The National tribune., 1909-03-18

6th N Y. and I'd Pa. Cav We were
then camped at Fairfax Court House,
Va Some time in June, 1863, came an
order to our regiment the 1st Mich.
Cav, for so picked men, of whom /
had the honor to be one. We reported
to brigade headquarters, Gen. Stahl,
and were there Joined by two companies
of the 18th Pa. Cav, who marched with
us as far as the old Bull Run battle
field. and were there placed on picket,
while we, under command of Maj. Mel
win c. Brewer, OF the 1st Mich, who
was killed at WINCHESTER, Sept. 19,
1854, went into camp. / remember say
ride Tomorrow" He said: What
makes you think so?" I replied: Don't
you see? They have sent those two
companies OF the 18th Pa to stand pick
ct for US, so that we can sleep. The
morrow proved how close l guessed it.
We were in the saddle at sunrise, and
started toward Warrenton, while the
18th Pa. returned to Fairfax Court
House. We passed thru Warrenton
about II O'Clock, as l remember now,
and took the pike leading to Front
Royal on the other side of the noun
tains. A. Waterloo we found the ene-
my's pickets. and soon put them to
IASnl, Out Ola HOt IcllOW tnefF. III
stead we turned 10 the right, and passed
down on the west side of Thorofare
Mountain to or near to Salem. and
turned into the woods till we came to
an open field, where We fed our horses
and made coffee, about p. m, the first
halt since sunrise. In half an hour we
were again in the saddle, and, leaving
highway entirely, we weT- across coun-
try and struck the pike near Chester
and inside rChp1 nickGtG
was, then after dark, and we learned
from a resident that there was rebel
wagon train coming thru the gap that
night. escorted by some of the I'd Va,
Cav. We also learned that Gen. Jen-
kins was AT Front Royal with 500 men
When we neared the tow1z orders were
passed along the line for every man te
carry his revolver in his hand and not
10 talk. As We passed thru the town
there was here and there a rebel SOL
dier on the sidewalks. An officer came
along. and asked Serg't G. A. Robinson
what command il was, and he replied:
"2d Va Cav. Where is your train ?'
The officer. said: 1T is coming, just
back there" He asked where we were
going TO camp, and the Sergeant re.
piled, Down by the river" and rode
offyto meet the train. At the river We
encountered the rebel pickets again, bu
we Were coming from behind them, ant
oAl stuN dilAS iOAlsilAih W
Lieut.. George r. Maxwell, afterwarG
Lieutenant-Colonels and Brevet Colone
of the regiment. and who lost a leg a
Five Forks, gave them volley, which
they returned, and then we took rui
for it, After sharp trot for three o
four miles and no enemy following, W.
came TO walk. and at 3 o'clock in tn
morning we we're halted by Milroyi
pickets at Winchester, having covered
10 miles with only the one halt to feet
and eat. After ta~ee days rest we re
turned TO Fairfax Court House via Ber
rykille. Sniclers Gap Leesburg, Drains
vile and Vienna. We intended TO hay'
returned by Aldie. but found too man,
of our Southern friends on that road
they being en- route to Pennsylvania
On our arrival at Fairfax we found th'
- regiment all stirred up over the repor
that +Te mad all been captured, and tina
Lee was on his way to Pennsylvania
AT another time. / remember, the Who'll,
brigade covered 80 miles with only on,
halt to feed and eat.--Chas. H. John
son. Co. NJ, 1st Mich. Cav, Traversc
City, Mich.