The National tribune., 1909-04-15

completely reorganized; 1t is a splendid
body of 1900 men, fully equipped. I
am expecting to be ordered to the front
at any moment. I want you to accom-
pany me in the brilliant dash We shall
make" It was not until the middle of
May that the regiment was ordered to
the front. During our stay in camp
every hour was spent in drilling and in
saber exercises. Our faithful Chaplain
sought to inculcate and impress religion
and patriotic convictions upon the
minds of the men, and when the order
to march came one of the finest regi-
ments that ever honored the great State
of Pennsylvania marched forth to do
battle for their country. 1t afterward
made the record of never having been
defeated; never retreated unless pressed
beyond its strength; lost more men in
action than any other cavalry regiment
in the army for the length of time
served. In this feeling of manly pride
this regiment of IL companies, well
equipped and mounted, with field off,
GERS, marched thru the city of Wash
ington to Camp Stoneman, on the Mary
land Hights. Scarcely had they reached
Camp Stoneman before an order came
to dismouRt the 21st Pa. Cav, and for
ward the horses to the front for artil-
lery. and send the regiment to Arling-
ton, Va No one can judge the dissatis-
faction this worked in the hearts and
feeling of every member of the regi-
ment, from the highest in command to
the lowest in the rear rank The feel
ing was equal to rebellion. No one felt
like obeying this order. 1t was execut-
ed, however, in a most effectual man.
ner. When it was discovered that this
was the final disposal of the men
scene occurred that the writer will never
forget. All discipline was lost. The
men broke ranks, invaded the side
walks, whooped and yelled like Indians
Fortunately no one tried to improve or
attempt to improve the discipline Any
such effort would have met resistance
for the men carried their carbines and
sabers. There was not an officer of the
regiment who felt like attempting to
command. Col. Boyd, who was active
in the Valley was ordered to Washing
ton to command his regiment in person,
| and met us on the march thru the city
to Arlington. When he appeared the
men rushed toward him yelling like
| savaSes, without reason or respect The
field and line officers gathered around
him in silent salute The Colonel spoke
not word. but wept like a child. His
first utterance was: chaplain, did not
think when L invited you to the brilliant
dash on the enemy's lines that we should
be treated in this manner" We marched
thru Washington, across the Long
Bridge, into Virginia. and were quar-
tered in sight of Robert e. Lees resi-
dence. The battles of Aug. 1s, 10 and
y Were Fought and that of PEBBLES
Farm Sept. 30. In this campaign, be-
| ing a continuous fight from June Q.
1864. to Sept. 30, our regiment was very
much reduced in number, and we were
ordered to City Point to be remounted.
New men were recruited and distribut-
ed among the different companies. fill
ing the regiment to its maximum There
sn siic men exchanged their tattered uni
forms for new garments. horaas ,yaJ,
equipped, We're furnished. and once
more the regiment marched to the
ifront, fun of courage and determina-