Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-04-27
THE, BOOMING CANNON
RECITALS OF CAMP AND SAT-
TIE INCIDENTS.
Survivors of the Rebellion Relate
Many Amusing aud Startling Incl
dents of Marches, Camp Life, Forag-

dents referring to my regiment, brigade
they should not be. While l do not
suppose these misleading statements
can ever be entirely remedied, but will
continue TO stand as records, l have
made up my mind to state one case in
particular. / have been reading re-
Gently of Sheridan's campaign in the
Shenandoah in DIR. James Moore's
History of the Great Rebellion"
understand DR.. Moore was an officer in
the United States Army. He says:
"On July 80 1864. McCausland re
crossed the Potomac with a body OF
cavalry, and moving on Chambersburg,
Pa, levied 100000 on the inhabitants,
but this being refused, he laid the
greater part Of the beautiful town in
ashes. Gen. Kelley met this force de
feated and dispersed it," Now, this
part OF Moore's history is far from
correct, and the affair is of much more
Importance than one would imagine
from reading this account. Gen. Kei-
ley and his command had nothing to
do with the glorious achievement. To
Gen. Ayerell and the Second Division
of Sheridan's Cavalry Corps belong
all the credit. Averelrs Division was
composed of the Eighth Ohio Cavalry
Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Lin
coin Cavalry. New York First Brigade;
First, Second and Third West Virginia
Cavalry, Second Brigade and a battery
guns Our division was small,
and the enemy outnumbercd us cOnsid-
erably. We were hot on the trail, and
reached Chambersburg late in the aft
ernoon shortly after the Johnnie had
left. although we caught few OF those
who had imbihed little too freely. and
were consequently somewhat dilatory
about getting out OF the burning city.
We pushed along after them for almost
two days, frequently catching up and
skirmishing with their rear guard. Nc
Causland tried several times to draw
us into an engagement. but Gen. Az
erell had other objects in view, and
finally seemed to give up the chase,
McCausland made up his mind that
this was the case so he went into camp
at Moorestown to give his troops some
rest. OF course, we knew nothing of
Gen. Averell's plans, and when he
moved his command In different
route from that McCausland had taken
1t was all Greek to us. We marched
quite rapidly, and kept IT UP until after
midnight, when we were ordered to
file off into n large field on our left,
dism0unt and stand "to horse" We
obeyed this order, standing quietly,
hungry and tired, for about an hour,
and told us to fasten our canteens,
cooking utensils, etc, so securely to our
saddles that they would make no noise,
We were then ordered to mount and
move as quietly as possible. We moved
out into the road, and my regiment, the
Eighth Ohio, had the advance We
marched at a quick walk for about "a
mile, and were then ordered 10 gallop
and In a few moments we were In the
rebel camp. We surprised the John
MES completely, who rose on all sides,
only to be shot down or captured. The
rebel camp WAS divided by small riy-
er-I do not remember the name--part
of the force being on the north side
and the rest on the south side. We
killed, wounded or captured all Of
those on the north side, but many OF
those on the south side succeeded in
making their escape. After we had
to take account of stock. We had over
600 prisoners, artillery, horses and
wagons in abundance. The dead ana
wounded about cqualed In number
those captured, and We had horses
enough to give almost every one a n.tt
mount. Gen. McCausland's army was
entirely dispersed by Gen. Ayerell and
his command, and yet Or Moore says
that Gen. Kelley net and defeated
them on their retreat from Chambers
burg. There Is much that is interest
Ing connected with this affair, but !
will only explain how Gen. Averell got
into the rebel camp without firing a
shot. He sent a body OF scouts
through tie hills and byways, WHO sue
ceedeA in getting inside the rebel lines.
They then moved out and captured the
pickets by saying they had been sent
to relieve them, and when they fell into
line to turn over the post n few revol-
vers were placed at their heads and
they quietly surrendered, which cleared
the road for our men. This achieve
ment Of Gen. Ayerell's was the after
clap Of the burning Of Chambersburg
and was 30 brilliant and glorious that
he received an extra star very short
time after il occurred As the account
OF this affair has been 50 misscated In
DR.. Moorc's history. I would fikc 20
have some Of my comrades who we're
with us corroborate ne in my version
IL / am rIght-Volney y. St John
Company =. Eighth Ohio Cavalry