring
campaigns would result in the more or
less complete overthrow of the Confed-
eracy and collapse of the rebellion; and
so when the order to march came, al
though unexpected, it was very well
come.
On the morning of the 9th of Feb
| hs,I r,r1
our camps, and leaving the tents stand
Ing, the long column was stretched out
Oh the familiar Valley Pike, headed up
the Valley. The desolate landscape, the
blackend ruins of burnt buildings, the
deserted houses, and fields shorn of
their fences, together with the gloomy
and lowering skies, presented anything
but a cheerful picture; the inspiriting
sense of movement and action was,
however. superior to all depressing in
fiuences, and the way was cheered by
the jokes and laughter of the "bold
dragoons' as they rode along in happy
freedom from all care.
Magnificent Cavalry Force.
magnificent force of cavalry 1t was.
Ten thousand gallant troopers, men OF
intelligence, free citizens of Il free coun-
try, fighting for a cause which could
but strengthen and confirm every cour-
ageous impulse. They had been edu-
Gated, trained, and seasoned by years
of most exacting service against an
enemy whose courage and tenacity of
purpose had won the admiration of
the world. Free from all old-world
theories and traditions, they had put
to the test all means Of offensive power
given them, and had retained with con-
fdence those which had proved effec-
tive. With a versatility of resource
which can exist only with great intelli-
gence, their efficiency had been demon
strated under all possible conditions of
service. In numberless encounters
they had shown themselves superior to
the cavalry Of the enemy; on the field
of battle they had charged successfully
with the saber against infantry lines;
and, fighting dismounted, they had re-
peatedly repulsed and overthrown the
best infantry Of the Confederate armies
Their leaders had also been educated
and trained in the hard school of ex-
perience, and by the process Of selec-
tiOn and the survival Of the fittest rep
resented the best talent in their profess
sion which the Nation afforded. Add
to this the knowledge that they were
under the direction and guidance Of
their great commander. Sheridan, who
had won their hearts by his just con-
fdence in their strength, who had
rescued them from a subordinate and
humilfating position, and whose In
domitabfe spirit had left it's impress
upon the heart OF every trooper. and
we can believe that this body pos
exert most powerful influence in that
contest OF courage, endurance, and
skill, which was to end the mighty
struggle OF four weary years.
The good people OF Strasburg, Wood
stock and the other Valley towns gave