The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-01-25
WINCHESTER TO
APPOMATTOX
Continued from page L.

camp at Hancock's Station, stopping
place on the little military railroad, laid
on the surface of the ground almost
without grading, from City Point to our
lines In front Of Petersburg. Here we
were Joined by the Second Division,
under it's new commander, Gen.
Crook; and Sheridan's Cavalry Corps
was once more united. Here also the
regiments received some recruits-men
from hospitals and remOunt camps, and
some officers who had been absent from
various causes. The 1st Cav. lost in
this wise, with regret, it's gallant COM
mander, Capt Eugene M. Baker 10Th
erwise Tim Baker,, Capt. Richard Lord
re1oining from prOtracted absence
and assuming command by virtue of
his rank. The regiment here also re-
joined the Reserve Brigade, a change
which Occasioned no regret, for how
ever honorable duty at headquarters
might be, there was abundant satisfac-
ton in the knowledge that we should
share in the work and in the honors
to be won by that incompatible organi-
| cation, whose history was that Of the
| cavalry of the Army of the Potomac.
The Reserve Brigade.
It's commander, gallant and genial
Alfred Gibbs, had just received his
well-earned promotion to the grade OF
Brigadier-General, and the welcome
given to the regiment upon it's return
made it seem like getting back home
The Reserve Brigade was at this
time composed as follows: Brighten
! Alfred Gibbs, commanding; LIST U. S
Cav, 9Th u. s. Cav, 9Th u. S., Cav, I'd
Mass. Cav, 9Th Pa. Cav.
All the regiments were greatly de-
pleted, and the strength of the whole
brigade must have been considerably
less than 1000 men. The 1st Cav. was
on several occasions during the cam
paign detached for special duty, either
at Gen. Sheridan's headquarters, or un-
der the Immediate direction Of the
corps commander; but its service was
substantially that of the brigade, as II
| is believed that it participated in every
affair in which the brigade was en-
gagged.
| The exhilarating effects Of the fine
weather, and the pleasure and excite
| ment Of meeting old friends and COM
| rades. had put everybody in the best
| of spirits. Then, too, we were once
more within sound of the enemy's
guns; and the conviction that import
ant events were impending served to
keep all minds active and alert, and
| ready to respond with promptness to
| any call for action.
The Rain-a Rebel Ally.
Upon the order for the movement on
| the 18th of March, the rain, that faith
full and untiring ally of the Confed-
| eracy again began active operations
and came down as though the supply
were inexhaustible But mud and rain
had no longer any terrors for the cav
airy; a well-founded conviction exist
| ing that no conditions could be encoun-
| tered more severely trying than those
| which 1t had already experienced
Nevertheless, as we got out into the
country towards Ream's Station, on the
Weldon Railroad, we were reminded
! that Virginia mud has an infinite va
riety Of character. The familiar red
| clay, which kneads up into a thick
and pasty mass, and forms great ridges
as the horses in sets of tours follow
| in each others footsteps, had given
place to a black and yielding sandy
loan which, in the flooded fields, be-
| came almost a quicksand, in which
horse and rider were in danger of sink
ing out Of sight. However, we plunged
and floundered along, making fair pro-
gress, and towards evening came to the
| crossing of Romanty Creek, where we
| found the bridge gone and the stream
roaring along entirely out Of its banks.
| Axes were gotten out. some men swan
to the other side, and two trees on the
opposite banks were felled SO that their
top branches were interlaced in the
stream. These being fastened together
Eand strengthened, quite respectable
| bridge was made, over which the COM
mand passed without difficulty.
ITO be cOntinued.1